Chapter 72

Bzzz, bzzz, the phone in Haji’s pocket kept ringing as she stood by the order counter.

“Boss?”

When Woobae, who was standing next to her, called out, Haji finally moved her head.

“Is something wrong?”

“Huh? Why?”

Her awkward attempt to hide her movement toward her lips was obvious to anyone watching.

“I think your phone is ringing.”

“Oh?”

Only then did Haji realize her phone was buzzing in her apron pocket, and she quickly reached for it.

“Hello?”

• Haji, when are you coming out?

“Huh?”

At Seonghee’s sudden question, Haji blinked and had a dazed expression. She had been in this state ever since the kiss with Seojin on the emergency stairs a few hours ago.

Lost in the memory of that kiss…

• We were supposed to go shopping together this evening, remember? Did you forget?

“Oh! No, no! I’ll get ready now.”

Recalling the promise she made with Seonghee to go shopping together, Haji took off her apron.

“Woobae, I’m leaving first. Please handle the closing well today.”

“Yes, take care.”

Haji waved her hand absentmindedly and left the café.

***

After finishing shopping, Haji and Seonghee settled in at the lounge and ordered coffee.

“How’s your boyfriend these days?”

“Huh?”

“Has anything happened?”

Flinch, at the mention of ‘anything happened,’ Haji avoided eye contact.

The kiss with Seojin on the emergency stairs earlier in the day left a strong impression. She didn’t expect him to kiss her so passionately outside.

And she herself…

“What are you thinking about to make your face so red?”

Seonghee narrowed her eyes.

“No, no, it’s nothing.”

“Nothing? What do you mean by that?”

Gulp, as the investigative questioning tightened, Haji swallowed dryly just as the coffee they ordered was placed in front of them.

“I’m just thirsty.”

Uttering unnecessary words, Haji sipped her coffee.

“I’ll pretend I don’t know.”

“Thank you.”

Haji chuckled softly and rolled her eyes before looking at Seonghee.

“I met your mom today.”

“My mom?”

“Yeah, she had been asking me to come over, so I went today.”

Haji, who was contemplating whether to talk about this, decided to tell Seonghee. After all, she knew about the relationship between Seojin and herself.

“Tsk, you should have called me too.”

“You were working, so let’s meet together next time.”

After placating the slightly disappointed Seonghee, Haji continued speaking.

“But it seems like your mom wants Seojin oppa to get married…?”

“My mom?”

Seonghee widened her eyes, looking as if she was hearing it for the first time, and tilted her head.

“That can’t be right? No one in our family tells Ki Seojin what to do.”

Especially not about marriage.

Seonghee mumbled the last part softly, glancing at Haji’s face.

Could it be? Does mom know?

“So? What did you say?”

“I didn’t say anything…”

What could I even say?

Haji lowered her eyes and mumbled softly, making Seonghee tilt her head.

It was strange no matter how she thought about it.

Her mom had called Haji over just to talk about her brother’s marriage?

“She only said she wants him to get married?”

“Not exactly…”

Haji’s face darkened as if there was more to the story. Her fingers fidgeted around her coffee cup.

“She said she would introduce him to women…”

“Pfft!”

Seonghee, who was about to take a sip of coffee, spat it out upon hearing that.

“What did you say?!”

“Your mom said she would introduce him to women. Until he finds someone he likes, continuously.”

What in the world?

The more she heard, the more absurd it seemed. It didn’t fit at all. 

Seojin wasn’t the kind of son to go along with something like that nor was their mom someone who took a keen interest in her children’s dating lives.

At least, that’s what she thought.

But introducing women to get him married?

“Mom really said that?”

“Yeah. She said with Seojin’s personality, he’d never get married otherwise.”

“Well, she’s not wrong about that…”

Seonghee recalled Seojin’s voice from a while ago when he had asked her over the phone if she had talked to Haji about marriage.

And his tone, which had subtly seemed pleased, came to mind.

It seemed like Seojin was thinking about marriage with Haji, after all. 

That’s why Seonghee had asked if anything was going on between them earlier. But Haji’s reaction had been different from what she expected.

“Did you tell oppa about this?”

“No, how could I…”

Haji shook her head vigorously, biting her lip.

“Are you not going to tell him?”

“I don’t know…”

Haji’s fingertips turned white as she gripped the coffee cup tightly. She seemed to have a lot on her mind too.

