The apartment was quiet.
Ji Won sat on the couch, earphones in, scrolling through her phone.
Completely lost in her own world.
A knock came.
She didn't hear it.
The second knock was louder.
Ji Won frowned, pulling one earphone out.
"…who is it?"
She walked to the door and opened it.
She paused.
"…mom?"
Seo Eun Sang stood there, calm as always.
But this time—
Her hands were full.
Shopping bags.
Boxes.
Packages.
"Are you going to keep me standing here?" Eun Sang asked.
Ji Won quickly stepped aside.
"Come in."
Eun Sang walked in, placing the items down on the table one after another.
"What's all this?" Ji Won asked.
"Food stuffs," Eun Sang replied. "And a few things you might need."
She began organizing them immediately.
Side dishes.
Groceries.
Carefully packed items.
Ji Won watched quietly.
"You didn't have to do all this," she said.
"I know," Eun Sang replied calmly.
That was all.
Ji Won slowly removed her earphones completely this time.
Eun Sang glanced at her briefly.
"You've been well?"
"I'm fine."
A pause.
Eun Sang looked at her properly now.
"How are your studies?"
Ji Won sighed slightly.
"…they're fine."
"I saw your results."
Ji Won looked away.
"They're not bad," she said.
⸻
"They can be better."
Ji Won leaned back slightly.
"I'm doing enough."
Eun Sang didn't argue immediately.
She simply watched her.
"You've been distracted," she said after a moment.
"By what?" Ji Won asked.
Eun Sang didn't answer directly.
Before the conversation could continue—
The door opened.
Kang Min stepped in.
He stopped briefly when he saw her.
"You're here."
Eun Sang turned.
"Yes."
Kang Min stepped inside, closing the door.
His eyes moved to the table.
"You brought all this?"
"Yes."
He nodded slightly.
"Thanks."
⸻
Eun Sang looked at him.
"I went to her school."
Kang Min already knew.
"I know," he replied.
A short silence.
"She's not focused," Eun Sang said.
Ji Won frowned slightly.
"I'm fine," she said again.
Eun Sang continued calmly,
"She's not putting in enough effort."
Kang Min placed his keys down.
"She's doing okay."
"That's not enough."
The air shifted slightly.
Ji Won looked between them.
"I said I'm fine," she repeated.
Eun Sang turned to her.
"You can do better."
"I don't want everything to be about that," Ji Won replied.
⸻
A pause.
Kang Min spoke calmly,
"She doesn't have to do everything your way."
Eun Sang looked at him.
"And you think this is better?"
"I think she's doing fine."
A brief silence.
Ji Won stood up.
"I'm hungry."
The tension broke slightly.
Eun Sang nodded once.
"I'll cook."
Ji Won blinked.
"…you will?"
"Yes."
She had already started unpacking the food.
Kang Min watched her for a moment.
Then moved aside slightly to give her space.
The kitchen filled with quiet movement.
The sound of cooking.
Plates.
Utensils.
Ji Won leaned against the counter.
Watching.
⸻
"You still cook the same way," she said.
Eun Sang didn't look at her.
"It works."
Kang Min sat at the table, silent.
For a moment—
It almost felt normal.
Dinner was simple.
But complete.
They sat together.
⸻
Not talking much.
But not distant either.
Halfway through—
Eun Sang's phone rang.
She glanced at the screen.
Then stood up.
"I have to take this."
She stepped aside.
"Yes… I understand," she said into the phone.
A short pause.
"I'll be there."
She ended the call.
"They're expecting me," she said.
⸻
Ji Won looked up.
"So soon?"
"Something came up."
She moved to get her things together.
"Eat properly," she said to Ji Won.
Ji Won nodded slightly.
Eun Sang looked at Kang Min briefly.
"Make sure she keeps up."
Kang Min nodded once.
"I will."
No argument this time.
She walked to the door.
Opened it.
Then left.
The apartment became quiet again.
Ji Won looked at the table.
Then at the food.
"…she still does this."
Kang Min glanced at her.
"She does."
A pause.
Ji Won picked up her chopsticks again.
"…it's not bad."
Kang Min almost smiled.