TSS 03

Chapter : 3

Hayeon tightly closed her eyes.

It’s because the sunlight reflected off the pond was too dazzling. That’s why she closed them. It wasn’t because of the face of the person reflected in the lake.

Yet, an unexpected voice came from above her head.

“…That’s right, isn’t it?”

“Huh?”

Startled, Hayeon blinked her eyes wide open.

She didn’t know what he had expected, but in any case, it was an answer she had never imagined. On Geonhyeong’s face reflected in the lake, there was a shy smile.

“You’re seven years older, ridiculously big and clumsy, have that kind of expression, and on top of that…”

Of course, the rumors about our family aren’t great. Geonhyeong’s tone sounded oddly lonely. No, that’s not it. Flustered, Hayeon jumped up.

“Ah! No, that’s not what I meant! Don’t be upset! It’s not that I dislike you or anything like that…”

“Ah?”

Geonhyeong stepped closer to her. Standing so close, she truly felt the enormity of his body. It was like a huge wall had appeared in front of her.

“So you’re not saying you dislike me.”

Geonhyeong carefully placed Hayeon’s face on his fingers and smiled.

“Then what is it? The family discussions are already over. The parties involved like each other… so there’s no reason we can’t marry, right?”

He gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. Only then did she notice that Geonhyeong, who had sounded disappointed or disheartened, was actually smiling. This shouldn’t happen, Hayeon thought, embarrassed.

‘…The parties involved? They like each other…?’

For a moment, a strange thought settled in Hayeon’s mind. Does that mean he likes me too? Trying to deny the thought in her head, she quickly replied:

“I’m… warning you. You’ll regret this marriage.”

“Well, life never goes the way you want it to, does it? So if we’re living anyway, isn’t it better to live as we like? Regret can come later.”

“Li… live as we like…?”

Hayeon’s face turned bright red at the blatantly explicit words she had never heard before. Her wide, round eyes, opened so brightly, now flushed pink. This made Geonhyeong’s insides stir more vigorously.

Damn it, she’s so pretty and damn stubborn. I’m losing it.

Suddenly, a mischievous thought surged in Geonhyeong’s mind. There’s no need to lose it completely. Besides…

‘He didn’t deny that we like each other, did he?’

Even a dull mind reacts quickly when instincts take over. And Geonhyeong was sharp.

Even if she denied it later, he could just say he didn’t hear it. Simple.

Geonhyeong cupped Hayeon’s face with both hands.

“We’re living life as we like… and I like it. I like you.”

“Huh…? Hmph.”

Geonhyeong lowered his head onto Hayeon’s face. The spring sunlight fell directly into her wide-open eyes. It was blinding. She closed her eyes and suddenly smelled a familiar scent. Hayeon took a deep, long breath.

Patchouli, pine, cedar, moss green. The smell of several woods mixed with a faint scent of tobacco.

‘It’s just like the forest…’

After graduating from college, Hayeon had always been confined at home. Only once a year, barely, she was allowed a short overnight outing.

Then she would go alone to the arboretum. The tall trees seemed to embrace her. She would breathe in the scent of the trees deeply until her lungs were full. Only then could she survive another year.

Whenever she faced her sister’s scolding or her mother’s cold gaze, she thought of the trees. Those trees comforted her, letting her know she was not alone.

And from Geonhyeong, came that same scent of trees.

‘I haven’t been to the arboretum yet this year…’

But with this scent, she could barely hold on until then. Without realizing it, Hayeon stood on her tiptoes.

“Mm…”

A faint moan suddenly reached her ears, and Geonhyeong snapped back to reality.

At first, he had just thought of touching her. Her reddened eyes seemed so tender that a droplet might spring from them. But once he decided, his eyes caught her delicate lips. His mental limits already lifted, he bit her lips without hesitation. Hayeon’s lips were far softer and more supple than he had imagined. What happened after that… he couldn’t recall clearly.

‘Am I really losing it? Crazy bastard.’

Once he snapped back, he was holding her by the waist, devouring her lips like a man possessed. Seeing it now, her tiny frame made his rough arms and large hands feel surprisingly gentle.

What should he do with this small girl, with her…

For the first time in his life, Choi Geonhyeong hesitated because someone might get hurt. His life had always been about recklessly thinking how to achieve his desires.

