Maru came back inside. Giwoo wasn’t with him. When she signaled to him asking where Kang Giwoo was, Maru said that he’d be back soon and sat down. Gaeul pinched Maru’s thighs and asked,

“What are you two doing when you’re grown-up adults? You’re making me feel bad.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t ‘sorry’ me. Can’t you tell me what’s going on? Is it something I shouldn’t know about? Or is it so trivial that I don’t have to know about it?”

Maru said that he would tell her later and that they should eat for now. Gaeul looked into his eyes. He was born with the conditions to become a proficient liar, but he couldn’t lie in front of her, especially when she looked into his eyes. He would probably be able to manage his expression to the point of fooling everyone if he tried to, but he did not. Gaeul believed that his actions were a form of respect, belief, and love. Maru did not look away and even put his face closer to her so that she could take a closer look. Gaeul raised the white flag first when he came closer to her.

“You’re going to tell me after we eat, right? Alright then. I’ll play along until I put down my spoon.”

Not long later, Kang Giwoo entered. The two of them didn’t change compared...