CHAPTER 12

It was a few days after Ijun’s enlistment. Siyeon, who was getting ready to go to the study room after having breakfast, received a call from an unfamiliar number.

As she was packing her bag, she stopped moving and looked at her vibrating phone with a puzzled expression before answering the call.

“Hello?”

[Are you doing well?]

“… Ijun-oppa?”

[Are you at home? Or on your way to the academy? No, are you busy preparing for midterms?]

Surprisingly, the caller was Ijun, who had enlisted just a few days ago. Quickly, he began pouring out words to Siyeon, who was still dazed from the surprise. He asked about her condition, whether she was doing well at school and other trivial things.

Then, without waiting for her response, he mentioned that he was eating and sleeping well, but was thinking of acting tough since he had a military disposition.

Listening quietly to his words that came all at once, Siyeon quickly joined in the conversation as a brief pause emerged.

“Why are you talking so fast? Is someone chasing you?”

[I received a reward for being the top performer in training, so I have to wrap this up within 3 minutes.]

He mentioned that the time he managed to secure was only a few minutes. Yet, even so, Ijun had used the opportunity of the reward that he had earned through his good performance in training to talk to Siyeon, not his family.

Wondering if she should be receiving this kind of attention from him, Siyeon felt a mix of happiness and a slight pang in her chest. The Ijun who used to be a sarcastic person to her in the past, had become a caring guy. Or perhaps, she realized that she hadn’t really paid close attention to him in the past and that maybe he had always been this gentle and caring.

“Take care of your health and don’t get sick.”

[Once I’m assigned to the base, I’ll be able to use my personal phone. It won’t be long until then, so just focus on studying until I contact you.]

“I’ll be in the study room anyway, so it’s no big deal. I’ll be fine, so don’t worry too much about me, oppa. And don’t do things that others wouldn’t.”

Siyeon’s speech quickened as well, adding to the sense of urgency. She felt like she could hear the ticking of a time bomb in her ears.

[Are you worrying about me right now?]

“I’m not worrying, I just don’t want you to stand out unnecessarily among people.”

[What should I do? You seem to really like me.]

“What are you saying?”

Siyeon was taken aback by his audacity, but soon she found herself laughing. Hearing her laughter, Ijun also let out a contented chuckle.

[I should hang up now, I’ll call you again.]

“Take care of your health.”

[Sure thing. Take care until I contact you again.]

“…”

Ijun had suddenly appeared, teasingly interfered with her time, and then vanished like smoke. After ending the call, a sense of emptiness filled her heart. At that moment, Siyeon realized that Ijun had quite a significant place in her life.

***

Siyeon’s plan to go to the study room was abruptly canceled by a surprise visit from her grandmother. She ended up having lunch with her grandmother at their Ichon-dong house, a rare occurrence excluding holidays.

In her past life, aside from holidays, there were only a few instances when she had meals with her grandmother. But when Eunhye came to Ichon-dong, her grandmother had started visiting their house frequently, breaking her usual disposition.

In the past, Siyeon had witnessed her Ichon-dong parents, grandmother, and Eunhye having meals together a few times. She often saw such scenes on days when she returned home early without much thought.

Whenever she returned home without contacting anyone, she still vividly remembered the surprised expressions on her parents’ faces. Her heart ached at the memory of how taken aback they looked.

“Why do you go to such lengths for a grown child?”

Watching her mother carefully remove fish bones from Siyeon’s plate, her grandmother frowned. Come to think of it, Siyeon had never seen her grandmother smile widely in front of her. She always spoke with a slight furrow on her forehead.

“Just because she’s grown physically, doesn’t mean she’s all grown up? In my eyes, she is still like a baby.”

Siyeon’s mother defended her with a hint of annoyance at her mother-in-law’s remark. Despite her mother-in-law’s criticism, she continued to spread fish meat onto Siyeon’s plate until the end. She didn’t forget to send a subtle wink to Siyeon, a sign to understand her intention.

“Enough. Siyeon is turning twenty the day after tomorrow. Back in our days, we got married at eighteen, gave birth to children, and took care of the household. I had a child when I was Siyeon’s age.”

“Mom, times have changed a lot since then. Before getting married, it’s the same as having a child.”

Siyeon’s father chimed in with a smiling face, intervening in their conversation, trying to meditate on the situation. It was to support his wife, who was in an awkward position. Seizing the opportunity, Siyeon opened her mouth as if she had been waiting for this topic to come up.

“Grandmother is right. At twenty, one is already an adult. So, I think it’s a sufficient age to live independently.”

“Independently? What are you talking about?”

Grandmother widened her eyes slightly, looking puzzled as she asked.

“I mentioned that I want to live independently when I enter college, but Mom keeps opposing it. What do you think, Grandma? Do you have the same thoughts?”

“Siyeon.”

Siyeon’s mother called her with a stern voice. Her face showed a displeased expression that Siyeon brought up the topic.

“… Are you saying that you want to move out starting next year?”

“Yes. If you, Mom, and dad will allow it, I would like to.”

