Chapter 16
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: At 18, Heading to the Family Meeting [01]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
On the way home.
Every time I glanced at the ring sparkling under the streetlights, my heart fluttered. To think I'd be getting a wedding ring this soon... If only someone had given me even a hint.
I was totally caught off guard.
Never saw it coming.
The days had been so hectic.
Commercial shoots, broadcast debut...
Even ten bodies wouldn't have been enough.
Whenever tough times hit from now on, I'll just look at this ring. Seeing it alone fills me with so much energy.
Huuung~♫
Oh no. My lips won't come down.
Why does something like this make me feel so good? Just gazing at it seems to melt away all my worries.
We gripped each other's arms tightly. Matching our strides slowly, we walked on.
"How's the ring? You like it?"
Seo-rin glanced down at my hand and asked.
Two rings gleamed quietly atop our touching fingers.
What kind of question was that? I absolutely loved it.
I wanted to spread the word all over the neighborhood.
My gaze shifted from her face back to the ring. So pretty. This ring...
"Yeah, I love it. Fits perfectly."
"I picked it out to fit your finger right from the start."
I clenched and unclenched my hand for no real reason.
Unsure what to say.
Desperately hiding my shyness.
We walked on in that quiet silence.
I came to my senses on the bustling main street lined with shops. The first thing that caught my eye was a massive billboard.
Swaying pink hair, a hand clutching chocolate.
A message whispering of love.
It's still up there. I stopped and stared blankly for a moment. The video team really poured their hearts into it. They called it the best ever.
Then I sensed people nearby. Oops, lingered too long. Fans started approaching one by one.
Greetings and autograph requests pinned my feet in place in an instant.
Normally, I'd politely brush them off and keep going. But today was a good day.
I flashed a bright smile and handled each one.
"Everyone, stay calm. I'll get to you all in order."
When I snapped out of it, people of all ages had gathered around me.
Is this okay? Won't it cause problems?
Sudden worry washed over me.
"You look even better in person. Can I get a photo..."
"Sign here, please."
"Me too! Photo together!"
"Wait, is that the ad model?"
"Fan signing going on? Let's check it out."
Voices poured in from all sides.
Close-up photos, signing shirts—time slipped away while I did it all.
Time to move on.
"Sorry, it's getting too late."
I bowed lightly and hurried away.
How long had we walked?
We turned into a familiar alley.
I thought I was going to die.
Finally, the voices faded.
Relieved by the quiet, I glanced to the side.
A cold, expressionless face. She wasn't showing it, but she had to be exhausted.
Time to reflect. The after-school date was a total mess.
Next time, maybe bring a mask and sunglasses. Having thoughts like that made me realize—I really was a celebrity now...
"Sorry. Must've been tough because of me."
Seo-rin glanced at me briefly.
Then she wordlessly pulled me close.
Our shoulders touched.
"Tough? It was nothing."
"Liar. I know how busy you are. Hardly any days off."
She let out a short sigh.
Was my sulky face bothering her?
Her brows furrowed ever so slightly as she looked at me. See? It's obvious. She couldn't hide it from my sharp eyes.
"Yu-na, you're too considerate. It's a problem."
"...Not really."
"You were smiling while signing autographs."
I fell silent at that.
"...They like me."
"That's enough. As long as you're happy."
No pretense or exaggeration in her words.
Yet they carried a subtle gentleness.
Awkward as it was, it was so her.
"You're sneakily sweet, you know that?"
A brief silence passed.
Seo-rin turned her head slightly.
Streetlight fell across her profile, tinting her ear tips faintly red.
"...Not really. Only with you, Yu-na."
I said nothing.
Instead, I gripped her arm tighter.
That was enough.
My steps grew lighter.
Let's think only happy thoughts.
Mom and Dad were away on a business trip, so the house would be empty. We'd be living together for a few days.
Just the two of us for a while. Imagining it like a newlywed home made my heart race.
Suddenly, the morning scene flashed in my mind.
Her dressing in the living room.
Hair cascading over her white back.
The soft rustle of fabric brushing my ears...
Stop. No more thinking. I might collapse before we even get home.
This was all Seo-rin's fault.
Even several hearts wouldn't suffice.
I felt my cheeks heating up.
Forced my gaze straight ahead.
I hoped she wouldn't notice.
She won't, right? I sneaked a glance sideways.
Thank goodness—she was just walking along, face innocent as ever.
After all that ordeal, we finally reached home.
I wanted to flop down right away.
Just a little more.
It's right there.
I adjusted my bag and pulled out the front door key.
Click. The door opened with a familiar sound.
"Yu-na. Wait a sec."
Seo-rin called from behind.
A low, quiet voice.
"Yeah? What is it?"
"...Wanna take a bath together today?"
The air froze.
Her words echoed in my ears.
Once, twice. No matter how much I replayed them...
I couldn't quite grasp it.
"...What did you just say?"
"You heard me."
Her face was perfectly calm.
Not a trace of embarrassment.
She gazed at me quietly, deeply. Those eyes—no joke. Dead serious.
"We're married, after all."
"Y-Yeah, but...!"
"Is it weird?"
I knew it wasn't weird.
My head knew.
But my heart couldn't keep up.
I hadn't prepared for this at all.
Too much had happened today...
I wasn't even sure this moment was real.
"...Dunno. I don't know."
I leaned back against the front door.
The cool door pressed against my heated back.
I covered my burning face with both hands.
Am I really going to faint?
Seo-rin approached silently.
No footsteps, no rush.
Then she gently wrapped her fingers around my wrist.
My flushed cheeks were fully exposed.
Breath caught at her touch.
"...Then think it over slowly."
No pressure in her voice.
But her gaze stayed fixed on me. No intention of backing down.
Like she'd wait, but don't run.
Under that look, I had nowhere to go.
Towel wrapped tightly, I stood before the bathroom door.
Hot steam seeped through the cracks.
The gentle sound of running water came from inside.
What if she's not wearing anything?
I took three deep breaths. It'll be fine.
We're married. I repeated it in my head.
Still, my heart wouldn't settle.
"Come on in."
Seo-rin's voice from inside.
Deep breath, and I opened the door.
The bathroom was thick with warm mist.
Through the haze, a silhouette faintly appeared. And in the center...
Seo-rin sat in the tub, looking at me. A goddess statue so beautiful it felt like heaven.
She was wrapped in a white towel.
Relief was short-lived.
Her skin gleamed beyond the towel, soaked by the steam. Wet hair cascaded quietly down her back.
Beautiful. Absurdly so.
No other words came to mind.
To think this woman was mine...
"Gonna stand there forever?"
Seo-rin extended her hand.
"...Can I get in?"
"Obviously."
Casual reply.
The moment I saw her hand, my feet moved on their own.
I perched on the tub's edge and took her hand. Already warm.
It put me at ease somehow.
Seo-rin pulled me in slowly.
Water sloshed, our faces drew close.
At this distance, I had no idea where to look. My gaze wandered before settling on her eyes.
"Towel."
"...Huh?"
"You can let it go now."
Seo-rin eased the end of her own towel down first. Slowly, so very slowly. Like she was being considerate of me. No rush.
I held my breath.
Unlike the brief morning glimpse.
Then, I was too flustered to really see.
But now, we faced each other head-on in this space.
Far more than I'd imagined...
No. Can't go there...
I forcibly lifted my gaze upward.
Our eyes met.
Hers wavered for a moment.
The heat, maybe.
Her ear tips and cheeks flushed bright red.
Was she embarrassed too?
I could barely breathe right now.
"So? Give me your thoughts."
"...Didn't look properly, so I dunno."
"Liar."
I couldn't bring myself to argue.
Seo-rin picked up a small towel.
Without a word, she reached for my shoulder.
Careful movements, like wiping away moisture. So gentle it tickled more.
"I'll do you too."
"No need. Just stay still, Yu-na."
"...Don't wanna. Together."
We wiped each other down, facing one another.
No words passed.
Only water sounds and quiet breaths filled the air.
That back I'd glimpsed in the morning was now right in my palms.
Each careful motion made her shoulders shift. I wanted to close my eyes. Yet I couldn't tear them away.
Hard to believe this beauty was mine alone. I swallowed hard.
"Yu-na. What're you thinking about?"
"...Nothing."
"Liar again."
Seo-rin turned to look at me.
Afraid of getting caught, I ducked my head.
No use.
Her fingertips gently lifted my chin. So close. Nose-to-nose distance.
The towel that had covered me now floated on the water. Our eyes locked. No room to escape as skin slipped against skin.
"All out in the open, Yu-na."
"...Don't look."
"No."
After that, no more words. The water cooled quietly. No need to speak. Looking into each other's eyes was enough.
Until the water turned completely cold...
We stayed like that.
Seo-rin rose first.
She held out her hand wordlessly, and I took it. Stepping out wetted the floor.
Towels back on, we pushed open the bathroom door.
Cool outside air brushed my cheeks.
Finally over.
I clutched my chest, steadying my breath, when...
"Yu-na."
"Yeah?"
"Family gathering next week."
Seo-rin said quietly.
Leaning against the doorframe, she looked at me.
"Ours. Small one—just close family."
"...Me too?"
"I'd like you to come."
Calm voice.
Her usually steady eyes seemed anxious for some reason. I looked at her for a moment.
"...Okay. I'll go."
"Thanks."
The day had finally arrived.
The day I'd greet Seo-rin's family...
I wanted to make a good impression, but how? Everything suddenly felt daunting.