Emergency Instinct - Chapter 75

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The words about matching each other’s pace ultimately meant that Ji-an would also run as fast as he did. Just like right now.

Hong Ji-an. How clever indeed.

She was definitely a woman who could understand ten things when taught one.

Tae-jun felt so good his heart tingled.

What else could be an engagement gift? This was the real engagement gift.

Inwardly praising her for coming up with such a thoughtful idea, Tae-jun nodded his head.

“That’s a very good idea.”

Tae-jun unfastened the wristwatch he was wearing without hesitation and put it in his pocket.

Now he would put down the time he had walked alone and wear a new watch to walk together with Ji-an.

Unaware that Tae-jun was making a private vow, Ji-an carefully selected a watch.

Tae-jun wore a faint smile on his lips and approached her side, bringing their heads close together.

Their faces reflected in the glass display case were intimately close. He could feel Ji-an blushing and swallowing at their closeness.

Tae-jun liked that subtle trembling and unconsciously pressed even closer.

After a while, with fluttering excitement and careful consideration, they chose a sparkling silver-banded lightweight and precise watch. With its simple but solid design, it seemed like it would remain unchanged even if worn for a lifetime.

It was a watch that suited them perfectly.

Tae-jun first took Ji-an’s wrist.

“Give me your hand.”

When Ji-an carefully extended her hand, he slowly fastened the watch buckle.

Click.

With that one clear sound, it felt like time had been connected.

Ji-an also carefully fastened the watch on Tae-jun’s wrist.

With the same sound, the same warmth.

They smiled and connected each other’s time as one, as if making a promise.

Walking back onto the street, Ji-an turned her wrist once and smiled.

“Thank you. It’s so pretty.”

“Thank you too.”

Tae-jun smiled as if it was nothing special, then continued.

“Of all the watches I’ve owned in my life… I like this one the most.”

Ji-an stopped walking and looked up at him.

When did this man start speaking so sweetly?

Ji-an couldn’t hide her tickled heart and hugged his waist tightly. Tae-jun seemed surprised for a moment, then casually wrapped his arms around her.

During that brief embrace, Ji-an thought.

He probably had more expensive watches, more famous brands. Even what he was wearing until just now was definitely a luxury item.

Yet he unfastened it without hesitation and chose the same watch as Ji-an.

She didn’t know why wearing matching watches made her feel so fluttered and happy.

It was probably because it was her first time. Receiving such a gift from a man, wearing something together – it was all a first.

Though he could have insisted on luxury brands, Tae-jun continued to naturally accommodate her like today.

Grateful for that heart, she decided to definitely wear this watch from now on, even though she usually didn’t wear watches because they felt stuffy.

Since she liked it this much, she could certainly endure a little discomfort.

With a tickled heart, she linked arms with him.

They walked through the unfamiliar city together, taking it all in with their eyes.

Seaside Street Blended with the City, Blooming Cherry Blossoms in the Park.

Today there were no emergency calls, no summons, no interruptions. It felt like their time together was quietly stretching out beneath their feet.

Then they finally arrived at their destination.

Wagyu Yakiniku Restaurant.

The moment they opened the restaurant door, the smell of charcoal and meat hit them.

Her mouth watered. Even though she hadn’t eaten yet, just the smell alone confirmed this was a “great restaurant.” Looking around, there were hardly any tourists. Locals were quietly laughing and clinking glasses.

Tae-jun skillfully seated Ji-an by the window. Then he finished ordering in fluent Japanese.

“When did you learn Japanese?”

Ji-an asked the question she had been curious about.

“In college, briefly.”

“You’re too good for someone who learned briefly.”

Tae-jun shrugged nonchalantly.

“I’m good at everything.”

Always bragging about himself whenever he got the chance.

But funny enough, she couldn’t really argue with that.

Ji-an smiled slightly and asked playfully, though one corner of her heart tickled for no reason.

“They say you learn languages faster when you date locals. Did you perhaps have Japanese girlfriends too?”

Tae-jun’s gaze stopped for just a brief moment.

The moment Ji-an caught that short pause and hesitated.

“…There were a few.”

A few?

The corners of Ji-an’s mouth dropped regardless of her will.

“Don’t tell me this restaurant was also recommended by an ex-girlfriend?”

“Mm, something like that.”

The more she heard his answers, the more displeased Ji-an became, her brow furrowing deeply.

“You really brought me to a place you used to go with an ex-girlfriend?”

The moment Ji-an asked again, unconsciously putting force into her eyes, Tae-jun burst into laughter.

“Pfft, so this is what it feels like.”

“What?”

