Epilogue

[Warning : NSFW]

Knock, knock.

Woo Hyun looked up at the sound of tapping on the table. Da Hee sat on the table.

"It's time for us to close."

"Go ahead. I have to wait until my girlfriend gets off work."

At Woo Hyun's feigned innocent reply, Da Hee's lips stretched into a long line. Woo Hyun closed his book and pulled Da Hee closer. She was so slender that she came along easily, even without much force. Woo Hyun tilted his head back to look at Da Hee. Da Hee just looked at him, smiling softly.

"Kiss."

Woo Hyun demanded, his arm around Da Hee's waist.

"No. Not today."

Da Hee refused flatly. Woo Hyun's head tilted.

"Why?"

"You bit my chest yesterday even though I told you not to."

"Then let's just kiss."

"No."

Woo Hyun chuckled, seeing that Da Hee wouldn't be fooled by 'just a kiss' anymore.

"Stay at my place tonight."

Woo Hyun whispered, lightly kissing Da Hee's hand. Just as Da Hee was about to open her mouth to refuse.

"If you refuse, I'll come to your home."

Da Hee watched Woo Hyun's profile as he continued to pepper small kisses on the back of her hand and her palm. After two years of dating, she knew Woo Hyun was a man of his word, and despite his polite and gentle appearance, he had a tenacious side.

What's more, he particularly loved her home, and he wouldn't leave her alone for a moment when they were there. For Da Hee, going to Woo Hyun's place, where he had a lot of work, was ironically more freeing.

Da Hee raised her hand and brushed back Woo Hyun's hair. His soft hair slipped smoothly through her fingers. It was a quiet night. So quiet that she felt she could disappear, engulfed by the stillness.

"Okay, let's go. After I finish closing up first."

"Mmm."

Contrary to his affirmative response, Woo Hyun very slowly let go of Da Hee's hand. Da Hee walked to the sink and wiped the wet dishes clean with a towel. She had about three plates left when suddenly the light over the sink went out.

"Huh?"

Just as Da Hee turned around, a man strode out of the darkness and covered Da Hee's lips. In an instant, her T-shirt was pulled up. There was no time to stop him. Woo Hyun pushed against her so hard that even holding onto the sink for balance was difficult.

"Haa, Mr. Woo Hyun. That..."

Da Hee's words dissolved and disappeared in Woo Hyun's mouth. Woo Hyun's hand unclasped Da Hee's bra. Simultaneously, Da Hee's breasts were revealed.

"I said no!"

Da Hee gasped.

"You said no at home, not here, right?"

Woo Hyun countered playfully, then took her breast into his mouth. Da Hee closed her eyes, watching Woo Hyun stubbornly licked her nipple. Her whole body tingled, making it impossible to say anything else. With his hand stroking her inner thigh and his tongue rapidly flicking her nipple, the strength drained from Da Hee's fingertips. Woo Hyun's hand quickly unzipped Da Hee's pants and pulled them off in one go. He then turned Da Hee around and entered her in one swift motion.

"Ugh!"

Da Hee let out a short moan at the stiff feeling and gripped the sink tightly. Soon, with squelching sounds, it became hot below. Woo Hyun squeezed Da Hee's breasts as if wringing them out and moved his body quickly.

"Ah, ahh."

Da Hee's hot, moist insides felt so good that it made his head spin. Woo Hyun felt like he was going crazy when he saw Da Hee, usually so cool, letting out low moans and moving passionately.

Woo Hyun's lips moved towards Da Hee's straight back, deeply curved. He didn't slow his pace even as he kissed along her back. He used his whole body to touch and feel Da Hee, her full breasts, her straight back, her glowing shoulders, and even her secret garden that gripped him tightly and wouldn't let go.

"Ah, ahh. Ah!"

Da Hee lowered her head. Each powerful thrust sent a tingling sensation racing up her spine to the top of her head. Just as she thought she might faint, Woo Hyun withdrew from her nether part. Woo Hyun then lifted Da Hee onto the sink, facing him, and spread her legs. Just as Da Hee tried to close her legs, her secret place was instantly exposed, and he said.

"I want to see."

"No!"

Da Hee shrieked, but Woo Hyun's hand had already parted her legs. Woo Hyun looked at Da Hee's already flushed folds, and then slowly rubbed it. He kissed Da Hee and reached his hand behind him.

Shwaaa!

The sound of water running could be heard. After washing his hands in the sink, Woo Hyun slipped his fingers inside her. Da Hee curled her legs at the cold, thick foreign sensation, but she couldn't stop Woo Hyun's fingers from moving.

"Ugh, ahh!"

It felt as if her mind was being completely stirred up by Woo Hyun's fingers. Da Hee moaned with squelching sounds, and Woo Hyun watched her intently. Even though he was only using his fingers, Da Hee felt like she was about to climax.

