🔊 TTS Settings
chapter 15
So-hyeop slowly nodded.
“I was going to tell you anyway.”
“Ah, that’s a relief. So it’s not for a bad reason?”
“Exactly.”
“I’m really happy!”
I felt a wave of relief. Seeing me genuinely happy, So-hyeop tilted his head slightly.
“Are you really that happy?”
“Of course!”
I smiled brightly.
“I really don’t want to lose you.”
At my words, So-hyeop’s eyes widened slightly. Clearly, he was surprised—not only had I accepted his proposal without hesitation, but my words carried a hint of possessiveness. I regretted my impulsiveness, but it was already too late.
‘What if he thinks I’m too materialistic? Well, I am materialistic, but I mustn’t show it openly…’
Just as I was worrying about how to handle the situation, So-hyeop nodded.
“…I feel the same way.”
His sudden words made my eyes widen in surprise.
“What do you mean?”
So-hyeop smiled softly, like a delicate lily of the valley.
“I don’t want to lose you either.”
“What…?!”
Could it be that he had fallen in love at first sight…? No, could he even say something like that before? Stammering, I listened as So-hyeop continued.
“You and I are quite similar. Even though we’ve only known each other a short while, it’s obvious.”
It was an unexpected reason—not as impulsive as love at first sight, but still embarrassing. I waved my hands defensively.
“That’s impossible! How could someone like me…!”
So-hyeop spoke with unwavering certainty.
“We really are alike.”
“No… how exactly…?”
“That doesn’t matter.”
He drew a firm line and continued.
“What matters now is that I feel at ease when I’m with you.”
“….”
“So don’t be anxious.”
He spoke with such confidence.
“You are good enough to move the hearts of others.”
“So-hyeop…”
“Then I dare to ask once more.”
So-hyeop stepped closer, slightly bowing his upper body. At a distance so close our faces could nearly touch, he looked into my eyes and whispered:
“Please marry me.”
So-hyeop spoke with a striking rationality. I realized:
‘He’s not proposing out of love.’
Even the most rational person becomes flustered when meeting true love, yet So-hyeop showed no such signs. He seemed to propose simply because being with me made him comfortable.
But that didn’t matter. I nodded.
“Yes, I will marry you.”
After all, I probably couldn’t love him as much as my family did, so it was even. So-hyeop immediately smiled brightly.
“I look forward to our life together, So-jeo.”
“Likewise.”
In this way, I had obtained the ideal husband I had always dreamed of. Yet, still feeling dazed, I was asked by So-hyeop:
“Is there anything else you’re curious about?”
“No.”
I just felt like I was still in a dream. I had never imagined achieving a goal I had long thought would come someday, all in one day.
If possible, I wanted to grab a passerby and ask them to punch me, just to feel it physically. But here, it was only So-hyeop and me, so I pinched my own hand.
‘Ouch.’
The pain on my hand confirmed that this was reality, not a dream. A smile slowly spread across my face.
‘I finally achieved my goal.’
Yet, strangely…
‘Why am I feeling calmer?’
Shouldn’t happiness grow with time?
‘At first, I was so happy I could have fainted. I was thrilled to finally help my family…’
At that moment, So-hyeop spoke.
“Shall we go see your family now? I hope they will approve of our marriage.”
I quickly stopped my thoughts and waved them away.
“Oh, don’t worry! My parents will surely… approve of you, So-hyeop!”
I couldn’t finish my sentence. I remembered how my parents had suggested postponing discussions about my marriage.
‘Was that why I felt uneasy?’
Yes, that made sense. I had subconsciously worried that my family might oppose, preventing me from fully enjoying my happiness.
So-hyeop looked at me curiously as I suddenly stopped speaking.
“So-jeo?”
“Ah, sorry. I’m just really nervous about seeing my parents.”
“Then shall we talk after dinner?”
What if my parents actually opposed? No, someone as good as So-hyeop couldn’t be opposed. But my parents had said they weren’t ready to let me go.
‘What if that’s true…?’
I didn’t want to lose So-hyeop, but I also didn’t want to make my parents sad. With a heavy heart, I went toward my family with So-hyeop.
Before reaching the room, cheerful laughter echoed. Were they telling a funny story? I reached for the door.
“Is that really true?”
“Our son is amazing. I’m so glad you’re here.”
I froze. Through the door crack came the words I had longed to hear. But even more astonishing was my older brother’s response.
“Don’t say that anymore. I can’t take it seriously.”
“Oh, we’ve always been sincere with you.”
I already knew how proud my parents were of their smart, quick-thinking eldest son. That praise must have come because he had accomplished something again.
Being praised for doing well was natural for him. But for me, watching my most desired goal come so easily for him, it always hurt.
Frozen at the doorway, So-hyeop lightly pulled me back.
“Are you that nervous, So-jeo?”
I finally regained my composure and bowed my head.
“Yes, a little.”
“Then shall we tell them later? After dinner is fine with me.”
“……”
Laughter spilled from the doorway again. I clenched my fists.
“No, I want to tell them now.”
My family truly loved me. I didn’t want to doubt their sincerity over something so trivial. I raised my voice.
“Father, Mother, may we come in?”
“Of course, come in.”
I opened the door and entered with So-hyeop. The family stood and asked:
“Have you already shown them everything?”
“No.”
“Then did you just come because you were hungry? It’ll take a while to cook the meat… at least have some snacks.”
“Not for that reason.”
The three of them stared at us, puzzled. I opened my mouth reflexively, then stopped.
‘How should I say this?’
Just saying, “I was proposed to by Baek Mu-wol So-hyeop, and I want to marry him” felt a bit too direct…
I was in a dilemma. So-hyeop stood closer and smiled.
“Shall I tell them?”
“Ah, no. I want to tell them.”
“Don’t be too nervous.”
Their confusion grew with our exchange.
“So-jin, what do you mean?”
“I… I mean…”
Forget it. I decided to be straightforward. I sat my family down and called them one by one.
“Father.”
“Yes.”
“Mother.”
“Yes, I’m here.”
“Brother.”
“Why are you acting like this?”
I took a deep breath and revealed my heart.
“I want to marry Baek Mu-wol So-hyeop.”
“What……?!”
Clang—
My father’s teacup fell from his hand. My mother and brother immediately stood up.
