A Short Break -1-
Kang So-ra looked utterly deflated at my firm, lightly irritated refusal, but I didn't have the bandwidth to worry about her. We weren't close anyway, and she was this creepy type who just kept circling me like a vulture—if she were perfectly fine, I still wouldn't have given her a second thought.
“Eh? Jae-hyun!”
I'd asked the cafe owner for a painkiller amid my throbbing headache, swallowed it down, and was taking a break when, right on cue, Ji-ah noona showed up at the cafe. She looked puzzled to see me—not behind the counter tying on my apron, but slumped at a table in the main seating area. But the moment she caught sight of my pallid face, worry creased her features, and she strode right over.
“Ah, noona. You're here.”
A faint smile tugged at my lips as I watched her settle naturally into the seat across from me.
“...You okay?”
“Heh.”
Instead of answering, I just flashed a dopey grin, then stretched my stiff, tension-ridden body across the table, letting it flop limply.
“It's not just some pain, right? Something happen?”
Maybe because we'd grown so familiar—and familiarity bred comfort—Ji-ah noona made a slight pouty face as she gently swept back my disheveled hair, stroking my head with careful tenderness. Her soothing touch, like she was comforting an exhausted kid, melted the tension from my expression bit by bit. A soft phsssh of air escaped my loosening lips.
Yeah. Reporting to the police might be tough, but I could at least talk it over with Ji-ah noona, right?
-2-
Lately, Jae-hyun's complexion had started looking off. At first, I didn't think much of it—just him being a bit tired, you know? If anything, that slight slump from exhaustion gave off this rare air of delicate fragility, almost decadent allure that I secretly enjoyed.
But as the fatigue dragged on day after day, week after week, watching him waste away like that... how could I not worry? Today was especially bad—even the cafe owner thought so, letting him order a coffee and slump over a table when he should've been aproned up behind the counter.
I sighed at his total disarray and, without thinking, brushed back his messy hair. Oh shoot, I thought for a split second, but luckily, Jae-hyun didn't seem offended. If anything, his face brightened like a puppy getting pets.
“Noona.”
“Yeah?”
The feel of his soft hair slipping through my fingers was nice. Seeing him so docile, offering up his head to me while sprawled out, peeking at me with just his eyes... it made me happy inside, proof that we'd gotten that close, that special. I swallowed a smile, waiting for whatever he had to say.
His face was etched with worry. Hesitant lips twitching silently. Was he about to open up, share whatever was weighing him down? The reason for all this exhaustion? I stayed quiet, giving him space.
Whenever you're ready, Jae-hyun. Just tell me when you want to.
Right as I focused on him, a chilling gaze prickled my skin like a brush of ice. Instinctively, my eyes flicked toward it.
That woman...
Someone I'd seen recently at the cafe—and near the gym. The neighbor who'd moved into Jae-hyun's building, right? The one who stared at him so obsessively.
Well, who could blame her? A young, handsome, kind guy like Jae-hyun—normal for any woman to be interested. I'd brushed it off before.
But this glare she was shooting me now? Way too intense. Overkill, even. Her eyes screamed murder, like she wanted to rip me apart.
Normally, I'd call her out—“Hey, what's with the death stare?”—but right now, bedraggled Jae-hyun came first.
In the end, he just worked his lips without speaking, then clammed up. Too hard to say right now? Or maybe he didn't trust me that much yet?
Either way, it didn't sit well.
“Jae-hyun. If you're wiped, head home and rest. Want me to take you?”
“...Can I take you up on that?”
“Of course. I'm free anyway.”
He mirrored my grin with a faint smile of his own, then staggered up, mumbling he'd leave it to me.
“Owner, sorry. I'm heading out first.”
“Go on, go rest up! Pretty customer, come back next time and I'll hook you up—take care of our part-timer, yeah~?”
“No worries.”
It was too close for a cab, but too far in the heat—dispatch kept failing. Should've checked ride availability before leaving the cafe.
“Noona, we can just walk.”
“You sure?”
“Totally.”
