Soo-yeong held a novel she liked in her hand, but her gaze was not on the book, but rather fixed on the void.

“I wish you would keep coming.”

Does he need someone to eat with? Or someone to scold? Yes, having someone around to scold would probably keep the stress at bay.

She couldn’t figure out why he wanted her to come. Could it be…?

“I’ll try to be in sync with you.”

He had said he would try to be in sync, even made kimbap though he couldn’t see, and didn’t push her away during the kiss. In fact, it seemed like he was the one who sweetly initiated it…

Could it be that he likes me?

As this thought crossed her mind, she unconsciously started tapping her foot rapidly.

Students in the adjacent and front seats glared at her, but Soo-yeong, lost in her thoughts, didn’t even notice their stares.

He can’t see my appearance, so did he see my beautiful soul? With his psychic abilities. Did he see and like me for my vast inner world?

But recalling the way he talked to her in daily life, it seemed more like words for an unwelcome employee rather than for a woman he was interested in.

He was always informal with her.

That day, three pest control workers swarmed in. While they were dealing with the cockroach, Woo-jin didn’t move from the bathroom.

Soo-yeong closely watched them catch the cockroach, or whatever it was, and carefully observed them spray around.

Even after they left, Woo-jin still came out of the bathroom, seemingly shuddering. He was bad at conversation and even afraid of bugs.

Aside from his face, physique, warm hands, and soft voice, there was nothing about him that she liked.

Yet… when he said he wished she would keep coming… she was extremely happy. Knowing that he couldn’t see, she struggled to manage her expression. She struggled even to breathe.

Maybe her aunt could go to the house of the company president. But what about telling her mother? If she says she wants to become a housekeeper, she would undoubtedly be scolded. Then what should she say…?

While Woo-jin was working on his manuscript, he felt his wristwatch with his fingertips. The bead at the tip of the needle indicated the time.

It was only 12 o’clock. She wouldn’t come for another two hours.

Or would she come early today? He was supposed to exercise at this time, but after the appearance of the cockroach, he hesitated to go into the living room. Ever since she arrived, there’s been one thing after another that’s been bothering him.

…Should he call her? To come quickly because he can’t go into the living room because of her? That’s so childish.

Though he thought his actions were childish, his fingers fumbled for the phone. After a while, a soft voice came through.

“Hello?”

“…Where are you?”

But Soo-yeong didn’t answer. Soon, ‘cut it in half, please. More ketchup,’ was heard.

What’s she doing…?

Then, ‘goodbye,’ followed by noisy car sounds, and her soft voice came through clearly amidst the noise.

“I bought a sandwich. It’s huge. Do you like sandwiches, Woo-jin?”

“Where are you?”

“Near the library.”

“…You haven’t left yet?”

“Huh? There’s still plenty of time left?”

She knew. Surprised by his own impulsive words, Woo-jin fell silent. Soo-yeong soon spoke kindly.

“You’re hungry, aren’t you, Woo-jin? That’s why you should eat breakfast.”
Soo-yeong held a novel she liked in her hand, but her gaze was not on the book, but rather fixed on the void.

“Woo-jin must be hungry? That’s why you should have breakfast.”

He wasn’t particularly hungry, but now he had a valid reason to want her to come quickly, attributing it to hunger.

“I’m on my way now, so just wait 20 minutes.”

He didn’t respond, but strangely, she didn’t hang up either. Through the phone, sounds of the subway arriving, people murmuring, and clattering echoed.

Woo-jin listened to these sounds, imagining where she could be, recalling his own high school days riding the subway.

Then, amidst the clattering noise, her calm voice came through.

“As she swiftly ascended the ridge, she inhaled deeply, looking at the distant territory of the peacock. There, her husband was. Julian Leonard, the young duke of the Leonard family, a distant relative of Emperor Sterion and known for his great contributions to the nation. He was said to be as handsome as an angel descending. His beauty was so renowned that rumors of it had spread even to the far north. However, in the final battle with the monsters, he was fatally wounded and confined within his castle…”

Listening to her voice, clear yet tranquil amidst the subway noises, Woo-jin stretched out in his chair.

Switching to earphones, he focused on her narration coming through the phone. Her voice was calming and soothing.

He had listened to almost all audiobooks available domestically, but the one narrated by her was by far the best.

Startled by the employee’s announcement of a visitor, Ji-hyun looked up and was surprised to see her. The visitor had long wavy hair down to her waist, a slender face, and eyes sparkling like jewels.

“Na-eun!”

“Brother, how have you been?”