SIDE STORY 2

The affectionate nickname coming from those pretty lips was, of course, pleasant to hear. It truly felt real now that he was married to Haji.

Although the two had been married for over a year, it was still hard to believe that such a beautiful woman was his wife. He had to hear it aloud to convince himself that it was reality.

Because she was a love he had waited for so long, every day felt like a dream. Every moment with her was precious.

“Are you hungry?”  

“Hungry?”  

“Starving.”  

Since the previous evening, Seojin and Haji hadn’t eaten anything and had spent a heated night together, so it was natural to be hungry. He even suspected that his stomach might be stuck to his back. But instead of touching her own stomach, Haji playfully placed her hand on Seojin’s stomach.

Swoosh, swoosh. Haji’s hand brushed over Seojin’s well-defined abs, which were clearly visible and perfectly firm, causing Seojin to look at her with a mix of disbelief and amusement.

“What are you doing?”  

“Just checking if it’s still there.”  

Even though they ate together, slept together in the same bed, and shared every part of their lives, she couldn’t understand why this man’s abs remained so firm and intact.

Haji stopped her hand and tilted her head up, staring intently at Seojin with narrowed eyes.

Could it be?

“Did you work out this morning?”  

“Yeah. I went downstairs.”  

“How do you even do that?”  

How could he be like this?

It was truly puzzling.

Even though they had been physically close all night, how could this man still have so much energy left for himself?

Downstairs in their home was a room filled with workout equipment that Seojin had set up. It was his personal gym. Previously, he used to go to an actual gym, but over time, he began bringing equipment home piece by piece. Eventually, he stopped going out and started exercising at home consistently.

Every morning before work—or even on weekends like today when he didn’t have to work—he never skipped a day of exercise. Thanks to his dedication, he maintained his chiseled muscles.

Haji had tried a few times to work out with him, but on nights when she and Seojin had spent an intense evening together, she simply didn’t have the energy to exercise the next day.

Needing sleep more than workouts, Haji gave up on exercising entirely. Instead, she compromised by occasionally taking a stroll around the neighborhood.

“You like it, don’t you?”  

“Me?”  

Haji’s eyelashes fluttered upward. Her wide, round eyes expressed her innocence, as though she had never said anything of the sort. But soon, her gaze shifted sideways.

Had I ever said I liked it?

There were certainly moments—actually, countless moments—when her heart fluttered at the feel of Seojin’s firm body, but she’d never admitted it out loud.

“You’re touching it now because you like it.”  

And it was something she had once said to him during their younger days.

‘Abs…’

He still remembered the words uttered by a girl in her school uniform who seemed too young to know anything, staring at him blankly.

At the time, he had teased her, saying that obsessing over such things would stunt her growth, but he never forgot a single word or action from her. He couldn’t forget even one thing about the woman who looked at him so beautifully.

His memory, which was sharper than most and often a burden because it retained even unnecessary details, became a blessing after meeting Haji. He was grateful to remember everything about her.

Waking up earlier than others to exercise wasn’t difficult. He could do this much, as long as it pleased one woman.

Even as her innocent eyes stared at him, her delicate fingers continued brushing over his abs without stopping.

A laugh escaped Seojin’s lips.  

“If you keep touching me like that, I won’t be able to stay still.”  

At his warning, delivered in a soft yet firm voice, Haji’s hand flinched and stopped. Seojin’s gaze had already deepened, filled with the same desire as the night before.

Sensing his dwindling self-control, Haji hesitantly pulled her hand away. Her thighs still felt sore from the night before. If they went at it again, she feared she wouldn’t even be able to walk.

Knowing her own frail body well, Haji quickly surrendered.  

“Youngsoo’s Grandma gave us some melons. Should we eat those with the strawberries we bought from the market the other day?”  

Before Haji could even finish her sentence, Seojin was already out of bed. Watching him pick out casual clothes to wear, Haji found herself momentarily entranced. The faint scratches her nails had left on his firm back muscles looked oddly seductive.

His body really does seem to be getting better.

Was I truly becoming an old lady? 

Her eyes couldn’t seem to tear away from his increasingly defined physique.

“Stay in bed. I’ll wash and bring it over.”  

“…Okay.”  

It was natural for Seojin to wash and bring fruits to her. Buying seasonal fruits for Haji, who loved them, was a given for him.

Washing them with his own hands and watching her eat them was also part of his routine. Soon, a plate neatly arranged with melons and strawberries was placed in front of Haji.

