Breakup formula
W. Manggaejjitteok
I went about my daily routine. Eating, sleeping, working, washing. It was a day not much different from any other. Except that you were in my sight. You were no different from usual. Working, eating, talking with my seniors. But the reason it felt subtly different was probably... the subtle, invisible tension between us.
“Miss Yeoju, are you feeling unwell?”
"Miss Yeoju?" I came to my senses at the sound of my name being called again. I must have lost my mind again... I smiled, picking up the mouse I had left blankly in my hand. "It's okay." I forced a faint smile and turned my gaze to the monitor, only to feel your gaze on me from across the room.
“No… Your complexion really doesn’t look good.”
“… …”
“Where does it hurt?”
I blinked at the cold hand on my forehead. “Oh my, I think I have a fever?” Do-Hyeon, sitting next to me, said excitedly. Oh… Now that I think about it, I think I’ve been feeling a little chilly since this morning. Maybe it’s because my mind has been elsewhere these past few days, but I realized belatedly that my physical condition isn’t so good.
“That won’t work. I’ll use my half-day leave.”
“Oh, no. I’m not even finished with work yet…”
There were several windows open on my monitor, and I had a lot of plans and documents to write. I'd been out of it for a few days. So, I was determined to get it all done today. But if I used up my half-day leave... the workload would pile up irreversibly.
"You can take your time with the proposal, right? There's still a lot of time left…"
“Oh, that’s true, but…”
Maybe it was because I'm the type of person who doesn't put things off right away, but once I pushed back, I felt impatient. As Do-hyeon said, there was still plenty of time left, so it was okay, but since I already had work piled up once, I couldn't easily let it go and go rest.
“But you still need to rest.”
My eyes widened. It was Jungkook, who hadn't spoken in days since that day, who had finally opened his mouth. With bewildered eyes, I glanced back and forth between Dohyun and Jungkook, and Dohyun chimed in, confirming my point. "That's right. I've been having a bad cold lately-." ... I wonder if you're okay. I was the one who left you alone, and I was worried that you'd gotten hurt in the process.
“Go and rest. I’ll take care of the plan and other documents.”
“…Oh, no,”
“Even though my senior is a shooter, I am also experienced so I am good at it.”
That's not what I meant... At least I didn't want to push the burden on you. I already knew with every fiber of my being that I was a bad girl. If I pushed the burden on you too... I wouldn't be able to deny it anymore. Just as I was about to say "Enough" and refuse once more, a massive figure approached, grabbed a bundle of papers, and returned to his seat.
“I’m Jeon Jungkook!”
I jumped up from my seat. Why on earth are you doing this? I treated you so badly… I forgot that I had called your name too late and looked around. For a moment, all eyes seemed to be focused on you, but they quickly dispersed, as if everyone else was busy.
“Then I’ll help you, Jeongguk. Is that okay?”
But… Dohyun put my phone and wallet in my handbag and even started packing my luggage himself. Now, I couldn't refuse. Dohyun's hands practically forced the strap of my handbag around my shoulder, and I was pushed back to the exit.
“Don’t worry, just get some rest today. We’ll take care of the rest.”
"…still,"
“I’ll tell the team leader well.”
All the way to the exit, I kept turning and glancing at the desk where you sat. You didn't even spare me a glance, just focused on your paperwork, but I could tell you were being considerate of me, mindful of the eyes around me.
.
.
.
.
[Take your medicine and get some rest. Don't suffer foolishly.]
-jungkook jeon -
After finishing the work the heroine left behind and the day's quota, the long needle was already pointing to 8 p.m. My colleagues had already left for home. Only after I pressed the save button was I able to lean back in my chair.
“… …”
I hope you're resting well at home. I unconsciously grabbed my phone. I left you a message earlier... I wonder if you saw it. I checked the message app and the number 1 was gone. Did you ignore it? I hadn't expected a reply, but I was still disappointed when I didn't get one.
I turned off the company lights and packed my bag. If I had worked with Do-hyeon, I would have finished two hours earlier, but I declined his offer of help and finished everything alone. I was grateful for his words, but... it was purely my greed. I wanted to monopolize that child's, or rather Cha Yeo-ju's, work.
“This is YK Officetel in Samseong-dong.”
I bought all the medicine that was supposed to be good for my body aches and colds at the pharmacy and took a taxi home. I was worried about Cha Yeo-ju. It was painful enough, but if it were her, she would have been suffering without going to the hospital. I don't know why, but it's been like that since long ago.
“I hope you’re resting well…”
Glancing out the taxi window, I glanced at the tall buildings passing by. Couples passing by, couples out to eat with their families. Looking at the city shrouded in darkness, I suddenly had a thought. Even if we weren't great, if we had just been "ordinary," things wouldn't have ended up like this...
Drinks together, budget-friendly dinners, small gifts—how wonderful it would be if I could do all those things. That's been my lifelong dream. There's so much I want to do, and now I can...But now, even touching is difficult… and even after touching, we keep looking at each other.
Arriving at the officetel, I boarded the elevator. My steps felt heavy. Before, my steps toward you weren't this heavy, but now, with every step, I felt like I was carrying a heavy stone.
Ding, —
“… …”
As the elevator opened and I was about to take my heavy steps, a welcome, yet unapproachable presence stood before my eyes.
“Jungkook.”
“… …”
Cha Yeo-ju. You were that kind of person to me.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t notice until now.”
I couldn't tell. Was it because my reddened eyes hurt, or... because I was crying? I couldn't back away from the slowly closing footsteps. And I couldn't approach. I wondered if this was a dream... but I prayed it wasn't. And then, in response to my usual outstretched hand, this time, yours was the first to reach out, a warm hand on my cheek.
“…How have you been living all this time?”
[Jjintteok's Saddam]
Why is the female protagonist suddenly like that? ~.~
That's in the next episode : )
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