113.
It was Saturday that I had promised to meet Kim Dae-seok’s Noona, Kim Da-hee.
I wore a white T-shirt and a suit jacket and removed all piercings from my ears. After tidying up my hair, which had been left a mess because I was busy, I put a watch on my left wrist. I also wore a reasonably clean perfume.
After getting ready and heading out to the meeting place, not long after, a black sedan stopped in front of me.
“It’s been a while, Ji-han.”
“Hello.”
The passenger window rolled down and Kim Da-hee said a greeting. I opened the car door, sat in the passenger seat, fastened my seatbelt, and the car drove off.
“How many years has it been? 4 years? 5 years?”
“It seems like it’s been about five years.”
“Time flies. It seems like only yesterday that everyone was making a fuss about going to college. Do you think you’ve grown a bit taller?”
“It was farther than Dae-seok.”
When I answered appropriately, Kim Da-hee laughed and muttered playfully.
“That child shouldn’t grow any bigger.”
Kim Da-hee, whom I met for the first time in a while, was the same as before with her cheerful and bright personality. She swept her light brown hair over her shoulder, but unlike before, she had dyed her hair.
“Anyway, thank you for your help. I was in trouble because there was no one left.”
“Why? I also got some help from you and Dae-seok said you were going to buy me an expensive meal, right?”
“That’s true, but I’m a little annoyed that Kim Dae-seok said that.”
Kim Da-hee, raising the corners of her mouth slightly, said as she turned her steering wheel.
“The hotel I’m going to right now is a place my mom and I know well. If I show her that I’m eating with a man there and then ask about the result, let’s say that I didn’t like it.”
“It’s full plan proof.”
“I have to do this at least for my parents to realize that I am an unsellable girl and give up. I really want to marry my boyfriend now.”
The firm voice subtly softened when she said she wanted to get married. I felt that she truly loved her boyfriend, whom she had been seeing for three years.
Well, I guessed that meant they were trying this hard-to-get approval for the marriage. It looked really nice, but at the same time, I was jealous.
When we arrived at the hotel, she left her car with the staff, and we went up to the restaurant. I was guided to our reserved seat and sat across from Kim Da-hee.
“The course is romantic. Wine... Do you want a drink? I have to drive, so I will pass.”
“I will pass as well.”
“Then, please leave out the alcohol and prepare only the romantic course.”
“That’s fine with me too.”
While Kim Da-hee was ordering, I looked down at the night view of Seoul outside the window. The night view of the Han River with twinkling yellow lights made the atmosphere even better.
“The romantic course offered steak and pasta. It means I didn’t choose you because I had some strange feelings.”
As soon as the employee who took the order left, Kim Da-hee lowered her voice to a whisper and smiled. That sly attitude made me laugh comfortably too.
“I was almost excited.”
“You’re really good at lying even though you’re not really excited. And what is the age difference between you and me? I also have a conscience.”
“It’s only 7 years age gap.”
“I wouldn’t go out of my way to seduce a kid who is just graduating from college. Rather, are you going to get a job as soon as you graduate? Dae-seok said he was going to take a break.”
“We are preparing for public recruitment in the first half of the year. I don’t know yet whether it will work or not.”
“I don’t have anything to say because the path you are taking is so different. Still, prepare well and look forward to the results. Considering your personality, I think you’ve prepared well.”
“I’m trying hard.”
Although it had been a long time since they had seen each other, the conversation continued without much awkwardness. Soon, the course meal began to be served and the topic of conversation shifted from employment to marriage.
“If you turn 26 next year, marriage is still a long way away. Are you meeting anyone?”
“No, not right now.”
Not only now, but I also haven’t met anyone since Chae Yoo-jeong. I had no desire to meet anyone since I was also busy.
“Oh my. why? You must be very popular. You dated a lot when you were in high school, right?”
“…….”
I dated an incredible amount… Well, the people I dated change often.
