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"Gyeonu, training finished?"
"Yes. I'll be heading out now."
"The guys were all heading off to eat pork belly together, you're not going?"
"I have to go home."
"Oh, right. Don't say another word. I know- I know it all."
The coach, waving his hand as if to avoid hearing any more cheesy remarks, gave Gyeonu a push on the back. He had no intention of making a cold day feel even colder by digging into the obvious reason for heading home. Gyeonu didn't waste any time either and hurried his steps instead.
The moment he stepped out of the training center building, the cold air brushing against his cheeks snapped him awake. It's about thirty minutes from the training center to home, and since it's six o'clock, traffic will be a bit heavy... Wait. There was a welcome sight on one side of the sidewalk next to the parking lot. It was an opportunity too good to pass up no matter how much of a hurry he was in, so Gyeonu strode toward it.
Just like outside, the air inside the car was chilly. The welcome encounter had taken up more time than expected, so he felt he needed to hurry. As the engine started and warm air began to blow from beside the steering wheel, the prayer beads and small red paper hanging below the mirror swayed slightly. Things he had loathed to the point of trembling just a few years ago now all felt like pieces of someone. Setting aside the fact that he had come to believe after personally experiencing the invisible world.
"...Another traffic light."
Between the cars backed up due to rush hour and the red lights that seemed to change right in front of him every single time. The wheels turned slowly, in inverse proportion to his impatient mood. Tapping the steering wheel out of frustration, Gyeonu accepted the call before the ringtone could even sound once.
"Yeah, Seonga. Are you finished?"
[Just finished with the last customer! It was a student, and she was so cute. She asked me to check her love luck because there's someone she has a crush on. Ah, really cute. It reminded me of the old days.]
"Did it? Sounds like it was fun."
The smile that settled on his lips the moment the call began remained even as he sped through a green light. He was pleased by the way her excited voice poured out like a waterfall.
[Yeah, I gave her some encouragement for now. But then, guess what... she asked me if a 'Fairy' like me had ever even dated before. Isn't that funny?]
"That girl doesn't know what she's talking about. So? What did you say?"
[What else could I say? I told her I haven't just dated, I've even gotten married! Her eyes started sparkling so much when she heard that. So I just wrote her an amulet as a gift.]
It was a good thing he was on speakerphone; if he'd been any closer, the sound of his chuckle would have leaked through completely. As familiar signs began to appear one by one, he increased his speed while not forgetting to respond.
"Good job. But don't overdo it just because you're excited."
[Hey, what are you talking about? I'm the Fairy of Heaven and Earth, you know? I'm not that much of a weakling.]
"I understand, Fairy. I'm almost there."
[Oh, already? That shouldn’t—]
The call cut off with a blunt sound just as the tiled roof surrounded by bare branches came into view. What, did she put water on for ramen or something? Unless she wants to burn the kitchen down like last time, there's no way she'd do that... Frowning slightly, Gyeonu finished parking and threw the door open.
"Gyeonu!"
Before the car door could even close properly, his arms were full. It was instantaneous, but he didn't look surprised at all. The fluttering hem of a hanbok brushed against his fingertips.
"When did you come out?"
"As soon as I hung up. Was training good?"
"Of course. I'm a man who used to catch ghosts, you know."
"Geez. That's not cool, it's dangerous, okay?"
Seonga, who gave his chest a poke with a pouty face, suddenly looked puzzled. Wait, that felt really soft just now?
"Now that I look at it, you kind of look like it. Especially when you're pouting your lips like that."
"What are you—"
"You said you wanted to eat them."
Seonga's eyes widened as she saw the white bag emerging from inside his coat. Her reaction was as if she had just met her favorite celebrity.
"No way. Where did you buy these? I couldn't see a single stand near the shrine!"
"Near the training center. I rushed over to buy them before he closed up."
"Bae Gyeonu is the best."
"Is that it?"
The bag dangling in front of her was suddenly hoisted high up. It was at a height where reaching out her arms was useless. Seonga stood on her tiptoes before giving up and holding up both hands.
"...Bae Gyeonu is the absolute best?"
In contrast to her awkwardly raised thumbs, the bag continued to hover in the air. Only the corners of Gyeonu's mouth kept curling upward.
"Then I just won't eat th—"
His lips touched hers and pulled away briefly. It wasn't particularly surprising behavior, but Seonga had a dazed look on her face as if she'd been caught off guard. It took less than a few seconds for him to press his lips against her slightly parted ones a couple more times like a stamp. As if to prove he was an athlete, Gyeonu nimbly straightened his posture just before she could tell him to stop, and placed the bag into Seonga's hands, who was now tucked into his arms.
"You should at least do this much."
"...You've picked up some real smooth moves from Bongsu."
"You hate it?"
"I said I like it."
"Then—"
"Tsk. Bungeoppang comes first, okay?"
