On a day in March, when I was fully aware of the connections with politicians.
As the traces of winter completely vanished and April brought spring, the time of the promised wedding was drawing near.
It was the long-scheduled wedding of Ji-eun, my older sister.
Feeling a bit awkward about riding in the couple’s car, it was hard to refuse when my sister offered to drive us herself.
“Are these the kids I’m supposed to take care of?”
“Yes, aren’t they both pretty?”
She offered to drive, but Ji-eun wasn’t the one driving.
It was my first time seeing her sitting in the passenger seat instead of behind the wheel.
Siyeon unexpectedly jumped into the conversation and greeted the groom’s side.
“Hello there!”
“Hello.”
With Siyeon’s sudden greeting punch, the driver, bowing his head in a similar manner and responding politely, returned to us.
“Oh, hey?”
His kind and gentle voice passed the review.
He had a serious tone that seemed capable of hitting high notes at karaoke without cracking, making him quite the attractive groom.
His face? No one could say it was ugly, even from a man’s perspective; I couldn’t recall who he was, but he had an appearance that would remind you of a celebrity.
From looks alone, he was undoubtedly a catch.
Why was I suddenly evaluating the groom? It just sort of happened.
Maybe it’s that feeling of wanting the people you know to do well.
As he focused on driving, he stared ahead and muttered a thought that wasn’t quite intended for anyone in particular.
“Just having two daughters would be perfect.”
“Why, don’t you want a son?”
“I wouldn’t want a son that looks like me; how could I handle that?”
The two of them continued to joke and discuss their plans.
They say when you’ve been together for a few years, the rose-colored glasses come off, and you just fight…
But compared to that rumor, the groom and Ji-eun felt as harmonious as sesame seeds spilling everywhere.
In a way, it seemed fitting for Ji-eun to witness such a beautiful scene today, as she put aside her magical girl job.
Soon, we arrived at the parking lot of the venue.
The exterior of the building was bigger than your average skyscraper.
“Whoa, it’s huge!”
Upon seeing it, Siyeon tilted her head back, almost like she was going to fall over in awe.
But to these two who’d regularly seen such large buildings, they began scrambling out of the car as if they were being timed.
“What floor were we on? The third floor?”
“Yeah, third floor. We’re a bit late… We have to hurry. Mari? Can you take care of Siyeon? It’s the third floor!?”
“Of course.”
In response to Ji-eun’s question, I made an “okay” sign with my thumb and forefinger.
Following my sister, who was running ahead, the man looked startled and turned to me, but his feet kept following her.
“Uh? Is it okay to leave the kids behind?”
“It’s fine, just hurry! We’re really late!”
‘Late…?’
At her words, like Siyeon, I tilted my head back and checked the color of the sky.
The blue morning light still hadn’t faded from the sky.
I turned on my smartphone to check the time—it was 6:33 AM.
“Huh.”
What on earth were they preparing for that made it feel like we’d be late to a 10 AM wedding even though we were just getting ready now?
Not understanding the concept of time for the wedding venue at all, I let out a flabbergasted laugh as my upper body bobbed up and down.
“Uh? Where’s my sister gone?”
“She’s already inside; stop sightseeing and let’s go in.”
“Okay.”
As we entered the building, the first floor was still empty, with only a few staff members visible.
A sign pointed to the floor number where the couples were located.
[3rd Floor]
[Groom Dae-han]
[Bride Seo Ji-eun]
After confirming that we needed to go to the third floor, we walked to the elevator.
But, weren’t there supposed to be at least one or two staff members while two kids were walking around the venue?
Still puzzled, I pressed the button for the third floor in the elevator.
It was at a height where I could barely reach the button in first grade.
Now I could leisurely reach it at chest level, I realized I’d grown up a bit in this body.
“Third floor.”
With a recorded voice, the elevator chimed and the doors opened.
I figured I wouldn’t know what to say in the groom’s waiting room, so I headed straight for the bride’s waiting room instead.
After walking down a long, bright white corridor, I finally saw the spacious bride’s waiting room.
As the sound of my cheerful footsteps reached my sister’s ears, she turned around, surrounded by people wielding various unidentifiable makeup tools.
“Oh, did Siyeon and Mari come? Sit over there.”
“Ah! Don’t move!”
“Oh, I’m sorry…”
Yet, even though she just moved a little, the staff scolded her.
