Side Story 3.7

Dowook’s large hand covered her phone screen.

“Alright, let’s do it all.”

Junhee looked up at him, puzzled.

“During the break, we’ll go to Sokcho and Gapyeong. If domestic travel gets boring, we can even go abroad. We’ll read the books you want, prepare for the competitions, and…”

As he spoke, he leaned down to kiss her neck, making her laugh with delight.

“When the new semester starts, we’ll focus on studying again. I’ll attend lectures diligently, get good grades, and follow through on everything you want, all the way through sophomore, junior, and senior year.”

His face kept nuzzling into her neck. The kisses on her nape tickled, and even Dowook’s hair brushing against her skin made her laugh uncontrollably.

“Oh, but I’ll have to serve in the military in the middle of all this…”

The smooth flow of Dowook’s words paused for a moment. As he pressed his lips against Junhee’s collarbone, his expression suddenly turned fierce, and he locked eyes with her.

“I’ll take as many leaves as I can, so don’t make me go AWOL.”

It sounded like he was telling Junhee not to turn her back on him while he was in the military. Even though she didn’t fully understand the abrupt shift in conversation, she found it amusing and simply listened.

“Once I finish my service and graduate safely…”

“…Then?”

“Then we’ll get married.”

As he spoke of marriage, Dowook interlaced their fingers. The feeling of the ring on his fourth finger transferred to her fingertips. Junhee, who had been smiling the entire time, felt her lips stiffen. For the first time, it truly felt like a proposal. She didn’t know how to respond to something like that, so she acted brusquely.

“…I don’t want a husband who’s a slacker.”

“I’ll work hard at everything. I’ll live my life to the fullest to meet the high standards of my demanding girlfriend.”

Anyone else might have called it childish, but the tone in Dowook’s voice was sincere. He buried his face back into her neck, planting soft kisses as he whispered.

“It doesn’t matter where we live. Kids? That’s up to you. If you want them, we’ll have them; if not, that’s fine too. But if we have a son, his name will be Junwoo. If it’s a daughter, she’ll be Heewoo. We’ll take one character from your name and one from mine to create their names. What do you think?”

“What about it?”

“Do you like it? Our future?”

After painting such a vivid picture of their future, his gaze, surprisingly, seemed nervous.

Junhee quietly imagined the future Dowook described. It didn’t seem bad. She even liked the names Junwoo and Heewoo. So, she pressed her lips to his cheek.

“I’d like to have two kids.”

This time, Junhee shared her own vague vision of their future.

“I was an only child, and sometimes, when I didn’t have anyone to play with, I thought it would’ve been nice to have a sibling.”

Dowook’s eyes sparkled, as if he had just received an unexpected gift.

“An apartment would be more convenient to live in. Houses require too much maintenance. I’d prefer a bright venue for the wedding rather than a dark one. For the honeymoon, let’s go somewhere with a beach. And I want to take the civil service exam or go to law school… You’ll probably go into business, right? If I become a lawyer, I can help you if you ever get into trouble with your business.”

Junhee giggled playfully, then, reverting to her diligent student persona, she scolded him lightly.

“But for that to happen, you’ll need to work hard too.”

“Alright.”

“Stop being rude to your mom.”

“Okay.”

“Still, getting married right after graduation seems too soon…”

“Who said it’s too soon?”

“Everyone will think so.”

“I’ve waited over ten years since I was thirteen just to marry you.”

Junhee burst out laughing. 

He’s exaggerating so much.

“Fine. Then the timing of the wedding… depends on how you behave.”

“You’re toying with me again.”

“Just do what you said earlier—attend lectures diligently, improve your grades, and listen to me more.”

“Your demands are endless.”

“Take care of your health, swear less, and always drive safely. I know you drive recklessly whenever I’m not around.”

“Oh, I’m so scared.”

“And stay by my side for a long, long time, just like now.”

At Junhee’s confession-like words, Dowook paused. Then, his face lit up with a radiant smile. Beaming, he corrected her.

“You’re wrong. Not for a long time—until death.”

“Alright. Until death.”

Satisfied with her answer, Dowook let out a joyful laugh. He buried his face back into her neck, pulling her close and expressing his happiness with his entire body. Through him, Junhee finally understood the meaning of the phrase “being crushed in an embrace.” She hugged him back, tangling herself with him.

For quite a while after that, they whispered about their future, letting their imaginations run wild.

In their imagination, they traveled to Nonsan to get permission for their marriage from her grandmother and father. Despite Dowook’s shower of gifts, her father clutched his neck and collapsed, lamenting, “That punk is really taking my daughter.” Her grandmother tried to calm her father down, while Dowook knelt before him.

