TL: Aniea
That night.
Kang Byul, who had come up to the city after a long time and had dinner with her family, lay on her bed after finishing her bath in the spacious tub and was stunned.
"...This is really unbelievable."
It was cozy.
The pillow and bed were so soft that it made her feel like she had misunderstood the word "cozy" her whole life.
The sensation enveloping her entire body felt like it perfectly recreated the feeling of falling asleep in her mother's arms when she was a child.
For someone who had spent her life either sleeping on the floor or at best on the hard mattress of a dormitory, this was a profound mental shock.
'...The food was delicious too.'
She wasn't particularly picky about food, but the food she ate today was on a different level.
Even the kimchi stew she had was exceptional. How many times had she encountered kimchi stew in her over twenty years of life? Dozens of times, just counting various restaurants.
'Today's was undoubtedly the best among them.'
Perfectly aged, high-quality kimchi. Meat that melted in her mouth as soon as she tasted it. All of this combined to tantalize her taste buds.
Salty, sour, spicy, sweet. These flavors balanced precariously like a circus act.
It couldn't be compared to ordinary home-cooked meals or the mass-produced food from typical restaurants.
What she had been eating until now wasn't kimchi stew. It was just 'stew with kimchi.'
'...Other dishes were delicious too.'
And that wasn't all.
It had been ages since she enjoyed a full-body bath. The enormous tub was spacious enough to stretch her whole body, and the housekeeper had even filled it with water beforehand.
The tub had a function to maintain the water temperature, so she could soak in the hot water for quite a while.
Her entire body felt relaxed as random thoughts clouded her vision like steam, and Kang Byul had many thoughts within that haze.
'How long has it been since I relaxed like this....'
Come to think of it, it seemed like it was the first time since she became an adult.
Until now, she had been busy studying for scholarships and working to earn living expenses, so there were countless days when she couldn't sleep for even four hours a day.
When her friends bragged about going on overseas trips or buying luxury bags with their allowances.
She couldn't even think about overseas trips; she just wished she could rest comfortably for just one day.
'...It all feels like a dream.'
Kang Byul buried her head deeper into the pillow. The subtle lavender scent in the cover and the soft texture of the bedding that accepted her every move.
It was undoubtedly expensive stuff. She finally understood why people spent hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a bedroom where they only slept.
'...It feels strangely good.'
The perfect environment drew her into a dreamy world.
As time passed, her thoughts sank deeper and deeper. Half-hearted distractions gradually disappeared.
Naturally, her true feelings, which had been hidden deep down, began to surface.
'...Is oppa really okay?'
They hadn't been in contact much since they became adults, except when necessary.
Both were busy, and knowing each other's circumstances, there wasn't much to say.
The first time she heard news about Kang Woo-ju was when she was working part-time. A teaser for <Peaceful Chaebol Life> came on the TV installed in the store.
- Hey, did you see that?
- Of course, I did! But I never get tired of it, no matter how many times I watch it. It's the first time I've ever looked forward to Monday! Ah, I want to see Kang Woo-ju-nim in person.
Kang Woo-ju.
Was there another name as familiar and unique as this? Even though she was busy cleaning, that name stuck in her ears clearly.
At first, she thought she had misheard. But she kept hearing Kang Woo-ju, Kang Woo-ju everywhere, and she couldn't deny it anymore.
So she stopped what she was doing and looked up. Lo and behold, Kang Woo-ju was really on TV.
And in a way that didn't match her memories at all.
'What the hell....'
When her part-time job was over, she would usually be busy lying in bed, trying to fall asleep, but that day, her mind was unusually clear.
From then on, she began searching the internet for information about Kang Woo-ju and confirmed that he had been cast as the lead in a drama.
Naturally, she also learned about the existence of Kim Eun-ha and ended up meticulously reading all the speculative posts circulating online.
『──────────
[Analysis of the Relationship Between Kang Woo-ju and Kim Eun-ha]
※ Long post, speculative content warning.
※ If you disagree, you're right.
※ Summary in three lines at the end.
Firstly, it's clear that Kang Woo-ju is a rookie actor. This is universally acknowledged without controversy.
The drowsiness from the full-body bath.
The softness of the bed.
The sense of security from the ample money in the bank account.
In the end, the fatigue accumulated in her body over the years surrendered to the overwhelming capital, and she fell asleep without reaching any clear conclusions.
*
Ding dong-!
I jumped up from my seat at the sudden sound of the doorbell. There shouldn't be anyone pressing the bell here.
Setting aside my curiosity, I checked the intercom. The screen showed a very familiar face.
I tilted my head for a moment, then went ahead and opened the door.
“Hello, Woo-ju ssi.”
“Why didn't you just come in?”
“I thought your mother and Kang Byul ssi might need some time to prepare themselves mentally. Especially since it's Kang Byul ssi's first time meeting today.”
Smile-
Kim Eun-ha explained with a light smile. Her detailed consideration made me click my tongue inwardly in admiration.
“Would you like to come in?”
"Then, excuse me."
There was no need to excuse herself since it was her own house to begin with. But I didn't bother to question it.
Her atmosphere was a bit different from usual. It felt somewhat serious and calm.
So, I silently let Kim Eun-ha into the house. When we went to the living room together, my mother, who had been waiting, greeted her.
“Welcome, daughter-in-law!”
“Mother, I'm sorry for leaving early yesterday. I had an unavoidable schedule.”
“No need to apologize. Thanks to you, I forgot all about him going into surgery. By the way, is it okay for you to be here today?”
“Yes. The department store is closed today.”
“Oh, I didn’t know there were such days.”
“Only once a month, though.”
Haha- Hoho-
The two women, who had become close before I knew it, chatted naturally as if they had known each other for a long time.
Meanwhile, Kang Byul, looking slightly awkward, watched Kim Eun-ha and cautiously opened her mouth first.
“Hello.”
“Oh my, you must be Kang Byul ssi?”
“Yes, that's right.”
“You're as beautiful as I've heard. You hardly seem to wear any makeup, but your features are so distinct. You must have inherited your mother's nose.”
“What? Ah... well...”
“You can call me whatever you feel comfortable with. You can call me unnie if you like, or if that feels awkward, you can just call me Eun-ha ssi.”
Kim Eun-ha's words flowed out like a stream, leaving Kang Byul unable to open her mouth.
Seeing Kim Eun-ha's bright, smiling face, the sharp questions she had prepared so diligently just moments ago got stuck in her throat and wouldn't come out.
"U-unni, I'll call you that."
"Hehe, thank you. I always thought it would be nice to have a younger sister. Actually... Ah! This isn't the time for this."
Clap-!
Kim Eun-ha clapped her hands as if she had remembered something. Then, she grabbed Kang Byul's hand and led her towards the door.
"Let's talk while we go."
"...W-where are we going?"
"Oh my, didn't Woo-ju ssi tell you?"
"I thought it would be better to show you directly."
In truth, he had no confidence in explaining it verbally. Realizing this, Kim Eun-ha quietly drew an arc with her eyes, signaling her understanding.
"We're going to the department store."
"You said it was closed today...."
"It is. For the general customers."
"......?"
For a moment, the pupils of the mother and daughter, who couldn't quite grasp the meaning, began to widen.
When it reached its peak, Kim Eun-ha said with a playful smile on her lips.
"Today is the day that comes once a month, exclusively for VVIP customers."
"......!?"
Haha-
Kim Eun-ha quietly swallowed her laughter as she watched the mother and daughter stand there, mouths agape in astonishment.