“Is it true, Father? So, that’s why you want Yeon-ah to stay longer with us because you think she’ll follow you to Danmok-sega when you return there! So, you want Yeon-ah to stay at Jegal-sega for one more day!”

I thought it couldn’t be true, but it really was the reason! Blushing, I said.

“Oh, our father didn’t seem like a straightforward person.”

“S-Straightforward? What?”

“There’s something like that.”
Since Jegal-min is so straightforward, I thought he would confess my feelings without any lies even if he falls in love.

‘Could it be that he wanted to delay our wedding ceremony even a bit more just to stay with us a little longer?’

I poked Jegal-min’s side.

“Don’t resort to such tricks; just confess honestly.”

It’s not like you to try to evade like this. That was the meaning behind my words, but the response I received was a solid fastball.

“I already did.”

“What?”

“Gasp!”

Both Ji-ho and I were surprised. Ji-ho rushed over and shook Jegal-min’s clothes frantically.

“Tell us quickly! Quickly!”

Pushing away Ji-ho’s hand, Jegal-min exclaimed sharply.

“There’s nothing to say! Since there’s no response, I confessed. I asked her to date me with marriage as a premise, but So-jeo rejected me as if he had no value.”

He already confessed and got rejected! My eyes sparkled with anticipation. Could there be another interesting story about love, as fascinating as those from ancient times?

“What’s the reason?”

Jegal-min looked at me with resentful eyes and said, “Yeon-i, she likes you more.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Like this.”

Ji-ho, myself, and even Danmok-bi, who seemed indifferent, sighed softly. Jegal-min, venting his frustration in an unexpected place, was scolded by Ji-ho in a stern tone.

“You don’t even have the qualification to speak loudly. Don’t stare at Danmok-bi like that! I have my pride too!”

Scolding Jegal-min, who was venting his anger in an inappropriate place, Ji-ho added with a strict tone, “Uncle, you shouldn’t look at Danmok-bi like that! She is the one who has captured love.”

“Grr!”

Since it was not a false statement, Jegal-min’s emotional wounds grew even larger. After stumbling for a moment, Jegal-min grabbed Ji-ho’s clothes and asked.

“Ji-ho, what am I lacking compared to Yeon-i? Why does she reject me so thoroughly?”

“Maybe you’re not interested in relationships between men and women?”

“But there must be moments when So-jeo also wishes someone to be by his side.”

“Well, maybe, but…”

Although Ji-ho reluctantly answered that way, it was clear he had the same thoughts as me.

‘Ryeo is an independent child, and she doesn’t seem to feel lonely at all.’

It was unimaginable that Ryeo would suffer from loneliness by being alone.

Unable to trample on even a glimmer of hope from Jegal-min, we couldn’t give an answer and hesitated. It was at that moment, while watching the situation from a distance, Danmok-bi spoke.

“Ryeo loves food the most. If you want to win her heart, the best way is to give her food as a gift.”

“Is that really true?”

Jegal-min grabbed Danmok-bi’s hand with relief. With a subtly proud smile, Danmok-bi added.

“I wouldn’t lie to the person who will become my brother.”

“Thank you, Maeje!”

In an instant, Danmok-bi’s title ascended from Danmok So-gaju to Maeje. I shook my head in disbelief.

‘Even though he’s my uncle, this is too easy.’

‘Exactly.’

Ji-ho nodded in agreement with a completely convinced expression.
Whether we pity him or not, Jegal-min, who is blind in love, confidently raised his hand.

“Then let’s go buy something delicious!”

So, we suddenly found ourselves on the main street. Jegal-min, unusually excited, said.

“But where should we go? Where is good?”

“Oh, come on, Uncle.”

While sticking out his tongue, Ji-ho readily guided Jegal-min. Walking a step behind them, I whistled.

‘Oh, there’s a dumpling shop. I should buy some before going back. I wonder if they have dumplings with finely chopped ginger, which Grandfather likes.’

With such thoughts in mind, I felt a gaze beside my face. When I turned my head, Danmok-bi was looking at me curiously. Blushing, I shrugged my shoulders.

“Why, why are you looking at me like that?”

“Well…”

Feeling the gently curved gaze of Danmok-bi, my cheeks tingled. Holding my hand tightly, Danmok-bi said.

“It seems like the first time I’ve seen you whistle.”

“Oh, was it?”

I couldn’t remember if I had whistled before. Feeling embarrassed, I scratched my cheek, and Danmok-bi asked with an affectionate tone.

“What song is that?”

“Um, I just whistled, so I’m not sure.”

It was a lie. In fact, I was singing a song I knew before entering this world.

‘But I can’t tell the truth.’

Come to think of it, there was no need to listen to songs in this world. While playing the flute was practically essential for the Gyubang women, being a Muja child and finding the sound irritating, I didn’t learn it.

Danmok-bi tidied up my hair tousled by the wind and said.

“You seem to be in a good mood, and I like it too.”

It seemed my cheerful mood had inadvertently surfaced. Shyly, I replied.

“I don’t often come out to the streets. I guess I feel excited because it’s different from the last time I came out.”

“Even though you’ve been living here for several years?”

“Yes.”

Sweat seemed to be gathering in the palm of the hand holding Danmok-bi’s hand. I thought my face was getting hot and shrugged my shoulders.

“…Because without you, it wasn’t enjoyable for me to go out.”