TSS 11

TSS

Posted by Elsa, Released on September 7, 2025

Chapter : 11

Meanwhile, at that time, Hayun was wandering outside without purpose. It had been quite a while since Geonhyung had dropped her off, but she couldn’t bring herself to go home.

‘If I stay out a little longer, maybe I’ll get scolded less.’

Hayun let out a sigh as she sat on a bench in the apartment’s shared garden. Just as she was about to enter the house, she remembered how her sister and mother had been scheming to send her out. Returning home now, while the sun was still high, could lead to all sorts of trouble. She realized the days had gotten longer.

“Summer’s coming…”

Hayun raised her hand to her eyes and looked at the sky. Even for early evening sunlight, it was still bright. Despite wearing relatively little, she didn’t feel cold, and the air had subtly changed. It seemed summer was finally approaching.

‘Where should we go for the next date?’

Geonhyung had asked her this while dropping her off, but she hadn’t known what to say. When Hayun was at a loss for words, Geonhyung had casually added,

‘Anywhere you like is fine.’

Anywhere she liked…

Hayun looked around. This place—where she was sitting now—was the one she had liked most since she started living in this neighborhood back in high school. Still, could she really suggest having a date here?

‘Maybe if it’s just a short thirty-minute date, it could work.’

Despite being called a garden, the space was narrow. When the complex was first built, many had objected, asking why there was a park in such an expensive area. Yet, it was the only place that welcomed Hayun when she first arrived in this unfamiliar neighborhood, which made it her favorite spot.

‘Then, we could meet here first, take a walk around…’

Hayun thought this absentmindedly and smiled lightly. To be worrying about the third date already, when there had been talk of marriage or not…

‘Well, at least I should be grateful he takes me out from home.’

She tried to excuse herself. Even if she had to spend time outside each time, it was worth it.

However, her sister knew that Hayun often spent time here.

“Ha, I knew it.”

A voice that was far from welcome reached her while she was lost in thought. Hayun tensed up and turned toward the source of the voice.

Her sister, Hyeyeon, stood with her hands on her hips, glaring as if she were ready to pounce.

“Sis…”

Hayun hesitated, calling her sister’s name. As if she had been waiting, Hyeyeon grabbed her wrist and started dragging her along.

“When did you get home, anyway?”

“Uh, not long ago…”

“Not long ago? You’ve made lying a habit now. You look so bad that we dressed you up and sent you out early—how could you wander around like this?”

“Uh, sis, just a little slower…”

Hayun staggered as she was pulled along. Regardless, Hyeyeon continued to tug her sister sharply, urging her forward.

It was only after they reached the elevator that Hyeyeon finally released her hand.

“If you refused properly, you should come straight home. Why are you dawdling here? You should hurry and schedule the next matchmaking meeting.”

“Th-the next matchmaking meeting?”

Hayun’s face froze at the mention of the next meeting. She had thought no other words would come out while she was with Geonhyung.

“You and I both have to get married by the end of this year, no matter what. Don’t you know that yet?”

“Still, so soon…”

“Do you think weddings in those families get ready in a day or two?”

Hayun’s eyes widened at her sister’s words. Hyeyeon’s own wedding preparations hadn’t taken that long; they were mostly just waiting for the date.

Seeing her, Hyeyeon let out a hollow laugh.

“Look at you. It’s our wedding, but our schedule isn’t the important part.”

“Th-then…”

“The guests, I mean, the guests. Those are people my father knows and can call on. They’ve been scheduled for years in advance… yet you act all naive.”

The elevator doors opened. Frowning deeply, Hyeyeon pushed her sister’s shoulder. Seeing Hayun’s expression seemed to irritate her—was only she allowed to feel wronged or struggle?

“Ah!”

Hayun screamed as she was pushed off the elevator. She accidentally stubbed her exposed toe in the open-toe sandals she was wearing. Tears began to well up in her eyes.

“You should’ve been more careful.”

Hyeyeon followed out of the elevator, making excuses. Glancing down at Hayun’s big toe, she saw blood. It seemed the toenail had been partially torn.

Hayun muttered through her trembling voice,

“I-I’m not used to high heels…”

“What? So it’s your fault you couldn’t walk properly, not the shoes? I even lent you these expensive ones.”

Hayun hadn’t had any shoes to match the outfit she was wearing, so she had to borrow her sister’s. Not only were the heels unfamiliar, but they were also slightly bigger than her size, so they kept slipping off, making her stumble.

“And I told you to walk properly not because I feel sorry for your toenail. I just don’t want you to make a fool of yourself.”

“Fool of myself?”

Sitting awkwardly, Hayun listened as Hyeyeon spoke casually, as if recounting a funny story.

“I mean, Geonhyung—or whatever his name is—is probably the only one normal here. He’s a little older, but at least he’s never been married, right? Of course, divorce isn’t a flaw.”

Hyeyeon added, almost jokingly, that he had never beaten his wife. Hayun, forgetting the pain in her foot, opened her mouth in disbelief. At that moment, the front door opened.

“If you’re here, come in. What are you doing out there?”

Her mother asked sharply, as if she didn’t want Hayun to come in. Hunched over, Hayun struggled to stand.

Hyeyeon walked inside, linking arms with her mother.

“Mom, when will that man who broke his ex-wife’s ribs have time?”

“…What are you talking about?”

“He looks like he got into trouble—when did he even get home? And he was wandering outside again!”

Hyeyeon chattered as she walked inside with her mother. Hayun limped behind, glancing at them, feeling teased.

“…Don’t speak recklessly.”

“Everyone says it! He beat his ex-wife so badly she broke her ribs, and they divorced because of it.”

“Do you think your father would really marry you off to such a man? Be careful what you say. Don’t spread nonsense you hear.”

“It’s not nonsense! Min-guk oppa said so!”

Hyeyeon claimed she had heard it from her fiancé, looking serious. Her mother pulled her arm away, frowning. She disliked noise and, after her husband entered politics, had become even more sensitive to rumors. She didn’t appreciate Hyeyeon making such a fuss.

“Don’t worry.”

Finally, her mother spoke to Hayun. Though meant as comfort, her expression remained cold. Her eyes widened as she looked at Hayun.

“Oh dear? Where did you get hurt?”

Clucking her tongue, her mother seemed concerned. Hayun looked at her hopefully.

Of course, her mother wasn’t really worried.

“It looks torn. Toenails bleed a bit when they tear. It’ll be fine, so don’t worry. There’s medicine in the first-aid kit, so apply it.”

Instead of inspecting the injury, her mother pointed casually to the first-aid kit in the living room cabinet. Hayun’s shoulders sagged. Her mother’s gaze then shifted to Hyeyeon.

“Hyeyeon, you should be more careful with your words too.”

“Mom, are you scolding me again?”

“It’s not just you. Imagine what people would think if they overheard. You act like you’re desperate to send Hayun anywhere.”

“…Maybe.”

“Don’t say that. Hayun’s suitor was also carefully chosen by your father.”

Of course, he had been chosen, based solely on wealth. Hyeyeon’s case wasn’t different either—how well could the public opinion be swayed?

“And if Hayun ever goes on a matchmaking date, don’t tell Min-guk.”

“Min-guk oppa already knows, you know?”

“No, I’m worried bad rumors might spread about the family she visited today.”

“After she got into trouble going out like that? Does it matter if the rumors spread?”

Hyeyeon grumbled. Hearing their mother scold her in front of Hayun wasn’t pleasant. Her mother sighed.

“Trouble, huh? Just got word. They want to proceed with the marriage.”