Chapter 19

Da Hee sat across from Woo Hyun, with the counter between them. Woo Hyun said he didn't know what kind of gimbap she liked, so he bought a variety: tuna, vegetable, regular, and cheese gimbap. He bought a total of four rolls and even thoughtfully packed soup in a plastic container. His hands moved naturally as he arranged the gimbap in places easy for her to pick up.

"You've dated a lot of women, haven't you?"

Da Hee asked, watching Woo Hyun's hands. Woo Hyun just lifted his eyes to look at Da Hee. It was the first time Da Hee had asked him such a personal question. However, Da Hee's expression showed no awareness of this.

Woo Hyun's lips curved slightly, and his eyes naturally crinkled. He found it quite enjoyable that Da Hee was showing interest in him.

"More or less. I'm getting on in years. Why do you ask all of a sudden?"

"Just seemed like it. This looks delicious. I'll eat well."

Da Hee snapped her wooden chopsticks apart with a click. Woo Hyun followed suit, separating his chopsticks. As he picked up a roll of gimbap, Woo Hyun spoke.

"The cactus is growing well."

"That's a relief."

"If that cactus is so precious, why did you give it to me?"

"Because I thought the cactus might get bored."

"What?"

"It must get bored being in the same spot, breathing the same air every day. So I sent it to play at another house and then come back."

Da Hee picked up a gimbap roll, answering nonchalantly as if it meant nothing. Woo Hyun looked a bit dejected. Knowing Da Hee's personality, he thought there'd be some significant reason, even if not a huge one. Woo Hyun was about to say something but then saw Da Hee enjoying her meal and kept his mouth shut. When he slightly lowered his head, he subtly caught a glimpse of her fair skin inside her short-sleeved t-shirt. He saw the mark he'd left there, and Woo Hyun could no longer bear it, so he lowered his gaze.

"Aren't you eating?"

Da Hee asked, watching Woo Hyun put down his chopsticks. He replied in a stiff tone, still looking down.

"I've lost my appetite."

It seemed his appetite had been overshadowed by other desires. He hadn't realized such an imbalance of desires could be so tormenting.

"I can't eat all this by myself... I'll pack up the two untouched rolls. You can eat them at the office."

Da Hee muttered, a troubled expression on her face.

"Okay."

Woo Hyun crossed his arms, responding as if to say, 'Do as you please.' Da Hee ate diligently. Just as she had been completely normal the day after their first kiss, there was no change in Da Hee the day after they had sex. Even when he entered the store, she simply responded, 'You're here?' as usual.

"Not bothered at all?"

Da Hee, who was clearing the finished meal, looked up at Woo Hyun's blunt remark. Though it lacked both an object and a subject, she immediately understood what he was talking about. Da Hee paused for a moment, then broke the wooden chopsticks in half and put them in a plastic bag.

"I just seem unaffected, but I too am actually quite surprised."

Woo Hyun leaned his upper body forward. Da Hee stared intently at Woo Hyun's close face. He seemed to be waiting for some words, or perhaps about to say something himself. Since neither scenario was welcome, Da Hee spoke first.

"I'm telling you this in advance in case you misunderstand, but getting involved with a man like this was a first for me. I know it's cowardly, but I'll make the excuse that I was drunk. This kind of mistake won't happen again. And if by any chance you feel uncomfortable with me like this, or have doubts about this relationship, you don't have to come to the café. I'm not the type to cling to a man or have any expectations because of what happened last night..."

"I liked it. Last night, I mean."

"..."

Da Hee looked at Woo Hyun, speechless. His face was expressionless, and he was more serious than anyone.

"If I could go back to that time, I'd do it again."

"..."

"Because it didn't feel like me."

Drenched in moonlight, shining pale white, Da Hee, who normally showed about as much emotion as a block of ice, clung to him, crying hot, desperate tears. That single fact kept him from sleeping a wink last night, and as soon as dawn broke, all he could think about was coming to the café.

"So what I'm trying to say is, I want to keep meeting Da Hee, just like this."

"..."

"And if Da Hee wants to, we can do it anytime."

She didn't need to ask what 'it' was. He was referring to last night, the night that almost drove him mad.

Woo Hyun reached out and brushed Da Hee's hair behind her ear.

"I've figured out that Da Hee isn't the type to cling to a man. So I'm the one clinging now. Begging you not to break this relationship."

As Woo Hyun's hand left her hair, Da Hee felt a pang of regret. When she looked up, Woo Hyun was already standing. Overlaying his neat face was the image of his brazen face from last night. Da Hee wanted to see that face again.

"I'll wait for your call."

Woo Hyun turned and left. The café door opened and closed. A cool early summer breeze swept in, tickling her cheek before disappearing.

Instead of savoring the breeze as she normally would, Da Hee simply stared at the spot where Woo Hyun had exited.

~~~~~

Miel's Translations