To Me, Who Doesn’t Love You

The next morning. When I came into the living room after barely sleeping, breakfast was laid out on the table as always.‘Today it’s open sandwiches.’The sandwiches, loaded with ingredients that had a perfect balance of sweet and salty, were satisfying enough with just one bite to make me feel like I was at a brunch café. Although the craftsmanship didn’t feel professionally refined, it was clear that a lot of care had gone into each component, making me appreciate the effort.‘No matter how I think about it, this person must really like me.’I felt a bit jealous and envious of my past self, who had probably never reciprocated such fervent affection. It was a strange thought, since it was just me being annoyed at myself. But when I recalled Yeonseo’s reaction after we had dinner together not long ago, it made me even more upset.On the first day when I suddenly asked to be taught how to cook, the dinner Yeonseo prepared was jjambbong.‘…?’Why jjambbong, of all dishes? Isn’t that something you usually eat out or order for delivery? Are there people who make it at home? Well, I guess some might. It felt odd because it’s not a dish typically made at home like simple stews or side dishes. However, my cooking mentor took out each ingredient from the fridge with their usual expressionless face and placed them on the counter.In the end, we did use a store-bought sauce, but the dish we made in under an hour was quite decent. It wasn’t just edible; it was pretty delicious. After enjoying the noodles in my bowl, I started spooning up the broth but couldn’t get enough, so I picked up the bowl and drank it directly. Yeonseo’s reaction was priceless, with eyes wide like a startled rabbit, as if witnessing a dead person come back to life.‘Why? Did I do something wrong?’Of course, I knew that drinking from the bowl wasn’t the most elegant behavior. But it wasn’t so shocking that he should look at me like I was some kind of uncultured savage. Isn’t it common to drink jjambbong broth straight from the bowl? I even did it quietly without making any noise. Feeling awkward, I tilted my head and asked, and he quickly shook his head in surprise.‘No, it’s not that.’As long as it wasn’t a problem, I was fine. I cleaned my empty bowl in the sink and put it in the dishwasher before heading to my room. Suddenly, I couldn’t remember if I’d pushed the dining chair back in, so I turned around. I found myself staring at Yeonseo, who was squatting in front of the dishwasher, peering inside.What is he doing? I wondered as I glanced over to see what he was looking at so intently. At that moment, the corners of his eyes and mouth softened into a smile. He had been expressionless or slightly surprised the whole time he was chopping, cooking, and handling chopsticks in front of me. Could he even smile like that? He looked at the empty bowl with such a blissful expression that it was strange he hadn’t noticed the sound of me opening the door. As soon as he realized I was there, he quickly wiped the smile off his face and stood up.It seemed unlikely that Yeonseo had ever treated me with such care in all the time we lived together. Maybe someone who only ate gourmet dishes made by top chefs considered a hearty home-cooked meal like this worthless calories.Suddenly, I remembered the harsh criticism from Lee Suhan, the culinary researcher, on a TV show. Of course, the contestant had made a mistake. They had gotten the oil temperature wrong, causing the batter to soak up oil, resulting in a mouthful of grease dripping out when bitten.‘Can you seriously tell someone to eat this? It would be better to just pour the oil into a cup and drink it, at least you wouldn’t get burnt.’When another contestant, who was on the same team, tried to defend the mistake by saying they got so caught up in putting in the “effort” that they forgot to adjust the temperature, my screen self couldn’t hold back anymore and threw the dish into the trash.‘With that kind of ‘effort,’ you might as well prepare for a lawsuit next time. Didn’t you say your goal is to open your own restaurant? Better make sure your insurance is solid.’The screen alternated between the weeping contestant and my triumphant self before fading to black. Even if my on-screen self ate the dish Yeonseo had made, the reaction would likely not have been much different. I would have complained about the thickness of the vegetable slices, the use of store-bought chili oil instead of homemade, the finely chopped meat, or the slightly dull taste from leaving the broth ingredients in too long.I knew it was an unreasonable thought, but the fact that the person who wanted to cook for him so much wasn’t me but my past self nagged at me.