First Night at the Love Hotel
Minji's Side
When Minji arrived at the meeting place, Hyunwoo was already waiting outside.
She wasn't late, but she had cut it quite close to the appointed time. The conversation with Jaeho before leaving the house had dragged on longer than she'd expected.
The moment Hyunwoo spotted her, his face filled with uncontainable joy.
"Have you been waiting long?"
"No, I just got here myself."
Even at a glance, it was obvious he'd been standing there for quite a while.
"Really?"
Minji knew the truth but pretended otherwise. She didn't want to embarrass him by pointing it out.
"Anyway, I haven't eaten yet. Have you had dinner, Hyunwoo?"
"Huh? I haven't either."
They had already agreed to eat together, but Minji asked anyway, out of formality.
"Then where should we go?"
"The thing is, I'm not familiar with many places around here. The only spot I know is a family restaurant."
"I don't know the area well either, so anywhere is fine."
"Are you sure that's okay? Then..."
Hyunwoo took the lead and began walking. Minji followed right behind him.
"How about here?"
Hyunwoo stopped in front of Hyde.
Hyde—its official name was Royal Station—was a surprisingly upscale family restaurant. Not the sort of place one suggested casually, yet not prohibitively expensive either.
"Looks good."
To Minji, the location didn't matter, but she had to admit it was an excellent choice.
"Then..."
Hyunwoo stepped inside first. The restaurant was packed, so they had to wait for a table.
While they waited, Minji texted Jaeho.
A few minutes later, a table opened up. They were shown to their seats and both ordered the restaurant's signature steak.
Eating red meat at night felt a little heavy, but she knew Hyunwoo would need the energy. Especially tonight, with everything that was about to happen.
It didn't take long for the sizzling steaks to arrive on hot plates. Minji instinctively reached for her phone to take a picture.
"Wait, would you like me to take it for you?"
"Sure."
She handed Hyunwoo her smartphone and asked him to photograph her with the food.
Before they began eating, she sent the photo to Jaeho along with a message.
"Shall we eat?"
"Yes."
After that, they enjoyed their steaks, sipped a little wine, and talked pleasantly.
Hyunwoo was clearly nervous; his voice kept rising in pitch as if trying to hide it. Fortunately, a louder group nearby kept him from standing out too much.
"Shall we go?"
Even after the meal ended, Hyunwoo seemed unable to stand up. The thought that leaving Hyde would mark the true beginning of "that time" appeared to leave him tongue-tied. So Minji was the one who suggested they leave.
"Y-yes!"
Hyunwoo scrambled to his feet but quickly grabbed the bill. It seemed he intended to pay.
"Thank you for the meal."
Once they were outside Hyde, Minji thanked him properly.
"I'll pay today. In return..."
She stepped close and slipped her arm through his.
"Minji, is this okay?"
"It's my way of saying thank you."
Hyunwoo looked startled, but the joy spreading across his face was impossible to hide. Minji gave him a soft smile.
"Did you not like it?"
"No! Of course I'm happy!"
He nodded vigorously.
"So, where are we going now?"
"Are you... really sure about this?"
"I'm sure."
Through their linked arms, she could feel every ounce of his tension. Hyunwoo began walking without hesitation, as if he had already scouted the route.
"H-here."
He stopped in front of a love hotel and spoke in a dry, tight voice.
"Good."
Worried that standing in front of a love hotel might draw stares, Minji gently pushed against his back and guided him inside.
Inside there was no front desk, only a panel for selecting rooms. It was clearly Hyunwoo's first time; he looked completely lost and flustered. In the end, Minji chose the room herself and led him there.
Once they stepped inside, some of the tension seemed to leave Hyunwoo's body.
"Minji, I've never been to a place like this..."
"I have. A few times before I got married. With Jaeho, of course."
"...I see."
Hyunwoo nodded, but he couldn't quite mask the slightly bitter look that crossed his face. He seemed disappointed that she had visited places like this with her husband. Still, he must have known it was only natural for a married couple to have that kind of history.
"But right now, Minji..."
The moment he stepped closer, Minji lightly twisted away.
"Wait. Let's bathe first."
She brushed past him and headed for the bathroom. Her breathing had grown a little quick from hurrying. She began filling the tub. Hyunwoo wasn't the only one who was nervous. Minji felt it too.
