“Hah, Huh? Yoon-ho, what do you think of me? We’re good friends, right? Close colleagues. Just a funny oppa, haha.”
awkward chuckle
So, I ask her with all my courage, and she brushes it off with a laugh, leaving an awkward vibe in the air.
From the next day, her responses on the messenger start to slow down. Contact is becoming scarce. She begins to avoid meetings. When we cross paths on the street, she pretends she didn’t see me and quickly turns away.
Even for someone as clueless as me, it becomes clear.
“I’ve been friend zoned.”
“Huh, do you not realize what that question means in this situation, Hwa-rin? I do.”
Of course, in your mind, it might be about testing my feelings or wanting a confession. But I can tell you from experience.
“Hwa-rin, what you did was simply confess.”
Like a racing car revving its engine, just waiting for the green light to go straight ahead once I give the signal—that’s my confession.
“Hwa-rin likes me, huh?”
I may look like this, but deep down, I’m the real deal. If we spend enough time together, you’ll discover my charm.
Knowing Hwa-rin’s feelings makes my shoulders pump with some unknown energy.
What should I say now?
Saying, “I think of you as a valuable friend,” would be the worst answer.
That’s definitely a response I should avoid. Just saying that could get me hit by Hwa-rin’s poisons. Either way, we’d both leave this place with bitter faces.
“I’m such a rookie.”
As soon as things seem to be getting romantic, we have someone suggesting a kiss or a girl eager to confess.
Such rookies!
“The problem was the sudden suggestion to kiss.”
In this world, a kiss between a man and a woman isn’t something easy, even if they are lovers.
While in modern times a kiss is just a step in romance, here it carries much deeper meaning.
For a woman to allow a kiss means, in effect, she’s saying she would marry this person. It signifies that she views this man as her fiancé.
So when I ask Hwa-rin for a kiss, even if she likes me romantically, she would naturally want to hear a confession first.
——–
“Before I answer Hwa-rin, I have questions for myself.”
Is Hwa-rin the true heroine?
If Hwa-rin is the true heroine, then what are the criteria for pursuing her?
Is it to fully heal her? Or does it mean watching her unique story? Or is it standing beside her in the fate that approaches?
“What if Hwa-rin isn’t the true heroine?”
If she isn’t, how should I treat her?
I’ve learned of her affection, but do I just say, “You’re not the true heroine, so we’re now best friends”?
“That can’t be right.”
The reverse heaven’s decree and the heroine.
If this world has given me the fate and role of the reverse heaven’s decree, I might meet the true heroines I’ve encountered so far in the future as well.
Some of those women might give me an overwhelming amount of love.
Should I ignore them and mechanically search for the true heroine to pursue and just leave this world?
“That’s ridiculous.”
Someday, I might witness the ending of this world.
I might get the chance to leave this place. But that doesn’t give me a reason to ignore those who need my help or refuse the affection directed at me.
I have no reason to turn away Hwa-rin’s love.
Now that I’ve come to understand Hwa-rin’s feelings.
How do I really feel about Lady Tang?
Am I ready to accept Hwa-rin’s heart?
——————
“Hwa-rin.”
I gently called out to Hwa-rin, who was anxiously waiting for my answer with her head down.
“Yes?”
She flinched at my call, looking up at me with a worried expression.
What could she be so afraid of? Her body is more sensual than any beast, yet her actions are as pitiful as a small puppy drenched in rain.
“I didn’t say anything, but it’s been really hard for me.”
I sat right next to Hwa-rin and glanced sideways at her.
“Was it… because of me?”
Hwa-rin asked with a shaky voice. Why would she think that?
I shook my head vigorously to deny it and continued speaking.
“No. I mean, it was tough until I met you. And thanks to you, I’m moving forward in life.”
“Thanks to me?”
As I seemed to affirm her with my words, a hint of color returned to Hwa-rin’s worried voice.
“Thanks to you, I became a bookstore owner and got to write. I could become famous. It’s all thanks to you. I’m genuinely grateful, more than words can express.”
Let’s start with thank you.
Since coming to this world, it’s Hwa-rin who has let me embrace hope for the future.
With sincere gratitude, I spoke to her.
“If you’re trying to talk about gratitude or pity…”
As Hwa-rin’s sharp gaze began to lift, I quickly shook my head and continued.
“Hwa-rin, I risked my life to save you.”
“So what? Are you trying to change the subject again…”
“When did I do that?” It’s slightly unfair, but with a playful expression, I pressed my finger against Hwa-rin’s soft lips to silence her.
“Come on, don’t you get it yet?”
I turned slightly to face Hwa-rin, our faces close enough for me to feel her breath. If I lean in just a little, our lips would touch.
“What, what is it?”
Hwa-rin’s eyes trembled.
Is she afraid of what I’m going to say next?
Scenes of my time with Hwa-rin flashed through my mind like a panorama.
Is Hwa-rin the true heroine?
No, is the true heroine that important?
Did I risk my life for Hwa-rin just because she could someday be a heroine I might pursue?
Just because there’s a possibility?
If I accept that, it’s nothing but self-deception.
The reverse heaven’s decree can help escape the tragic fate of the heroine. What will denying my true feelings bring me?
How do I truly feel about Hwa-rin?
