One step to you
I don't think I can help you
Seoyeon was sobbing in Jeonghan's arms when she suddenly came to her senses.
이서연
‘I’m… so…’
I felt like I was going to die and quickly pulled away.
이서연
“…Ah, senior, I…”
Seoyeon hesitated and moved her lips as if trying to explain something.
Jeonghan spoke quietly, as if to cut her off.
정한
"I'm hungry. Let's go eat quickly."
Seoyeon was taken aback by his tone of voice, as if nothing had happened, as if nothing had happened at all.
Eventually, I nodded and followed him.
It was as if the scene where I just burst into tears was a scene from a dream.
Around midnight, two people arrived at a jjambbong restaurant in a quiet alley.
Two bowls of spicy jjambbong, steam rising from the top, were placed on the table.
Sliced peppers were floating in the thick broth, and seafood was generously placed on top.
이서연
"Wow, this is spicy but really delicious."
Seoyeon opened her eyes wide and kept exclaiming in admiration.
Jeonghan lifts a strand of noodles with his chopsticks and chuckles.
정한
"Right? I like it very much, so I eat it often."
Seoyeon took a spoonful of soup, wiped her lips, and said.
이서연
“I never thought I would be able to eat so comfortably with you, senior.”
At those words, Jeonghan stopped using his chopsticks for a moment.
But soon, he picks up his chopsticks again as if nothing happened and takes a sip of the soup.
정한
"I see..."
The two of them had a slow, very ordinary, everyday conversation.
Memories from childhood, stories from when he was a trainee, and even Seungcheol's unexpected love advice.
Seoyeon's laughter spread across the table several times. Seeing that laughter, Jeonghan lowered his gaze and muttered to himself.
정한
‘Lee Seo-yeon smiles…’
But Jeonghan doesn't know why it hurts so much.
The two people left the restaurant after that
Jeonghan and Seoyeon were walking side by side.
The night air was calm, and the soft streetlights cast long shadows on the two.
정한
"I'll take you. Let's go."
이서연
"Oh, it's okay—"
정한
"song."
Jeonghan interrupted and began to walk absentmindedly. Seoyeon followed quietly behind him.
How long did it take?
As they neared Seoyeon's house, Jeonghan quietly opened his mouth.
정한
"Junior, I have something to say."
Seoyeon stopped walking next to Jeonghan. Jeonghan spoke, looking straight ahead without facing her.
정한
"I don't think I can help my junior anymore."
Seoyeon looked up at Jeonghan with a mixture of bewilderment and confusion at those words.
His lips were trembling, but no words came out.
정한
"...I'm sorry. I changed the subject."
이서연
"Oh, no! I'm the one... I'm really grateful for everything... so much..."
Seoyeon forced a smile and lowered her head, and Jeonghan also lowered his gaze without saying a word.
A quiet space emerged between them, through which no wind or sound could penetrate.
정한
“…I’m going to go now. Come in.”
Saying that, Jeonghan quietly turned around.
Seoyeon bowed her head, saying with difficulty, “Take care…”
As his back grew further and further away, I felt as if something inside my heart was being ripped away.
Even though I took a deep breath, my heart still felt heavy.