LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 13
Chapter 13
The dinner atmosphere was more convivial than expected, thanks to the unusually quiet Cha Yoon. The cast members enjoyed some light beer and helped with the cleanup.
“Since I couldn’t help with dinner preparation today, I’ll do the dishes,” Seo-jung said, looking at the pile of dishes in the sink. He had felt guilty all day for not being able to help due to work.
“By yourself, Seo-jung? It seems like too much for one person…”
“No, it’s fine. Please rest.”
Sae-young looked worried at the enormous amount of dishes, but Seo-jung smiled reassuringly and put on rubber gloves.
“Then I’ll help too,” Joo-ah said, approaching from where she had been watching Seo-jung in the kitchen. She put on the remaining pair of gloves before Seo-jung could refuse.
Disappointment clouded Seo-jung’s face at Joo-ah’s offer. He had only wanted to alleviate some of his lingering guilt. But doing dishes alone with Joo-ah? This wasn’t what he had in mind. Seo-jung felt a headache coming on.
Just this morning, Cha Yoon had tried to separate them with a flimsy excuse. Now, who knew when Cha Yoon might appear and throw a fit at this sight. So he needed to finish this quickly on his own.
“Joo-ah, you must be tired from waking up early. You can go rest.”
“You woke up early too, Seo-jung.”
“…”
“I didn’t help with dinner preparation either, so it doesn’t feel right for only me to rest comfortably.”
Contrary to his expectation that she would quickly agree and leave, Song Joo-ah was quite persistent. As Seo-jung silently looked troubled, Joo-ah tilted her head and asked:
“Do you not trust me to do it well?”
“Of course not. I just said that because I thought you might be tired.”
“I’m not tired at all. So let’s do it together. It’ll be faster with two people.”
Song Joo-ah winked at him. Faced with her unyielding attitude, Ki Seo-jung finally surrendered.
There was no way to dissuade her when she insisted on helping like this. Seo-jung swallowed a sigh. Since he couldn’t break Song Joo-ah’s stubbornness, there was only one option: finish the dishes quickly before Cha Yoon could cause a scene.
“Alright, let’s finish quickly and rest, shall we?”
“‘We’? I like that word. Yes, let’s finish quickly and rest, ‘we’ two.”
Song Joo-ah repeated Seo-jung’s casual words several times. Focused on getting through the dishes, Seo-jung didn’t bother to point out Joo-ah’s strange behavior. He just smiled lightly and turned on the faucet.
With a whoosh, water poured out. Seo-jung adjusted the water temperature and was about to pick up a plate when…
A dark shadow fell behind the two of them. Feeling the sudden darkness, Seo-jung turned his head and was startled.
“…Cha Yoon. What are you doing there?”
For a moment, Ki Seo-jung thought he had encountered the Grim Reaper. He was dumbfounded by the laser-like glare from Cha Yoon’s eyes.
As soon as the name “Cha Yoon” left Ki Seo-jung’s lips, the corners of Song Joo-ah’s mouth curved smoothly upward. Gotcha. She turned around, making sure to lean towards Ki Seo-jung to feign intimacy.
“Oh my, it’s Cha Yoon.”
I thought I heard some clattering. The corners of Song Joo-ah’s lips curled up even more. Cha Yoon spoke through gritted teeth.
“I’ll do it.”
“Pardon? Do what?”
Song Joo-ah blinked, feigning confusion. Cha Yoon felt a vein throb in his temple. He had known Song Joo-ah for over 20 years. There was no way he couldn’t recognize her obvious acting.
“The dishes. I said I’ll do them.”
“Come on, a delicately raised person like you? No need. ‘We’ll’ do it.”
“…’We’?”
“Yes. Seo-jung and I, the two of ‘us’.”
Song Joo-ah narrowed her eyes. The dark aura behind Cha Yoon intensified.
“I said I’ll do it, didn’t I? I’m good at doing dishes.”
“Oh, you too, Cha Yoon? I’m really good at dishes too. It’s my specialty.”
“What… Stop talking nonsense and get out quickly.”
Cha Yoon spat out the words, and Song Joo-ah cheerfully deflected them with a bright smile. Cha Yoon irritably brushed his bangs back.