The Ji-eun I knew was gone in an instant, replaced by a Ji-eun sitting quietly and getting her makeup done like a doll in a pristine white dress, tightly dressed and obedient.
It felt strange to see my sister like that.
Will I someday be like that?
Wearing fluttery clothes, getting my makeup done, and liking someone?
‘Could that really happen?’
I let out a little laugh and enjoyed watching Ji-eun transform with each passing makeup task.
Siyeon didn’t seem bothered by the waiting, eagerly gazing at the fascinating decorations here and there.
Looking at Ji-eun turning whiter and whiter, Siyeon seemed to take an interest too.
‘Ugh, I’m going to die.’
As I watched for what felt like dozens of minutes.
As time passed, what I first thought was simply pretty turned into the thought of “Do we really need to go through all this?”
It felt like they had done all the visible makeup possible, yet people kept sticking around my sister.
Finally, after an exhausting two hours, the makeup was done, and even having just watched quietly made me feel worn out.
I felt like I was squished in a small sofa, sitting among women who were picking outfits.
Siyeon didn’t seem to tire of it; as soon as Ji-eun finished her makeup and sat on a big white sofa, she bounced around showering her with compliments.
“Sis, you look so pretty!”
“Really? Come here, both of you. Can you take a picture with this…?”
“Me too?”
“Who else would it be?”
Wanting to capture a photo while she was all dressed up, Ji-eun called us over.
We tiptoed to the sofa, settled in with Ji-eun in the center, and made ourselves comfortable.
Even as a compliment, I couldn’t honestly say the sofa was super comfy.
Maybe it’s because I’ve gotten used to top-notch furniture from my trip to America; even with a full stomach, it felt stuffed.
With a click, our image was captured in a photo.
And just like that, we ended up with a picture that made it look like a girl who hadn’t even wed yet had two kids.
Ji-eun sent the original photo to her smartphone and sent us each a copy.
Now it was 8:43 AM; it was time for the guests to start arriving at the venue.
About an hour until the 10 AM wedding.
Some guests would just pay their congratulatory money and disappear into the restaurant, while others were seeking out the bride and groom.
“This girl who said she wouldn’t get married seems to be the first one going for it.”
“Ehee.”
“Looks gorgeous; let’s hurry and take a picture!”
Playfully posing, Ji-eun was surrounded by her friends snapping photos.
Were they school friends? They looked pretty close, regardless.
One after another, guests kept arriving to see Ji-eun.
Among them were some older gentlemen in suits as well.
About twenty minutes before 10 AM, I sat in a reserved, prime location that only close friends or family could occupy, waiting aimlessly for the time.
Reality and drama differ, but this wedding had surprisingly little difference.
With romantic music playing, lights shining in the darkness, and grand processional music.
The groom, who had looked neat from the car, looked like a celebrity emerging from a formal event once he suited up.
In stark contrast to the groom’s entry, which had seemed casual as he stepped onto the carpet, Ji-eun appeared under the spotlight with her veil while everyone partook in managing the train.
Siyeon couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
By my standards, thinking of weddings usually just meant buffets; I began to ponder seriously what it meant to have a special day that happens only once in a lifetime.
The sound of applause filled the wedding hall.
After that, well, you know how weddings go.
Fanciful words were exchanged, with both parents gushing about something.
Reciting the love vows, there was no option to say no.
“May the two of you always be blessed on this path you walk together. We ask the guests to rise from their seats and show warm applause for the newlyweds! Please march with vigor and happiness!”
Following the host’s words, we walked back along the carpet we had just come from in a final gesture.
Beginning with a single clap, the murmuring applause soon became something monumental.
Siyeon and my little claps were swallowed up in the adults’ applause, drowned out to a tiny echo in the ear.
And just like that, the big wedding event was over…
“Here’s your meal ticket.”
“Congratulations!”
Usually, you pay your congratulatory money and receive a meal ticket at that very moment.
While I was perfectly capable of paying, Ji-eun had deliberately brought the meal tickets for us two.
Our seats were set aside particularly for the groom’s friends.
To top it off, since some had left to eat immediately after the ceremony, there were plenty of seats available.
Setting our belongings down like a “there’s someone here” marker, I took a wide bowl out from the bottom of the tray.
Now, it was time to fill my ever-hungry belly.
“Let’s go!”
“Oooh!”
Naturally, we headed straight for the corner piled high with fried foods and meats, thoroughly ignoring the greens.
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