Chapter 30

                                    

                                          
[Same day as the previous chapter] 
"Your place is strangely messy. This is so not you, Min." Leehan said with a hint of disgust as his eyes scanned Taesan's living room. 
"Stop judging me and go to the kitchen! I have my reasons!" Taesan said, pushing Leehan towards the kitchen as he complained.
"But I told you, I'm not good at it!"
"I don't think you're bad at cooking, you just need guidance... and pressure. You can do it!" Taesan yelled as he ran off.
"How does that help?" Leehan yelled back.
When he didn't hear any replies from Taesan, he went back to the living room, which made Taesan ran to him in panic.
"No, no, no! Stay in the kitchen!" 
"What? Why? I can't go here?"
"You can't!"
"Why?"
"T-there's a timer! Yeah, timer! It's a challenge, Leehan!" Taesan smiled nervously, earning a weird questioning look from Leehan.
"Alright... I'll just go there.. yeah.."
Deep in thoughts of why Taesan is acting weird again, he didn't even get to ask what Taesan would like to eat and he had no idea what to make.
Sure, he could just turn back around and ask Taesan what he would like to eat but after he insisted that Leehan should just stay in the kitchen and focus on the meal, he lost all the courage to come back and ask.
If he was Taesan, what would he want to eat? He tried several dishes to come up with tteokbokki? kimbap? After a while, he decided to make the two options including ramen.
They were a hassle, and Leehan never claimed himself as a good cook. He never cooks anyways. 
But having the desire and urge to make Taesan satisfied just like how it's always been, he tried to give his all and make the yummiest dishes he could ever make in history. 
With the help of the internet of course!
He turned around after gathering the ingredients, checking twice on his phone.
Leehan felt really curious about what Taesan is up to lately. 
Earlier, when they were on the way to Taesan's Penthouse, he mentioned a surprise so maybe that's it? Well, it's not a surprise anymore but he's curious.
After carefully checking each guide on how to cook the dishes properly, Leehan fixed the kitchen table while placing the dishes, anxiety levels rising once again.
Leehan well knows that Taesan grew accustomed to eating fancy and expensive dishes, so he had no idea if his cheap but somehow decent cooking would satisfy his taste buds. 
Taesan should be grateful though. Leehan never cooks not because he doesn't want to, it's just that his meals will make you feel like you're in a different dimension in a bad way.
"Min! I'm done cooking!" 
Taesan peaked in the room after hearing Leehan's call, making his way to the kitchen. Indeed, he was attracted by the savoury smell of Leehan's cooking, and he knew that the dishes he cooked would be equivalent to the delight of the dishes he casually ate. He hopes so.
Looking at the meal, Taesan's eyes glimmered in hunger and joy. They look honestly appealing, despite it being common foods eaten by common people. Now, he just hopes that this will be edible for humans.
Leehan wished he could take a photo of Taesan looking at the meals he cooked like that. Seeing him give positive vibes without even tasting it yet calmed his nerves down, rendering him to sigh in relief. 
They then settled down, sitting across from each other. Seeing how Taesan was so eager to eat while patiently waiting almost caused Leehan to giggle.
"They look good, can I take a picture?" Taesan asked for permission, fishing out his phone.
Leehan nodded as a response, seeing Taesan immediately take pictures of the meals he cooked. Leehan felt immensely pleased, and of course, satisfied that Taesan liked the way they looked.
"Let's eat?" Leehan asked, looking at Taesan who just recently closed his phone after finishing on taking an adequate amount of pictures to take.
Taesan nodded in excitement, taking a hold of his spoon, thanking the food, before digging in.
Leehan sat to watch, his food untouched, because just seeing Taesan eat blissfully is already enough to make him full.
A few 'this is delicious!' was exchanged, Taesan obviously enjoying the meal. That's a first for Leehan's cooking! His beam was emollient to Leehan's heart.
Seeing him happy makes him have the desire to go through his place and cook food for him everyday. He'll gladly wash the dishes too, and even learn how to cook different dishes.
Watching Taesan was already wholesome enough to make him full. He didn't need to eat the food he prepared just for him to gobble.
But for the sake of erasing suspicions of him staring at him as he continues to take a spoonful. And so he followed, taking small bites, and taking huge ones just by looking at Taesan.
This actually tasted good!
"That was great, Hannie!" Taesan exclaimed in satisfaction after cleaning his plate, looking at Leehan in gratitude after.
His pitch was a little bit higher this time, emphasizing his happiness. Leehan had never heard such a compliment this happy before, and the reason was because of his cooking. He probably won't be able to sleep early, and properly this time.
Leehan nodded, cheeks turning red in bashfulness. "Why are you so happy? Is my cooking that good?" he uttered in search of confirmation.
"It is. It's just that, it's been a while since I tasted your cooking. It improved!" Taesan answered with all honesty, this time, his pitch going back to the original, but a little bit lower this time.
"It's sincere."
"The what?" Leehan asked, taking a bite of his cooking which he still can't believe he somehow pulled it off.
"You're cooking. It's sincere."
The statement that made Leehan halt. Why would Taesan say that in such a weird timing like this, out of nowhere? Such a straightforward man he is. But he liked it, everything about him; he likes him.
Leehan hesitared for a minute, a response already prepared inside his head, and all that's left is for him to say it.
"Sincerely, I made it with love."
Taesan smiled at him brightly before starting to eat again and compliment Leehan's cooking.
As they are cleaning the table, Taesan received a message and he hurriedly walks besides Leehan who is at the sink, about to start washing the plates.
"Have you heard?"
"Heard what, Min?"
"Teum Alague." Taesan said, typing a reply to the message he received.
Leehan glanced at him, "What about it? You're going?" 
Taesan looked up before turning his phone off and nodding. "Yeah, we're supposed to. Aren't you going too?"
"I am. Dad will be announcing that I'll be replacing him as the CEO, officially this time." Leehan replied.
"That's great-" Taesan was cut off with the sound of the doorbell.
*Ding dong!
"I'll get it!" He said, forcing Leehan to stay in his place. "Finish those and don't leave until I tell you so!" 
"Min, you're acting really weird today. Are you hiding something?" Leehan asked.
"Why would I hide something from you?" Taesan replied, tilting his head. 
Leehan sighed and motioned Taesan to go get the door.