18 Years Old, Heading to the Meeting of Families
The elevator doors slid open.
My feet froze at the sight that unfolded before me.
A vast, sprawling meadow, lush with vibrant green, stretched out as far as the eye could see. The blades of grass swayed like waves in the breeze, and the scent of earth and greenery tickled the tip of my nose.
Unlike the dark, somber forest from before, the air here was bright and refreshing, as if it were the middle of the day. And in the distance, a white house came into view.
It was a cozy, two-story building.
White curtains fluttered gently at the windows.
Seorin took the lead, walking ahead.
I followed in her footsteps toward the white house. As we crossed the meadow, the hem of my skirt brushed against the grass.
The blades of grass in the meadow shivered. A gust of wind ruffled my pink hair.
It was cooler than I expected.
It was hard to believe this was artificial wind.
A sense of liberation, something I hadn't felt in the dark forest, washed over me. I wanted to run into the grass and throw myself down right then and there.
I’m sure it would feel amazing…
It’s a shame I don’t have the luxury of time.
I’ll have to save that for next time.
And so, we passed through the white gate and entered the mansion. What could be waiting for us here? I slowly turned my body in place.
Sweet scents were wafting from white flowers tucked away in every corner. I didn't know what kind of flowers they were.
But that fragrance, permeating the entire mansion…
It made my heart loosen every time I inhaled.
I should ask her what kind of flowers these are later.
I felt like the air would change if I brought them into my own home. I suddenly pictured us sitting across from each other, with that scent lingering between us.
My thoughts were already with one person.
The person right beside me. Just thinking of her face made my heart race.
The inside of the mansion was already bustling with preparations for the shoot.
Cameras and all sorts of equipment had taken their places, and powerful lights illuminated the space.
Staff members moved busily between the props. As we entered, several people looked up at once.
Wide, round eyes turned toward us.
“They’re here! Everyone, get ready. Costume team, hurry!”
“Camera and lighting teams, over here!”
“Makeup team, you’re up.”
So this wasn't just a small, casual shoot.
It was a much larger scale than I had imagined.
They finished all this setup in such a short time? I was marveling to myself when a female staff member approached me.
“I will guide you to the dressing room.”
The dressing room I was led to was quiet and bright.
Since everyone else is working so hard…
I should hurry, right?
Standing in front of the mirror, I caught a glimpse of myself.
My dress had been wrinkled and disheveled for a long time now. It was a mess, bearing the marks of the forest, the creek, and everything I’d experienced in between. In short, it was a disaster.
There were a few more of the same dress, but to think it ended up like this… Should I have been more careful?
“I will help you change.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
The staff member approached cautiously and opened the lid of the box. Inside lay a white dress.
No, rather than white, it was closer to pure, pristine snow.
Layers of lace sparkled under the lights.
It’s beautiful. It was less like a wedding dress and more like something a princess would wear. I stared at it, forgetting to breathe for a moment, and felt an urge to put it on as soon as possible.
Following the staff member’s instructions, I carefully unzipped it. The dress that had been hugging my body slid down to my feet.
Cold air brushed against my back.
My shoulders trembled slightly for no reason.
Entrusting my body to someone else…
It’s a more nerve-wracking experience than I thought. Cold sweat trickled down every time a stranger’s hands touched me.
The staff member lifted the wedding dress.
As I raised both arms, the fabric descended over my head. The sensation of lace against my skin spread quietly. Caught in an emotion I couldn't tell was nervousness or excitement…
My body froze.
As the fabric was adjusted along my waist and I caught my breath, my breathing grew a little shallow.
As the fabric enveloped me, the staff member’s hands tightened the corset strings one by one from behind.
It was a tight, slightly suffocating sensation.
Rather than uncomfortable, it felt like it was holding me firmly in place. My waist and back were locked in, bringing out my silhouette. It was fascinating. Was my waist always this slim?
Anyway, who knew putting on a single dress could be this much of an ordeal? It wasn't until the makeup was finished that I could finally face the mirror.
The person in the mirror felt like a stranger. It was the same face, but…
A different person was standing there.
I stood there blankly for a long time before blinking.
If Seorin sees this, what will she say?
She’ll like it, right?
Just thinking about it made my ears tingle. I pushed open the dressing room door, pretending not to be nervous.
