A hazy mind
“You’ve been looking at me all this time. Do you understand?”
I offered to buy Kim Taehyung a meal and walked into a Korean restaurant near his workplace. The entire walk, his mysterious expression, as if he hadn't quite let up, was irritating.
So I tried to look at her without letting on, but it seems like I caught her. Well, it was too obvious to be considered unnoticed.
“…Big. What do you want to eat?”
“I have this. It’s the most expensive.”
“…Anyway. It’s very Kim Taehyung-like.”
Kim Taehyung looked as if he was asking what to do. He quickly called over a staff member and recited the exact same menu we'd chosen. After checking the menu again, the staff member said, "Okay," placed the order sheet on the edge of the table, and headed toward the kitchen.
Kim Taehyung puts a spoon in front of me without me saying a word. Since my left hand is injured and unusable, he even wipes my right with a wet tissue. Why is it so funny how he does everything and then subtly pretends not to care?I'll do it because you're sick.
“…There is.”
"huh."
“…Are you still angry?”
Taehyung, who was wiping my hand with a tissue, stopped, then lifted his head and looked at me. He stared at me without saying a word, then quickly put the wet tissue aside and opened his mouth.
“…I’m still dying.”
What that bastard did to you is vivid before my eyes. I should've just suffocated him to the point of death before the police could even arrest him. Even after that, every word he said was utterly chilling. Just that look in his eyes earlier seemed more than enough to kill a man.
“…Did you really think I was going to die?”
“…You told me. I thought I was going to die.”
“That’s what I said. What about you?”
“….”
"You were scared? Were you scared?" He suddenly became silent, so I asked again, deliberately mixing in a playful tone. "Were you scared I'd die, Taehyung?" As expected, he was trying to play along with my prank. He slyly leaned his head forward, then rested his chin on his hand and looked at me.
“I was worried about Seol Yeo-ju.”
He must have said it in jest, but strangely enough, a part of me felt a pang of excitement at those words. Yeah, it's only natural to be worried, since we're friends. Right? But... this shouldn't be happening. Something feels off. Feeling this way for someone so soon after breaking up... this feeling... shouldn't be happening. Especially if that person is her...This is crazy.
How many thoughts arise from that single word. Does he even know what's in my tangled mind?What are you doing, not eating?At that moment, the food just came out, and I picked up my spoon late. Ah, I have to eat. You eat too.
“Um, the side dishes here are good~”
"delicious?"
“Wow, really… I should come eat some side dishes.”
“Hahaha, eat a lot.”
“…ㅡㅡ Do you think you’re the one who buys the food?”
-🤍-
"great job."
After lunch, Taehyung and I headed back to work. Since we were in different departments, we hadn't seen each other for a while, but before we knew it, it was already sunset and time to leave. I hurriedly packed my bags and headed down to the first floor. Taehyung was waiting for me in his car at the front entrance, and he greeted me.Where should I take you, Seol Yeo-ju?
“Let’s just go there, it’s close to the house.”
“Okay. I’ll leave right away.”
"yes."
"Have you decided what to have for dinner?" I asked, and Kim Taehyung said he had something in mind. When I asked what, he said it was a secret. "What kind of spectacular meal are you planning for me that you're hiding so much from me?" I wondered. Just then, the car bell rang. Apparently, my phone was connected to Bluetooth, and the caller ID on the navigation screen was "Detective Kim Kang-hoon." It seemed like a work call, so I motioned for him to pick up.Yes, this is Kim Taehyung.
"Yes. This is Kim Kang-hoon. I have something to tell you."
“Please speak.”
“No, it’s the person whose interview was canceled earlier.”
Listening closely, it seemed to refer to one of the two ex-convicts whose appointment had been cancelled. As soon as the detective finished speaking, Taehyung glanced at me briefly, then disconnected his Bluetooth and answered the call on my phone. The signal was red. He put the phone back in his hand, which had been tucked between his shoulder and chin, and brought it to his ear.
His voice became increasingly quieter and his expression became quite serious, so I could guess something was up. I was curious, but Kim Taehyung was more focused on the call, so I looked away from him and looked out the window. A few more minutes passed, and the call ended.
“Why, what’s going on?”
“It’s nothing. It’s just work-related.”
“It doesn’t seem like a big deal….”
I figured this was something I shouldn't know, so I decided to lose interest at this point. The atmosphere felt awkward for no reason, so I changed the subject. "Aren't you seeing anyone these days?" ... Even after I said it, it felt really out of the blue.
“You look like you really want to be there.”
“Hey, that’s not it.”
What woman would take a man who lives with another woman?It was Taehyung who was throwing a fit. Well, even I couldn't find a man like that. Then, the thought that came to mind. Am I blocking his path right now? Maybe...? Should we just live separately now?
“…Then should we live separately?”
"…suddenly?"
“No, it’s just that I’m making you worry for no reason.”
Taehyung's expression strangely froze. "You little punk, you're so nervous. I was just joking. After all the years we've spent together, I'd be leaving in an instant." (Of course, I can't even imagine home without you anymore.)
“Just kidding, just kidding.”
“….”
“Just while I’m at it,”
Is the woman you live with taking you away?
How comfortable. There's absolutely no chance of being misunderstood by other women.
“…He’s misleading people again.”
Straightforward girl Seol Yeo-ju.
Kim Taehyung fell in love with her again.