“Maybe it’s because I’m busy, but I don’t have time to meet anyone.”
“Now that I think about it, you had a graduation exhibition not long ago, right? Then you can start dating again.”
“Well. I don’t have anyone good enough to do that.”
“Shall I introduce you? There are many nice and kind female employees at the company.”
“No. They won’t want to meet a student who is about to graduate because they want to sate something.”
“It’s not enough. They will welcome you with open arms.”
As I smiled awkwardly without answering, Kim Da-hee tactfully moved on to her own story.
“But since you are smart and have a good personality, I think you will meet the right person and get married. I couldn’t do that.”
“Haven’t you been dating your boyfriend for a long time?”
“That’s right. But before I met this person, I had a lot going on. Because of that experience, I couldn’t let go of this person.”
At that time, he was quietly listening to Kim Da-hee’s story. The door of the hotel elevator opened.
“No. What were you talking about?”
“The furniture for the newlyweds’ house. I’m thinking about what color to go for, what is your opinion?”
“Are you going to buy the furniture already?”
“Just choosing, just choosing.”
Kim Da-hee held up her cell phone and knocked a few times before handing it to him.
“What do you think? What looks best?”
A small storage cabinet appeared on the screen. At the same time, I could faintly hear the sound of a conversation taking place at the table behind us.
“I’ve prepared a position, so I’ll go abroad at the end of next year.”
“Oh my. Why are you doing this again, Aunt? He’s doing well.”
“I know that. But isn’t it true that it’s not something you can do for a long time? We need to prepare for the future.”
“Still, it’s too early to quit. Yoo-jeong is still in full bloom.”
“The person concerned must be confident. Why aren’t you saying anything?”
Despite the woman’s urging, Chae Yoo-jeong’s voice was not heard for a long time. I swallowed my dry saliva and returned the cell phone, which wasn’t given my full attention, to Kim Da-hee.
“I like beige… It looks the best.”
“Yes? I also think beige is best.”
“It’s good because we have similar tastes.”
I forced the corners of my mouth to smile at Kim Da-hee, who was purely happy. I couldn’t concentrate on the conversation. All my attention was focused on Chae Yoo-jeong, who was sitting behind us.
‘I’m going crazy………………’
It was true that I was flustered by the presence of Chae Yoo-jeong, whom I met in an unexpected place, but I had no idea that it would bother me this much.
“I’m also thinking about this rug. Which one do you like better?”
“If it’s a rug to place in the living room, it’s the second one. It looks decent.”
“Okay. This? I’ll put it in the bedroom.”
“It’s apricot colored.”
I answered Kim Da-hee’s questions appropriately and ate the food by mechanically moving my hands. I was so focused on choosing the furniture that Kim Da-hee showed me that I didn’t know whether the food went into my mouth or my nose.
The messy dinner continued for about an hour. After putting as much food on it as I could, I got up and followed Kim Da-hee, feeling stuffy.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”
Kim Da-hee walked ahead, putting on her coat that she had taken off. I followed her and looked back for the first time.
The back of Chae Yoo-jeong was seen sitting upright in his chair. Even though the food was placed in front of him, he didn’t move his hand at all.
“…….”
I couldn’t watch for long. I barely looked away from Chae Yoo-jeong and walked towards the elevator where Kim Da-hee was waiting.
“I didn’t hold you back too long, did I?”
“It can’t be. I had a delicious dinner.”
“Let’s meet Dae-seok again later when we have time. I’ll buy you something delicious.”
When I crossed the hall on the first floor of the hotel and came out to the entrance, a car was already waiting.
It was the moment when Kim Da-hee, who had gotten her car keys out, sat in the driver’s seat and I was also about to get into the passenger seat.
“Hyung………………!”
HM: I actually wanna translate the next chapter (This is the 3rd chapter I translate in one day aaaah…. Just one more chapter….wwww)
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Credits:
Translator: Hoshi Miya
Editor/Proofreader: Meimei, Ghostx
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