I arrived at Gwangjang Market's Bindae-tteok Alley, spotting Taro on a bench, sipping coffee.
"Hi," I said, joining him.
Taro smiled. "Hi, Mei! You're right on time. Want coffee?"
I shook my head and sat down. "No."
"Okay, I'll finish this, and then we'll go." Taro drained his cup.
As he stood up, he asked, "Are you nervous, Mei?"
I rolled my eyes. "What do you think? I'm about to meet your family and pretend to be your girlfriend."
Taro chuckled. "Come on, Mei, just chill. We're just acting. No need to be nervous."
He grabbed my hand, and we started walking.
As we entered the restaurant, my heart began racing.
"Wait, Taro, I don't want to do this. I'm going back," I whispered urgently.
Taro's grip on my hand tightened. "Are you kidding? We're already here, Mei. Please, just take a deep breath."
I inhaled deeply, trying to calm down.
Taro opened the VIP room door, and I froze.
"Relax," he whispered, squeezing my hand.
Inside, his family waited.
"Mom, Dad, this is Mei, my girlfriend, whom I told you about," Taro announced.
I forced a smile. "Hi, everyone. I'm Mei."
Taro's mother approached me, beaming. "Oh, dear, you're so lovely! Come on, sit."
I took a seat, trying to compose myself.
Taro's family stared at me, their expressions a mix of curiosity and warmth.
Taro's mother smiled warmly. "Oh, my, you look so nervous, dear."
I laughed awkwardly. "Haha, yeah, a little bit."
"No need to be nervous, dear. We're family, sweety, right, Taro?"
Taro nodded. "Yeah, Mei, my family is your family."
I smiled, trying to relax. "Yes."
Taro's dad intervened, "Let's eat, everyone. The food will get cold."
As they began eating, Taro filled my plate. My heart racing, I struggled to swallow the food.
Taro's brother suddenly asked, "So, Mei sis, where did you and bro meet for the first time, and how?"
Taro and I exchanged a nervous glance.
"Well," I started, "we met at the aquarium. I was there with my father, but I got lost. Taro helped me, and then he transferred to my school. After that, he confessed, and I said yes." I forced a laugh. "That's how we started dating."
Taro's mother squealed. "How romantic! Your encounter was just like something out of a drama."
Taro and I laughed awkwardly, avoiding eye contact.
After finishing the meal, Taro stood up. "Mom, Mei has to go somewhere else. We should be going, right, Mei?"
I nodded, relieved. "Yeah, I should be going now. It was nice meeting you all."
I bowed to greet them.
Taro's mom said, "Sweety, please visit our home again, okay? You're such a lovely, pretty girl."
"Yes, anti ," I replied.
Taro's mom chuckled. "No, don't call me 'anti' [formal term]; call me 'mom'."
Taro's dad added, "Me too, call me 'dad'. I always wanted a daughter, but I have two sons. Finally, I have a lovely daughter."
As we left the restaurant, I turned to Taro, my voice laced with concern.
"Taro, your mom and dad are way too serious about us being together. What if they ask me to come to your house?"
Taro chuckled. "Don't worry, I've got it covered. After some time, I'll tell them we broke up."
I raised an eyebrow. "And what if your parents want you to get engaged?"
Taro shrugged. "They won't."
"Why not?" I asked.
"Well, I'll pretend I'm heartbroken and can't forget you," Taro said with a sly grin. "That way, Mom and Dad won't force me into another relationship."
My eyes widened. "You mean, you'll tell them I dumped you?"
Taro nodded, unfazed.
"Taro, seriously! You're making me the villainess in this drama of yours!"
Taro laughed. "Hey, it's just acting, okay?"
I sighed. "Fine, let's drop it for now. You did eat, right? You saw how nervous I was, and I barely ate."
Taro smiled mischievously. "Let's get something to eat, then. You need to relax."
"Okay, but not here. What if your parents see us?" I cautioned.
Taro teased, "Well, we are lying to them."
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Taro, can't you be serious for a minute?"
Taro's grin faltered for a moment before he replied, "I guess not.".
As we strolled through the streets, we unexpectedly crossed paths with Kaito.
"Hey, what brings you two together?" Kaito asked, his eyes scanning our faces.
Taro swiftly intervened, a mischievous glint in his eye. "We're on a date, right, Mei?"
I shot Taro a warning glance, about to protest.
But before I could respond, Taro continued, "We had breakfast together, and now lunch. Might as well make it official, right?" He winked at Kaito.
Kaito raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing on his face. "Is that so? Well, have fun, then."
Taro grinned. "Thanks, Kaito oppa. We will."
I forced a polite smile. "Bye, Kaito oppa."
As Kaito walked away, I turned to Taro, my expression stern.
"Taro, what was that? You're really selling this fake relationship thing, aren't you?"
Taro chuckled. "Just going with the flow, Mei."
Kaito's expression darkened as he watched Mei and Taro laugh together. His eyes burned with fury.
How dare he touch my Mei?
Kaito's mind seethed with possessiveness and anger.
On a date? How can she go on a date with him?
His thoughts consumed by jealousy, Kaito's face twisted into a menacing scowl.
Unnoticed, he whispered to himself, "Haha, I'll give you a surprise, my Mei... soon."
His eyes narrowed, cold and calculating, like a killer stalking prey.