A Marriage with A Reason - Chapter 27

“Huh, was it you?”

With Gyumin’s words, a short exclamation of “No way!” came from Suji. And just as an awkward silence was about to settle, Minseok—who had spoken first—began sweating nervously, looking around with a troubled expression. Jiwoong was silently drinking, Dayun stared down at the ground with a distressed look, and Jaehoon looked… kind of angry. All of them seemed serious, making Minseok feel like the whole situation was somehow his fault. So, he tried his best to lighten the mood.

“Come on, no way it was really Jiwoong, right? He and Dayun are probably the least close out of all of us.”

“Yeah, Jiwoong was never that close to Dayun—just like Jaehoon.”

“Exactly. Jiwoong and Dayun? No way. That’s just ridiculous.”

“Now that you say it, it really doesn’t make any sense.”

Maybe out of pity for Minseok’s efforts, Gyumin nodded in agreement. And the rest followed, nodding along as if they had all been on the same page. After all, everyone knew how awkward and uncomfortable—essentially unfriendly—Jiwoong and Dayun were with each other, not much different from Jaehoon.

Thanks to Minseok and Gyumin, the conversation shifted toward: “Yeah, that’s true,” and “Of course it couldn’t be.” Misunderstandings began to dissolve. Dayun let out a quiet sigh of relief. It was so subtle that most didn’t notice, but for those who had been watching her closely, it was easy to see. Her tension, her small shoulders drooping—she looked pitiful, and yet… a bit frustrating. Not because she herself was frustrating, of course.

Anyway, with that one worry off her chest, Dayun suddenly felt a wave of thirst.

“Ugh, I’m so thirsty…”

She muttered under her breath, looking around for water. Seeing this, Junseok and Hyunsoo also began glancing around, trying to spot a water bottle. But no matter where they looked, there was nothing but alcohol in sight. Both thought of heading to the kitchen to grab some water—but Jaehoon beat them to it.

“Here.”

“Oh! Thank you, sunbae.”

Somehow, he had found water and was now pouring it into a glass, handing it to her. Junseok and Hyunsoo couldn’t help but think, “Damn, we were too slow.” But neither could say it out loud. They could only silently blame themselves for not moving faster.

Dayun slowly sipped the water. As the cool liquid ran down her throat, she finally started to feel a little more at ease. But that calm didn’t last long—thanks to Jiwoong.

No matter the topic, no matter the situation, Jiwoong just kept quietly drinking like it didn’t concern him at all. Then, out of nowhere, he said:

“But is it really that unbelievable? I mean, there are people who got married even though they weren’t close. A kiss isn’t that big a deal.”

“Pffft!!”

And he said it with the most casual expression, like it was nothing. Shocked by Jiwoong’s unexpected comment, Dayun ended up spitting out her water.

“Ahh! Choi Dayun!”

Sojin and Suji gasped, more surprised by the water spray than Jiwoong’s words, and quickly handed her tissues.

“You okay? I mean, sure, it was surprising, but why’d you spit your drink everywhere?”

Dayun took the tissues Sojin handed her but didn’t even know where to start wiping. Her mind was flashing red alerts. Then, finally, Jaehoon—who’d been silent this whole time—spoke.

“So, you’re saying her first kiss was with you?”

His voice was low, his eyes sharp. Everyone stared, shocked—because Jaehoon rarely ever showed such clear expressions. Still, no one was more uncomfortable than Dayun. She probably never expected Jaehoon to actually ask.

Jiwoong took a sip of his drink, then set the glass down with a loud clack. Locking eyes with Jaehoon, he said:

“I confessed. Then, drunk and impulsive, I kissed her. But I had no idea it was her first kiss. I mean—even if I had known, it wouldn’t have changed much.”

“Wow…”

Jaehoon’s face hardened. Even if it had been a loveless marriage, knowing your wife had kissed your close friend—especially when it was her first kiss—was deeply unpleasant. It didn’t matter how long ago it was. The rest were equally stunned. Jiwoong and Dayun? That pairing was just… unthinkable.

“Wait, Choi Dayun, is that all true? You really got a confession from Jiwoong oppa?”

“And a kiss, too? Did you guys date after that?”

Sojin and Suji were full of questions. They felt kind of betrayed that Dayun had kept this a secret, but also proud and impressed that she wasn’t the fragile girl they thought she had to protect. Above all, they were dying to know what exactly happened. A confession? A kiss? From Jiwoong, of all people?

“Uh, well… I…”

Dayun was at a loss. Embarrassed, especially since the one who confessed was sitting right there, she found it hard to say anything. But just as she was about to answer—mostly because of Sojin and Suji’s insistent stares—Jiwoong jumped in.

“Don’t put her on the spot. Just ask me instead. I remember everything, even though I was drunk.”

“Ooh, is this you protecting someone you used to like? Or maybe… someone you still like?”

