Chapter 4
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: I Became a Married Woman at 18
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All classes were over.
The footsteps of students heading home quickened.
I could see them going in pairs or groups of three.
Seo-rin wasn't with me right now. She said she'd finish up student council business and catch up soon.
She's so busy. No helping it, then...
Pushing aside my disappointment, I headed toward the café.
I didn't want to keep Ye-rin waiting—that would be rude.
I dragged my tired body along, taking slow steps.
I hadn't even done anything particularly exhausting...
Yet I had no idea why I felt so drained.
It wasn't physical fatigue—it was more mental exhaustion.
Thinking back to what happened in the classroom made goosebumps rise all over my skin. Especially every time they called me "ma'am"—it stirred up chaos in my heart.
Honestly, it wasn't just uncomfortable. It made my whole body cringe.
From my classmates' perspective, it wasn't entirely wrong, but...
That's no way to talk to a fresh teenage girl.
Right now, in this moment, I'm just an ordinary high school student.
Somehow, it makes me seem way older...
And the word doesn't sound cute at all.
If anything, it's tacky.
I hate it. Really hate it!
As the classroom atmosphere settled down, the barrage of questions about Seo-rin began.
How was your first meeting? When did you start dating? How did she propose?
They asked about scenes straight out of romance novels.
"Hey, can we talk about this later?"
Their sparkling eyes staring at me felt overwhelming.
"When did you first like her?"
"How did you two meet?"
"What was your first impression? Who confessed first?"
How did we get close again?
There must have been some trigger, but my memory was fuzzy.
The boys glanced my way with curious looks, while the girls squealed and exclaimed in admiration nonstop.
"Uwaaah, it's like a total drama!"
"I'm so jealous, seriously!"
Her social skills are on another level—terrifying, really.
I've been a girl for quite a while now, but...
I could never keep up with that.
It's like she's from a different breed. Effort won't cut it.
Even if I were reborn as a girl, I'd never pull it off.
Class time wasn't peaceful either.
As the homeroom teacher said, all the other subject teachers already knew about me and Seo-rin's marriage.
The math teacher, English teacher—even the PE teacher... They all pulled me aside after class without fail.
"Congrats on the marriage."
Their gruff smiles and the white envelopes they handed over carefully were all the same.
At first, my face flushed and my heart raced.
The second time, I just calmly said thanks.
By the third, I was used to it.
Everything's hardest the first time, after all.
By the time my backpack was filling up with white envelopes...
I felt nothing at all.
I just mechanically repeated "Thank you."
Is this what adaptation is?
Or have I just grown numb?
Watching myself change in real time was simply frightening.
As I sorted through the day's chaotic events one by one, I realized I'd arrived at the café.
The cute cat sign sparkled under warm lights.
Through the glass window, I saw quaint knick-knacks, fluffy cushions, and neatly shelved books in one corner.
Add sweet drinks and desserts, and it's the perfect healing spot.
I pushed open the door, and soft jazz melodies flowed out. The nutty coffee aroma gently tickled my nose.
Over there?
I spotted Ye-rin sitting by the window across from the counter, chin resting on her hand as she gazed outside. She looked just like a portrait painted by an artist.
...Wow!
Ye-rin shone dazzlingly—it was mesmerizing.
Is this the aura of a world-class artist?
Even sitting still, she exuded a mystical vibe.
Like a scene from a movie.
Ye-rin noticed me too and waved with a bright smile.
"Yu-na! Over here!"
Seeing that radiant smile lifted the heavy weight from my chest.
My gloomy mood vanished in an instant. Yeah, being all down like that isn't me.
From now on, let's enjoy myself to the fullest.
I walked over to Ye-rin and sat across from her.
As I set down my bag, I asked,
"Did I keep you waiting long?"
"I just got here too."
Ye-rin handed me the menu but paused mid-motion.
She scanned my face with a worried expression.
"But Yu-na, you okay? Your face looks... really tired."
Maybe because she's a friend I've known forever.
Even when I force a bright smile, she sees right through me.
"Today was kinda hectic."
"What happened? Was it Seo-rin?"
"Not exactly because of Seo-rin, but..."
I trailed off, fiddling with the cup coaster. I had no idea where to even start explaining.
"Let's order first and talk slowly. My treat today."
Ye-rin said it with a gentle tone.
Her warm voice put my mind at ease.