The air changed the moment I crossed the threshold.
Lenses turned toward me in unison.
I straightened my shoulders, trying to look nonchalant.
Did they finish the setup while I was changing?
A strange white leather sofa had been placed by the window.
I gathered the hem of my dress carefully and sat down.
I waited, holding my breath.
My fingertips tensed up for no reason.
I want to see her quickly.
How beautiful will her wedding dress be?
Just imagining it made my heart race.
Tick-tock.
Footsteps approached through the sound of the clock.
Slowly, clearly.
A long shadow stretched out under the lights first.
She’s finally here.
I lifted my head with a trembling heart.
I was speechless.
I don't know how to express it.
It’s difficult; my mind became a mess.
What is this? Is she a goddess?
It was a pure white dress.
Though the form wasn't much different from mine, it looked like an entirely different garment.
Her black hair looked even darker amidst the pouring light. The veil draped over it flowed down her shoulders.
Deep, sunken black eyes turned toward me.
I felt an urge to lower my head first.
Heat rose slowly.
There were no words.
Only the sound of breathing passed between us.
Her gaze shifted.
From the tips of her hair to the tips of her fingers, without hesitation.
My skin burned everywhere her eyes touched.
Do I look strange?
At that thought, my shoulders hunched instinctively.
But such worries were unnecessary.
Seorin sat down beside me without a word.
She got closer and closer. Right in front of me.
She gently stroked my cheek and opened her mouth.
“It suits you well.”
“You too.”
I said the same thing back.
That was all.
No more words came to mind.
“You two, could you lean in a little closer?”
I sat side-by-side with her, facing the lenses.
Every time the camera turned our way, my body flinched. It’s strange. I wasn't this nervous when I did modeling work.
Is it because I’m with Seorin?
Let’s try to calm down, if only for the sake of the shoot.
“You can be comfortable.”
Her low voice reached my ears.
She says that so easily. Is she really that unaffected?
My heart is already beating out of control over here.
“Please place your hand on her waist.”
Following the staff member’s guidance, I carefully placed my hand on her waist. Warmth traveled through the thin fabric. Thank goodness. I wasn't the only one feeling this way.
Still, for some reason, I felt shy. Touching each other in front of so many people…
I was reaching my limit trying to keep a straight face.
“Brides, please hold each other’s waists tightly.”
No sooner had the words been spoken than her hand touched my waist. It brushed against me lightly at first, then settled firmly in place.
Her thumb moved slowly along my waistline. The sensation of her tracing over the fabric was overly distinct. Enough to make my body shiver.
Her fingertips didn't stop.
Just a little, she pulled me closer, as if digging inward.
My breath hitched.
Soon, I felt a pulling force.
It wasn't strong, but it was firm.
My body naturally leaned toward her.
Our body temperatures mingled as the distance closed.
Even though I knew the cameras were there…
Strangely, I kept being conscious of that fact.
The camera shutters clicked in succession.
“Good. A little closer…”
Every time the pose changed, Seorin’s hands moved. Shoulders, back, waist. And back to the waist again.
She had a nonchalant face.
But her fingertips were anything but.
With the excuse of the shoot, the range of her touch gradually widened. As if she had intended to do so from the start. Her actions were without hesitation.
“Se-, Seorin.”
“It’s just a pose.”
It was a short, calm reply.
It was far too confident for an excuse.
And it wasn't wrong, either.
That’s why it was even more frustrating.
If I said anything more, I felt like I’d just be the sensitive one. I turned my head away for no reason.
“You two, please look at each other.”
At those words, I turned my head.
Seorin was already looking this way.
Before I could even avoid it, our faces were so close they were almost touching. It was a distance where I could feel her breath.
The lights quietly wrapped around her contours.
She had a calm expression, but inside, it didn't look peaceful at all. I couldn't tell what she was thinking.
The shutter clicked.
“This time, could you hug each other? As if you’re pulling each other’s bodies closer.”
There was no hesitation in her movements.
Her arms wrapped around my back.
Before I could even open my mouth, our bodies were pressed together.
“Brides! Please press your bodies closer together.”
…Director, aren't we close enough already?
Besides, Han Seorin, you should take it easy too…
This isn't a bed.
“You heard them? Come here. Don't run away.”
“…Fine. You win, you win.”
