Epilogue.2

“…She says they’re coming now.”

After finishing the call and returning to the table, Eunjae relayed the answer to her parents. Kyunghee let out a deep sigh. Yooncheol, without a word, placed more meat side dishes onto Wooseok’s rice. It was the first time since they’d gone from friends to lovers that Wooseok was formally meeting her parents, but they treated him just as they always had.

Maybe it was even funnier to act awkward around someone who’d often come over for meals. The only thing different from usual was Wooseok’s formal attire. As Eunjae felt her own tension melt away, she became curious about her parents’ intentions. Why weren’t they saying much? Was this their way of giving their blessing? Eunjae, barely eating, kept glancing at her parents.

“Um… Aren’t you curious about anything?”

Eunjae broke the silence and asked. Yooncheol looked up.

“Curious? What’s there to be curious about? We already know everything.”

As her father spoke, Kyunghee, who had just brought over the rest of the side dishes, chimed in.

“That’s right. It’s not like we’ve only met once or twice.”

As always, her mother set out Wooseok’s favorite dishes in front of him. Now that she thought about it, all the food on the table was for him. If it hadn’t been Wooseok, this would have been awkward. Eunjae realized, a bit late, that her parents had already made up their minds.

“Oh, right. I am curious about one thing. Since when did you start liking our Eunjae?”

Kyunghee asked, and Wooseok hurriedly put down his spoon and took a drink of water.

“Uh, that’s…”

“No, you don’t have to answer now. Anytime is fine. For now, just eat. You’re not leaving right away, are you? I made a lot of things you like, so you have to eat everything before you go, alright?”

“Ah, yes. Thank you, Mother!”

Wooseok bowed his head politely. Yooncheol, telling him to stop talking and just eat, placed another piece of meat on his rice. To Eunjae, it felt so much like her father’s usual way of showing affection that her heart grew warm.

“Dad, you should eat too.”

Eunjae picked up another piece of meat and put it on her father’s bowl. Worried her mother might feel left out, she started to do the same for her, but Wooseok was faster.

“I’ll get it for you, Mother.”

“Oh, stop. Let’s all just eat our own food, okay?”

Kyunghee tidied up the situation, and laughter broke out around the table. As the mood settled into a quiet comfort, there was a noise from the entrance. It sounded like Jiyeon and Kiwon were coming in. Before her mother could get up, Eunjae quickly went to the kitchen to prepare food for the two of them.

“Uh, we’re… here.”

Jiyeon looked at her parents with an awkward face.

“I’m sorry, Mother, Father.”

Without warning, Kiwon bowed his head and knelt down on the spot. Kyunghee jumped up in surprise, telling him this wasn’t what she’d called him for and trying to stop him. Yooncheol just watched quietly. Kyunghee glanced at her husband, urging him to say something. At that moment, Yooncheol stood up. Wooseok also rose.

“Come sit over here.”

At his calm voice, Kiwon quickly got up. But as he approached the table, everyone realized there wasn’t enough room for six people. That’s why Yooncheol was about to give up his seat. Wooseok moved first toward Kiwon.

“Please sit in my seat. I’m done eating.”

“No, but…”

Kyunghee looked apologetic toward Wooseok.

“I want to see Eunjae’s room, anyway.”

She hadn’t thought of that. Even though he’d visited many times, Eunjae had never let him into her space. Her parents were always around, and she hadn’t felt comfortable. So for Wooseok, Eunjae’s room had always been off-limits. He’d always wondered when he’d be allowed in, and now seemed to be the chance.

“Oh, really? Go on, then. Go in with Eunjae and rest. I’ll cut up some fruit and bring it to you.”

“Uh, Mom.”

Eunjae came out of the kitchen, looking flustered.

“Thank you.”

Wooseok quickly thanked her and took Eunjae’s hand, leading her toward her room. As they walked, he whispered quietly into her ear. ‘There’s no helping it—let’s just slip out for now.’ Eunjae understood, but her heart started pounding.

She’d only thought of Wooseok coming to meet her parents, not that he’d actually enter her room. Maybe it was the natural next step, but she’d never introduced anyone to her parents before, nor let a boyfriend into her room, so she hadn’t realized.

“Uh, but, I didn’t really clean up…”

Before she finished, Wooseok opened the door. Seeing her pajamas on the bed, Eunjae rushed to hide them. Just then, the door shut with a click. Wooseok was standing in front of the entrance, blocking it. Eunjae suddenly felt like she couldn’t breathe naturally. There was a tension between them that hadn’t been there before.