"D-don't do it."

"Beg more."

"D-don't. Ahh!"

Da Hee gripped Woo Hyun's shoulders. Woo Hyun's shirt was thoroughly crumpled. Da Hee leaned forward, almost clinging to Woo Hyun. The more she begged him to stop, the more persistently Woo Hyun tormented the spots that drove Da Hee wild.

"Ugh. Ah, no! No!"

Da Hee rapidly shook her head. She mustered every last bit of strength to escape Woo Hyun, struggling, but couldn't break free from his arms.

"Ah! Ahh!"

Da Hee tightly hugged Woo Hyun's head. Simultaneously, an endless gush of sticky juice flowed from her. Having climaxed twice from the movement of his fingers, Da Hee leaned weakly against Woo Hyun's shoulder.

"You can't collapse already."

"Just do it at home instead."

The words Woo Hyun had been waiting for came from Da Hee's mouth. But, Woo Hyun was troubled. His actions, intended to torment Da Hee, were instead tormenting him.

"Just once more here."

"I feel like I'm going to collapse."

"I'll carry you."

There had already been two such instances. Woo Hyun was polite and gentle, but unusually rough in bed. Before Da Hee could say anything, Woo Hyun immediately attempted penetration. She was already so wet that he entered easily. However, Da Hee, already highly sensitive, felt her vision blur simply from the fact that Woo Hyun had entered her.

"Ugh."

Da Hee was half-leaning, half-hugging Woo Hyun's head, and Woo Hyun was moving rapidly.

"I'm coming inside you."

Woo Hyun asked, his voice hoarse. Da Hee wanted to say no, but she didn't even have the strength. Even if she tried to stop him, Woo Hyun wouldn't quit. While he usually followed her lead in most other things, when it came to sex, Woo Hyun had to have it his way to be satisfied. And if she refused, he would surely take triple revenge at home. At the end of what felt like endless stimulation, her belly warmed. After the long sex, silence fell around them.

"Carry me as you promised. I can't walk."

Da Hee whispered, still clinging to Woo Hyun.

"Okay."

Woo Byun smiled and kissed Da Hee's lips. With a soft smack, Da Hee opened her eyes. Woo Hyun was smiling. He still hadn't pulled out.

"You're really lewd."

Da Hee mumbled.

"The lewd part starts now. We promised, didn't we? To do it at home."

As soon as Da Hee heard Woo Hyun's words, she closed her eyes, feeling as though she could clearly see everything that was about to happen at home.

~~~~~

"Let's get married."

Da Hee looked up at the sudden words.

It was a long-awaited holiday they were spending together. As usual on holidays, they were relaxing at Woo Hyun's house. They had cooked a meal together, taken a walk to aid digestion, and bought groceries on the way back. And yet, even before making the food, they had several rounds of sex and were lying down, exhausted, when Woo Hyun proposed.

"Why?"

Woo Hyun had expected her to ask 'What?' in surprise, but he hadn't anticipated her asking 'Why?' He looked at Da Hee with a strange expression. Woo Hyun sat up and looked down at Da Hee, who was still lying down. Da Hee, with the blanket pulled up to her chest, had an expression of intense doubt on her face.

"We've been dating for two years. We're of marrying age... and most importantly, I still love Lee Da Hee."

Woo Hyun's eyes were full of sincerity. When Da Hee realized that he wasn't just talking about marriage someday, but formally setting a date, she also sat up.

"It might be different in a year."

"You said that last year too."

"..."

"My temperature is the same, and while Lee Da Hee's temperature has risen, it hasn't risen as high as mine. What matters is that this temperature difference makes us happy."

If Woo Hyun's heart was above the threshold of a slight fever at 37.5 degrees Celsius, Da Hee's was a slightly lower 37 degrees. However, Woo Hyun knew that this temperature was by no means low for Da Hee. Da Hee wasn't incapable of loving someone. She was simply the type who cultivated love very slowly, little by little, and was deeply awkward at expressing that love. Furthermore, her way of loving involved respecting, understanding, and considering the other person, which could appear almost like indifference due to its seriousness. Woo Hyun quickly recognized this tendency, and that aspect drew him in even more.

Woo Hyun also realized, as he loved Da Hee, that he was more suited to a 'love in which he gave more' dynamic. He, who was used to giving love generously, had been receiving it, so it naturally wouldn't fit. In that sense, Woo Hyun and Da Hee were an absolutely perfect match.

"Marry me."

Woo Hyun said once more, leaning crookedly with his palm pressed against the bed.

"If we get married, will we have children too?"

"Maybe one?"

"Two?"

"I don't care. If it's hard to raise children, I'll provide a babysitter or whatever you need, so do as you wish."

Da Hee stared at Woo Hyun, who was acting as if he'd give her all his wealth if she'd just marry him. She seriously considered it. Marriage probably wouldn't change her current life much. Her mother, who desperately wished for her to marry and had recently even turned to religion, would be thrilled. And more than anything, Woo Hyun's family would surely approve. But, there was one crucial sticking point.

"I'll think about it. For now, it's on hold."

Da Hee answered after serious consideration.

"Why the hold?"

Woo Hyun asked calmly, not having expected Da Hee to agree immediately. Da Hee, having seriously considered it, replied.

"I think I'd die young if we lived together."

"Die young?"

Woo Hyun asked, furrowing his brows.

"I think I'd die young if we kept having sex like this. It's hard enough now, how much harder would it be if we got married?"

Da Hee spoke so seriously that Woo Hyun couldn't even laugh.

"That's the reason?"

"Yeah. It's serious. But, I'm hungry. Let's eat."

Da Hee got out of bed after they finished. Woo Hyun sighed and rubbed his temples. The reason was completely unexpected.

"...If anyone's going to die young, it'll be me."

Woo Hyun muttered belatedly, staring at the door Da Hee had exited through.