And yet, now, after previously lunging at her greedily, he timidly nibbled on Hayeon’s lower lip.

‘Damn, why is it so soft? Makes me want to bite it off.’

Truly insane, he thought. Any further action seemed risky, so he didn’t act rashly.

Then, something small and warm gently pressed against his lips.

‘Hah, fearless.’

It was a tiny tongue, almost too small to believe it was human. Geonhyeong’s lips curved upward.

Whether Hayeon intended it or it happened by accident, he didn’t know. But he had something to say later.

Don’t forget, you were the first to say you didn’t mind earlier, and even now, you were first.

After that, there was no more hesitation. The shy little tongue tried to retreat, but Geonhyeong’s thick tongue held it firmly. A long, passionate kiss followed.

The leaves around them swayed in the gentle wind. The rustling sound of leaves mixed with their ragged breaths. Just as Hayeon felt as if her whole body might melt, their lips parted.

“…Red bean shaved ice.”

Geonhyeong, holding Hayeon in his arms, muttered in a low voice. Hayeon’s previously dazed eyes immediately sharpened. Geonhyeong chuckled lightly.

“Looks like you really like red bean shaved ice. Trying to seduce me wasn’t that hard. Shall we go get that shaved ice you love so much?”

“Now you’re speaking casually?”

Although Hayeon had regained her senses thanks to the mention of red bean shaved ice, she had no words to protest. Instead, she spoke casually, trying to retaliate.

“Then you do it too, speak casually.”

Geonhyeong grinned. Perhaps he knew Hayeon rarely spoke casually.

…Or maybe not.

Hayeon pouted in dissatisfaction. Her lips, swollen and reddened, still carried traces of lipstick that Geonhyeong had wiped away. Her plump lips now looked even redder than the lipstick she had eaten.

Unable to resist, Geonhyeong pecked her lips again.

“Don’t!”

“We’re getting married anyway. Once we do, I’ll be biting and nibbling every day, so why not start a little early?”

“Biting and nibbling…? L-let go!”

“Uh-huh, no holding back now, huh?”

“Not holding back what!”

“See? Physical contact really brings people closer. Look at this, touching and feeling, huh?”

Hayeon tried pushing him away with her chest, struggling, but she couldn’t overcome his strength. Even when he teasingly groped her, she gave up resisting and only shot a sly glance.

“Haa… this won’t do.”

“Right? So let go.”

“Even when glaring, you’re cute. What am I supposed to do?”

Peck. Geonhyeong kissed the corner of her eye this time. He had clearly fallen hard. But as a man, marrying the woman he’s in love with is one of the best things in life. Like his father.

“…I’m angry.”

Hayeon grumbled, looking truly angry. Feeling it was time to stop teasing her, Geonhyeong released his arms. Slowly, Hayeon slipped from his embrace. Damn, was it always this empty?

Hayeon also showed a lonely expression. But it only lasted a moment; her next words revealed it was just an illusion.

“Don’t do this marriage. I warned you clearly not to do it.”

Unlike her earlier flustered, hesitant words, now she spoke firmly and decisively. The smile disappeared from Geonhyeong’s face. His expression was sharp, and without a smile, he looked angry. Hayeon hesitated for a moment. But it couldn’t be helped. A man this good shouldn’t get entangled with me. No, not me, but my father and him.

After looking down at Hayeon for a moment, Geonhyeong spoke dryly:

“Then I’ll ask clearly. Do you dislike me?”

“Th-that…”

She could have just said no, and it would have ended. But she couldn’t bring herself to say it. Hayeon couldn’t lie.

“N-no… it’s not that.”

Whether she liked him, she didn’t know. But disliking him? That was impossible. Geonhyeong must have realized Hayeon couldn’t speak casually or lie.

Satisfied with her answer, Geonhyeong smiled.

“But why? Looks like you want to do it again, huh?”

“…Huh?”

Hayeon was puzzled by Geonhyeong’s meaning. He pointed to his own lips.

“Every time you say something naughty, I’ll shut your mouth. Let’s go.”

Geonhyeong held out his hand. Hayeon hesitated, unsure what to do. He sighed softly and added: