Chapter 17
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: At 18, I Went to the Family Meeting [02]
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A week had passed since we started living together.
People really are creatures of habit, aren't they?
Sleeping side by side in bed.
Taking baths together every evening...
These things had become as natural as any daily routine.
At first, it all felt so strange and scary.
I still remember those times vividly.
When I could hear her breathing under the same blanket.
When our faces were inches apart as she hugged my shoulders tight.
When our lips met and our legs and hands tangled together.
Every moment, I thought my heart would stop.
The first night, I was so on edge I didn't sleep a wink.
Every gesture of her hands and feet, every shift of her body, even her breathing...
Having her right there made it all hit me so intensely.
What if these days never end? I worried about that once.
Now, the moment I open my eyes, the first thing I check is Seo-rin's face. Seeing her so cool and mature, yet mumbling in her sleep... it was unbearably cute.
Just looking at her made me smile without thinking.
No one else knows, right?
The way she furrows her brows and chews on her fingers.
The way she mutters to herself and burrows into the covers...
This sight belongs to me alone.
That fact tickled my chest, like holding onto a secret I wasn't supposed to know.
I stretched as hard as I could and glanced at the clock.
I'd woken up earlier than usual today.
It was the day I was meeting her family for the first time. Some close relatives were coming too, she'd said...
I wondered what they'd think of me. The anxiety kept me up all night. Memories of Korean dramas from my past life flashed through my mind. Arguments with sisters-in-law, power struggles...
Surely nothing like that would happen, right?
Let me think—what was on the schedule again?
A fancy banquet on a massive cruise ship, I think. Who knew I'd actually experience something straight out of a drama or movie?
I was excited about this new world, but worried at the same time.
The one saving grace was not having to agonize over what to wear. Everything was already prepared; I just had to show up...
But I should at least groom myself properly. First, a thorough wash everywhere. What perfume to pick?
Makeup? Skirt can't be too short, right? So much to do. My mind raced, but my body wouldn't keep up.
This won't do.
Better to tackle it one step at a time. As I tried to calm myself, someone wrapped their arms tightly around me from behind.
"Good morning, Yu-na."
The familiar whisper in my ear and her warm body heat. Long, slender arms gently encircled my waist.
I didn't bother turning around.
I knew exactly who it was.
I took her hand in mine and laced our fingers together. Some knuckles were thicker, others surprisingly short...
As I rubbed her fingers, we confirmed each other's presence. Things we couldn't put into words passed through our fingertips and palms.
How long did we stay like that?
I turned my head to face her.
Nothing beats this for a mood boost.
My gloom vanished in an instant.
I never get tired of looking at her.
I just keep wanting to stare.
We gazed into each other's eyes for a few seconds.
"Yeah. Good morning to you too, Seo-rin."
We were both wearing the same white pajamas.
Thin fabric adorned with lace trim.
But these weren't ordinary pajamas.
The semitransparent material let everything underneath—skin and underwear—show through clearly. I remembered the first time I wore them. I was mortified...
Are these really pajamas? It was distracting how much showed below. Where was I even supposed to look? I nearly died of embarrassment.
Well, they felt nice, so sleep came easy...
Seo-rin leaned in close and spoke.
"...When did you wake up?"
"A little while ago. You can sleep more."
"Nah. Time to get up."
Her voice was a tone lower than usual, like she was still waking up. Probably because she'd worked late. Her face looked a bit tired.
I felt bad seeing her like that. I shifted to lightly hug her shoulders. I hoped it gave her even a little energy.
It must have worked—she smiled faintly.
"Yu-na's scent is so nice."
"I've heard that before. Really that good? I can't tell."
"Yeah. I want to smell it forever..."
Before she finished, something soft landed on my shoulder. Her lips.
They pressed gently over the fabric, then pulled away silently. It burned. The spot felt scorched.
"Almost forgot to do that."
"...Me too."
Before Seo-rin could react, I propped myself up a bit and swept her hair aside with my fingers.
Just like she'd done for me.
I wanted to return the favor.
That's what being a couple is, right?
Embarrassed?
Who cares. Let's just do it.
I steadied my trembling hand.
I pressed my lips softly against hers. Gently, without a sound.
I leaned down toward her exposed shoulder.
My arms tensed.
Closer, until our faces nearly touched.
Through the single thin layer, her warmth seeped in fully. A familiar temperature. It was so comforting, my eyes nearly closed.
Seo-rin's body stiffened slightly.
How's that? I can do it too.
I grinned and looked at her face again. Her ears were a little red.
Worth the effort. Felt kinda proud.
Hm? What's this? The look in her eyes suddenly turned intense.
"You're not stopping here, are you?"
"W-Wait! That tickles."
A low chuckle escaped her.
Seo-rin let out a small, stifled laugh too.
That sound burrowed into my ears.
"...Getting bold lately."
"Whose fault is that?"
My nape was exposed coolly.
As I held my breath, her lips pulled away.
Couldn't help my heart racing.
Who wouldn't in this situation?
