Chapter 2
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: I Became a Married Woman at 18 [02]
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Someone once said.
Life is unpredictable.
That I, who had been a man in my previous life, was born a woman this time around. That I accepted the passionate proposal from my childhood friend I'd known since we were kids.
All of it was utterly absurd.
At first, I wanted to deny it. I tried to convince myself it was all a mistake, a long, long dream.
But as time passed, reality only grew clearer. In the end, I had no choice but to accept this fate.
I can still vividly remember going to the district office with Seo-rin to file our marriage registration.
The clerk was so flustered...
She kept scanning us up and down in our school uniforms, her face full of disbelief as she asked over and over.
"...This isn't a prank, right?"
"No prank."
Seo-rin answered first.
"No, I mean... are you really students? In uniforms and..."
The clerk's gaze lingered on the school name tag dangling from my bag.
"Yes, we're students. We're here to register our marriage today. We've got permission from our parents."
Unlike me, fumbling to explain, Seo-rin was calm and resolute.
There wasn't a hint of hesitation in her voice.
Seeing her like that actually put me at ease.
And just like that, Han Seo-rin and Sung Yu-na. Our two names were written side by side on the white paper.
Becoming husband and wife was this simple.
It felt miraculous, almost unreal.
I wandered blankly along the cherry blossom path.
Like the petals scattering in the spring breeze, my thoughts couldn't find a foothold.
Marriage, spouses...
It had all happened overnight.
Just yesterday, I was an ordinary high school girl, and today I was someone's wife...
It was chaotic, bewildering.
A strange flutter stirred in my chest.
What held me steady was Seo-rin's small hand. The warmth seeping through our intertwined fingers anchored me.
My tangled heart began to settle, bit by bit.
A thought slipped in unbidden.
What if I held this hand forever? Wouldn't that be enough? For an ordinary girl like me to have Seo-rin all to myself felt like a miracle already...
It was like receiving more love than I deserved.
For some reason, my heart felt lighter.
The cherry blossom petals that had seemed so unsettling moments ago now felt like blessings. As if the world were welcoming us with a shower of pink confetti.
I squeezed Seo-rin's hand a little tighter.
She gripped mine back in response.
"Yu-na, you okay? You look pale... Should we skip school today?"
Seo-rin's worried voice reached me.
I shook my head and forced a smile.
"Seo-rin's such an idiot... Total blockhead."
"...Idiot?"
Seo-rin paused for a second, then her lips curved up slightly.
"You're the only one who can talk to me like that, Yu-na."
The solitary ice queen.
That's what they called Seo-rin at school.
The reason was straightforward. She never smiled at anyone and kept everyone at arm's length.
The rumors of her being cold and aloof weren't exaggerated.
Boys who confessed to her, girls who tried to get close—all backed off under her icy gaze.
But with me, it was completely different.
Her eyes burned hot.
Aflame with affection.
I was the only one who could melt the frozen walls around her.
Memories flooded in like a bursting dam.
Every overlooked moment came back crystal clear.
When I had a cold...
Cold medicine tucked deep in my desk drawer.
An umbrella that appeared like magic on rainy days.
Snacks handed over every lunch break.
That desperate gaze that followed only me.
All of them were signs.
All confessions.
I was the fool.
A cowardly scaredy-cat.
I knew, but I looked away.
Because I was afraid.
This life as a girl was so unfamiliar...
Even the feeling of loving someone confused me.
"Seo-rin."
"Yeah?"
"Close your eyes for a sec...?"
"Sure. I'm excited to see what you'll do."
I gazed at her face.
Her cheeks flushed like peaches in the sunlight. Her long lashes trembled faintly beneath her closed lids.
My heart pounded in my ears.
My fingertips tingled.
Embarrassment burned all the way to the back of my neck.
I took a deep breath and slowly leaned in. Then I gently pressed my lips to her cheek.
*Mwah*
I did it!
Would Seo-rin know how I feel now?
She slowly opened her eyes and grabbed my wrist hard. Her pupils shook.
The usual composure was gone.
Huh...? Was that not enough?
Should I do it a few more times?
"U-um, Seo-rin? How about calming down a bit?"
Where did that poised beauty image go?
Seo-rin's cheeks were bright red.
"We're married, right? You're my wife."
"Y-yeah... that's right..."
I nodded.
Her hand moved to my shoulder.
The warmth from her fingertips seeped through my clothes, deep into my skin.
She stepped even closer.
The air between us heated up.
Seo-rin's hands tentatively wrapped around my waist. Instinctively, I placed mine on hers.
