Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: The Smallest Room
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"Follow me. I'll show you to a room."
Han Sea took the lead down the hallway.
Click-clack, click-clack.
The sound of her heels striking the marble floor echoed louder than it should have.
The hallway was long and wide.
The walls were lit with soft indirect lighting like in a gallery, adorned with nameless abstract paintings.
"This is the main guest room. It has an attached bathroom and dressing room. The view's great—overlooks the Han River."
Han Sea pointed to a double door midway down the hall.
"What about that one?"
"That's the study-slash-hobby room. Oh, and the gym equipment's over there too."
"And next to it is the second room."
Han Sea flung open another door.
"No Han River view here, but it's got a city view, so the night skyline is stunning. The bed's king-sized too, so you could roll around all night."
I peeked inside. It was a pristine room, about the size of a hotel deluxe suite.
Not flashy, but roughly twice the size of my studio apartment.
Sleeping alone in that massive bed, I'd probably roll right off the edge.
"......How many rooms does a single person need in this house?"
"No idea. Never counted. I only go into them when I need something."
Han Sea shrugged it off casually as she headed toward the end of the hall.
I clicked my tongue passing those grand doors.
Sleep in a room the size of a gymnasium by myself?
No way I'd sleep—in fact, I'd probably get sleep paralysis for sure.
"Hey, forget all that. I just need a place to crash. Give me the smallest room."
"The smallest?"
Han Sea paused, tilting her head quizzically.
"Why bother? Sleep in a big one."
"It's uncomfortable for me."
"What's uncomfortable? Bigger is better, right?"
"Places like that feel too empty—I can't sleep. I just need enough space to lie down."
"Fine. Whatever."
But Han Sea pouted, clearly not getting it.
"Hmm...... Guess this is the only option then."
She opened a door at the very end of the hall, tucked in the corner.
"We don't really use this one, so it's kinda small. Might feel cramped—is that okay?"
With a hint of concern in her voice, the door swung open.
Click.
I flipped the switch, and cozy lighting filled the room.
"......"
I stepped inside and let out a dry chuckle.
This was Han Sea's idea of a "small, cramped room."
It had a super single bed, a spacious solid wood desk, and a built-in closet to boot.
"What do you think? Too small? The bed's tiny too......"
Han Sea eyed me cautiously.
I dropped my suitcase in the middle of the room with a thud.
"Hey, Han Sea."
"Yeah?"
"You know your house bathroom is the size of my bedroom, right?"
"......That big?"
"And you call this small? This is already 1.5 times bigger than my studio."
"Ah......"
Han Sea's expression finally relaxed as understanding dawned.
If anything, it wasn't too spacious, which put my mind at ease.
I pressed down on the mattress with my hand.
Soft yet supportive.
At least I wouldn't wake up with back pain here.
"Perfect. I'll take this one."
"For real? Tell me if it's uncomfortable. I can switch rooms."
"Nah. This is already too good for me."
I plopped down on the bed.
Tension melted away, and fatigue crashed over me like a wave.
Then a stray thought hit me, and I looked up.
"Hey, what about your fiancé?"
"Oh! Fiancé? Uh...... Who knows."
"This is gonna piss him off big time, right? Your dad just went ahead and did it on his own."
"I, I dunno. Dad'll handle it, probably? Haha."
Han Sea's eyes darted around unsteadily.
"Why are you stuttering like that?"
"Oh, uh. The whole situation's just throwing me off."
"Yeah, no kidding. We were just fake dating, and now suddenly marriage?"
"What? It's not like that! Don't say it that way!"
Han Sea suddenly shouted.
Her face was flushed red.
"Okay, okay. Why yell?"
I half-ignored her as I flopped back onto the bed.
"Whatever. I haven't slept at all. I should shower, but......"
The mattress felt like a cloud against my back.
Maybe it was the high-end bed.
It enveloped me in comforting warmth.
My eyelids grew heavy.
I vaguely heard Han Sea mumbling something, but I didn't have the energy to respond.
Consciousness faded just like that.
Han Sea gazed quietly down at the sleeping Dojin.
His steady breathing was the only sound filling the room.
Dojin had walked in on his own two feet and was now lying in her bed.
She pinched her cheek, unable to believe it.
It hurt.
"......This is real."
The corners of her mouth kept twitching upward.
She'd wanted to invite Dojin over so badly for so long.
But she'd hesitated, worried he'd feel overwhelmed by the house—or worse, distance himself.
Truth be told, even for Han Sea, Dojin's studio had been more comfortable.
It was filled with his scent.
But now Dojin was in her space.
Han Sea cautiously perched on the edge of the bed.
Then she slyly slipped into the spot beside him.
Up close, his sleeping face was surprisingly handsome.
Her heart started racing.
She reached out and lightly touched his hair.
Twitch.
Dojin stirred, and Han Sea jolted upright in panic.
"Phew......"
She patted her chest and glanced back at him.
The world was awash in pink.
