Chapter 96: one and only
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 96: one and only
Late one evening, Yeon-ju met up with Hae-young for the first time in a while. They went to the pocha near her house—the same one she had visited with Eun-seong—ordered a bottle of soju, and chatted quietly.
They had so much to catch up on: her mother finally accepting Eun-seong, Han-byeol’s incredible attachment to him, and their visit to Dream Art.
Hae-young listened intently, hanging on every word. She gasped, laughed, frowned, and occasionally wiped away tears. Tearing a piece of paper from the toilet paper roll dangling from the ceiling, she dabbed her eyes and laughed again.
“Are they really making it into a movie?”
“Yes. She said it would be better to just show people the truth.”
“That’s amazing. How did she even think of that? No one can match CEO Park’s way of handling things.”
“You’re amazing too, Unni. To me, you’re just like her.”
Hae-young filled Yeon-ju’s glass.
“More than anything, I’m so glad Han-byeol and your mother accepted him.”
“I know. You have no idea how much Han-byeol adores him. He talks about his dad all day long. He must really love having him around.”
The child had accepted Eun-seong as his father so naturally, without any resistance. The empty space left by a long-absent father was filled faster than anyone could have imagined.
Realizing how deeply her young son must have wished for this made her heart ache, even in her joy. After all, he was the one who had suffered most from the choices of adults. They had made him experience an emptiness and loneliness he should never have had to know.
“So, when do you leave?”
“In two weeks. We need to wrap things up here, and there’s Han-byeol’s school to sort out.”
“It would be nice if your mother went with you.”
“She refused. We tried to persuade her several times, but she wouldn’t budge.”
Eun-seong and Yeon-ju had practically begged her, but Mrs. Na was adamant about staying. She claimed she couldn’t live without Korean rice and made excuses about being terrified to fly, insisting she would wait for them at home.
Then, one night before bed, Mrs. Na had come into her daughter’s room, sat on the edge of the bed, and shared her true feelings.
“Mom said she wants some time to herself, too.”
“Ah…”
Yeon-ju, go and have a peaceful trip.
I need a break from childcare to get some rest, too.
Yeon-ju let out a long sigh and looked up. The loneliness and exhaustion in her mother’s voice that day still lingered in her heart.
“How hard must it have been for her? When Mom said that, I felt like I’d been slapped.”
“Yeah. It must have been tough. Even if she didn’t show it, your mother must have had a really hard time.”
Her mother had said she wanted to be free—to travel with her friends, focus on her faith, and have some time to herself. Since they weren’t parting forever, she would stay behind and wait.
Yeon-ju sniffled and raised her glass.
“She also said she can’t leave Yam behind because he needs to be fed and walked.”
“Ah, Yam. Right, there’s Yam. Don’t worry about your mother. I’ll visit her often.”
“Thank you, Unni. Really, truly… thank you.”
As Yeon-ju thanked her again and again, Hae-young let out a bittersweet laugh and dabbed the moisture from her eyes with the tissue.
When they had suggested traveling the world for about a year, Han-byeol had jumped for joy. Without a moment’s hesitation, the boy simply repeated how much he loved the idea.
And so, it was decided. Her mother would stay behind, and the three of them—Yeon-ju, Eun-seong, and Han-byeol—would go.
“It feels so strange. Lately, I feel like I’m living in a dream.”
“Of course you do. It’s wonderful news, but I’m going to miss you so much. What am I going to do without seeing my Yeon-ju for a whole year?” Hae-young smiled wistfully.
Yeon-ju offered a soft, emotional smile in return. Though not related by blood, if she’d had an older sister, she would have been exactly like Hae-young.
“Take some time off and come visit, Unni. We can meet up. And we can video call often. I’m going to miss you so much, too.”
“Whew, I shouldn’t be crying when such good things are happening. Why am I being so dramatic? Gosh, how pathetic.” Hae-young blinked back her tears and straightened up.
Yeon-ju sat up straight as well. It’s a good thing. It’s a good thing. This is just everyone’s process of becoming happy.
