IT - 26

26. A Pinch of Emotion

Tick-tock, tick-tock—it felt as though a broken clock was pounding in her chest, echoing Ji-soo’s desperate wish to turn back time.

“What do you mean? I said no back then…”

“Yes, you did say no. And that hasn’t changed, even now.”

Tae-ha deliberately took his time sipping his tea, drawing out the suspense for Ji-soo, who waited anxiously to hear his reasoning. He found her expressions—those flickers of curiosity and concern—quite amusing.

“If I get rid of all those guys, then you’ll be mine. Keep that in mind when assigning me a number.”

Her lips parted slightly in surprise. Had she bitten them too much last night? Her swollen, crimson lips looked indecently alluring, even under the bright café lights.

“What should we eat for lunch? Do you like spicy food? Since we had alcohol, maybe something mild like clear broth to sober up?”

“Stop changing the subject and just tell me.”

Click. Tae-ha drained his teacup in one gulp and set it down.

“What can I do if I want to sleep with you? If I’m the one left wanting, then I’ll have to fold and step back.”

The fact that he added “wanting” made it clear—he knew she liked him. No matter how much she tried to deny it with feeble excuses, he didn’t believe her.

Was that why Ji-soo secretly hoped for something more? Perhaps there was a small, warm sentiment behind his actions—not just the label of an excellent bed partner.

She even entertained a foolish, greedy thought: since he wasn’t officially engaged yet, wasn’t he still free to be hers until then?

As these shameful thoughts swirled in her mind, Ji-soo pressed her trembling lips together tightly.

By now, the café had grown bustling. Leaving this place where she’d been with Tae-ha felt like saying goodbye forever. But sometimes, life required letting go of things you cherished.

“Even so, I refuse.”

“Is my engagement really that important to you?”

“Director.”

“Have you ever dated a married man or someone with a partner?”

“No, never.”

Tae-ha’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Now I’m curious—are those men you supposedly dated even real? Maybe I should investigate?”

Though Tae-ha was the one coaxing and consoling, it was Ji-soo who visibly appeared flustered and uneasy.

“If you divorce after calling off your engagement, will you at least give me a front-row ticket? Starting tonight, I could be next in line to sleep with you.”

It was blatant hypocrisy and self-deception. Was this his way of punishing her for pretending not to like him and lying through her teeth? Otherwise, why would anyone choose a mere bed partner over such an important engagement?

“I wouldn’t accept you even if you divorced instead of breaking off the engagement.”

Ji-soo’s voice trembled, laced with emotion. She couldn’t understand why she had to say such things to Tae-ha—denying the feelings she’d harbored for ten years, refusing him outright, words she’d never dared imagine or dream of uttering.

Fighting back tears, Ji-soo clenched her teeth. She wanted to bolt out of the café immediately but refused to give Tae-ha the satisfaction. Only when her surging emotions settled did she finally look at him.

“I understand your intentions clearly. But why are you making that face?”

Even without asking what expression she wore, Ji-soo lowered her gaze silently. Her bittersweet vision remained fixed on Tae-ha.

“You, who claims to want casual relationships, are looking at me with the heaviest expression in the world. For a moment, I almost misunderstood again—that you still like me.”

Her wrist ached from gripping it too tightly earlier. Slowly unfurling her fingers, Ji-soo prepared to leave. As always, Tae-ha noticed her movements first and stood up.

“One thing is certain: Han Ji-soo rejected me. So if you ever give me another chance, I can easily return to how things were before. Everything that’s happened until now will be erased.”

The morning shadow cast by Tae-ha’s tall frame enveloped Ji-soo warmly. Whether it was the lingering warmth from his presence or the residual heat of the teacup, she felt cocooned despite standing in the middle of winter’s chill. That gentle aura lingered long after Tae-ha left the café, staying with her for some time.

---

The most efficient way to calm a troubled mind was to keep the body busy. Determined to finish moving before the rainy season began, Ji-soo hurriedly finalized her new housing contract.

Though the new place was 20 minutes farther from work than her old home, she welcomed the distance. A tiring commute meant exhaustion, which in turn meant fewer thoughts once she returned home.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, after finishing her company lunchtime broadcast, Ji-soo entered the break room. Eun-ho, knowing she ate alone on these days, was already waiting—with a colorful, neatly packed bento box reminiscent of himself.

“The last song you selected today—it’s one of my favorites too. Looks like we’re compatible?”

