A Morning Shared
Morning sunlight stabbed at my face, and I woke up rubbing my bleary eyes.
I grabbed my phone and checked the time. It was a little past eleven in the morning.
I was usually an early riser, but after spending the entire day yesterday trailing after Yuna through the department store, the fatigue still hadn't quite left my body.
"Hnnngh――."
Stretching, I climbed out of bed.
My body felt a bit stiff, but my mood wasn't bad.
Clearly, getting some fresh air and moving around was better for my mental health than holing up at home and sinking into gloom.
There were still things weighing on my mind, but spending time with Yuna wasn't as unpleasant as I'd expected.
I had some savings tucked away, so there was no need to rush into the job market. After running nonstop since graduating college, taking a break and enjoying the unemployed life for a while seemed perfectly fine.
Grumble…
While my thoughts were drifting, my stomach let out a clear signal of hunger.
I was heading to the kitchen when Yuna suddenly crossed my mind.
Did she eat breakfast?
Only now did I remember we hadn't exchanged contact information.
Fortunately, since she lived right next door, it wasn't a big issue.
After a quick wash, I stepped out of my studio apartment.
Standing in front of her door, about to ring the bell, the memory of how we'd parted last night—me fleeing like I'd escaped—made me hesitate for a moment.
But using the excuse of eating together should make things feel natural enough.
Ding-dong.
"Yuna, it's me, Dohun."
When I called out softly through the door, I heard the same frantic thumping from inside as the first time I'd come over two days ago.
"J-just a second!"
Yuna's urgent voice made me tilt my head in confusion as I waited by the door.
Click!
The door finally opened after quite some time.
Huh?
Something about Yuna looked off.
Her hair was messy, like she'd just woken up. Sweat glistened all over her body, and one strap of her camisole had slipped off her shoulder, leaving her clothes disheveled.
Most of all, a hot, sticky heat wafted out from the room and brushed against my nose.
Glancing inside, I noticed every window was wide open, as if she'd been trying to ventilate.
"Ah, hi…!"
Yuna caught her breath and offered an awkward smile a beat too late.
That strange sight brought back memories from two days ago, and I froze.
Don't tell me she was… first thing in the morning…
Suppressing my suspicions, I forced a smile to keep the atmosphere from turning uncomfortable.
"Did you eat breakfast?"
"Huh…?"
Yuna blinked.
"I asked if you ate. I'm about to cook something for brunch—want to eat together?"
At my suggestion, color slowly returned to her face.
"Really? I haven't eaten yet! I'd love to."
"Then wait a bit. I'll make it and bring it over."
As I turned to leave, Yuna quickly grabbed the hem of my shirt.
"I'll just come to your place."
"My place? I mean, that's fine, but it'll take some time to cook. You okay with that?"
"It's fine! I want to watch you cook and maybe help out."
She answered with a bright smile, then suddenly spoke up as if something had just occurred to her.
"Ah… w-wait a second!"
Yuna darted back inside.
When she reappeared a moment later, her tousled hair had been neatly arranged.
"Let's go."
At her smiling words, I led the way and opened the door to my apartment.
Once inside, Yuna sat on the sofa and peered toward the kitchen.
I opened the fridge, checked what ingredients were left, and asked,
"Not much left… I can probably manage pasta. That okay?"
"Pasta? I love it!"
Smiling at her energetic reply, I tied on an apron.
As I heated olive oil in the pan and started sautéing garlic, a delicious aroma began to fill the studio.
Yuna got up from the sofa and scurried over to my side.
"Is there anything I can help with?"
"It's simple, so there's not really anything to—"
I started to answer while focusing on the cooking, then changed course to spare her any awkwardness.
"Then could you grab some plates and forks from the cabinet over there and set the table?"
"Yeah! Got it."
Yuna hummed a little tune as she lightly set the tableware neatly on the table.
Once she finished, she came back to my side and asked,
"I put out all the utensils. What now?"
"Nothing else. Thanks."
"Ugh, I see…"
At my reply while shaking the pan, Yuna retreated with a deflated voice.
Watching her, I clicked my tongue inwardly.
After pulling that insane stunt last night, she just waltzes into my place like it's nothing… Does she really not think anything of it? Or is she pretending not to?
Even if we used to date, it seemed strange how little caution she showed being alone with a guy in his place.
I couldn't decide whether to take it as a good sign—that she trusted me completely—or worry that she lacked any sense of danger.
"Do you know how to cook?"
I tossed out the question lightly to dispel the awkwardness.
"Me? I can do simple stuff."
Yuna answered confidently, puffing out her chest.
"Oh yeah? Like what?"
"Um… fried eggs?"
"Pfft!"
I couldn't hold back a laugh at her hesitant answer.
"Hey! Why are you laughing?"
Yuna puffed up her cheeks and shot back, looking sulky.
"I mean, you said it so confidently that I thought it'd be something impressive. But now that I think about it, we never cooked for each other even back when we were dating."
"Yeah… We always just ate at the restaurants near school or ordered delivery. There was never really a reason to cook."
Yuna answered wistfully, reminiscing about the past.
"Come to think of it, I wonder how Mina's doing…"
"Ah, that girl who was always hanging around with you?"
"Yeah! It's been a while since we last talked. Do you still keep in touch with your college friends?"
"Just the close ones, now and then?"
We spent the time until the pasta was done chatting about fun college memories in a warm, friendly atmosphere.
"It's ready."
"Whoa! That looks amazing!"
When I set two steaming plates of pasta on the table, Yuna clasped her hands together and cheered innocently.
Looking at that bright smile, I recalled the eerie look in her eyes from before.
