{KOREAN-ENGLISH}
Lee Seo Jun and Joon So Min sat curled up on the living room couch, wrapped in dry towels and freshly changed clothes. The scent of herbal tea wafted through the room as a maid handed them steaming cups.
"Thank you," So Min said, smiling gratefully.
She brought the cup to her lips, savoring the warmth as it slid down her throat. Still, she shivered slightly. Seo Jun noticed and leaned in.
"Let's go upstairs," he said gently.
So Min's eyes widened. She looked up at the maid standing nearby, then turned to Seo Jun with a forced laugh, her face already pink. "What... what do you mean?" she asked, feigning innocence.
"Let's go, So Min," he said again, his voice deeper now. He stood and reached out his hand.
She giggled nervously, rising to her feet. "Yes! Let's go... dry off more," she said, flashing the maid a bright, embarrassed smile.
Seo Jun had already started pulling her along. The maid chuckled behind them.
"I love how cute they are together," the maid whispered to herself. "Though I thought An Nari had ruined it that day..."
⸻
Behind closed doors upstairs, Joon So Min whispered, "Did you have to say that in front of everyone?"
Seo Jun smirked. "We're adults, aren't we?"
He leaned in and kissed her, then effortlessly lifted her into his arms. She yelped as he carried her across the room, legs folding against his broad back.
He dropped her gently onto the bed.
With a slow motion, he pulled off his shirt, revealing his defined chest and shoulders. So Min swallowed.
He climbed onto the bed and kissed her again deeper this time. Her thoughts melted into the warmth of his hands and lips.
What started as a kiss turned into something more.
⸻
The morning light streamed in through the windows. So Min turned, expecting to find him beside her, but the bed was empty. She tugged the covers closer to her body and sat up, her cheeks flushing as she remembered the night before.
Her clothes, once again, had not survived.
With a sigh, she walked to his wardrobe and pulled out a crisp white shirt. It hung off her petite frame, the sleeves brushing her fingers.
She tiptoed downstairs.
The house was quiet. No maids.
Then she heard the gentle clatter of pans.
In the kitchen, there he was.
"Good morning," Seo Jun greeted, flashing a charming smile.
He stood behind the counter in a dark T-shirt and apron, whisking eggs over the stove. The domesticity of it all stunned her.
"You're cooking?" she asked.
"Yep." He flipped an egg confidently. "Told the maids to take the day off. Today, I'm the chef."
So Min laughed. "I didn't know you could cook."
"I can't," he said proudly. "But I'm trying for you."
She walked closer. "Where did you learn?"
"Right now. As I go."
Seo Jun glanced over and paused. His eyes swept over her figure in his shirt.
"You know... you look very good in my shirt."
So Min flushed. Before she could react, he stepped over, slipped an arm around her waist, and without warning lifted her.
Her feet left the floor as he effortlessly set her down on the kitchen island.
Her eyes widened. "Yah!"
But she couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face.
A second later, a sudden smell hit them.
"The food!" she cried.
Seo Jun spun around, gas hissing, smoke rising from the pan. He quickly turned off the stove and began waving the smoke away.
"No fire, thankfully," he muttered.
"Still counts as cooking," she teased.
"I told you I'd cook today," he said, determined. "Go wait at the table, chef Lee is on duty."
She giggled and obeyed.
⸻
A few minutes later, he brought the food out with surprising finesse. Each dish was carefully placed, cutlery aligned.
He pulled out her chair like a true gentleman and removed his apron before sitting beside her.
She picked up her spoon and tasted the soup.
"Mmm... it's actually really good!"
"Don't lie. It's burnt."
"Only a little," she smiled.
He tasted it for himself. "You're right. It's not bad."
They finished their breakfast together, laughing between bites.
"Is your little brother still in school?" Seo Jun asked, sipping his tea.
"Yeah, I need to go pick him up from kindergarten."
She had already called Mrs. Park earlier to explain her absence from work.
"I'll come with you," Seo Jun offered.
"You're not going to work?"
"Nope," he said proudly. "Today is reserved for my girlfriend."
So Min laughed. "You're unbelievable."
⸻
"Yay! Brother-in-law!" Dae ran up the moment he saw Seo Jun.
So Min chuckled. "Looks like someone missed you more than me."
"Can we go to the playground, big sis?" Dae asked eagerly.
"Let's go!" Seo Jun lifted him effortlessly.
So Min trailed behind, watching the two with a soft smile.
"Wait for me!" she shouted, running after them.
⸻
They sat on the swing set, Dae playing on the slide with other kids.
"This is really nice," Seo Jun said.
"We should do this more often," So Min smiled.
Just then, a sudden cry rang out.
"Dae!"
So Min bolted off the swing and rushed to the slide. Dae was on the ground, sniffling.
"My leg... he pushed me," he whimpered.
She turned and saw a bigger boy smirking.
"He's too weak," the boy scoffed.
"Are you okay?" she asked gently, checking Dae. Thankfully, he wasn't injured.
Dae pulled away from her and limped to Seo Jun.
So Min turned to the boy. "Where's your mother?"
"What's it to you, lady?" the boy retorted.
Her brow twitched. She reached out and grabbed his ear.
"Ow! Let me go!"
"I see no one taught you manners," she scolded.
Just then, an older woman rushed over.
"What's going on? Let him go!"
She pushed So Min aside.
"Are you his mother?" So Min asked, dusting herself off.
"Yes! What's the problem?" the woman huffed.
Seo Jun walked over, holding Dae in his arms.
The woman's face went pale when she saw him.
"M-Mr. Lee?" she stammered.
Seo Jun looked at her calmly. "Do I know you?"
She bowed slightly, flustered. "I'm... Kang Seung's wife. Chae Hee."
She turned sharply to her son. "What did you do?"
Her eyes burned into the boy's smirk.
So Min crossed her arms and watched.