By Zephyria 
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Eun-won told him that dropping him off at the entrance to his house would be enough, but Cha Se-jin didn’t listen and drove the car right up to the entrance. When the employee guarding the front approached the driver’s seat, Cha Se-jin didn’t forget to roll down the window and deliberately show his face.
Recognizing Cha Se-jin’s face, the employee quickly bowed deeply and opened the way. Cha Se-jin continued driving and only stopped the car directly in front of Eun-won’s house.
“Thank you for driving meee…. And dinner tonight was really delicious.”
“Yeah. As long as you enjoyed it. Go on in. Oh, since I’m already here, should I go say hello to your mother-in-law?”
“…What? Uh, ah… today is a bit….”
“Why? Your lady of the house would fucking love it. The treatment would change.”
He spoke as if he really would, and Eun-won believed he was the kind of person who actually could, but he thought Cha Se-jin wouldn’t go that far today. It was hard to explain why if asked, but… he just felt that way.
“Go inside. Call me before you sleep.”
“…Call you?”
“Yeah. That way, you’ll come to like me faster.”
“…Drive safely.”
“Now you’re just ignoring me, Darling?”
Giving a polite bow, Eun-won quickly got out of the car and closed the door. He then took his bag from the back seat and held it to his chest. Thinking he would go straight inside, Cha Se-jin waited until he saw Eun-won start to walk away before he moved the car.
As he drove out of the garden of that house—which felt somehow unpleasant even just from stopping for a moment—Eun-won, who had been growing smaller in the rearview mirror, completely disappeared.
* * *
As soon as Eun-won entered the house, his mother, who had been waiting by the door, welcomed him with a bright smile.
“Eun-won, I heard Director Cha dropped you off? We should have asked him to come in for a moment.”
“Ah….”
“Make sure to bring him inside next time. Got it? Oh, Eun-won. I have so much to tell you. Sit, sit. Your mother has been waiting for you all day.”
Leading Eun-won to the sofa, his mother sat beside him rather than opposite, affectionately holding his hand. Looking at the hand resting atop his own, Eun-won suddenly recalled Cha Se-jin’s hand reaching toward him earlier.
“I told you I was meeting the lady of the Sewon house today. It was the first time we met separately. My goodness, she is so lovely. How can someone be so elegant…. We talked about the wedding, and it seems the Sewon side wants to proceed as quickly as possible. So, the date has been set for next month.”
“…Next month?”
He had expected things to move quickly, but next month was a timing Eun-won hadn’t anticipated. He thought it would be at least three months later, but immediately next month…. Eun-won looked at his mother, hoping he had misheard.
“Yes, the 22nd of next month. They said they would prepare everything, from the venue to the place to live. While we can’t compare to Sewon, we aren’t a poor family and intended to prepare everything with sincerity, but she told us we didn’t have to do a thing. How thoughtful can one person be….”
“…….”
“So, were you with Director Cha the whole time after school?”
“…Yes….”
“You two must have become quite close. Oh, our Eun-won is so admirable. Yes, that’s the way to do it. You’re doing great. It breaks my heart that I can’t keep you with me for much longer… but still, it’s a better thing for you….”
Eun-won lowered his gaze, looking at the bright smile that didn’t match the words about her heart breaking. Listening to his mother’s stories began to feel overwhelming.
“Even though she said we don’t have to prepare anything, we still have to fulfill our duties. Don’t worry about that. Your father and I will take care of everything.”
“…Yes.”
“Oh, and it seems she wants to meet once before the formal family introduction…. Discuss it with Director Cha and go visit her to give your greetings.”
“…Yes, I will.”
“Yes, do that. I’m sorry for saying this even though I know you’ll do well without me telling you. I think I’m just a bit excited since it’s my first time marrying off a son. If there’s anything you want to discuss, tell me anytime. I’m not still difficult to talk to, am I? If you need any help with anything, be sure to tell me.”
“Yes…. Thank you… for your concern.”
At Eun-won’s words, his mother made a disappointed face and shook her head. She clearly looked disappointed, yet she seemed to be in a great mood and, as she had said, very excited.