And the thoughts I'd had after coming home yesterday…
I'll have to ask her someday, but…
Now wasn't the right moment.
For the time being, I decided to set aside any intention of digging into that complicated side of things.
We sat across from each other and picked up our forks.
"Slurp―! Mmm, mmph…! This is really good, Dohun! Way better than the stuff you buy outside."
Yuna twirled the noodles onto her fork and popped them into her mouth, her eyes sparkling.
"Glad it suits your taste."
I chuckled and agreed.
Yuna continued while chewing her pasta.
"But yesterday, walking around the department store with you was so nice. Ever since people started recognizing me, I'd never been able to shop that comfortably. Being able to enjoy the everyday life I used to take for granted again… it really felt like a dream."
"It meant that much to you…? You did seem pretty excited."
"Yeah, yeah!"
"Heh, well, that's good then."
At my answer, Yuna set down her fork, hesitated for a moment, then looked at me carefully.
"Hey, Dohun. Um…"
"Yeah?"
"Could you… go out with me again today?"
I paused with my fork in hand at her suggestion.
"Why? Is there something else you need to buy?"
"No, it's not that. I just… want to walk around outside like we did yesterday."
I hesitated, unable to answer right away.
Fortunately, no one had recognized us yesterday.
But there was no guarantee it would stay that way.
Interpreting my silence as rejection, Yuna quickly waved her hands and forced an awkward smile.
"Ah, never mind! Sorry, forget I said anything! Now that I think about it, staying home today is probably better anyway. I still have to unpack the stuff I bought yesterday and do some cleaning."
She lowered her gaze dejectedly.
"Sorry for being so selfish and only thinking about myself. You're probably busy too, trying to write résumés and find a new job. I feel like I'm just taking up your time."
Watching Yuna look so downcast and self-reproachful, a corner of my heart ached.
Letting out a long sigh, I made up my mind.
"Let's go out."
"Huh?"
Yuna looked up at me with surprised eyes.
"Just not somewhere crowded like the department store. Let's go somewhere quiet with fewer people. How about that?"
At my words, Yuna's face lit up with color.
But soon she showed a guilty expression again.
"Really? Are you sure…? I'm not taking up your time?"
"It's fine. I already agreed to help you. And it's only been a few days since I quit, so I'm not in any financial trouble yet. I wanted to just relax without thinking about anything for a while anyway."
At my honest answer, Yuna nodded in relief.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, her eyes sparkled and she said,
"Ah, if you ever run into money trouble or need cash, make sure to tell me!"
"What?"
"I'll take care of it, so just say the word anytime. You're taking time out for me, after all. It's only right that I compensate you for that."
The memory of the bankbook she'd shoved at me yesterday—with its billions—flashed through my mind, and I let out a small laugh.
"Got it. That's reassuring. I'll let you know if I ever get desperate."
"Yeah! Promise!"
Yuna smiled brightly and held up her pinky finger.
Taking advantage of the lighter atmosphere, I carefully brought up one of the questions I'd been holding onto.
"By the way, Yuna. Does anyone know you're here right now?"
At my question, Yuna's expression darkened instantly.
She fidgeted with her fingers and avoided my gaze.
"My manager… No one else knows except one person."
"What about your parents?"
"I lied and told them I'm on a break preparing for the next album and staying in a dorm with the members."
"…What about the other members?"
Yuna's head drooped.
"The members… don't know."
I frowned.
No matter how I looked at it, keeping it a secret even from the group members she'd lived and worked with for years was hard to understand.
Maybe they don't get along?
Back in college, Yuna had been so popular and outgoing that people were always around her.
Yet the fact that only her manager knew her whereabouts felt strange.
As if reading my thoughts, Yuna gave a bitter smile and spoke.
"Weird, right? I know."
Yuna quietly scraped at the bottom of her plate with her fork.
"After I became a celebrity, pretty much all my relationships fell apart. Even when I met old friends after a long time… it didn't feel the same as before. They all treated me like I was just a celebrity…"
A deep loneliness colored her voice.
"It felt like we were living in completely different worlds, so eventually I started avoiding contact first. The members… they're nice girls, but they're not people I can completely open up to either."
Yuna turned her gaze out the window.
"So… I guess I missed that ordinary life I had yesterday, walking around the department store with you…"
Her lonely confession made my heart sink heavily.
A top star who seemed to have everything.
But behind that facade was the crushing loneliness of a single woman, isolated from everyone.
Maybe the way Yuna had been acting toward me…
was the result of her breaking while trying to protect herself. A pang of pity struck me.
Alright.
I'd made up my mind.
"Okay, then let's do all the things you haven't been able to do—with me. I'll make sure you enjoy yourself as much as possible within reason."
At my words, Yuna's eyes trembled, then bloomed with color like a flower opening.
"Really? You mean it!?"
"Yeah."
I answered with a smile.
If anyone else saw this, they might think I was an idiot.
How could I go this far for an ex-girlfriend who'd dumped me one-sidedly?
But…
Aside from the way we broke up, everything else really was good…
Of course, that wasn't the only reason.
I had my own calculations too.
Yuna's hidden secret.
And why she'd suddenly broken up with me.
I wanted to know the reason.
"Thank you, Dohun! Thank you so, so much!"
Yuna leaned across the table and grabbed my hand.
Her eyes brimming with tears, she stared at me and whispered in an emotional voice.
"I'm really… so glad it's you. Meeting you again like this… I'm really… so glad."
It was a sincere confession.
A warm atmosphere filled the room.
I smiled at Yuna's gratitude toward me.
But…
For some reason, I couldn't shake off a sense of unease as I looked at that smile.
