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4. That morning
The next morning, the house was plunged into silence.
Sunlight filtered through the curtains, spreading thin lines across the floor, and the air was still and calm.
Guest room. Seyeon slowly opened her eyes.
Eyes worn with fatigue, face as if asleep. I could still feel the marks left by yesterday's tears.
She carefully got up and headed to the bathroom for a quick shower.
His face flinched slightly from the cold water, but he soon stared blankly into space.
정세연
"Okay… Let's not cause unnecessary trouble and just stay quiet and leave. It'll work out. I'm sure…"
After muttering something like a silent promise, Seyun quickly took a shower and opened the door as quietly as possible.
The living room I faced was quiet, and as I was about to take a cautious step, putting strength into my toes—
A small noise was heard from the kitchen.
‘Chi-i-ik—’
The sound of boiling water, the scent of brewing coffee. Myungho was standing there.
A loose man-to-man and training pants, his side profile still neat.
His expression was indifferent, his movements smooth. Seyun paused for a moment.
Should I turn around and go back into my room? I was about to contemplate—
Myeongho opened his eyes first.
디에잇(명호)
"Are you awake?"
The tone was still low and expressionless, but somewhere in that short sentence, a different warmth than the night before permeated.
정세연
"Uh... oh, yes.
정세연
“By any chance… it wasn’t noisy in the room…?”
Seyeon asked cautiously, unable to meet his eyes.
Myungho didn't answer, but picked up the coffee pot. He quietly poured coffee into a cup, hesitated for a moment, and then opened his mouth.
디에잇(명호)
“…It’s usually quiet in the mornings, so I can hear everything. …But today, I couldn’t hear anything very well.”
After that brief remark, he poured himself another glass. He then silently offered it to her.
디에잇(명호)
“I don’t think I could sleep. I’ll drink.”
Seyeon looked at him with surprised eyes, then carefully took the cup.
The warmth of my hand. That alone made my eyes suddenly feel cold again.
정세연
"…thank you…"
She bowed her head slightly and clutched her cup tightly. Myungho headed to the table without saying a word.
I didn't even turn on the TV or touch my smartphone.
I just absentmindedly turned a page of the calendar on the table and kept my gaze fixed on it.
A moment of silence passed. In that silence, Myeongho spoke in a low voice.
디에잇(명호)
“…I think yesterday must have been really hard.”
The words trailed off quietly. Seyeon closed her mouth and stopped moving.
And after taking a moment to catch his breath, he carefully opened his mouth.
정세연
"..Oh, no...After returning from studying abroad in China...I never imagined something like this would happen.."
Myeongho looked at her silently. There was a distinct difference in his gaze from yesterday.
Beyond the indifference, understanding and empathy quietly shone through.
디에잇(명호)
“…This house is too big for me to live in alone… Actually, I was lonely at first too. I’ve gotten used to it now, but…”
An unexpected confession. Seyun stared at him, her eyes wide, at the seemingly irrelevant words.
But Myeongho did not avoid eye contact as he continued speaking.
He added in a very neat and calm voice.
디에잇(명호)
“…Well, that’s what I mean. Don’t be needlessly scared. I’m not as bad of a person as you think.”
There were no brief laughs, no jokes—but the words were strangely warm.
Even though we are staying in this huge house like strangers to each other.