A Marriage with A Reason - Chapter 22

How much time had passed? The weekend arrived again. It was Saturday, but Jaehoon did not have work today. Why? Because today was the company’s anniversary.

“Senior, would you like a cup of coffee?”

Dayun, who had been hanging laundry on the balcony, came inside after finishing. She could have rested, but instead, she asked Jaehoon if he wanted some coffee.

“No, it’s fine. You just finished working, right? If I want coffee, I’ll make it myself.”

“It’s okay, really. I was going to make a chocolate latte anyway. I’ll make coffee for you while I’m at it.”

Hearing Dayun’s words, Jaehoon stood up. He placed his hands on her shoulders, gently sitting her on the sofa as he spoke.

“I’m the one who’s not okay. You cleaned, hung the laundry, and did everything by yourself. Wait here. I’ll make it for you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, so just stay here and wait.”

Dayun, unable to refuse his firm expression, nodded. Jaehoon smiled slightly, pleased by her obedience, and walked to the kitchen.

‘Senior smiled again.’

Dayun had only seen his smile for a moment, but it made her feel warm. His actions, as though he was thinking of her, and the fact that she seemed to be seeing his smile more often recently made her heart flutter. She looked at him, who was preparing coffee and chocolate latte in the kitchen, with admiration. He looked so cool, like a barista, glowing with charm.

‘Could it be that Senior is starting to like me?’

This thought crossed Dayun’s mind suddenly. His behavior was different from the early days of their marriage, so it was a natural thought. But Dayun quickly shook her head. If expectations were too high, the disappointment would be big. She reminded herself not to get carried away by false hopes.

“Here. Drink up.”

Before long, Jaehoon placed the coffee and chocolate latte on the table. Dayun picked up the cup with the chocolate latte and smiled.

“Thank you, Senior. I’ll enjoy it.”

Jaehoon nodded, and Dayun took a sip.

‘It’s sweet.’

The taste was sweet. Perhaps because he made it, or maybe because she was drinking it with him, it tasted especially sweet and delicious.

The room fell silent, with only the sound of sipping. Then Jaehoon’s phone buzzed, signaling a text message.

“Ugh.”

Jaehoon frowned as he checked the message. It seemed like it was something unpleasant, given his sour expression and the way he ruffled his hair. Dayun, curious about what could have caused this, asked.

“Senior, what’s wrong?”

Jaehoon hesitated for a moment, looking troubled. But seeing Dayun’s curious gaze, he finally spoke.

“What should I do?”

“?”

“It looks like some of the guys are going to show up for dinner tonight…”

“Who?”

Dayun thought for a moment, but soon she remembered the faces of Jaehoon’s friends—Junseok and the others.

“Ah… you mean Junseok and the other seniors?”

“Yeah. They said they couldn’t come last time, but now they say they can make it.”

So suddenly… Dayun, hearing Jaehoon’s words, was also surprised. “It would have been nice if they’d given us a heads up,” she thought, but it also made her laugh to see that even now, some things hadn’t changed.

“Pfft~”

She couldn’t help but laugh, and Jaehoon looked at her as though he didn’t understand why she was laughing. Dayun, feeling a bit embarrassed, nervously adjusted the ends of her long hair, still smiling.

“I just think it’s typical of your seniors to be so spontaneous. Junseok, too, they were always like this in school. Free and fun, they haven’t changed a bit.”

Jaehoon sighed, shaking his head, not knowing how to respond.

“They’re crazy. They never change, always partying and drinking, enjoying their freedom. But now, we’re almost thirty, not students anymore, and they’re still acting like this. I just don’t get it.”

Jaehoon’s thoughts turned sour as he remembered how they acted. It wasn’t that he hated them coming over, but the thought of them showing up unannounced in their home, where they were now living as a couple, bothered him. Of course, he didn’t mind them coming, but he didn’t like how they were imposing on their space without any consideration.

Honestly, Jaehoon felt guilty. He was surprised and confused, but what about Dayun? Wouldn’t she feel the same way? But contrary to his thoughts, Dayun seemed to react positively.

“Well, I guess I should get some groceries. What do your friends like? Oh, they love meat, right? Junseok and the others, too, so we should have meat as the main dish.”

