Chapter 5
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: I Became a Married Woman at 18 [05]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Sorry to both of you... It was because of that company investment deal...”
“Eh, whatever, just sit down already. Yu-na’s waiting.”
“Y-Yes, Ye-rin?! It wasn’t that big a deal.”
We were about twenty minutes later than planned, but no one minded.
In fact, during that time, we’d been flipping through the menu and chatting about all sorts of trivial things, laughing our heads off.
From recent updates to childhood memories and current worries... The setting sun outside the window reflected our images on the glass.
Just as the conversation was really warming up, it was a bit regrettable that we had to part ways. There was still so much more I wanted to say.
But it was fine.
Ye-rin had naturalized as a Korean citizen now, and from here on out, we’d have plenty more time like this.
I held Seo-rin’s hand and walked side by side.
Our fingers intertwined perfectly, and we matched our steps in silence.
But something felt a little off.
It just wasn’t like Seo-rin.
Normally, this kind of silence would feel natural and comfortable, but today it seemed different. The way she kept stealing glances at me felt uneasy somewhere.
There was a faint tremble in her usually impassive expression.
With student council duties and company issues keeping her so busy, her condition worried me.
How could I cheer her up? Lost in thought, I felt someone kneading the back of my hand.
“...Yu-na, you were busy today, right?”
“Huh? With what?”
“Everyone at school knows you now...”
...No way, was she bothered by that?
It’s not like I’m embarrassed about being married.
I was thrown off at first, but now I’m fine with it.
Still, where did that cool, composed side of her go? She had this cute side too? I thought she didn’t care about other people’s stares at all...
Is she being this cautious because it’s about me?
A smile crept onto my lips unbidden.
It was rare to see such a human side of her.
The woman who always seemed perfect...
Seeing her shaken because of me made me feel sorry, but at the same time, it felt good.
I squeezed her hand tighter. She widened her eyes in surprise and looked at me.
Huh? Is that such a big deal?
It’s nothing.
I met her gaze head-on and slowly opened my mouth.
“Don’t worry about it. Everyone’s blessing us, right?”
“...Sorry. I didn’t know Grandpa would go that far. It must be a burden for you, Yu-na...”
Before Seo-rin could finish, I raised my index finger and lightly pressed it to her lips.
As if to say no more apologies were needed.
“We’re a couple. We share the joys and sorrows together. First, fix that bad habit of trying to handle everything alone. I might not be the most reliable, but you can lean on me a little, you know.”
I stared intently at Seo-rin.
This stubborn girl only gets it when you spell it out like this. Stop treating me like a kid forever.
Combining my past and present lives, I have more life experience than you. Don’t underestimate me.
“Ye-rin told me. About how you’ve been protecting me from behind the scenes.”
Her gaze wavered.
The warmth in our clasped hands turned cold in an instant.
I could feel sweat beading on her palm.
“I thought you were just a normal girl all this time... So it was a shock to learn otherwise. Other girls get confessions and relationship advice, but I never had any of that. So I naturally assumed I was ordinary...”
A self-deprecating laugh escaped me.
Was there resentment lingering in that laugh?
Gratitude? I wasn’t sure myself.
“Yu-na is the prettiest princess in the world.”
“Princess? That’s too much exaggeration.”
“I thought you stepped out of a fairy tale the moment I saw you.”
“...Really?”
I chuckled and shook my head.
Suddenly, memories of childhood flooded back.
“Our princess looks pretty again today!”
“Yu-na, this is for you!”
“Invite me to your birthday party too, Yu-na!”
Friends checked my mood, teachers were especially lenient with me. Wherever I went, people’s eyes sought me out first.
I used to think it was natural...
But at some point, all of it vanished.
The letters stuffed in my locker.
The kids who approached during breaks.
The gifts piling up on my birthday.
All of it had quietly disappeared.
And today, hearing it from Ye-rin, I realized.
I hadn’t become ordinary.
She had been quietly blocking it all.
All the attention, the stares, even the goodwill.
Without me knowing, she’d been clearing everything around me.
It was strange.
Now that I knew, shouldn’t I be scared? Someone had been secretly controlling my surroundings...
But why? Instead of fear, I felt joy.
Had I become weird too?
Or had I always been this way?
Her possessiveness didn’t burden me—it reassured me. Maybe I was just as deeply, or even more, caught up in her as she was in me.
“...I had no idea I was this oblivious.”
Why hadn’t I noticed until now?
Was this how protagonists in comics or novels felt?
“...Why all of a sudden?”
“Because I realized you’ve been watching over me all this time.”
Seo-rin’s ears flushed slightly.
She’d always been so calm and collected, but today was different. It was too cute.
We kept walking.
Holding hands tightly, as if we’d never let go, we slowly headed home.
Seo-rin lives next door, so our route home is always the same. After school, we walk together naturally and part ways at the front door.
It’s become such a familiar routine.
“Hey, Seo-rin.”
“Yeah.”
“Since when?”
She fell silent for a moment.
