Chapter 10: New Semester Preparations – I Thought Dating Wouldn't Exist in This Second Life
I had resolved that dating someone would have no place in this second life. The passion I'd poured into my first life had cooled so pathetically, and carrying that raw memory of betrayal, I'd convinced myself I could never chase pure love again.
But in defiance of that vow, here I was, holding Mary's hand. It was as if she was teaching me the progression: from childhood friends, to lovers, and finally to lifelong partners.
"Yes, everyone. The groom and bride are about to make their entrance. Please welcome them with applause~!"
Applause erupted from all sides, every eye in the seats turning to Mary and me. They were all familiar faces to me, people Mary had known... and this crowd, which I assumed meant well, showered us with genuine blessings. A soft smile began to curve Mary's lips.
"Everyone's watching us."
"Yeah."
"Everyone's celebrating us."
"...Yeah."
Her hand gripped mine tighter, her steps syncing fluidly with mine even if nerves might have made them falter.
"You're happy too, right?"
In the midst of this warm reception, her short question made my chest itch. I quietly turned it back on her.
"What about you?"
Sincerely. Did she truly have no regrets about facing this future with me?
"Do I really have to say it out loud? It's embarrassing."
She took my question as teasing, giving my body a light smack and quickening her pace. Before I knew it, I was following her to stand before the officiant.
He faced us and asked,
"Bride Mary, do you swear here and now to spend your life with groom Kim Manbung?"
"I swear."
An answer without a hint of hesitation. A faint shyness touched her face, but her gaze meeting mine held not a flicker of doubt. As if she truly, deeply had no regrets about choosing me as her partner.
"Groom Kim Manbung."
For some reason, my chest swelled with emotion just then, and the officiant directed the same question straight at me.
"Do you swear to protect bride Mary at all times, and to build a happy family with her?"
This might be my last chance. I, who had sworn to live this life in solitude, turning my back on a woman who loved me.
"...I swear."
Absurd. I'd already accepted her—that's why I was here. Even the negative values from my first life had been quelled by the unwavering truth of the love before me.
So I had a duty to meet her expectations. I felt a desire blooming in my heart—to make this girl, who had drawn out true love in me, happy.
"Then, to seal your vows with a kiss..."
One step forward until that desire bore fruit. I hesitated for a moment, but she pulled my hand firmly, parting her softly pursed lips to whisper,
"You'll make me happy, right?"
Her voice carried a hint of anxiety, but even more, an expectation that overturned it.
"...I'll make you happy."
Her response felt so endearing that as I answered, her lips began closing the distance to mine, step by step, until she tilted her head up to within an inch.
In the past, this would have terrified me. But still, I accepted it without hesitation—the soft, moist touch of her lips on mine. That warmth...
As I savored that crystal-clear sensation in this blessed moment, my pounding heart brought one certainty.
This wasn't a dream. The kiss with this lovely girl in my arms couldn't possibly be some fleeting dream.
Yes, this was undeniable reality. The fruition of our confirmed feelings—and so, there would be no regrets in the days ahead. Deep in my heart, I held a fierce conviction.
All that awaited was a happy daily life with her, until this life ended.
-Beeeep!!
But right after, a harsh noise pierced through, my mind flashing awake. All the sensations I'd felt vanished, and my consciousness was mercilessly dragged into distortion.
And...
****
-Beeeep!! Beeeep!!
"Gah!"
The all-too-familiar alarm jolted me awake. I hurriedly silenced my smartphone, clutching my aching head as I pieced together the situation.
Mary's face from moments ago was gone. The guests, the venue... even the tuxedo I'd worn was just pajamas now, on a body still too immature for adulthood.
"A dream...?"
A dream? Ridiculous. Those sensations and emotions had been so vivid—even now, they lingered as if real. How could all that be just one night's fancy?
"Oppa~ Are you up?"
But the voice from outside my room reminded me I was still in my unindependent teen years.
"If you're awake, hurry and wash up. Come to the table. Isn't today your entrance ceremony? You have to leave early."
Entrance ceremony. That word cut through my fading headache, bringing the day into focus.
Right—today was the entrance ceremony at Hyoeun High School, where I'd been accepted. The start of high school life in this second chance, the most crucial phase. Stepping into that place would require resolve.
"...Ha."
Realizing it, a hollow laugh escaped me.
Marriage? Ridiculous. Why had I gone so far as to push that girl away with harsh words?
"No way. Why would I ever with Mary..."
No matter how vivid, it was just a dream. Accepting that, I dragged my sleepy self to the sink for a long face-wash, hoping the cold water would cool the heat.
'You'll make me happy, right?'
But it wouldn't fade. That whisper from what was surely just illusion, the feel of her lips— no matter how much I scrubbed, they wouldn't wash away.