“What if he really does end up meeting another woman?”

Though that would never happen.

Seonghee subtly probed Haji, knowing that she didn’t seem interested in marriage before.

“……”

Unable to speak, or rather pressing her lips tightly together, Haji didn’t answer. From her furrowed brow, it was clear how unhappy she was.

Seonghee, wondering if she had gone too far, was about to speak when Haji finally opened her mouth.

“If oppa wants to…”

“What?”

“If he wants to, there’s nothing I can do.”

Ha, Seonghee let out a hollow laugh. Saying something like that with a face that looked ready to cry.

“That’s not how you really feel.”

Feeling frustrated, Seonghee gulped down her coffee in one go. The cold iced americano sliding down her throat made her body feel cool and her mind clear.

“Could you say that to Ki Seojin? To marry another woman?”

“I never said that.”

“That’s exactly what you’re implying! Let him meet someone if he wants?”

Seeing Haji biting her lips as if they were glued shut, Seonghee let out a deep sigh.

“Ugh, this is frustrating.”

The answer was obvious, yet her friend had turned into a ‘timid girl’ again.

What was her mom thinking, throwing a stone into calm waters?

“You need time to think. Can you really be okay with Seojin meeting someone else and getting married?”

“……”

“Okay? Think about it!”

“…… Alright.”

Under Seonghee’s urging, Haji finally answered.

It’s only fun to meddle in others’ relationships for a moment. It’s too hot, too hot.

Seonghee leaned back in her chair, fanning herself as if frustrated by Haji’s dejected appearance. But soon, she furrowed her brow, straightened up, and looked at Haji.

“Straighten up! It’s not like you did anything wrong.”

Startled, Haji straightened her posture at Seonghee’s words. And then, a thought struck her, making her eyes widen.

“Oh, you know oppa’s birthday is coming up soon, right?”

“Birthday?”

“It’s next week. Mom said we should have dinner together at home this week.”

When her mom had asked her to convey the message to Haji, she hadn’t suspected anything because Haji had often joined them for meals at their home. But now, she was a bit suspicious.

“Me too?”

“Well, you joined us for my birthday too, didn’t you?”

Haji’s eyes widened in surprise, and a hint of unease appeared in them. Despite knowing this, Seonghee answered casually.

For now, it didn’t seem bad to move according to her mom’s intentions.

At least for now.

***

Clunk, as the door opened, Haji entered the house.

As the day ended, her shoulders felt heavy. There were too many unexpected events. Her boyfriend’s marriage issue, the family dinner planned for the weekend, and her boyfriend’s birthday next week.

Her head was too cluttered.

“You’re back?”

Seojin put down the tablet he was holding on the sofa and stood up. Seeing him with glasses reminded her of the time a few months ago when he had left his glasses at Dodam Dodam.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you with glasses.”

“Has it?”

Seojin lightly touched his glasses with his fingertips and then approached Haji.

“Tired?”

At his low question, Haji nodded slightly, and Seojin pulled her into his embrace.

“What did you do?”

Was it her imagination that she sensed urgency in his words?

What could make this man feel urgent?

Haji erased the fleeting thought and wrapped her arms around his waist, snuggling closer.

“Shopping with Seonghee.”

“You didn’t buy anything?”

“Only Seonghee bought stuff. I didn’t need anything.”

Haji murmured as she closed her eyes. The fatigue that had accumulated seemed to melt away in his warm embrace.

“You should wash up and sleep.”

“Yeah. I should…”

She should, but she was just so tired. She had no energy left.

“Should I help you wash?”

“Huh?”

Haji’s head slowly tilted upwards. Not by her own will, but by the strength of his fingertips.

“Want me to wash you?”

Meeting his dark eyes, Haji shook her head slightly.

She thought she misheard.

But seeing his expression, he seemed serious. When Haji hesitated and took a step back, Seojin caught her arm.

“I want to help you wash.”

“…… I’m not a child, I’m fine.”

“Really can’t?”

Haji blinked. She had never seen him so persistent before.

“No.”

She almost nodded, fooled by his face for a moment, but she regained her composure and spoke firmly.

But why did he look genuinely disappointed?

“You can go to bed first. I’ll wash up and join you soon.”

As Haji turned to head to the bathroom, Seojin caught her hand.