In truth, Eun-ho had requested the song under a colleague’s name, blushing awkwardly as he admitted it. Though Ji-soo should have smiled and remarked how coincidental it was, she sat down quietly instead. Eun-ho pulled up a chair and slid the bento toward her.

“Ji-soo, do you need help with anything? Moving heavy items or fixing broken things?”

When they had planned to look at apartments together, Eun-ho hadn’t been able to reach her all day. He had seriously considered filing a police report when her call finally came through. All she said was that she’d just finalized the lease and thanked him for his concern—their most recent conversation.

“It’s not a new place, but the previous tenant kept it clean, so everything’s fine.”

Instead of eating Eun-ho’s bento, Ji-soo pulled out her sandwich and coffee. Lost in thought about their sudden estrangement, Eun-ho didn’t notice his bento growing cold.

“Ji-soo, is something wrong?”

“I’ve been busy and tired handling post-move tasks.”

If that was true, then it was a relief. Only then did Eun-ho notice Ji-soo hastily devouring her sandwich.

“Didn’t you say bread doesn’t digest well and you don’t like it much? Here, share this with me.”

Ji-soo stuffed the last piece into her mouth and gulped down her coffee in one go. When the warmth faded from her throat, she finally spoke.

“Team Leader, please stop waiting for me during lunch or preparing bentos for me. It’s unnecessary.”

“Ji-soo… Ah, it’s not like that. I just…”

“To be honest, your kindness has become burdensome and uncomfortable.”

“In that case, I understand. I’m sorry.”

He hadn’t done any of this expecting anything in return. His gestures weren’t grand enough to warrant being called favors—he simply wanted her to eat warm meals on time and offered rides home when she seemed exhausted.

“I’ll take my leave first.”

After tidying up her sandwich wrapper and coffee cup, Ji-soo abruptly stood up. Instinctively, Eun-ho grabbed her wrist. Startled, she tried to pull away, but his grip was unusually soft.

“I haven’t done much, so don’t push me away because of discomfort. Is it… Has Yoo-ri contacted you separately?”

“No. But the fact that Kang Yoo-ri is your sister is one reason I don’t want to stay close to you like before.”

“Why? Did I make you feel…”

“Please, don’t say anything.”

An overwhelming sense of urgency gripped Eun-ho—if he didn’t act now, he might lose her forever. Waiting was bearable, but the thought of being unable to do anything for her pained him more.

“Is it because you like me? Is that why you’re pushing me away?”

When Ji-soo’s gaze shifted entirely away from his feet, Eun-ho reluctantly released her wrist.

“I’ll be going now.”

Eun-ho chased after the sound of her retreating heels and blocked her path.

“I’m sorry if I’ve made you uncomfortable. From now on, I won’t bring bentos or offer rides home. I won’t bother you anymore, so please…”

Emotions surged uncontrollably within him. Knowing he shouldn’t, Eun-ho clung to the last thread connecting them.

“Don’t avoid me on purpose. Even if you don’t seek me out, just don’t run away.”

Seeing her face—even fleetingly—was the only thing keeping him sane. The past few days, when Ji-soo intentionally avoided him, had been torturous.

“I have an external meeting soon. Excuse me.”

With a polite bow, Ji-soo exited the break room. Though she turned away coolly, her heart lingered around Eun-ho, unwilling to sever ties completely.

She had thought it was okay to accept his goodwill because he was kind to everyone—a good person, Team Leader Kang Eun-ho. That’s why she had grown close to him more easily than other colleagues.

On days she left work early due to illness, his car happened to be going the same way, so she hitched a ride. Whenever team dinners ran late, Eun-ho always waited for her. She believed his gratitude when he said he didn’t want her to eat alone because of meetings.

Every casual remark she made, Eun-ho picked up without fail. That she disliked bread because it didn’t digest well, or that she drank iced espresso shots on tiring mornings—these habits were pointed out by Eun-ho himself.

Could all of this be blamed solely on Eun-ho for nurturing his feelings unilaterally? Or had she unknowingly taken advantage of his kindness? Perhaps she had used him, subconsciously aware that Yoo-ri, whom Tae-ha was engaged to, was his sister.

Ji-soo stepped into the elevator, weighed down by her heavy thoughts.

<Why study? Just find a good man! There are only three things to look for in a man: body, strength, money!>

Her mother’s voice echoed vividly in her mind. Could this have been a premonition? On her way back from an external meeting, Ji-soo received a text from her mother, Yoo Ae-ran.