“…”

Siyeon waited for her grandmother’s response. Her grandmother seemed lost in thought, her eyes swirling as if she were contemplating. She was calculating whether it was better to let Siyeon be independent or keep her at home.

“Just because I want to be independent doesn’t mean I won’t be Mom and Dad’s daughter anymore.”

Siyeon added to support her decision, and her mother’s temper flared up slightly.

“I already said I’m against it.”

“I’m against it too. Why would you go live on your own when your parents are still perfectly fine? You should also think about them who would worry about you.”

While her parents had firmly expressed their absolute disapproval, her grandmother had yet to voice her opinion on the matter.

Siyeon knew why her grandmother was behaving this way. It would be hard for her to agree to Siyeon’s desire to move out on her own accord. She was torn between her personal wish to agree and her sense of duty. She was earnestly contemplating why she should support Siyeon’s independence.

Seeing her grandmother’s hesitation in reaching a decision, Siyeon deliberately brought up the subject of marrying Gwihyeon.

“If it eases your mind, marrying Gwihyeon-oppa early and then moving out is also an option.”

“That’s absolutely not allowed!”

Her grandmother’s voice suddenly escalated. Startled by her sharp response, Siyeon’s parents exchanged glances.

“Why is that absolutely not allowed?”

“Isn’t it absurd to talk about marriage when she’s only turning twenty?”

“I’m not saying I want to do it right away next year. In 3 years, when I’m twenty-two, and Gwihyeon-oppa is twenty-six…so wouldn’t it be okay by then?”

Siyeon’s further explanation led to a frosty change in her grandma’s expression. She hadn’t anticipated that Siyeon would suggest getting married at such a young age.

Siyeon knew there was one thing her grandmother would never compromise on. She would never allow Siyeon to get married before she turned twenty-four. She needed to leave that option open for Eunhye’s sake.

“Who in the right mind gets married at twenty-two? You should be at least be around twenty-six!”

“But grandmother, you said you got married at eighteen.”

“I’m from an older generation, but Siyeon, you’re not!”

“Why does it bother you that I want to get married early?”

“Well…”

Her voice, which had been angry as she continued their conversation, suddenly fell silent. There wasn’t any valid reason she could use to counter this besides the excuse that she was not her real granddaughter. She couldn’t say anything more because, despite the family knowing that Siyeon was their real family, she was not her real precious granddaughter.

“Anyway, my marriage to Gwihyeon Oppa is already planned. Instead of just saying you’re not allowing it, please think about it again. It’s my life, so whether it’s about marriage or independence, I want to make one of those choices.”

Siyeon smiled while looking at her grandmother’s pale and stiffened face. Seeing Siyeon like that, the stern look in her grandmother’s eyes finally softened, and she reluctantly pursed her lips into a smile.

“…Alright, it’s probably good to experience society by becoming independent early. Son, let Siyeon live independently next year.”

“Mother.”

Despite her father’s objection, she didn’t retract her words.

“When she goes to school next year, find a small studio apartment nearby. Since moving out is her heartfelt wish, who can stop her? …Find a safe place for her, where the environment is clean and transportation is accessible.”

Siyeon’s father, who had been firm, finally relented with a short sigh as if giving up.

“Dear.”

Although her Ichon-dong’s mother looked solemn, now that both of them had given permission, she couldn’t strongly object anymore.

“Moving out doesn’t mean she’s not our child anymore, and since Siyeon wants it this much, let’s grant her wish.”

“Thank you, Dad.”

Before his heart could change, Siyeon quickly expressed her gratitude.

“But in return, you must get accepted into the university you’re aiming for this year.”

“Yes, I will.”

He smiled resignedly and asked.

“Are you planning to apply to the Korean Literature department? You’ve always wanted to become a fairy tale. If you achieve your dream, your great-grandfather in the heavens will be extremely pleased.”

“I’m still considering my major. Gwihyeon oppa hopes that I’ll graduate and join Baekya Food, so…”

Siyeon casually replied, eating her food as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“Oh, that’s a good idea too. Since you’re going to marry him eventually, it’s a good idea to work in the same department as Gwihyeon. Should I discreetly mention it to his mother?”

“I’ll think about it after I get accepted to the university.”

Siyeon stared at her mother’s contemplative expression for a few seconds before lowering her gaze to her plate as she responded. Given the current situation, it was clear that what her mother had previously asked from Gwihyeon’s mom in her past life was true.

As she hid her expression and lowered her gaze in front of Siyeon, a cold voice spoke.

“Don’t do anything unnecessary that could tarnish our reputation. If you’re seen throwing yourself recklessly without any restraint, how do you think the Jeong family in Suwon will view us?”

Siyeon couldn’t help but chuckle at her words. It was amusing to hear that from the person who had pushed Eunhye into the Baekya Food headquarters by asking Gwihyeon’s mother for a favor in her past life.

Siyeon sipped her cold water, calming down her bubbling emotions. As she set her cup down, a faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips.