A child who looks like me

Jeong-o was quietly gazing at Jeong-ji when he finally reacted, as if buffering on an old smartphone.

“…The new product tasting.”

“…”

“Isn’t that why you’re here too?”

It felt like she was dreaming while still awake; somehow, she found herself in this place. She couldn’t confess that she had accidentally drifted here. She didn’t want to seem like a fool in front of this woman.

Jeong-ji turned to her with a blank expression, trying to ignore the déjà vu he felt in this unfamiliar neighborhood.

“That’s true, but why are you here?”

He had no way of knowing that Jeong-o was hoping for a specific answer.

“I got off early since it was a short distance.”

“…Why? Why here?”

“I said I’d walk because I felt cramped in the car, so the driver dropped me off here.”

Her eyes dimmed with disappointment at his nonchalant answer; it wasn’t the response she had hoped for.

“What brings you here, Jeong-o? The tasting venue is a bit far from here.”

“I attended a university nearby. I felt nostalgic, so I wanted to walk a bit.”

Her gaze appeared sad throughout their exchange. Jeong-ji concluded that she was still carrying the sorrow from the previous day.

He wanted to tell her that he didn’t care about her lie. He had from the beginning and still did.

“What about dinner?”

“Pardon?”

“Have you eaten?”

“No, not yet.”

“Shall we eat together? I haven’t eaten either.”

“Aren’t you going to the tasting event?”

Jeong-ji fell silent with a blank expression.

Since his original purpose was to see Jeong-o, the tasting event had already faded from his mind the moment they reunited.

Jeong-o glanced at him, slightly annoyed, and pulled out her phone. She didn’t know the exact location of the tasting venue either and thought it would be better to check the map.

After checking, she pointed to the right.

“You should go this way, sir.”

Though Jeong-o led the way, Jeong-ji didn’t follow. He stood there, pulling out his own phone.

After walking a few steps, Jeong-o stopped.

“Aren’t you coming?”

“Just a moment. I have a lot of messages coming in.”

Jeong-ji seemed to be texting someone.

Jeong-o had never seen someone’s thumbs move so quickly. His rapid thumb movements were noticeable even from a distance.

If one were to measure the age of his thumbs alone, they might guess he was in his teens.

But still, the wait felt long. He appeared very busy.

“If you’re busy, should I go ahead?”

“No.”

As he sighed and turned away, Jeong-o’s phone vibrated. His nimble thumbs had just completed their mission.

The name of Team Leader Seong Mi-ran appeared on Jeong-o’s phone screen.

“Hello, Team Leader.”

[Jeong-o, have you arrived at the tasting?] “I’m on my way.”

[Good. We might be a little late, so don’t go in without us.] “What? Why?”

[It was tough dealing with the clients alone last time. We can’t have that happen again. You can go grab a bite, have some tea, or even go home for a bit. We’ll take about an hour and a half. Got it?]

Mi-ran seemed to be in a hurry, quickly hanging up after relaying the information.

Jeong-o blinked at the screen after the call ended.

Jeong-ji approached.

“Was that Team Leader Seong Mi-ran?”

“Yes.”

“What did she say?”

“She said something came up and that the team would be late.”

“And?”

“She told me not to go into the tasting without them.”

Did Jeong-ji’s lips momentarily stretch slightly longer, or was it just her imagination?

“Then we should go grab something to eat. Let’s go.”

He said this while turning away, heading in the opposite direction of the tasting venue.

Jeong-o suddenly turned her feet in Jeong-ji’s direction but hesitated.

Should I follow?

The memories of yesterday made her heart ache. The face of Chae Eun-bi, who had pressed her for the truth, flickered in her mind.

“It seems like Chae Eun-bi thinks I’m hitting on that guy. Is it okay to have dinner together?”

It wasn’t even something she intended, yet she felt guilty.

But she had a special mission. She needed to gather information about Jeong Ji-heon and those around him.

Her mission was to thoroughly understand him, find out about the culprit in the Ye-Na kidnapping attempt seven years ago, uncover the secrets of their phone call, ensure safety, and then reunite Ye-Na with Ji-heon. That was Jeong-o’s mission.

There had been many moments she wanted to quit her job, but she held on tightly and worked hard, with that as her first reason.

Sometimes she struggled with whether to show Ye-Na to Ji-heon because she hated him so much, but still, she needed to properly observe his surroundings.

Right. This could be a good opportunity.

Perhaps it could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

With her fists clenched, Jeong-o followed Ji-heon.

By the way, Jeong Ji-heon has changed.

He didn’t used to be so obsessed with food. He was someone who would give me his share of the meal.

Jeong-o quickly moved beside Ji-heon and asked,

“What are you planning to eat?”

“I’m searching for something right now. Do you have anything specific you want?”

“Do you like tonkatsu? There’s a great tonkatsu place nearby.”

Since we’re at it, let’s go somewhere familiar.

She recommended the tonkatsu restaurant they used to go to together long ago, remembering how he had enjoyed it even though he once claimed not to like it.

“Anything is fine.”

At his reply, Jeong-o cheerfully led the way.

However, as soon as they entered the tonkatsu restaurant, Jeong-o felt her heart sink.

The interior had completely changed. It was as if nothing from seven years ago remained.

“Welcome!”

