Chapter 11

The sound of the sea rushed in as the door briefly opened and closed, then soon fell silent. Da Hee raised her beer glass and drained the half-remaining beer in one go. She winced slightly as the carbonation scraped down her throat, then set the glass down.

"Mr. Ma Woo Hyun, you don't have to talk about yourself if you don't want to."

Da Hee said after a pause.

"You weren't going to ask anyway, were you?"

"That's true, but what I mean is, just because I'm telling my story doesn't mean you have to feel pressured to tell yours. We're not meeting to put pressure on each other, and there's no need to try and guess what kind of background each of us grew up in, or what kind of people we are. Oh! But let's clarify one thing."

"Go on."

"Do you have someone you like, or someone you're currently dating, Mr. Ma Woo Hyun?"

"No. Why do you ask?"

"Because I'd rather not be used for your escapade."

Da Hee's tone clearly indicated that while other things were fine, she disliked anything that could lead to trouble later. Woo Hyun poured beer into Da Hee's empty glass.

"Don't worry."

"Then it's fine."

Da Hee said, smiling as if it were nothing.

After finishing their meal, Da Hee stopped by a convenience store and bought two cans of beer and one can of cola. When Woo Hyun asked why she was buying cola, Da Hee replied, 'The driver should drink cola,' and deliberately pressed the can into his hand.

They sat side-by-side in the car, which was parked facing the sea. With the roof and windows all open, the sea breeze blew endlessly. Da Hee rested her arm on the window and took a deep breath.

The alcohol was starting to hit her. She realized that she'd skipped breakfast that morning. She'd been practically starving all day, then poured alcohol and cold sashimi into her empty stomach.

'No wonder I'm getting tipsy.'

Da Hee thought, sipping her beer.

When she came to the seaside, she couldn't stop drinking.

Her father enjoyed going far out on a boat for sea fishing. He'd slice up freshly caught fish right there and drink it with beer. While others drank soju, her father always insisted on beer. He'd tell his young daughter, sitting her down, that it was perfect for his taste and that they absolutely had to go together when she was older. Then, after developing a stroke and cerebral hemorrhage three years later, her father, having lost his hobby, would often go to the seaside or riverside and just sip beer when he felt down. Her father returned home smelling like the salty sea. Da Hee disliked that scent clinging to his clothes, even though he wasn't a fisherman. Looking back now, it wasn't the salty smell she disliked. It was her father's loneliness, his desolation, embedded in that salty scent that she hated. Now, as an adult, when she came to the seaside, she drank beer in her father's stead, recalling the solitude and desolation he must have felt.

Of course, even then, Da Hee who lack emotion, couldn't truly understand the desolation and loneliness of her father, who was unusually sensitive. She merely felt a bit dazed, a sinking feeling in her chest. She could only guess, 'My father must have felt something like this.'

"What are you thinking about?"

Woo Hyun's question broke Da Hee's reverie. When she turned her head, Woo Hyun's image wavered. She was drunk. Da Hee knew it, yet she couldn't put down the beer in her hand. She sank into the seat.

"Just... about someone's loneliness."

Da Hee mumbled, and Woo Hyun looked at her profile.

Her face held a story. Suddenly, he became curious about it. But Woo Hyun didn't ask further. Da Hee silently gazed intently at the night sea. It was as if she was looking at an invisible horizon, or perhaps not looking at the sea at all.

Woo Hyun's gaze turned towards the sea. He slowly closed and opened his eyes, looking at the ocean that was as black as a black hole.

Although he loved looking at the sea, Woo Hyun couldn't come often. Staring at the night sea alone for too long made him feel eerie, like life was over. He disliked that feeling, so when he came to see the night sea with someone, he couldn't relax. There was no one who would silently gaze at the night sea with him. But now, it seemed he had found that person.

Woo Hyun sank into the car seat. Suddenly feeling a gaze, he turned his head. Da Hee's knees were bent and tucked in, covered by his jacket. Curled up, Da Hee slowly opened and closed her eyes, looking at Woo Hyun. Her eyes shone black, as if they had absorbed the night sea. Her pupils, glowing quietly like another world, repeatedly appeared and disappeared behind her eyelids.

"Why are you staring like that?"

Woo Hyun asked.

"Just thinking I should get a good look at my date mate's face."

"Does that mean I can look at yours too?"

"Go ahead. It doesn't cost anything."

Da Hee smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons. Da Hee, who rarely smiled beyond a light smirk, was smiling now that she was drunk. Her smile was more captivating than he'd expected, and Woo Hyun found himself unable to look away.

"Have you ever thought that this could be considered seduction?"

"No, so drop that thought."

Da Hee said firmly.

Woo Hyun chuckled. His gaze traveled slowly from Da Hee's night-sea-like eyes down to her lips. Her reddish lips were slightly parted. No sound could be heard except for the waves. Woo Hyun, suddenly feeling as if he'd been dropped into the middle of another world, spoke as if enchanted.

"I want to kiss you."

Da Hee tilted her head, her face questioning if she'd heard him correctly.

"I want to kiss you."

Woo Hyun willingly repeated.

Da Hee's eyes narrowed. Her gaze landed on Woo Hyun's lips. His lips became particularly alluring when he smiled. She was curious about the taste of those lips.

"I'll just kiss you."

His voice, seemingly calm but unable to hide his yearning, made Da Hee set down her beer can. Should she refuse, or not? It was a situation that called for refusal, yet strangely, she didn't want to. It was when Da Hee had that thought as she looked at Woo Hyun once more.

Woo Hyun reached out and gripped the headrest of the seat. Da Hee's back met the space between the door and the seat. At the same time, a sweet, cola-like taste touched her lips. Da Hee, with her eyes not quite closed, looked at Woo Hyun, whose head was tilted to the side. Behind Woo Hyun's face was the open sunroof, where countless stars twinkled endlessly. It felt like another world.

His lips sensually drew in hers. A strange pleasure surged through Da Hee's intoxicated mind. She closed her eyes tightly and accepted his invading tongue.

~~~~~

Miel's Translations