“Your mother feels sad when you keep greeting me like that. We won’t be together for long, so let’s spend time together often while we still live together. You must be tired. Go up and rest. Shall I bring up some refreshments?”
“No. I’m okay. I already ate.”
“Alright then. Your father said he’ll be late today, so don’t wait for him and go to sleep first. It seems he has a lot of work to do again thanks to you, Eun-won.”
Eun-won said goodbye to his mother, who walked with him all the way to the stairs, stroking his back, and then he climbed up. He suddenly remembered Cha Se-jin asking if he wanted to stay at the hotel, wondering what he would even do by going home early.
It felt a bit odd to suddenly stay at a hotel without any reason despite having a home, and although it was safe, he had declined because he didn’t feel like sleeping alone in an unfamiliar place. But he suddenly thought that doing so might not have been so bad.
Of course, he wouldn’t have been able to do it even if he went back, but perhaps because of the heavy atmosphere he faced every time he came home… he thought of Cha Se-jin, who spoke without hesitation and treated things lightly.
Being with Cha Se-jin was equally uncomfortable, but the discomfort he felt toward him was very different from the discomfort he felt while talking to his mother just a moment ago.
It was an unfamiliar feeling toward someone he didn’t know well, someone who pushed into his life boldly, and a natural feeling stemming from awkwardness; if he had a choice, he would choose the discomfort that came with being with Cha Se-jin.
My head hurts….
His head began to throb, though it had felt fine until he entered the house. Eun-won looked at the spacious room that had suddenly become unfamiliar and uncomfortable, then sat at his desk. After facing the reality that this was not a place where he could let his guard down, the room no longer felt like his own space.
Perhaps that was why he couldn’t sleep comfortably, nor could he ease his anxious heart. There was no way he could concentrate on his assignments in such a place.
Forgetting to change his clothes, Eun-won stared blankly at the laptop screen with his assignment open, only getting up from his seat after a long time. His head hurt too much, and the anxiety that something else might happen kept him from focusing on anything.
“…….”
Even though he knew everything was being sorted out and flowing in a good direction, he couldn’t concentrate, feeling as if the closed door would suddenly open and his father and mother would walk in, angry and in tears.
Had he made a mistake with Cha Se-jin today? What if he had offended him…. He had thought hard and answered the questions, but thinking back now, he felt that his answers might not have been what Cha Se-jin wanted.
Would he have liked it better if he said he wanted to live just the two of them, rather than with family…. Should he have given the answer that Cha Se-jin would like, regardless of his own thoughts?
If Cha Se-jin’s mind changed because he didn’t like the answer…. Overwhelmed by a sudden surge of anxiety and nervousness, Eun-won bit the inside of his lip until it bled, then looked back at the desk when a vibration suddenly sounded.
“…….”
His heart fluttered at the two words ‘Husband’ appearing on the screen. Seized by the thought that he must not keep Cha Se-jin waiting, Eun-won quickly answered the phone.
“…Hello.”
-Yeah, it’s me.
“Yes, hello….”
-Why the formal greeting? Between us.
Behind Cha Se-jin’s laughter, the laughter of someone else and the sound of something clicking or tapping mixed in. It seemed he was outside, not at home.
-I figured you wouldn’t call, so I just did. What are you doing?
“Ah… I’m about to wash up. Uh… are you outside?”
-Ah, it’s a bit noisy. I’m meeting a friend. But why does your voice sound like that? Did someone give you a hard time again?
Only then did Eun-won realize he had answered in too subdued a tone. Thinking there was nothing to gain by showing all of that to Cha Se-jin, Eun-won adjusted his voice slightly and replied.
“No, nothing happened. Oh, I heard from my mother… that the wedding date has been set.”
-Really? I haven’t heard yet. When is it?
“The 22nd of next month….”
-I like that it’s fast. Darling, what do we do? There’s less than a month left.
At the sound of Cha Se-jin’s voice, which sounded slightly exaggerated as if he were actually nervous, a small laugh mixed with a breath escaped Eun-won’s lips. They hadn’t had a long conversation, and they were simply discussing the same news that had made his heart feel heavy earlier… but strangely, he didn’t feel suffocated or overwhelmed. Instead, he felt the heart that had been riddled with anxiety and nervousness settle down softly.