Ki Seo-jung wondered if this was some kind of lovers’ quarrel between the two. His chest ached at the thought of witnessing a quarrel between ex-lovers, especially one who still held a place in his heart.
“Joo-ah. I’ll just do it alone.”
Ki Seo-jung said cautiously. He meant for them to go talk outside if they were going to be like this. However, Cha Yoon seized the opportunity in Seo-jung’s words and moved even closer.
“That’s right. Song Joo-ah, move aside quickly.”
“You’re both so-o kind. But Cha Yoon, don’t worry. ‘We’re’ almost done.”
Song Joo-ah wagged her finger in front of Cha Yoon’s face and then turned to Ki Seo-jung with a sweet smile. Contrary to her words, there was still a mountain of dishes to be done. Seo-jung blinked, then sighed and fixed his gaze on the sink. Cha Yoon’s expression twisted, realizing his attempt to interfere had failed.
“Wow, Seo-jung. You’re really thorough, aren’t you?”
“You’re even more thorough, Joo-ah.”
“We make a good team, don’t we?”
Ki Seo-jung laughed at Song Joo-ah’s words. Good team my ass. Cha Yoon became even more annoyed at their attitude that seemed to ignore his presence. He glared at the two while pacing around them.
“Ouch, that’s hot.”
“Are you okay, Joo-ah?”
Ki Seo-jung leaned closer to Song Joo-ah. She winked, indicating she was fine.
At the same time, there was a loud clattering sound as the kitchen became chaotic. Having lost the battle for the dishwashing spot, Cha Yoon suddenly started organizing pots and pans without leaving the area. His ears were tilted towards Ki Seo-jung and Song Joo-ah.
Song Joo-ah suppressed her laughter and stubbornly refused to look back.
Ki Seo-jung was also aware of Cha Yoon’s presence but, like Song Joo-ah, deliberately didn’t turn around. It was obvious that Cha Yoon was making a fuss because his ex-girlfriend was with someone else.
Bang- Bang! Unable to attract attention, Cha Yoon moved on from organizing pots to arranging tableware. His movements were so violent it seemed like he might break all the dishes.
Finally, Cha Yoon broke Seo-jung’s resolve not to look back. Ki Seo-jung sighed briefly and looked at Cha Yoon.
He was arranging dishes and utensils with his hands while glaring daggers at Ki Seo-jung with his eyes. Their gazes met in mid-air. Ki Seo-jung narrowed his eyes and focused on Cha Yoon’s lip movements.
“F…”
Uck? Seo-jung muttered softly, following the lip movements, and inadvertently let out a small laugh.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing.”
He shook his head quickly, but Joo-ah was a bit quicker to notice. Song Joo-ah rolled her eyes, trying to assess the situation. Soon after, she suddenly burst out laughing. She had spotted Cha Yoon’s contorted face and twitching lips.
“Isn’t it really funny?”
“Pardon?”
Her voice was full of amusement. At Seo-jung’s question, Joo-ah leaned her face close to his.
“I mean Cha Yoon. How should I put it… He’s so transparent, isn’t he?”
“…Ah.”
“Look now. His ears are turning bright red because our faces got closer.”
“…”
“He must be really upset. Isn’t it cute how he acts so childishly despite his big frame?” Giggling sounds brushed past Seo-jung’s ears.
Despite the pleasant laughter, Seo-jung couldn’t join in. How many people could laugh in a situation where the person they love is jealous because of someone else?
Unconsciously, Seo-jung gripped the dish he was holding tighter. The pressure caused the dish to make a squeaking sound as it rubbed against his hand.
Joo-ah reflexively turned her head at the unfamiliar noise and noticed the veins protruding on Seo-jung’s forearm. She blinked, not taking her eyes off him, a puzzled look crossing her face.
Seeing Joo-ah’s hand frozen while holding a dish, Seo-jung called out to her.
“Joo-ah, what’s wrong?”
“Huh? Oh… it’s nothing.”
Joo-ah shook her head and resumed moving her hands as if nothing had happened. Seo-jung tilted his head quizzically but then refocused on the dishes. As Ki Seo-jung’s gaze left her, a subtle smile bloomed on Joo-ah’s face.
As she put down a thoroughly cleaned dish, Joo-ah thought to herself:
Perhaps it wasn’t just one-sided feelings after all.