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Seongsu-dong was brimming with life. After a quiet morning, and throughout a bustling afternoon, noisy footsteps gathered affectionately. As the sun set, youth gathered and dispersed, and memories settled in the alleyways.
Tae-han stopped in front of a small, brightly lit flower shop and looked up at the sign indicating it was open.
7 o’clock.
The exterior of the old building was made of red bricks. Inside the square white sign, the clearly designed shop name sparkled like a yellow shooting star.
The shop, even on a second look, was small and simple. At the end of seven wooden steps was an entrance door with a mint-green checkered window. The glass window, which allowed a clear view inside, displayed the opening and closing hours. In front of it, small pots with succulents and flowers that had bloomed with all their might during the day were arranged in vases.
The impression of the shop, even upon a second glance, was that it was charming and quaint. It was a place that naturally brought Joo Seo-eun to mind. From the small trinkets placed at the entrance, the anticipation she had felt throughout her journey here inflated like a balloon.
It was a space that clearly showed a lot of human care. The stairs, which must have been diligently tended to every morning, bore the traces of people who had visited. The handrail leading to the entrance was worn and shiny where people’s hands touched it most often.
Tae-han, taking in the space piece by piece, shifted his gaze beyond the clear glass window. Inside the brightly lit room, he saw Seo-eun sitting in a well-organized space, engrossed in something she was writing while looking at her laptop monitor.
Her focused gaze, rapidly scrolling through the screen, and then quickly jotting something down in a notebook, strongly reminded him of an ardent student preparing for an exam.
A faint smile briefly touched his lips as Tae-han recalled the time he had coincidentally encountered Seo-eun at the store he had visited with Min-jung recently.
From the moment she first saw him and smiled softly, to the way her expression froze coldly when she faced Min-jung.
It felt like a day he had seen both sides of Joo Seo-eun.
Her greatly trembling eyes when Min-jung asked if her leg had healed were unforgettable. Ever since Joo Seo-eun fled the store without a proper goodbye, her face had lingered in his mind.
According to Min-jung, Seo-eun, who was a university classmate, had injured her leg in an accident and then dropped out of school, disappearing without a trace. While it was clear she was with a man she was dating at the time, Min-jung didn’t know the details and expressed regret over the fall of the promising Seo-eun.
What could have happened?
Simple curiosity was merely interest. But that shallow, simple curiosity had brought him here again.
He wanted to know. What other sides of her were there, beyond the desperate figure rushing into the Yeongbingwan and the faint smile while touching the bouquet? Gathering information about Joo Seo-eun wasn’t difficult, but he wanted to obtain information that wasn’t distorted by others’ perspectives. After all, there was nothing more certain than meeting her in person and confirming it himself.
Jingle.
The door opened with a cheerful sound. Seo-eun, who was absorbed in her work, stopped and stood up.
“Welcome.”
Seo-eun, who had greeted him with a bright smile, soon saw Tae-han entering and her expression softened. The slight hardening around her smiling eyes indicated that his sudden appearance wasn’t entirely welcome. Tae-han, unconcerned, walked across the interior. The brief flicker in her eyes was replaced by a gentle smile again.
“You’ve come again?”
Unlike her extreme surprise when he first visited the shop, her attitude today was a little softer.
“I’ve recently become quite interested in flowers.”
“How was the one you took last time?”
“Ah. The person who received it was very satisfied.”
When he went straight home and presented the freesia bouquet to his mother, Seo Jung-joo smiled brightly, saying, “Spring has arrived.”
“Are you gifting it again today?”
Her face, quickly adorned with a friendly smile, looked at Tae-han and asked. He gave a short nod.
“Preferably a fragrant flower.”
“All flowers smell nice. Just a moment.”
Seo-eun turned around with a soft smile in response.
The interior was filled with a fresh, green floral scent. Among them, the most potent was a sweet and creamy floral fragrance. In the midst of a scent that brought to mind soft, white petals, Seo-eun moved gracefully in a deep green, dress-style apron. Each light movement, like a dance within her small space, caused the apricot-colored chiffon dress beneath her green apron to spiral downwards.
She was gentle, like flower petals swaying in the breeze. For some reason, the inside of his palms felt ticklish, as if being softly scraped by foxtails. The thrill he had felt encountering the unfamiliar woman who entered his sight. A similar resonance subtly echoed within him.
“These days, peonies are beautiful.”
Seo-eun approached, holding a pink peony, still in bud, from the display case filled with various types of flowers.
“Would you like to smell it? This is the ‘Queen of May,’ and she’s called the queen of flowers, not just roses.”
A fresh scent emanated from the flower bud, which was pushed gently towards his nose as if introducing a friend. However, despite the sufficiently fragrant floral scent, Tae-han’s expression remained unmoved.
Doesn’t he like it?
Tae-han stared blankly at Seo-eun, who was gazing at him with such an expression. Seo-eun’s white cheeks, waiting for a reply, gradually stiffened with tension.
“Shall I show you other flowers?”
“Give me that one.”
“Please wait a moment.”
Seo-eun immediately retrieved the peony and some green leaves. She placed a calm beige wrapping paper on the table, her hands busy with quick movements.