Let's just chat about trivial, silly stuff and shake off the day.
Huh? This is weird.
Why am I getting lectured by Ye-rin?
We ordered drinks, and then I started spilling everything that happened today.
The classmates' question storm. The teachers' congratulations. The growing pile of white envelopes.
But I could feel her expression hardening. I should've noticed then...
"Hold on, Yu-na. I have something to say."
Ye-rin's voice had an edge to it.
Oh no. From what she said next, it seemed she'd heard about me and Seo-rin's marriage through rumors first.
The marriage itself must've been a shock, but not hearing it directly from me probably hurt more.
"Why didn't you tell me? We're such close friends."
After she vented for a while, Ye-rin's tone finally softened.
I quietly let out a sigh of relief.
Once she gets worked up, it's really hard to calm her down. Thank goodness she settled now.
"Sorry, I was out of it at the time."
"Whatever. It was probably Seo-rin who jumped the gun anyway. She's always doing impulsive stuff."
Yes. Exactly. I had no idea either.
Proposing and marrying on the same day...
Her decisiveness is still impressive even now.
As the mood lightened a bit, Ye-rin grinned playfully and asked,
"So, how's newlywed life? Did you have a good first night? Seo-rin seems like she'd take the lead."
"F-First night?!"
Her sudden question made my heart drop.
My face and ears grew hot.
"Ah, it feels too soon. We're still students, and that stuff is for adults..."
I trailed off, averting my eyes every which way.
Ah, why am I shaking like this?
I'm eighteen now...
I should be used to talks like this.
Please, please... stay calm.
I took a sip of my drink to compose myself.
"If it were me, I'd have jumped her ages ago. What a shame. Seriously disappointing."
"Cough, cough! Y-Ye-rin?!"
Her shocking words made my drink go down the wrong pipe.
I coughed violently, eyes watering.
What is she saying so casually?! Everyone's staring!
Does she have no shame?
Living abroad must've made her even weirder.
"I like that side of you, but Seo-rin's patience is impressive too. Her self-control is no joke."
Ye-rin smirked, lips curling up.
"Ugh... s-stop it."
I clamped my burning face with both hands and buried it in the table.
My whole body was heating up. I had no clue how to respond.
Ye-rin fell silent for a moment, then continued with a more serious expression.
"That's why Seo-rin's getting impatient. You know that, right, Yu-na? You're way more popular than you think."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
What? No way I'm popular.
I couldn't believe her.
If we had a plain girl contest, I'd win hands down. Was Ye-rin mistaken?
"You're petite, but your chest is decently big and your waist is slim. Plus, with that pink hair, you stand out anywhere, and your voice is cute like a voice actress. It'd be weirder if you didn't have fans. Think about it—haven't you gotten tons of letters and gifts?"
"Th-that's..."
The chocolates on Valentine's weren't just gifts, were they? Even between girls, they could be friendship chocolates.
The hugs they kept asking for when handing them over... No. No way.
It was just warm friendship.
Then I suddenly remembered Seo-rin always cleaning out my desk for me.
The trash bags were always stuffed with letter paper. She'd quietly dispose of them without a word.
"No way... all those letters were...?"
I stared at her blankly, mouth agape. Really? For real?
I'd thought I was just an ordinary student. One of those dime-a-dozen high school girls.
But that wasn't the case?
All those kind looks, warm words, little gifts... I'd chalked them up to friends being nice.
Were those gazes hiding something else?
Ye-rin paused to sip her warm tea.
Then she added softly,
"Seo-rin's cleaned up around you more than once or twice. How many confessions she's turned down without you knowing, how many stares she's blocked. You really had no clue."
I didn't know what to say.
My throat felt blocked—no words came out.
I had no idea... things like that were happening...
Outside the window, couples walked by hand in hand.
They all looked happy.
Do they know everything their partner does for them? Or are they blissfully unaware like me, just enjoying the happiness?
Love is...
So complicated and tough.
"Have I been too much of a burden to Seo-rin...?"
My murmur slipped out.
Ye-rin shook her head.
"She'll be fine. It just means you're that precious to her."
I couldn't touch my drink until Seo-rin arrived at the café. I just sat there dazed, mulling over Ye-rin's words.
The me I knew, and the me others saw.
I never imagined the gap would be this wide. Me, a heroine instead of an extra...