Being chased by a perfectionist man ~_~ || L.K Adaptation

Chapter 14

He was always kind.

Even when things didn't go well between them, he never raised his voice at her. He always seemed to shine as he carried his dreams on his back. She was very proud of him.

"Was that your ex-boyfriend??"

His words drew her reeling mind back to reality. When she lifted her head and looked around, she realized that they have already arrived at their apartment lobby. It also seemed like they have been there for a while.

"Well, was he?"
Jungkook impatiently asked again, as if urging her to answer. Lisa absently nodded and a beat later, he heard her say, "Yes." His brows furrowed slightly as he unlocked the door of the lobby. Afterwards, they hopped onto the elevator together.

"I'm sorry for acting on my own."

"Huh? About what?"

"He probably wanted to get back together, didn't he?"

Hearing the dejected tone in his voice, Lisa finally realized what Jungkook was talking about.

"No, I was actually trying to refuse him. It's fine."

"Is that so…"

The rest of the elevator ride was filled with silence. Only the sound of the motor could be heard. Jungkook was still holding her hand and Lisa felt prickly at the touch.

When they reached her door, Jungkook finally let go of her hand. With that warmth feeling instantly gone, Lisa stared unconsciously at her hand.

Then she opened her eyes in shock.

"Ahh! I didn't get to buy a bento, Jungkook!"

"Ah…" Jungkook also muttered in realization.

They left the convenience store in a hurry so neither of them were able to buy anything.

"This is bad! I have nothing to eat at home tonight! Ugh, it's annoying to go back to buy now!"

Jungkook smiled at Lisa who was hugging her head in distress. There was no trace of the dejection in his face a while ago.

Lisa also looked characteristically brighter than a while ago.

"I only have potatoes and onions in my house right now. Even if I wanted to make something, I don't have enough… I guess I have to go back to buy after all-"

"I have carrots and beef. Are they enough to make curry? I think I also have the spices for it."

At Jungkook's suggestion, Lisa's face lightened up in delight.

"That's good! Oh but it's a pain to cook rice now…"

"I was going to say it's not that much of a pain but I'm also tired today. If you're okay with instant rice, I have about 150 grams we could share…"

"Great! Let's just have that!"

Lisa smiled while clapping her hands. Then she opened her door.

"If I compliment you more, will you turn red again?"

"I-I won't! If anything, I'm the type who thrives on praises!"

Jungkook grinned, as if planning something mischievous.

"Is that so? Well then… you were gorgeous, Lisa."

"…!"

Jungkook drew his face closer, close enough to hear his breath in her ears.

Lisa jumped and held her ears while shooting daggers at Jungkook. Her face flushed as expected.

"Look, it turned red."

"That was cheating!"

"Cheating, you say… But you started it, remember?"

After calmly saying so, Jungkook asked Lisa to get and prepare the instant rice. She did as asked and subsequently bellowed, "That's- Thanks for that compliment!"

"I'm not really good at lying so I can only say what I genuinely thought. Today, you were really lo-"

"Thank you v-very much!"

He was about shower her with more flattering words so Lisa quickly cut him off.

Come to think of it, Jungkook is pretty shameless. While watching the instant rice cooking in the microwave, Lisa stretched her flushed cheeks lightly.

The curry was ready in no time.

Jungkook's culinary skills were superb, like he was performing in a cooking program on television.

Lisa eyed the dishes and prepared the plates. Even without using curry paste, the curry dish was still oozing with a fragrant aroma.

Liaa's body tremble in fright. There was no way she could wiggle her way out of this.

"Well… your ideal standards are just too high. It's impossible for me to reach them."

"That's fine. I'll do something about it. When there's a will, there's a way, right?"
He said to leave it to himself but Lisa shook her head in disagreement.

"No, it's not! …The way I am now turns you off, right?"

Jungkook's eyes opened in surprise but after a while, returned to normal.

"…I never thought about it."

"Huh-?"

Seeing that their conversation was turning into a farce, Lisa suddenly felt weary and dropped her eyes in resignation.

Perhaps that's why Jungkook persistently tries to bring Lisa closer to his ideal. She still can't sympathize but somehow she feels like she could understand Jungkook's thoughts better.

Looking at Lisa lost in thought, Jungkook heaved a small sigh. Then he furrowed his brows in a frown.

"After all, there comes a time when your partner no longer has feelings for you, doesn't it?"

"Your partner…?" Just as she asked what he meant, Jungkook turned his eyes away.

"Do you know how long romantic feelings last?"

"No…"

“a memory and might even turn into just a funny anecdote in your life."

Seeing the smile on her face as she spoke, the gloomy expression on Jungkook gradually disappeared.

“That's amazing.”

“Huh? What do you mean? Amazing how foolish I am?”

“No… Thank you, Lisa.”

Lisa tilted her head in contemplation as she tried to make sense of what his gratitude was for. Meanwhile, Jungkook brightened up and started digging on the already cold curry.