“Marriage Blue”

[Mary's Blue, Side Story] 03. The Desired Hand

Jimin, who had arrived home almost as if he'd been dragged there, felt a surge of excitement. It had been a long time since he'd seen the female protagonist. She was incredibly assertive. Of course, she'd been assertive before, too... but now, it was on a whole different level.

The woman who had Jimin sitting down on the sofa as if tossing him aside headed to the kitchen. "What would you like, coffee or a soft drink?" she asked, and Jimin, sitting rigidly on the sofa like a robot, caught her eye.

김여주

Phew, what is this? LOL. Is it awkward?

박지민

No, rather than that…

Jimin rolled his eyes. Honestly, it was a bit difficult to be comfortable. It wasn't just the three-year reunion, but going straight home after a long reunion.

The heroine was originally quite outgoing, but after visiting the US, she seemed to have become more open-minded. Or maybe it was me, living in Korea, who had become more conservative… I don't know.

김여주

I'll give you some hot coffee. Is that okay?

박지민

Huh?, yeah…

Seeing the tense, nodding head, Yeoju's hands became more anxious as she poured the coffee. For some reason, seeing that sight filled her with a desire to devour it.

In the past, I was the one being devoured. Now, I felt confident that I could do it. The female protagonist, who had quickly poured herself a cup of coffee, approached the sofa and held out the cup.

김여주

It's hot, so be careful.

박지민

Yeah… thank you.

The female protagonist sat quietly next to her. Hororok—she carefully sipped the warm coffee down her throat, but all her attention was focused on Jimin. The slightest movement made her hair stand on end.

박지민

…the coffee is delicious.

김여주

What have you been up to lately, oppa?

박지민

I just…

I kept working. I accepted every single job I was asked to do. Thinking about that, I suddenly realized how much I'd truly worked hard.

The heroine's hand, fiddling with the cup, caught her eye. "How on earth did you live?" Her eyes fell to the floor, and her mouth fell open in a lament.

김여주

Actually… I regret working in America.

박지민

…why?.

김여주

It was really hard, not only was communication difficult, but there were also racist people everywhere.

I knew it. There are good people in this world, but there are also just as many bad people.

김여주

So, I debated a lot about whether or not to return to Korea. I thought my brother would be there to welcome me back.

But I couldn't bring myself to come back. I was the one who made the promise, and if I couldn't keep it and came back... I felt like a fool.

김여주

But I think I held on well. If I had come back earlier, I wouldn't have been able to see you today, oppa.

Rather than offering comforting words, he reached out and embraced the heroine. It was foolish, but he was the one who had contemplated going to America countless times. He slowly stroked her back and answered quietly.

박지민

Don't call me stupid. I'm so sorry... I should be the one suffering, but I made it hard for you.

김여주

ah……

The heroine, who had been suddenly embraced, was taken aback by the embrace, but soon a smile formed on her lips. In the time since I'd seen her, her expressions of affection had grown even more intense. She cupped both cheeks in her hands and looked into his eyes.

김여주

Then let's both be fools.

박지민

…huh?

김여주

I'm a fool for Park Jimin, and my brother is a fool for Kim Yeo-joo.

박지민

Haha… … This is really amazing. Where did you learn this?

Jimin, reaching out and squeezing Yeoju's cheeks like rice cakes, asked. No matter how I looked at it, it was clear that someone had taken possession of it.

김여주

Ugh... This is a bit boring.

"Let go of this," he said, but Jimin was the type to ask questions so easily. He firmly replied, "No," and then asked again, "Who taught you that?"

김여주

I didn't learn it... Meow.

박지민

just?.

김여주

… …I was just speaking my truth.

For a moment, my heart sank. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and her gaze averted, as if embarrassed. I loved the heroine who had created this situation, and I almost got in trouble.

박지민

… Well, that’s fortunate.

Phew, that was a close call. Seriously. I turned my gaze away from the female lead, hurriedly grabbed my coffee, and poured it all over my throat. But...

박지민

Keuk-!! Miss, it's hot!!…

I spilled the coffee on the road, wetting the front of my shirt. I hadn't planned on doing this, but for some reason, things weren't going as planned today.

김여주

Oppa, are you okay?

박지민

Huh?, uh uh… Except it’s a little hot…

It was okay, my throat was incredibly sore. But I couldn't show it in front of the female lead, so I just let it go... Huh? Why are your hands unbuttoning your buttons?

김여주

This won't work. Take it off.

박지민

Huh?!?… What, what is that

김여주

Are you going to keep wearing wet clothes? I need to check if you're burned!

That's true, but right now... While he was avoiding eye contact and thinking, the female protagonist, who had already unbuttoned her shirt, placed her hand on her chest.

박지민

Hey, hey, hey, hey, lady?…

김여주

…just checking.

김여주

I don't know if I got burned or not...

After that… you can imagine what happens next.