AFTERGLOW |CYJ

44

Sunghoon tugs on the hem of Joohyun's hoodie as she pushes the shopping cart ahead. The soft, steady hum of fluorescent lights fills the quiet aisle. She moves slowly, almost aimlessly, ignoring the vegetables as if they were old friends. The faint scent of freshly baked bread wafts from the nearby bakery section, but she doesn't seem to notice, her mind clearly elsewhere, lost in thoughts she can't-or won't share.

Following closely, Sunghoon slithers his hand around her arm tugs at the hem of her cuff, his fingers brushing the worn fabric in a silent attempt to pull her back from her reverie. When she doesn't react, he gently slips his arm around her hand, offering familiar warmth. Still, she remains oblivious.

Just then, the buzz of her phone cuts through the quiet, a soft vibration that feels almost intrusive against the ambient calm. Sunghoon senses it too, like a shift in the air around them. Respecting her privacy, he averts his eyes as she pulls out her phone to check the message.

Yeonjun:

Where are you? Why aren't you replying?

Joohyun isn't surprised; in fact, she feels nothing upon receiving the text. It's the intrusive nature of the message that bothers her, the hostility that makes her uncomfortable, as if she were doing something wrong.

Work, still haven't gotten home.

She switches off the screen and slips her phone back into her pocket, sighing as she walks ahead.

"It's him again, isn't it?" Sunghoon asks, guessing from her expression.

"Yeah" she replies, pushing the cart forward. "I told him I'm at work, not home yet"

Sunghoon smiles. He admires how there's a sliver of truth in her lies. It's what makes him love even her deceptions. But he notices the drop in her energy; he doesn't even need to guess. Shopping isn't his thing, but he accompanied her to spend some extra time together. With renewed determination, he approaches her from behind, slipping his arms around her as she chooses something from the shelf.

He attempts to kiss her cheek, but she dodges him, turning toward the cart. His gaze flickers to the can she drags ahead, then he reaches out to hold her hand, his unrequited grocery shop romance still brewing as they reach the home decor section.

The aisle is filled with cushions and small souvenirs, bringing a light smile to her face and a bigger one to his when he catches a glimpse of it.

Suddenly, she tenses up, twisting her arm to her line of sight. "I need to change my glucose monitor", she informs him, already knowing it's expired. She needs to replace it as soon as possible. Sunghoon volunteers to take care of the cart and gestures for her to go to the restroom.

While she's gone, he runs his fingers over the pillows on the shelves, contemplating their future. The thought of decorating a home with her makes him smile; the idea of moving in together suddenly appeals to him. He glances up just as she returns from the restroom, her footsteps hurried as she reaches for the cart and his hand, pulling ahead.

Her exhaustion is evident at the billing counter. Sunghoon stands beside her, contemplating whether to speak or remain silent. It's unbearable to watch her so drained. She barely lifts her eyes to him, her words seemingly stuck in her throat. He steps closer, loading the items onto the counter.

"Are you two a couple?", the attendant asks. Joohyun looks at him, confused, while Sunghoon smiles shyly. His deep voice following after. "Yes."

"We have a special offer for Christmas. If you add a set of three Greek yogurts to your bill, you get another one free", the attendant explains. Sunghoon looks at Joohyun for approval since she's paying.