TMML 01

Chapter 1

Will you marry me?

On a sunny day in April, a man walking along a quiet path while holding a little girl’s hand spoke.

“Although I have several villas, this is the place my son cherishes as if it were his life.”

“Why? Because it’s the prettiest?”

“It’s where his memories with his mother remain.”

The man smiled at the child. They looked so affectionate that one could believe they were father and daughter.

“But… is all of this yours too? Not just the house, but this forest?”

“It’s not a forest, just a small walking path.”

The soft dirt crunched under her small bouncing steps.

The neatly arranged path was lined with dense, green trees, and their fresh scent made the girl’s tiny nose twitch.

“How is this small? It’s so long! And so pretty!”

Junhee looked at him in disbelief.

The path curved gently beneath the blue sky, stretching so far that its end could not be seen.

“This must be really expensive.”

“I wouldn’t say it’s cheap.”

“Then why did you buy such an expensive place?”

“Well… I just…”

Seokhoon paused, then smiled softly as he looked at her delicate face, which reminded him of someone.

“I wanted the person walking this path to do so without being disturbed by anyone.”

“Who is that person?”

“For now, let’s say it’s our Junhee. Oh—looks like I got a call.”

He showed her his phone, and Junhee smiled.

“Sometimes Grandpa acts more childish than me.”

“He just can’t stand being bored.”

For Geunseok, who had undergone major lung surgery, this villa stay was arranged entirely out of Seokhoon’s care.

“Junhee, can you go bring Ijoon?”

“By myself?”

“Are you scared?”

If she said she wasn’t, it would be a lie.

Unlike Seokhoon, whom she had known for a long time, she had never once seen his son.

“How old is Kang Ijoon?”

“He’s ten years older than you, so… about 22?”

Twenty-two? That’s a fully grown man.

“If you go to the end of this path, you’ll find a lake. He’s probably sitting on a bench there. You can do it, right?”

If he’s uncle’s son, he must be a nice guy.

“Yes!”

With a brave answer, Junhee walked alone.

The moment she reached the end of the path, her bright eyes slowly became dazed.

A lake surrounded by fully blooming cherry blossoms—and on a bench sat a man who looked like a painting.

With his arms stretched along the back of the bench, looking up at the sky, white petals fell on him like snow.

It looked like a scene from a beautiful movie.

As if enchanted, her small feet moved toward him.

One step, two steps, three steps…

He must have sensed her presence.

The moment his lazy eyes beneath long lashes turned toward her, her fragile heart began to pound wildly.

“Wow…”

In her vision, everything lost its color except him.

He looked like a finely sculpted piece of art.

Pale skin, deep sharp eyes, and soft black hair.

Was it the sunlight?

His dark blue eyes held a mysterious glow.

Kang Ijoon, Seokhoon’s son.

The moment she saw him, a strong desire took hold of Junhee.

“I want this oppa. I really, really want him. I wish he were my oppa.”

“Kang Ijoon, right? Uncle Seokhoon told me to bring you.”

With a bright smile that could melt hearts, Junhee got straight to the point.

“I’m Baek Junhee, 12 years old. Will you be my oppa?”

Was her bold question cute?

His lips curved slightly, and his eyes softened with a faint smile.

Even that small smile was dazzling.

Then Ijoon finally spoke.

“I don’t want to.”

“…What?”

Junhee doubted her ears.

“I said no, kid.”

Kid?!

Her fists trembled, but she asked calmly,

“Why?”

“I hate things that are troublesome and clingy.”

“I’m not like that at all!”

“All kids are troublesome.”

His gentle smile remained—but his words were cold.

“I’m 12! That’s not a little kid!”

But she couldn’t say everything she wanted.

“Kid.”

He leaned forward, lowering himself to her eye level.

His voice became low and intimate.

“Stop bothering adults and go drink your milk.”

She had drunk milk—but that was over 30 minutes ago!

How does he know?!

“I hate milk!”

Her voice trembled—it was her first lie.

He stepped closer.

Even with her eyes shut tight, she could feel it—his face was right next to hers.

“That can’t be.”

She panicked.

His lips were right by her ear.

His warm breath brushed against her.

“You still smell like milk.”

Junhee jumped back, covering her ear.

“That’s so mean!”

“You don’t look that nice either.”

With that pretty face and soft smile, he still refused to lose to a child.

“I hate you!”

“I don’t like you either.”

Her eyes widened.

“You… you were teasing me, right?!”

“This is why you’re a kid.”

His deeper smile was the answer.

He was enjoying this.

Completely.

“You’re the worst!”

Junhee shouted and ran back down the path.

Her heart pounded wildly—she didn’t know if it was from running or from Kang Ijoon.

Inside the villa, Seokhoon looked surprised.

“Junhee, where’s Ijoon? Why did you come back alone?”

Her mind was filled with only one thought.

For the first time in her life, her sincerity had been mocked.

It deeply hurt her pride.

“What a horrible guy!”

“Uncle! Let’s… let’s play Go-Stop!”

“Suddenly Go-Stop?”

“Please!”

Knowing her habits, Seokhoon agreed.

Soon, they played—and Junhee completely defeated him.

Even so, Seokhoon smiled.

“What does our Junhee want?”

“I want your son!”

Clearly, it wasn’t said with affection.

“Right now, you’re too young.”

“That’s not fair! You said you’d give me anything!”

“Then when you grow up, I’ll allow it. Okay?”

Junhee quickly wrote something down.

“Then sign here.”

At the top was written “Contract”, pressed deeply into the paper.

“Kang Seokhoon promises to give Kang Ijoon to Baek Junhee when she becomes an adult…”

Seokhoon laughed.

“I guess I have no choice.”

And he signed.

10 Years Later

At a famous shaman’s house…

“Your granddaughter must marry before this year ends.”

“She’s only 22…”

The shaman struck her fan sharply.

“If she doesn’t marry, she will die tragically within a few years.”

Silence fell.

“Like her mother… unless she goes mad instead.”

Geunseok trembled.

“Ignore me if you want. But you’ll regret it.”

Outside, he sighed.

“I can’t ignore it…”

At 83, he had only one wish—

To protect his granddaughter.

“Junhee… please…”

“This is my first and last request.”

Junhee stood outside a café terrace.

She drank milk.

Whenever she was nervous, stressed, or anxious—she drank milk.

“I almost quit drinking this…”

But it reminded her of him.

“That annoying jerk.”

She wore casual clothes—not suitable for a blind date.

“If a man accepts me like this… maybe I’ll consider it.”

Then—

“Can I borrow a lighter?”

A deep, attractive voice behind her.

“I don’t smoke.”

“Yet you’re in a smoking area.”

“This guy…”

“Especially for someone here for a blind date.”

…Blind date?

Startled, she jumped—

“Ah!”

She almost fell—but a strong arm caught her.

“Be careful.”

She looked up slowly.

Then—

“It’s been a while… kid.”

Her lips parted.

“…No way.”

Those eyes. That face.

That smile.

“That jerk!”

“…Kang Ijoon?!”

He looked at her calmly.

She hadn’t changed much.

Still clearly Baek Junhee.

“It’s been 10 years, right?”

“Why are you here?!”

A breeze passed between them.

“I came to meet you.”

Her eyes widened.

“You’re my blind date?!”

“Let’s sit and talk.”

“No. Especially not if you’re my blind date!”

“I have something to say.”

“Then say it here.”

He smiled.

“You’ll regret it.”

“Just say it.”

“Hey… chestnut.”

“Did you just call me that?!”

“Junhee.”

Her expression froze.

“Baek Junhee.”

Before she could react—

“Will you marry me?”