Because We Decided to Get Married
"Ugh..." My face is still burning hot. Given how detailed Park Harin was, it's obvious it really happened. She was too scared to ask me directly, so she just watched from afar and gathered info secretly—that fits her personality to a T. Everything would be true, except that nonsense about me only thinking of her if she talked to me. No way I can admit that.
I'm still embarrassed as hell, but at least Park Harin and I seem to be getting closer fast. That's my mental win. I sacrificed myself to build that friendship, so mission accomplished... She shares a lot of classes with Seol-ah anyway, so these three were bound to cross paths. I called her here hoping the two of them would hit it off quick without me. That way, if group projects pop up later, we can just team up with Lee Seo-yeon as a solid four.
Part of my plan was stacking the team with people I know to keep the girls eyeing Sion away... okay, that was a big part.
"So you and Seol-ah went to the same school since elementary?"
"Yeah. How many years? About twelve, I think."
"Figures your personalities matched back then too."
"Right? And drop the formal speech. We were probably born the same year."
"Cool, will do."
They both smiled, chatting easily, and just like that, they switched to casual talk. I called her to get them friendly, but why does it feel kinda off...?
...Am I seriously going a bit crazy over Sion?
As self-loathing hit me, they both looked over like they'd planned it. Smirking in a way different from before.
Was it that obvious on my face...?
"No clue what went down between you two, but she's smitten..."
"...It's not like that..."
"Didn't peg you for the jealous type, Seol-ah."
"......"
Honestly, that was jealousy kicking in, so I couldn't deny Park Harin's words. My self-loathing ramped up.
Sion and Park Harin are two of the people I trust most, and here I am, the one who dragged her into this, acting like a total jerk. I never want to tie Sion down that much, never even thought about it. Proof? Lee Seo-yeon chats happily with him, and it doesn't faze me. So yeah, I'm way off my game right now.
Five days without seeing him—classic Sion withdrawal.
If my face looked that bad, I owed them an apology no matter how they took it. I mumbled quick.
"...Sorry. I'm acting weird."
"Love changes people, right?"
"Ugh..."
That was totally on me, so I had no comeback for Park Harin's sly tease.
"But why keep denying he's your boyfriend? Doesn't add up."
"...Well..."
Truth is, I didn't want our relationship blasting across campus. Tired of making up stories for "how'd you meet?" And no way did I want CC assumptions tainting us.
But Park Harin's different. She'd never do anything I'd hate, and reminding me of our past connection—embarrassing, but kinda grateful. We're so close it's like family; that's why spilling the truth felt awkward.
Denying it now, in this state? Impossible. Time to come clean. Plus, I really wanted to shatter her chill vibe after she kept toying with me.
"Because we're getting married, he's more like a husband than a boyfriend..."
"......"
Park Harin blinked wide, like she'd misheard. Seol-ah smiled faintly at her reaction.
This line never gets easier. Even I, knowing the full story, feel it. What must someone clueless think?
"...Is this some hidden camera prank?"
"No, it's real..."
Park Harin was the normal one here. A fresh twenty-year-old college freshman dropping "marriage" casually? Unbelievable.
She kept opening her mouth, lips twitching, words failing. First time I'd seen her this flustered today.
Seol-ah's smirking too—bet she's hooked on dropping "husband" bombs for reactions lately.
Even I find it fun watching a mature type like her squirm. Longtime friends must get a bigger kick.
Shock hit hard; she clutched her forehead, sorting her thoughts, then snapped back calm faster than expected.
"...Kinda explains why you two vibe like old marrieds. Thought you'd lived together for years."
"......"
Spot on—we did stick together for years. Too accurate; my heart skipped.
Seol-ah inhaled sharply too.
"Got a ton of questions?"
"...Yeah."
"But tell me when you feel like it."
"...Got it."
Childhood friend shows up hitched? Questions galore. But "when you're ready"? Beyond cool—respectable.
Teased me silly earlier, but now this consideration. Seol-ah's got the perfect friend. Good people attract good people.
She checked her phone quick.
"Gotta be back by ten, right? Meeting another friend real quick. Be here in fifty—let's head out then."
"Sure, go ahead."
Not someone Seol-ah knows, apparently; she left solo.
Seol-ah let out a big sigh—relief, probably.
"...She's super chill."
"That's Park Harin. Cool as hell usually, but flip the switch and she goes a bit wild..."
In the best way—unique vibe.
We chatted about her briefly, then silence fell.
Seol-ah seemed hesitant, so I spoke first.
"But seriously, had no idea we'd met before."
"...Honestly, nothing specific comes to mind for me either. But she was so sure, so it must've happened."
Sounded genuine, not hiding embarrassment.
"...Did it bother you? Me digging behind your back...?"
Worried about that stalker joke? Such a worrier.
"Nah. If she saw me positively back then, that's a win for me."
"......"
If Seol-ah had talked to me then—even if joking—my head would've been full of her. Even if I don't remember now, if I matched her type, she sure matched mine.
"...Sorry anyway. Kinda ruins our first meeting if I forgot."
Her voice dipped a bit. Super timid mode today.
Who remembers every hot/cute passerby for years? Park Harin's the exception, apparently.
First crushes don't have to be epic.
"Think of it as a bonus."
"Still, if I'd remembered, we'd have clicked sooner?"
Astasia talk. Knowing we were both from Earth would've opened us up faster—fair point. But now? Irrelevant.
"Whatever happened, I'd have proposed anyway."
Small details might shift, but we'd end up here—married. Dead certain, so no cringe.
“……”
Seol-ah stared deep, eyes igniting, then deep-breathed to calm down.
My senses sharp or what? Felt like prey seconds from a predator's jaws.
Thankfully gone now, but she kept staring, then hugged me tight again.
Today's Seol-ah is next-level. Overt jealousy earlier too.
"...I'm off today, so just this once. Don't get ideas."
Face buried, voice shaky from my chest. Ears peeking red through hair—yep, my Seol-ah.
Words said one thing, arms another—squeezing harder.
"I'm back. Ready to head in?"
"Yeah."
"Seol-ah, your face is red. You okay?"
"...Fine. Still a bit chilly, that's all."
Park Harin arrived; we three entered the gym. Even fifty minutes early, packed—barely snagged three seats.
Everyone's done this in school, so rehearsal was casual.
College orientations have tons of no-shows anyway; attendees know the drill.
After the uni orchestra's welcome, ceremony kicked off proper: national rites, pledge, president's speech.
Next, a guy steps up. Rings a bell.
"Next, welcome address from current Hyun Ium Foods CEO, Lee Da-eum."
...Right, Lee Seo-yeon's dad from the news.