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chapter 15
A boy I was close with?
The question came out of nowhere. Da-in tried to guess at its meaning, but she couldn’t read Taekyung’s expression at all. It didn’t feel like he was trying to probe about Hanul and Yeoreum’s relationship either—his demeanor was far too serious.
“Mm…”
So Da-in forced herself to think hard. After her parents passed away, she had tried not to recall old memories. After even her older sister was gone, it became something she did unconsciously.
Whenever she recalled happy times, the present felt unbearably miserable. And even that thought itself felt unfair to little Yeoreum. She feared that the more she clung to memories of lost happiness, the more resentment she might feel toward the child.
Even though none of that unhappiness had been Yeoreum’s fault.
“When I was little, my parents were always so busy working, so I spent all my time with my sister.”
“…”
“She was often sick, so she went to the hospital a lot. I tagged along and practically lived there too.”
Taekyung silently listened. He already knew Da-in’s sister had been hospitalized back then. His own parents had strictly warned him not to bring up the sister in front of Da-in, fearing their son’s thoughtless questions might make her feel lonelier.
“In the evenings, I went home by myself. Since my sister was hospitalized long-term, I could only see her during the day, but at night my parents always went to the hospital to be with her. And whenever that happened, I…”
Her words, which had flowed smoothly, suddenly stopped. Da-in furrowed her brow. How had she filled those empty hours? From there, her memory grew hazy, like a fog filling her head.
“Um, at times like that, I would…”
So she really gets stuck there.
Watching her tilt her head in confusion, Taekyung gave a bittersweet smile. He held intact all his happy memories with her, while she… clearly didn’t.
If the reason was because of the last memory he had given her—if that day had hurt her that deeply—then was it really a good thing to bring it back?
“I’m sorry. It was so long ago, I really don’t remember.”
“I see.”
In the end, Da-in confessed honestly and bowed her head. Only after Taekyung chuckled warmly, signaling it was fine, could she look up again.
“Um… but why did you ask me that?”
As expected, she questioned it. With a gentle look, Taekyung softly explained.
“When I was little, there was a girl I was very close with. When I first saw Yeoreum, it struck me, and the more I met her, the clearer those memories became.”
“Ah…”
“So I was wondering if you also had memories like that.”
For some reason, his murmured words sounded tinged with loneliness.
“You must’ve been very close to her.”
“I saw her often, until about age ten, when we lost touch. I had to move far away.”
“Ah…”
“Looking back now… I think she might have been my first love.”
First love. The sudden word felt strange. When Da-in blinked at him in surprise, he looked embarrassed.
“Talking about a first love at age ten must sound childish.”
“N-no. Not childish at all.”
She meant it. Children have feelings too, and sometimes their emotions are even purer than adults’.
“Actually, it’s wonderful. It means she was a truly precious memory for you.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
With that, Taekyung offered his arm, inviting her to link hers with his.
“Shall we look around a bit more?”
“Ah, sure.”
Da-in carefully slipped her arm through his, swallowing hard. The firmness of his arm felt unfamiliar. Maybe it was just because his warmth seemed even more vivid at such close distance.
Wait—why did he say he was glad? That wasn’t something to be glad about just because I said it…
What exactly did he mean by that?
The question lingered unresolved, but Da-in kept quiet and calmly walked alongside him.
Taekyung’s connections were beyond imagination.
Given his position, she expected he’d know a lot of people at an event like this. But observing closely, she realized it wasn’t just acquaintances—plenty of people sought him out anyway.
Some were men, but overwhelmingly, women made up the majority. Even those who had come with other partners made a point of approaching him.
Each time, Da-in tried to step aside to make greetings easier, but Taekyung never loosened his arm from hers, so she couldn’t move an inch.
Worse still, whenever he introduced her as his partner, people gave her looks mixed with curiosity and disappointment. Because of that, she couldn’t relax for even a moment.
“Um… I’d like to get some fresh air.”
