Can't We Keep Living Here?
After that long and treacherous detour, Woojin and Seo Ihwa’s real relationship finally began.
“Okay. Let’s date.”
“For real? No taking it back later, right?”
“You’d better not go back on your word either.”
Once Seo Ihwa had recovered enough to be discharged, the waiting police officers cautiously asked them to come along. Since Woojin had been both an eyewitness and the one who reported the incident, the two of them headed to the station together and faithfully gave their victim statements while answering every question.
During the investigation, word arrived that the fugitive Assistant Manager Choi had been urgently arrested near the officetel. The lead detective looked at Seo Ihwa.
“Do you want to press charges against the suspect?”
“Yes. Give him the heaviest sentence the law allows. Make sure he rots in prison for the rest of his life.”
Her answer was ice-cold, without the slightest hesitation. The detective nodded and scribbled something on his report.
“Understood. You can go home for today. We’ll contact you again as the case proceeds.”
When they stepped out of the station, the world was still wrapped in spiteful sheets of rain. They asked at the desk about borrowing an umbrella, but the only answer was an awkward apology—there were none left.
Seo Ihwa stared quietly at the downpour, then slipped her hand into Woojin’s.
“Should we call a taxi?”
“…Yeah, let’s do that.”
The moment her slender fingers laced through his, Woojin’s heart slammed against his ribs. He had dated before, yet he had never felt his pulse threaten to explode from something as simple as holding hands. The realization left him deeply embarrassed.
Being near this woman felt like every defense he possessed had been ripped away at once.
The summoned taxi soon pulled up, and they climbed into the back seat together. Woojin tightened his grip on her still-trembling hand and asked in a low voice, “Are you okay?”
“…Yes. It’s okay now that you’re beside me.”
“Then I’m glad.”
At that, Seo Ihwa squeezed his hand harder and looked up at him with pouty eyes.
“But how long are you going to keep speaking formally to me?”
“Sorry? When we signed the contract, you told me to use polite speech.”
At Woojin’s bewildered reply, Seo Ihwa thumped her chest in frustration.
“That was to make the power dynamic clear! We’re dating now!”
“Ah… so that’s what you meant?”
“And you slip into casual speech sometimes when you’re angry.”
Struck square in the chest, Woojin flinched and turned to stare out the window, pretending he had no idea what she was talking about.
“…Did I? I don’t remember that.”
Seo Ihwa grabbed his chin and turned his face back toward her, narrowing her eyes in playful scolding.
“You did. You were saying ‘Hey, you’ so naturally.”
“Anyway… where exactly are we going right now?”
When Woojin asked while eyeing the unfamiliar address on the taxi’s navigation screen, Seo Ihwa leaned her head against his shoulder as though it were the most natural thing in the world and whispered, “Where else? Our place.”
Woojin’s face flushed scarlet in an instant. Completely thrown off balance, he stammered, unable to form a full sentence. Seo Ihwa laughed softly at his reaction, then leaned in close.
Chu.
A short, clear sound of lips meeting filled the enclosed space of the car.
“What kind of dirty thoughts are you having?”
His lips stolen in the blink of an eye, Woojin touched them with a dazed look.
“…I was just surprised. I didn’t know you could be that bold.”
“Stay the night. I don’t want to be alone.”
“If I stay, what will you do for me?”
When Woojin narrowed his eyes and answered with a mischievous grin, Seo Ihwa immediately pinched his nose and wiggled it.
“See? You really were thinking something perverted!”
“Ah, ah! Okay, let go. I’ll just sleep quietly like a good boy.”
While they bickered, the taxi reached its destination and stopped. Stepping out, Woojin could only stare up at the towering luxury residential complex in speechless awe. It was one of Seoul’s most prestigious landmarks.
Seo Ihwa took his hand firmly and led him inside as if it were routine.
“You live somewhere expensive.”
“Of course. Whose house do you think it is?”
“Where does all the money come from…”
Woojin began to ask but quickly shut his mouth. He hesitated, sensing the question would touch on the secretive family background she had never been able to explain.
Seo Ihwa tilted her head at his sudden silence.
“Money?”
“…Do you want pork cutlet tomorrow?”
The absurdly clumsy swerve made Seo Ihwa burst into laughter.
“Where did pork cutlet come from all of a sudden?”
Ding—25th floor.
The elevator doors opened, and they finally stepped into her home after she unlocked the door. The moment it swung open, the breathtaking night view of the city spilled in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. It was easily the most beautiful residence Woojin had ever seen.
