As the sun was setting to the west of the mountain, the sky became dyed with the color of persimmon and with a texture like the lingering smoke of incense. While looking at the red-colored sky to their right, the two continued to walk slowly.
“It didn’t seem like it was a date after all…” jungkook lamented. Even on their way home, they didn’t hold hands so it didn’t feel like a date at all.
Nevertheless, they did talk casually, and their distance, even without holding hands, felt just right.
“Oh, can we drop by the convenience store? I have to buy dinner…”
Lisa said as she pointed to an illuminated establishment about 10 meters away. Jungkook turned his head while crossing his arms.
“Don’t you cook for yourself? When I tried your dishes before, they weren’t bad.”
He was probably talking about the hotpot. Perfectionist as he was, it was surprising that he considers a pot of sliced vegetables a dish. Looks like he judges food based on the taste.
“Well, I’ve been living alone since I was in university so there’s pretty much nothing I can’t do, but it’s a bother to cook for one person alone. Later on, I discovered that foods from the convenience store are actually delicious…”
“I see. I haven’t tried them…”
“Then… how about trying it for dinner tonight?”
Lisa suggested casually but Jungkook’s face clouded over. Lisa noticed it and tried to retract her words.
“Um, you don’t like it after all, do you? Forget I said anything.”
“Did you think I was concerned about the calories and additives? Well, it’d be a lie if I say I wasn’t but…”
Jungkook groaned as he furrowed his brows. Lisa studied his perturbed expression.
“Then why are you making that face?”
“Don’t convenience stores have a wide selection of foods? I have no idea what to choose.”
“Isn’t it fine as long as you eat whatever you like? In that case, do you want me to help you choose?”
Jungkook blinked his eyes then happily said, “Yes, please.”
***
“I think I’ll get Dosirak. Is there any food that you dislike, Jungkook?”
“No, I don’t really have anything I dislike.”
“Then what about your favorite?”
“My favorite…”
In front of the bento stand inside the convenience store, a tall man was thinking deeply with his hand on his chin. It looked rather surreal and Lisa chuckled lightly beside Jungkook.
After giving her recommendations, Lisa let Jungkook take his time to choose on his own. She then scooted over to the women’s magazine section. While flipping through a magazine, she felt someone’s presence approach behind her. She slowly turned her head and asked.
“So have you decided, Jungkook?”
“lisa?”
“Huh? …Sehun?”
Standing there wasn’t Jungkook but her ex-boyfriend whom she broke up with half a year earlier. His blonde hair was now dyed black, and instead of his usual punk-style of clothing, he was wearing a black suit.
Thinking of how different he looked since the last time she saw him, Lisa was at a loss for words at the unexpected reunion. Sehun slowly drew closer.
“It’s been a while! How are you? Still living in that apartment?”
“Huh? Yeah…”
“What’s with that… You don’t seem fine.”
He nudged her shoulder and Lisa trembled at the touch. Then he held on to her shoulders and turned her body towards him as he gave her a bright smile.
“Hey, hear me out! I’ve been searching for a job since then, and today I just came back from work! I finally realized how foolish it was to blindly chase after that dream after breaking up with you.”
“…Is that so?”
“When I was chasing my dream, I was always kinda grumpy and I even took it out on you, didn’t I? Although I didn’t really mean what I said, we still broke up in the end. Even though work is tough, I’m really enjoying it.”
He chatted happily but inside her chest, Lisa felt her heart becoming colder.
She liked his hardworking and relentless nature in pursuit of his dream. She liked how everyday, they would discuss what they would do and not do as they imagined their future together once he gets his major debut. She didn’t want to be a burden to him. But now, Lisa realized that what she actually liked was his persevering spirit towards achieving his dream.
His lingering presence in her heart has now disappeared. She felt a little sad about it.
“I see! I’m glad it turned out well for you! Good luck with your job! I’ll also continue to work hard on my own.”
As she tried to brighten up, Sehun’s face gradually became more serious.
“About that… It might be weird to say this now but…”
He gripped her shoulders tighter. Lisa’s face slightly distorted in pain.
“You see, when we broke up, I finally realized how important you are to me…”
“Huh?”
“I know this isn’t the best place to say this but… can we get back together?”
“Get back…?”
She wasn’t sure if she heard him correctly so she could only repeat his words back like a parrot. Seeing her dazed reaction, Sehun strengthened his grip on her shoulders.
“I-it hurts…”
“I mean, you were unwilling to be break up with me then, weren’t you? I can now survive without having to depend on you and if we live together, we can split the rent?”
What? Lisa was confused and wanted to question him further. She would have been happy to hear those words earlier, but now she doesn’t feel anything anymore.
It wasn’t that she came to dislike him. In fact, his existence wasn’t something she could forget even if she wanted to. It was just that she just didn’t see him in the same light as before.
“I…”
As she opened her mouth to turn him down, her arm was suddenly grabbed. She thought it was sehun but the familiar voice echoed in her ear.
“Lisa, let’s go home.”
“Huh?”
Suddenly hearing her name being called rather sweetly, Lisa’s voice cracked. She looked up and sure enough, it was Jungkook’s face that greeted her. A hint of anger flashed across his eyes and she felt a chill run down her spine.
“You are?”
Sehun asked in a low voice. It was a tone as if to say he won’t back down without a fight.
“It looks like you’re slow on the uptake. Obviously, she and I are in a relationship where we go home together.”
“You… It’s only been a half a year but you’ve already forgotten about me and you’re going out with this kind of guy?”
As Sehun raised his voice, the eyes of the customers of the convenience store drew towards them. Being stared at by those judging eyes, Lisa unconsciously hid behind Jungkook. This action further fanned the flames of anger inside Sehun.
“What the hell? When I broke up with you, you insisted that you didn’t want to break up! You’re just a girl who opens her legs to anyone after all!”
“We better leave. My ears are going to rot.”
While holding lisa’s arms, Jungkook strode out of the convenience store. Dragged away by Jungkook, Lisa was unable to hide the shock on her face at what just happened.
YOU ARE READING
Mr. Perfectionist
FanfictionThe company's infamous "Iron Mask of the Sales Department", a perfectionist man known for his poker face, confessed to Lalisa Manoban. He said he liked her but his face somewhat carried a hint of dissatisfaction. When she asked him for the reason, h...