Reminding themselves of this, they clinked their glasses. As she picked at the spicy sea snail salad they’d ordered, Hae-young looked up.
“But what about your wedding? Are you two just skipping it?”
“I think that might be difficult. We haven’t really talked about it.”
“True. Who has the peace of mind to plan a wedding right now? Are you registering your marriage before you leave, then?”
“We decided to do it right before the articles are released.”
“Ah, I see. So you’re really becoming husband and wife.”
From experience, they knew a year would fly by. New sprouts would bud on the dry earth, green leaves would grow, turn red, and fall, and once a blanket of white snow covered the ground, they would return.
“Stay healthy wherever you go, and make lots of beautiful, wonderful memories. Send me plenty of photos, too.” Hae-young held out her glass, and Yeon-ju clinked hers against it.
“Thank you for helping me meet him again, Unni.”
Hae-young, who was about to take a sip, opened her eyes wide. Ah, right!
“That’s right! You two met because of me, didn’t you? This can’t be settled with just a designer bag. Tell Im Eun-seong to get ready. I’m going to write up a wishlist and send it to him.”
“Make sure to fill it to the brim.”
Yeon-ju laughed and took a drink. Hae-young waved her hand as if to say, “Just you wait,” and drank as well.
To go from strangers who exchanged casual greetings to companions sharing life’s joys and sorrows—how could that not be beautiful? They were grateful they hadn’t simply brushed past each other all those years ago. The two friends kept their glasses full late into the night.
*
Although they weren’t scheduled to return to Korea for a year, their luggage was surprisingly light. After Eun-seong said they could just buy whatever they needed there, most of the things Yeon-ju had considered essential suddenly felt unnecessary.
She packed her and Han-byeol’s belongings into a single large suitcase and two backpacks. In the meantime, she took Yam to the animal hospital, presenting the staff with carefully prepared gimbap and a hard-to-find tea set as a token of her gratitude.
After that, there was nothing else to do. She didn’t have a large social circle, nor did she have many places to visit before leaving. Han-byeol’s school schedule aligned perfectly with the winter break, and after consulting with his teacher, she submitted the necessary paperwork.
Time flew by like an arrow.
Eun-seong and Yeon-ju filled out the marriage registration form that his manager, Dong-hwan, had brought over. They filled in the blanks more carefully than they ever had before, listing Hae-young and Kang-ho as witnesses.
They kept the completed form safe until the morning of their departure, when they drove to the local community center.
Eun-seong, wearing a low-slung cap and a mask, grabbed the document envelope before getting out of the car. He took Yeon-ju’s hand, and they walked into the building together.
While they pulled a number and waited, no one recognized him. People, busy with their own errands, passed by without a second glance. Only when their number was called did Eun-seong step up to the counter with Yeon-ju.
“We’d like to register our marriage.”
“Yes. Have you filled out the paperwork?”
“Here it is.”
“Alright. Please hand it over and wait a moment.”
Eun-seong gave the form to the clerk and waited with Yeon-ju. As the clerk typed the information into the computer, her eyes flicked up when she saw his name. Assuming it was just a coincidence, she instinctively glanced at his face.
However, with his cap pulled down and his mask on, little was visible. The clerk lowered her head and quietly returned to her work.
“Are you also registering a change of address today?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Please wait a moment.”
Told to wait, they stepped aside. As they stood there chatting in low voices, the clerk happened to meet Eun-seong’s eyes, and her expression froze. She quickly checked the photo on his ID, then looked up again.
Wait, what?
“Oh my goodness.”
When the startled clerk let out an involuntary gasp, Eun-seong smiled. Though his mouth was hidden, his eyes crinkled warmly, sending a second wave of shock through her.
Oh my god, is that really Im Eun-seong?
The clerk looked from Yeon-ju to Eun-seong, then slowly lowered her gaze back to the documents. When she saw that the woman had a son, a third wave of shock hit her as she looked up once more.