“It’s gotten much hotter lately, hasn’t it? The weather outside is so fickle; it’s suddenly cool, then feels like midsummer, completely unpredictable.”
“Indeed.”
“If it’s like this already, this summer will be truly hot.”
“Are you sensitive to heat?”
“I’m a bit affected by summer.”
As Seo-eun briefly lifted and then lowered her gaze, long eyelashes cast shadows beneath her eyes.
“Hmm, sensitive to summer. And what else?”
Seo-eun smiled softly at the naturally flowing question.
“You seem to have a lot of questions about me.”
“Is it bothersome?”
“That’s not what I mean.”
Seo-eun glanced at Tae-han’s piercing gaze, then shook her head with a smile.
“Usually, the more interested you are, the more questions you have.”
“Interested?”
“Is there really a need for such a disgusted expression?”
Tae-han said, without taking his eyes off Seo-eun, who was unknowingly frowning and smiling awkwardly.
“Something’s a bit strange, isn’t it?”
“What is?”
A smile crept into his leisurely gaze. Seo-eun’s eyebrows twitched slightly as she chose her words, thinking, Why is this man so persistent? Seo-eun then carefully trimmed a stem with flower shears and replied.
“It’s not like this is the only flower shop, and you’ve visited twice recently. I have a feeling you’ll keep coming.”
Seo-eun, not entirely oblivious, observed Tae-han’s reaction from his mere presence while calmly saying what she had to say.
“So, perhaps...”
“Perhaps?”
Seo-eun paused for a moment, then neatly arranged the flowers in a green floral foam. Her movements were skillful yet bold. Her slender, white fingertips had neatly trimmed, even nails. Her hands were like Joo Seo-eun’s image itself: white, clear, and clean.
“Are you planning a new business? So perhaps you’re here for market research, I thought.”
“Pardon?”
When his monotonous question echoed with a hint of absurdity, Seo-eun lifted her eyes. Her discerning gaze realized she had completely misjudged, and she bit her lip.
“Never mind.”
She smiled briefly, embarrassed, and then lowered her eyes again. Tae-han let out a belated, hollow laugh.
Turns out she’s completely oblivious.
The first curiosity and lingering impression of Joo Seo-eun was her scent. Although he wasn’t usually sensitive to smells, he had wondered what the faint fragrance around Seo-eun was.
He had immediately understood once he knew she worked with flowers. But it wasn’t just the scent that attracted him. The scent was merely a fragment of his memory of Joo Seo-eun.
Rather, it was the ripple that arose in the center of his chest the moment he saw Joo Seo-eun. He wanted to confirm what that feeling was, the one whose amplitude occasionally intensified whenever it touched his curiosity.
“Why did you quit ballet?”
At the unexpected question, Seo-eun’s fingertips paused for a moment. Seo-eun slowly raised her head, her eyes shaking with embarrassment.
“I’m curious. You seem to know Min-jung well too.”
“It’s just, things happen.”
She replied casually, as before, but the end of her kind voice faintly cracked.
“Have you been seeing Min-jung for a long time?”
“Pardon?”
With a face that seemed subtly concerned, she threw out a question as if assessing him. This time, it was Tae-han’s cheeks that subtly stiffened.
Is she wrong?
In a sigh-like silence, her innocent eyes began to scrutinize Tae-han. Tae-han unconsciously looked at Seo-eun with a slightly skewed gaze for a long time.
“Are you perhaps misunderstanding my relationship with Han Min-jung right now?”
“Aren’t you?”
Ha, a short, sigh-like, hollow laugh escaped him. Tae-han, as if tired, raised his hand and ran it over his face.
“Min-jung is my friend’s younger sister. She said she had too much to drink with friends the night before. I just went to the store with her because she asked me to help pick out a gift. My closest friend is Han Min-jung’s older brother, who just got promoted.”
Tae-han, who had spoken without pause, added to Seo-eun, who was silently nodding with her lips pressed together.
“You look like you’re wondering why I’m explaining all this to you.”
“Yes, you’re being overly kind, so I’m a bit curious. You didn’t strike me as someone who would involve themselves much in other people’s affairs.”
“I don’t like being misunderstood.”
His steady gaze held hers directly. Ryu Tae-han was a man who knew his likes and dislikes from the start. Therefore, he was a man of clear character who would say no when it was no, and correct wrongs on the spot. This type of person might be a little difficult at first, but if one maintained boundaries well, a good relationship could be sustained.
Seo-eun, for some reason, thought of her father, Joo Hyung-guk, as she replied.
“I understand. I also really dislike judging based on appearances, so I apologize if my misunderstanding upset you.”
Seeing Seo-eun apologize, her expression clearly showing that she didn’t mean it that way, Tae-han let out a soft sigh.
Truly, she was a woman with not a shred of common sense. At the end of his clear gaze, Seo-eun subtly observed his reaction and then quietly asked.
“So, the flowers are for someone else then?”
“It’s true there’s someone I want to give them to, but I don’t know if they’ll accept. Joo Seo-eun, what kind of flowers do you like?”
What’s the point of constantly observing others’ reactions when you’re so oblivious yourself? Every time Seo-eun’s gaze fleetingly met his, his chest beneath his ribs would expand uncomfortably. He knew it was illogical to accelerate his assumptions about someone who clearly had no interest in him, yet he felt something hot and sticky filling his large body.
