Chapter 12

Da Hee sat with her arms crossed, staring blankly ahead.

Was last night's kiss because of the alcohol? No. She was drunk, but she could still express herself clearly.

Was Woo Hyun forceful? No. He asked for her consent, and Da Hee didn't express refusal. In relationships between a man and a woman, not expressing refusal means consent.

Da Hee opened her shop 30 minutes later than usual and sat in a chair, replaying last night's events. She wasn't regretting it, but she was definitely questioning her impulsive decision. Why? Da Hee rested her chin in her hand and pondered. She didn't like physical touch, and that had often caused friction with previous boyfriends. Yet, she had accepted Woo Hyun's kiss. To be honest, it was the first time she'd ever thought a kiss was good.

It was a kiss where tongues intertwined, hot breath mingled sensually from their mouths, stars were visible when she opened her eyes, and the endless sound of waves rushed into her ears. A kiss somewhere between romance and eroticism.

"Does that guy just kiss well? Or am I starting to feel lonely?"

Da Hee rested her chin in her hand and questioned herself, but still found no answer. Then, her phone buzzed.

"Yeah, Tae Seon."

-Da Hee. I heard you went to the wedding.

"Yeah."

-Our friends are going crazy saying you brought some amazing guy. Who was it? Did you find a man?

"Yeah."

-Who was it?

"A regular customer from the café."

-Our friends said he was handsome and had a good vibe.

"Yeah."

Tae Seon was speechless.

-Wow, that's incredible recruiting power. How did you get a regular customer to come along?

"I didn't recruit him."

-Then he approached you and asked to be recruited?

"Yeah."

-What?

Tae Seon asked, as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing. Da Hee was too lazy to explain at length, so she answered directly.

Tae Seon's stammering voice could be heard through the receiver.

"Right now, he's a date mate."

-You're dating?

"No. Literally, we just go on dates."

-How can there be such a thing between a man and a woman?

"Turns out, there is."

Tae Seon stammered once more at Da Hee's words. Da Hee calmly waited for Tae Seon to collect herself and reply, looking at a cactus on the table. It seemed like ages since it had been watered, yet the cactus stubbornly thrived. That's why she liked cactus. Just as Da Hee's thoughts drifted elsewhere, Tae Seon spoke in an exasperated voice.

-So, you're saying you're date mates with a regular customer, right? Did you guys have sex?

"No."

-Right. Knowing you, of course not. Should I be happy about this? Or not? Doesn't that guy like you? He's just saying 'date mate' but it's more than that.

"No."

-No?

"Yeah, I'm sure."

Da Hee answered firmly, as if there was no way that could be true. Tae Seon let out a long sigh, sounding disappointed, then quietly asked.

-Then what about you?"

"You know me. I'm not dating anymore."

Da Hee replied, her posture relaxed and casual.

"I guess so."

Hearing Tae Seon's understanding reply, Da Hee raised her head. Every relationship labeled "love" had hurt her. Her father, who only saw the back of her mother, who loved her own reputation, was always lonely, and Da Hee herself, who loved both her mother and father, was unhappy. Even the men she carefully chose and loved, despite countless confessions from others, ultimately left her with scars.

This kind of relationship with Woo Hyun was good. The distance was satisfying. Even if she swung her hand with all her might, she couldn't strike the other's heart.

-Oh? I'll call you back in a bit, my mother-in-law just arrived. What kind of ambush is this at such an important moment?"

Tae Seon grumbled discontentedly.

"Okay, got it."

-Sorry. Let's talk later.

~~~~~

Miel's Translations