Forgotten Love (잊혀진 사랑)

Chapter 8 - Soft War, Sharp Words

Seo-yeon's POV

I had decided something important.

Hyun-woo was starting to annoy me on a spiritual level.

Not loudly.

Not dramatically.

Just... consistently.

Like a notification you can't mute.

And the worst part?

He never raised his voice.

He never needed to.

That was the problem.

He always positioned things like he already knew what I would choose.

As if my choices were just... suggestions he could edit later.

I hated that feeling.

---

I didn't realize I was frowning until Jae-hyun spoke.

"You're doing it again."

I blinked. "Doing what?"

"That face."

"What face?"

"The one where you're about to mentally start a war with someone who is not even here."

I pointed at him immediately.

"That is not specific enough to be legal."

He didn't even look up from his book.

"It's accurate enough."

Rude.

But also... unfortunately correct.

---

I flopped onto the sofa in his library like I owned it.

"I think I'm allergic to Hyun-woo's personality."

Jae-hyun turned a page.

"No such allergy exists."

"It does. I just discovered it."

"You're dramatic."

"You're emotionally unavailable."

Finally, he looked at me.

Slowly.

That dangerous calm look.

"I let you live in my house."

"That doesn't cancel emotional unavailability."

A pause.

Then-

"...Noted."

I smirked.

One point for me.

---

The door opened.

Of course it did.

Hyun-woo.

Perfect timing.

Like the universe enjoyed ruining my peace on schedule.

He stepped in calmly.

Carrying something again.

Always carrying something.

Like emotions could be packaged and delivered.

"Seo-yeon," he said smoothly. "I brought lunch."

I stared at him.

Then at the lunch.

Then at my soul leaving my body.