‎Chapter 3‎ Lunch Break

‎The next morning, Angela arrived at the office carrying a neatly folded black umbrella.

‎The moment she settled her bag on her desk, she picked it up again.

‎"I almost forgot," she murmured.

‎Smiling to herself, she walked toward Min-ho's desk.

‎As always, he was already working.

‎His eyes remained fixed on his monitor, fingers moving steadily across the keyboard.

‎Angela gently placed the umbrella on his desk.

‎Min-ho looked up.

‎A hint of surprise flashed across his face.

‎"You left this with me yesterday," Angela said.

‎"I wanted to return it."

‎She smiled politely.

‎"Xie xie."

‎Min-ho looked at her for a brief second.

‎His expression remained calm.

‎...Does she really think I'm Chinese?

‎The thought crossed his mind before he quietly nodded.

‎"You're welcome."

‎Angela smiled and returned to her desk.

‎Min-ho watched her walk away for a moment before turning back to his computer.

‎By lunchtime...

‎The Han-Tech cafeteria buzzed with conversation.

‎Angela picked up her tray and looked around for a place to sit.

‎Most tables were occupied.

‎Then she spotted him.

‎Min-ho.

‎Sitting alone near the front, quietly eating his lunch.

‎Kimchi.

‎Rice.

‎Soup.

‎A small smile appeared on her face.

‎Her eyes wandered across the cafeteria.

‎There were still plenty of empty chairs.

‎She could easily eat alone, like she usually did.

‎Then a thought suddenly crossed her mind.

‎Should I sit with him...?

‎She stopped walking.

‎...Why am I even thinking about this?

‎Before she could change her mind...

‎She walked straight toward his table.

‎"I hope you don't mind me sitting here."

‎She pulled out the chair opposite him...

‎...and sat down before he could answer.

‎Min-ho slowly looked up.

‎His chopsticks stopped halfway to his mouth.

‎"...Why ask when you've already sat down?"

‎Angela smiled.

‎"Arigatou."

‎Min-ho blinked.

‎...Now she thinks I'm Japanese?

‎He looked at her for a brief moment.

‎Then his eyes drifted around the cafeteria.

‎Why is she sitting here in the first place?

‎There are so many empty chairs...

‎She usually eats alone... so why?

‎Without finding an answer, he quietly returned to his lunch.

‎Angela happily began eating.

‎Several minutes passed.

‎Neither of them spoke.

‎Angela slowly lifted her eyes.

‎She watched him.

‎He ate with complete concentration.

‎Every movement was calm.

‎Every bite was neat.

‎She rested her chin on one hand.

‎And simply...

‎Watched.

‎One minute passed.

‎Min-ho shifted slightly.

‎He could feel it.

‎Someone was staring at him.

‎He ignored it.

‎Another few seconds passed.

‎Still there.

‎Unable to bear it any longer, he looked up.

‎Angela was smiling at him.

‎She hadn't looked away.

‎He instinctively reached for a napkin and wiped the corner of his mouth.

‎"Is there something on my face"!, he thought.

‎Nothing.

‎He checked his shirt.

‎Still nothing.

‎He lightly touched his cheek.

‎Nothing.

‎Angela's smile only grew wider.

‎Finally...

‎An annoyed smile stretched across Min-ho's lips.

‎"Is there something on my face?"

‎Angela tilted her head.

‎"Maybe."

‎"...Maybe?"

‎She leaned forward slightly.

‎"Or maybe..."

‎"...I just like watching you eat."

‎Min-ho stared at her.

‎Speechless.

‎A faint blush slowly spread across his face.

‎Angela suddenly laughed.

‎"Hey..."

‎She pointed toward him.

‎"Why is your ear red?"

‎Min-ho instinctively covered one ear.

‎"It's not."

‎Angela laughed even harder.

‎"It is."

‎"It's not."

‎She leaned forward a little more, unable to stop smiling.

‎"It's getting even redder."

‎Min-ho looked at her.

‎His face remained serious...

‎But an amused smile tugged gently at the corners of his lips.

‎Before he could say anything else—

‎Angela waved both hands.

‎"I'm just joking with you."

‎She laughed.

‎"Don't take it seriously."

‎Min-ho looked at her for a moment.

‎Then, in his usual calm voice, said,

‎"Just eat your food."

‎Angela immediately sat up straight.

‎A wide grin spread across her face.

‎"Yes, sir!"

‎She gave him a playful mock salute before happily digging back into her lunch.

‎Min-ho shook his head almost imperceptibly and continued eating.

‎For the rest of lunch...

‎Neither of them spoke much.

‎Yet somehow...

‎The silence no longer felt awkward.

‎Across the cafeteria...

‎Someone had been watching them the entire time.

‎A spoon was gripped so tightly that the knuckles had turned white.

‎The person's gaze never left Angela and Min-ho.

‎The person wasn't smiling.

‎End of Chapter 3

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