“Uh… it’s not bad, but aren’t you rushing things a bit…?”
“Hello? Ms. Lee Ha-eun?”
[Yes, this is she. Who’s calling?]
There wasn’t even time to stop him. The call had already started.
Fast! And straight to the point, too.
“It’s me. Kang Si-yul.”
[Si-yul…? I mean, Dr. Kang? What brings you to call me?]
“It’s nothing else—I just wanted you to come over to my place.”
[…Pardon? Right now? Did something happen?]
Ha-eun’s voice was filled with confusion at Si-yul’s sudden call.
It was understandable. After all, the man who had been so impossible to reach until now was the one calling her first.
“It’s about Tae-il.”
[Ah, so that’s why you called. Did he make it home safely? He still hasn’t contacted me…]
“He’s sick.”
[…Oh my goodness, sick? Where? Is he hurt? Did something happen to him…?]
“You’ll see when you go. He’s alone at home right now. I had an appointment, so I had to leave. I thought maybe you could look after him.”
His hidden scheme was obvious—pushing the decision quickly since it wasn’t his problem.
To bring Ha-eun directly into the house like that… Tae-il probably wasn’t ready for it yet. But it was better than letting him prepare to run away.
Right, Mom always said you have to raise your child strong!
Like a tigress shoving her cub off a cliff.
Hae-in couldn’t stand watching Tae-il’s timid hesitation any longer. Sure, she respected his sensitivity and thoughtfulness, but in this situation, it wasn’t helping.
Since she couldn’t be cruel herself, she decided to leave it to Si-yul, who could. It was like when a child’s scolding was passed from mother to father.
“And I won’t be coming home tonight, so don’t worry and just stay there. Ah, the cat’s with me too.”
“Mrrrow?”
Wait—wasn’t that a completely different story!
[Thank you. I’ll go right away!]
Ha-eun was so distracted by the news that Tae-il was sick that she didn’t even register Si-yul’s casual comment about staying out with the cat.
As soon as the call ended, Hae-in couldn’t help but shout at Si-yul, who always seemed to set traps for her.
“What was that! Why did it end up like this?”
“Couples shouldn’t be interrupted.”
Whether he meant ‘us’ or ‘them’, it wasn’t clear. Judging from his expression, probably both.
“But we don’t even know what’ll happen between them yet.”
“Exactly. That’s why we should give them time to talk.”
“…Is that so?”
“Of course. I mean, what a considerate roommate I am.”
It made sense, but calling himself “considerate” made her want to argue. Hae-in still looked doubtful.
“But, listen. If Ha-eun suddenly shows up at his house, won’t he be shocked? Shouldn’t you at least give him a heads-up?”
“If I do that, he’ll run. It’d be like putting a leash on him.”
“Well…”
“Where would you hang the leash then, if not there?”
Hae-in couldn’t answer. Because if Si-yul said so, that’s exactly what would happen.
Besides, she knew very well that if pushed into a corner, Tae-il really would run away. His record of herbivore-like evasions was too long to ignore.
“Look, miss. Here’s my opinion.”
“Hm?”
“Forget about him. Let’s just focus on our own relationship.”
“…”
“We haven’t had enough time together lately. Don’t you think so too?”
That much was true. Still, she couldn’t quite shake off her worry about Tae-il. Especially after being tricked into this setup…
But when Si-yul looked at her with eyes like that, Hae-in’s resolve weakened.
After being inseparable during the whole week Tae-il was away, suddenly pulling back left her with just as much longing.
Maybe one day wouldn’t hurt. There wasn’t much more they could do anyway.
After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded.
“…Fine. But, Kang, are we really not going home?”
“Just wait a second.”
Instead of answering, Si-yul pulled a shopping bag from the back seat, as if he had been waiting for this moment. Inside were several of Hae-in’s familiar clothes, neatly folded.
“Ah! So this is where they went!”
“I figured something like this might happen, so I packed a few outfits.”
“You really…”
Such a meticulous man.
Just from receiving the clothes, she already knew what he meant. It was his unique magic trick—summoning his girlfriend to transform on the spot.
Clearly, he was determined to have this date.
And though she didn’t say it, truthfully, Hae-in didn’t dislike it either. How could she?
________✧⑅˖♡∘˚˳°↝^._.^_________
“Wow, there are so many people even on a weekday?”
