Chapter 68
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: The Wedding Ceremony
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I finished quicker than I thought.
As we came inside from outdoors, there were still tons of people milling about everywhere.
Off in the distance, I could see Bong-gyu hyung in his suit, greeting each arriving guest with a bright smile. I wondered if he wasn't exhausted, but if it were me hosting the wedding, I'd probably be thrilled to see every single one of them too.
Not just because of the gift money. On a joyous occasion like this, you naturally want as many blessings as possible.
"……."
Suddenly, a wave of guilt hit me like an uppercut. Had I really done something that insane at a happy event like this? Well, technically...
"What?"
"Nothing. Forget it."
Whatever. It had felt damn good, that much was true.
I headed inside with Oh Hana, envelope of wedding money in hand.
"Welcome."
"Hello. I'm a junior of Bong-gyu hyung."
"Ah, nice to meet you. Thank you so much for coming."
I handed over the slightly crooked envelope with Kim Hyunwoo scrawled on it, and his older brother figure received it politely.
"The meal tickets are... Ah, here are two."
He looked like he was about to ask how many to give me reflexively, but quickly pulled out two and handed them over. I took them with an awkward smile.
The reason that guy gave me exactly two was simple.
Oh Hana was stuck to my side like a piece of gum. No, gum at least comes off eventually. This was gum with no intention of ever peeling away.
She kept whipping her head around, scanning the surroundings vigilantly. Anyone would think she'd crash-landed in a jungle instead of a wedding hall.
Even that looked cute, leaving me speechless.
"Hey, Hyunwoo!"
I shoved the meal tickets deep into my suit pocket so I wouldn't lose them, just in case. Bong-gyu hyung, done with greetings for a moment, was heading my way.
His hair styled to perfection, makeup on point. They say it all costs money. Now I got why people had been admiring Oh Hana's styling job on me—it was pro-level quality, no salon required.
"You look so sharp today, almost didn't recognize you."
"You're the one looking great, hyung."
"And who's this lovely lady? Your girlfriend? Wow, she's stunning."
"Hyung, congrats on the wedding for real."
There wasn't time for a long chat. As more guests poured in, he grabbed my shoulders with both hands and said,
"Hyunwoo, thanks for coming today. I'll buy you a meal next time."
"No need, it's fine."
"No, really. Sorry I'm so busy today. Let's catch up more at the reception."
"Sure thing, hyung."
Even in the chaos, he made time to look after me sincerely, then dashed off to greet the next guests with the same lines.
At the same time, a wedding staffer approached him with some instructions.
Not just Bong-gyu hyung's wedding today—multiple ceremonies, everyone hustling.
Watching it all, I couldn't help but wonder how much this wedding cost. Was that too materialistic?
But I'd heard about "sudeume"—studio, dress, and makeup alone averaging three million won.
"Let's head in."
"Okay."
Oh Hana and I linked arms and went inside. Maybe because we arrived late, or thanks to hyung's connections, every seat was taken. Was it always like this? I'd heard hotel weddings often ran short on seats since they included meals.
'Pretty crowded.'
If it were just me, no big deal. But with Oh Hana here, I felt responsible and started hunting for empty spots.
She smirked and said,
"We'll stand. Honestly, this might give us a better view anyway."
"Long as you're not uncomfortable."
"Pfft. You think I'd complain about this after waiting hours outside in the dead of winter just to glimpse my oppa's face?"
"Yeah, you're a champ."
I nodded and scanned the hall. Midway back, I spotted some seniors and classmates from my department.
Everyone else was unfamiliar. Plenty of bride's side guests too.
Luxurious tables, upscale decor. Elegant lighting. Cameras poised everywhere for shots.
Bong-gyu hyung's friend testing the mic for his MC role.
"……."
Observing from behind, it hit me how much effort went into even a one-hour ceremony.
-Ah, testing, one two three.
I used to think it was all a waste of money. Why blow tens of millions on one wedding? Better buy appliances, splurge on a honeymoon, or save up properly.
I'd reluctantly accepted it was more for the parents than the couple.
Today felt different.
"So pretty."
Oh Hana's genuine awe made my heart race. Even to me, artistically blind as I was, the hall sparkled gloriously.
