"Sir, dinner is ready," Hana said from the doorway.
Jihyun didn't answer . His gaze slid toward Harin, she stood from the couch with a smile, like this was her home.
The three of them sat down. Harin moved to sit beside Taewon, but Jihyun stepped forward, placed a hand on the chair, and pulled it back for himself.
"I'll sit here," he said with a faint smile.
"You can take the other side."
Harin paused, then gave a light laugh and sat opposite them.
Hana entered, laying out the dishes
"Sir , bulgogi, ganjang gejang, jjukkumi bokkeum, yukhoe, dak galbi."
"Okay Okay hana thank you "
"Yes Jihyun sir"
"I've really been craving spicy food lately," Harin said, folding her hands. "It's kind of addictive, don't you think?"
Jihyun leaned his cheek into his hand.
"Good timing then. I asked Hana to make these."
Harin reached for the tongs, picked out pieces of jjukkumi bokkeum, and dropped them onto Taewon's plate.
"Here. You'll like this."
Taewon picked up his chopsticks, but Jihyun stopped him with a soft murmur.
"Wait. Don't eat that."
Harin blinked. "But Taewon, you used to love it"
"I'll eat it instead," Jihyun said, switching their plates without waiting for a reply.
Taewon gave him a slow glance.
Harin spoke again.
"Taewon, uncle kang flying out tomorrow, right?
I heard Jihyun's dad is going to Japan too."
Taewon nodded, quietly focused on his food.
Jihyun didn't look away from her. "How do you know all that?"
Harin tucked her hair back. "Uncle told me. He said once they're gone, we'll be stepping in. Full-time. No more leaves."
She smiled toward Taewon. "I'm glad, honestly. We'll be in the office together full time from tomorrow."
Jihyun's brows lifted. "Together?"
He turned to Taewon. "She's working at your company?"
"It's my uncle's company too," Harin answered. "Why wouldn't I?"
Jihyun raised his glass, dryly. "Sure. Work all you want. I'm not stopping anyone."
Harin leaned forward . "Being around Taewon is helpful. He explains things so well. I've already learned a lot."
Jihyun let out a soft exhale and turned his head toward Taewon.
"I didn't know you were such a generous teacher."
Taewon kept his eyes low.
Jihyun placed his hand beneath the table, casually resting it on Taewon's lap .
"Ummm ,"
"Then I guess I'll be learning something tonight too," he said quietly, lips barely moving. "Something new. In bed."
"Huh!"
Harin choked on her water, coughing into her sleeve.
Jihyun stood , grabbed a glass, and poured juice into it, placing it in front of her.
"Drink."
She took a sip and instantly spat it out, slapping a hand over her mouth.
"What" she gasped, standing up.
Taewon shot to his feet. "What happened?"
She didn't answered. She sprinted to the bathroom eyes burning.
Jihyun sat back down, arms crossed. His voice was calm.
"Oh. that was mine?
I like it spicy."
He flicked the straw once. "I added wasabi earlier. Forgot to tell anyone."
Taewon stared at him, unreadable. Jihyun didn't blink.
When Harin returned, she looked wrecked lips red, eyes watery.
Taewon moved to the kitchen, returned with milk, and carefully helped her drink.
Jihyun didn't move. He stood by the table, watching like a storm about to break.
Harin clung to Taewon's arm.
"I'm not feeling well. I'll stay the night."
Taewon said "Use the guest room. It's raining outside anyway."
She nodded, but before heading down the hallway, she turned and glanced back at Jihyun.
Jihyun leaned back in his seat, crossing his legs as Hana took the last dish.
He glanced toward Taewon.
"What a lucky night for you," Jihyun said to Taewon
"Your cousin's asleep under your roof"
Taewon met Jihyun's eyes said nothing
And all he saw was that morning.
"You're disgusting Taewon like other Alphas."
"Get out."
The accidental kiss, thrown back in his face like he took advantage of Jihyun.
He turned away.
"Hana," he called out instead. "Clean up and head home. It's raining. Go with the driver."
"Yes, sir," she replied.
As Hana walked past, Jihyun spoke.
"Hana."
She paused. "Yes?"
"Don't come tomorrow. I'll handle breakfast."
"And lunch, sir?" she asked.
"I'm going to Kang Villa tomorrow," Taewon said before Jihyun could.
"Me too," Jihyun added suddenly.
Hana bowed and slipped out the door quietly.
Taewon walked down the hall and stopped at the guest room door.
He knocked once, opened it, and rolled in his suitcase.
From inside, Harin's voice rang out.
"Wait. Why is your stuff here?"
Before Taewon could answer, Jihyun appeared in the doorway.
"Oh, that?"
"I moved our things here."
Harin blinked. "What?"
"This room's brighter. We use it like a dressing room " he added smoothly, stepping in.
"Our actual bedroom? Too warm at night. And besides, guests don't usually stay overnight . So we turned this room as our dressing room"
Harin's lips pressed into a tight line.
Taewon zipping up a bag.
Jihyun watched him. "You done?"
"Ummm"
Taewon stepped past him.
As he reached the hallway, Jihyun grabbed his arm right in front of Harin.
"Let's go back to our room."
Taewon looked down at the hand wrapped around his arm.
He didn't pull away .
When they entered the bedroom, Taewon walked straight into the bathroom.
Door shut.
Leaving jihyun stood by the bed.