Seonga, who naturally pushed Gyeonu into the bathroom as they entered the house, pulled the door shut but then poked her head through the gap.
"Red bean?"
"You eat them all."
"Really? You said you're not eating?"
"Yeah, really."
Gyeonu let out a low laugh at the sight of Seonga already pulling out a bungeoppang the moment the door closed. Ah... maybe skipping dinner is fine? He barely managed to silence the inner voice that suddenly popped up and poured cold water over his head. It seemed he still had some patience left to forge.
***
"Whoa. I need to go grocery shopping tomorrow."
"I was actually thinking of stopping by on my way home tomorrow. Want to go together?"
"Yeah, the assistant said she has something to do tomorrow anyway. There are only a few people in the morning. How about you?"
"I only have morning training tomorrow too. It's a bit relaxed since field training is coming up soon."
Seonga, who was closing the empty refrigerator and picking up cutlery, froze. How could I forget this? Since he only went for a short time in the summer, this is the first time we'll be apart for several weeks since our wedding this fall.
"Oh, right. That's right. I see."
"Why, did you forget?"
"...A little?"
"I'm already dreading going, so that's disappointing. You didn't even think about it at all."
Gyeonu, who was neatly setting down the side dishes, narrowed his eyes playfully but soon softened his expression. He hadn't yet realized that no matter how much he frowned in front of Seonga, it wouldn't last more than five seconds.
"It's just... I can't imagine you not being here, that's all. It's not like 4 days and 3 nights, it's 3 weeks. Maybe I didn't want to believe it?"
To say such heavy words so calmly and then just beam... that's totally cheating. Gyeonu suddenly pulled Seonga, who was about to sit in her chair, toward him.
"...Maybe we could eat dinner a bit later?"
"I just set everything out. Aren't you hungry?"
"...... No, let's eat, yeah."
Ah, I'm not an animal... Should I increase my training hours? No, that won't do. Dozens of thoughts flashed through his mind in that short moment while sitting on the dining chair. Only when Seonga, who was looking at him curiously, waved her hand in front of his face did Gyeonu pick up his spoon.
***
Seonga only opened her eyes when the view beyond her eyelids became unbearably bright. The blankets and pajamas that must have been a mess last night were neat. Thanks to that, the empty space beside her was clearly revealed. Seonga blinked, trying to focus. As she took stumbling steps with her blurred vision, a familiar scent wafted in through the crack in the door.
"...Kimchi stew?"
"Wrong. Soybean paste stew. Are you up?"
"You should've woken me. Doing it all by yourself."
"Forget it. Hurry up and sit down."
Gyeonu, who was at the sink, set down a bowl of soup and pulled out a chair for her. His hand then gently brushed away the hair that was covering Seonga's eyes.
"Is it edible?"
"Totally. What will I eat to survive without you?"
"Tell me in advance what side dishes you want to eat, and I'll make them before I go."
The answer to her joking remark was incredibly sweet. It was even more so because of his matter-of-fact tone. Seonga nodded and then popped a piece of rolled omelet into Gyeonu's mouth.
"Talk after you've eaten. How can you not even take a single bite?"
"Just watching you eat makes me... okay. That was a bit much."
Gyeonu, who quickly retracted his line before Seonga's brow could furrow, moved his spoon. He was actually quite sincere. He had cooked occasionally since his grandmother was around, but he had only recently started to find it fun. Because the way she would stick out her thumb with her cheeks full no matter what he made was so lovely. He kept his mouth shut, fearing that if he said she looked like a squirrel, she wouldn't even let him hold her hand during the precious few days they had left.
"...Um, yeah. Write down everything you want to eat. Let's go to the grocery together later."
"Oh, right. Should I go? Isn't it tiring for you to go back and forth after training?"
"It doesn't take that long. It's not tiring."
"I was curious about the new training center..."
"...... Come carefully, I'll be waiting."
Seonga beamed at Gyeonu, who changed his mind instantly without her even adding anything. He wasn't going to stop her anyway.
"Yay. I really wanted to try showing up in front of the training center in a car like 'Ta-da!'. What should I wear? A leather jacket?"
"Ah, Seonga, that's a bit—"
Seonga and Gyeonu burst out laughing at the same time, thinking of someone who used to wear scraps of cloth that didn't even look like clothes. Only words like "no way," "right," and the like barely escaped between their laughter. At any rate, the leather jacket was rejected.
***
"Gyeonu, not leaving yet?"
"I'm going now."
"Hurry on out- A total celebrity has arrived out front, a celebrity."
"Pardon?"
A celebrity in front of the training center when it's not even the Olympic season? It was a puzzling statement, but it wasn't a major concern for him, so Gyeonu finished tidying his coat. Normally, he wouldn't have dressed up this much just to come to the training center... He didn't know what the excited Seonga had ended up wearing, but he'd feel bad if he was the only one looking scruffy. The metal locker, its interior covered in photos, closed with a click.