No urge to run.
I just wanted to savor this feeling fully.
I closed my eyes and took in her hot breath.
"How's it feel?"
"...Dunno."
"Honest as ever."
Her lips moved toward my earlobe.
I tilted my head slightly.
To make it easier for her.
"...Can I touch?"
"Asking now?"
"What if you didn't want me to?"
I laughed at that.
Even in moments like this, she thinks of me first.
I'd be fine if she just went for it.
"...It's fine. Keep going."
Her lips moved to my forearm this time.
They touched. Rubbed. Caressed.
Lightly. So lightly.
I closed my eyes quietly, saying nothing.
"Seo-rin."
"Yeah? What?"
"I'm really nervous about today."
"Yeah? Then..."
No time to brace myself with some bad premonition.
Her small face tilted slowly toward me.
Soft. So squishy...
The cool, smooth feel of her skin pressed clearly against my cheek. Was she trying to comfort me?
"It'll be fine."
Cheek to cheek.
Only our breaths filled the air.
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
Short and firm.
No pretense, no forced consolation.
Just stating a plain fact.
I turned my head and quickly pecked her cheek.
"...What was that?"
"Just returning the favor."
Silence followed.
Her ears and cheeks flushed red.
She'd been so bold earlier—why get shy over this?
Instead of answering, Seo-rin lifted my hand and placed her lips softly on the back.
No rush.
Slowly, long and deep...
Like imprinting a mark.
I didn't let go of her hand either.
"Time to get up."
Seo-rin sat up first.
The fabric rustled with her movement, long hair cascading down her back. I followed suit.
There was a mirror right across from us.
My gaze locked onto it without thinking.
On my shoulders, nape, earlobe, the back of my hand...
Traces she'd left were still there. Not too bad, I guess...
Scary how I'm getting used to this.
But it's inevitable.
That's just how affection works.
I pressed my cheeks with both hands, then let go.
Get it together, Sung Yu-na.
Today's an important day.
♡♥♡
As I came out of the bathroom, I heard a sizzle from the kitchen.
A savory, warm aroma teased my appetite.
My stomach was already rumbling. What deliciousness awaited? I headed to the kitchen with anticipation.
Seo-rin was wearing a white top with a black apron. One hand gripped the frying pan handle, the other held a timer.
Tick-tock.
The steady beeps filled the quiet kitchen. Her eyes flicked precisely between the timer and pan.
Not by the second. Like counting each notch, slow and exact.
It was the scene I'd seen for a week now.
Every morning, there she stood.
But weirdly, I never got used to it.
Seeing her in that apron always made my heart flutter. My eyes wouldn't look away.
"You're here?"
She said without turning.
A flip sounded from the pan.
"...Yeah."
I couldn't move from the spot.
It was like this the first time I saw it.
The second day, the third.
Today too.
I watched her deftly tilt the pan. Her slender wrist moved steadily.
One thing I'd learned recently:
Seo-rin is surprisingly good at cooking.
She follows recipes, but her skill is solid. More domestic than her looks suggest.
"Sit down."
"...Okay."
I stared blankly at her back.
The black apron hugged her waist tightly.
The line revealed below the tied ribbon was slimmer than expected. I wanted to hug her from behind.
But I held back.
Could get risky.
Looking would have to suffice.
"What's for today?"
"Thinking tomato soup."
"Something new again."
"Tired of it?"
"No. I like whatever you make..."
I actually looked forward to the surprise every day.
I played it cool so she wouldn't notice...
Seo-rin added tomatoes to the pan.
A sizzle, and red juices spread. Her hand gripped a wooden spatula, stirring slowly.
Why was that?
Just ordinary cooking...
Yet her figure stuck in my mind.
I'd seen it every day for a week, and still.
When would I get used to this?
"Yu-na."
"Yeah?"
"Something you want to say?"
"Your back in that apron is just so pretty..."
Seo-rin paused for a moment.
She glanced back at me.
"You see it every day. Not sick of it?"
"If I was, I wouldn't look."
A brief silence.
She turned back to the pan.
Her cheeks were slightly flushed.
Her reactions were still the same.
I smiled inwardly.
When did it start?
I'd memorized every one of her responses.
Averting her gaze at compliments.
Cheeks blushing before her ears.
Is this what liking someone is?
Remembering what they like, what embarrasses them.
Every detail.
Seo-rin reached into her apron pocket.
She stood by the stove, waiting.
Her profile showed eyes calmly focused downward.
My gaze still lingered.
Probably forever. And honestly...
I was okay with that.
"All done. Sit."
She lifted the pan over a bowl, revealing something red and appetizing.
"...Looks delicious again."
"Try it first."
She untied her apron and came to the table.
I picked up a spoon. Took a bite. Hot, rich, sweet.
"...So good."
"Nothing special."
I smiled quietly at her.
I'd said I was nervous earlier.
Strangely, right now, in this moment, that tension was gone.
I had a feeling this would repeat every morning: eating what she made, getting caught staring, and doing it all again tomorrow.