A part-time worker greeted them cheerfully. Jeong-o couldn’t turn away from the friendly greeting.

Carrying her mixed emotions, she stepped inside.

“Please take a seat, sir.”

Ji-heon followed her lead and settled into a seat.

As soon as she sat down, Jeong-o picked up the menu.

The menu hasn’t changed, has it? But she was shocked.

“The menu has changed too!”

They had completely revamped everything except for the restaurant’s name.

Just like Jeong Ji-heon. He’s still the same, but everything else has changed.

She let out a sigh without realizing it due to the disappointment.

Noticing her reaction, Ji-heon asked,

“Is there a problem? Should we go somewhere else?”

Jeong-o hesitated for a moment. But as she rolled her eyes around, she accidentally made eye contact with the cheerful part-time worker who was eagerly waiting for their order. She couldn’t just leave.

“No… let’s just give it a try…”

It felt like she was being punished for being greedy.

Perhaps because she didn’t have high expectations, the tonkatsu was much more delicious than Ji-heon had anticipated.

But what was even more satisfying was watching the woman in front of him expertly finish her tonkatsu.

He couldn’t understand why watching her eat felt so good. Every time she moved her mouth to chew, it felt as satisfying as if he were eating himself. He felt full even without eating.

“Sir, aren’t you eating? Is it not to your taste?”

Jeong-o, who had slowed down because he was watching her, found her words strange.

“No, it’s good.”

Noticing that she had eaten a fair amount, Ji-heon finally decided to bring up the matter he had prepared for a long time.

“You don’t have to worry about what Team Leader Chae Eun-bi said yesterday. I’m not worried about it either.”

The fork in her hand dropped as she heard his words.

“You don’t care about my lie?”

“I understand there were circumstances.”

“…”

“I hope this matter doesn’t hurt you, Jeong-o.”

Ji-heon had never consoled anyone before. Therefore, his current words of comfort and encouragement were the best he could offer.

However, Jeong-o felt melancholic for another reason.

“So he’s apologizing for what Eun-bi said yesterday…”

His gentle words of consolation felt like they represented Eun-bi, making her heart ache once more.

“It’s okay,” Jeong-o replied, forcing a smile.

“When your heart gets calloused, it doesn’t get hurt easily. Even if you poke it with a needle, the needle might break instead,” he continued.

“…”

“Talking about my dad doesn’t hurt me at all. He’s been absent since I was born.”

She wanted him to see her as a strong person.

“What about your ex-boyfriend?”

Jeong-o had tried to respond cheerfully, but he suddenly threw out an unexpected question.

Her smile faded in an instant.

How can he ask about my personal life so casually?

Let’s ignore it.

Not knowing how to answer, Jeong-o lowered her head and put some food in her mouth.

But he didn’t give up.

“Your ex-boyfriend.”

“…”

“Is he doing well?”

“…What do you mean?”

“I’m asking if he’s alive and well.”

Pfft.

This time, a laugh escaped her due to his odd question.

“Why do you want to know that?”

“I’m just curious. I heard he resembles me.”

He doesn’t resemble you; he’s just you.

The guy you’re asking about is you, Jeong Ji-heon!

She felt an urge to spill everything but suppressed it while thinking of Ye-Na’s face.

“Of course. I’m sure he’s doing great. He’s probably eating something delicious right now.”

Jeong-o spoke lightly, but Ji-heon was serious.

“I wish he wasn’t doing well, but it’s unfortunate.”

Puhuh.

Jeong-o covered her mouth at his expression.

She found it amusing how he spoke so casually about someone’s misfortune, unaware that he was bad-mouthing himself.

It made her feel a bit sorry for him too.

Jeong-o smiled like a Buddha and shared her true feelings.

“No, I hope he’s doing well. Truly.”

“…”

“I hope he’s doing well, but…”

“…”

“I hope that at night, when he’s super hungry and makes instant ramen, there isn’t any seaweed left. I hope he waits in line for an hour at a famous restaurant and gets cut off right in front of him. I hope he gets excited about winning the lottery only to find out he wrote down the wrong numbers.”

This was all her sincere wish.

I hope you’ve forgotten me, and I want you to live decently, but feel a bit empty too.

Even if you don’t think of me, even if you can’t.

“I hope that after working hard for three hours on a report, he forgets to save it and loses everything.”

“…”

“…No, two hours.”

She had said it seriously, but as an office worker, she felt that three hours was too excessive, so she slightly lowered her curse level.

For a moment, the corners of his eyes curved downward slightly.

Seeing him smile just like he did seven years ago made her expression freeze.

Ji-heon struggled to contain his laughter and tightened his lips. He never expected to meet a woman who could make serious topics so amusing and adorable.

In that moment, one of his arms reached out.

His large hand moved toward her without hesitation and gently brushed against her soft cheek. Even as his hand moved slowly, as if checking the texture of her skin, he didn’t realize what he was doing.

It felt like someone had grabbed his right hand and placed it against her cheek. No, it was as if something unconscious was controlling his hand and heart.

He was eager to touch her, but it felt like he had severed the thread of reason, making everything around him fade away. He realized how easily he could be captivated like this.

His body felt foreign, as if it wasn’t his own, and he was powerless before her.

But still, he had nothing to say.

His failure to pull his hand away despite knowing it was wrong was just his greed.