‘What kind of crazy jealousy is this?’I shook my head and stretched. Enough strange thoughts, time to get back to what I needed to do. After a quick workout, I headed to the library, where familiar faces from the neighborhood were chatting under a shaded bench outside.“What are you all talking about so happily?”I thought they might get a noise complaint from the reading room if they got any louder, so I joined in to calm them down. One of the ladies gave me a hearty pat on the shoulder and laughed.“Oh my, oh my, Suhan, you’re just in time. Try this. Hyeonsuk brought it, and it’s supposed to be famous. It was even on TV.”She handed me a small, round rice cake. It was a specialty from a famous rice cake shop in Gangneung. While I’m not particularly fond of rice cakes, I wasn’t so opposed to them that I would refuse. So, I happily accepted and ate it. It was an ordinary rice cake, nothing special. The outside was coated with fine castella crumbs, and the inside was filled with a mix of red bean paste and nuts—pleasant enough to eat.“It’s nice. Where did you go?”“My daughter got married and moved to Gangneung. She invited us over since they just moved…”The following 15 minutes were filled with her boasting about her son-in-law, but I didn’t retain much information. Something about a nice beach, a good seafood restaurant, great hotel breakfast—listening to her, I could picture someone at each place she described.I’m not sure about the beach. Does Yeonseo even swim? I’ve had enough of water from rehab, going in and out countless times. Now that my bones and joints can withstand some impact, I can sprint again, but when I first woke up, I was so stiff that even standing was tough. They said it was a miracle how quickly I recovered.Anyway… Yeonseo’s skin is so fair that he would probably look beautiful with a bit of a tan. I couldn’t help but think of Yeonseo blushing, embarrassed about exposing bare skin in a short swimsuit. I felt a bit guilty for the thought, but it was unavoidable.‘He always covers up in long sleeves and pants, even at home, because he doesn’t want to show off.’It felt like we were one of those rare couples with such boundaries even in marriage.Pretending to listen to the conversation, I made an excuse about needing to see the librarian and slipped away. I suddenly remembered that I went to middle school in Gangneung too. Although it’s closed now, I heard they kept the playground open for locals and tourists, even if the building is locked.Maybe I should visit. Who knows, something there might trigger a memory. On the way home after volunteering, I ran through several simulations in my mind of how to bring it up to Yeonseo.“A regular at the library was talking about a trip to Gangneung. My middle school was in Gangneung too, so I thought I might visit. What do you think?” As I mumbled to myself, familiar scenes flashed through my mind.“…”A dream where I continue heading deeper into the water, indifferent to the waves that come up to my chest, and someone is tearfully trying to hold me back. It was too vivid to dismiss as just a random dream, yet there was no evidence to believe it actually happened. Maybe I could find out more if I visited the school. For now, the only clue about the sea that I had around me was the school I graduated from.I clicked my tongue lightly and went inside, feeling like the time preparing to meet Yeonseo was dragging on longer than usual.“……”Alone in the house, sitting slouched on a chair and waiting for Yeonseo was unbearably boring. I idly pulled out my laptop, which had yielded no results so far, and read through the materials I had prepared months ago. Business plans for the next few quarters, upcoming trends in food and beverages, what was popular last year… The flawlessly designed presentation materials would impress anyone, even without any recollection, that I was indeed an expert.In contrast, the current me felt like an embodiment of incompetence, an unemployed person. I spent hours at the library moving books, pushing book carts, and resolving various minor complaints. My anxiety stemmed not from the lifestyle itself, but from the fear that if my memory didn’t return during this leave, it would cause trouble for Yeonseo or the company.Actually… maybe I was suited to this unemployed life? Going out for rehabilitation exercises whenever I wanted, shopping when I felt like it, having my husband prepare breakfast, and cooking dinner together peacefully—wasn’t this the dream life everyone wanted? Even though the remaining balance in the bank was less than I had expected, it wasn’t an amount that could be considered small by any standard. There was no immediate need to worry about living expenses, and with a husband who was an heir to a wealthy family, I certainly didn’t need to worry about money.So, all my anxiety came not from the current situation but from the uncertainty of the future.