Chapter 24

The kid’s mom tapped Haji’s arm and laughed heartily.

“How can a couple be so alike in not showing off? Perfect match.”

“Ahaha.”

Haji awkwardly laughed along with the kid’s mom. She couldn’t hear the continuing words, as the previous ones lingered.

“Anyway, your husband is so considerate. He’s tall and handsome, and if he’s also kind and gentle, what will other men do?”

Before she knew it, Seojin had become the perfect man in every way. The compliments that started with his kindness were endless.

Now, to Haji, he was the perfect husband.

“He’s more considerate to you, right? Every time I see you, he’s carrying all the bags, even the small ones.”

“Was he…?”

When she was with Seojin, he usually carried the bags. She was surprised that others noticed this, recalling the time they went to the furniture store.

He did carry everything back then too…

“Make sure to tell your husband thank you.”

“I’ll enjoy the cake.”

“Let me know if you want more next time.”

After receiving the wrapped cake and hearing endless praises of Seojin, Haji finally left the store.

As she headed home with the cake, Haji thought about Seojin.

“Was he considerate?”

She had never given much thought to the meaning behind Seojin’s actions or his personality. She always thought of him as cold and difficult.

The image formed when they met as children had persisted. According to Seonghee, Seojin was always cold, self-centered, and indifferent to others.

Click, Haji opened the front door, still thinking about Seojin’s new side.

Out of habit, she put on her slippers and headed to the kitchen with the cake. She was startled to see the man from her thoughts appear before her.

“Sunbae?”

“You’re early.”

“You said you were going on a business trip today…”

Haji trailed off, staring blankly at him. Her confused emotions clashed inside her.

“I didn’t go.”

“Oh…?”

“Do you want some strawberries?”

Haji’s eyes followed his hand. She saw a pack of red strawberries and various fruits laid out on the table.

“Why did you buy so many fruits?”

“There weren’t any in the fridge.”

“You don’t even eat them.”

“You do.”

Haji had eaten most of the fruits they had bought before. Seojin was rarely home, and even when he was, he didn’t go looking for fruits.

“…”

The word “considerate” echoed in her mind.

Since when has this man been so considerate?

“What’s wrong?”

Seojin approached Haji, who had been silent, looking at her. His brows furrowed as he scanned her face.

“Your face is a bit red. Are you sick?”

“No, I…”

Haji’s words were cut off as Seojin bent down to meet her eye level.

The cake box she was holding moved to Seojin’s hand, and his other hand touched her forehead, checking for a fever.

“You’re hot. Want some medicine?”

“I’m fine!”

Haji unintentionally raised her voice and stepped back. She felt her face heat up even more.

“It’s just, it’s hot.”

She blew air and fanned herself with her hand, as if that would cool her down.

It was early June, and though it was briefly warm during the day, the evenings brought cool breezes. It wasn’t hot enough to be uncomfortable.

“It’s not that hot yet.”

“I’ve just been thinking a lot.”

“What thoughts?”

Seojin raised his eyebrows, leaning against the table with one hand.

He looked like a model posing for a photoshoot, making Haji take a deep breath.

“Work. Work. I’ve been so busy lately. Thinking about what to do next. Stuff like that.”

Haji rambled, her eyes wandering around. She seemed to avoid looking at him.

“Why didn’t you go on your business trip? You left in such a hurry earlier, right?”

“Oh.”

Seojin straightened up.

The time he spent watching her avoid his gaze, her cute blushing face, and her small foot subtly shifting backward, was over.

Then one step, two steps, three steps.

He quickly closed the gap Haji had been trying to keep between them. As if to say, ‘this is the extent to which you can avoid me.’

The distance I can close if I want to. That’s our relationship.

Seojin’s expression remained unchanged, pretending not to know he was intentionally making Haji more confused.

“I was going to. But I thought you might be scared.”

“Scared?”

Of what?

Haji looked up at Seojin with a puzzled expression. His dark eyes felt too close, making her step back.

“Ah!”

As her body leaned back, Haji’s eyes shut tight.

Ha, she heard a low breath near her ear and felt a heat warmer than her own body enveloping her.

“Why do you keep avoiding me?”

His low voice echoed in her ears, making her gulp.

“It makes me want to get closer. Like this.”

His grip tightened around her waist, pulling their bodies closer together.

She could feel the contours of their bodies through his shirt and her thin t-shirt.

The strange sensation made Haji’s toes curl. She felt his breath in her ear, his pounding heart against her chest, and his firm hand around her waist.

While Haji’s mind seemed to stop, Seojin felt a sense of urgency.

“If the power goes out again, I thought you might be scared, so I didn’t go.”

But are you more scared of me?

He couldn’t say the last part, fearing he’d confirm it the moment he did.

He thought he could slowly close the distance, that she would gradually get used to him. But now, he realized that was wishful thinking.

“What should I do?”

“…What?”

Haji’s trembling voice calmed Seojin’s heart. He felt responsible for her fear.

Where did it go wrong? From where?

As Seojin loosened his grip, their bodies slowly separated. He was surprised when Haji didn’t immediately run away. Instead, she stayed close, her eyes sparkling.

Sparkling eyes?

Seojin looked deeply into Haji’s eyes, realizing she was indeed looking at him with a different light.

Moreover, her hand, which had been on his side, was gripping his shirt as if she had no intention of letting go.

“You didn’t go because you were worried about me?”

“What?”

Seojin was taken aback by Haji’s question, realizing his previous thoughts were wrong.

“The business trip. You didn’t go because you were worried about me, right?”

“Right.”

Seojin confirmed, and Haji gave a small smile. It was a question he felt he had to answer positively, even if it wasn’t true.

“The blackout wasn’t scary. It’s true I wasn’t in a good mood, though.”

Haji spoke softly, as if clearing up a misunderstanding, with a shy smile.

Seojin, assessing the situation, kept his mouth shut and took in her expression.

The only thing he was sure of was that their relationship was progressing well.

“Thank you for worrying about me.”

Haji expressed her gratitude, covering her face with her hands and quickly retreating.

She looked like a squirrel climbing a tree in haste, or one stealing an acorn and running away.

Ahn Haji, who stole my attention.

“I’ll go in first.”

Quickly, she disappeared into her room.

“Haa…?”

Seojin ran his hand through his hair, deeply exhaling. The woman who had momentarily made him feel despondent had now completely lifted his spirits.

“Difficult.”

Despite his words, Seojin’s lips curved into a smile. He was pleased with the last image of Haji covering her face.

Yes, difficult. You’ve never been easy. My fate is to look only at you like this.

***

Inside her room, Haji stomped on her bed.

“Calm down, calm down.”

Her face remained hot, and his heartbeat echoed in her ears. She couldn’t tell if it was his or hers anymore.

“Considerate, gentle…”

It was all true. The image of Seojin described by the kid’s mom was accurate.

The fact that he postponed his trip because he was worried about her, and filled the fridge with fruits he didn’t eat, were indeed traits of such a man.

“How did I not notice how gentle he is?”

Now, she questioned herself. It was an obvious trait, even without someone pointing it out.