MHFM 10

Chapter : 10

“I’m sorry, but could I take just one picture of the food? Everything looks so beautiful and delicious…. I’d like to have it as a memory.”

Hehe. Soyeul smiled awkwardly as she asked for permission.

Taeheon didn’t know it, but this had become a habit for Soyeul because, having been treated poorly by her family, she wanted to remember the occasional happy moments in her life for a long time.

“…Go ahead.”

As soon as Taeheon gave her permission, Soyeul quickly took out her phone and began snapping pictures.

The way she furrowed her brows made her look quite serious.

If I showed her something even better, how much happier would she be?

‘Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to take her out like this from time to time.’

Since they were going to be living together anyway, he thought it might not be a bad idea to broaden Soyeul’s world while she was still young.

She seemed to be enjoying herself more than he had expected, too.

‘As long as it’s only in the sense of being a temporary guardian.’

A temporary guardian. Not a husband and his stand-in wife.

For some reason, Taeheon felt more at ease with that title.

After finishing her commemorative photos, Soyeul diligently picked the meat out of the clams in her oil pasta.

She also worked hard to cut her steak with an awkward knife, as if determined to somehow eat the meat herself.

“Give it to me.”

Taeheon pulled Soyeul’s plate toward himself. The steak wasn’t really being cut anymore—it was practically being torn apart.

Then he began cutting the meat himself.

It was something the usual Taeheon would never have done.

Even when Yejoon had trouble using a fork, he had taught him how to do it properly rather than feeding him himself. Otherwise, Yejoon might develop bad habits.

But with Soyeul, he wanted to do it for her.

Soyeul wasn’t the type to shamelessly act spoiled. And he could slowly teach her how to use a knife properly.

Soyeul stared at Taeheon as he skillfully cut the meat, her mouth hanging slightly open.

‘Wow, Taeheon oppa looks exactly like the male lead in a romance novel when he does that…. This is exactly how the male lead acts when he’s especially gentle only toward the female lead…. Ah, no! Ji Soyeul, get a grip! You’re Supporting Character 1!’

While Soyeul was desperately trying to suppress her misunderstanding, Taeheon finished cutting the meat and placed the plate back in front of her.

“T-Thank you!”

Soyeul thanked him with rosy cheeks before popping a piece of steak into her mouth.

The juices burst inside her mouth.

“Mmm…!”

Soyeul let out a blissful moan.

“Is it good?”

Taeheon asked with a faint chuckle.

He had spoken without thinking because he found Soyeul’s reaction surprisingly expressive.

For a moment, a charming smile appeared on his usually expressionless face, and Soyeul became momentarily dazed before opening her mouth.

“Yes, you’re handsome….”

“What? Handsome…?”

“Ah, n-no! I mean, it’s delicious! The steak is delicious!”

Soyeul hurriedly corrected herself.

Only belatedly did she realize what she had really said—or rather, the slip of the tongue she had made.

“I see. Eat plenty. Order more if it isn’t enough. You’re at an age when you’re still growing.”

Huh…? An age when I’m still growing?

Soyeul blinked.

That was clearly something you said to a child….

After being momentarily dazed, Soyeul cautiously opened her mouth.

“I’m… already past the age when I’m still growing. I’m all grown up. I’m twenty-two.”

It was a timid correction.

I’m an adult too. I’m twenty-two, for goodness’ sake!

This time, Taeheon slowly blinked.

Then.

“…Oh, is that so?”

He replied casually, as though it were nothing important.

For some reason, that made Soyeul even more indignant.

It sounded as though he were saying, “Oh, really? You’re not a child?”

“…Yes! I can legally buy alcohol, too. I can get a driver’s license, vote, and also….”

“Oh?”

His emotionless exclamation only provoked Soyeul’s stubbornness further.

Just then, she noticed the coffee Taeheon had ordered beforehand.

The coffee was as black as a deadly poison.

“I can drink an Americano too! You know, the bitter thing that children can’t drink because it’s too bitter. I’m old enough to do everything you do, Taeheon.”

“My, how impressive.”

Taeheon responded dryly once again before leisurely beginning to cut his own steak.

The same skillful knife work that Soyeul had needed help with seemed almost like he was asking her in return:

You said you’re old enough to do everything I do. Are you really?

Soyeul suppressed the irritation rising inside her again.

Then she speared an innocent piece of steak with her fork.

‘Come to think of it, they cut the pieces really small. What is this, baby food….’

Soyeul puffed out both cheeks and silently concentrated on eating.

“Maybe it tastes better because an older person cut it for me.”

Hmph. Soyeul made another timid act of rebellion.

Taeheon chuckled.

“That’s good to hear. One of the benefits of getting older is that you have more things you can do for younger people. If the meat is difficult to eat, tell me. I’ll cut it into even smaller pieces for you.”

He spoke calmly, the corners of his lips lifting ever so slightly.

‘Wow, seriously…!’

Soyeul simply pressed her lips shut.

The more she talked, the more she felt like she was losing.

Even so, the meat was delicious, so she silently continued moving her fork.

Afterward, she quietly finished the brownie topped with ice cream that was served for dessert.