I’ve already spoken my answer.
“I came to protect my woman.”
“My woman? What kind of relationship do I have with a poison girl?”
“What other reason would a man risk his life for a woman?”
I opened my mouth to convey my true feelings to Hwa-rin.
“Hwa-rin, when a man is willing to risk everything for a woman, it’s only when he thinks of her as his own.”
*
“You…! Mmm!”
Just as Tang Hwa-rin’s expression was left exposed in a moment of pure joy, Kang Yoon-ho’s face moved in to cover hers.
Startled by the sudden surprise, Tang Hwa-rin shrank her lips tightly but didn’t think of turning away.
In an instant, their lips drew close, and due to Tang Hwa-rin’s stiffened lips, it was more like flesh meeting flesh rather than a kiss, yet even that took her by surprise, making her eyes widen.
“W-What are you doing all of a sudden?”
Tang Hwa-rin bent her head back in shock, giving Kang Yoon-ho a chance to respond.
“Then I won’t do it suddenly this time. Come here.”
With a friendly face, Kang Yoon-ho pulled Tang Hwa-rin closer with one hand.
What’s this? Why are you acting so mature all of a sudden? It feels unfair. You confessed, and I accepted; shouldn’t you act a bit more touched?
Tang Hwa-rin felt a bit offended but had no intention of pushing Kang Yoon-ho away.
In fact, she felt a yearning for the kiss that ended too soon, wanting more.
“Umm…”
Tang Hwa-rin pouted her lips as much as possible, like a baby bird longing for love, having never felt it before.
Seeing her like that, Kang Yoon-ho felt it was adorable and filled with love, he genuinely wanted to quench her thirst.
As Kang Yoon-ho gently teased the nervous Hwa-rin’s lips, the tension in her lips gradually melted away.
Tang Hwa-rin experienced a feeling she had never felt before as she recognized her man. It worked. She was happy. She felt loved.
While Hwa-rin was lost in this new sensation, Kang Yoon-ho became even more proactive.
“W-What are you putting in there?”
Tang Hwa-rin was startled by the invading sensation in her mouth, turning bright red as she pulled back her face.
“Don’t like it?”
“I-I’ll let you know after trying it once more…”
——–
The two of them, lost in their moment, were unaware of the time passing until the guard unit finally arrived, having waited too long to notify them that they were running out of time.
If the guard unit had been just a little late, they would have set up a bridal room right there.
“Ahem.”
Eventually, the two of them, bound by a pink thread of emotions that wouldn’t break, were disrupted by the guard’s awkward cough, breaking the sticky and transparent bridge of longing.
“Hwa-rin.”
Kang Yoon-ho squeezed Hwa-rin’s hand, eager to ensure his feelings had been conveyed even slightly, gazing into her eyes.
They didn’t have much time left to talk to each other.
“Yoon-ho. I’ll definitely come back.”
Tang Hwa-rin nodded, holding Yoon-ho’s hand.
It’s a pity they didn’t get to talk much, but that’s alright. A deeper feeling had been communicated. She understood Yoon-ho’s true heart.
“Okay. Next time, let’s do it somewhere we don’t have to watch out for other people.”
“D-Do… I’ll let you know after I try it again…”
That guy doesn’t know how to be embarrassed. Why would he say that in front of the guard unit?
Tang Hwa-rin instinctively felt like cursing but wanted some time for herself, so she nodded with a bright red face.
Kang Yoon-ho smirked at her reaction, pulled her in for one last hug, and then stepped out the door.
As Tang Hwa-rin continued to gaze at where her man had disappeared, the Tang family members entered to guide her to the prepared place.
Will she succeed?
As she walked, Tang Hwa-rin gently touched her lips, still warm from the kiss. She could still feel him in her mouth.
She wanted to be happy with Yoon-ho.
Tang Hwa-rin gazed at the poisonous substance for mind-reading laid out in the prepared place.
That’s merely a hurdle she must cross. Just one step closer to Yoon-ho.
“Get ready now.”
Yoon-ho. Wait for me.
*
“Worried, are you?”
Where has Hwa-rin gone? As I gazed out the window, the guard unit asked.
“Shouldn’t you go in now?”
“Even if she can swallow the poison and completely digest it, it will take a long time. I wanted to see your face for a moment before she goes in.”
“Are you here to offer encouragement?”
So, after narrowly escaping death, has he become a new man? I appreciate his continuous kindness, but it’s awkward nonetheless.
“… Fate favors those who do their best. You have done all you can, and Hwa-rin, that girl, will give her all too, so just wait for the heavens to smile upon you.”
The guard unit, undeterred by my somewhat sarcastic tone, continued to encourage me. I appreciate it, but I’m not worried.
“She will smile.”
I said that confidently to the guard unit.
“Is that confidence or hope?”
“Confidence.”
“Well… I hope so too.”
Seeing the assurance radiating from my face, the guard unit seemed to think he had come to offer unnecessary encouragement and nodded once before heading toward Hwa-rin.
Right.
I have confidence.
Hwa-rin will become a complete poison girl.
She will come back to me as a complete poison girl.
Because…
“Hwa-rin’s face has become spotless with no blemishes.”
My sincerity has been transmitted.
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