“The melons are sweet.”  

As the crisp sweetness of the melon filled her mouth, a smile spread across Haji’s face. The strawberries, of course, were delicious as well.

As Seojin watched her munch away with a relaxed expression, he suddenly put down his fork and seemed lost in thought. His lips tightened into a firm line.

Then, with a serious expression, he slowly opened his mouth.

“When did Seonghee say she was coming?”  

“She said she’d be here at 1.”  

Checking the time, Haji answered with a suppressed smile.

There was no way he could have forgotten something he’d heard once.

He was only asking in hopes that Haji might have forgotten, and if she had, perhaps he could cancel the appointment.

But Haji’s precise answer left Seojin looking defeated.

Even after the two had gotten married, Seonghee frequently came over to meet Haji. Every time she pulled up in her car to pick Haji up, it grated on Seojin’s nerves.

Although he had never expressed these feelings to Haji, he couldn’t help but feel a small sense of unease, knowing about Seonghee’s occasional impulsive actions.

As if to fan the flames of his unease, Haji’s surprised voice rang out.

“Huh?”  

“What?”  

“I should start getting ready to leave.”  

Looking at her phone, Haji saw a message from Seonghee and slowly stood up.

“Already?”  

“Seonghee said she left early and will be here soon.”  

“…”  

Watching Haji head to the bathroom, Seojin glanced at the lone strawberry left on the table. Somehow, it looked just like him—abandoned and alone.

***

Haji, now dressed, twirled around in front of him.

“How do I look?”  

“What do you mean? You’re just pretty.”  

Before Seojin could answer, Seonghee interrupted and answered for him.

That interruption caused small wrinkles to form on Seojin’s forehead. He was deeply displeased with the current situation.

Seonghee, who had said she’d come early, really did arrive very. early. Too early.

When Haji came out after washing up, Seonghee, who had arrived as if she had been waiting, bustled about and dragged Haji into the room, volunteering to style his wife herself.

Her actions made him suspicious of what intentions she had come with.

“It’s too short.” 

Seojin muttered lowly.

The dress swayed lightly, stopping at the middle of Haji’s thighs. He really, absolutely, did not like it.

“Does it look weird?” 

Haji asked nervously, twisting her legs awkwardly. She wasn’t used to wearing skirts that showed her thighs, nor did she own any, so it felt unfamiliar even to her.

“Ha…”

A deep, worried sigh escaped from Seojin’s lips. He then continued speaking.

“Of course not.”

“What?”

“There’s no way anything wouldn’t suit you.”

Seonghee took a step back, her face scrunching up as she nervously crossed her arms and rubbed them as if to pinch herself.

It felt like it was about to happen. Her brother’s…

“You’re so beautiful, and it suits you so well that I’m worried.”

…nonsense.

It finally happened.

One thing that was unavoidable in this couple’s newlywed life was Seojin’s endless nonsense.

“Oh, come on, what’s with you?” 

Haji, embarrassed, lightly hit Seojin’s arm. Seeing this, Seonghee shut her eyes tightly, thinking she was witnessing something she shouldn’t.

“Have I lived too long?” 

Seonghee muttered, glaring at her blood-related brother. Watching her brother and his wife’s affectionate antics was always unbearable.

What was nonsense to her was romance to them. As long as she closed her eyes, everyone else would be happy.

Having been busy with fashion show schedules until yesterday, Seonghee had finally found some free time, and she couldn’t waste it.

It had been so long since she’d had this freedom.

Even when she opened her eyes after regaining her composure, the two were still holding hands and whispering sweetly to each other.

“That’s enough. Stop it. Let’s go now.”

“Where are you going?”

As Seonghee pulled Haji’s hand, Seojin quickly grabbed Haji’s other hand, the one Seonghee hadn’t taken.

Standing between the siblings, Haji’s eyes darted nervously as their gazes clashed over her.

With a crooked smile, Seonghee opened her mouth.

“To a nice place.”

“And where is that?”

Seojin’s tone was laced with suspicion. He looked like someone keeping an eye on a bad friend who might lead his wife astray.

“Just out for some fresh air.”

“That’s right. Oppa, Seonghee finally managed to get a day off today. We decided to go out and get some fresh air together.”

Before the argument could escalate, Haji quickly explained. At her words, Seojin’s sharp gaze softened as if it had never been there in the first place.