So I grabbed a sturdy umbrella from the convenience store instead of a flimsy one, popped it open. Handed him a cool drink too, and he murmured thanks with a weak smile.
We walked in silence to his apartment complex entrance—that was as far as I knew the address. No clue on the building or unit number. I'd never asked, and he hadn't insisted on an escort to the door.
But today, I wouldn't relax until I saw him safely inside...
“Um, noona. Wanna come up? It's hot out—cool off first.”
Like he'd read my mind, Jae-hyun invited me up. No false modesty from me. He looked one heatwave away from collapsing on the walk over, and honestly? I was curious about his place.
“S-sorry for intruding.”
“Come on in.”
His place: Building 503, Unit 803. Gotta remember that.
“Nice place.”
“Really? Nothing special... Rest up. I'll just splash some cold water on my face quick.”
“Oh, mind if I poke around the living room?”
“Go for it. Fridge stuff's fair game too.”
Once he was in the bathroom, I wandered the living room casually. Minimalist vibe—no fancy decor. Just a small potted plant and framed photos of Jae-hyun and his mom scattered around.
“Eek! So cute. Oh no.”
A pic of him around 5-7, chubby-cheeked in animal pajamas kids love. Adorably squishy.
“He was so tiny back then.”
Elementary school shots too—entrance ceremony, sports day, parent-teacher stuff. Now he's over 180cm tall and stately, but kid Jae-hyun was pint-sized, even smaller than peers. Those pudgy baby-fat cheeks? Biteable. Heart-meltingly so.
Middle school pics showed a growth spurt, cheeks slimmed. High school entrance photo? Way buffer than middle school.
People really shoot up like that in a few years?
“Looking at the photos?”
“Uh, y-yeah!”
Changed into home clothes—loose shorts and tee. Jae-hyun sidled up with juice.
“Mom loved taking pictures.”
“Makes sense. That's her, right?”
“Yeah. Don't look much alike, huh?”
“Nah, total mini-me on the eyes. Especially smiling!”
He seemed pleased at the resemblance note. As a chaebol heir trained from childhood to read people, I caught the wistful sadness beneath his joy.
Come to think of it, this place was big for one guy. Only his shoes at the entry. They seemed close, so... was Mom unwell? Or passed?
Too touchy to pry, so I pivoted smoothly.
“Hey, Jae-hyun, shouldn't you eat?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah, later.”
“You look rough—want me to whip up some porridge?”
“Noona, you cook too?”
“Just basics.”
“Ooh.” He sounded impressed. That surprising?
“Noona. Know what?”
“Hm? What?”
“First time bringing a girl home. Mom would've flipped. Heh.”
“R-really?”
First time. Me. Why did that word from him feel so sweet, thrilling? Heat rushed to my cheeks; I bolted kitchen-ward.
“A-anyway! Porridge incoming. Eat that and rest.”
“...I'll buy you a meal later. For sure.”
“Looking forward to it. Nap if you're beat, okay?!”
“Yesss—”
His voice already drowsy; I stifled a laugh, checked the fridge. Eggs, onion, carrot, green onion... veggie porridge?
“Cutting board and knife here. Pot's over there.”
“Thanks! Now shoo—go rest!”
I nudged him toward the living room. Seasonings: Korean soy, sea salt, pepper. Spotted a tuna can—perfect. Tuna veggie porridge it is.
-3-
This felt weird. Ji-ah noona cooking in my kitchen right now? Since Mom passed, had anyone else stood there whipping up a meal? Yoon-ju barged in for ramen sometimes, but that's different—doesn't count.
“...Feels nice.”
I ogled noona's pretty silhouette a bit, then fatigue won; I flopped onto the sofa.
Chop chop chop— Cutting board rhythms, washing sounds, her mumbled mutters like white noise enveloped me.
Last night's creepy footsteps at the door had been horrifying. But this presence inside? Pure comfort.
My frayed nerves loosened like magic. Sleep had been a battle lately, but now my eyelids drooped easily.
Mmm...
Just till the food's done, like noona said. A quick nap. Finally drifted off peacefully after so long.
Gotta thank her later... zzz—