Honey! One Chaotic Day
Starting with Namgoong Yeon and Jessica, then Raichen and Kim Da Jeong too. I've seen so many instances of them teasing and bickering among themselves lately. Maybe that's why this opportunity came to me unexpectedly. A date, huh. What a fluffy, dreamy word I haven't heard in ages.
It sounded thrilling at first glance. But I'm the president of a marriage agency, and Baek Yeonhwa is a client. I need to draw a clear line.
"Ahem, Baek Yeonhwa. As I mentioned last time, I don't form private relationships with clients."
I stepped back and stated it firmly, but she closed the gap again with a step forward.
"I know, Great Hero. You're the kind of admirable man who strictly separates work and personal life!"
"……."
What? She's accepting it too easily.
"But Great Hero, I'm not a member of Meracle."
"……."
"My name might be on the non-marital registry, but since I haven't paid any fees, you can't call me a client, right?"
Baek Yeonhwa stood with hands on her hips, smiling confidently.
"Only those who pay receive the corresponding treatment. Isn't that the definition of a client in the ledger?"
"……."
"But this humble woman hasn't paid a thing, so calling me a client would be too generous."
People really should read more books. Having spent her life buried in them, her words flowed so elegantly and measured.
"What do you say, Great Hero?"
Any excuse to refuse had vanished cleanly. Baek Yeonhwa smiled and held out the ticket again.
"I'm just asking as one woman to one man."
I glanced sideways, catching Raichen and Renea watching intently. Renea was even glued to the scene like it was a drama.
"Ahem, Baek Yeonhwa, as I said last time—"
"I know, Great Hero."
She gently took my hand.
"Over the past few months, learning about romance from books, I've realized how ridiculous I must have seemed. Non-marital registry... Romance builds on shared feelings, doesn't it?"
"Oh?"
It was disorienting that a sensible conversation was suddenly possible. Is this the power of books? No wonder adults always nagged us to read.
"But Great Hero, that's exactly why I want to spend time with you. Time to build affection and get to know each other."
Her upturned gaze was so earnest that I nodded before I knew it.
Seoul Cinema. Known as the largest theater in Seoul, it always screens the latest tech and new releases. A skybridge connects it directly to Seoul Station, but that means it's crowded with commuters heading out in the evening.
"Uwaaaah. So many people."
Renea clutched my sleeve, wearing noise-canceling headphones. Her hypersensitive hearing must make this a nightmare.
'But are other elves okay?'
There were a few elves scattered among the rush-hour crowd, none wearing headphones, just going about their business. Was Renea just extra sensitive?
"L-Let's go. M-Movie's starting."
Kim Yang, buzzing with excitement, tugged me along impatiently. She'd made such a fuss about wanting to see the after-screening, and now she wasn't hesitating. She'd even changed out of her work suit into casual clothes.
"Great Hero...?"
Then Baek Yeonhwa called from behind. Her signature blue hair felt unusually chilling.
"I said it was a date, didn't I?"
"……."
"Great Hero?"
Her voice was downright menacing. Right—we'd ended up coming to Seoul Cinema as a group of four to catch the after-screening. But blaming me felt a bit unfair.
"You agreed too, Yeonhwa."
"I-I couldn't say no to your expectant faces."
"Then why book four tickets?"
"But—!"
The real culprit was Baek Yeonhwa booking four of those hard-to-get tickets. Even I wouldn't be crazy enough to ask a woman on a date, "Mind if I bring my staff?"
But age brings shamelessness. Like the grandma fake-coughing in front of the priority seat, muttering, "Aigoo, my legs hurt." When Baek Yeonhwa mentioned four tickets, Renea chimed in with, "Ooh, this lady wants to see it too!" And she couldn't shake her off.
For the record, Baek Yeonhwa had sent so many letters that Renea and Kim Yang had replied a few times, and the three had gotten friendly.
"But seriously, why book four? They're impossible to get."
As we followed Renea and Kim Yang toward the cinema, Baek Yeonhwa fidgeted shyly.
"I read in Romance Doctor's Guidebook that you shouldn't make your lover feel insecure."
"And?"
"In a theater, even if we're together, someone could sit on the other side, right?"
"……."
"T-To block that—."
In short, she wanted no one next to us during the movie. Burning 200,000 won for that really drove home that she was from a prestigious martial clan.
"Plus, I saw—."
She wasn't done, whispering and fidgeting.
"The list of skinship moves for a movie date. If someone's next to me, I'd be too embarrassed to try them."
"Skinship list?"
"I read Adult Push-Pull, and there were tons."
"……Like what?"
Out of pure curiosity, I asked, and she gestured animatedly.
"Leaning on shoulder, holding hands, interlocking fingers—."
More wholesome than expected. Even grandma could learn from that.
"During a romance flick, natural kiss in the kiss scene. If there's something steamier, gauge the mood and go all the way—."
