Chapter 10

"Where are we going?"

Da Hee asked indifferently, watching the scenery of tree-lined streets flowing by like a river. It was a full thirty minutes after leaving the wedding hall before she wondered about their destination.

"A date."

Woo Hyun replied calmly while driving.

"Were you serious?"

"Yeah."

"But, when did you start speaking informally to me?"

"Back at the wedding hall. It'd be funny to speak formally when our concept is 'lovers,' wouldn't it? Don't you like it, Ms. Lee Da Hee?"

Da Hee chuckled, looking at Woo Hyun, who acted as if he'd switch back to formal speech if she disliked it, yet never actually did. Informal speech suited Woo Hyun better than formal, and Da Hee preferred it that way too.

"Keep speaking informally."

"Okay. How about you drop the formalities too?"

"I'll think about it slowly."

"Why?"

"I don't speak informally to people I'm not close with."

Da Hee clearly drew a line. For anyone else, it might have been offensive, but Woo Hyun just chuckled.

"It's okay for me to speak informally?"

"It doesn't matter."

"Alright, then. You can speak informally when we get closer."

"A date, do you have a place in mind?"

Da Hee asked.

"Do you like the sea?"

"I do. I like drinking beer while looking at the night sea even more."

"Then we'll do that."

Woo Hyun turned the wheel and entered the highway. Da Hee rolled the window down halfway and looked out.

The early summer breeze was light. It's cheerful and cool. That's why Da Hee liked early summer. And Woo Hyun felt like the early summer breeze....light, cheerful, not clinging, seeming to take any action lightly, without attaching meaning to it.

As proof, he hadn't asked a single question about the wedding since they left. He didn't muddle her feelings with clumsy remarks like, 'Are you okay?' or 'Are you upset?' A small smile formed on Da Hee's lips.

She liked him a little.

~~~~~

"First, let's eat."

Two hours later, having arrived at the beach, Woo Hyun gestured with his chin towards a restaurant. Unlike a typical sashimi restaurant, this one exuded a calm and cozy atmosphere.

Da Hee, pleased with Woo Hyun's choice that aligned with her taste, gave a slight nod.

"Okay."

The interior of the building was even cozier and more secluded than its exterior. Each table was separated by wooden partitions, and the customers already present were all conversing quietly.

"It's been a while since you've visited."

A restaurant employee said, recognizing Woo Hyun as a regular. Woo Hyun simply smiled as he took the menu offered by the employee without answering. After the employee left, he opened the menu and placed it in front of Da Hee.

"What do you like?"

"I like sashimi."

"What kind?"

"The type doesn't matter."

"Alright, then."

Woo Hyun called the employee over and ordered a medium assorted sashimi platter. As the employee, having said 'yes' and greeted them, turned to leave, Da Hee called out, 'Excuse me!' and stopped her.

"Can I also get a beer?"

"Are you drinking alone?"

Woo Hyun asked, narrowing his eyes.

"No. Let's drink together. We can just rest in the car afterward, can't we? Are you busy?"

Woo Hyun fell silent at Da Hee's casual reply. She seemed to be planning to watch the night sea all night. Woo Hyun first looked out the window. It was still afternoon. There was plenty of time left before they could see the night sea. The employee looked at Woo Hyun, waiting for an answer.

"One bottle of beer, please."

"Yes."

The employee bowed and disappeared. The tightly woven bamboo screen hung long downwards. A large chrysanthemum painting was drawn on the screen.

Da Hee gazed out at the beach visible through the window. Woo Hyun watched her. Even in the somewhat cramped space, a semi-enclosed area with the screen drawn, Da Hee paid no mind to Woo Hyun. It was closer to indifference than caution.

It was the first time he had been treated as such an afterthought by a woman, and while Woo Hyun was dumbfounded, he was also quite amused.

Because the other person was excessively uninterested in him, he, in turn, became curious about her.

The employee began setting down the assorted sashimi, a bottle of beer, and two glasses at their table.

"Enjoy your meal."

The employee bowed politely and left. Da Hee naturally picked up a set of chopsticks and a spoon, and then offered them to Woo Hyun. He'd thought her indifference meant she'd forgotten him, but it seemed he was wrong.

"Take them please."

Da Hee said to Woo Hyun, who was just looking at the utensils. Woo Hyun accepted the utensils Da Hee offered. While Woo Hyun opened the beer bottle, Da Hee set up their place to make their meal comfortable. Da Hee seemed to have a surprisingly delicate personality.

"Do you like to drink?"

Woo Hyun asked, pouring beer into Da Hee's glass.

"No."

Da Hee replied, shaking her head slightly as she took the beer.

"Then why?"

"Strangely, whenever I come to the beach, I want to drink. Originally, drinking at the beach was my father's habit. That habit developed in me a year after he passed away."

"So your father passed away."

His voice showed no hint of sympathy. Da Hee nodded lightly.

"Yes, my mother is still alive."

"Do you live with your mother?"

"No. She's not interested in me. My mother's philosophy is that children should live their own lives. As long as I don't tarnish her reputation, that's all that matters. Oh, but she does care about marriage. My paternal grandmother's wish is to see me get married. So, my mother is pressuring me to get married because she wants to be free from my paternal grandmother."

Da Hee answered casually, as if it were no big deal.

"That's similar to my family."

Woo Hyun replied with a light laugh. Da Hee picked up a piece of sashimi and ate it, then smiled cheerfully, saying, 'It's delicious.' A quiet meal followed. They refilled each other's glasses when they were empty, and occasionally made light conversation when a common topic arose.

"It's unexpected."

Woo Hyun said. Da Hee looked up with a look seemingly asked, 'What do you mean?'

"I thought you'd be reluctant to talk about yourself."

"..."

"Don't you dislike people?"

"If I couldn't even talk about this much, I wouldn't have met you. I don't meet people just to stare at their faces, and this isn't some big secret anyway."

Da Hee poured beer into Woo Hyun's empty glass. The white beer foam swelled up in the glass and then settled a little. Da Hee looked at Woo Hyun's glass and smiled contentedly, as if saying, 'I poured that well.'

~~~~~

Miel's Translations