They held each other's gaze in a stretch of quiet that felt deceptively long, until Ryul finally spoke with a look of consolation.
"So that's how it was. I'm really sorry for your loss."
The corners of Jihoon's lips naturally curved upward in an attempt to appear calm and collected, even though the rest of him felt anything but that.
"That's alright. I'm sure they're in a good place…"
But no matter how 'expertly' he hid the sadness, it surfaced like bubbles rising from deep underwater. Impossible to miss on a clear day.
Ryul had also noticed it easily, though he chose not to comment on it.
"…What about your family, ajeossi?"
"My family?"
"Yeah. I want to know about you too… if you don't mind."
Studying Jihoon's nervous look for a couple of seconds, the man smiled with a fond affection. He leaned forward, setting aside his cup on the table with a muted tap, the warmth from the porcelain fading against his fingertips.
