The table had quieted into that comfortable rhythm of eating.
Clink of cutlery.
Soft music.
Ji-Ah fully invested in her plate like it had personally offended her earlier and she was now winning.
Across from her, Ha-Joon leaned back slightly, watching.
Then, casually—
"I don't want to marry Yoo-Na."
Ji-Ah nodded mid-bite.
"Mhm."
No hesitation.
No surprise.
Just… agreement.
"She's work," he added.
Ji-Ah swallowed, pointing her fork at him.
"Exactly. Marriage is already work, why would you marry more work?"
He glanced at her.
"…You're very passionate about this."
"I like peace," she said simply, taking another bite.
A pause.
Then—
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…Stop."
Ji-Ah blinked.
"Stop what?"
He gestured vaguely toward her face.
"…There."
She froze.
"…What?"
"There's something," he said, tone flat. "Right there."
Her eyes widened.
"WHERE?!"
He didn't move.
Didn't help.
Just watched.
"Figure it out."
Ji-Ah grabbed a napkin instantly, aggressively wiping one side of her mouth.
"Is it gone?"
"No."
She switched sides.
"Now?"
"…Other side."
She wiped again.
Faster.
Panicking.
"Ha-Joon—!"
"Lower."
She wiped.
"…Higher."
"YOU'RE LYING."
He looked at her.
Completely serious.
"…Am I?"
She paused.
Suspicious.
Then wiped one last time, slowly.
"…Now?"
A beat.
"…It's gone."
She froze.
Then narrowed her eyes.
"You're actually evil."
He picked up his glass.
Unbothered.
"You looked like you were fighting for your life."
She dropped her napkin dramatically.
"I was."
A pause.
Then she leaned forward slightly.
"Anyway—"
She pointed at him.
"You want me to find you a wife."
"Yes."
"Okay."
She nodded like she was accepting a royal quest.
"Fine."
Then tilted her head.
"But where am I supposed to find your type?"
Ha-Joon didn't even hesitate.
"Simple."
He rested his chin lightly on his hand.
"Cute."
Ji-Ah blinked.
"…That's it?"
"Calm."
"…Hmm."
"Has a sense of humor."
She nodded slowly.
"Okay… okay…"
Then—
"Caring."
"Mhm."
"And," he added, glancing at her briefly, "someone who minds her own business."
Silence.
Ji-Ah stared at him.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
Her eyes narrowed.
"…Say that again."
He looked back at her.
"Someone who minds her—"
She gasped.
Pointing at herself.
"OH, so NOT ME?"
"I didn't say that."
"You IMPLIED IT."
"I described a person."
"You attacked me."
He almost smiled.
Almost.
Ji-Ah leaned back dramatically, placing a hand on her chest.
"Wow."
A deep inhale.
"After everything I've done for you."
"What have you done?"
"I SAVED YOUR LIFE—emotionally."
He raised a brow.
"…Emotionally."
"Yes."
A beat.
Then she sighed, sitting up again.
"Fine."
She pointed at him again.
"I will try."
He watched her.
Amused now.
"You'll try."
"Yes."
She nodded firmly.
"I'll find you your 'cute, calm, mind-your-business' girl."
A pause.
Then she added under her breath—
"…Even though that sounds boring."
"I heard that."
"Good."
He let out a quiet breath that almost sounded like a laugh.
And for a moment—
Just a moment—
The whole "find me a wife" thing didn't feel like a task.
It felt like the beginning of something far more complicated.
The night air wrapped around them as they stepped out of the restaurant.
Cool.
Quiet.
A little softer than before.
Ji-Ah stretched her arms slightly, satisfied in that I just ate extremely well kind of way.
"Wow," she muttered. "I respect rich people a little more now."
Beside her, Ha-Joon unlocked his car with a soft click.
"Get in."
She blinked.
"…That's it? No goodbye speech? No emotional closure?"
"Get in," he repeated.
She laughed lightly, walking over.
Before opening the door, she paused.
"…Thanks," she said, softer now. "For the food."
He looked at her.
Just for a second.
Then nodded.
"Mm."
She got in.
He walked around and slid into the driver's seat.
The engine started.
But—
He didn't drive yet.
Instead, he glanced at her.
"…When are you coming back home?"
Ji-Ah blinked.
"…Home?"
"You left," he said simply. "You didn't say when you're coming back."
She stared at him.
Suspicious.
Very suspicious.
"…Why?"
A pause.
Then—
"You're my only friend."
Silence.
Ji-Ah froze.
Slowly turned her head toward him.
"…What?"
He didn't look embarrassed.
Didn't take it back.
Just continued, casually—
"So come back soon."
She leaned back slightly.
Eyes narrowing.
"…Who are you?"
He glanced at her.
"…What?"
"Where is Ha-Joon?" she asked, genuinely concerned. "What did you do to him?"
"I am Ha-Joon."
"No, you're not."
A beat.
"You're being nice."
He frowned slightly.
"…Is that a problem?"
"Yes."
She pointed at him.
"It's suspicious."
A small pause.
Then she said his name—
Carefully.
Testing it.
"…Ha-Joon."
He blinked.
"…Yes?"
She tilted her head.
"No 'Boss'?"
She smiled suddenly.
Soft.
Playful.
"We're friends, remember?"
A pause.
Then added—
"…Best friends."
He looked at her.
Really looked this time.
Then—
A small nod.
"…Right."
Another pause.
Then, quieter—
"…Best friends."
Ji-Ah nodded, satisfied.
"Good."
She leaned back in her seat, crossing her arms comfortably.
"You can say stuff like that now," she added casually. "You know… friend privileges."
He almost smiled again.
That almost-smile making a second appearance tonight like it was testing boundaries.
"…I see."
He finally shifted the car into drive.
"But don't get used to it."
Ji-Ah scoffed.
"Too late."
And as the car pulled away into the night—
Something had changed.
Not loud.
Not obvious.
Just…
A little closer.
A little softer.
Like two people accidentally stepping into a space neither of them planned—
And not stepping out.