“Shall I come with you?”
“No, please stay here! I’ll be right back.”
Her hurried reply carried nervousness. Finally catching on to what she truly wanted, Taekyung pointed her toward the terrace and told her to go ahead. Relieved, she walked quickly in that direction.
“Ah… that’s nice.”
The terrace opened to the outside, letting in the breeze. Cool wind brushed Da-in’s cheeks. She tucked stray strands of hair behind her ear and lifted her gaze.
And because of that breeze, she didn’t see where she was going.
“Oh, I’m sorry!”
She accidentally bumped into someone standing at the edge of the terrace. She bowed her head in apology, but the man remained silent.
“I wasn’t watching where I was…”
“Min Da-in?”
A low, familiar voice sank into her ears. Startled, she jerked her head up. The man she’d bumped into looked just as shocked as she was.
“What are you doing here…”
It had been exactly one year since she last faced Seo In-hyuk this closely. His gray suit made his cold aura stand out even more.
In-hyuk had always reminded her of winter. They’d first met in that season, and his body temperature always felt icy, which only reinforced the impression. His stern personality and clipped speech matched as well.
Frozen in shock, Da-in couldn’t say a word. In-hyuk quickly smoothed over his expression, regaining his usual calm and rational demeanor, his black eyes fixed on her. As always, his blank face revealed nothing.
“What a coincidence.”
“…”
“I don’t recall seeing your name on the guest list.”
Of course not. The invitation had been Taekyung’s—she was only here as his partner.
But Da-in stayed silent, lips sealed. Her refusal to explain felt like she was building a wall.
“Have you been well?”
Even then, she gave no answer, brushing past him as if she hadn’t heard. But she didn’t get far before he grabbed her wrist, making her turn.
“Ah…!”
“So now you won’t even answer me?”
His grip was firm, his hand icy cold. Not strong enough to hurt, but not weak enough to shake off easily. She struggled, then pleaded softly:
“Please let go.”
She didn’t want a long conversation. This chance encounter already had her rattled. But In-hyuk showed no sign of backing off.
“Promise you won’t run away, and I will.”
“I’ve never run away.”
“You did that day.”
His words hit hard. It was true—on the day he asked her to meet him, she hadn’t shown up at the airport.
“Why?”
“…”
“I know you’re not someone who does things without reason. There had to be one.”
The same question, again and again. No matter how many times she denied it, he wouldn’t believe her.
“There was no reason. I just couldn’t forgive what you did to Yeoreum.”
“That’s all?”
Her head throbbed as she sighed deeply. She realized until she gave an answer that satisfied him, he wouldn’t stop.
“I explained everything in my messages before you left for Shanghai.”
“That wasn’t enough. I still don’t understand.”
“Then leave it at that. You don’t need to.”
“Da-in.”
The moment he said her name, she shut her eyes tight. Whenever he addressed her like that, her skin prickled as if stabbed with needles. Memories she wanted to bury threatened to resurface—memories short but intense.
She knew he wouldn’t give up easily, but she hadn’t expected this much stubbornness. Of all people, she had believed he was the most rational man she knew.
Back when they worked together, he never wavered at the office. No matter the crisis, he kept his expression blank, focusing only on solutions, never emotions.
That’s why some trusted him—and why others never could. Many whispered they’d never want to get entangled with him outside of business.
“Let’s stop this.”
“Stop what?”
“This meaningless conversation.”
She yanked her hand free with effort. But still, In-hyuk didn’t step aside. In fact, he blocked her path more firmly, as if refusing to let her leave.
But she didn’t have to worry about finding a way out.
“Miss Da-in.”
A voice she welcomed with relief came from behind her. She turned quickly, a smile breaking out unconsciously. In-hyuk also frowned and glanced that way.
“You said you’d be right back, so I was waiting… patiently.”
Taekyung, arms casually crossed, tilted his head with a calm smile.
“Come here, quickly.”