Listening to the water pour into the tub, she steadied her mind. If she lost her composure, Hyunwoo—who was experiencing all of this for the first time—would be completely lost. As the more experienced one, she had to remain centered. The steady sound of running water gradually calmed her, and she found she could fake a relaxed attitude after all.
"The bath is ready. You go first."
"Yes, understood."
Hyunwoo, who had been perched on the edge of the bed, stood up hastily.
"I'll go in after you come out, Hyunwoo."
When she spoke to him as he headed to the bathroom with a tense expression, he turned back as if he wanted to say something more.
"Yes, understood."
In the end, that was all he said before disappearing behind the bathroom door. He might have wanted to bathe together, but since this was all new to him, he probably needed time alone to settle his nerves. Besides, Minji herself still needed more time to prepare mentally.
After Hyunwoo entered the bathroom, Minji picked up her phone and contacted Jaeho.
They were already inside, but she phrased it as if they had just arrived. She didn't want him to know she had forgotten to text earlier. His reply didn't come immediately. If he had answered right away with "Stop," it would have been awkward. The lack of any reply actually felt like a relief.
A short while later, his response arrived.
It was a short reply, but she could feel Jaeho's hesitation, bewilderment, and deep inner conflict compressed inside it. Even so, the fact that her husband wasn't stopping her revealed his true feelings.
Listening to the sound of Hyunwoo washing in the bathroom, Minji waited a moment before sending another message.
She contacted him again, as if seeking confirmation.
If Jaeho wanted to stop her, this was his last chance. She had deliberately worded the message that way.
The reply came after a short delay once again. She could sense Jaeho's resignation in every word—the reluctant acceptance that this was something he had to allow in order to encourage Hyunwoo. Minji wanted to honor that feeling in her husband properly.
It sounded like Hyunwoo was nearly finished with his bath.
This way, Jaeho wouldn't be able to reply anymore. With that thought, Minji tucked her phone into her bag.
"I'm finished washing."
As expected, Hyunwoo emerged from the bathroom quickly. His hair was still wet from washing; droplets fell from the strands. A single bath towel was wrapped precariously around his waist.
"Then it's my turn..."
Minji started to walk past him toward the bathroom, but she paused and turned back.
"Hyunwoo, don't suddenly come in while I'm bathing. Understand?"
"Yes..."
He flinched like a child caught in the act. It seemed the thought had crossed his mind.
"Wait quietly."
Leaving those words behind, Minji stepped into the bathroom.
"Haa..."
The moment the hot water enveloped her body, Minji finally let out a long breath. She warmed herself thoroughly first, then slowly scrubbed every inch of her skin with soapy bubbles, taking her time. If she lingered too long, Hyunwoo would grow anxious, so she knew she should get out soon. But she also wanted a little more time to organize her thoughts.
Hyunwoo was undoubtedly Jaeho's respectful junior colleague, and his desire to help was sincere. Despite his solid build, that slightly insecure expression of his was oddly endearing and stirred her maternal instincts. In many ways, he was a man she found attractive. Yet she had never once considered having an affair with him.
And now the two of them were together in a love hotel. Her husband Jaeho knew about it, too. Even if she gave her body to Hyunwoo tonight, Jaeho would forgive her. In fact, it was practically Jaeho who had pushed her into this.
Moreover, if what her friend Sujin said was true, Jaeho might have a fetish for letting other men have his wife. In that case, he might not only forgive Minji for sleeping with Hyunwoo but actually enjoy it. Hyunwoo was clearly thrilled to hold her. And Minji couldn't deny the subtle thrill rising inside her at the thought of being embraced by another man after so long.
Her original type had always been men with large, solid muscles and gentle personalities. During her single days, she had dated a few big men who fit that ideal, but each had a rough edge that delicate Minji found difficult to accept. Then she met Jaeho, who was only gentle. Tired of aggressive relationships, she had been drawn to his softness and ended up marrying him. If she were still single and Hyunwoo had approached her first, what would have happened? But all of that was hypothetical. If she had never married Jaeho, she never would have met Hyunwoo in the first place. Speculating was pointless.
What mattered now was that she was alone with Hyunwoo in a love hotel. And if she let him hold her, no one would be sad. In fact, everyone involved might be happy. With that realization, she decided to set aside her complicated thoughts and simply focus on pleasing Hyunwoo.
Lost in those reflections, she didn't notice how much time had passed. Thinking Hyunwoo must be growing impatient, Minji rose from the tub.