Jihoon was surprised when he woke up to  an empty bed. Brushing the sleep off from his eyes, he peeled off the blankets away from his body and proceeded to check if Jieun was in the bathroom. It was empty.

It’s unusual because he’s the one who wakes her up, mostly to tell her that breakfast is ready.  When he opened the door, he heard the faint sound of music and the sound of a fork whisking against a bowl.

“Oppa, you’re up..”  She said, giving him a momentary glance before returning her focus on the bowl.

“Yeah, just now..” He stood there, admiring her. She had an apron tied around her waist and his tattered black shirt on, which pretty much looked like a dress on her.

“Oppa, stop staring,.” That made him chuckle. “Can you please set the table?”

“Sure.”

He walked towards her, dropping a quick peck on her check before retrieving utensils, plates and mugs from the cupboard. When he was done, he went to her side to take a peek at what she’s making.

“Omelette?”

“Yes…would you want bacon or do you prefer sausages?”

He couldn’t help but smile. When Jieun gets like this, his brain fast forwards to married life and it gives him butterflies. He doesn’t mind cooking for her – he loves to do it – but seeing her wake up early to prepare food for him is enough to make his day. He’s a simple man, give him Jieun and food, and he’s set for life.

“Yah, oppa!”

She was waiting for his answer but he was too busy daydreaming.

“Haha, sorry..” He chuckled. “I want bacon…” He paused, making Jieun take a quick glance at him, her eyebrow raised. He laughed when she said he better not say anything naughty because her hands are already full as it is.

“….and sausages too.” He finally added, grinning from ear to ear. Jieun glared at him playfully before returning her attention to the eggs on the bowl.

“Alright, just sit over there and let me finish this.”

“Let me help.”

“There’s nothing else to do, the coffee is already in the pot…go..”

She was softly pushing him away, knowing he’ll probably meddle with her cooking, as he usually does. Frowning, he conceded and told her he’ll be in the yard.

“Whew.” Jihoon muttered under his breath as the overgrown weeds and grass greeted his sight.

He meant to ask Youngja to recommend someone who can trim the grass, but since he has time on his hands and Jieun didn’t want him pestering her in the kitchen, he’d rather pass the time doing something that would also make him sweat.

 “Oppa, food is ready!”  Jieun called out to him from inside the house a few minutes later. He didn’t even notice that an hour has passed.

“Arasso, just a minute!”

He jogged back inside to the smell of freshly brewed coffee, kimchi fried rice, eggs, bacon and sausages. The food was stylishly plated, it almost looked like the breakfast hotels serve their guests. He came up behind Jieun who was washing her hands in the sink, and wrapped his arms around her waist.

“You’re so sweaty..please put on a shirt on!” She protested, in between giggles. Jihoon had his rms wrapped his arms around her, dropping playful kisses on her neck.

He twirled her so she’s facing him. “Yah, jagi, what’s all this? It looks too pretty, it feels bad to eat it.”

Jieun’s cheeks colored a little and a cute, shy smile was on her face.

“I wanted to make you something nice for breakfast..”

“You did?”

“Yeah.”

“Why? What’s so special? You rarely wake up earlier than I do.” He teased.

She scowled, making him squeeze her body closer to his, mouthing, “mianhe”.

“I just wanted to pamper you, that’s all. I’m usually the spoiled one, but I just wanted to say thank you.”

“Hmm?”

“Just cause.” She said, withdrawing her gaze from him. “Because you’ve been nothing short of…perfect. It’s actually annoying.”

She was smiling as if she’s joking, but he’s guessing she was bothered about last night. Something about it gnawed at him, but he can’t pinpoint why.

Tracing her jaw with his forefinger, he gently urged her to look at him. Her eyes looked unsure, the same look she gave him last night when she asked him to never let her go.

“I’m not perfect, even far from the best. You’ll get reminded of that when we fight,” He joked. “I just love you. And it’s not difficult to do that, jagi.”

It’s not always rainbows and unicorns with Jieun, but it’s not difficult. Loving her is not a task to him, not a burden. Loving Jieun felt right.

“You’re not just saying that because you want pretty breakfast everyday?”

He shook his head and laughed at “pretty”, also making Jieun giggle with him.

Aigoo, my jagi can be cute at a drop of a hat.

He kissed the tip of her nose, then playfully kissed her on the lips, while Jieun reminded him of the food, although not exactly asking him to stop kissing her.

“Arasso, let’s eat..” He finally relented, releasing Jieun from his arms.

“And put a shirt on please..you know I can’t concentrate when you’re walking around like that.” She said, laughing.

“Yes ma’am.” He teasingly replied, as he sauntered towards the bedroom to get a clean shirt.

When they sat down to eat, he noticed Jieun staring at him instead of helping herself to the food. He raised his brows at her, but she just smiled and shook her head.

“Is there something on my face?” He asked, not letting it go.

“No..”

“So what is it?”

He put his chopsticks aside, and gave her his full attention.

Rolling her eyes at his persistence, she replied. “Well…is it good?”

He was puzzled for a moment. When Jieun looked more embarrassed with every second, he finally understood. She was asking if he loved the food.

So cute.

He breathed through his nose and bit the insides of his cheek to keep himself from grinning so wide.

“Yah, what’s so funny?”

“It’s not funny; it’s cute.”

“You didn’t answer my question.” She leaned back on her seat, her arms crossed. A small pout was starting to form on her lips.

“I do like it..”

“But?”

“Why do you know there’s a ‘but’?”

“I just do. I know the sounds you make when you love the food you’re eating.”

He couldn’t help but laugh. Sounds? He makes sounds when he’s eating??

“I’m not even going to ask what the sounds are….” He was already laughing by then.

“What didn’t you like with the food, oppa?” She had her face on her right hand, lea