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14. Narrow streets
On the table, two bowls of ramen with steam rising gently.
As time passed quietly, the two sat side by side and moved their chopsticks.
At that moment, Seyun's eyes widened slightly.
She paused with the noodles in her mouth, then tilted her head and blinked as if something had occurred to her.
정세연
‘But… your family is in China… ? I studied abroad too… so maybe… you’re Chinese…?
정세연
But you speak Korean so well?’
Such monologue was clearly written on his face.
With her worries still written on her face, she finally opened her mouth cautiously.
정세연
“If… your family is in China… are you Chinese? Oh… aren’t you?”
Myeongho looked at her quietly, then tilted his head back slightly and smiled slyly.
The smile was a smile with only the corners of the lips turned up, but there was a strangely mischievous air mixed in.
디에잇(명호)
“What do you think?”
Short question.
His speech was a perfect mix of playfulness and leisure, and his eyes sparkled slightly.
Seyeon stared at him blankly for a moment, then tilted her head slightly.
정세연
"korean…?"
Sigh.
Myeongho quietly put down his chopsticks, seemed to suppress his laughter, and nodded.
디에잇(명호)
"Yes, I'm Korean. But my parents live in China."
At those words, Seyun's eyes sparkled again.
Naturally, the tone of his voice rose and the corners of his mouth widened.
정세연
“Oh! Really? Are you good at Chinese??
정세연
“I also studied in China for a long time, so I know a little bit about it—is this perhaps a commonality?”
A voice that is excited somewhere.
Seyun spoke as if she had discovered something welcome, momentarily forgetting the ramen in front of her.
Myeongho looked at her quietly.
His eyes were still calm, but there was a warm current in them.
디에잇(명호)
“…No. I’m not good at it. So…I’m trying to learn.”
It was a short speech, but it left a lasting impression.
Seyun blinked and looked at him, then smiled brightly.
정세연
"Wow~! Then if you need it, I'll explain it to you! Pronunciation and intonation are really difficult, but I can explain it well!"
Her words were sincere.
A voice full of the desire to help and the anticipation of doing something together.
Myungho looked at Seyeon, his lips slightly raised at those words.
디에잇(명호)
‘Are you good at speaking Chinese to a Chinese person?’ Oh really… What is this? It’s cute…
He muttered to himself, almost bursting out laughing, but on the outside, his characteristically expressionless face remained.
And yet, he quietly leaves a word behind.
디에잇(명호)
“…Okay. Then… I guess I’ll have to call you whenever I need to.”
At those words, Seyeon's face flushed red for a moment. She nodded cautiously, smiled, and picked up her chopsticks again.
정세연
“I’ll tell you the truth!! I’m not just saying this.”
A small but clear voice. Myungho looked at her and nodded briefly.
His movements, lifting the noodles and scooping up the soup, were still neat—
The air flowing inside it was much softer than before.
A silent exchange of glances. A warmth that lingers even without meeting.
On the table, a silent bowl of ramen slowly closed the distance between the two.