Her hand slid down from my shoulder to find mine. Our fingers intertwined naturally, as if they'd always fit this way.
Thump thump.
My heart raced.
It pounded wildly on its own.
Today, I wanted to be honest.
Seo-rin was brave enough.
Time for me to step up too.
I opened my mouth with a trembling voice.
"Seo-rin, I like you. I've liked you since the first time I saw you in class."
"...Same here."
Seo-rin closed her eyes slightly.
Slowly, so very slowly...
Our lips met.
Soft and warm.
A kiss filled with excitement and promises.
Time seemed to stop.
Even the scattering petals hung motionless in the air, blessing us.
♡♥♡
"I can't live! We almost got locked out!"
I stared at the firmly shut school gate. That was way too close. Lucky we slipped in by just a step. I let out a sigh of relief.
"Sorry, sorry. Your lips were too sweet—I couldn't let go."
Seo-rin grinned innocently.
Her face radiated leisure.
And here I was, all frantic...
Annoying.
"Wait! This is in front of school! Pick your spots when you say stuff like that?"
I hurriedly glanced around.
No one heard, right? Good.
But Seo-rin looked utterly unconcerned. If anything, she seemed pleased.
"What's the problem? It's true."
"S-still... it's embarrassing..."
"A shy Yu-na is cute too."
Unthinkingly, my hand went to my lips.
The soft, sweet sensation from moments ago lingered. My heart sped up again.
Calm down...
Sung Yu-na. Deep breaths, steady now.
One, two, three... Good.
I closed my eyes and inhaled slowly.
My pounding heart settled back into place. My flushed cheeks cooled down.
One more deep breath, and I straightened my uniform.
I'm good now.
Back to my usual self.
"Seo-rin, let's hurry. Class is starting."
That's when it happened. A bright, lively voice called from behind.
"Yu-na~! Seo-rin~! Hi!"
Her long ponytail swayed lightly with her steps.
My second childhood friend. Seo Ye-rin.
A girl with striking blonde hair and blue eyes.
Even as a kid, she stood out.
Influenced by her actor parents, she carried herself with a maturity and elegance beyond her years.
Everyone in the neighborhood knew Ye-rin.
In short, a walking superstar.
Girls who admired her were legion.
Lately, she'd become a world-renowned artist, her fame spreading far. London, Paris, New York... Tour dates kept popping up worldwide.
Seeing her concert pics on SNS always filled me with pride—and a touch of distance. Why are all my friends so amazing?
I wondered when she'd return to Korea.
Part of me looked forward to it, part dreaded it. But... it was today.
I raised my arm to wave happily, but Ye-rin beat me to it, rushing over.
She hugged me fiercely without hesitation.
Her long blonde hair enveloped my face.
It was a suffocating embrace. Her warmth and scent flooded over me.
"Wait, it hurts! Be gentler."
"Yu-na's still so tiny and cute. Hasn't changed a bit."
"Y-Ye-rin, too tight..."
"Oh, sorry sorry. Forgot to hold back."
Ye-rin stuck out her tongue and stepped back.
Her mischievous expression was straight out of our childhood.
"Anyway, when did you get back? No heads-up."
"Landed last night. Wanted to surprise you. But..."
Suddenly, she narrowed her eyes.
She alternated glances between me and Seo-rin with a sly look, like she'd sniffed something out.
"You two seem different somehow? What happened while I was gone?"
Seo-rin's and my eyes met.
My heart dropped.
My face heated up instantly.
Ye-rin's instincts were as sharp as ever.
"Hmm? Fine. I'll let it slide for today. But!"
Ye-rin smiled, clearly enjoying our exchanged looks.
"Spill everything later. Promise! I'm dying to know."
With practiced ease, she grabbed my hand and Seo-rin's, dragging us along excitedly.
It felt like a long-empty space was filling up again.
Memories of walking hand-in-hand to school as kids resurfaced. Ye-rin always bright and bubbly, Seo-rin quiet but thoughtful.
I was happy sandwiched between them.
"Oh, Yu-na."
"Yeah?"
"Got time after school? Wanna hit that café we used to love?"
"Sure. You in, Seo-rin?"
Seo-rin nodded.
She looked somehow at ease.
Ye-rin's return clearly pleased her too.
"Perfect! We've got so much to catch up on. Especially whatever's going on with you two—I'm gonna pry it all out, so brace yourselves."
Ye-rin's eyes sparkled.
My throat felt inexplicably dry.
We headed into school together.
The spring breeze scattered cherry blossoms.
Our laughter echoed amid the pink petal rain.
This moment—exciting and warm all at once—was everything to me.