Chapter 25

However, that was fleeting. Marriage between Woo Hyun and herself just wouldn't work. Marriage requires either an agreement of conditions or the accompaniment of love, and neither of those were part of her relationship with Woo Hyun. They were people who couldn't marry. That was Woo Hyun and herself.

Da Hee placed the iced-Americano in front of Woo Hyun. Sitting opposite him, she looked at his face and calmly began to speak.

"I'll try not to get married if I can, but if it happens, I guess I will. Life doesn't always go as planned, you know. If someone suddenly appeared, as if by magic, and made me dream of marriage, then I'd have to marry that person."

"You've changed your mind a lot. You used to say you hated even dating."

Woo Hyun's voice grew even colder. Just a few months ago, when they met, Da Hee acted as if she didn't even know the word 'marriage'. Now, the woman who refused even dating was speaking with the nuance that she might get married if it were possible.

Seeing Woo Hyun's disappointed expression, Da Hee narrowed her eyes in confusion. Woo Hyun's face was unusually dark today, and the conversation hadn't strayed from the topic of marriage since earlier. It was strange that Woo Hyun was suddenly so interested in her views on marriage and dating again.

However, Da Hee, with her legs crossed, calmly responded while cupping her now-cold teacup during her conversation with her mother.

"Marriage is better than dating, actually."

"..."

"At least there's a lower chance of hearing words like 'Let's break up.'"

"..."

"But, they'd have to know 'this me.'"

"What is 'this me'?"

"'This me' who can't passionately love someone."

"So, if the man you meet at tomorrow's blind date understands 'this Da Hee,' you might marry him?"

"Well..."

Da Hee didn't deny it, instead smiling vaguely at Woo Hyun. Silence fell, and eventually, Woo Hyun dropped his gaze.

For a brief moment, Woo Hyun despaired. Da Hee didn't wonder why he was asking these questions or why he wore such an expression. Woo Hyun knew that Da Hee's feelings were less than half of the interest he held.

In the end, Woo Hyun didn't return her smile.

~~~~~

After hanging up a sign announcing her closure due to personal reasons, Da Hee locked the shop door and left. The night was deep, but the world was still hot, intoxicated with its own warmth. Coming out from the cool air conditioning, it felt even hotter.

Da Hee, who had just locked the café door with her key and turned, let out a soft sigh. It was because Woo Hyun's face, unusually stiff today, came to mind.

Why had he made such an expression? He seemed to be deep in thought, and in the end, he didn't say anything. Da Hee put her keys in her bag and trudged down the night street. Numerous thoughts swelled up like bubbles, then silently faded away, repeating the cycle.

Someday, her relationship with Woo Hyun would end. This relationship, which couldn't be defined by anything, and moreover, couldn't be introduced to their acquaintances, couldn't possibly last. She had known this from the beginning. And even if she didn't want to admit it, she could feel this relationship slowly starting to creak. Woo Hyun's expressions and gestures were no longer as indifferent as before. The moment impure feelings, beyond mere interest or consideration, began to mix in, the relationship would become distorted.

A breakup with Woo Hyun.

"Haa."

Da Hee took a deep breath in and slowly let it out.

Hot air rose in clumps from the still-warm asphalt road. It was hot. It must be because of the heat. That's why her chest felt so tight.

~~~~~

Having finished getting ready to go out, Da Hee stood in front of the mirror. Since it was her mother's acquaintance, she only planned to be polite enough not to cause any trouble. She touched the ends of her impulsively cut hair from last night's walk home, then picked up her handbag.

Ding-dong, ding-dong!

Just then, Da Hee, who was heading towards the front door, tilted her head in surprise. There was no one she expected to visit at this hour.

"Who is it?"

"It's me."

Da Hee narrowed her eyes at the familiar voice from outside the door. At this hour, without a call, Woo Hyun had come. Da Hee, now wearing her shoes, pushed the front door open. Woo Hyun stood there, dressed in a T-shirt and jeans. Da Hee scanned him up and down, wondering if something was wrong.

"What's going on?"

Woo Hyun didn't say anything to Da Hee's question. Da Hee frowned at the unsettling silence that followed.

"I have a blind date today."

"Right, go on your date."

"..."

"But go with me instead."

Da Hee stared at Woo Hyun, as if asking what he meant.

"Go on a proper blind date with me, and let's redefine our relationship."

"Mr. Ma Woo Hyun."

Da Hee desperately hoped it wasn't what she thought. Not those words that would mess up the relationship they had maintained rationally for several months. But, Woo Hyun had said it, and he didn't seem to have any intention of taking it back.

"Do you know what you're saying?"

"I do."

"..."

"I'm saying I'm going to enter Lee Da Hee's life. I said it clearly, and you heard it clearly."

Da Hee bit her lip thinly.

~~~~~

Miel's Translations