Igyeong, grilling the meat, looked at Taein and asked casually.

“I’m going to die drinking cider today. I’m really pissed off.”

“Why, again.”

“Because of Kang Nokhyun. Just because I’m not there, she says she can’t do anything? I barely stopped her from following me again today.”

Is that something you say in front of singles?

Hyeseong and Igyeong clenched their fists.

“Is that something to get pissed about?”

Igyeong’s lips twitched.

“No, but how arrogant can she be? I don’t know where the chic Kang Nokhyun from before went.”

“She got married to her ideal type, whatever. And then.”

Agreeing with Hyeseong’s words, Igyeong nodded.

“Anyway, did you fight because of that?”

With a soulless face, Igyeong asked Taein. Taein let out a long sigh.

“That person who only knew me said she joined the dinner, right as it began.”

“…”

“The words don’t match. Don’t they?”

“Well, they do…”

“Well, what happened yesterday?”

Knowing that Igyeong was also present at the dinner, Taein, with a gleam in her eyes, asked.

“You don’t have to say that you boasted only about yourself throughout the entire dinner. It was already annoying enough.”

Taein’s mouth twitched, and Igyeong slapped her lips with her hand as if regretting saying it for no reason.

“Anyway, because of your boasting, Kang Nokhyun talked about it all through the company dinner. There’s no need to say how annoying it was; it was enough.”

Taein’s lip corners danced slyly. Igyeong, realizing she said something unnecessary, hit her lips with her hand as if regretting it.

“Anyway, what’s the big deal, Kang Nokhyun.”

“Hey, honestly tell me. Do you want to get cursed at again?”

Hyeseong, taking off her sunglasses, asked seriously. Taein just shrugged her shoulders.

“But do you guys not date?”

“We don’t date, right?”
Igyeong spoke with tears in her eyes.

“Is marriage really that great for you?”

Hyeseong, silently observing Taein’s face, asked.

“It’s good, but… it’s really exhausting. Don’t get married, just date.”

At that moment, Taein’s phone vibrated.

Taein, glancing at the screen, pressed the call button and put the phone to her ear.

“Hello? Honey, I’m about to leave. What? You’re coming to pick me up? Okay.”

Facing Taein’s strained voice, the faces of the two sitting across from her instantly changed.

After ending the call, Taein stood up without hesitation.

“It won’t work. I have to go.”

“Are you leaving like this? Ridiculous.”

The protagonist, Igyeong, clicked her tongue.

“Sorry, I’ll treat you next time.”

Taein apologized sincerely, folding her hands as if truly sorry.

“Of course, you better.”

“Are you kidding?”

Hyeseong and Igyeong shouted in disbelief.

“No, no. It’s not that I’m going to splurge; it’s our wedding anniversary today.”

“…How can you forget your wedding anniversary and come to a housewarming? No, go quickly.”

“Yeah, go see her. Quickly.”

Understanding, Igyeong and Hyeseong sent Taein off.

“Really sorry. I’ll properly treat you next time!”

Taein sincerely said and hurried away.

To forget the wedding anniversary on a day like this.

Although it wasn’t a significant day due to the strategic marriage, now that it was sincere, even the formal wedding anniversary became precious. Even though she had forgotten it.

Before Nokhyun arrived, Taein stopped by the nearby flower shop and bought the largest bouquet available.

Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve given flowers.

Afterward, she went into the convenience store, bought a bunch of cherry-flavored candy sticks, and inserted them among the flowers.

Will this be enough for forgiveness?

While waiting for Nokhyun at the convenience store table, the smell of ramen wafted from nearby. Taein, who couldn’t resist, bought triangular kimbap and cup ramen, pouring hot water into the cup.

If I knew, I should have eaten more meat and come out. But why am I so hungry these days?

I ate a lot for breakfast and even had a sandwich before coming out, but once I came out, I felt dizzy with hunger.

Strange.

It feels unfamiliar yet somewhat familiar.

She quickly put the fully cooked cup ramen into her mouth. Before Nokhyun arrived, she wanted to eat quickly and pretend she hadn’t eaten anything.

As she was quickly devouring the hot cup ramen, someone sat down next to Taein and casually placed a drink on the table.

“Looks like you’re hungry.”

It was Nokhyun. She had an unpleasant expression and was staring straight ahead with her fists clenched.

Taein, still with ramen in her mouth, gazed at Nokhyun as if to say nothing.

“Eat slowly.”

“Uh-huh.”

Taein sucked in the ramen in her mouth and drank the drink Nokhyun bought.

“It’s strange; it feels like a beggar’s in my stomach. I keep getting hungry.”

“So you couldn’t wait for that and ate ramen at the convenience store? I haven’t eaten a meal just to eat with you.”

Taein handed the triangular kimbap she had saved to Nokhyun.

“Okay.”
“Sorry. Until yesterday, I remembered, but today, I suddenly forgot because I received calls from Igyeong since morning.”

“…But is that possibly for me?”

“Ah, yes. That’s right.”

Taein handed the bouquet Nokhyun pointed to.

As Nokhyun received the bouquet with candy haphazardly inserted, she chuckled unintentionally.

“Thank you for marrying me.”

After saying that, Taein laughed mischievously.

A bit surprised, Nokhyun, staring at Taein’s smiling face, pulled Taein towards her.

Feeling the cold touch on her neck, Taein looked down at her neck.

It was the necklace that Taein had complimented when passing by.

“I’m the one who should be thankful. Thank you for marrying me, for being by my side.”

“Wow, you remembered this.”

Taein murmured while stroking the necklace.

“Oh, this is not the right thing to say here like this. I received the bouquet and unconsciously.”

Nokhyun scratched the back of her head nervously.

“Where should we go now? Shall we go eat something delicious?”

“I did make a restaurant reservation, but can you eat?”

“Of course. But let’s buy something before that.”

Taein, who discarded the empty ramen cup, went to the counter, bought a box slightly longer than her palm, and put it in her pocket.

“What’s this?”

Nokhyun put her hand in Taein’s pocket and took out the box.

It was a pregnancy test.

“I’ve been having strange dreams lately, and something feels odd. Let’s go.”

Taein held Nokhyun’s hand and led her outside.

“Wait, let’s walk slowly.”

“It might not be. I’m just buying it to reassure myself. Do you know how easy it is to get pregnant?”

“Still, just in case.”

Nokhyun supported her cautiously as if there was already a baby in Taein’s belly.

“Hey, don’t get your hopes up.”

“But what was the dream about?”

“Well, Dad gave me a huge strawberry. It was so big that it filled both hands.”

Nokhyun sensed it.

It’s a girl. A daughter. Finally, a daughter who resembles Taein has come.

Nokhyun was thrilled. Unaware of the trials that would come soon.