Breakfast should have been normal.
But It wasn't.
Elina sat at the long dining table, staring at the amount of food laid out in front of her.
"…Is this breakfast or a royal feast?"
She picked up her spoon carefully.
"…Stay calm. Don't look like you've never seen food before. You are KimTahee now. Elegant. Rich. Refined…"
She took a small bite.
Pause.
"…Oh wow. This is amazing. I could cry. No—don't cry. Maintain dignity."
Across the table—
Felix choked on his water.
"Are you okay?" Bogum asked, frowning.
Felix waved his hand quickly. "Fine."
But his ears were red again.
Elina blinked.
"…Why is everyone reacting like this? Is my eating that impressive?"
Hyunjin suddenly turned his face away, shoulders shaking slightly.
"…Is he laughing? At me? No… impossible. My elegance is flawless," she thought confidently.
From the side, a chair moved.
Jungkook sat down casually, resting his chin on his hand as he watched her.
Directly.
Elina froze for half a second.
"…Why is he staring? Did I spill something? No. Calm down. Ignore. You are unbothered."
She took another bite with exaggerated grace.
Jungkook's lips curved again.
Just slightly.
"…He's definitely suspicious. Keep distance. Or maybe observe more… for research purposes," she thought seriously.
"Tahee," Seo Hana said gently, "you seem… different today."
Elina looked up, blinking innocently.
"Mm?"
"…Different? Of course I am different. I'm literally not your daughter," she thought.
Silence.
A very strange silence.
Bogum coughed lightly.
Hyunjin looked away again.
Felix dropped his spoon.
Elina froze.
"…Okay. That was weird. Very weird. Why does it feel like they reacted to that?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"…No. Impossible. Unless…"
She paused.
Then immediately shook the thought away.
"…No way. That's ridiculous. This isn't some fantasy where people can hear thoughts."
Across from her—
Jungkook leaned back in his chair, clearly entertained now.
"Eat more," he said casually.
Elina glanced at him.
"…Bossy too? Hm. Not bad," she thought, nodding slightly as if obedient.
Jungkook almost choked.
Elina blinked again.
"…Third time. This is definitely not normal."
Her suspicion grew.
After breakfast, she stood up, smoothing her clothes.
"…Alright. New rule. Observe reactions carefully. Something is wrong here… and I will figure it out," she thought.
As she walked away, she could feel it again—
Their gazes.
Following her.
Reacting.
Watching.
Behind her—
Felix whispered, "This is dangerous."
Hyunjin smirked. "It's interesting."
Bogum sighed quietly.
And Jungkook—
Jungkook just smiled.