At that moment, So-young recalled Taekyung. Then her lips moved without hesitation.
“I’m not dating, but I’m interested in someone.”
After answering, she realized she was being too rude. So-young was ashamed, but Yi Hwan seemed to have convinced her rejection only after hearing her answer. He smiled with a lighter look.
“Is everything going well with him?”
“Well… I don’t know either.”
“Haha.”
Yi Hwan smiled nicely and naturally changed the subject. The meal ended in a subtle and comfortable atmosphere, and the two returned to their respective seats.
A message arrived from Taekyung for some time as Soyoung focused on her work with a more relieved heart.
Team leader Cha Taekyung: When are you going to go home today?
Taekyung left work early for the first time in a long time today. If it was normal, he would have waited until So-young was done.
It was So-young, who felt empty in the office without Taekyung. The contact that arrived in time, as if reading such a mind, felt particularly welcoming.
Han Soyoung: I’m going to do a little more work and leave.
Taekyung immediately read the reply. So-young hesitated and added a word.
Han Soyoung: Team leader, are you at home?
Team leader Cha Tae-kyung: I’m still outside, so tell me the estimated time you’re leaving. Let me take you home.
It must be cumbersome, but Taekyung did not show any signs of that. So-young put her hand on her chest. Her heart tickled again.
Han Soyoung: I’ll be done in an hour.
Even though she said an hour, she didn’t seem to be very focused, so So-young roughly finished all the urgent things and organized the place.
When she went down to the underground parking lot at the appointed time, Taekyung’s car stood in the same place as usual.
“It’s nice to see you again.”
Taekyung greeted Soyoung with a smile. Even though it was late at night, he still looked neat. The car carrying the two started slowly.
“Did you have dinner?”
“What?”
“If you didn’t eat, we can go eat now.”
“Team leader, I already ate.”
“Is that so?”
“…I had dinner. At the company earlier.”
“Did you eat something delicious?”
“Well, it’s just a company meal.”
“Good job. Nothing is important enough to skip meals.”
Taekyung was staring at the front with a comfortable expression. The moment she saw his relaxed side face, So-young had an impulse. It was at a playful, grumpy level that she wanted to splash fire on the calm oil. That’s why she added something that she didn’t have to say.
“Actually, Manager Kim Yi Hwan asked me to eat, so we ate together.”
“…Ah.”
Taekyung paused at first glance, but soon expressed a sour exclamation with no change in expression. When she brought up Lee Hwan’s story, So-young was a little shy because she thought she was being too transparent.
Since then, there has been a moment of silence. So-young blamed herself for saying useless things, but Taekyung twisted his lips. Both his eyes are cold, but the face with only the corners of the mouth curled up revealed the unpleasant mood effectively.
Taekyung tapped the steering wheel and spoke in an undesirable voice.
“Manager Kim must have nothing to do, especially when I see people who can’t get off work on time and work overtime. He seems to be very tactless.”
“…He’s a good guy. And kind.”
So-young found out that he was being childish. She also felt guilty for Yi Hwan, who was mentioned in this way. However, she could not suppress her desire to provoke Taekyung.
“He said he wanted to be close.”
At that moment, Taekyung turned his head and looked at Soyoung. Frightened, she pointed to the front and shouted.
“You have to look ahead and drive!”
“…….”
“Team leader!”
Taekyung slowly turned his head with an unwilling face. Dark blue veins stood out clearer than usual on the back of the hand holding the handle. He smiled more uncomfortably and said bitterly.
“Did you just tell me to be jealous?”
“I didn’t think that far…”
So-young carefully asked back. There was a voice with faint expectations.
“Are you jealous?”
“Do I look foolish enough to fall for the obvious intention?”
Soyoung felt a reflexive embarrassment. It was not a story that was brought up for a specific purpose, but it was because Taekyung had no intention at all. It was when she closed her mouth with a full face.
Soyoung felt a reflex of embarrassment. It was when she shut her mouth with her grungy face.
“I’m a foolish guy.”
“…….”
“I’m annoyed, even though I know I don’t have the right to do that. To where I want to rip that guy off.”
“…….”
“So, are you going to be friends? I don’t like that, but if it’s at that level, I think I can accept it.”
Taekyung’s imagination exploded. Even though not that serious, it seemed to be enough to agitate him. A handsome face was grim, and a crack was drawn in the smooth forehead.
Taekyung did not hide his jealousy at all. It was So-young who became embarrassed by his confidence. She smacked her lips and spat out a word.