Breakfast should have been peaceful.
But with Laddu sitting at the table—sleepy-eyed, blanket still draped over his shoulders,chewing dumplings like a rescued puppy—
peace was impossible.
He swallowed a bite, sighed happily, and said:
"This food is so good… I feel safe when I eat."
He had no idea how unsafe things were about to become.
Candy leaned forward slowly, eyes glowing with danger.
"Oppa…"she asked sweetly,"did you ever have an ex-girlfriend?"
The kitchen froze.
Even the dumpling paused mid-air.
Mochi stiffened so hard the metal cup in her hand crunched inward.
Laddu blinked, thought for a second, and answered casually:
"pass."
Candy's smile widened.
"pass!!"
CRUNCH.
Everyone stared.
The stainless-steel cup in Mochi's hand was now crushed like paper.
Maya whispered in horror,"…She destroyed metal."
Mother gently rubbed Mochi's back."Sweetie… breathe…"
Laddu pointed at the cup, terrified.
"I–I'm not planning to break up with her—I mean—I'm not even dating her—I mean—I want to stay alive—please don't hit me—"
Mochi glared.
"I wasn't angry."
No one believed her.
Mother's Question — A Confession Hidden in Conditions
Mother cleared her throat gently.
"Laddu… what kind of girl do you like?"
Mochi froze mid-breath.
Laddu placed his bowl down, suddenly serious.
"I have only three conditions."
The room went silent.
He lifted one finger.
"First… she should be someone I feel safe with."
Mochi's heart fluttered.
"Second… she should be strong.Not muscles—her heart."
Mochi turned bright red.
"And third…"he smiled softly,"she should love me even if I'm stupid."
The entire family melted.
Candy jumped up."UNNIE MATCHES ALL THREE!!!"
Mochi slammed the table.
"CAN—DY—!"
But Laddu was looking at her with a soft smile that made her chest tighten.
The Bomb — The New Girl
The mood was warm.The laughter soft.Mochi's blush still glowing.
Then Laddu casually sipped soup and destroyed everything.
"Well… there's a new girl in my office.""She asked me for a date."
Silence.
Dead silence.
Mochi's chopsticks froze mid-air.Her breath caught.Her chest tightened painfully.
Candy screamed,"WHAAAAAT?!"
Maya slammed the table."WHO?! WHY?! HOW?! WHEN?!"
Father lowered his newspaper slowly.Mother stared.
"…She asked you for a date?" Mother repeated.
Laddu nodded."Yes. Yesterday."
Candy shrieked."WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"
He shrugged.
"I told her I'll think about it."
Gasps erupted everywhere.
Mochi's fingers tightened again—the cup reshaped a second time.
"Y-You…"her voice trembled,"will think about it…?"
Laddu nodded calmly.
"No.""I already thought about it."
Mochi's heart dropped.
"And…?"
He kept eating dumplings like nothing mattered.
"She's pretty.Smart.Nice.Brought me lunch."
A sharp ache stabbed Mochi's chest.
"…Oh…"
Candy jumped up."OPPA YOU CHEATER!!"
Maya threw a tissue at him.Father sighed.Mother watched Mochi carefully.
Then Laddu finally put his bowl down.
"I rejected her."
Everything stopped.
Mochi's head snapped up.
"Y-You… rejected her…?"
"Yes. Immediately."
Candy screamed,"THEN WHY DID YOU SAY YOU'D THINK?!"
Laddu pointed directly at Mochi.
"Because I was thinking…""about her."
Mochi's brain caught fire.
"M-Me…?"
He nodded.
"Of course."
Two Reasons — Titan and Truth
He raised two fingers.
"First reason: Titan."
He pointed at Mochi.
"If I date someone else,she'll break all my bones."
Mochi slammed the table again.
CRACK.
Another piece of wood snapped.
"LA—DDU—!!!"
He nodded fearfully.
"See? Exactly."
"Second reason…"
He looked at Mochi, eyes suddenly gentle.
"That girl said she wants to 'fix me.'Make me normal."
He shivered.
"I don't want to be normal."
Candy gasped in agreement.Maya nodded.Father smirked.Mother smiled warmly.
"And Titan," he added quietly,"never asked me to change."
Mochi's eyes softened.
"…Idiot."
But her smile was real—relieved, shy, glowing.
Laddu picked up another dumpling.
"And also…""that girl definitely can't punch tiles like Titan."
Mochi threw a spoon at him.
"SHUT UP!!"
He laughed.
And Mochi couldn't hide her own smile.
Because even though he teased her,even though he nearly gave her a heart attack—
in his own chaotic, stupid, honest way—
he chose her.