Love is better than pain
13. Dinner for you
* I would like to thank each and every one of you, my readers, for your support. I always communicate with you by leaving comments. Thank you so much.
Then came lunch time.
The two headed to a small Japanese restaurant near the company they had previously decided on.
Inside a private room, a quiet space bathed in warm light. Inside, there were only two people who knew each other.
A cold cup of oolong tea on the table, a warm soup, and slightly excited breaths.
강시연
“…Hey, I’ll live today.”
Siyeon spoke cautiously. She took out her wallet before her card.
강시연
“This time, for real. Even if the sky splits in two, I will survive.”
Myeongho burst out laughing.
디에잇(명호)
“I came because I wanted to eat. Don’t worry about it.”
강시연
“No, you can’t. This time, it’s real.”
With that serious face, Myungho put down his chopsticks and looked at her.
디에잇(명호)
“Then I’ll buy lunch, and instead, I’ll make dinner… myself.”
강시연
"…yes…?!"
Siyeon's eyes widened.
강시연
“I… dinner…?”
Myeongho nodded and said.
디에잇(명호)
"I want to eat the meal Siyeon made for dinner."
At those words, Siyeon's face turned bright red all the way to the tips of her ears.
강시연
'...Ugh, that's foul play.'
Seeing her quietly bow her head and smile, Myungho looked at her with warm eyes, without saying a word.
After work, in front of Myeongho's house. Siyeon was holding a basket full of things in her hands.
My shoulder hurt a little, but my heart felt strangely light.
강시연
"Oh seriously... I'm not even good at cooking... Why am I working so hard on this..."
But then I remembered. His words.
디에잇(명호)
'I want to eat the food Siyeon made.'
That one word was enough.
디에잇(명호)
“Be careful not to get hurt.”
Myungho opened the door and took her shopping cart.
As soon as Siyeon came in, she took off her apron as if embarrassed and went straight to the kitchen.
강시연
"Hmm... Today's menu is soybean paste stew, rolled eggs, and stir-fried bulgogi... Should this be okay?"
She muttered quietly to herself as she organized the ingredients. Myung-ho, watching her from the living room, slowly raised the corners of his mouth.
강시연
“Look… Don’t look, do something else! I’ll finish this quickly and then call you…!”
Siyeon glanced back toward the living room and waved her hand shyly.
Then Myeongho smiled and approached quietly.
And then, he carefully hugged her from behind.
A sudden back hug.
디에잇(명호)
"It's so pretty..."
At those words, Siyeon's heart pounded. Pound. Pound. They were so close they could almost breathe.
When Myeongho's forehead touched her shoulder with his head slightly lowered, Siyeon froze.
디에잇(명호)
“Let’s eat later… Should we do something else first?”
강시연
“…What…What!!! Let go… Let go!!”
Siyeon waved the spatula she was holding in her hand in the air, her face flushed red, and she pushed him away with all her might.
강시연
“I almost… really… almost got possessed again…”
Myeongho took a step back and burst out laughing.
디에잇(명호)
"Okay~ Keep cooking~~"
***
A moment later, a delicious smell wafted from the kitchen.
On the table, carefully arranged side dishes, bubbling soybean paste stew, and even beautifully rolled omelets. Siyeon took off her apron and let out a small sigh.
강시연
“Okay… done.”
디에잇(명호)
"and.."
As soon as Myeongho sat down, he picked up his spoon.
At first, he scooped up some stew and put it in his mouth with a playful expression. He chewed it here and there, his expression almost like a deliberate frown.
디에잇(명호)
"hmm...."
The demonstration was so tense that my fingertips were tingling.
강시연
“Is it too salty? Is it weird? Um… It doesn’t taste good…?”
Then— Myeongho burst into laughter and said,
디에잇(명호)
"No, it's really delicious. I was just trying to tease you again...
디에잇(명호)
But... Really...you did a great job, Siyeon."
At those words, Siyeon finally smiled in relief. Myungho put down his chopsticks and quietly kissed her cheek.
디에잇(명호)
“Thank you. Really.”
강시연
"No.. I'm also grateful that you enjoyed the meal.."
And so, the two of them's warm evenings became even more comforting than rice.