The winter breeze blew softly that particular Sunday, and Ji-hye and Hyun-woo's house was more lively than usual. Everyone was busy with one thing or another.
Ji-hye and Hyun-woo were outside setting up the barbecue, while Min-jae and Ga-young stayed inside arranging the dining table. Yun-ho and Ye-seul were the busiest, adding the final touches to the wide variety of meals prepared for dinner.
Ye-seul held out a spoon of broth to Yun-ho's lips.
"Tell me what's missing?"
He tasted it, then nodded with a small smile.
"It's perfect," he replied.
"Are you sure? Min-jae isn't going to be as nice as any of you when he tastes it," Ye-seul said, slightly worried.
Yun-ho chuckled softly and patted her hair.
"I'm more sure than I was when I decided to become a chef."
Just as Ye-seul was about to respond, Ga-young walked into the kitchen.
"All done?" she asked, glancing between them.
Ye-seul and Yun-ho nodded at the same time.
Then Ye-seul stepped closer to her, lowering her voice slightly.
"Are you sure it was okay to leave the kids with your mother? Won't it be too much work for her?"
Ga-young smiled warmly and patted her hair.
"If there's one thing I know about my mother, it's that she's crazily obsessed with kids. Plus, she's been a bit lonely recently, this will actually make her feel better."
"Hmm…" Ye-seul hummed, still unsure.
"Ha-eun and Kira are the most well-behaved kids I've met. I'm sure she'll be fine," Ga-young reassured her again.
"Choi!!!" Ji-hye's voice rang out from the living room.
Ga-young rolled her eyes with a smile.
"Hey! Mrs. Hyun-woo, call my name with more respect!" she shouted back, winking at Ye-seul before heading out.
A couple of minutes later, they were all seated at the table, chatting and laughing. No one was left out not even Hyun-woo.
Suddenly, Ji-hye stood up, raising a glass of wine.
"A toast," she said, pausing as she turned to Ga-young. "I'd like to toast to the success of K&H Fresh Store's director."
Everyone burst into applause.
"Hey!!" Ga-young said shyly, waving her hand. "It's nothing"
"It definitely isn't" Ye-seul chuckled.
"You're next," Ji-hye insisted.
Ga-young stood up with her glass, smiling.
"I'd like to make a toast to this meeting… this friendship… this circle. Nothing could be better than this."
"Awwn," Ye-seul exclaimed, smiling brightly, making everyone laugh.
As the night deepened, so did their bond. Laughter filled the room, conversations overlapped, and for a moment, everything felt complete.
Yun-ho and Ye-seul seemed to exist in their own little world, exchanging quiet glances and soft smiles. No one paid much attention, until Yun-ho gently picked up some food with his chopsticks and held it out to her.
The chatter slowly died down.
Everyone paused.
Ye-seul noticed the sudden silence, but she didn't stop. Instead, she smiled softly and leaned forward, accepting his offer.
Ji-hye's brows furrowed as she pointed between them with her chopsticks.
"Why… what is going on between you two?"
"I'd like to know too," Min-jae added, narrowing his eyes.
Ye-seul opened her mouth to speak, but Yun-ho gently took her hand, his thumb brushing over her knuckles, silently asking her to let him handle it.
He exhaled softly, then smiled.
"We're together," he said. "Ye-seul and I… we're dating. And I was the one who chased her first."
Ji-hye's eyes widened, her hand flying to her mouth.
"I'm surprised you're shocked, it was so obvious," Ga-young shrugged, casually taking a spoonful of rice.
"Ye-seul, dear," Ji-hye said carefully, her voice soft but concerned. "Were you pressured into this?"
"More like she dragged Yun-ho into it," Min-jae countered.
Ye-seul shot him a sharp look.
"Oppa, it would be much better if you found a pin for your lips or more food, anything that would work."
"What?!" Min-jae exclaimed, clearly offended.
Ignoring him, Ye-seul continued, her voice soft but honest.
"I was actually the one who fell first. I'm not good at hiding my feelings, so… I confessed to him first."
"Aww," Ga-young squealed, blushing. "I love where this is going, you have my support."
Ye-seul and Yun-ho looked at Ji-hye and Min-jae, their expressions now softer, almost pleading.
Hyun-woo gently placed a hand over Ji-hye's.
"They seem like a good couple," he said quietly. "Right for each other, even. Just give them a chance."
Ji-hye sighed, rolling her eyes lightly before letting out a small breath.
"Even if I tried to stop this, you'd probably just date in secret, which is even worse," she said.
A faint smile tugged at her lips.
"Hyun-woo is right. You two… complement each other well. And I don't want to be the villain in your story."
Both Yun-ho and Ye-seul turned to Min-jae.
"I never had a say to begin with," he muttered, waving them off dismissively.
Yun-ho and Ye-seul smiled brightly.
"Thank you," they said in unison.
Ji-hye couldn't hide her smile.
"Cute," she murmured under her breath before clapping her hands together.
"Now then—shall we continue to feast?"