Eun-soo watched the retreating figures of Jin-woo and Hajun for a moment longer than she intended, her mind still echoing with the soft brush of their fingers.
She turned back to Kang Min-ho with a polite smile, finally feeling the tension in her shoulders start to dissipate. "Sure, why not? Let's stick with the child's recommendation."
Min-ho leaned back, looking at her with an appreciative glint in his eyes. "Will you like to order anything else besides the young master's choice?"
"No, just the Malai Kofta and rice," Eun-soo replied, checking the digital menu. "Also, I think I would like to add a Mango Lassi."
Min-ho nodded as he tapped the screen. "Excellent choice. I'll go with the Garlic Naan and Dal Tadka; it's a combination I haven't tried in a while. Please, tell me if you need anything else."
After they placed their order on the table's tablet, a comfortable silence settled between them before Min-ho spoke up again, his tone shifting to something more personal.
"Please feel free to be yourself, Miss Eun-soo," he began, his expression open and sincere. "I am also here at my mother's request, so there is no need to be overly serious."
He adjusted his white suit jacket and continued, "We can just be friends if things don't work out romantically. I don't want us to be uncomfortable with each other."
Eun-soo looked at him, surprised by his bluntness. "I appreciate you saying that. It does make things easier."
"Good. Then let me introduce myself properly," he said with a small smile. "I had a girlfriend in college, but due to a clash of ideals, we broke up. Since then, I've focused entirely on the Kang Group."
He paused, looking directly into her eyes. "My parents insisted on this date, but you can be sure that if we do move forward toward marriage, I will look after you as best as possible."
Eun-soo felt a wave of relief at his frankness and decided to match his honesty. "I am Eun-soo. As you saw, I spend my time at the kindergarten to relax, but my background is actually in hotel recreation and cultural programs."
She laughed softly, thinking of her piano. "I like my personal space, but I'm open to someone good entering it. My parents also feel it's the right age for me to settle down."
"That is very good to hear," Min-ho replied, his smile widening. "Now that we've cleared the air, I have a confession—I'd really like to order the Butter Chicken as well. I hope you don't mind."
Eun-soo began to laugh, her eyes brightening. "In that case, I'll have to add an extra order of Naan to go with it!"
As they settled into a more natural, relaxed conversation, the atmosphere at the neighboring table was far more chaotic.
Jin-woo returned to his seat, where his colleagues and parents immediately swarmed him with questions about the beautiful woman at the window.
"That was Hajun's teacher," Jin-woo explained briefly, his voice clipped. "She is there with the heir to the Kang Group."
The table went silent for a beat as the engineers exchanged shocked looks; everyone in Seoul knew the massive influence of the Mirai Corporation.
Park Min-jae, leaning in close to Jin-woo, whispered with a mischievous grin, "Boss, are you sure you're not interested in Miss Eun-soo? You've been glancing that way every thirty seconds."
Jin-woo nearly choked on his water, his face flushing a deep red as he side-glanced toward Eun-soo again.
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Jin-woo snapped, though his heart was racing. "She is Hajun's teacher and nothing else. Besides, she's on a date. What if she hears you?"
"Sorry, Boss," Min-jae chuckled, nudging the lead developer, Lee Sang-hoon. "But I think she was looking back at you too, wasn't she, Hoon?"
Sang-hoon nodded, suppressing a smile. "Definitely. Though she might just be checking to make sure Hajun isn't eating too much sugar."
"Exactly," Jin-woo insisted, placing Hajun back in his high chair. "She loves kids, that's all it is. Now eat your food."
Secretary Han Ji-won chimed in, trying to save her boss from further embarrassment. "The Mango Lassi here really is the best in the city, sir. You should try some to cool down."
Jin-woo nodded silently, taking a long sip of the chilled drink while trying—and failing—to ignore the sound of Eun-soo's laughter echoing from across the room.