It was like the first time he joined a company, set an impossibly high goal, and firmly resolved to achieve it. He wondered if it was right to feel such emotions towards a woman, yet the sense of accomplishment he would feel at the moment he finally achieved his objective made Tae-han eager.
“I like all flowers.”
Given that she made a living by handling flowers, it was unlikely she wouldn’t know that. Reading Seo-eun’s obvious intention to give a vague answer, Tae-han changed his question.
“Why do you like flowers?”
“Because plants don’t betray you.”
“And people do?”
His question was leisurely, but his gaze was different. His eyes, which had been observing Seo-eun ever since he entered the store, deepened.
“Yes.”
Seo-eun replied briefly. From Seo-eun’s responses, which absolutely never crossed a certain boundary, a sudden, inexplicable thirst arose in him. This was even more true the more he looked at Seo-eun’s face, which seemed to think something was odd today.
It was absurd, truly. He himself found it preposterous and absurd that he was trying to exploit Joo Seo-eun’s vulnerabilities just to exchange a few words like this, like a word game. Nevertheless, he wanted her to be aware, to notice his presence, stubbornly holding his ground and clinging to the store, extending his stay here. As if, at some point, Joo Seo-eun’s thoughts would follow his own, chain-like, throughout his day.
Tae-han withdrew his gaze from the unperturbed Seo-eun and took a step back.
The clean white interior had a U-shaped table area, and on one wall, a Baroque-style vanity and mirror were placed, with fresh flowers, seemingly arranged today, abundantly displayed in a vase in front of it. Perhaps it was a place where private lessons and sales happened simultaneously, as a board below indicated information about flower classes.
“Do you also hold classes here?”
“Yes, we offer one-day classes and regular courses too. Are you interested?”
“Do many men take them?”
“Of course. Learning requires no gender.”
Seo-eun bit her lip and smiled, perhaps recalling the moment he had explained about spirea.
“There are so many kinds of flowers, and many have difficult names, so it’s hard to know them all. But as you learn, you’ll gradually get used to them.”
“Still, I thought that was too much.”
Jotbap. (A Korean slang word that sounds similar to “spirea” but means “pushover” or “easy prey,” implying he thought her explanation was too basic/simple for him.)
She didn’t deny his low voice. A gentle, smiling gaze rested on Tae-han. Only then did Tae-han smile comfortably.
“I’m learning because I don’t know.”
“What’s the schedule like?”
“During weekdays, we have two sessions on Mondays and Thursdays. On weekends, we only have classes on Saturdays. Sundays are our day off. If you’re interested, shall I schedule something for you? Oh, I’m not trying to sell you anything.”
Her calm, gentle voice explained.
“Why? It sounds good to me.”
Again, her gaze paused, then clouded over with embarrassment.
“Focus. You’ll hurt your hand.”
Seo-eun, who had been staring blankly at Tae-han, erased her bewilderment and spoke clearly.
“For classes, please contact us if you’re interested.”
The bouquet was almost complete. Her hands were quick and precise as she tied a light blue ribbon, fitting for the beige wrapping paper. As Seo-eun looked down to tie the knot, a few strands of hair fell below her slender chin. Seo-eun, who lightly tucked her hair behind her ear with her pinky finger, seemed completely uninterested in him.
She must really love flowers. Tae-han, who was looking at her fair neck revealed below her hair neatly tied with a scrunchie, suddenly turned his head, feeling a surge of warmth from within.
He kept feeling as if his heart was tickling. This woman, who was utterly oblivious to such facts, was increasingly catching his eye. At the edge of his distant gaze, Tae-han’s lips subtly twitched.
“It’s done.”
With a chime-like sound, Seo-eun gracefully approached and placed the flowers in Tae-han’s arms. Amidst the pink peonies, like a scoop of ice cream, green hypericum berries clustered together, and heart-shaped blue Westeriana leaves harmoniously embraced the pale pink roses.
“It’s beautiful.”
Tae-han said, holding the bouquet in his arms and not taking his eyes off Seo-eun.
“I like it very much.”
At the end of his gaze, Joo Seo-eun’s eyes trembled ever so slightly. It was the most satisfying reaction he had seen from her since he first saw her here.
“Will you be paying by card?”
“Sure.”
Seo-eun took Tae-han’s card and turned around. Something stirred amidst the intermittent, clunky sounds of the machine. Seo-eun handed him the receipt along with a single yellow rose, individually wrapped.
“This is a complimentary gift. So you’ll come again.”
As if this was true salesmanship, Seo-eun smiled widely and beautifully.
“Alright.”
Tae-han’s mouth curved. He picked up one of Seo-eun’s business cards from beside the counter and left the store.
________________________________________
Climbing the stairs to the second floor of the commercial building in the apartment complex, and opening the glass door, the organized appearance of the ballet studio came into view.
“Joo-young. I’m here.”
At the rustling sound of Seo-eun entering, Joo-young emerged from the end of the inner hallway, pushing a vacuum cleaner.
“I’ll be done soon. Come in and wait.”
Her friend Joo-young’s ballet studio was a place that taught dance to neighborhood children. It wasn’t very large and was run modestly.
