Episode 158
In front of Gyeoul, who was carefully peeling an apple, her grandfather, wearing a patient gown, laughed heartily and said,
“Haha, I really thought I was going to die.”
“…Grandpa.”
“Why the long face? If you’re alive, that’s what matters. Haha.”
“…Yeah. I’m really glad.”
Before they exchanged such leisurely jokes, a lot had happened.
Recognizing that Han Gyeoul had unceremoniously arrived at his home in Jeonnam, Seon Taeyang explained the situation to Cheon Aram and other broadcasting stations, taking full responsibility for everything in Gyeoul’s stead. And Taeyang, as if not bothered by the burden at all, lightly told Gyeoul to just think of it as a day off.
Gyeoul could only bow her head in guilt, unable to say anything but “I’m sorry,” while he gently patted her head and said, “Thank you for being strong.”
Not wanting to look like a crybaby, Gyeoul struggled to hold back tears, but his words easily broke her defenses.
The time that followed felt like a long-awaited holiday.
Although Gyeoul’s grandfather was initially taken aback by their sudden appearance, he soon welcomed them warmly. They spent time together chatting away, eating delicious food without worrying about their weight, and checking out his workshop where he shared some hands-on experiences.
During the visit, Gyeoul’s grandfather, trying to hide his embarrassment, suggested they play a game, claiming to practice for the Witches Tournament.
Instead of the hesitant Gyeoul, Taeyang jumped in, saying it would be fun to join.
Due to the beginner-level skills of Gyeoul’s grandfather and Taeyang, who wasn’t exactly a gamer, the game descended into chaos while Gyeoul had to tackle all the mishaps alone, but the smile never left her face throughout.
Both Seon Taeyang and Gyeoul’s grandfather joined in on the laughter.
It was happiness. A moment she wished could last forever.
And just when they finished their dinner and her grandfather began to recount his old tales over a cup of tea, the anticipated crisis struck.
A heart attack.
In the face of such a situation, Seon Taeyang prepared himself as if he had been expecting it all along, using a defibrillator and performing CPR. He also quickly called for a private ambulance he had arranged beforehand to transport her grandfather to the hospital for expert care. The doctor observing the patient later praised him for his optimal response.
She called for an ambulance to quickly transport her grandfather to the hospital so he could receive professional care. The doctor observing the patient even praised it as the best course of action.
And so, the future changed.
Winter’s grandfather lived.
“Heh, Seon Taeyang helped that friend again, huh?”
That’s why Winter could have such moments.
“That guy is definitely a guy. The fact that a guy like him is sticking to Winter is a blessing.”
“That’s right. Teacher Taeyang is truly amazing. Unlike someone like me.”
“Hey, you! Don’t say stuff like that. What makes you think you’re lacking in anything?”
“….”
Seeing Winter bow her head without answering, her grandfather let out a bitter laugh and said,
“At this rate, I don’t know if I’ll hear the news of my granddaughter’s marriage before I die.”
“….”
Her grandfather’s words were familiar. It was the line that opened the last conversation she had with him in the future.
Winter’s hand flinched and trembled. Her nose felt tingly and was about to cry.
But she tried her best to erase those feelings and acted as if it was her first time hearing it.
“…Marriage? Who?”
“Who else? You and Seon Taeyang, of course.”
“…No way, how could someone like me ever be with Teacher Taeyang?”
“Hey now! What makes you think you’re lacking? If it comes to that, I’ll show you my land deed. A guy who’s handsome and a wonderful girl has a lot of money too; why wouldn’t he?”
“…Still.”
Her grandfather burst into hearty laughter and said,
“I approve. Just remember that.”
Winter smiled dreamily, as if she could be shattered at any moment, and replied,
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
*
On the way back to Seoul, Seon Taeyang, who was driving, asked,
“Are you okay? Shouldn’t you stay a little longer?”
“Yes, I’m fine. I’ve stopped what I needed to stop.”
“Still, it’s okay to stay by your grandfather’s side a bit longer. After what you went through, it’s only natural to want to be close. As for the schedule, I’ll manage somehow.”
“…No, I’ve already acted spoiled enough. Now, I have to return to Han Gyeoul of the Girl Revolution.”