As if I'd truly been that close to her, as if the experience was etched into this body.
"Oppa?"
"Yeah, coming right now."
Forget it. Just an annoyingly vivid dream. Even if she still harbored feelings for me now, I'd never reciprocate.
Reaffirming that resolve, I sat at the kitchen table with the breakfast spread and tossed a casual question to my sister.
"Mom and Dad?"
"They already left for work. Both seemed pretty busy this morning."
Mansoon ladled soup from the pot onto my place, following it with an innocent smile.
"So~ Your cute little sister made breakfast with love in their place~ Eat up before it gets cold~"
...Preparing breakfast early for her sleepyhead brother. Even as a middle schooler, what a capable kid. Thinking that, I sat and savored her meal, letting out a small sigh of admiration.
"Your cooking's improved a lot."
"Hehe, all thanks to you teaching me, oppa."
True—I'd trained her manners well. The fiery temper from her early years was long gone. As I kept eating, she spoke up from across the table.
"By the way, oppa, did you have a nice dream or something?"
"...That obvious?"
"Yeah, your face is a bit flushed—not like usual."
Damn, echoes of that dream lingering. Ignoring it, I was about to finish eating when she clapped and ventured a guess.
"Oh, did things progress nicely with Mary unnie?"
"Nope."
"...You denied that quick, oppa."
Better than her example making me puke up breakfast. Clicking my tongue, I downed some soup to wet my dry throat and shot back,
"You know how it is. Mary's just a childhood friend. You know the gap between our humble family and hers, right?"
"Pfft. What does that matter in love? If you both like each other, you date."
"That's what I'm saying—it's not like that..."
"Keep denying it, and Mary unnie will feel sorry for you."
Ugh, maybe because we've known each other so long. She seemed to think it wouldn't be weird if Mary and I dated. Kids her age are all like that—brains wired to ship any guy and girl on screen.
"Or maybe someone else caught your eye? Or someone you're gonna meet soon?"
"...Meet soon? What’s that?"
"You know, starting at a new school, meeting new classmates. Maybe you'll form a deeper bond with one of them than with Mary unnie."
She met my eyes steadily, a smile playing in them. Feeling oddly uncomfortable, I averted my gaze and focused on my food.
Still, with lingering curiosity, I chided my nosy sister a bit.
"One thing I've always thought—you're way too interested in your oppa's life."
"That's 'cause girls our age love love stories~"
Love. She tossed out the word so casually, without a trace of embarrassment—as if she didn't just yearn for it, but had experienced it herself.
"Love's wonderful. Once you try it, your whole worldview changes. It'll be a meaningful experience for you too, oppa."
Good grief—the kid I'd changed diapers for was giving me advice now. Still, the conversation wasn't meaningless. Finishing my meal, I set down my utensils and said,
"Well, new semester starting—guess I should make some friends."
Of course. My name even means "make ten thousand friends." Gotta rack up plenty. Though girlfriends? Never.
****
The entrance ceremony marks a new turning point for incoming students. One should approach it with reverence, but ironically, heading to the venue, I felt only sticky discomfort and irritation.
Sunlight that should bless the freshmen was blocked by thick clouds, relentless rain pouring down to dampen the mood further. And the subway car I'd barely squeezed into was packed to bursting.
Damn, even in the capital region, rush hour crowds are no joke. I didn't need a seat—just some breathing room.
-Clunk, clunk.
Squished like bean sprouts in a sieve amid the pressing crowd for over ten minutes. Doors opening and closing, passengers boarding and alighting—soon, kids in familiar uniforms dotted my view.
Hyoeun High uniforms. Their awkward vibe suggested fellow freshmen like me.
Meaning some might end up in my class... Better memorize faces if I want friends. Scanning the crowd, my eyes landed on a nearby girl.
Plain vibe overall, no strong expression despite the crush of people. But engrossed in the literary book in her hands, I vaguely guessed she was a top student like me.
Diligently building knowledge even in this stifling mess. Admirable studiousness—even for my second-life self.
But my interest was short-lived. Glancing around her, I spotted a highly suspicious man nearby.
Obese, face slick with sweat. Suit and briefcase screamed office worker, but his heavy breathing ignored all around him—right by the girl's ear, no less.
"Huff, huff."
...Whoa, that's gotta be physiologically repulsive for a high school girl. Probably not malicious, just oblivious. Dismissing it, I looked down—
Then I noticed something gleaming in the fat guy's hand, slowly angling toward the girl.
Precisely under her skirt, smartphone camera aimed upward...
"Holy shit, really?"
I'd tried not to judge by appearances. But this guy was a real sweetheart, huh?