“Oh my…”
Another gasp escaped her lips. As Yeon-ju nervously bit her lip and glanced around, the flustered clerk whispered softly.
“I’m so sorry. I was just so surprised. It is you, right?”
“Ah, yes…” Yeon-ju nodded, answering in a daze.
The clerk quickly scanned their surroundings as if to shield them from prying eyes.
“If you’ve filled everything out, please give it to me. I’ll process it quickly.”
Taking the change of address form as well, the clerk typed at lightning speed, stealing glances at the couple the entire time. What on earth was happening? Im Eun-seong had just shown up at a local community center to register his marriage—and with a woman who already had a child!
“Unbelievable…” the clerk muttered reflexively. Her mind completely blown, she finished entering the data and stood up.
“The application has been submitted. You’ll receive a text message once it’s fully processed.”
“Thank you,” Eun-seong replied briefly.
The clerk added, “Congratulations.”
At her words, Eun-seong gave a polite nod and took Yeon-ju’s hand. They calmly walked out of the center, leaving the clerk staring after their retreating figures for a long time.
“What? Is this for real?”
As the dazed clerk muttered in disbelief, her colleague slid her chair over.
“Sumi, did you see this?”
“Huh? See what?”
“Im Eun-seong is getting married. Apparently, he already has a kid!”
“Oh my god, really?”
Sumi turned her gaze back toward the exit, as if searching for Eun-seong’s lingering shadow. That very day, Dream Art had released the official article about Im Eun-seong’s marriage. At the same time, his handwritten letter was uploaded to social media and his fan cafe.
*
While the internet was thrown into chaos, Eun-seong and Yeon-ju were on their way to the airport.
“Congratulations, Hyung, sister-in-law!” Dong-hwan, who was driving, offered his congratulations, making Yeon-ju smile.
“Thank you, Dong-hwan.”
“Wow, you’re really a married couple now. Have a wonderful trip and make lots of great memories.”
“We will.”
It still hadn’t sunk in that they were husband and wife. When Yeon-ju looked at Eun-seong, he gave a shy smile and laced his fingers through hers.
To prevent any incidents, Han-byeol was already waiting at the airport with Hae-young. Yeon-ju couldn’t wait to get there and see her son.
“I’ll be in your care from now on, wife.”
Wife. The word, slipping so easily from his lips, sent a small ripple through her heart. The ripple gradually grew stronger, amplifying in her ears. She felt a flutter in her chest and, too shy to speak, simply smiled with her eyes. As if by unspoken agreement, they turned off their phones, deciding to disconnect from the world.
If they didn’t look, they wouldn’t know. Whatever was being said would eventually drift away and settle on its own.
“I’ll be in your care, too.”
“Wife. You forgot the title. Try again.”
When they were already so busy just loving each other, they knew where to pour their hearts—not into the gossip of others, but into their own dazzling today and tomorrow.
“I’ll be in your care…”
“…”
“…husband.”
She would cherish this. She would treat it with the utmost care. Just as no love should ever be taken for granted, she already knew deep down that this love was a once-in-a-lifetime gift, destined to last forever.
[One and Only] Main Story END
*
“Hello. This is Im Eun-seong.
As the weather grows colder, I’m sure many of you are preparing for the new year. Though we may have regrets, I pray that today will be a little better than yesterday, as it always is.
Long ago, I lost someone due to my own foolish choices. I recently learned that this person, who stepped away for my sake, has been raising a child on her own—a child who looks just like me.
My love for her has never changed, and I discovered this truth just as I was carefully beginning to imagine a future with her again.
There was no reason to hesitate. Though it is late, I wish to start a new life as a father to my child and as a partner to this woman, spending time with the family I have been separated from.
When I return, I will have refined both my mind and body, and I will show you an even better version of myself as the actor Im Eun-seong.
Hoping for the day we can share more stories, I sincerely wish you all abundant happiness and a healthy new year.
I am always sorry, always grateful, and I love you all.
Sincerely, Im Eun-seong.”