Chapter 20
Chapter 20
Wait, isn't this Choi Yi-jun?
“Oh, no...”
This was impossible. She was supposed to go on a blind date with Choi Yi-jun? This was a situation she hadn't anticipated.
She didn't pick someone from Seoul; she picked someone from here. And of all people, it has to be Choi Yi-jun.
Bom started to type a reply but stopped and shoved her phone away. She glanced left and right.
Jae-gyu, having finished his call, was walking back. Approaching her with quick strides, he asked perceptively, “Did something happen?”
Bom couldn't bring herself to speak. In truth, there was no reason to hide the news of her blind date from him. They weren't in any kind of relationship, after all.
Yet, for some reason, the words wouldn't come out.
“Well... I need to buy some fabric softener, but there are so many kinds that it’s hard to choose.”
“What do you usually use? That stuff smells good.”
“Huh? I have a smell?”
She didn't know what he meant. She didn't wear perfume. Her shampoo was unscented, so did she really smell like fabric softener?
“What kind of smell?”
“This.”
Jae-gyu buried his nose in the collar of Bom’s T-shirt. The tip of his nose pressed slightly against her tender skin, and his hot breath brushed against her.
“This smell. I really like it.”
“Ah.”
The fine hairs on her neck stood on end. What was this feeling...? Even though the supermarket’s air conditioning was blasting, she suddenly felt hot. Her heart gave a sudden thud and began to race.
“What are you... doing...?”
“It smells like laundry dried in the sun.”
“Oh, if it’s that...”
Bom quickly stepped back and grabbed a yellow bottle of detergent from the shelf.
“If it’s that smell, then it’s this one I’m using now.”
“I’m getting some too, then.”
“Okay.”
She didn't know why he was copying her, but the shopping continued.
Pushing the cart slowly, she bought beef for side dishes and her favorite bell peppers with Jae-gyu. He seemed to genuinely enjoy grocery shopping.
He was proactive in picking out items and had an uncanny knack for finding exactly what she needed.
She tried to limit her purchases, worried about the weight on the way back, but she ended up with more than usual.
“Anything else?”
“No, that’s it.”
“Do you have enough trash bags?”
“Oh, right!”
“Better get a bundle of the 20-liter ones.”
For someone who looked so rugged, he had a surprisingly delicate side. Was it because he’d handled the housework while raising Han-gyeol alone?
After finishing their shopping, they stood in line at the checkout. Just as it was almost their turn, Jae-gyu asked her for a favor.
“Bom, I forgot I’m completely out of the chocolate balls I eat in the car. Could you go grab some from the back?”
Bom was delighted by the request, as Jae-gyu rarely asked for anything. She had been feeling a bit burdened because he was always trying to do things for her without ever letting her return the favor.
“Leave it to me. Which brand?”
“Just pick whatever looks tasty to you.”
Bom nodded solemnly and hurried toward the snack aisle. Before long, she spotted a black container of chocolate balls on the shelf.
<Dream Cacao 97%>
It looked quite premium for a supermarket item. Bom decided on this.
I should buy this for him.
She was about to grab one container but changed her mind and picked up a bundle pack of six. When she returned to the checkout, Jae-gyu was gone.
“Over here.”
Jae-gyu, who had already finished paying, was picking out an empty box at the packing station. Bom quickly paid for the chocolate balls and went over to him.
“Oh, I must have been too slow. I’m sorry. How much was it? I’ll transfer the money to you right away.”
“What are you talking about?”
Jae-gyu skillfully folded the box and began neatly organizing the items inside. Bom handed him the groceries from the side.
“Most of this is mine. How much did it come to?”
“Forget it.”
Once everything was in the box, Jae-gyu tied it securely with red plastic twine. Bom felt uneasy. Why should Jae-gyu pay for this? It wasn't a huge amount of money, but there was no reason for him to cover it.
“Bom.”
“...Yes.”
“Who suggested we go shopping today?”
“You did, Jae-gyu.”
“If I say ‘let’s do this’ and then tell you to pay for it, am I a thief or not?”
“...?”
It was confusing logic. Bom, unsure of how to respond, lost her words.
“Alright, all set. Let’s go.”
In that brief moment, Jae-gyu effortlessly lifted the box, which looked quite heavy.
“But still, Jae-gyu...”
“Did you buy six of those chocolate balls?”
“Oh, yes.”
“I even got a gift. Good. Let’s go. I’m dyin’ here.”
Despite lifting it like it weighed nothing, Jae-gyu let out a groan as if it were killing him. Bom hurried after him out of the supermarket.
Stepping out of the icy air conditioning, warmth returned to her body. Fortunately, the sun wasn't too scorching yet.
