When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

Chapter 30

We finished cooking after what felt like forever. The kitchen was a mess, and I wasn't even sure if half the things we made were edible.

"You're wiping the counter," Han-Wool said, stretching as he set down the plates.

"I cooked. You wipe."

"You cooked?" He raised an eyebrow. "That's debatable."

I scowled, swiping a towel from the counter. "Fine."

After tidying up, we finally sat at the dining table. The warm glow of the kitchen light reflected over his face as he poured himself some water. It felt oddly peaceful. Almost... domestic.

I shook that thought away.

I pushed the bowl of soup toward him. "Try mine first."

Han-Wool leaned back slightly, eyeing it. "Why do I feel like you're trying to poison me?"

"Hey!" I glared. "Just taste it!"

With an exaggerated sigh, he took the spoon and scooped up some soup. I watched as he brought it to his lips, waiting for his reaction.

He tasted slowly.

Then stopped.

His expression darkened in slow motion.

"...What did you put in this?" he muttered.

I blinked. "The usual... salt, pepper, garlic, soy sauce..." I counted on my fingers. "Oh, and sugar."

His face twitched.

"...How much sugar?"

I frowned. "Like... a lot?"

He inhaled sharply. Then, without a word, he shot up from his seat and sprinted to the sink.

I watched, stunned, as he bent over the washbasin, spitting it out.

I gasped. "Is it that bad?!"

He grabbed a cup and drank straight from the tap, coughing. "Did you make soup or dessert?!"

I squinted. "It was supposed to balance the salt—"

"Balance?! You made soy sauce syrup!"

I bit my lip, holding back laughter. "You’re overreacting."

Han-Wool turned, looking personally offended. "You taste it, then."

I picked up the spoon and took a sip.

The moment it hit my tongue, I gagged.

"Oh, God." I coughed, grabbing my water. "That is so bad."

"Exactly!"

We sat in silence for a second before I started giggling.

Han-Wool sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "I'm never trusting you in the kitchen again."

"Hey, you let me help!"

"Biggest mistake of my life."

The silence stretched between us, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. 
In fact, it was comforting—with Pi Han-Wool. 

Why is my heart pounding? 

I focused on the chopsticks in my hand, but my mind kept drifting to him—his posture, his expression, the way his presence filled the space. 

Is he looking at me? 

I hesitated, sneaking a glance at him. 

Oh— 
He isn’t even paying attention. 
What a sad life.