As evening fell, all the lights except for the director’s office were turned off. Seo-eun had just flown straight there after stopping by her parents’ house to give her father the tie she had chosen as a gift, because Joo-young had asked to see her face, craving tteokbokki and sundae today. After filling their stomachs and sipping a can of beer, the two began folding wedding invitations together.
“Wedding invitations already? It feels like just yesterday I heard you had the meeting of the families.”
“Other people’s affairs always happen fast.”
“That’s quite a lot of them?”
“My fiancé’s guests are numerous.”
Joo-young, who would become a married woman in three weeks, was marrying a church older brother she met at twenty, after seven years of dating.
“How’s wedding planning? Is it hectic?”
“The big things are all done, so the busy part is mostly over. I thought I’d die from the chaos, but now I’m just numb.”
“Have you moved all the furniture into your new home?”
“That’s still ongoing too. Well, won’t everything be there when we get back from our honeymoon?”
Joo-young chuckled, vaguely mumbling as if talking about someone else’s business.
“What about you? Is your father doing better lately?”
“So-so.”
For no particular reason, Joo Hyung-guk, who received a gift from Seo-eun, beamed with satisfaction and remained happy for a long time.
“Yes. That’s how social life is. Working while constantly changing people and having your personality annihilated, how hard is that? Even if he said it was nothing, there’s so much he has to endure alone. Life’s like that, isn’t it? Sometimes I also think, ‘Should I just quit everything?’“
“You too?”
“Of course. If I could just have a good cry and let it all out, I’d feel refreshed, but it’s not easy as an adult. Even tears have their place, you know.”
So, when she was struggling, she told him to just do as he wished, but he remained silent. That weighed on her even more. Seo-eun meticulously folded the wedding invitations into envelopes, recalling a chain of memories.
It was early this year, the night Seo-eun’s maternal grandfather passed away. After the peaceful passing of her grandfather, who had suffered from dementia, her father, Joo Hyung-guk, cried openly for the first time.
Her father, who never knew his biological father and thus never truly learned paternal affection, revered Seo-eun’s maternal grandfather, Heesook’s father, as his own parent. After sending off the man he considered his father his entire life, and seeing him weep like a child, completely drunk at the funeral, Seo-eun felt bad for a long time.
She thought that perhaps something that changed the axis of her father’s life was the grief of losing her maternal grandfather earlier this year.
“But I, his favorite, his first love, am still so immature.”
Seo-eun said, letting out a self-deprecating laugh.
She knew that her presence had become a topic of conversation after the company’s anniversary event. So, it must have certainly put some pressure on her father, Joo Hyung-guk. Nevertheless, as she sat at the dining table and heard Heesook’s words, her heart felt strangely off.
“Still, your father said you were the prettiest there.”
Next to Heesook, who smiled contentedly as if there was no greater doting parent, Joo Hyung-guk muttered gruffly.
“No matter what, my child is the prettiest.”
It was a happy thing to have a place where receiving was everything. But now, she was twenty-nine, not nine or nineteen, when receiving was taken for granted. They say you think a lot when you approach thirty. Even though it was just a change in the first digit of her age, the thought that only half a year remained made her feel restless.
She knew rushing wouldn’t make life better, yet she was preoccupied with the thought that she had to achieve something, anything, despite having no clear goal.
This must be confusion.
To overcome it, to conquer it, one must first experience it. Seo-eun held the neatly stacked wedding invitations in one hand and tapped the edges to tidy them.
“I think I should take Mom and Dad, and Hae-in on a trip.”
“A trip sounds good. I’m going to Jeju Island with Mom this week too. Seung-won told me about so many great restaurants in Jeju.”
“How’s your mom doing? She must be feeling sad with you getting married. You and your mom were unusually close.”
“Even now, it seems like she’s crying every other day. She used to say she wanted me to get married quickly, but now she’s a bit sentimental?”
She hadn’t experienced it herself, but she felt as if she understood. Even as a friend, when she heard Joo-young was getting married, her chest felt heavier than the joy. Despite preparing for the most blessed time in one’s life, it was a genuine feeling stemming from the desire for her friend to only walk on good paths, experience good things, and have only good things.
“My parents also told me to bring someone by the end of this year.”
“Do you even have someone to bring?”
“Hmm.”
Joo-young’s eyes widened when Seo-eun hesitated, whereas she would usually firmly say no.
“What? You have a guy?”
“Not ‘have,’ but there’s just someone who’s been on my mind...”
“What?! Who is it! Tell me fast!”
Joo-young cut her off and pressed her for details. Seeing Joo-young stop what she was doing and her eyes sparkle, Seo-eun suddenly burst into laughter.
“Is that really so surprising?”
“Of course, it is! Do you know how long it’s been since you talked about a guy? It’s headline news!”
While Joo-young experienced several loves, starting and ending relationships, Joo Seo-eun in her twenties had withered like an old tree. As if she had imprisoned herself and excised such emotions with her own hands, instead of stepping out into the world, she kept the door to her emotions tightly shut.
Not everyone is like that person.
Dating isn’t always like that.
So, she should be brave, as if stepping into a new world she had never dared to tread. Joo-young had encouraged, persuaded, and even urged Seo-eun to date, but Seo-eun wouldn’t budge.
