Chapter 24

Woo Hyun pushed open the café door. The usually quiet café was a little bustling. Da Hee and a neatly dressed woman standing at the counter were deep in conversation, not even noticing Woo Hyun's arrival.

"Please stop it, Mom."

As soon as the word "Mom" came from Da Hee's mouth, Woo Hyun stopped in his tracks. His gaze shifted back to the middle-aged woman. With a voluminous hairstyle, a red dress, and heeled shoes, the woman looked neat and sophisticated.

'She's not someone who has much interest in her child's life. She hasn't visited once since the café opened. My mother is a famous voice actress, you see. There are still many people who seeking her out, and after she opened her voice acting academy, she got even busier. It's hard to even see her face once a year.'

Woo Hyun recalled something Da Hee had once said casually while drinking coffee. At the time, Da Hee had an uncharacteristic expression, a mix of emotions. Though Da Hee didn't say it, Woo Hyun realized she harbored a lot of resentment towards her mother.

Woo Hyun turned from his path to the counter and sat at the window seat. The shadow of the large tree in the garden shaded the window seat, making it cool.

"I'm not asking for something difficult."

The middle-aged woman's voice grew a little louder. Even though he didn't want to listen, their conversation was clearly audible.

"It is difficult for me."

Da Hee's voice also rose, sounding angry. It was the first time Woo Hyun had seen Da Hee so agitated.

"Is meeting someone for an arranged marriage difficult? How long are you going to live running a café by yourself?"

"I can manage living alone."

"Do you know how much people gossip? All our relatives are making a fuss about me not marrying you off. How long do I have to be nagged by your paternal grandmother for not getting you married? Since your father isn't around, once you get married, I plan to cut ties with his family too. So, hurry up and get married."

The middle-aged woman's voice was thoroughly mixed with irritation.

"In a world like today's, marriage isn't a necessity, is it?"

Da Hee said in a calm voice after a pause. The middle-aged woman's momentum faltered, but her stubbornness did not.

"It is a necessity. Even if it's not a necessity in today's world, your marriage is a necessity for your paternal and maternal relatives! Understood? Don't make things hard for your mom, and go to the arranged meeting. And if possible, get married within this year. If you don't get married, you'll have to live with me. Until you die of old age. Do you want that?"

The middle-aged woman's non-threat threats poured out. Their conversation ceased. Though they weren't speaking, the tension between them was palpable. Woo Hyun slowly closed and opened his eyes, his gaze fixed on the garden.

'No.' Or 'I won't.'

Woo Hyun expected Da Hee to answer that way.

"...Alright. When is it?"

The moment his prediction was proven wrong, Woo Hyun's fingertips twitched. 'Alright?' He doubted if he had heard correctly.

"Tomorrow lunch. He's the only son who runs a small to medium-sized business. It's hard for a woman over thirty to find an arranged marriage partner, and it was only possible because I'm your mother. Don't cause trouble, temper your personality, and behave yourself. When you marry and live together, affection grows between a couple. Understood?"

The middle-aged woman's voice softened, even becoming affectionate at the end. Afterwards, the middle-aged woman told Da Hee.

"I'll contact you with the details tonight. Call me after the meeting tomorrow."

Then, she turned and left. Da Hee didn't respond.

"Oh my, there was a customer."

At her mother's words, Da Hee turned her head.

"Take care."

Her mother waved and opened the door to leave. Da Hee saw Woo Hyun's broad back as he sat by the window.

'Did he hear, or not?'

Though she wasn't committing a crime, Da Hee felt a prick of guilt looking at Woo Hyun's back. Finally, Woo Hyun got up. Watching him walk across the café towards the counter, Da Hee let out a quiet sigh.

Today felt unlucky.

"What would you like to drink?"

Da Hee asked, her gaze shifting to the menu.

"What do you mean by going on a blind date?"

At the chilling tone, Da Hee's eyes slowly moved. Woo Hyun's face was expressionless, unlike his voice.

"It's exactly as I said. I'm going on a blind date."

"So, why?"

Woo Hyun's voice was colder than the air conditioning.

"Let's just say it's my mother's coercion. Her stubbornness is about ten times stronger than mine. If I had left it alone, she probably would have been talking about me going on blind dates all day. It looks like she canceled all her plans for today to come here."

"Is it just a formality?"

"For now. What will you have?"

"Americano."

"I'll get you an iced-Americano."

Woo Hyun nodded lightly. While Da Hee made the Americano, Woo Hyun tapped the table with his fingertips.

"Marriage?"

Woo Hyun asked abruptly. When Da Hee looked at him as if asking what he meant. Woo Hyun continued.

"If your mother also makes you get married, then, will you get married?"

"Well, I haven't thought about that."

"So, you're not completely ruling it out."

At Woo Hyun's words, Da Hee pressed her lips together.

Marriage. Could there be a word more unfitting for her? But why? Why was marriage, which felt so excessively distant, a little bit curious these days? Very occasionally, when she thought about marriage, Woo Hyun came to her mind. Lately, she had been waking up in Woo Hyun's bedroom more often, and he was also coming and going from her own home. If marriage was like this, she thought it might be worth it.

~~~~~

Miel's Translations