BCGWR Chapter 18 Part 2

But he only stared at Toto, saying nothing. Of course, he didn’t necessarily have to fuss over Toto, but this reaction was new, and Han Ji-su was also flustered.

Toto, who had leaned his upper body slightly forward in anticipation of a pat, seemed disappointed by Jung Ha-jin’s unfamiliar reaction, letting out a small “Squeak…” before scampering down from Han Ji-su’s body.

Kim Hyun-ah, who had been watching them greet each other from nearby, chuckled and patted Han Ji-su’s shoulder.

“I told you. He’s aloof.”

“…”

“…”

“Still, you two will get along well. Alright, then. I’ll get going.”

“…Huh? Sister, you’re leaving?”

“Where to?”

When both of them asked simultaneously, Kim Hyun-ah’s expression became subtle. It was a somewhat stifled expression, and Han Ji-su noticed she had deliberately stiffened her facial muscles to avoid smiling, and he glared at her.

“Sister… at least eat something before you go…”

“Can’t. I have an important meeting this afternoon.”

“…!!”

“…”

“You two can get to know each other over a meal first. You’ll be living together from now on, so try to get along!”

Unlike Jung Ha-jin, who calmly accepted it as unavoidable if it was an important meeting, Han Ji-su grabbed her sleeve.

He couldn’t bring himself to say, “It’s so awkward, what if you leave?”, and he pulled on her sleeve with eyes begging her to stay longer, but Kim Hyun-ah, true to an SS-rank Esper, lightly brushed off Han Ji-su’s desperate touch and strode towards the entrance, saying:

“I’ve sent you a questionnaire so you two can get closer, so start with that. And eat together. I’ll drop by tonight then.”

“…”

“…”

“Squeak…”

After Kim Hyun-ah turned into the hallway leading to the entrance between the living room and kitchen and disappeared, the sound of the front door opening and closing was heard.

Beep-

As the door lock clicked, a profound silence descended upon the house. To somehow break the awkwardness, Han Ji-su cautiously looked up at Jung Ha-jin, but his lips merely trembled, unable to easily utter a word.

This was because his brow furrowed deeply as he had just taken out his phone to check it, as if something had gone wrong.

‘…Did something… suddenly go wrong?’

His expression looked quite serious, and Han Ji-su, who was contemplating how to start a conversation, felt a sense of frustration and self-reproach simultaneously.

‘If Kang Jae-yoon were here, he would have naturally lightened the mood…’

Han Ji-su had always been awkward and found it difficult to deal with people.

There was only one exception: the fans of Loveis. For fans who approached him with sincerity, Han Ji-su simply had to respond with heartfelt sincerity, so it wasn’t difficult.

However, it was always difficult for him to approach people he met for work or some specific purpose, or strangers.

That’s why whenever there was such an awkward situation, Kang Jae-yoon always…

“…”

‘How did he do it?’

Han Ji-su tilted his head and pressed his chest firmly in frustration.

‘When it was this awkward… he definitely… made people comfortable… but how did he do it?’

Kang Jae-yoon’s unique smile and gestures seemed to flicker in and out of Han Ji-su’s mind. The image of him smiling, his slightly downturned eyes crinkling gently, tried to become clear, but then faded, scattering like dust, refusing to be remembered.

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