Then Taeheon, who had been drinking his coffee, received a phone call.

It was Chief Choi.

The brows that had been relaxed as Taeheon looked at Soyeul until just moments ago drew together.

‘I told him not to contact me unless it was absolutely necessary, especially since I took the time off for this.’

It must be something serious enough that the risk would increase if he didn’t deal with it immediately.

“Keep eating. I’ll step out and take the call.”

Taeheon briefly left the restaurant.

Soyeul stared at his back.

“Looks like he was busy today too….”

And yet, he had still come out with her.

After the meal, he had said they should go to a department store and buy clothes she could wear for future family dinners and events.

She hadn’t expected anything like this from such a busy person.

Her earlier disappointment at being treated like a child gradually faded.

Instead, her heart began to swell with a mixture of guilt toward Taeheon and excitement.

‘Ah, no… He was only looking after Minchae unni, not me.’

She shook her head.

“Huh? Ji Soyeul?”

She heard her name from beside her.

Soyeul instinctively turned toward the voice, her eyes widening.

“Hyungju oppa!”

“It really is Soyeul!”

Gasp!

Soyeul immediately jumped to her feet and excitedly grabbed hands with the friend she hadn’t seen in a long time.

“It’s my parents’ wedding anniversary, so I just tagged along.”

Soyeul politely bowed to Hyungju’s parents, who were standing behind him.

The couple exchanged a brief greeting with their son’s friend before telling the two to catch up and heading to their reserved table.

“I can’t believe we ran into each other here! Do you know it’s been half a year? You always said you were busy, and I was honestly really hurt!”

Soyeul gave a bitter smile at Hyungju’s complaint.

Soyeul and Hyungju were classmates in the Department of Journalism and Broadcasting at university.

Soyeul had always missed her university friends, including Hyungju.

That was why she wanted to return to school even more.

“I’m sorry, oppa…. But I think things will be okay now! Should we meet up sometime soon?”

“Really? You promised, okay? We can finally have a meal together!”

Hyungju happily ruffled Soyeul’s hair.

“But… come to think of it, who did you come here with?”

…Gasp.

Soyeul’s body suddenly stiffened.

I came with Taeheon. As Ji Minchae, not Soyeul.

‘If I’m still with Hyungju when Taeheon comes back, it’ll be dangerous.’

Instead of being happy to see Hyungju, she needed to send him back to his table as quickly as possible.

“Mm-hmm, just someone I know…. More importantly, oppa, you should hurry back to your parents….”

“Someone you know… who?”

When Soyeul vaguely answered, Hyungju’s expression hardened as he looked around the table.

His gaze settled on the seat opposite Soyeul, where it looked as though someone had been sitting only moments ago.

“Uh, uh… just someone I know….”

Beads of sweat formed on Soyeul’s forehead.

She had never imagined that, while living as Minchae, she would have to explain Taeheon to someone who knew her as Ji Soyeul.

“You weren’t so busy that you didn’t even have time to meet me, were you…?”

“I-It’s not that… Gasp….”

Soyeul was trying to make an excuse to Hyungju when she suddenly inhaled sharply.

Over Hyungju’s shoulder, she could see Taeheon approaching.

Perhaps because of his long legs, Taeheon crossed the distance in the blink of an eye with his large strides and came to stand beside Soyeul and Hyungju.

“…And who is this?”

At the low voice that sounded from above his head, Hyungju turned around.

Gasp.

Hyungju swallowed his startled breath and looked back and forth between Soyeul and Taeheon with widened eyes.

As though he was the one who wanted to ask who this man was.

Soyeul’s vision went dizzy.

“Uh, t-this is my friend…. And this is… my… my….”

Was it right to tell an acquaintance of Ji Soyeul that she was married?

But to Taeheon, she was Ji Minchae right now, so he was her husband!

As Soyeul fumbled over her words, one of Taeheon’s eyebrows rose.

“My husband.”

“Hu-hus….”

Hyungju stammered as though he were about to lose his breath.

Not her boyfriend, but her husband?

“You… you’re really married?”

“Uh, y-yes….”

Soyeul nodded.

For now, there was nothing else she could do. Even if she cleared up the misunderstanding later.

At Soyeul’s admission, Hyungju felt as though he had been struck hard on the head with a hammer.

Hyungju had actually been secretly in love with Soyeul.

And now, while he hadn’t seen her, the person he had a crush on had acquired not just a boyfriend, but a husband…?

“So you’re a friend of my wife?”

This time, Taeheon asked Hyungju to introduce himself.

For some reason, the word “wife” seemed especially forceful.

Hyungju, dazed, looked up at the man who claimed to be Soyeul’s husband.

He was a head and a half taller than Hyungju, with a chest and shoulders nearly twice as broad as his own. Dressed impeccably in a semi-casual suit, he radiated the aura of a grown man.

Hyungju, who had bragged about being older than his classmates because he had taken the college entrance exam a second time and had enjoyed acting like the eldest, suddenly felt as insignificant as a puppy that had only been born yesterday.

Overcome with defeat, Hyungju opened his mouth.

“Yes…. I’m Soyeul….”

Soyeul was horrified.