Chapter 44: Admitting the Obvious

Ji-Ah wished the ground would swallow her whole.

Min-Hye stood there, arms crossed, her smirk growing by the second. Ji-Ah already knew what was coming.

"I knew it," Min-Hye said, eyes glinting with amusement. "You two have something going on."

Evelyn, completely unbothered, leaned against the counter and sipped her coffee. "And?"

Ji-Ah shot her a glare. "Don't encourage her."

Min-Hye gasped dramatically. "Encourage me? Ji-Ah, I am merely observing." She turned to Evelyn. "So, what's the plan? You finally confessing?"

Evelyn's expression didn't change. "Maybe."

Ji-Ah choked on air. "What?"

Min-Hye's eyes practically sparkled. "Oh, I love this."

Evelyn shrugged. "I don't see the point in pretending. I want to date her."

Ji-Ah's mind blanked.

Min-Hye whistled. "Bold. I approve."

Ji-Ah snapped out of her daze. "Wait—no, no, no. You can't just say things like that!"

Evelyn tilted her head. "Why not? It's the truth."

Ji-Ah groaned, rubbing her temples. "You don't do relationships."

Evelyn smirked. "I do now."

Ji-Ah turned to Min-Hye for support, but her friend was already invested in the chaos. "I mean, Ji-Ah, you might as well just say yes."

"No," Ji-Ah said firmly.

Evelyn stepped closer. "Why not?"

Ji-Ah's heart was racing. "Because you're—"

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "Because I'm what?"

Ji-Ah opened her mouth. Then closed it. Then opened it again.

Nothing came out.

Because the truth was, she didn't have a real reason to say no.

And Evelyn knew it.