“Really? Well, I guess Winter will have no choice but to lean on you. Honestly, your role in the Girl Revolution is too important right now…. Haha, forgive this useless adult.”
“….”
Words floated in Winter’s mind. But whenever she tried to speak, her mouth felt dry as a desert.
In her mind, there was a phrase that kept bubbling up. But every time she tried to utter it, her mouth felt like it was drying up.
After hesitating and mumbling, she finally spoke up.
“And most importantly, I want to be by Teacher Taeyang’s side.”
“Hehe, how can our Gyeoul say such pretty words? I’m so glad you’re my idol.”
Gyeoul turned her head to gaze at his profile.
Sleek hair styled with pomade, yet a few strands fell out of place, framing his forehead.
Deep, dark eyes that seemed to pull you in.
Charming lips slightly curved into a smile.
Gyeoul, enchanted by the sight, opened her mouth once more.
“Teacher Taeyang.”
“Yeah?”
“What happens to me in the future that you saw?”
Finally getting to the core question, after all that hesitation.
“What do you mean, what happens?”
“How do I become happy?”
Taeyang pondered her question for a moment before responding.
“Well…, you top the music charts, become the best idol, receive love from fans, strengthen your bond with the Girl Revolution crew, and make a lot of money. That’s how you become happy.”
“…Isn’t there anything else?”
“Anything else? Ah, what might it be…?”
Taeyang’s face showed he was struggling to come up with a suitable answer, and he chuckled awkwardly.
“Haha, it’s not that I didn’t see the future, but I might not remember it. Is there any extra element I should add?”
“Yes, there is. I can’t be happy with just the things you mentioned.”
The most important aspect was missing from what Taeyang described.
“No, in fact, even without all those things, I can be happy with just one thing.”
“And what’s that?”
“Teacher Taeyang.”
“….”
While Taeyang pondered the weight of her words, Gyeoul continued.
“Teacher Taeyang, I didn’t believe what you said about seeing the future. More specifically, I couldn’t believe you saw a future where I become happy.”
“Was it because my actions weren’t trustworthy? I’m sorry if I couldn’t reassure you.”
“It’s not your fault, Teacher Taeyang.”
Gyeoul had never believed the claim that Taeyang had seen the future.
She knew how absurd it was to say she would become happy.
After all, for Gyeoul to be happy, all she needed was to be beside Taeyang.
“Because I just had to.”
“I couldn’t believe that Teacher Taeyang would be by my side in the future.”
So, I asked Seon Taeyang over and over again.
If I would be sitting next to him in the future.
At such times, Seon Taeyang always replied the same way.
He would always be by my side, no matter when.
Winter couldn’t believe those words either.
But it wasn’t because she couldn’t trust Taeyang. It was because she couldn’t trust herself.
“I thought a future where I, as a person, would be beside Teacher Taeyang was too much to ask.”
He is warm.
He is sweet.
He is irresistibly charming.
Countless people needed the warmth he radiated.
Winter wasn’t the only one living in winter. Everyone faced a cold that could freeze their hearts, and they needed Taeyang.
And those people had far more than Winter, and they could give Taeyang even more.
Summer and Gaeul were like that too.
That’s why Winter thought she wouldn’t be in that spot.
Even if she wished and hoped, no matter how much faith Taeyang gave her, she believed the world around him wouldn’t allow it.
“Still, I want to stop giving up. I want to give up not believing in Teacher Taeyang.”
But still.
Even if she couldn’t get it.
Even if she could never be chosen in the end.
Winter, the girl called Han Gyeoul, recognized that she could no longer hide this feeling.
“So confront it, Han Gyeoul. It’s not about giving up beforehand thinking you won’t match with Team Leader Seon; it’s about being ready to face your feelings directly. Otherwise, you’ll regret it.”
She didn’t want to regret any longer, just like Jin Yeoreum had told her before.
“I like you.”
So Winter boldly let out those words that filled her heart to the brim.
“No, I love you.”
“…Isn’t that something a manager would say?”
“No.”
With affection,
With yearning,
With attachment,
With deep admiration,
Infusing every meaning of love,
“I’m saying this as a woman.”
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