She didn't know if her dad had messed up or given her a gift, but right now, it just felt good.
When I opened my eyes, it was nearly noon.
Luckily, I had no morning classes, just afternoon ones.
I tried to drag my groggy body up, but my arm felt heavy.
I turned my head. Han Sea was using it as a pillow, sleeping soundly.
Why sleep like this on such a narrow bed?
I carefully slipped out of bed.
I found the bathroom.
It was flashier than a hotel's.
Marble covered the floor to ceiling, dazzling my eyes.
The faucet gleamed like it was gold-plated.
And by the window sat a whirlpool tub big enough for two adults.
Even the bathroom here was bigger than my entire studio.
After showering, I stepped out to find a basket by the door with towels and clothes.
'Where'd my underwear go?'
Where I'd left my underwear was a fresh pair, neatly folded.
"Hey, you up?"
Back in the room, Han Sea was rubbing her sleepy eyes.
"Yeah...... Sleep well?"
"Figured these were new ones for me, so I put them on—but what about the ones I took off?"
"Oh, those? I took care of them."
"What?"
I couldn't believe my ears.
Took care of them? My underwear?
"Kidding! I washed them! Wait, no—not like that... I mean, not with my mouth, in the washing machine!"
She turned pale, waving her hands frantically like propellers, rambling incoherently.
"Ugh, crazy. Okay, stop talking!"
That said, the fit was perfect.
How'd she nail my size?
Did she check me out before, or just eyeball it?
"But you got the size spot-on. Thanks, I'll wear 'em."
"Size...... Yeah. Haha......"
Her gaze fled to the ceiling in a panic.
She avoided my eyes like someone guilty, pretending to stare off at distant mountains.
But honestly, I didn't know where to look myself.
Before bed, things had been too chaotic to notice.
Han Sea was wearing loose silk pajamas—different from her usual style at home.
Every time she moved, the thin fabric slipped silkily.
Flashes of her white nape, collarbone, and cleavage peeked through.
She seemed totally oblivious.
"Ah, keeps slipping down."
Han Sea fiddled with her collarbone area.
One button on the already loose top had come undone.
Her fingers toyed with the collar ambiguously—fastening or unfastening, who knew.
Each time, the fabric fluttered, teasing glimpses of pale skin.
"Hey, dress properly. It's all showing."
"What? Oh, here? Pretty fatal, huh?"
Han Sea giggled and leaned forward over the table instead.
Gravity tugged the loose neckline right down.
The deep valley inside her pajamas was fully exposed.
"Hey, hey! What are you doing?!"
I whipped my head away in horror.
"We're gonna get engaged anyway—it's yours, right? What's the big deal?"
Her shameless grin shattered my composure.
"Y-You lunatic......! Hey! Cut the jokes. I'm heading to school."
Face burning, I grabbed my bag in a rush.
Staying longer might actually kill me.
"Eat first. I set breakfast out."
The table held neat, health-focused side dishes.
A far cry from Han Sea's usual convenience store lunches or deliveries.
"You always eat like this?"
"At home, I eat whatever the auntie makes. She comes by sometimes and preps everything."
She poked at her chopsticks, a bit embarrassed.
After eating, as I prepped to leave, Han Sea grabbed her car keys.
"I'll drive you."
"No need. Bus is fine."
"Reporters are swarming outside. Just get in."
We headed to the underground garage, where a security vehicle trailed our black sedan.
It felt burdensome, but given the circumstances, I couldn't refuse.
The moment we reached the school gate, camera flashes erupted.
Dozens of reporters waited outside the window.
"Whoa...... It's real."
"They can't come inside, so don't worry. I'll drop you off."
Han Sea drove through the gate like it was routine and parked in front of the building.
The second I stepped out, stares pierced me from all sides.
"Hey, isn't that Yoon Dojin?"
"No way. For real? Saw the article?"
"Chaebol son-in-law now? Life reversal."
Whispers buzzed in my ears.
Stinging glances followed me all the way to the lecture hall.
Even the professor paused when calling my name during roll call.
"Yoon Dojin...... You're a celebrity now, so I feel bad even calling attendance."
The room erupted in laughter.
I wanted to crawl into a hole.
I barely registered how the class passed.
The bell rang, and I bolted with my bag.
At the end of the hall, Han Sea was waiting.
"Dojin! Over here!"
She waved without a care for the stares.
We ducked into an empty lecture hall to escape the eyes.
"Haa...... This is draining."
I slumped into a chair with a sigh.
Han Sea perched on the desk across from me.
"Sorry. Must be tough."
"It's not just tough—the whole situation's a mess."
I stared at the blackboard, sorting my thoughts.
We were fake dating.
Business partners bound by mutual goals.
But her dad flipped the board to a real engagement, splashed it on the news, and now the whole world knew.
No backing out now.
"Hey, Han Sea."
"Yeah?"
"What do we do now?"
Her eyes wavered oddly at my question.