She was like a steadfast rock.
As if it were her destiny to be broken and eroded like a stone, eventually living trampled underfoot like grains of sand, Seo-eun had now found someone she was interested in. Now, wedding invitations weren’t the problem. Joo-young couldn’t hide her excitement and stamped her feet, urging her to continue the story.
“So, what kind of person is he...?”
In Seo-eun’s mind, recalling Ryu Tae-han, a tall, large man with big hands and thus a large shadow, clearly emerged.
A balanced physique and long legs beneath broad, angled, solid shoulders. A three-piece suit elegantly wrapped around his sturdy body, which naturally made one think of him as robust. He preferred somewhat flashy ties with his pristine white shirts, and meticulously chosen simple tie clips and cufflinks to tone down the extravagance of his attire. Blue veins prominently protruded from his wrists, extending from the ends of his sleeves.
When he appeared, announcing his arrival with such a pleasant voice, a warm wave surged through Seo-eun’s chest.
He was a person who always looked her in the eye.
The man with a well-defined forehead, straight nose, straight lips, and straight eyes, whose gaze sometimes held a complex light that was difficult to fathom. Sometimes a little mischievous, sometimes a little annoying. But everything he said with his clearly outlined red lips was as honest as his direct gaze.
A person who neither hid his thoughts nor revealed them too much, but always made sure to say what he wanted to say.
Which occasionally made her so flustered that her spine would tingle.
Even when she subtly lifted and then lowered her gaze, or when her eyes fleetingly brushed past him, she never failed to meet his gaze. Whenever Ryu Tae-han entered the store, he was always looking at Seo-eun. Whether Seo-eun was speaking or saying nothing at all.
“That’s why my heart keeps pounding.”
As she spoke about Ryu Tae-han, who had visited the shop recently, every moment unfolded vividly before her eyes, like a painting.
“Why is the shop called ‘Seven o’clock’?”
“It’s my favorite time. The sky around 7 PM, seen from here, is really beautiful. And 7 AM is also when the shop opens.”
It was from the day after that conversation.
Every evening at 7 PM, Ryu Tae-han would open the door, buy a bouquet of flowers, and leave.
He hadn’t missed a single day for a week. Was that why? Without realizing it, she had waited for him to come again this evening, but he didn’t.
“He came to buy flowers every single day for the past week, until yesterday.”
“Awesome. Hey, he must like you.”
“That’s not it. He said he doesn’t seem to be dating anyone, but he has someone he wants to give flowers to. He’s just stopping by to buy a gift.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Joo-young’s eyes suddenly gleamed, her face deflating.
“So, I’m not sure.”
Seo-eun rummaged through her mind again, filled with memories of Tae-han.
It was the second day he visited the flower shop. That was the day she sensed something was off. Ryu Tae-han had always given the impression of being straightforward from their first meeting, yet he was always courteous in everything he did, a man with a very solid image. But that day, for some reason, he felt a little aggressive.
How much did Han Min-jung tell him?
As she was engrossed in arranging flowers, lost in thought, she felt a hot gaze pouring down on her cheek. Even without looking, she knew what kind of look it was. It felt as if she would be devoured if their eyes met, just from the air that permeated between them.
Seo-eun kept her gaze down, avoiding his eyes. It wasn’t intentional, but for some reason, she couldn’t find the courage to meet his gaze. The moment he entered the shop, her lower abdomen and even her internal organs felt tightly clenched.
Tension.
Ryu Tae-han was a presence that made people tense just by being in the same space. The rustling sound of wrapping paper and the chaotic intermingling of breaths. In that silence, Seo-eun’s hand slipped for a fleeting moment, and his voice poured into her ears.
“Focus. You’ll hurt your hand.”
She resented the man who, despite being the one who made her unable to focus on anything, said such a thing so calmly.
She tried hard not to be conscious of him while he was with her. Nevertheless, she was constantly aware of him. Since she started handling flowers, it was the first time she had felt such tension since she opened the shop and made her first bouquet.
“Is he a playboy, perhaps? Let’s call Jin-han and ask.”
Seo-eun grabbed Joo-young’s hand, who was immediately reaching for her phone, and stopped her.
“Why? From what I see now, you’re totally drawn to him.”
That was true. Even though she didn’t really know him, just seeing him a few times, and only for a short period at the same time every day. The few words they exchanged then had indeed sparked her curiosity and made her wonder about him. But what would change? He was probably someone who had received countless such affections.
“Honestly, I am drawn to him. He’s so charming that I feel that way even without knowing him. But...”
Seo-eun shook her head, looking at Joo-young, who was bubbling with rare anticipation.
“He’s not the one.”
“Why?”
“You’d know if you saw him.”
Ryu Tae-han was the son of the company’s owner. And he was from his father’s line. So even if she developed an interest, she knew she had no choice but to draw a line, and that interest would soon fade.
They lived in different worlds anyway. He likely had someone he would be bound to through a meticulously calculated marriage alliance, just like his brother and his family members.
So, this was useless curiosity.
Nevertheless, whenever Ryu Tae-han crossed her mind, the afterimage lingered for a very long time.