Eventually, when her father’s heart softened, there would come a day when her grandmother, father, Junhee, and Dowook all traveled to Jeju Island together. Time would pass, and one day, her grandmother would hold Junhee’s child in her arms, smiling brightly. Her father would carry the child on his back, proudly calling them “Nonsan’s pride, Woo Donngu’s grandchild,” as he soothed their cries.

Dowook would raise his grades, complete his military service, and graduate. Junhee would pass the law school entrance exam and become a skilled, competent lawyer. Dowook’s family would accept her, and Song Yeongjoo would apologize for hurting her feelings. Junhee would sincerely forgive her.

Their story of marrying at such a young age would even make it into the newspapers. At the company where Dowook worked, he would gain a reputation as someone utterly devoted to his wife. Dowook would continue to love Junhee deeply, and she would love him just as much. They would come to understand each other so well that they wouldn’t fight anymore.

In their imagination, no matter what they did, they were always together. They whispered love to each other wherever they went, never hurting or leaving one another. They talked until sunset about staying by each other’s side and being happy together until death.

******

Looking back, it was all a dream-like story, overflowing with happiness.

Now, it was a long-forgotten, faded promise nearing its tenth year. Despite making such a beautiful promise with him, Woo Junhee had spent quite a long time tormenting Dowook.

The couple ring Junhee had given him that day—their first—was something she frequently lost due to her carelessness. She found it bothersome, claiming it got in the way of her studies and that wearing an accessory for the first time in her life felt uncomfortable. Before long, it ended up in a drawer. To this day, its whereabouts remain unknown.

Dowook once planned to halt the publication of the magazine featuring Junhee on its cover, but she found out about it, leading to a fight—their first as an official couple.

They fought often, usually because Dowook disapproved of her friends, couldn’t hide his feelings, or let his jealousy and possessiveness get the better of him. Junhee didn’t get into her desired law school on the first try, and their promise to marry right after graduation wasn’t kept.

When her father unexpectedly passed away, Junhee grieved for a long time. Life became difficult, and she was the first to let go, ending their relationship.

Even now, years later, the memory of that time still left a bitter taste in her mouth.

Dowook smiled darkly as he kissed Junhee’s bare shoulder while she lay beneath him.

“Mmh.” 

Junhee let out a sound like a kitten. Even at thirty-two, her small, delicate body remained as beautiful as ever under him.

Junhee squirmed and turned to look at him.

“What are you thinking about…?”

“Women.”

Her voice was calm as she rubbed her cheek against the pillow, saying, 

“Ah, I see.” 

Dowook raised an eyebrow.

“What? Why aren’t you worried?”

“It’s me, obviously.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because I’m the only woman in your life.”

‘I know everything.’ A playful, teasing voice escaped her lips. Junhee giggled softly.

“What are you thinking about that’s making you laugh like that?” 

Dowook’s lips brushed lightly against her back as he asked, tickling her skin. Junhee let out a faint moan before giving her reply.

“Ji-won. The gift Ji-won sent yesterday. The more I think about it, the funnier it gets.”

Song Ji-won had been Junhee’s best friend since their university days. She had even entered the same law school as Junhee, only to realize it didn’t suit her and dropped out, embarking on a long journey abroad. Now, Ji-won had become a travel writer, exploring the world and penning essays about her adventures.

The gift she sent to congratulate Junhee on her wedding was something Junhee absolutely loved. Ji-won had written, “I don’t know if you remember, but I knew this was going to happen ever since you two were crying and hugging in front of me eleven years ago.” The gift was a couple’s observation diary Ji-won had written back then.

“We were pretty dramatic back then. No wonder she wrote something like that… Ah!”

Dowook suddenly thrust his hips upward, sending a clear signal for her to focus on him.

“Choose. Me or Song Ji-won.”

“You, you… Ah, Choi Dowook…”

She knew if she didn’t give him the answer he wanted, he wouldn’t stop teasing her. But even after she gave him the answer, he didn’t seem inclined to pull out. His movements were shallow yet deliberate, hitting her sensitive spots with a rhythmic slap of skin against skin. Junhee let out another languid moan, burying her face into the pillow.

“Ugh… but we’re done.”

They’d already had one round of intimacy. Her thighs were slick with his release. Even though they had just finished, he had started rubbing himself between her thighs, and she thought it was just for aftercare. But when he began to press himself back in, she realized he was serious.

“When?” 

Dowook’s question was shameless.

“When? Just now.”

“When exactly?”

“You’re the one who… Ah, when are you going to stop? What time is it… Ah…”

“I don’t know. Maybe after two more rounds?”

“What?”

Startled, Junhee tried to sit up, but Dowook playfully nipped at her cheek. As he thrust into her again, she trembled and collapsed back onto her stomach. Dowook spread his arms wide, gripping the sheets as he continued his rhythmic movements.

