赤い糸 - Red String of Fate | JeongSa - MiChaeng

Chapter 42 - Carrot

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A little boy stood wobbling on his tiny feet, arms stretched forward as he toddled across the room. With a giggle, he stumbled right into Jeongyeon's waiting arms.

"Waah, uri Ryuto can finally walk!" Sana squealed, wrapping both of them into a tight hug.

The family embrace lasted only seconds, but the boy's carefree laugh felt like music, easing every ache in Jeongyeon's heart.

"I made breakfast. Let's eat," Sana announced, rising to set the table.

"Baba," Ryuto babbled, raising his arms toward Jeongyeon.

Jeongyeon grinned and lifted him high into the air. Ryuto burst into laughter—he loved being tossed and caught, never doubting that he'd always land safely in Jeongyeon's arms.

At the table, he sat with a bright smile while Sana fed him playfully, pretending the spoon was an airplane.
"AaaAaah~" she teased, and Ryuto opened wide before clapping with delight.

"Me too, me too. AaaAaah~" Jeongyeon leaned forward with her mouth open.

"Geez, you're not a child, Jeongyeon. ㅋㅋㅋ." Sana glared playfully, though she was chuckling.

"yiiii!!! aaooooEEE!!" Ryuto protested, tugging on Sana's sleeve and pointing at Jeongyeon.

"Since when did Ryuto like you this much? I'm jealous"

"hehe, who knows" Jeongyeon chuckles.

Sana eventually gave in and fed her too. "AaaAaah~"

Jeongyeon happily took the bite, but before she could chew—

.

Ohh, a dream...

Should have let me eat that first before waking up,

Jeongyeon blinked awake, Sana still asleep in her arms. She kissed the crown of her head, carefully shifted out of the embrace, and padded to the kitchen.

Wait... my ankle doesn't hurt?

She lifted her leg, frowning. Yesterday it was swollen. She tugged up her shirt—her waist, clean and unmarked.

EH?! No scars??

She pinched her cheek hard.

"Ow... it hurts, this is real"

It hurts...Strange...

.

.

beep The mini stove clicked on as she set a pot for porridge.

chop, chop, chop

On the couch, Sana stirred, reaching out for Jeongyeon's warmth. Finding the space empty, she frowned—until the sound of chopping vegetables reached her.

"You woke up early," she murmured, rising.

Jeongyeon stood at the counter, face unusually serious as she butchered uneven slices of carrot. Sana bit back laughter at the sight. She padded over and wrapped her arms around her from behind.

"what are you doing, honey?"

"c-can't you see?" Jeongyeon muttered, still wrestling with the knife.

"You shouldn't overwork, let me help you," Sana said smoothly, taking the knife.

Jeongyeon leaned against the counter, quietly watching Sana's attempt. She snorted a few minutes later. "Pfft, I thought you were good at baking."

"It's been ages since I chopped anything, okay?" Sana huffed, glaring.

"ㅋㅋㅋㅋ." Jeong only laughed harder.

beep beep beep beep!

The stove alarm blared. The porridge was boiling over, foam bubbling out of the pot. Jeongyeon rushed to grab it—only to spill the scalding food across the floor.

"WHOA!" she yelped.

"Jeong!"

Sana picks her up like a bridal style, she uses all of her energy to carry the older, and place her on the counter so Jeongyeon won't hurt her feet. She blankly stares at her, Sana then leans very close, making Jeongyeon flustered.

"Should we just order delivery instead?" Sana whispered.

Jeong's lips stammered, cheeks was on it's way to become pink, "S-sounds good..."

Sana smirked, already pulling out her phone. "Alright, what should we order? I wonder where Mina got that soft food."

"Sana-ya."

"Mm?"

"I... have something to tell you."

Jeongyeon hopped off the counter, pacing nervously.

Sana tilted her head. "Stop circling around and just say it"

With a sigh, Jeongyeon lifted her pajama shirt to reveal smooth, uninjured skin.

"wait... WHAT?" Sana eyes widened.

"I know it sounds crazy. I can't believe it either..." Jeong muttered, scratching her head.

Sana stared. "Jeongyeon-ah... if I'm not wrong, are you... an angel?"

Jeong groaned. "Stop flirting, I'm serious. (・ヘ・)"

"I'm not flirting" Sana's voice dropped low. "Guardian Angels can heal overnight, I know, because... my wounds do too"

Jeong froze. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Well, I thought everyone had moments like that. A cut, a bruise, and by morning it's gone"

"I never had anything like that..." Jeong whispered.

Sana shrugged, then grinned. "Guess that makes me a clumsy angel who fell for you."

Jeong's face turned scarlet. "L-let's just... order breakfast already!"

Sana chuckled. She loved every flustered reaction Jeongyeon gave her—reactions only she could bring out.

They decided to stick with soft food for the time being. Mina didn't know the truth yet, and Jeongyeon wasn't ready to reveal it so soon.

—

"Sorry, I'm late." Mina slipped into room 230, tucking stray bangs behind her ear.

"It's fine, the food just arrived. Sit here." Jeongyeon patted the chair beside her.

"Are you okay? You look tired," Sana said, setting a bowl in front of her.

"I'm fine, really" Mina smiled faintly before taking a bite. "Mmm, this porridge is good"

She blinked at the stray carrot pieces on the table. "Wait, is this... carrot?"

"Ahahah, don't mind that," Jeongyeon laughed nervously.

"She tried cooking this morning and messed up," Sana whispered toward Mina—but not quietly enough.

"ㅋㅋㅋ" Mina chuckled.

"Look who's talking, you also messed up the cutting" Jeong defensive mode on.

"And you spilled the boiling pot," Sana countered.

"It was an accident!" Jeong pouted, stuffing her mouth with porridge.

Mina glanced between them as they bickered like an old married couple. She smiled softly to herself.

I should have just let the carrot stay there.