Her steps didn’t stop, but her grip tightened gradually.
“...Since first year of middle school.”
“That long?”
“It’s more surprising you didn’t know. Your locker was overflowing with letters...”
There was a hint of complaint in her voice.
“Sorry. I really had no idea. I just thought you were cleaning up.”
“...Cleaning?”
“Yeah. You always kept my locker and desk spotless.”
Seo-rin let out a sigh.
It was a sigh of exasperation.
Before we knew it, we’d entered a shadowy alley.
A narrow path untouched by streetlights.
Normally, it’d feel a bit creepy.
“Yu-na.”
“Yeah?”
Suddenly, she pushed my shoulder.
My back hit the cold wall.
Thud.
With a dull sound, her palm slammed against the wall beside my head. Her other hand still gripped mine tightly.
The distance closed in.
Her face was right in front of me.
“S-Seo-rin?”
My heart pounded wildly.
This sound...
She can’t hear it, right?
“I held back. For so damn long.”
Her voice sank low.
“...From what?”
“Everything around you. Every gaze aimed at you. I wanted to get rid of it all. Make it like it never existed from the start.”
Her breath felt close.
My head spun.
“You didn’t know anything. How many people liked you. How many dangerous stares were fixed on you.”
“Seo-rin...”
“It’s okay now. You’re mine.”
Her hand moved slowly.
Lifting my chin slightly.
W-Wait, is she doing it again?
Didn’t we do this just this morning?
Huh? Still not enough?
I flailed my arms and legs desperately, but it was no use. I was completely trapped between the wall and Seo-rin.
No escape, no room to dodge.
“W-Wait a sec...? Mmph?! Mmph!”
Before I could finish, her lips met mine.
The kiss started soft. Gentle, like handling something fragile.
“Hah...”
A small moan escaped.
Seo-rin’s hand cradled the back of my head.
The kiss deepened.
The initial caution vanished somewhere.
I couldn’t breathe.
But I didn’t want to pull away.
I felt like I could melt like this.
“Haa... Yu-na...”
She parted briefly to call my name. Her voice was lower than usual, trembling.
As if barely holding something back.
“I... can’t breathe...”
“Sorry. Just... a little more.”
Without waiting for my reply, she kissed me again.
My legs gave out, my back fully against the wall. Her arm swiftly wrapped around my waist.
How much time passed?
We slowly parted our lips.
My head was dizzy.
I didn’t know what I was doing anymore.
I’d just followed instinct.
I could feel my lips swollen.
“Haa... haa...”
“I couldn’t hold back. Sorry.”
She slowly lowered her head, burying her face in the crook of my neck.
Her hot breath tickled my skin.
“...Idiot.”
I muttered as I clutched her clothes tightly.
My heart was still racing madly.
It wasn’t just me.
I could hear Seo-rin’s heartbeat too.
As fast as mine, in the same rhythm...
Back home, I hurriedly stripped off my clothes and rushed into the bathroom.
Seo-rin’s skinship had increased a lot lately.
At first, it felt unfamiliar and scary.
Like it wasn’t the Seo-rin I knew...
Now it’s too familiar—that’s the problem.
Was I always someone who adapts this easily?
Her grandfather said he’d prepare a newlywed home, and while I looked forward to the future, it also scared me.
I soaked in the hot water and lightly touched my lips.
They’d torn and scabbed over from the bleeding.
I’d never seen Seo-rin this rough before.
She’s getting wilder by the day.
Like a feral horse.
But...
I kind of like that.
It’s prince-like.
After washing up, I looked in the mirror.
Red marks on my shoulders, neck, wrists...
Huh?
W-What’s this?
Wh-What?!
“Wh-What is this...”
A small scream escaped me unwittingly.
Covering my neck with my hands, every spot I touched stung faintly.
When did she leave so many...? How hard did she go? Even in gym clothes, I can’t hide my neck...
Haa... Whatever.
For now, I’ll say I got bitten by bugs.
I sighed, finished showering, and dried off with a towel. The marks still bothered me in the mirror, but there was nothing to be done.
I pulled out a white nightgown from the closet and slipped it on.
A pure white dress-style nightgown with lace trim.
Throwing on a pink cardigan made me feel a bit better.
Sitting on the bed drying my hair, I picked up my phone. I wanted to send something encouraging to Seo-rin.
She looked so exhausted juggling school and company work lately.
Honestly, I don’t think I could handle even one, let alone both. It was amazing and worrying how she managed them simultaneously.
I turned on the camera and checked the mirror.
What pose should I try?
Something cute but sexy?
Click.
[You worked hard today. Fighting♡]
I sent the message with the photo.
A few seconds later, my phone buzzed.
It was Seo-rin’s reply.
...The messages kept coming.
One line, two, three...
The screen filled up endlessly.
Seo-rin, calm down a bit?
You’re coming to my house right now?
W-Wait. Isn’t that too rushed!?
Did I do something huge wrong?
What? You’re going insane because of me?
What does that even mean...
A woman’s heart is so complicated.