Dayun asked Jaehoon if his friends liked meat, and Jaehoon nodded absentmindedly, still caught off guard. He thought most women wouldn’t like it when people just showed up unexpectedly, but Dayun didn’t seem to mind.

“Yeah, they like meat, but don’t you mind? They’re showing up out of nowhere.”

“Eh, it’s fine. It’s not like I don’t know them. I actually feel a bit happy thinking I’ll get to see them after a while. We were in the same travel club back in school. We went everywhere together. Then we all graduated, and here we are now…”

She stopped herself, almost saying something about how she had distanced herself from other seniors to try and forget Jaehoon, but she quickly held it in. She smiled brightly, trying to stay positive.

“Anyway, it’s been a while, and I’m curious to see how they’ve been. Even though it’s sudden, I’m excited.”

“Really? If you’re happy about it, then I’m glad.”

Jaehoon couldn’t help but compare Dayun to Hyeyun. If it were Hyeyun, she would definitely have disliked this sudden visit. But then, Jaehoon caught himself, thinking, “Why am I thinking like this?” He tried to shake off the thought.

Just then, Dayun cautiously asked,

“Senior, is it okay if I invite Sojin and the others? Since we’re all gathering, it might be nice if everyone comes.”

“Your friends too?”

Dayun nodded, looking at him as if asking for permission. Jaehoon thought for a moment. Of course, it was fine if Sojin and Suji came. They were her friends, and he didn’t mind. But there was one person he was concerned about…

“If we say friends, does that include Kim Hyunsoo too?”

He thought of Hyunsoo. Dayun’s friend, someone who had been close to her since school, and who wasn’t just a friend in Jaehoon’s eyes.

‘Why am I thinking so much about this?’

Jaehoon realized he was overthinking, and though he tried to brush it off, his mood grew heavy.

Dayun, sensing a shift in his mood, asked hesitantly,

“Is it not okay?”

“Huh? No, it’s fine. Let them come, like you said. It’ll be nice if everyone comes together.”

Jaehoon forced a smile, but his heart was still heavy as he thought of Hyunsoo’s presence.

“Ah, you’re so pretty~ so pretty~”

“Hahaha…”

Dayun awkwardly laughed as she heard the comments of the woman who had just said they were a perfect match.

“You two look like a match made in heaven, a perfect couple, so beautiful!”

“Ha, thank you.”

In the supermarket, preparing for the guests that would come later, Dayun and Jaehoon felt very awkward. The praise from the tasting corner ladies made them uncomfortable.

“By the way, how long have you two been married?”

“Uh… not long.”

“I thought so! You both have that fresh newlywed vibe, so nice.”

“Haha… yeah, I guess.”

Dayun quickly tried to change the subject, pointing to the meat to buy, trying to escape from the awkwardness. But the lady wasn’t finished.

“Your husband is really handsome, he could be a model!”

Jaehoon smiled awkwardly, trying to hide his discomfort.

“Thank you.”

“But your wife is younger, isn’t she? She’s so pretty, with great skin. Ah, your husband must be having a great time every night, right?”

Dayun couldn’t help but gasp quietly, embarrassed. But Jaehoon, as if he didn’t care at all, responded casually.

“Yeah, every night is great, I’m going crazy. But can we get the meat now?”

Dayun was shocked by Jaehoon’s response, but the lady seemed unfazed and smiled, thinking it was amusing.

“Oh, your husband is bold! Alright, how much meat should I give you?”

“A lot, give us a lot.”

They made it home with all the groceries, but Dayun couldn’t help but notice Jaehoon’s tired look.

“Senior, are you okay? You look tired.”

“I’m fine. The shopping was okay, but those ladies…”

Jaehoon smiled to reassure her as he moved the bags to the kitchen. Dayun followed him.

“Yeah, I should have brought Hyunsoo along. He’s good at handling awkward situations, unlike me.”

The mention of Hyunsoo made Jaehoon freeze for a moment.

“Did you go with him on trips before? You and him together.”

Jaehoon asked the question before he could stop himself.

“Uh, yeah, we traveled a lot together. But it’s fine. I haven’t seen him in a while either.”

“Right.”

Jaehoon smiled faintly as he spoke, but it was clear his mind was elsewhere.

Dayun, sensing the change in atmosphere, glanced at Jaehoon, feeling a bit unsettled, but she quickly focused on preparing dinner.

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