He stood mesmerized by the glittering lights reflected on the marble floors. Seo Ihwa watched him with a soft chuckle, as though he were adorable.
“Want to live here?”
“Pardon?”
At his polite reply, Seo Ihwa immediately frowned and pinched his lips.
“Formal speech again.”
“…Sorry. It’s a habit.”
“Later, just live here. That way my mind can be at ease.”
Too busy marveling at the spectacular city view and luxurious interior, Woojin nodded absentmindedly and kept letting out sounds of amazement. He had no idea that this half-hearted little gesture would soon upend and decide the course of his entire future.
Seo Ihwa brought out tea and they sat side by side on the sofa. Still wearing her coat, she elegantly crossed her legs and lifted the cup to her lips. Her profile against the glittering night skyline was so beautiful it stole his breath.
Woojin murmured, entranced, “Wow… I think I just fell for you again.”
The direct confession made Seo Ihwa choke on her tea.
“…At least turn on your blinker before you say something like that.”
“Sorry. You didn’t give me any room to signal.”
Seo Ihwa cleared her throat loudly, trying to hide her flushed cheeks, and stood up. As she disappeared into the dressing room to change, Woojin fell back into thought while gazing at the dazzling lights outside.
I’ll succeed one day too. I’ll be able to live in a house like this with Mom…
It was the bitter yet steadfast resolution of the eldest son carrying his family’s burdens.
“—jin! Kim Woojin!”
Seo Ihwa had come up beside him and was shaking his shoulder. Woojin snapped out of his reverie.
“Huh? Oh, were you calling me?”
“Ugh, I think I called you three times. What were you thinking about so hard?”
“It’s just… dating you still doesn’t feel real.”
At his sly excuse, Seo Ihwa narrowed her eyes knowingly.
“I was asking if you wanted some comfortable clothes to change into.”
“There are men’s clothes at your place, sis?”
At Woojin’s teasing provocation, Seo Ihwa’s gaze sharpened.
“No, but I have a few oversized t-shirts. Wait a second.”
After rummaging through the dressing room for a while, she let out a small sound of discovery.
“What?”
“My brother left this behind once. I don’t really like it, but… do you want to wear it anyway?”
What she handed him was an unmistakably expensive high-end sweatshirt. Woojin took it into the dressing room to change. Standing in front of the mirror, he laughed at the unfamiliar feel of the luxurious fabric against his skin. An unfamiliar designer logo sat prominently on the chest.
“Never thought I’d live to wear something like this…”
He awkwardly rolled up the sleeves and walked back into the living room. Seo Ihwa, sunk deep into the sofa, slowly raised her head and fixed him with a deep, lingering stare. Her gaze traveled from his shoulders down to his waist, as if branding what now belonged to her.
Woojin cleared his throat self-consciously and sat beside her.
“You shouldn’t look at me like that when I’m dressed this way, Seo Ihwa.”
“I shouldn’t?”
When she tilted her head, Woojin smiled and gently pinched her cheek.
“There’s nothing saying you can’t.”
Seo Ihwa rested her head on his shoulder. For a long time, only the night view and the fragrant scent of tea filled the living room with silence. It was peaceful, yet somehow precarious.
Suddenly she turned, wrapped her arms tightly around him, and buried her face in his chest.
“It’s the first time…”
“What is?”
Woojin stroked her soft hair with the tenderness one might use to soothe a child.
“Having someone else in my house besides me.”
Feeling the heavy loneliness behind those words, Woojin’s touch grew even gentler.
“I’ll come over often.”
That kind promise seemed to light a fuse. Seo Ihwa suddenly sat up straight in his arms and stared directly into his eyes. The playful spark had vanished, replaced by an intense, almost feverish gleam.
“Can’t we keep living here?”
Woojin hid his panic and lightly pushed her forehead with his index finger.
“We can’t start acting like this on the very first day of dating.”
“It may be the first day of dating, but we’ve known each other for a long time…”
“Knowing each other and dating while watching each other are two different things.”
Seo Ihwa puffed her cheeks in clear dissatisfaction and pouted. Woojin found her both unbearably cute and strangely stirring in the corner of his heart. He carefully wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her back into his embrace.
“I’ll stay right beside you, so let’s take it slow and watch each other a little longer. Okay?”
At his gentle tone, Seo Ihwa nodded with clear reluctance. Yet even as she rested her face against his chest, her eyes remained fixed on his silhouette reflected in the living-room window—chasing it with quiet, unrelenting intensity. As though she were engraving a vow never to let him slip away.