Chapter 193
Chapter 193
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 193
Chapter Title: Proposal Predicament
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Days had passed since the special lecture.
Nothing out of the ordinary had happened in the meantime, but for some reason.
Maybe it was because I'd had such a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but I found myself grinning for no reason.
No, it was probably because at the end of the lecture, I'd talked about my first meeting with Hyorin.
Even just recounting it had made my heart race.
And as I left after the lecture, I'd asked Daeun.
How was Dad's story?
She'd replied.
Did you and Mom fight?
I'd spent a couple of days explaining that no, it wasn't that things were bad between us—it was just like that when we first met.
All of it felt wonderful.
Happy, fun, a special memory from that day.
And so, on a certain day while preparing for Daeun's upcoming artist exhibition, just a few weeks away, with nothing particularly noteworthy happening.
Bzzz—
A call came in from Jungeun.
'Why's he calling?'
Normally, I'd have answered without a second thought.
But today, something felt off, for some reason.
So I picked up a little late.
-Hey, you trying to watch me die or what?
I could hear Jungeun's frantic voice.
"What're you talking about?"
-Why'd you take so long to pick up?
"Well, I was working. That happens. But what's up? Why'd you call?"
At that, Jungeun let out a deep sigh before speaking.
-Help me out a bit.
"With what?"
-Proposal.
"What?"
-I'm proposing to Minji this Sunday.
Had I just been hoping for a normal call? Was that wishful thinking?
I checked my calendar and replied in a sullen tone.
"Come on, if you needed help, you should've called sooner. Isn't contacting me two days before a bit much?"
-That's why I'm calling for help.
Jeez, if he weren't my friend.
Otherwise, I wouldn't even consider helping.
"Sigh. So what exactly do you need help with?"
Hesitating, Jungeun explained bit by bit.
-I've booked the restaurant, ordered flowers, made the proposal placard, picked the ring for the confession, and...
"Hey."
-And I've got the outfit for the day ready, and the speech prepared too.
"Hey!"
-What!
"You're telling me you called me for help when you've already prepared everything yourself?"
What on earth did he need from me when he'd done all that...
But his next words left me so dumbfounded I could only chuckle dryly.
-I haven't prepared the most important part.
"Which is?"
-No one to propose to.
"What?"
-I fought with Minji.
Oh, Jungeun.
It looked like the next two days were going to be a real ordeal.
A very, very tough journey ahead.
Jungeun showed up at the studio.
It didn't feel like something we could discuss over the phone.
Since Daeun was there, I couldn't talk about it in front of her, so I had no choice but to ask her permission.
"Daeun, Dad's going to talk with Uncle Jungeun. Can you draw by yourself?"
"Yeah! I can!"
"Got it. Keep drawing then. If you miss Dad, come to that room over there. Okay?"
"Yeah! Got it!"
After getting Daeun's okay, I went into the room where Jungeun was waiting.
"Hey."
Whoosh.
I saw Jungeun's face, looking so sad it seemed like he might burst into tears any second.
"Kanghyeok..."
"You... really..."
I had a ton to say.
How could a guy planning a proposal in two days pick a fight?
And asking me for help on top of that.
None of it sat right with me.
"Sigh."
But looking at his expression, I couldn't bring myself to say it.
If I did and he started crying, I wouldn't be able to handle it.
First, I needed to hear the situation.
What had they fought about?
That was the most important thing right now.
"Tell me. What happened with Minji?"
At my question, Jungeun—who seemed to have calmed down a bit—started spilling the details of what had happened that day.
"So, the fight was yesterday, but you know Minji's been super busy lately, right?"
"Yeah, last time we met, she said she was swamped with her graduation exhibition."
"Right. We haven't met in person, just been talking on the phone... and..."
"And?"
"Well... I had an early morning assignment that day, so I was beat by afternoon. I was putting off some work till evening..."
"Hmm, skip the fluff. So why'd you fight?"
At that, Jungeun glanced at me cautiously before answering.
"During the call... I wrote an article."
"What?"
"I told her I wrote an article while we were on the phone."
"......"
So, he'd admitted to his girlfriend that he was doing something else during their call?
I had to wonder if this was something a sane person would say.
As I stared at him silently, Jungeun—maybe feeling my gaze—turned his head away and continued.
"I know. My bad. I know, but..."
"You knew and did it anyway?"
"......"
He hung his head.
I pressed my forehead with my hand at his behavior.
I'd be pissed too if I were in that situation.
But I knew Minji, and the Minji I knew wouldn't get mad over something like that.
Maybe the graduation exhibition had her extra sensitive.
Even so, it felt off.
