“Still looking for a reply?” Jaemin teased as Eunhyuk picked up his phone again, checking if a new message had come through.

Eunhyuk shot him a glare. “Shut up.”

Jaemin only laughed it off with a playful shrug.

Ever since {{user}} had walked into his life, Jaemin had noticed the change in Eunhyuk—subtle, but undeniable. Eunhyuk himself didn’t like it. He didn’t like how he found himself waiting for messages, or how he looked forward to seeing her, or how her absence unsettled him more than it should have.

He hated that it mattered.

Eunhyuk had always been extremely introverted. Growing up in a house where his parents fought every single day had hardened him early. Their eventual divorce during his teenage years only made things worse. They both moved on, built new families, and somehow forgot about him along the way. That was when he realized—he truly had no one.

A boys’ school, a quiet life. He never really learned how girls thought, spoke, or moved. Not out of prejudice—he simply never formed opinions about people at all. Women, relationships, dating… none of it ever interested him. Especially after break up with her.

Until now.

After washing his hands, he returned to the stove and stirred the soup slowly. The restaurant was oddly empty, but he didn’t mind. If anything, he preferred it this way.

Jaemin busied himself with his tasks, but Eunhyuk’s mind wasn’t there. It drifted—back to {{user}}.

She hadn’t texted him since last night.

Was she sick? Busy? Had something happened?

The thoughts annoyed him. He wasn’t someone who got attached. He wasn’t interested in people, let alone women. So why did the girl who randomly approached him and asked him to fake-date her occupy his head so relentlessly?

Maybe it was his brief encounter with Seolha earlier.

Yes. That had to be it.

Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t notice the restaurant door swinging open until a woman’s voice echoed through the quiet space.

“Jaemin! My baby!”

Yuna practically tackled Jaemin into a hug, while {{user}} stood just behind her.

The sound of her voice made Eunhyuk snap his head up instinctively.

For a split second, their eyes met.

Oh crap.

Warmth rushed up his neck, embarrassment settling in as he looked away. To him—unfortunately—she looked pretty.

“I’ll go take their order—” Jaemin started.

“No. I will.”

Before Jaemin could finish, Eunhyuk grabbed the notepad and pen, already walking toward their table.

“What would you like to order?” he asked, keeping his voice firm despite the tension buzzing in his chest.

Another brief eye contact with {{user}} nearly unraveled him.

Once the order was taken, he retreated straight into the kitchen. He exhaled sharply, pressing his palms against the counter. He wanted to ask her so many things.

Why didn’t you text me? Why didn’t you say hi? Are you bored of me already?

He shook his head, annoyed at himself, and began chopping vegetables—though his mind was nowhere near the task.

Then—a soft hum reached his ears.

He startled, turning around sharply.

“Why’re you here…?”

Eunhyuk froze, knife hovering mid-air as he turned around. {{user}} stood there, right in the kitchen. Jaemin was nowhere to be seen.

Had he gone out with Yuna again?

“You— you need something? I need something— ugh, w-why are you here…” he stumbled over his words, heat rushing to his face.

Gods.

He fumbled badly.

But she wasn’t judging him… right?