~~~~~

It was an exceptionally refreshing, breezy day. Over the past few years, the garden had grown even larger, brimming with lush greenery. With the window open, the gentle breeze rustled the bookshelf and then disappeared. It was a leisurely afternoon after a visitor had left in the morning. Da Hee, who was enjoying a rare moment to read, saw a white paper airplane landed on her table. She looked up and saw Woo Hyun looking back at her.

"What is it?"

"Open it."

At Woo Hyun's words, Da Hee unfolded the paper airplane.

[Let's get married now. I want to wake up with you.]

It was Woo Hyun's handwriting. She chuckled, dumbfounded and amused, then another paper airplane flew in. This one landed on the floor. Da Hee unfolded it.

[I'll only do it seven times a week.]

In other words, once a day. Still, considering Woo Hyun's usual habits, it was an unconventional offer. Another paper airplane followed.

Just how many did he prepare?

Da Hee looked at Woo Hyun, but his back obscured her view. Da Hee unfolded the newly arrived paper airplane.

[My fortune, everything I have, I'll give it all to you. So, marry me, Da Hee.]

[I want to live with you.]

As she unfolded and read the paper airplanes, a small smile gradually spread across Da Hee's lips. She pulled a pen from a holder and quickly scribbled something. Folding the airplane back up, she tossed it toward Woo Hyun. He picked up the plane that landed precisely at his feet, read the message, and chuckled. Da Hee rested her chin in her hand, watching Woo Hyun approached.

"A ring is a basic requirement for a proposal, you know."

Da Hee vocalized the message she'd written on the paper airplane. Woo Hyun chuckled.

"If I give you a ring, does that mean we're getting married?"

Da Hee snickered at Woo Hyun's words.

"If it's a ring that fits perfectly on my left fourth finger."

Woo Hyun smiled and pulled a case from his pants pocket. Da Hee stared at him, surprised. Her words had been half-joke, half-serious. She had intended to marry Woo Hyun anyway, and she'd figured this would buy her a few days to negotiate the frequency of their intimate moments. At least to a number that would allow for a normal social life, even though the quick-witted Woo Hyun had already proposed a somewhat reasonable seven times a week.

"When did you prepare this?"

Da Hee asked, looking between the case and Woo Hyun.

"Since I first wanted to marry you."

"And when was that?"

"Well..."

Woo Hyun drew out his words as he opened the ring case. A diamond ring sparkled brightly. He took out the ring and took Da Hee's left hand. Da Hee looked from the diamond ring to her finger. In an instant, the ring slid onto her fourth finger, a perfect fit. Da Hee flinched, looking at Woo Hyun with a surprised expression.

"I measured your ring size a year ago."

Woo Hyun was implying that he'd been thinking about marriage since then. Da Hee gazed at the ring, then looked up.

Peck!

Their lips touched and parted.

"Now, we're getting married."

Da Hee smiled at Woo Hyun, who spoke with a resolute tone, as if there was no taking it back. Instead of answering, Da Hee stood up and pulled Woo Hyun by the neck. Seeing Da Hee respond with a kiss, Woo Hyun paused, momentarily surprised, then bent down.

A refreshing breeze blew.

Just perfect for a proposal.

[The End]

~~~~~

TL/N : This is an early work by the author of "Even If It's Not Love," "The Collector," and "The Reason We Broke Up." I was genuinely captivated by the author's distinctive writing style and the unique atmosphere they created.

Hope you all enjoy the story!!

And I'm currently working on a novel titled "Surviving As The Tyrant's Chef," which had been adapted into drama, also titled "The Tyrant's Chef," expected to be aired in August 2025.

If you're interested, you can find and read "Surviving As The Tyrant's Chef" on this website or on Novel Updates.

~~~~~

Miel's Translations