"A book like that exists?"
"Y-Yes! It's in Adult Push-Pull by Zephyros!"
A quick phone search: wolf beastkin author. Figures—beastkin writes beastly stuff.
'What was Blue Dragon doing?'
Letting his daughter absorb this garbage? Or maybe he didn't know either.
"Ahem, Baek Yeonhwa. This stuff needs preparation. Like you said, romance builds gradually, so skinship does too."
I skirted around it, but she pouted and shouted.
"I know, Great Hero! I'm all prepared!"
Prepared? Before I could ask, she reached into her training robe and pulled out—
A pink condom.
"This, right? Adult Push-Pull said it's essential. Carry it always."
On the evening commute, passersby spotted it in her hand and flinched.
"No, what—!"
I snatched it, pocketed it, grabbed her shoulders, and warned her sternly.
"Burn that book. Now."
"Huh? Oh... okay."
Her crestfallen look suggested it was fun, but no—this crossed the line.
"Boss! Hurry up!"
"Q-Quickly."
Renea and Kim Yang, who'd raced ahead, were already at the cinema entrance. I wiped cold sweat, eager for a break, and led Baek Yeonhwa along.
"Movie first."
S.E.L Screening Room. I expected standard theater seats. Wrong.
Food and drink ban tripped us up first.
"Boss said eat light for popcorn!"
"They won't let you have popcorn in a theater?"
Before entry, a light waiver: no liability for emotional shock or afterimages.
Expected 3D glasses or VR helmet. Just a temple patch and wrist pulse sensor.
"Not much different."
"R-Right."
"This is novel to me."
But impressions flipped inside.
Seats: solo recliners like dentist chairs, dubbed sync chairs. Screen on the ceiling—for lying back.
'Pretty cool.'
Thanks to Baek Yeonhwa, a luxury experience. I lay back, impressed.
"H-How can I use what I learned like this, Great Hero?!"
Lights out as she lamented.
'……!'
Cyber City slums. Dingy gray apartments. Musty mold. Crying baby. Weight of family on shoulders. Smoking on balcony amid poverty and ennui—to pretend you're a caged bird. Iron door opens, you could fly. But reality: even open, you can't. Brutal.
Exactly five seconds. I experienced protagonist James's every feeling and thought.
"Honey, baby's crying."
"Just lit it."
"No smoking inside."
Nagging wife, Welshie. Back stung oddly. Then screen: Welshie stirring stew, baby in one arm. New sensations flooded: irritation, regret, maternal love, memories, longing.
"Honey, at least take out the trash."
"Sigh... Fine."
James stubs cigarette, steps out—emotions cut off. Realization: I'd felt James's burdened provider angst and Welshie's regretful longing for her sinking ex-love.
Who you empathize with splits ratings.
'No wonder the divide.'
I swallowed, anticipation rising.
"Boring."
Out of S.E.L, Renea griped immediately.
"Couldn't follow a thing! Should've rewatched Toribot!"
Free ticket, instant roast from grandma. My take aligned.
"Just left a bad aftertaste."
Plot simple: James spots coffee shop owner Nelly. Both married, but can't resist. Affair starts. Guilt, Welshie's suspicions snowball. Nelly moves; James returns home. End.
Tense cheating James. Suspicious, probing Welshie. Nelly unable to resist James.
"And that ending? 'Heat lingers in my heart' after breaking up? What?!"
I reined in Renea's rant, asking the others.
"What'd you think? Fun?"
"N-No fun."
"Hmm... First movie, but not great, Great Hero."
Wasted money. Not mine, though.
"Dinner's on me—."
Bzzz! Bzzz! Bzzz!
Phone vibrated wildly. Caller: Yu Ye-na.
Heading out with the group, I answered.
"Hello?"
"Why no answer?"
"Movie. What's up?"
"Can we meet briefly today?"
"Suddenly?"
Sounded serious. Ye-na, decisive:
"7th Floor stuff."
"……Not dire, right?"
"Depends."
Short sigh. Promised to meet, hung up.
"Here's the company card—eat without me and head home."
Turning:
"Who was it?"
Baek Yeonhwa right in my face, staring. Nose almost touching.
"Huh?"
"Who?"
"Uh... Ye-na."
Chilling vibe. Careful answer; her lips curved faintly, hands cupping my face.
"Ah, that woman. Again... that woman?"
Wait—this was from the movie.
"Haha... Yeah. Oh, you're leaving me after all. We have a kid."
"What?!"
What nonsense? SEL trauma messing her up worse than Namgoong Yeon.
"Gasp?! Boss, you have a kid?!"
"Stop the nonsense and calm her!"
Baek Yeonhwa clung to my shoulder. Renea pried desperately; Kim Yang approached from behind—
Grab! Gripped my arm, teary-eyed.
"Honey, don't go."