How much more thrilling and beautiful must it be for someone who gets art or loves this stuff?
'I get it now—pouring money into a once-in-a-lifetime wedding to make the woman marrying you the happiest.'
Suddenly, a whisper in my ear.
'Congrats on the marriage, Hyunwoo!'
That voice from last night's dream.
Yeah, just a hallucination. I'd suspected it might be my future, but what were the odds?
Oh Hana. Han Aebom. Yoon Sua.
The chances of all three ending up living with me for their own reasons were lower than hitting the lottery jackpot multiple times.
And marrying one of them? In some epic decision? What even made it epic? What had I done to earn that hype?
'No, they'd probably think marrying a beauty used up all my life's luck. That alone makes it legendary.'
But recalling it, the nuance wasn't that. It felt like I'd done something utterly mad.
'Crazy bastard.'
And yet, after declaring it a dream, not the future, here I was secretly hoping again.
Enough. How many times had high hopes led to betrayal? No expectations meant no disappointment.
'Ah, Gyu-jin hyung's daughter looks adorable even from here.'
The "hated four-year-old" some called her, the one they'd kill over. Not to me—she seemed fine.
Sitting mid-row, giggling and playing with Gyu-jin hyung. Nothing more enviable. Pure bliss. If I had a daughter, I'd play with her all day like that.
My daughter at a wedding.
Slap!
"Eek! Why'd you slap your own cheek out of nowhere? Feeling sleepy? Want a deep kiss to wake you up? Excitement chases sleep away."
"No, it was to snap me out of it in a different sense."
Was I meant to be a novelist? These fantasies had no end.
Stop it.
Whoosh whoosh!
The sound might trigger PTSD for any vet, as the MC began.
-Good day. Allow me to guide our esteemed guests.
Standard MC lines flowed on.
-This side is the groom's family, right side the bride's. Once more: this side groom's, that side bride's. To those standing due to limited seats, I apologize on behalf of our lovably clumsy groom-to-be, as his friend.
No wonder he was MC—cool under pressure, smoothly engaging. Tastes vary, but reliable.
Then pre-ceremony video, opening declaration, mothers' entrance and candle lighting, and so on.
-Next, our hardworking groom Yoon Bong-gyu enters. Guests, thunderous applause please! Groom entrance! Make it loud!
Cheers erupted into roaring claps. With so many guests, the volume was insane.
Both sides had solid networks—everyone clapped hard.
Under bright lights, the groom approached stiffly, smiling and waving. Looked like a glitchy robot to me.
'Funny. And enviable.'
These days, talk of marriage as hell, life's grave. Birth rates at 0.6, doom and gloom. But here, watching another's wedding sparked only positivity and envy right now.
Sure, thinking of the convenience store manager showed reality's bite. Still, the joy behind the strain made marriage appealing.
Especially with someone as great as the women I lived with now.
-Groom's already nervous. Can't have that this early—the stunning bride's entrance might knock him out.
Such lines could sound cheesy depending who says them, but from a smooth talker like Oh Hana, anything sounded good.
And then.
-The highlight: the bride's entrance, more beautiful than any flower. Big applause for the bride! Here she comes! Shower the world's most beautiful bride with claps!
Clap clap clap clap clap clap!
♪
Deafening applause. Heart-pounding BGM. Dazzling lights. The rented gown's opulence, needing help just to wear and walk in.
No wonder they call the wedding bride the fairest flower.
Women watched the bride glide toward the groom, unblinking. Oh Hana included.
Congrats mixed with all sorts of emotions.
"……."
Seizing the moment, I clapped while stealing glances at Oh Hana, not the bride. Imagining her in that dress.
'How can I not hope?'
I kept telling myself no expectations, that it wasn't the future. But the heart doesn't obey.
Maybe better to turn that "weird dream" into reality.
-That concludes the wedding of groom Yoon Bong-gyu and bride Lee Joo-ri!
Lost in tangled thoughts, the ceremony had ended.
"Photo session to follow, so friends and family, please stay till the end. Thank you."
Wait, photos?
I cautiously looked up. Far off, people gathered. Choi Do-hyung and Ji Sun-hye among them.