‘Hmm…’It might be meaningless to think about it, but what if I never regained my memory? Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to continue living like this, growing closer to Yeonseo like an ordinary newlywed couple.While lost in thought, the intercom alerted me that a car had entered the parking lot. The license plate number on the panel was now familiar to me. The sweet illusion was over.Even if I didn’t want to regain my memory, he certainly did. He was someone who believed our current relationship was just a temporary abnormality and that we needed to return to our original state. What a foolish dream to think otherwise. I swallowed my bitter thoughts and tidied up the materials and laptop on the dining table. After all, the reason we started having dinner together was because “maybe this will help your memory return faster.”“…I’m home.”Feigning nonchalance, I smiled slightly as I looked up at him. Yeonseo greeted me, as always, with a slightly shy expression.“Welcome back. You’ve worked hard.”I naturally took his bag and hung it on the coat rack in the living room. He went to the bedroom, changed into something comfortable, and came out, tying an apron around himself with a satisfied expression.‘His face looks delicate… and his body seemed slender, but his waist…’As he tightened the apron strings, I noticed his waist wasn’t just slim; it was quite toned. A sudden impulse to hug him hit me, and I shook my head vigorously to chase away the strange, perverted thought.“……?”Yeonseo looked back at me with a puzzled expression. I forced a smile, hiding the sweat running down my back.“No, I think my hair got messed up from sleeping poorly last night.”He didn’t seem to doubt my silly excuse and reached out to fix my hair, then suddenly hesitated.“Oh.”At the sound of his short exclamation, I quickly grabbed his sleeve.“It’s hard for me to see the back of my head, so it’s tough to fix it alone. Can you help me?”What kind of trickery was this? I chuckled to myself, but he obediently ran his fingers through my hair, carefully tidying it up. Even though it was a simple act, I felt a strange tension, and goosebumps prickled my skin. After a few gentle strokes, he pulled away.“…All done.”And then, as if nothing had happened, our routine resumed. After finishing a simple meal prepared with ingredients I had bought earlier, we would retreat to our separate rooms. But today, I had something to say.Tonight’s dinner was kimchi sujebi. The spicy yet refreshing broth and chewy dough pieces were so delicious that two bowls weren’t enough. I guess I truly was suited for the food and beverage industry, given my love for eating. I couldn’t tell if it was because Yeonseo cooked it or if I naturally had a good appetite. After we finished cleaning up the dishes and utensils, just before Yeonseo could disappear into the bedroom, I spoke up.“I’m planning to visit Gangneung.”The sudden statement startled Yeonseo, causing him to halt his steps toward the bedroom. He seemed quite surprised, so I shrugged my shoulders and added casually.“I received my resume through the person you introduced before. It turns out I graduated from middle school in Gangneung. Someone recently bragged about how wonderful their trip to Gangneung was, so I thought it might be a good opportunity to clear my head and do some sightseeing.”Yeonseo looked at me with uncertain eyes for a moment before lowering his gaze to the floor.“Okay.”His response, limited to just an “okay” without asking when I was going, how long I would be gone, or how I planned to get there, irritated me. Hiding my frustration, I smiled and asked,“Would a weekday or a weekend be better?”After a brief moment of confusion, Yeonseo replied,“A weekday… might be better, since it will be less crowded than on the weekend.”His voice trailed off weakly, prompting me to ask directly,“Really? Can you take a day off this week?”“Huh?”Even without words, his face seemed to say, ‘Why are you asking that?’ I had to suppress a genuine urge to laugh. I explained with a calm expression,“Why do you think I told you about my trip to Gangneung?”Yeonseo frowned slightly at the vague question.