Her fingers applied a little pressure to my waist.
At that small nudge, our bodies drew even closer.
The fact that this was a shoot was gradually fading away.
Isn't this a huge problem?
Worried, I tried to look back at the filming team, but…
“Your expressions are so good! Keep it like that! Closer, chest to chest! More! More!”
What does my expression look like right now?
I thought that, but I didn't have the luxury to check. Because the hand on my back was moving again.
Her chin rested lightly on my shoulder.
Her black hair brushed against my cheek, and I could hear her soft breathing close to my ear.
“You’re doing well.”
Was that a compliment, or a tease?
Before I could even distinguish between the two, my heart reacted first.
“You two really suit each other.”
The staff member’s words sounded like they were coming from far away.
I heard them, but I couldn't lift my head.
Her eyes weren't looking at the camera; they were looking at me.
I lowered my gaze slightly. My heart was beating far too loudly.
When the final pose ended, her arms slowly loosened. I pretended to adjust my veil just to bow my head.
I didn't want to show this face to anyone else. My body was as hot as a fireball.
It felt like steam was rising from my face.
“You’re cute.”
She laughed softly.
Without a sound, just the corners of her mouth lifted ever so slightly.
What’s so funny?
I couldn't even ask, my face only burning hotter.
It’s hot. Can’t they turn on the air conditioning?
♡♥♡
After the shoot, I took off the wedding dress.
Even while changing into my party clothes, the sensation of the white fabric lingered on my fingertips.
Even though I was back in my familiar clothes, it felt like my body hadn't found its place. The sensations that should have vanished lingered longer than I expected.
Seorin walked ahead without a word.
I followed, watching her back. When the door opened, the cold wind outside bit into my face.
It was the deck.
The sun was setting.
The horizon was dyed red, and the last rays of sunlight spilled through the clouds. That light spread long across the sea. Like a path.
I had never seen a sunset like this before.
It was on a completely different level from the ones I saw in the city.
It felt like something inside my chest was tightening.
There were people around.
Laughter and the sound of clinking glasses mixed in occasionally. Small scraps of paper floated through the air, carried by the wind.
Seorin walked toward the railing.
I followed and stood beside her.
I leaned slightly against the railing. Every time the wind blew, the hem of my skirt fluttered as if tickled.
She was staring at the horizon without a word.
Her black dress swayed gently in the evening breeze.
The sunset light dyed her profile.
It wasn't cold, but it wasn't unfamiliar either…
It was just a face I wanted to keep looking at for a long time.
“Hey. Did you have fun today, Yuna?”
My voice came out quieter than I thought.
“…Yeah. Everything was fun.”
“That’s a relief.”
It was a short answer.
But since it wasn't a lie, I had nothing more to add.
The moment I broke into a cold sweat inside the helicopter.
The strange bewilderment I felt when I first saw the wedding dress.
Facing my grandfather again.
The absurd commotion with Daye.
The time we spent looking at each other while trapped inside soap bubbles.
The forest where fireflies flew, the unicorn I could barely believe in. And the shoot where I stood before the camera wearing a wedding dress.
Just thinking about it made me breathless.
In fact, the fact that I’m still standing here normally…
Isn't that a miracle?
Seorin turned her head slowly.
After watching the sea being dyed by the sunset for a moment, she spoke to me.
“Aren't you tired?”
“A little.”
When I confessed honestly, she pulled my shoulder toward her without a word. My body tilted in an instant.
By the time I came to my senses, I was already leaning on her shoulder. It’s warm. The wind was cold, but this side held a different warmth.
The sunset deepened gradually.
Red light filled the sea.
I closed my eyes.
The sound of the wind and the waves.
The laughter coming from afar.
They all rushed in at once, then slowly faded away as if I couldn't hear anything at all.
Today was a very long day.
It was difficult, embarrassing, and confusing.
But strangely, I didn't hate it.
The sun had completely sunk below the horizon.
The last light disappeared quietly from the sea.
The sky began to be dyed a deep indigo.
A finely cut scrap of paper landed softly on my knee. It was the same color as my hair.
I picked it up, then set it back down.
The hand on my shoulder grew a little warmer.
I felt like it would be okay to stay like this for a while longer.
This feeling, right before it disappears…
I wanted to hold onto it just a little longer.