The way his eyes instantly sharpened the moment their gazes met. How clear his gaze was within those fiercely hardened eyes. His impression, which felt almost dazzlingly vivid, changed dramatically with just a slight shift in his eyes. That’s why there were many times when she spoke less than usual, or even rambled more than usual. His gaze, calmly taking in all those clumsy scenes, was frighteningly alluring.
“But aren’t Jin-han’s cousins really handsome? That’s how I remember them.”
“He’s really handsome.”
“Handsome” wasn’t enough. He was a man so splendid and distinguished that any adjective would be insufficient to describe him.
“He has grace. Jin-han does too, doesn’t he?”
“Jin-han is more like a well-mannered, upright young master. His cousins are a bit more... you know?”
Joo-young raised her hand, describing an animal-like handsomeness, and smiled contentedly.
“So, are you going to contact him?”
“No.”
“Damn it.”
Joo-young slapped her thigh, as if regretting something. She probably wouldn’t make such a face even if she missed out on a lottery win right in front of her eyes.
“Why are you so disappointed?”
“Of course, I am. Joo Seo-eun. How long has it been since you felt this excited about a man? Hey, if there’s someone he’s seeing, I’ll quietly take care of it. So, just contact him.”
When Seo-eun let out a hollow laugh at her nonsensical words, Joo-young shot back with a serious face, claiming she was sincere.
“If it were me, I’d call him right now and ask, ‘Would you like to have a drink?’ and then, ‘Would you like to have ramen before you leave?’ and I wouldn’t let him go.”
“Is that how you lured Jae-jin oppa?”
“Hey, Joo Seo-eun.”
Joo-young’s face straightened as she glanced around the empty director’s office, then whispered into Seo-eun’s ear. That was a trade secret.
________________________________________
The lush greenery of spring was in full bloom across the world. On a bright and fresh day where green light seemed to float in the air, Joo-young became a May bride. It was the last Saturday of May, imbued with the vigor of early summer. The Yeongbingwan at midday was covered in pristine white lily of the valley.
“Seo-eun, what do I do? I feel like I’m going to cry already.”
Joo-young, dressed in a beautiful gown and with her bridal makeup perfectly done in the waiting room, was surprisingly nervous despite her appearance. So much so that Seo-eun was at a loss, as Joo-young’s pale face was rigid with a stiff smile. Seo-eun gently whispered to Joo-young, who was trembling and taking deep breaths while holding her hand.
“You can’t cry yet, Joo-young.”
“I don’t know. I just suddenly feel like tears are going to burst out, what do I do? Right now, Mom... ugh, just thinking of that word makes me feel like I’ll burst into tears. Ugh.”
Joo-young bit her lip tightly, holding back the rising tears. Joo-young had an unusually strong bond with her mother. In the past, Seo-eun had soothed her, telling her that it was a blessing to have someone so dear, as Joo-young said she cried herself to sleep every day as her wedding approached, and that when she formed her own family, even more precious and loving beings would be added.
“I don’t want to get married.”
“You have to go into the ceremony soon.”
“Should I run away now?”
“I didn’t make your bouquet since dawn just for you to do that, you know.”
She had promised to give Joo-young the most beautiful bouquet in the world for her wedding, and yesterday she had been at the shop until midnight preparing to make Joo-young’s bouquet all day. Without sleeping for several hours, she opened the shop at dawn and meticulously poured her wish for Joo-young to always have good fortune into the lily of the valley bouquet.
“Even after I get married, you’ll still meet me every day, right?”
“Of course. I’ll come visit you every day when you have a baby, you know?”
Seo-eun held Joo-young’s trembling hand and gently whispered to comfort her.
“Later, if you feel like crying, look at me. I’ll make you laugh.”
Seo-eun placed her hand to her mouth and smiled brightly.
Her best friend’s wedding. Although it was bittersweet to send off a friend who was becoming someone’s wife and finding another home, she still wished for Joo-young to be happier than anyone else in the world starting today.
After receiving word that Seung-won and Jin-han had arrived, she left the bridal waiting room 20 minutes before the ceremony began. The venue was packed with guests from both families. It was the Yeongbingwan, where Haejin Group’s anniversary event had been held last month. It was the place where Joo-young’s ambition to hold her wedding at Haejin Hotel, which she considered the bride’s dream, had become a reality.
Suddenly, a moment that had taken place here came to mind, and Seo-eun paused.
“I’m Ryu Tae-han.”
The moment he strode through the crowd and extended his hand, she still felt as if he could appear from anywhere, pushing through the throngs of people. Seo-eun chuckled and shook her head. How could she have such a misconception just from seeing him every day for a week?
Even if this was a hotel owned by Haejin Group, she wouldn’t be able to meet him that easily.
Oh, me.
Just as she cleared her thoughts and lifted her head to take in the familiar yet new place again, someone approached Seo-eun from among the bustling guests.
“Joo Seo-eun?”
Her gaze landed on the man who spoke her name. He was neatly dressed in a suit, smiling leisurely. The moment she saw the man, Seo-eun’s heart pounded violently.
It was Han Young-woong.
Instantly, the accident from that day vividly unfolded in her mind. The man smiling casually in front of her was the very same face he had when he was behind the wheel.