“Because the house will be empty…”I responded promptly,“No? You’re going to drive me there.”When I cheerfully curled my lips into a smile, his expression instantly darkened. The reaction was so funny that I had to tense my abdomen to keep from bursting into laughter. He looked as if I had just declared, “I’m going to kidnap you.” It felt like I was playing the villain.“W-what do you mean, all of a sudden…?”“Sudden? If you can’t make it this week, we can go next week. Your weekends are always free anyway. It’s not like you have anywhere else to go.”As I bluntly stated the facts, Yeonseo’s face flushed bright red. Damn, he was so cute it almost made me want to swear. He was so flustered and at a loss for words that I found his bumbling quite endearing. I decided to push him just a little further.“You don’t have any friends, do you? Nowhere to go on the weekends, right? The season’s changing; let’s get some fresh air together.”What’s marriage for? Given that neither of us has anyone else to meet, we might as well enjoy at least one benefit of being married. Seeing his expression, as if he would be a frog hit by another stone, I stifled my laughter and lightly patted his shoulder.“Let me know if you can take a day off during the week. I’ll expect you to make time for this by next week.”With that, I quickly ended the conversation and escaped to my room, closing the door before he could stop me. Beyond the door, there was no sound.‘Maybe he was so shocked he froze up.’But isn’t it odd for him to react like that just because I asked him to drive me to Gangneung? Then again, considering the nature of our relationship, or even my condition, nothing about our situation could be considered normal. I pulled the blanket over my head and curled up into a ball, but then I remembered his face, distorted with confusion, and sat up abruptly.‘I really need to increase the intensity of my workouts.’Once the dam was broken, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of energy in my lower body, like a person who had just discovered masturbation. If he knew what I was thinking, he’d probably freak out and run away.‘He shouldn’t be so cute, then.’Even though he’s younger, he’s still an Alpha. I held my breath, thinking of my adorable yet distant husband, who, according to our documents, was legally mine.The next morning, just before heading to the hospital for a rehabilitation check-up, I received a text from Yeonseo. He asked how many days I planned to stay in Gangneung. Would it even be okay to stay for a few days? I could skip a few days of volunteering without much issue, but wouldn’t it be difficult for someone with a job? Or maybe it’s fine because he’s the chairman’s son. After some thought, considering that I wasn’t keen on being away from home for too long given my still-recovering stamina, I replied:[I think two nights and three days should be enough.]A little while later, he texted back, saying he’d take a day off next Friday. So, it would be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday—two nights and three days. Since I’m still a bit uneasy about driving myself, he’d have to drive alone. I asked if that would be alright, and he reassured me not to worry.[Okay, then, I’ll be counting on you.]I texted back with a satisfied smile. But then other concerns began to pop up. Though the wounds had long healed and it was fine for me to go into the water, my body still bore the scars of the horrific accident.‘Hmm…’There were numerous scars from the rods that had been inserted to set the misaligned bones, then later removed. While not very noticeable from a distance, up close, they looked like patchwork on a torn sock, making them somewhat unsightly. The scars weren’t that bad, but touching them made it clear that this body had a less-than-ordinary history.Well, staring at them wouldn’t make the scars disappear. As long as people didn’t see me as dangerous from a distance, that was fine. I put on my outdoor clothes and, before heading to the hospital, rummaged through the closet in the bedroom to find a swimsuit. I searched diligently, from boxers to briefs, even checking the drawers for seasonal clothes, but there was no swimsuit. Given the personality I’d heard about from others, it seemed unlikely that he ever went near places like swimming pools.In fact, he seemed like the type to be horrified at the idea, likely ranting for about 30 minutes about how easy it was to get hurt in the water, how dirty and unhygienic public pools were, and how prone to infections they could be. So, should I stop by a department store on the way back and buy one?The rehabilitation treatment at the hospital wrapped up within an hour. Since I had nothing else to do, as I don’t volunteer on hospital days, I naturally headed to the department store. With summer approaching, despite the still-chilly weather for beaches or outdoor pools, the racks were full of new swimsuits.