“Well, it’s popular these days.”
This café street, recently the hottest spot for couples, was drenched in the lingering Christmas atmosphere.
Everywhere glittered with elaborate displays of red, white, green, gold, and silver.
And from every open shop doorway spilled the sound of Jingle Bells.
There couldn’t be anyone who hated Christmas, so this was nothing but joy.
“Whoa… it’s couples everywhere, Kang.”
“Ha! We’re a couple too, you know?”
“Oh, right!”
Perhaps because of that, even though the date had come together on a whim, the cheer settled in quickly.
Hooking her arm through his, Hae-in began dragging Si-yul around the street, peeking into every store they passed.
Not so much out of clinginess, but because if she didn’t, she’d wander off and get lost in no time. Si-yul had taken preventative measures.
When she got excited, she often darted off without looking back to see if he was following.
“Well, as long as you’re having fun…”
Hae-in seemed unable to pass up any stall without stopping.
What she especially loved were the stands filled with small, cute things. This time, her eyes had been caught by a handmade accessory stall.
“Quick, Kang, look at this!”
“Welcome!”
The owner was friendly, and though Hae-in knew the glittering things weren’t real, she couldn’t help being fascinated.
“Take your time. I made all of these myself.”
Of course, no one sold real gold jewelry on the street, so most of it was silver rings, or clumsily made but pretty bracelets and necklaces.
Si-yul preferred higher-end jewelry, but with Hae-in so absorbed, he simply stayed by her side.
“So, what do you like?”
“Hm? This one. And this one. Oh, and this one—it’s even shaped like a fried egg!”
Hae-in usually favored necklaces, since they didn’t get in the way when she was drawing.
She had always wanted a ring, but since she couldn’t wear one comfortably, she had never bought one.
“That one’s cute.”
“This one too! Ah, and this one! And this one’s not bad either!”
“Is there anything you don’t find cute?”
Not really. She giggled and slid the cutest-looking ring onto her finger.
It was little more than a toy, but seeing it on her hand, it didn’t look half bad.
“Buy it for you?”
“No! It’s fine.”
He had only asked out of politeness, but if she had wanted it, he would have bought it.
In truth, he would rather buy her something better quality. But he knew she probably wouldn’t accept it.
So today, he wanted to get her something more practical.
“You try one too, Kang.”
“Me?”
“Yeah.”
She insisted, slipping the fried-egg ring onto his hand.
His hands were so big that none of them fit—until she managed to hook it onto his pinky, barely halfway.
“It’s too small.”
He chuckled. Even meaningless little games like this were enjoyable with her.
“No, your hands are just too big.”
“Still, this is a bit much.”
“No—it fit on my index finger, remember?”
“That’s because your fingers are so thin.”
With a laugh, he gently lifted her hand and traced one slender finger as though caressing the shaft of a pen.
It was unmistakably the kind of tender touch only lovers shared.
A hand that knew deeper caresses.
“…”
Just watching him stroke her finger left Hae-in flustered.
It felt as though he were touching somewhere far more intimate. Or maybe it was simply her body remembering his touch.
Not wanting to awkwardly pull away, she instead pressed her palm against his, letting their hands align.
The difference was striking.
So much so that when they clasped fingers, her hand would ache slightly from the stretch. But… it felt good.
The sensation of being completely enveloped was just like when she curled up in his arms, like a cat.
“See? You’re the small one.”
“…Yeah. Hey, Kang, how about we just hold hands as we walk?”
“…”
“I really like this.”
Smiling at their entwined fingers, she glanced up when he didn’t answer.
“Too embarrassing? If you don’t want to, I won’t.”
“No. I like it.”
In this world, there existed things far greater than dislike. For example, loving someone.
If the warmth of another could bring you joy, then without doubt, it was love.
Feeling his grip tighten, Hae-in’s cheeks flushed.
And she smiled happily.
________✧⑅˖♡∘˚˳°↝^._.^_________
The two wandered the bright streets, whiling away the time.
They stopped by a hat stall and tried on cozy-looking knit caps.
Whether they suited them or not didn’t matter—either way, it was fun.
Not a single moment was meaningless when shared with someone you loved. That, in itself, was a wonder.
It was hard to believe a day would ever come when they could forget all of this. That thought itself felt false now.
“What are you looking at?”