“How you felt when I was jealous of Min Kyung-seok.”

“No, that’s different. Senior Kyung-seok is a colleague, and you are…”

Before Ji-an could continue, Tae-jun said calmly.

“They were female professors with an average age of sixty.”

“What?”

“I came as an exchange student for six months. They were very fond of me.”

Ji-an’s face instantly heated up.

“Ah, then you should have said so from the beginning.”

“Keep being jealous.”

Tae-jun tilted his head slightly toward Ji-an and said.

“It feels good.”

“Ah, forget it.”

When Ji-an turned her head away sharply, Tae-jun laughed and followed.

“Your face is getting redder and redder?”

“It’s because it’s hot. Because of the charcoal fire.”

“Ah, I see.”

He nodded exaggeratedly.

“It’s definitely not jealousy, your face turned bright red because of the charcoal fire.”

“Anyway, you’re quite good at teasing people.”

When Ji-an pouted her lips, Tae-jun chuckled.

Then, finally, the meat they ordered arrived.

Wagyu arranged neatly by cut on an intricately patterned wooden plate. Light seasoning had soaked in thinly, giving it a glossy sheen.

Mesmerized by its beautiful appearance, Ji-an picked up the tongs.

“Wait.”

Tae-jun stopped Ji-an while reaching for the tongs himself.

“I’ll grill it.”

“No. I’ll grill the meat.”

“No. I’ll grill it for you.”

“I’m good at grilling meat.”

Ji-an was strangely serious.

“Beef is very sensitive to timing. Plus, the seasoning could burn.”

But Tae-jun couldn’t back down either.

“No.”

He spoke in a low but firm voice.

“What Teacher Hong Ji-an needs to do today is eat whatever I give you.”

Ji-an nodded with a slightly dazed expression, but her gaze never left the meat.

She was so serious that it made Tae-jun nervous instead. He placed a piece of meat on the grill with unprecedented care.

Sizzle- crackle.

Smoke rose up, and as the meat cooked over the charcoal, a sweet aroma spread.

Gulp. The embarrassingly loud sound of Ji-an swallowing could be heard. She was concentrating more intensely than the charcoal fire itself.

“Hong Ji-an.”

Tae-jun called out, suppressing his laughter.

“Aren’t you being a bit too serious right now?”

“Meat needs to be grilled seriously.”

Ji-an’s eyes widened.

“Oh my! Don’t look away.”

Somehow, he could sense something like madness in her eyes.

Tae-jun couldn’t hide the smile spreading across his lips.

When stressed, she ate spicy tteokbokki, and when she needed sugar, she drank sweet coffee. As for meat, she seemed to love it like pure instinct.

Reading Ji-an’s eating habits and moods had always been easy for Tae-jun, but now Ji-an was being even more expressive about it.

She used to always hide everything, but at some point, she had become very honest about expressing her emotions.

That side of her was so beautiful that he couldn’t help but be captivated.

“Now. You need to flip it now.”

Tae-jun flipped the meat according to Ji-an’s words.

Gulp. Again, saliva went down her throat.

Tae-jun wanted to quickly put the deliciously grilled meat into Ji-an’s mouth.

“Here, eat this now.”

Tae-jun, who had displayed intense concentration, finally placed a perfectly cooked piece of meat on her plate.

Ji-an smelled it once, then carefully put the meat in her mouth.

“Mmm….”

Ji-an’s eyes widened as she spoke with a moved expression.

“It’s so delicious!”

Juices filled her mouth, making her hands and feet tremble with delight.

“Is it really that good?”

“Yes. So, so good.”

Ji-an nodded eagerly.

“I acknowledge Tae-jun’s restaurant choice. Really, really delicious.”

Tae-jun placed another piece of meat on her plate with a satisfied expression.

Ji-an ate steadily, accepting whatever he gave her.

She definitely hadn’t felt hungry before, but strangely, the meat kept going down endlessly.

After continuing like this for a while, Ji-an belatedly came to her senses and said,

“You should eat too. Don’t just keep giving it to me.”

“Eat a lot.”

Tae-jun chuckled softly.

“I’m not really thinking about meat right now.”

He took out a tissue and reached out his hand. Then he naturally and gently wiped the corner of her lips.

Beyond the charcoal scent, his gaze that met hers was burning.

Blazing, hotter than the flames.

For a moment, Ji-an looked up at him as if enchanted, forgetting even the taste of the juices that had filled her mouth.

Tae-jun slowly lowered his head.

His lips stopped just close enough to almost touch near her ear.

“Ji-an.”

His breath tickled as it brushed against her.

“Don’t you want to eat me?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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