“I’m looking for something with long sleeves or shorts.”I didn’t have a body impressive enough to show off and didn’t want to expose my scars, so I chose something that covered me up and paid for it. While I was there, I bought an extra one just in case.‘Gotta eliminate the excuse of not having a swimsuit as a reason not to go in.’Returning home with this sly plan in mind, I quickly unwrapped the spare swimsuit and hid it in the top drawer of the closet. While I had bought a modest, long-sleeved rash guard set for myself, the swimsuit I got for him was just the bottoms, without a top—a rather mischievous choice.‘So what? We’re married.’I hummed a tune, thinking up carefree and bold excuses. How it all started didn’t really matter. What mattered was that we were still legally recognized as a married couple and shared the same household. I didn’t know why my pre-amnesia self disliked him, but the more I got to know Jo Yeonseo, the more certain I became that he wouldn’t do anything harmful to me.Of course, it was a bit annoying that just when I felt we were getting closer, he’d put up walls and distance himself. But if our marriage had been forced against his will for some ulterior motive, he would’ve taken this perfect opportunity to get closer, acting as if we’d been madly in love all along. If he didn’t genuinely like me, he wouldn’t just stay distant like an untamed cat, only offering help.A silly thought crossed my mind: If we both liked each other, couldn’t we just enjoy being a normal married couple, at least until my memory returns? We were tied up in work together anyway. If he truly hated the idea of marriage, he could’ve quit and found another job. The fact that we got married meant he accepted it, didn’t it? He probably didn’t even consider divorce. Having reached whatever conclusion I fancied, I couldn’t help but chuckle.The problem was, I might not mind, but Jo Yeonseo probably didn’t see things that way. Nevertheless, the fact that we were going on a trip together, even if I had pushed for it, was a significant step forward.There was still plenty of time. I plopped down on the sofa and took a nap, waiting for Yeonseo. Since being discharged from the hospital, this was the first time I had been so excited about anything, other than being curious about what he’d cook next.That night, I dreamed of the sea again. It was a rough sea, with a small, lonely island in the distance, maybe a pine tree or something growing there. As I tried to wade deeper, someone pulled me back with all their might. Until now, I couldn’t be sure, but this time I felt it clearly. The person was at least a head shorter than me. With the water rising to my chin, they were struggling in the water, barely managing to keep me from being fully submerged.“Please, I was wrong. Please. Hyung… Please…!”A cry like that of a young child pierced my ears sharply. “What did you do wrong? What?” I shot back in a retort and woke up to the darkness of the early morning.‘Ah…’It was only then that I felt like I understood the nature of the recurring dream. In it, I was heading deeper into the water, intending to die. A child, smaller than me, was desperately trying to stop me, possibly afraid that I might actually end my life.‘What is this…?’Whether this was something that happened in reality or just within the dream, realizing the dream’s nature made me feel deeply uneasy. Should I even go to the sea? Do I have some kind of trauma? Then again, it might trigger some memories if I get stimulated. There was nothing I could do about it immediately, so I pulled the blanket over my head and tried to sleep again.Who was that child, apologizing and pleading, saying they had done wrong? I tried my best to continue the dream, but until the day we left for Gangneung, I never had the dream again. It felt almost like someone was toying with me.In the meantime, I logged into the portal where I could access my student records and downloaded my personal information. The address I lived at while attending a school in Gangneung was in a neighborhood full of luxurious detached houses, looking like a wealthy area. A quick look at the surroundings via road view revealed grand mansions, like those you’d see in movies or dramas, complete with private beaches or stunning ocean views.While I was retrieving my middle school records, I also checked my elementary and high school records, and I was surprised by the unexpected details I found.Firstly, throughout elementary school, there were notes expressing concern that I seemed not to be receiving adequate care from my parents, struggled to get along with other students, and often felt out of place or involved in conflicts. In fifth grade, my homeroom teacher went as far as to write that special attention and guidance were necessary for me to grow into a proper adult, noting my violent language and behavior—quite harsh words, especially for a record usually full of positive comments.What on earth was I up to back then? The shocking part was the complete turnaround in my middle school records.