Love Next Door

24

Hidden Truths

Ryujin was in an unusually good mood as she moved through her morning routine. She glanced in the mirror, adjusting the sleeves of her tailored black blazer. Work was exciting lately—her team was so close to finishing the stadium project, and she couldn't wait to see her designs come to life. Her pulse quickened with pride at the thought. Today felt like everything was moving forward.

As she descended the stairs, she caught sight of her parents already sitting at the kitchen table, eating breakfast together. It was rare for them to share a quiet morning, so this scene brought a warmth to her chest. She sat down, joining them silently but content. The silence was comfortable, yet a little heavy, like everyone was holding something back.

Near the end of breakfast, her mother cleared her throat, her expression carefully composed. "Ryujin," she began, her voice soft yet carrying a weight. "Would you... take us out to a nice restaurant tonight ? As a family ?"

Surprised but pleased, Ryujin agreed instantly, not noticing the flicker of sadness in her mother's eyes. "Of course! I'll find a really nice place. You'll love it."

Her father, who had barely spoken, simply nodded as he took a sip of his coffee, his gaze fixed on the table. Ryujin's heart swelled at the thought of having an evening with them—together, just like old times.

-

Meanwhile, across town, Yeji was practically buzzing with excitement as she walked toward her first cooking class. She'd chosen her outfit carefully—a cute pair of jeans with a soft, comfortable top that made her feel confident. It was her first step down a path she'd chosen for herself, and she was nervous, but the feeling was exhilarating.

When she entered the kitchen classroom, her nerves kicked up as she saw the other students. They all exchanged bows, slipping on aprons as they prepared for the class to begin. The aroma of fresh ingredients, the clatter of knives, and the bustling energy of the kitchen made her feel both overwhelmed and alive. Today's lesson was on making a classic Korean dish, one of Ryujin's favorites, and the thought of bringing her friend something she'd made herself added a personal excitement.

The teacher corrected her a few times, adjusting her technique and showing her the finer details. By the end of the afternoon, she'd hardly noticed the time fly by—she was completely immersed in the process, and the dish was starting to look pretty good.

Back at the architectural firm, Ryujin and her team were in the home stretch. Chan and Lia were in the middle of an intense argument over a can of soda they'd found in the staff fridge, their bickering filling the room as they worked on final details. Karina, Ryujin's project partner, shot them an exhausted look, her patience clearly waning.

"Will you two shut up for two minutes straight or go kiss in another room ?" Karina snapped, her exasperation breaking through.

Chan and Lia froze, wide-eyed and stuttering. Lia blushed while Chan looked everywhere but at her, mumbling something unintelligible about cats as a distraction.

Karina rolled her eyes and walked over to Ryujin, who was putting the finishing touches on their digital mock-up. Together, they'd created something truly modern and green—a stadium that seamlessly incorporated nature and sleek architecture, with plant walls, eco-friendly materials, and even a rooftop garden. It was a blend of structure and organic beauty that showcased Ryujin's unique vision.

"Are we good ?" Ryujin asked Karina, stretching her arms after hours at her laptop.

Karina nodded with a tired smile. "You've outdone yourself again, Shin. The clients are going to love it."