✓//Ordinary Things ⌁ k. jiyong

Chapter Twenty

"Nope. Just cozy."

"Cozy, huh? I like cozy."

"I know," he replied, smiling. "That's why I picked it."

A beat passed. Then-

"Okay but just so we're clear," she added, mischievously, "I will be judging your ordering skills. If you choose something pretentious, I will tell my mom."

He looked utterly unbothered. "Please do. Your mom already likes me."

"She likes you because you're respectful and quiet."

"I'm not that quiet," he said, his voice low again, more like something meant just for her.

"No," she agreed, stealing a glance at him. "Not when it matters."

They reached the restaurant just as the last orange light disappeared behind the buildings. He opened the door for her, and before stepping in, she looked back at him with a teasing grin.

"By the way," she said. "You're definitely asking me on another date after this."

He blinked. "I am?"

"You are."

A slow smile spread across his face. "Yeah," he said softly. "I am."

The restaurant was tucked into a corner of a quiet street-one of those places that didn't need neon lights or trendy signage. Inside, it was warm and low-lit, all soft golden bulbs and flickering candles set in mismatched holders. A wall of books lined one side, like a small personal library, and the exposed brick gave it the feeling of a secret.

Haeun's eyes widened the moment they stepped in. "Oh."

Jiyong watched her face like he always did-quietly, reverently. "Too much?"

"No," she said softly. "It's perfect."

They were led to a table near the back, one nestled by the window. There was a small, flickering candle between them and the faint hum of jazz music drifting from a vintage speaker in the corner. It was intimate, but not in a way that demanded anything. It just was.

"Do you bring everyone here?" she asked as they settled in.

"Only the ones I like," he said without missing a beat.

She arched a brow. "So... just me and Youngbae?"

"Exactly."

The menus were small and handwritten, tucked inside leather covers. She glanced over the options, lips moving slightly as she read, then tilted her head. "Okay. I dare you to order first."

He accepted the challenge with a smirk. "You'll see. I'm a man of taste."

"You're a man of truffle fries and carbonated peach drinks."

"Still taste."

Once they ordered, the server left them with warm bread and olive oil. Haeun reached for a piece and broke it in half, then noticed Jiyong's hand resting on the table, fingers barely brushing the base of his glass.

He hadn't said anything in a minute.

"What?" she asked, chewing.

He shook his head, but the smile that curved at the corners of his lips betrayed him. "Nothing. Just... you look different."

"Different how?"

"Softer," he said. "Like you're finally letting your shoulders drop."

She blinked, surprised by how precise that felt. "That obvious?"