Chapter 1

 

Da Hee sat with her legs crossed, gazing at the man across from her. He was a colleague of Tae Seon's husband. She'd been told—a solid, calm, and good person. She should have realized then, when she heard those words, that there wasn't a single mention of his appearance.

The man was the same height as Da Hee. If she stood, their eyes would meet, though she was over 170 cm tall. His height wasn't the issue. What bothered her more was the handkerchief he'd been clutching and constantly wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"Your name is Lee Han Soo, right?"

Da Hee asked, struggling to recall the name they'd just exchanged.

The man chuckled, revealing his gums, and shook his head.

"No, I'm Lee Han Seok."

"I'm sorry. I'm terrible with names."

"It's fine. No need to apologize for something like that, haha. They said you were much prettier than your picture, and it's true."

Han Seok praised her with genuine sincerity. From the moment his colleague had subtly shown him a picture, Han Seok couldn't tear his eyes away. Despite her cool and sophisticated appearance, she exuded a strangely innocent charm.

He even found himself wishing he could see her smile. So, Han Seok quickly grabbed his colleague's arm, persistently pleading and persuading until he finally secured this meeting. And now, Han Seok was thoroughly satisfied with that decision.

Da Hee was even more elegant and beautiful than in her photograph. She had fair skin, distinct features, and lips that, though closed in a straight line, curved slightly upwards at the ends, giving the impression she was smiling. It was a mystery why a woman of such beauty would operate a café in a secluded, rarely visited corner.

"Thank you for the compliment."

Da Hee replied curtly, turning her gaze towards the window. It had rained heavily for two days, and today was finally bright and clear. Thanks to that, the leaves in the small garden outside the shop swayed, radiating a vibrant green. To be sitting across from this man during such a breathtakingly beautiful moment, Da Hee regretted having asked Tae Seon for this favor.

"How old are you?"

The man asked and Da Hee turned her attention back to him. Since he was a colleague of Tae Seon's husband, she couldn't afford to get flustered. Moreover, she had to acknowledge the man's conscientiousness for coming all this way, sacrificing his precious holiday. Da Hee neatly placed her hands on her crossed legs.

"Thirty."

"You look so young. I thought you were in your mid-twenties."

Despite Han Seok's flattering remark, Da Hee replied with an unperturbed expression.

"Thank you."

"How old do I look?"

At Han Seok's question, Da Hee barely managed to suppress a sigh. This conversational pattern was tedious, a never-ending chain of questions. This wasn't the kind of man Da Hee had hoped for.

Pondering how to dismiss him without offending him, Da Hee replied.

"Thirty-three."

"Wow. You got it exactly right."

"I have good eyes."

"You do. Have you been running this café continuously?"

"Yes."

"How long have you been here?"

"It's been about three years now."

"I see. Is it your own café?"

At the man's question, the corners of Da Hee's lips subtly curled upward. It was a cynical smile, but seeing Da Hee's smile for the first time, the man took a deep breath. Beautiful, he thought.

"Yes. It's my café."

"Ah, it's an early question, but I'm curious, so I'm just asking. Do you plan to continue running the café even after you get married?"

Contrary to his words about 'merely asking', the man leaned forward. His posture revealed that this was the question he considered most important.

"Yes, I do plan to continue running the café."

Han Seok's face furrowed slightly, and Da Hee knew she had given the correct answer. After a brief moment of contemplation, Han Seok smiled and spoke again.

"I don't know how this might sound, but what if your husband's income was enough to live comfortably? What if your husband asked you to close the café..."

He's getting way ahead of himself.

Da Hee tilted her head slightly, sweeping her short hair back. Though it quickly fell back into place, thanks to its good texture.

"I have no intention of doing that."

"Pardon? Still, if your husband's income is good, why would you need to run a café?"

Han Seok began to dig in his heels.

Da Hee felt a sudden wave of exhaustion. This was precisely why she disliked going on blind dates with men. This endless conversation, trying to find common ground and agreeable terms, felt like a waste of precious time. Moreover, the man was clearly under a serious misunderstanding. Da Hee, who had intended to answer as politely and properly as possible, changed her mind. Straightening her back, she looked at Han Seok.

"Regardless of my husband's income, I plan to run the café. And it seems you weren't properly informed, but... I'm a single person with no intention of getting married."

"...What?"

Han Seok's face went blank for a moment at Da Hee's words.

"It seems there was a communication problem. What I wanted wasn't a blind date. I just wanted a man to be by my side, like a lover, for about a day... Let's not waste any more precious time and call it a day."

At Da Hee's polite yet firm words, Han Seok's face turned pale for a moment before settling into an unreadable expression.

"A man to be like a lover for a day... You don't mean..."

"It's not a one-night stand or anything like that."

Da Hee cut him off, speaking the words Han Seok couldn't quite utter. Han Seok's expression became even more nuanced, a mix of relief and disappointment.

"If it's about a man for a day..."

A strange glimmer of hope filled Han Seok's face once more. 'Don't tell me he seriously applying?' Da Hee rubbed her forehead, feeling even more exhausted. She couldn't tolerate it any longer.

"I don't think you'd be suitable as the man for a day, Mr. Han Seok. You're a good person, and I don't get involved with people connected to my friends. Thank you for coming all this way. Please go carefully."

Da Hee stood up.

"Wait."

Han Seok called out timidly, but Da Hee didn't turn around. She strode purposefully to the counter, not once glancing in his direction until he left. Realizing he had been unequivocally rejected, Han Seok stomped out of the café.

~~~~~

It was afternoon, and the sun was beginning to dip. After Han Seok left, a few customers came and went. Tae Seon arrived just as Da Hee was washing the mugs those customers had used.

"You!"

Tae Seon yelled at Da Hee, having seen that there were no other customers in the shop.

Da Hee placed the rinsed mugs on the drying rack and pulled off her rubber gloves.

"What?"

"Did you tell Han Seok you were looking for a one-night stand?"

"I said I wasn't looking for a one-night stand, didn't I? Why did that old man get it backward?"

Da Hee retorted with an unconcerned expression, then stopped herself as she was about to point to the window seat. It was almost time for her regular customer to arrive. For some reason, she felt like she should keep the window seat near the door open. Da Hee changed the direction of her arm and gestured to a seat further inside the café.

"Sit down. What coffee do you want?"

"I don't want coffee. Get over here right now."

Tae Seon grabbed Da Hee's arm and pulled her to a table further inside the café. Da Hee sat down, watching Tae Seon's face, which seemed primed for a scolding.

"Why?"

"Do you know what kind of person Han Seok is? That man's annual salary is 100 million won! His personality is good, his family background is decent, and he's easygoing and socially adept, perfect for someone cold like you! What more do you think a man needs? A good personality, a good family, and a steady income. That's the best kind of man!"

"Then why hasn't a man like that gotten married yet?"

"Well, because he's busy with work!"

"But your husband, who's in the same profession, got married at 28?"

"Th-that's just because Han Seok hasn't met his match yet!"

"And why do you think I'm that match?"

Tae Seon clamped her mouth shut, looking at Da Hee, who remained consistently calm and somewhat cold in her replies. That ice block. No matter how emotional the other person gets, if the person sitting across from them is so rational and logical, it's impossible to get angrier. Tae Seon let out a frustrated sigh, then glared at Da Hee.

~~~~~

Miel's Translations