A Marriage with A Reason - Chapter 56

“I’ll take you.”

“No, it’s okay. I can just take the bus.”

“Still…”

“Really, I’m fine. And isn’t lunch break almost over? You should go back inside.”

Their pleasant but slightly awkward lunch ended, and now they were all gathered again, this time about how to get back. Jaehoon offered to take Dayun, but she said it wasn’t necessary. Both of them were being considerate out of care for each other. Jaehoon knew she was refusing because she was thinking of him, but he didn’t want to give up because he wanted to be with her a little longer. And the biggest reason was…

“It’s fine. Dayun is going to the studio anyway, so she can go with me.”

“I’m going too. So just listen to Junseok and go back in.”

“Why are you going?”

“I’m just tagging along. I got Dayun’s permission too.”

“What? Then I want to go too.”

“Why would you?”

It was because of the others going with Dayun. They already liked her, and Jaehoon was worried that without him, they’d stick too close to her.

“Hey, Hyunsoo. When did I say you could come for fun? I just asked you to check my writing for typos. And Junseok, do you even have time to hang out? Weren’t you planning a new project?”

The one good thing was that Dayun seemed clueless—at least from Jaehoon’s point of view. She was the kind who wouldn’t notice unless told directly. She seemed sharp in some ways but totally dense when it came to relationships between men and women. But today, Jaehoon liked that about her. On the other hand, Junseok looked disappointed after Dayun’s words.

“Ah… yeah, I was.”

He felt like she hit the nail on the head. Then Hyunsoo jumped back in.

“Hey, Dayun. I’ve got plenty of time. Can’t I help a little and then hang out?”

“Sorry, I’m busy. So if you’re going to help, just do what I asked and then leave quickly.”

Hyunsoo looked disappointed too after hearing her words. Thanks to that, the only one in a good mood was Jaehoon.

“Sunbae, I’ll go now.”

“Okay, get home safe. See you at home later.”

“Yes.”

Jaehoon watched Dayun walk away and smiled softly. Then he thought to himself—he hoped that Dayun would continue putting up strong walls against every other guy except him. Especially Junseok and Hyunsoo—he wished her wall against them was even stronger.

Tap tap. Dayun’s fingers typed on her laptop, and beside her, Hyunsoo kept sneaking glances at her.

“Can you stop staring and finish helping?”

Without taking her eyes off the screen, Dayun spoke in a tone that told him to quit it. But even so, she glanced sideways at him—now openly staring—and didn’t seem too annoyed. She gently took her hands off the laptop.

“Ugh, what is it that you want to say?”

When writing, Dayun could be sensitive, so her tone with Hyunsoo came out a little sharp. But he’d been through this before and didn’t seem bothered.

“Are you okay?”

“… What do you mean?”

She had a feeling what he meant, but she pretended not to understand and asked back. Honestly, she had been really hurt and upset at the time, but now it felt embarrassing—like she had misunderstood everything and made a fuss over nothing.

“It’s a bit random… but I never got to ask. Are you really okay?”

“Did you hear from Sojin?”

“Yeah. She told me you cried a lot too.”

“Ah… that’s a bit embarrassing.”

Even if they were close friends, crying over a guy and having that be known felt really embarrassing. Maybe it was because Hyunsoo was a guy friend… and still a guy like Jaehoon. But Dayun hid her awkward feelings and smiled at Hyunsoo.

“Then I guess you also heard I made up with him? I forgave him. He really apologized and said he was sorry for making me misunderstand.”

“Ah…”

“So I decided to believe him again. I even told him—it would be the last time I trust him again.”

“… Are you sure about this? He always made you cry, always hurt you. I’m just worried about you.”

“You really are a good friend. But Hyunsoo, I’m okay.”

“…”

“I want to believe him. I really do. He told me he likes me, and I like him too… It’s different from before now. So I’m going to believe in him.”

It was a smile full of trust in Jaehoon. A bright, cheerful smile—but for Hyunsoo, it left him with mixed feelings. He was glad she was smiling again, that the misunderstanding was cleared up, and she was healing. He even felt relieved. But still, deep down inside, it also left a bitter taste—like drinking medicine you really didn’t want to take. When Jaehoon hurt her, made her cry, and yet Dayun still chose to trust him again…

‘I really have no place in her heart, do I?’

That thought suddenly crossed his mind. He always knew that to Dayun, he was just a close male friend, someone she wanted around forever—but nothing more. What hurt even more was this: even though he liked her so much, the only man in her heart was Jaehoon.

“I’m glad… really glad.”

Even though he liked her, he couldn’t say it. Even though he was hurting, he couldn’t show it. All he could do was hide his feelings and say things he didn’t mean—and that was what hurt Hyunsoo the most.

“Oh, I forgot I have class. I better get going.”

“Huh? Just now you said you had lots of free time and wanted to hang out.”

“I know, but I really forgot.”

“Well, nothing you can do. Go on, or you’ll be late.”

“Yeah. See you later.”

“Okay~ take care~”

And maybe, from now on, the only way he could stay by her side was as just a friend. That realization kept hurting him.

A week passed.

Their daily life was the same as always. Eating together, chatting, focusing on their own work… It was normal, and that made it feel peaceful and happy. But one thing had changed—the relationships between people, between men and women.

“Dayun, how about meeting up with the others for a meal? It’s been a while.”

“Sounds good to me. But what about Suji and Hyunsoo? Are they free?”

“Not sure. Suji said she probably can, but I don’t know about Hyunsoo.”

“… Really?”

“Yeah. He’s been busy with exams and assignments. I don’t think he can make it.”

“Ah, it would’ve been nice if Hyunsoo came… That’s a shame.”

Since that lunch, Hyunsoo had become noticeably busier. They texted now and then, but unlike before, they hardly saw each other. Of course, Dayun understood—it was exam season. But she still felt a little disappointed. What she didn’t know, though, was this—

“Hey, Hyunsoo.”

“Hey, Sojin. You’re here?”

“You say you’re too busy to eat, but you had time to call me?”

“Sorry, I really am busy. I just wanted you to give this to her.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a USB with Dayun’s story on it. She asked me to check it, and it’s done.”

“… Don’t tell me…”

Yes, Hyunsoo was busy—but there was another reason.

“Are you avoiding Dayun on purpose?”

It was Hyunsoo’s own way of trying to see her only as a friend. He gave an awkward smile at Sojin’s blunt question.

“Well… kind of. I mean, I can’t like her forever, right?”

“I guess. But she said she misses you.”

His heart skipped for a moment when he heard that Dayun missed him. But he forced himself to ignore it.

“… It can’t be helped. You know, if things go on like this, I might not even be able to stay friends with her. I’m sorry to her and to you guys, but I just need some time. I’ll finish what I have to do, and then I’ll come back—just as a friend.”

He had always known her heart wasn’t looking his way. But lately, it was clear—no matter how long he waited, her heart wouldn’t turn to him.

“You don’t have to apologize to us. You’re the one hurting the most.”

Seeing that, Sojin felt sorry for him. One-sided love hurts. It’s lonely, it’s hard. But trying to forget that love—it hurts even more. Sojin knew that well. She also knew how much Dayun loved Jaehoon. So all she could do was pat Hyunsoo on the back, hoping her touch could comfort him a little.

“Cheer up. Hurry up and shake it off and come back. It breaks my heart to see you like this.”

“You’re not even older than me.”

Even in such a heavy moment, Sojin joked, and Hyunsoo gave a little laugh. He knew she was trying to cheer him up.

“Anyway, if you ever feel lonely or down, call me. I’ll come running.”

“Thanks. Really. That means a lot. I mean it—thank you.”

And that made him truly feel thankful. Maybe… maybe he could finally start to let Dayun go.

That evening—

[Dayun, are you at the studio?]
[Yes. Is something wrong?]
[Let’s go home together. Wait for me. I’ll come get you.]

Dayun turned off her laptop and thought about the message from Jaehoon. She switched off the lights, checked the door one last time, and stepped out of the villa.

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