Immediately after the accident, in the car filled with smoke, in the hospital where she regained consciousness, and when she could no longer move her leg, he had knelt and wept, begging for her forgiveness.
“I’ll take responsibility for you for the rest of my life. I’ll be your hands and feet by your side forever.”
But his sincerity didn’t last even a year. That youthful love had no loyalty. And neither did his undeveloped sense of responsibility.
Ultimately, Young-woong left Seo-eun six months later. She had anticipated the breakup as his words grew fewer and his visits to the hospital became sporadic.
Even though Seo-eun, with a fractured knee and crushed big toe, could never put her foot into a pointe shoe again, she tried not to resent him. She tried to get back on her feet somehow, knowing she had family by her side who cared for her.
But the past days, when she endured extreme pain during rehabilitation, trying to console herself that she was okay, were simply annoying times summarized by others as ‘exhausted.’
I was a burden. I became a burden to you. Love becomes a burden from the moment you start enduring it.
The true despair began then.
It felt as if everything was Seo-eun’s fault. That she suffered an unexpected accident, that she couldn’t get up and run, that she couldn’t leap and cover the stage with sweat as before. That she couldn’t wiggle her toes as she wished, or even stand balanced—all these things felt like her fault.
If all those things were holding someone back, if just being by her side was so painful, then she would let go.
She let go of the string she was holding. Eight years passed since then.
Young-woong, blocking her path, had hardened in that time. His once delicate features from childhood were now unrecognizably firm.
“Young-woong is getting married soon.”
The unexpected news she had heard from Han Min-jung when they accidentally met, overlapped with his smiling face, as if proving how well he was doing now.
She tried to force a smile, but her lips were stiff and wouldn’t move. In the shock, as if she had been hit in the head, Seo-eun rubbed her arm, exposed below her sleeve. Her scalp tingled sharply, as if thorns had sprouted from her crown, and she felt a chill.
“How have you been?”
She had lived through times when she barely survived, but now she was truly living.
Seeing Young-woong so calm and composed, as if nothing was amiss, Seo-eun calmly opened her mouth.
“I’m doing well. And you? I heard you’re getting married.”
“Ah, you heard. Min-jung told me about you, actually. Said you’re running a flower shop.”
“Yes.”
As expected, rumors travel fast. What other strange things were said?
“You’re still not married?”
“I’m busy with work.”
She answered casually, nodding, but she knew how terrible her own expression must be. Just like how she looked in the shop window that day, she probably looked the same now. She tried to pull up the corners of her lips to smile, but no smile came.
She had never once imagined encountering him. She had never crossed paths with him in this small Seoul, so she thought it wouldn’t matter.
But encountering Han Young-woong again was unexpectedly painful. I had merely forgotten. I had erased it because it was painful.
Nevertheless, she offered perfunctory congratulations and smiled maturely. She didn’t even realize she was putting all her strength into her legs.
“Actually, sometimes I thought of you, Seo-eun. I was very curious, and it’s good to see you after a long time. I’m glad you’re doing well.”
“Of course. I’m doing well.”
Seo-eun let out a bitter, self-deprecating laugh. Now, it was meaningless to argue whose fault it was. And it was just as pointless to recall the resentment she had deleted. Seo-eun composed her expression and said goodbye.
“I’ll get going now.”
“Let’s have a meal sometime.”
“You’re getting married, aren’t you?”
“That’s why.”
“Why don’t you spend that time paying attention to your fiancée instead?”
Finally, she couldn’t hold back and snapped a retort. What kind of person is that? Suppressing the emotions that flared up within her, she thought, Today is Joo-young’s wedding, so I’ll only think good thoughts until the end.
“Seo-eun.”
But the voice trailing her heels was firm.
“I’ll come to your shop sometime.”
No, don’t come.
Don’t re-enter my perfectly fine life.
“I’m sorry, but bouquet reservations are full until winter weddings.”
Seo-eun offered the most gentle smile she could manage and turned away. She ignored Young-woong’s hollow laugh from behind her.
“It’s good to see you after a long time.”
It would have been better if she hadn’t seen him at all today. Seo-eun, left standing stiffly with clenched fists, relaxed her grip. The announcement for the ceremony played. It was time to congratulate Joo-young. Today was a day to wish only for Joo-young’s happiness, only for blessings upon Joo-young.
The ceremony ended as scheduled, in a joyful atmosphere. She wasn’t sure what state of mind she was in, staying through Joo-young’s wedding, but after Joo-young offered her last bows to her parents and left the hotel in her honeymoon car, Seo-eun quietly moved away.
Seo-eun raised her head and looked up at the sky. It was a walking path where few people passed. She didn’t know how much time she had spent sitting on a low chair past the small hill’s pavilion, directly facing Haejin Hotel.
“Haa.”
Seo-eun placed the bouquet she received from Joo-young down and sighed. Her mood was at its worst after leaving the wedding hall. No, it had been that way ever since she met Han Young-woong.
She had never imagined meeting her ex-lover at her best friend’s wedding. Especially someone with whom things had ended in the worst possible way. Her mood plummeted to rock bottom again.
It was useless, even as she tried to compose herself against the blowing wind and the sunlight that streamed onto her instep. Lily of the valley, which brings good luck. Even staring blankly at the bouquet she had carefully made with her own hands, it was no use. She thought she was free from the past, but was she not?