“…Kang! Look over there—they tell your past life!”
At the end of the street, Hae-in had spotted a small orange tent.
Written in huge letters was a sign that promised to reveal one’s past life, but there was no way Si-yul would be swayed by something like that.
“You… really like those kinds of things, don’t you?”
“Eh, it’s not that I like them…”
“You mentioned something about past lives before, too.”
“It’s not that—I just think it looks fun! That’s all…”
How could I possibly say that I’m curious about your past life? Of course, you wouldn’t even know yourself.
Even though Si-yul teased her, Hae-in couldn’t take her eyes off the orange tent.
She knew perfectly well that no such place could tell the truth, but still—she was curious, like someone grasping at straws.
“I don’t even need to see something like that. I think I know what my past life was.”
“What was it?”
“Mm, I was probably a king.”
“…Really? Really?!”
Hae-in’s eyes grew wide, like a student hearing they had passed an entrance exam. Her eyes sparkled so brightly with joy that Si-yul was taken aback.
“…Hey. I—I was joking.”
“Oh, I see.”
Ugh! You got my hopes up for nothing…
Her eyes, which had been shining so brightly, dulled in an instant.
Seeing Hae-in’s disappointed face, Si-yul seriously wondered whether he really needed to humor this silly past-life fortune-telling after all.
But he quickly decided to redirect her attention. After all, there was another reason he had come this way.
“I have something better than that.”
“…What is it?”
“Much better than some past-life fortune-telling.”
Hae-in turned her body in the direction Si-yul indicated. He pointed toward a certain store—but it wasn’t half as interesting to her as his supposed “past life.”
Her voice instantly lost all energy.
“What’s that…? It’s a women’s clothing shop.”
“…Normally, wouldn’t someone get excited about that? I heard this is a famous multi-shop where celebrities come to buy clothes.”
“Not really…”
“It’s even been on TV.”
“I only watch morning dramas.”
“…Strange girl.”
But Hae-in’s gaze was still fixed firmly on that little orange tent promising to reveal past lives.
________✧⑅˖♡∘˚˳°↝^._.^_________
“This one’s nice. Cute.”
“…Oh. The coat is.”
Why were there so many zeroes?!
And more importantly—where was she, and who was she right now?
Hae-in had no idea how she had been dragged into this extravagant, dazzling multi-shop. Nor did she know why she was trying on such an expensive coat.
“Your boyfriend has such good taste.”
“I just picked it because the color looked nice.”
“Hoho, well, each of our pieces is a one-of-a-kind import. That particular one is our pride—this season’s latest coat by the rising Hong Kong designer Enhydra lutris. He only made seven of them.”
The shop clerk, dressed elegantly in a well-fitted beige dress, carried herself with the poise of a luxury department store staff.
She kept explaining the coat’s value, but the more she talked, the more terrified Hae-in became.
“Kang…”
Looking up at Si-yul with pitiful eyes, all she wanted was for him to take this pile of money off her shoulders.
“Go try it on properly with this outfit.”
“…I-I don’t need something like this.”
“You do. You hardly have any winter clothes. They said this winter will be freezing.”
“You know I don’t get cold that easily!”
Besides, how many times would she even wear it? Even if she spent two winters with him, she would still receive a coat anyway…
“That’s not the point. Besides, you ruined your only thick coat not too long ago and had to throw it away.”
Whether Hae-in protested or not, Si-yul simply crossed his arms and continued talking.
That time, she had gotten her coat filthy after picking up a dead puppy on the street, and she had to throw it away. All she had left were thinner coats, which Si-yul clearly disapproved of.
But even so, this was just too much…
She stole another glance at the price tag, and her pupils shook violently.
The pale beige coat with the faintest touch of pink looked modest and elegant—except for its viciously brutal price.
Before she could even complain, Si-yul beat her to it.
“It’s your Christmas present. Put it on.”
“Then… I’ll try another one instead.”
“I want to see you in that one.”
“…”
“I like it. It suits you best.”
Why does he always say things that sound so suggestive?
The way he imagined her wearing this coat felt almost sensual. Because he knew everything about her, he could dress her in his mind however many times he pleased.
For the first time, Hae-in realized something.
So this is what it means—when a man buys a woman clothes, it’s… erotic.
It was, perhaps, another way of saying their relationship was deep.