With a hunch, I asked Jungeun.
"Jungeun."
"Yeah?"
"I'm asking just in case, but during the call when you fought, did you say anything besides 'sorry'?"
"......Yeah."
His reaction confirmed it—something was up.
I put on a serious face.
"Listen. If you don't tell me exactly what happened, I can't help no matter how much you beg. So spill. Did you say anything else during the fight?"
Gulping dryly, Jungeun confessed.
"W-well... Minji was laughing, asking if I was super busy with work, and I got guilty... so I lied. Said she'd heard everything. And... got caught."
Minji probably hadn't intended to fight at all.
The Minji I knew would totally understand if he was multitasking on a call.
What made her mad was his lie.
If he'd just been honest and apologized, it wouldn't have blown up like this.
"Why don't you just go die?"
"Sh-should I?"
Ugh, I couldn't even smack him.
Staring at the hopeless Jungeun, I could only shake my head.
For now, I agreed to help and sent him home.
Honestly, this was something for the two of them to sort out directly—not a third party like me.
Lying was wrong, sure, but it wouldn't drag on forever.
The problem was they had no time to meet.
Minji was swamped, and Jungeun was busy with his recent assignment.
With the proposal just two days away, he had no other options.
'Hmm, I was gonna visit the school anyway.'
The professor had been so grateful for the special lecture and insisted on treating me to dinner soon.
I'd already planned to drop by.
Swipe.
'Didn't expect it'd be this soon.'
Since I had to go anyway, might as well kill two birds.
The professor wouldn't go eat without Minji.
That'd give me a natural chance to talk to her.
With that in mind, I quickly pulled out my phone and called the professor.
Ring ring—
A few rings, then he picked up.
"Ah, Professor. Hello."
-Hey, have you had lunch?
"Yes, just ate with Daeun."
-By the way, what's with the sudden call? Something up?
"No, nothing urgent. Daeun's exhibition is coming up soon, so time's tight. Any chance you're free tomorrow evening for dinner?"
-Oh right, her exhibition. Hold on, let me check my schedule.
After a moment, he replied cheerfully.
-Good news, tomorrow's free. After class, evening works. That good?
"Yes, Daeun and I will head to school tomorrow evening."
Carefully, I asked.
"But Professor, will Minji be joining us tomorrow evening by any chance?"
-Why?
"Well, she seems really busy lately. Thought it'd be nice if she came. Daeun likes it too."
I couldn't say Jungeun had asked me.
Not that he'd refuse.
-She should come. Minji can probably squeeze in some time.
"Perfect."
It really was.
If she couldn't make it, I'd be in a slight bind.
-Just in case, I'll ask. Unless something comes up, she'll join.
"Ah, yes. Better safe."
I felt a twinge of unease, but figured it'd be fine and ended the call.
The next day, after setting dinner with the professor.
An early morning call from him left me flustered.
-What do we do? Minji has to review a piece with a student in the evening and says she's eating with them.
My bad premonitions never missed.
Dazed for a second, I forced a laugh.
"Haha, uh, nothing we can do."
What now?
What now? No other choice.
I'd planned to bring it up casually over dinner.
This might look a bit off, but I'd have to meet Minji directly.
'Sigh, everything keeps going wrong.'
Proposals were tough to begin with, but.
Jungeun's felt like nonstop hardship.
Not that it affected me much since he was the one involved.
But he was my friend.
True friends help in tough times... yeah right.
'Just you wait, Park Jungeun!'
Part of me wanted to bail.
Not my circus, not my monkeys!
But as someone who'd watched them meet up close.
I wanted to root for their relationship.
And the result was tomorrow's proposal.
Swipe.
Just then, Daeun—backpack on, ready to go—called out.
"Dad! Daeun's all ready!"
"Oho, that was fast!"
"Yeah! Daeun's super quick!"
With an excited look, she asked.
"Dad! What's yummy food we eating today?"
"Yeah, the professor said he wants to treat Daeun to something delicious."
"Wow! Daeun's gonna eat tons and tons!"
Smiling at her, I told her.
"But Aunt Minji can't join us for dinner today. She's too busy."
"Aw! But Minji Aunt's nice!"
Knew she'd be bummed.
Couldn't drag a busy person along, so I was about to say we'd at least see her face.
But her next words made my eyes go wide.
"But if Minji Aunt no go, Uncle Jungeun can't propose!"
"Yeah, what do you mean?"
"Uncle Jungeun said he has to propose! Minji Aunt needs to make up!"
"H-how do you know that?"
Grinning, she replied.
"Daeun heard everything!"
Huh, haha, hahaha...
Our Daeun's got sharp ears.