Soeun and Taejun had breakfast together at a restaurant known for its delicious sundubu.

Sundubu, velvety and tender, without any seasoning, was served in a white bowl brimming with seafood stew. Taejun served Soeun a separate bowl of seafood stew and sundubu, taking his portion.

Observing Taejun silently, Soeun followed his lead, adding sundubu to the stew bowl. The white sundubu gained color. As soon as she tasted the sundubu, it melted in her mouth, warming and gently filling her stomach. Her body quickly relaxed.

“After eating, shall we go to the hotel and rest?”

He asked, his question not ending on a high note.

The meaning behind the suggestion to rest was unclear. However, even if he were to make a move, she thought she should put him to sleep for now. He had driven from Gangneung as soon as he returned from a business trip, and he must be tired.

“Why are these young people so quiet? Did you have a fight?”

As she attempted to answer, the restaurant owner interrupted, placing a plate of squid sashimi on the table.

Taejun answered, “No.”

“Then why? Is it not tasty?”

“It’s delicious.”

“Okay. Even couples who fought come here and leave holding hands. Enjoy your meal. You can have more rice. Squid is on the house.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you from Seoul?”

“Yes.”

“I see, you look like it.”

Feeling more at ease after Taejun exchanged a few words, the owner tilted her head, admiring Taejun’s face, and cheerfully remarked to Soeun.

“Oh my, your husband looks very handsome; you must be happy.”

“He looks more charming.”

Taejun naturally accepted the comment.

“That’s right. Looking at him now, yes. He’s more charming. Oh my, you two match so well.”

As the owner spoke as if it were obvious, Taejun’s lips at both ends curved like the tentacles of boiled squid. The embarrassment belonged to Soeun.

After arriving at the hotel, Soeun and Taejun took turns showering and lay down on the bed. Thinking that Taejun might jump in, Soeun braced herself, but surprisingly, Taejun immediately turned off the room lights.

“Good night.”

And rustle. The sound of the blanket being wrapped around was heard.

When checking in, she had boldly requested separate blankets for each. If you were so cold, you should have told me. Instead of just covering me with a blanket, you should have covered yourself too. Grateful for Taejun’s consideration, Soeun pulled out half of her blanket and lay back.

‘He must be very tired.’

Reflecting on the slight expectations and tension she had harbored, Soeun closed her eyes.

Seven hours later. Once again, Soeun was the one to wake up later. Confirming that the spot next to her was empty, she left the bedroom. Taejun was not in the living room or the bathroom.
When she opened the curtains, rain was gently falling over the vast, unfolded sea. The dense, heavy sky seemed like a different world from the one before it fell asleep. Soeun went out to the terrace and silently watched the raindrops draw gold streaks across the sky.

There’s a Hanok guesthouse nearby, rumored to be beautiful in the summer. They say there are performances on sunny Saturdays at the beach. I also noticed a bicycle rental near the lakeside square. But, if it rains, it seems like we can’t do any of these. Fortunately, we can still watch the sunrise.

If they had departed as Taejun suggested yesterday, they might have given up on things like the sunrise from the beginning. Considering that it’s raining in Seoul too, they might not have left at all. Thinking about it this way, it felt like everything was destined. There were many things she wanted to do, but in reality, it was fine not to do anything.

It hadn’t been long since she sat quietly on the terrace when the room door opened. Soeun also went inside.

Taejun, soaked in sweat, was standing in front of the entrance.

“I came back from exercising.”

Before asking where he went, Taejun reported first.

“Oh, okay.”

Soeun admired Taejun. He said he didn’t exercise much, just 10 or 15 pull-ups, and it was surprising to see him work so hard, even coming to Gangneung.

“You come out of your house and do this without fail. Pull-ups.”

“No, I’ve been doing various things lately. If I only do pull-ups, it feels like that’s all I can do.”

Even just pull-ups would be good. With such impressive muscles, how much more healthy and beautiful could he become?

“You really seem to work hard, Mr. Lee.”

“Only for Hansoeun.”

Taejun jokingly replied. Soeun didn’t understand that remark. Before Taejun went to shower, he asked Soeun.

“What should we do now?”

“It seems like we can’t go far because of the rain.”

While Taejun nodded, Soeun’s eyes sparkled.

“There’s a swimming pool on the upper floor. If we stay in a suite, we can enter for free.”

“Do you really like swimming pools?”

To Taejun’s question, Soeun didn’t say anything and just giggled.