Ethan:
Ethan's faint smile didn't disappear.
"A jealous boyfriend?" he repeated, his voice low.
Yuna nodded, teasing.
"Yes."
Ethan leaned back slightly, his eyes fixed on her.
"I'm not a jealous boyfriend."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Oh ik we are not in a relationship but? Then what are you?"
There was a pause.
Then he said quietly—
"I'm an obsessed man."
Yuna blinked.
"…What?"
His gaze didn't leave hers.
"An obsessed man… who's been obsessed with you for twenty years."
The words hit her like a shock.
"twenty years?" she repeated, confused. "Do you mean nine?"
Ethan shook his head slowly.
"No."
Her brows furrowed.
"But… we've only known each other for nine years."
"I know."
"Then how—?"
Ethan looked away for a brief second, as if deciding how much to say.
"I knew you long before that."
Yuna stared at him.
"That's not possible."
"It is."
Her heart started beating faster.
"When?" she asked softly. "How did you know me before?"
Ethan looked back at her.
"You were a child."
She froze.
"What?"
"You probably don't remember," he continued calmly. "But I've seen you before. Long before you ever stepped into Luca's life the way you did."
Yuna searched his face, trying to find some kind of explanation.
"Where?"
Ethan didn't answer directly.
"Does it matter?"
"Yes, it does!"
Her voice was more emotional now.
"You're telling me you've known me for twenty years and you expect me to just accept that?"
Ethan watched her quietly.
"I didn't say I knew you personally for twenty years," he clarified. "I said I've been… aware of you."
"That's even more confusing."
A small breath left her lips.
"So all this time… you were watching me?"
"Not like that," he said calmly.
"Then how?"
Ethan didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he stood up from the couch.
"We should go."
Yuna frowned.
"Ethan, don't change the topic."
He extended his hand toward her.
"Your brother will be worried."
She didn't take his hand yet.
"Answer me first."
Ethan's gaze softened slightly.
"I will."
"When?"
"When the time is right."
"That's not fair."
"I know."
Yuna sighed in frustration but finally placed her hand in his.
He pulled her up gently.
As they walked toward the exit of the hall, she spoke again.
"You're really not going to tell me anything more?"
"Not tonight."
She crossed her arms slightly as they walked.
"You always do this."
"What?"
"Say something shocking… and then leave me thinking about it."
Ethan glanced at her.
"Maybe I want you to think about me."
She rolled her eyes.
"You don't need tricks for that."
He didn't reply, but his expression softened again.
They walked out of the restaurant together.
Outside, the night air was cool and quiet.
Yuna looked at him again.
"Obsessed for twenty years…" she murmured.
Ethan opened the car door for her.
"Don't overthink it."
"I will."
"I know."
She sat inside the car, still processing everything.
As Ethan walked around to the passenger side, her thoughts kept spinning.
He knew me before…?
How…?
And more importantly—
Why did that make her heart feel even closer to him instead of scared?