Sojin asked with a playful grin—but underneath that grin was something more serious. She was sharp, and there was something very intriguing about how all of this was playing out.

Jiwoong muttered softly,

“Could be. Or maybe not. Or maybe… starting again.”

Some of the group widened their eyes in shock. Thankfully, Dayun—who was still chatting with Suji—didn’t seem to hear. But everyone else did. A few even glared at Jiwoong.

At that moment, Juhyung, overwhelmed, seemed about to blurt something out.

“Wait, are you saying you and Day—mmph!”

Luckily, before he could finish, Gyumin covered his mouth, looking flustered and forcing a laugh.

“Ha… what are you even trying to say, man? Hey, Sojin, don’t say weird stuff to the seniors. Jaehoon and Jiwoong are friends, old friends.”

Sojin replied coolly:

“Yeah, yeah. Gotta be careful, right?”

Then, scanning the guys’ faces meaningfully, she added:

“There are so many bees buzzing around, the flower might just run away.”

A heavy silence followed. Suji and Dayun, not getting the reference, just exchanged confused glances. Sojin smirked with interest. Meanwhile, between the guys, looks were exchanged—especially between Minseok, Juhyung, and Gyumin, who were finally piecing things together.

Gyumin and Minseok said,

“Hey girls, want to go buy some snacks?”

“Yeah, we should. What should we get?”

“Chicken!”

“Right, chicken it is.”

Suji, annoyed, grumbled:

“Can’t we just eat what we have? Or order in?”

But Minseok suddenly shouted, almost panicked:

“No!”

“…Huh?”

Suji and Dayun looked at him in confusion. Embarrassed, Minseok quickly added:

“I mean… if you go in person, you get discounts. Like… they cut the delivery fee, right?”

Suji smirked.

“Wow, didn’t know you were such a thrifty guy.”

“Heh, well…”

Awkward laughter followed. Gyumin then locked eyes with Sojin—“Take them out, will you?”

He didn’t say it aloud, but his expression and eyes said it all. Sojin got the message. Even though this situation was wildly entertaining for her, she figured the guys needed some space. More drama was bound to unfold that way.

So she stood up, grabbing Dayun’s hand.

“They’re dying for chicken. Let’s just go, for the sake of being good juniors.”

“Sure. I could use some air anyway.”

Dayun, uncomfortable with the whole vibe, gladly stood. Suji followed, annoyed.

“Ugh, such a pain.”

“Well, we’re the young ones here. Gotta do our part.”

“True. Those guys are pushing thirty. Probably feeling it in their knees already.”

“Hey! We’re not that old yet!”

Minseok pouted, but Suji ignored him and held out her hand.

“What?”

“Money. Or a card. Don’t tell me you’re making us pay after ordering us out?”

“Ah… I didn’t think about that…”

Minseok turned to Gyumin, silently pleading. But Gyumin just shrugged shamelessly.

“What?”

“You said you wanted chicken!”

“I’m broke! Gave my parents money yesterday—no cash.”

Minseok was stunned.

“Card. Hand it over.”

“I don’t even carry one. Don’t you know I don’t use credit cards?”

“…What kind of confidence do you have to ask for chicken, then?”

Minseok sighed. Trying to fix things had only tangled him up more.

“Just give us someone’s card already!”

Eventually, with a defeated expression, Minseok handed over his card. As he did, Gyumin added annoyingly,

“Yeah, yeah. You’re the hotshot cafe owner. I’m just a broke model~”

Minseok wanted to smack him, but instead, he muttered,

“Don’t spend too much.”

“Thank you~!”

Suji, now thrilled, led the girls out.

“One chicken each, minimum~”

“JUST BUY A REASONABLE AMOUNT!!”

Minseok’s scream echoed behind them as the elevator doors closed.

Suji pressed the 1st floor button.

“Where should we go? Know a good place, Dayun?”

“Hmm… not really. I don’t order in that much.”

“Well, let’s just go somewhere nearby. No need to walk too far.”

“Yeah, anywhere is fine.”

“Alright~ what kind should we get?”

“I like soy garlic.”

“Okay, let’s get a mix then.”

“…You think it’s okay to use his card like this? I brought my wallet just in case…”

Dayun hesitated, remembering how Minseok had shouted not too much! at the end.

But Suji waved it off.

“It’s fine. He’s loaded. Probably second only to Jaehoon.”

“Really?”

“Come on, he owns a cafe. He’ll survive.”

Sojin chuckled to herself. She always knew Dayun was clueless, but today, Suji was proving to be just as oblivious.

“Well… sometimes being clueless is a blessing.”

Because if Dayun ever found out someone was in love with her, she’d feel terribly guilty. She was, after all, in love with someone else.

“I wonder how things are going back there. A room full of guys—some who like her, some she likes…”

Sojin smiled.

“Whoever wins, I just hope it’s someone who’ll make her happy.”

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