Episode 2
-Growl-
‘Ugh… I’m starving…’
Eunwoo, who had been browsing job sites all day from her room, clutched her rumbling stomach in agony.
Eun Woogyung had come home at ten in the morning and went straight into his room. It was now three o’clock.
Just hang in there for another three and a half hours, and Eun Hakyung will come home and smooth things over, right..?
If I get kicked out now, I don’t even have enough money for a deposit. I need to get a job fast, pay rent, and maybe offer him what I’ve got left. 480,000 won… he’d take that for a month’s rent, right..?
-Ding dong-
Then, the doorbell rang. Since Eunwoo’s room was closest to the entrance, she tiptoed over and pressed her ear to the door.
Guess someone’s here again…
Wow, walking on eggshells is exhausting…
Soft footsteps.
-Creak-
“Thank you.”
It was Eun Woogyung’s low voice.
“Enjoy your food\~”
A delivery guy.
Delivery…
Lucky him…
I’m seriously hungry…
With a glum face, Eunwoo backed away from the door, clutching her stomach that felt like it was stuck to her spine.
-Knock knock-
Just then, Eun Woogyung knocked on her door.
“Y-Yes?!?!?!”
Oh gosh, that scared me…
Startled by her booming response right behind the door, Eun Woogyung stepped back a little.
“…Would you like some chicken?”
-Creak-
The door flew open. She must’ve been starving.
“Yes..!!!”
Eun Woogyung blinked at Eunwoo’s sparkling eyes, then gave an awkward smile and carried the chicken to the table.
As he reached into the paper bag to unpack it, Eunwoo quickly grabbed the bag.
-Tap-
“I-I’ll do it!”
“…?”
“I’ll set the table! P-Please, take a seat!”
“…??”
Why is she stammering so much..?
Buzzing with nervous energy, Eunwoo hurried to unpack the chicken. She laid everything out neatly, tossed the unnecessary packaging, and drained the pickled radish brine before placing it precisely on the table.
She brought out side plates and forks, then respectfully pulled out a chair and gestured with open palms.
“…?”
“Please, have a seat..!”
“Ah… I’ll just sit here.”
“Oh, okay…”
And so, the two who had just officially met ended up eating chicken together.
“Um…”
“So…”
…..
They both spoke at the same time, then fell silent. Awkward.
In that brief moment, Eun Woogyung had a thought: He’d really been craving Korean chicken. While he usually preferred bone-in, he was relieved he ordered boneless this time. If the only sound at the table had been him gnawing on bones, it would’ve been pure torture.
“…You go first.”
Taking a sip of cola, Eun Woogyung leaned back slightly and looked at her. Feeling his gaze, Eunwoo shifted in her seat, flustered.
“…I startled you earlier, didn’t I? I’m really sorry. I didn’t even get a chance to apologize…”
Watching her clearly anxious demeanor, Eun Woogyung let out a small sigh and spoke.
“I heard you’re staying here due to… circumstances.”
“…Ah, that’s…”
She was trying to figure out where to begin when he continued.
“Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be going to work starting next month anyway—won’t be here except to sleep.”
“…!!”
He smiled warmly, and in that moment, Go Eunwoo felt something.
Thump.
Her heart literally went *thump*.
Then it started pounding.
Maybe it was the relief of hearing she could stay comfortably. After all, she had no home right now.
Definitely not because of his smile. That wasn’t it.
Still… this guy… might be kinda handsome.
“Thank you for the meal!!”
Eunwoo jumped up and bowed politely. As Eun Woogyung brought the dishes to the sink, he glanced at her and gave a faint smile.
“Gasp…”
-Thump thump thump thump-
There it goes again—her heart.
That smile…
While Eunwoo stood frozen in a daze, Eun Woogyung finished clearing the table.
Seeing it cleaned so quickly, Eunwoo panicked and rushed to grab a wet wipe, scrubbing the table.
She kept wiping and wiping the same spot, sneaking glances at him. When she saw him about to head back to his room, she blurted out—
“Um..!”
“…?”
“I currently have 480,000 won..!”
“???”
“Um… would that be enough for this month’s rent…?”
Her face flushed bright red as she fidgeted with the wet wipe. Eun Woogyung watched her quietly, then let out a small laugh.
“I told you—just be comfortable.”
“…Huh? Oh…”
“You’re Hakyung’s friend, so that makes you like a little sister to me. If there’s anything you need or want to eat, just say so.”
“…!!!”
-Gulp-
His gentle, thoughtful tone made Eunwoo swallow hard. She quickly pulled herself together and bowed in a near-perfect right angle.
“Th-thank you!!!!! Really, thank you so much..!!!”
I’m not usually like this… I’ve always been told I’m timid and quiet. But when you’re desperate, I guess even your personality changes.
Watching her for a moment, Eun Woogyung smiled again before heading into his room.
“Go Eunwoo! I’m back!!!”
The sound of the front door opening was followed by a voice so familiar and welcome that Eunwoo practically rocketed out of her room.
-Creak-
“Eun Hakyung..!”
“Pfft! Bet you were shocked… I was going to tell you when I found out Woogyung was coming back to Korea…”
“…But it’s fine. He even ordered chicken and shared with me.”
“Oh, seriously? Eun Woogyung did?”
Eunwoo nodded. Hakyung’s eyes widened for a second, then she smiled like a proud older sister and gently patted her head.
“Aww, look at you managing. Oppa! I’m home!”
Still holding Eunwoo’s hand, Hakyung shouted as they walked to Woogyung’s door and knocked.
-Knock knock-
“I’m here!!!”
-Creak-
She opened the door.
“….!”
Woogyung was curled up in bed, completely buried under the blanket, with just his face peeking out.
She was standing far away, but for some reason, she suddenly wanted to go closer. No idea why that thought even came up.
“…He’s asleep.”
Hakyung shrugged and closed the door again.
“He’s probably just going to sleep for a few days.”
And he did—literally slept for days.
When Hakyung went to work, Eunwoo and Woogyung were the only ones home, but his door stayed shut. When he did emerge, it was just to eat whatever delivery he had ordered, then he went right back in. His room even had its own bathroom, so they barely crossed paths.
He went to the gym every other day, then came home and slept again. So, for the most part, it still felt like Eunwoo was living with just Hakyung.
Since he’d been living on takeout ever since returning from the States, today Eunwoo decided to try making fried eggs for breakfast.
It was her first attempt, but they turned out surprisingly nice.
She plated two eggs each on two plates, added bacon and toasted bread, then sat on the couch and waited for Woogyung to come out. He usually emerged around 10 a.m.
-Creak-
Right as she finished setting the table, his door opened.
The warm scent of food hit him, and Woogyung blinked in surprise.
“You’re up..? I, um… made breakfast…”
“…Ah…”
“Would you like some..?”
“…Thanks.”
Looking a bit shy, Woogyung approached and widened his eyes when he saw the table.
“Oh…”
His perfect reaction made Eunwoo feel giddy. A bit awkward, but more natural than before, she pulled out the chair that had become her regular spot and sat down. They hadn’t had any meaningful conversations yet, but sitting at the table together for several days now gave her a faint sense of familiarity.
Almost… like they were real housemates.
“Thanks for the food.”
Woogyung gave a bright smile that made her heart start racing again.
-Thump thump thump thump-
“Oh, it’s good.”
He took a bite and reacted like she’d cooked something gourmet. Seeing him like that across the table made her heart pound even harder.
-Thump thump thump thump thump
To be Continued…
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