When she let out a deep sigh, a presence encroached from behind her.
Thump, thump. The approaching footsteps stopped at some point, but Seo-eun was still lost in thought, staring into space.
It was a walking path, so it was natural for people to pass by, and she thought the footsteps would disappear like one of the others who had brushed past her. Then, the presence drew closer, and the white toe of a sneaker entered her vision.
“It’s you. Joo Seo-eun.”
Seo-eun looked up. An unexpected face was looking down at her.
“Oh?”
Seeing Tae-han, she suddenly snapped to attention. Seo-eun abruptly stood up. He gestured, as if to say there was no need, and continued speaking.
“I’m on my way out from working out. I attend the fitness club here.”
He gestured slightly towards Haejin Hotel as he spoke. The fitness club owned by Haejin Hotel was only accessible to members. It was also a place where the number of trainers exceeded the number of clients, with a system where national-level trainers managed individuals.
“Ah.”
Now that he mentioned it, Ryu Tae-han’s attire was much more casual compared to his usual suit, which she saw every day. A black plain t-shirt that couldn’t hide his sturdy physique, black chinos, and white slip-on shoes that exposed his ankles reminded her that he was enjoying a comfortable weekend.
“But how did you...?”
“It brought back old memories. It’s a place I occasionally visited when I briefly worked in a related department. But for some reason, someone like Joo Seo-eun was just sitting here.”
“...Haha.”
As she awkwardly laughed and nodded, she remembered vaguely hearing that Haejin Hotel was included in his process of moving through various departments before coming to his father’s affiliate.
“Joo Seo-eun, a wedding?”
As she briefly organized her chaotic thoughts, his gaze landed on the bouquet neatly placed beside Seo-eun.
“My best friend got married today. At the Yeongbingwan.”
“Hmm.”
His face was relaxed as he nodded once, arms crossed.
“But why are you here by yourself like this?”
“I’m just getting some fresh air.”
“Hmm, I see.”
His expression, nodding meaninglessly and giving her a look, suggested he wouldn’t just leave. As their eyes met, Seo-eun let out a small, hollow laugh. Seeing her, Tae-han gently tilted his lips and smiled along.
Joo Seo-eun, in a light pink dress and subtle makeup, harmonized with the lily of the valley bouquet she had placed beside her.
Her hair, usually tied tightly with a scrunchie, was styled over her shoulders, curling and waving, and her fingers, politely folded over her skirt, were neat. Her trim fingertips, unadorned by rings, had a pearlescent, pearl-colored manicure, and pearl earrings of the same color adorned her earlobes.
His gaze lingered on her elegant and feminine attire, more than he usually saw. Perhaps it was because of her fair skin, but her face glowed brightly even in pale pastel colors. He wondered if she had always been so pretty, and it felt as if a breeze was blowing through his heart.
“Beautiful.”
At his muttered word, Seo-eun paused and looked up. Their eyes met. For some reason, her usually vacant eyes slowly began to stir today.
“Flowers are always beautiful.”
“Indeed. Always beautiful to look at.”
Tae-han’s gaze, answering without a subject, landed deeply on Seo-eun. His gaze continued, as if rummaging through her eyes. A ripple-like emotion began to spread through their locked gazes. Her heart pounded erratically. As if he had noticed this, Tae-han solidified it with a smile on his lips.
“Especially today.”
You, Joo Seo-eun.
At the end of his gaze, which said as much without needing to be asked, Seo-eun turned her head away.
Her heart was pounding as if it would burst.
His playful, tossed-out remarks would often unexpectedly shake Seo-eun, but today, his teasing was particularly mischievous. It seemed he had no intention of just letting it pass, as laughter was mixed in at the end of his responding voice.
“But what’s wrong with your face?”
“What about my face?”
“I was wondering if something bad happened. Can I sit down?”
He moved closer to Seo-eun and sat down, asking the question. He had already sat down, and his face was sly as he asked. Seo-eun, forgetting the dismal mood she had been in from meeting Young-woong just moments before, was a little surprised by Tae-han’s presence, which quickly broke down her guard as if it didn’t matter.
“Perhaps I was just quite sad about my friend getting married.”
“That too, I suppose.”
She didn’t want to explicitly state that there was another reason why she couldn’t leave after the ceremony and as the sun set. Acknowledging her turbulent emotions, Seo-eun simply gazed at the hotel rising ahead, side-by-side with him in the blowing wind.
“They’ll live well, right?”
“They should live well.”
“They will, right?”
“They will.”
His words were strangely comforting. The conversation exchanged wasn’t entirely about blessing Joo-young, who got married today. It was comfort given to Seo-eun, who was living in the present, and to Seo-eun, who had to live on, without him even knowing what the problem was.
His voice was warm, like a comforting embrace and a soothing rub on her back. Perhaps that was why. It was then that the thought of wanting to be with him a little longer crossed her mind.
“If you have time, would you like to have some tea?”
Tae-han checked his wristwatch and subtly made the offer.
“How about a drink?”
Tae-han gazed at Seo-eun, who was making such a surprisingly tempting offer, and then gently curved his lips.
“Let’s do it.”
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