"I'll be going now."
"Yeah, yeah. Hurry up!"
He had no idea what that was about. He just hoped the front wasn't too crowded, he thought as he stepped out. Until he saw several juniors in uniform standing in front of a familiar light blue car.
"Wow, really? That's amazing... Gyeonu! You're here?"
"Oh, senior!"
"...Yeah."
"We were actually waiting—"
"Let's go, honey. The mart's going to close."
Gyeonu threw the car door open as soon as the juniors, who hadn't finished their sentences, moved aside. From behind the door that was shut firmly and quickly, Gyeonu waved his hand.
"What are you guys doing not leaving?"
"Yes, we'll be heading off now!"
Leaving behind the juniors who were bowing 90 degrees, a dazed Seonga started the engine. What did he just say? Did I hear wrong?
"...They didn't bother you, did they?"
"Uh, no. But what did you say earlier..."
"Ah, that... We're here."
It was almost frustrating how quickly they arrived at the grocery store. Breaking the brief silence, Gyeonu got out of the car. Seonga, who had been in a daze, finally snapped out of it when the door opened and the cold air touched her skin.
"What did you say you wanted to eat?"
"Me? Pasta and..."
"A newlywed couple? My, what a wonderful time."
When Gyeonu, who was pushing the cart, came to a dead stop, Seonga, who was walking beside him, stopped as well. The lady at the tasting corner continued her words unbothered.
"Young lady, try some of this tofu."
"Pardon? Ah, uh, yes."
While Seonga was munching on a piece of grilled tofu, two packs of tofu took their place in the empty cart. Gyeonu avoided her gaze as she looked up at him. A short cough followed.
"Ahem. It's because I like tofu, yes. My wife... likes it too."
"No, you—"
Gyeonu moved along with one hand lightly gripping Seonga's shoulder. It was a natural thing to say, but for some reason... the corners of his mouth kept turning up. Seonga, who had only been wide-eyed, finally spoke.
"You, what have you been doing since earlier?"
"What did I do?"
"No... 'honey', and that too."
"It's true. Honey."
His eyes, which had been looking far off, met hers squarely. His ears might have been a bit red, but his gaze was steady. Seonga blinked without realizing it.
"...You hate it?"
"No, it's not that."
"Then let's go buy pasta, honey."
"Hey...!"
***
[Seonga, are you okay alone?]
"Why wouldn't I be okay?"
[Still. We should’ve just hung out with you guys in Seoul, it's a shame...]
[Honey, what are you going to eat? Coconut?]
[Sorry. Jinwoong keeps calling me. Make sure to eat something delicious since it's Eve! See you new year.]
"Yeah, go on. See you then."
Ding, a short sound effect played and the screen went dark. A trip... sounds fun. The tree standing in the corner of the empty living room was twinkling. I remember being so excited when we decorated that together.
"...I miss you."
She felt herself repeatedly looking toward the entrance where no one was likely to be. Perhaps because only a few lamps were on, the outside of the window looked exceptionally bright. The sight of the white snow falling heavily was just like a movie... Snow?
Seonga, who grabbed the padded jacket she had roughly hung on the rack by the front door, hurriedly searched through the drawers. I must have put it somewhere. That thing I bought late last winter and couldn't even use before spring arrived.
"Here it is!"
As soon as Seonga came out with the yellow plastic object in her hand, thick snow settled on her hair. The yard, covered in a blanket of snow as if it had been falling for quite a while, was completely white.
"Bae Gyeonu, where are you going? Training's over."
"Home, sir. Because it's over."
"Hey, you... It's snowing all over the country right now, the roads are a mess. It'll take at least five hours to get there even if you leave now."
"It's a bit tight. I'll be going now."
Perhaps because the sun sets early in winter, the sky was already dark. Definitely before 12 o'clock... The road ahead was filled with car lights, but it was too early to give up.
"Seonga, I'm ho—"
The snow-covered yard greeted Gyeonu instead. Seeing the lights were off, she seemed to be already asleep. Gyeonu, who cautiously opened the bedroom door and walked in, sat lightly on the chair beside the bed. Looking at her hair scattered over the thick duvet, he felt the tension he'd been holding for hours suddenly melt away.
"Merry Christmas, Park Seonga."
He gently brushed away the hair that had fallen over Seonga's face. Her rhythmic breathing stopped for a moment.
"...You said I was your 'honey'."
Before Gyeonu could even give an answer, her upper body lunged forward. Warmth poured over his cold coat. She fit perfectly in his arms.
"Yes, honey. Merry Christmas."
Epilogue.
"So, you put this in the refrigerator?"
"Yeah. In case the snow melted before you came, just like last year."
"Ah, you really..."
"Hey, I can't breathe!"
"What's with the 'hey'?"
"...ney, I can't breathe."
"Ney? Who's that?"
"...Fine, honey!"