<Conduct is exemplary and highly commendable, serving as a role model for other students with excellent academic achievements. Possesses exceptional communication skills and a bright personality, fostering positive relationships with peers.>In sixth grade, there were still concerns about my passive and rebellious attitude and how it might affect my future education. How could I have undergone such a transformation from the first year of middle school, becoming almost a different person?‘Did I get into so many fights in elementary school that they sent me to the countryside for middle school to make a fresh start?’This seemed the most plausible explanation. Or maybe it was a case where bribes were expected from parents, and my parents didn’t give any, so the teachers wrote scathing comments… That was the strangest part, and there was another thing that puzzled me.As recorded in my middle school records, my grades were outstanding. I never missed being the top student for three consecutive years. Although it was a small school with fewer than 200 students per grade, making competition not as intense, my excellent grades were undeniable. Considering my birth year, schools in Seoul or the metropolitan area would have had around 400 to 500 students per grade, so it was indeed a small school.‘I guess it closed down in less than 20 years.’Anyway, the high school I attended with those good grades was a famous private school in Seoul. All students were required to live in the dormitory. I don’t know how I got in, but my residence was in the heart of a wealthy area known for its good school districts in Seoul. Did I win the lottery or something right around middle school graduation? My grades in high school briefly dipped in the first semester of the first year, but they started to rise from the second semester onwards, and by graduation, I was among the top students.While the general consensus was that I was diligent and capable of studying systematically, there was another record that didn’t quite fit with the image of an exemplary student.<School Violence Countermeasure Committee Meeting>Huh? I was even a perpetrator. I had to double-check the records. There were so many victims listed. It was surprising that I was the perpetrator in a group fight with student A from the same class and six others. So, does this mean I won a 6:1 fight and became the perpetrator? I clenched my fist and looked down at my hand, incredulous that I had used it not only for cooking but also for hitting people.Upon closer inspection, it turned out that I wasn’t just a one-sided perpetrator; I was also recorded as a victim. They verbally assaulted me with insulting language, and I responded by physically assaulting them with my bare hands—this incident happened in my second year of high school. After that, I’m not sure if people didn’t mess with me anymore or if I just endured it to go to college.‘……’It certainly wasn’t an ordinary record. Although the penalty could be erased after graduation according to regulations, it still remained, along with varying reputations from school to school. The fact that this fist won a 6:1 fight was both absurd and unreal. The only significant information left for me now was the address where I lived during my time in Gangneung. Since the beach was right in front, maybe visiting it would reveal if it was the place I kept dreaming about. I felt more anxious than excited as I awaited the day of departure.* * *And finally, the day came. Since it was a weekday, we thought we could leave a bit leisurely, so we packed light and went down to the parking lot around ten in the morning. We checked the forecast on the app and couldn’t believe our eyes.[Heavy Rain Warning][High Wind Warning][Typhoon Cindy Landfall in Korea Tonight]What awaited us, full of anticipation, was none other than a typhoon. We had already set the date and planned to stay indoors anyway, so we decided to go ahead with the trip. Starting with a bad omen, however, was nothing compared to what would come next.Fortunately, the typhoon wasn’t severe enough to pose a danger while driving. It rained the entire three and a half hours we drove, and since no one would go on a trip on a day like this, the roads were empty. This paradoxically allowed us to drive safely without the need to speed up to match other cars.The only bright spot was when we stopped at a rest area and the delicious smells made me suggest to Yeonseo that we grab a quick bite. His cute reaction was the only hopeful thing.