“It’s perfectly clean.”

Wooseok glanced around the room. It was exactly as he’d imagined. Small, cozy, and filled with only essentials. She’d practically spent her whole life here. Thinking that, Wooseok’s heart swelled. Even the smallest items felt precious.

“Where should I sit?”

Standing by the desk, keeping her distance, Eunjae looked around, unsure where to ask him to sit. Even that was cute, and Wooseok wanted to hug her right away. But he held back. He knew he wouldn’t be able to stop at just a hug.

“Here, I’ll just sit here.”

Wooseok decided himself, sitting on Eunjae’s bed.

“Hey, that’s…”

“My clothes are clean.”

He fiddled with the clothes he’d just bought last night and put on this morning, anticipating Eunjae might say not to sit on the bed in outside clothes. Eunjae gave a helpless laugh and sat next to him.

“I’m not that tidy, you know. You’ll be surprised if we really live together.”

“Ah… I want to be surprised soon.”

Wooseok, with a sly remark, lay down on Eunjae’s bed. That was a bit much, and Eunjae’s brow furrowed. Annoying Shin Eunjae was the most fun thing in the world—at least for Jung Wooseok.

“So, you slept here every night?”

Spreading himself out, Wooseok looked up at the ceiling. All beds are the same, aren’t they? What’s so different? Eunjae found his behavior a bit much, but also didn’t dislike it. No, his way of trying to feel even the smallest part of her life made her heart tremble. How could she not love a man like this?

“Get up. Mom might come in.”

“She won’t.”

With one arm, Wooseok pulled Eunjae down to lie beside him. Her heart pounded wildly. She should be used to it by now, but whenever Wooseok was this close, she never got used to it.

“If not your Mom, I bet your sister will.”

Wooseok gave a silent laugh at her words, then gently stroked her cheek. He tried to hold back, but it was impossible. With Shin Eunjae right in front of him, resisting was pointless. Wooseok pulled her even closer. She put her hand on his chest to push him away, but his kiss came first.

A soft, lingering kiss turned deeper as Wooseok slipped his tongue in. Just a little more, he thought, pulling her body closer. That was when—

Knock, knock.

There was a knock at the door. Wooseok was instantly pushed to the edge of the bed. Maybe it was a relief the door hadn’t opened right away. Eunjae quickly tidied her messy hair and rushed to the door.

“Yes, come in.”

When she opened the door, Jiyeon stood there with a sly grin.

“What were you doing to take so long to open up?”

“What, ah, nothing… Why?”

Eunjae couldn’t hide her flushed face, but she tried to play it off. Wooseok, who had gotten up at some point, stood protectively behind her.

“What do you think we were doing?”

Wooseok answered shamelessly, grinning. Jiyeon snorted at them, but decided to just nod and look away—she figured it was a good time for them. Seeing the two, she was reminded of just before her own wedding with Kiwon. He, too, had once wanted to sneak into her room for a hug. Now that she was about to start a new act with that same man, it was a strange feeling. Jiyeon was forced to play the oblivious older sister to rescue Kiwon, who was kneeling in front of their father and watching TV.

“Come out. Let’s play yutnori together.”

“Yutnori?”

Eunjae asked, bewildered.

“If not, your ‘President’ might not be able to go home comfortably tonight.”

Jiyeon whispered to Eunjae. Only then did Eunjae glance at Kiwon, sitting in the living room with her father. She could already tell how awkward it must be. Eunjae exchanged looks with Wooseok, who was standing behind her. They agreed to go be the rescue team.

So the six of them sat in the living room and started playing yutnori. They split into teams and competed. It didn’t seem like it would be that fun, but just having all six together made the room burst with laughter.

Eunjae had sometimes imagined moments like this. On holidays, Jiyeon would visit their parents’ house and spend time just like this. Back then, she’d just move the game pieces around, wishing someone would sit next to her. She’d always hoped it would be Wooseok. Now that her dreamlike wish had come true, Eunjae’s smile couldn’t get any bigger.

‘Wooseok.’

Eunjae looked across at Wooseok, sitting opposite her.

‘Yeah?’

He caught her gaze as if he heard her.

‘I’m happy.’

‘…Me too.’

It was as if Wooseok was saying exactly that. Happiness wasn’t anything special. As long as she could laugh with the people she loved, that was enough. Even if this moment wasn’t forever, she decided to savor it. The years they’d built together were all unerasable records of moments like this. She would just keep loving and loving him, just like now. The look they shared was sweeter than any other.

[Neither Friend Nor Anything Else] The End