“Just kidding. One more time.”

“No.”

“Then I’ll just put it in.”

“What kind of…”

“If you don’t like that, I’ll just thrust.”

“You’re already… Ah, you’re already thrusting.”

“Oh, right. Since we’ve started, should I just finish this?”

“No, we already finished earlier.”

“Says who?”

“Says me—Ah…!”

“We didn’t even go that long earlier.”

“That’s because it’s morning.”

“Ah… well, good morning, then.”

Dowook’s lips grazed her cheek, tickling her as he whispered. His fully hardened length moved skillfully, stirring her insides. His chest brushed against her back as he leaned over, his sweat-dampened hair brushing against her skin. The wet sounds filled the air, heating her mind. Mornings had become their routine wake-up call, with Dowook’s touches serving as her alarm.

The bright morning sunlight streaming into the room seemed almost shameless as Dowook moved his hips with practiced ease.

“I was going to stop earlier, but you said you wanted to.”

That was because she had already been aroused. She had only intended for a quick session.

“Who was it that said they wanted to have s*x and started…?”

She had been irritated when he teased her with long f*replay, only to claim he was too busy to continue.

“Do you even know… Ah, do you even know what day it is today?”

“Of course.”

As he answered, Dowook pulled out. Just as she thought he was finally done, he flipped her over to face him. Grabbing her legs, he spread them wide and aligned himself with her still-wet entrance before suddenly thrusting back in. His curved length pressed firmly against her most sensitive spot.

“Ah…!”

A wave of pleasure surged through her, causing tears to stream down her face.

“I know, so why don’t you cooperate?”

Even as her body trembled from the overwhelming sensations, Junhee managed to hold onto a shred of rationality. She glanced at the clock on the wall.

“People will start talking.”

Junhee’s heightened sensitivity made things difficult for Dowook as well. Her tight walls clenched around him, causing his forehead to crease.

Dowook thrust deeply, shaking her entire frame with each movement.

“A groom who’s late to his wedding because he got too caught up in morning s*x with his bride…”

Even as he teased her, his body moved instinctively, pushing deeper into her. His words were sharp, but his actions were anything but detached.

Her body, too, was betraying her, quickly succumbing to the rising heat. After over a decade of being together, their bodies had become perfectly attuned to each other.

Feeling the waves of pleasure building, Junhee let out a soft moan.

“Five minutes…”

“Hm?”

“Finish in five minutes.”

Dowook chuckled deeply. ‘Always giving orders,’ he thought, but he willingly complied.

“As you wish.”

Junhee smiled faintly, seemingly pleased with his obedience. She spread her arms wide, playfully demanding his attention.

“Kiss me.”

Woo Junhee loved being kissed while they were joined. When Dowook didn’t immediately comply, she narrowed her eyes in mock irritation. Lately, she had been growing more playful, almost spoiled.

‘I’ve spoiled her too much,’ he thought, but he couldn’t help but indulge her. Wrapping his arms and legs around her, he pulled her closer, deepening their connection.

“Do you think there’s another couple like us, having s*x on the morning of their wedding?”

Junhee nibbled on his earlobe as she asked.

“I don’t care.”

Dowook’s response was curt, but the heat of his hands gripping her hips betrayed his feelings.

“Whether other couples have s*x on their wedding morning or not. Whether some guy is kissing his wife or not…”

He paused for a moment, letting out a deep groan as his face contorted slightly. Covering Junhee’s lips with his own, he rolled his hips in a circular motion.

‘The only thing that matters to me is you, Woo Junhee. Satisfying my wife completely so I can keep earning her affection,’ he thought, though the overwhelming pleasure from her moist inner walls made it impossible to articulate the thought fully.

Dowook lowered his head, capturing her small n*pple in his mouth. As he thrust upward, he gently grazed her with his teeth, causing Junhee to arch her back and let out a cry. Her release mixed with his, coating their joined bodies.

Even after releasing so much earlier, her walls were still tight, gripping him firmly. Dowook groaned as he suckled her br*ast. He thought to himself that this was the perfect morning for such an important day.

After all, today was their wedding day.

It was the moment when another chapter of their lengthy story would begin. Their shared pages were filled with countless fights and even a few breakups.

Every time they had fought, Dowook had chased after Junhee, and every time, she had let herself be caught. Life hadn’t always been easy, but the good days far outnumbered the bad. They had loved each other deeply and been deeply loved in return.

No matter how many circles they had run in, they had always ended up together. And they would continue to stay together. That was enough. What more could they ask for?

Satisfied, Dowook whispered a morning greeting into Junhee’s ear. Whatever he said, it all came down to the same thing: “I love you.”