Since Jae-gyu had shoved all the groceries into the box, Bom’s hands were empty. The two of them retraced the path they had taken earlier.
Bom stole a glance at Jae-gyu, who was silent for a moment. He was humming softly, looking like he was in a very good mood.
“You said you came to shop, but you only bought my stuff.”
Bom spoke first. It was good to have finally bought the daily necessities and groceries she’d been putting off, but looking back, the only things Jae-gyu had put in the cart were a bottle of fabric softener and a toothbrush.
“It’s nice to get some fresh air like this. Oh, look, a four-leaf clover. Hold on.”
Jae-gyu set the box down on the side of the road for a moment. He went over to a patch of clover and started rummaging through it. How did he even see that while carrying such a heavy box?
A four-leaf clover, said to bring good luck. She had found one only once when she was a child. Bom had given it to her mother.
I wonder how she’ll react if I tell her I already know Choi Yi-jun...
Thinking of the message she’d received earlier, Bom’s mind became clouded. She would have to reply as soon as she got home, and she was already worried about the reaction she’d get if she declined.
She was lost in these thoughts when—
Vroom!
A red motorcycle suddenly lunged forward from the opposite direction, kicking up dust. It had definitely been puttering along slowly just a moment ago.
It’s going to hit me!
Her mind screamed the warning. She knew she had to move, but her body wouldn't listen. Her legs felt rooted to the ground, refusing to budge.
They say accidents happen in the blink of an eye. It was no different for Bom.
“Bom!”
Whoosh. A firm arm wrapped around her waist. Before she could even process what was happening, her body was pulled away. Her face pressed deep into a broad chest.
Vroom! The motorcycle grazed past them by a hair’s breadth. The bike let out a loud screech as if the rider had slammed on the brakes, finally coming to a stop several meters away.
Hah... I almost got hit.
Her heart felt like it was about to explode. There was a 100% chance that Jae-gyu could hear the pulse thundering in her throat.
She didn't care. This embrace felt so safe that a few tears actually escaped. Bom found herself wishing that Jae-gyu, who was cradling both her waist and the back of her head, wouldn't let go.
Jae-gyu, gasping for air, suddenly roared.
“Hey, old man! You got eyes or what?!”
Bom was suddenly frightened. Was this going to turn into a fight? Should they call the insurance... no, how do you even handle insurance in a place with no CCTV? Besides, she wasn't hurt. The other person was a middle-aged man. Leaving his fallen motorcycle behind, he approached them slowly.
“I-I’m sorry. Whew.”
“If you’re gonna drive like that, just walk!”
“I just picked that bike up from the shop yesterday, and the brakes just wouldn't work. I’m truly sorry.”
Fortunately, the man apologized readily. Bom was relieved he wasn't someone unreasonable. She exhaled a sigh of relief against Jae-gyu’s chest.
“We run the photo studio down by the mountain. If you feel anything wrong later, you can contact us there.”
“Isn't that Green Photo Studio?”
It seemed Jae-gyu knew the place. Bom just listened to their conversation, as her racing heart showed no signs of calming down.
“Ah, yes! You two are newlyweds, right? If you come by, I’ll take a photo for you for free. Please, make sure to visit.”
“Yes. We’ll be sure to stop by.”
They didn't exchange business cards or record the conversation, but the situation was settled with that. The driver went on his way.
However...
“...”
The two of them remained standing exactly as they were.
Jae-gyu kept his arm around Bom, and Bom didn't move an inch, staying still in his embrace. She just let him hold her.
Bom, who had been breathing heavily from the shock, gradually regained her composure. And then she felt it.
It wasn't just her heart that was beating wildly. Listening against his chest, she realized Jae-gyu’s heart was beating even faster than hers.
Heat rushed to her face.
But that wasn't the only problem. Something heavy was pressing against Bom’s lower belly. Something large and hot...
What could this be? As the realization dawned on her, Bom gasped and pushed against Jae-gyu’s chest with both hands.
“Ah!”
The two, who had been pressed together for a long time, finally broke apart.
“Hah, just now...”
“Are you okay, Bom?”
I’m not okay because of you! Bom couldn't bring herself to say it out loud and just glared at Jae-gyu. Jae-gyu looked like he had no idea what was wrong.
“You must have been really startled.”
“I was... startled... yes...”
“Can you walk? Do you want a piggyback ride?”
“I’m fine.”
The best thing to do was get home quickly. She hurried her pace and arrived back at the house. As she unlocked the front door, Bom turned back to look at Jae-gyu.
It felt awkward to tell Jae-gyu, who was standing there blankly holding the box of groceries, to just put the stuff down and leave.
Should I ask him if he wants to come in for coffee?