“What do you usually eat at rest areas? Buttered potatoes, grilled squid, sausage skewers, they seem to have everything.”As I scanned the open shops through the car window, he responded with a hint of embarrassment.“I’ve never eaten any of that before.”“Really?”I couldn’t believe my ears and asked again.“No way. You’re not pretending, are you?”Even if he was a well-off kid, wouldn’t he at least go on school trips? Even if wealthy schools go abroad for trips, they still have field trips, right? I looked at Yeonseo with disbelief.“Don’t they stop at rest areas during field trips or school excursions? Haven’t you tried anything then?”Even if someone doesn’t particularly like food, when everyone gets off the bus and buys snacks, they usually want to try something. When I stared at him with genuine curiosity, he awkwardly turned away, avoiding my gaze.“Usually, people eat at such times. I haven’t even been on a field trip….”As he stumbled over his words like he was confessing some big secret, I replied casually.“Oh, you haven’t been on a field trip?”I wondered if it was because his family didn’t send him on those trips for fear something might happen, given that he was probably an heir to a conglomerate. Yeonseo nodded slowly.“So, you haven’t been to theme parks or places like XX World either? People usually go there for field trips or outings.”Yeonseo responded in a barely audible voice, muttering, “I guess not.” I figured he didn’t really want to talk about it, and I didn’t intend to force him. I smiled broadly.“Then I guess I’ll have to recommend something. I can’t remember exactly where, but I know what’s good.”“…Ah.”I grabbed his arm and led him to the counter. Since it was a quiet day with no other customers, I avoided the items that looked like they had poor-quality ingredients and bought a cabbage-filled toast, sausage skewers, and buttered potatoes. We then headed to a bench under an awning.“Let’s eat here. It’d be cramped and smelly if we ate in the car.”“Okay.”There was an ashtray a bit further away, likely because people sometimes smoked while sitting there, but thanks to the rain, the smell was blocked, so it wasn’t bothersome. I looked at the rain pouring down outside the awning and took a bite of the appropriately sized potato on a toothpick.“Oh, this is good. It’s a bit salty, but the inside is savory. You should try it too, Yeonseo.”I handed him a piece of potato on a new toothpick, and he shook his head with a flustered expression.“No, it’s okay.”“Oh, come on, I’ve already picked it up. Do you have a potato allergy or something?”“No, it’s not that….”Come on. If it’s not going to kill you, just eat it. I smiled and brought the toothpick closer to his mouth.“Just one bite. Are you going to embarrass me after I went through the trouble of recommending it?”I finally succeeded in getting him to eat by using a persuasive tone. I’ve noticed that he always refuses when it’s for his own sake, but if it’s for *me*, he reluctantly accepts. I understand not wanting to be a bad person, but accepting such a small favor doesn’t cause me any significant inconvenience or burden. It was somewhat annoying that he only agreed after some coercion.“Alright….”He reluctantly accepted the potato, looking adorably frustrated. Maybe it was because of the cloudy weather, but his skin looked even paler than usual, and as he chewed the potato with his small lips, his cheeks puffed up more than usual, making him look like a hamster. It might sound strange to call a man who’s almost 180 cm tall a hamster, but objectively, he was undeniably cute.“See? It’s good, right?”“……”When I asked with a triumphant expression, he slowly nodded. After force-feeding him the sausage, skewers, and the toast we bought, he was finally released from my persuasion.“I can’t eat anymore.”“That’s a lie.”“No, really….”I wanted to jokingly say, “How will you live with a guy who eats like a bird?” but I could easily imagine his reaction.‘He’d probably look like he was going to faint, 100%.’Since I needed him to drive me around all weekend, I couldn’t risk things getting awkward between us. I cheerfully cleaned up our spot and stood up, opening an umbrella. Then I extended it toward Yeonseo.“Shall we go? We still have a long way to go to get to Gangneung, so we should get going.”