The table was set.
Ramen bowls in front of everyone.
Steam rising.
Silence sitting heavier than the food.
Everyone stared at their bowl like it might explode.
Or worse—
like Koharu might.
---
The First Mistake
Kairi, the youngest, took a small bite.
Chewed.
Paused.
And then—
"…It's a little overcooked, don't you think?"
Time stopped.
Literally.
Everyone froze.
Sakura's chopsticks slipped slightly.
Yuki's soul left her body.
Hana slowly turned toward Kairi like she had just signed her own death certificate.
Koharu looked at her.
Calm.
"…Is it?"
"No no no no—!" everyone said at once.
"It's perfect!"
"Amazing!"
"Best ramen ever!"
Yuki leaned toward Kairi and whispered aggressively,
"You want to die?! Eat your last meal quietly!"
Kairi whispered back, completely serious,
"At least the last meal should be good."
Yuki almost cried.
---
Hana Has No Fear
Hana suddenly raised her hand.
"Can I have kimchi with this?"
Pause.
Everyone looked at her.
Slowly.
Like—
are you insane?
"And… soju," she added casually.
Dead silence.
Yuki whispered, "She's gone."
Hana fake-sniffed dramatically.
"If I'm getting unemployed today… at least let me eat something good."
Sakura closed her eyes.
"…Why is everyone like this today…"
---
The Unexpected Moment
Sakura took a bite.
And immediately—
"…Ah—!"
She accidentally ate a chili.
Her face turned red instantly.
She started waving her hand.
"W-water—!"
Before anyone could react—
Koharu was already on her feet.
Within seconds—
She was back.
Glass of water in hand.
"…Careful."
Her voice softened.
She handed it to Sakura.
Their fingers brushed.
Again.
And for a moment—
Everything else disappeared.
But not for the others.
Because that moment?
Everyone saw it.
The speed.
The concern.
The instinct.
Yuki blinked slowly.
"…That was fast."
Hana whispered, "That was too fast."
Kairi nodded. "That was… husband behavior."
Aiko quietly drank her soju.
Rinn did the same.
Both avoiding eye contact.
---
The Calm Before the Explosion
Koharu sat back down.
Looked around the table.
Calm.
Composed.
"…After this, we need to talk."
Silence.
Everyone nodded immediately.
No questions.
No arguments.
Just acceptance of fate.
---
Side Chaos: Wrong Confession
Hana leaned toward Yuki and whispered—
"I have something to tell you."
Yuki froze.
Then turned slowly.
"…Don't, Hana."
Hana blinked. "…What?"
Yuki placed a hand on her chest dramatically.
"I love someone else. I can't accept your love."
SMACK.
Hana hit her head.
"You idiot—not that!"
Yuki held her head. "Then what?!"
Hana leaned closer again.
"…There's something going on between Sakura and Koharu."
Yuki's eyes widened.
"…WHATTTTTT?!"
She shouted it.
Out loud.
Very loud.
---
The Table Goes Silent
Everyone turned.
Slowly.
Toward Yuki.
Sakura froze.
Koharu looked up.
Aiko closed her eyes like this is it.
Rinn took a deep breath.
"…Yuki," she whispered, "lower your volume."
Too late.
Yuki looked at Hana again.
"…What are you saying?! Sakura and Koharu?!"
And for one second—
Everyone forgot.
They were not alone.
---
The Truth Drops
Hana, still unaware of danger, said—
"When I came out of my room… they were about to kiss."
Silence.
Complete.
Dead.
Kairi stood up.
"…Excuse me??"
This was new.
Very new.
For her.
For Yuki.
For Hana herself now realizing what she just said.
Meanwhile—
Aiko picked up a glass of soju.
And drank it in one go.
Rinn did the same.
Both processing life choices.
---
And Now… It's Worse
All eyes slowly shifted—
Toward Sakura.
Then—
Toward Koharu.
Sakura's face was completely red.
Koharu's expression?
Unreadable.
Calm.
Too calm.
Which made it worse.
Way worse.
Sakura swallowed.
"…I can explain—"
"No need."
Koharu spoke.
Softly.
Everyone froze again.
Because now—
It wasn't just panic anymore.
It was—
judgment time.