Impossible Romance - Chapter 75

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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75.

The moment I stepped into the yard in front of Jun-hee’s Apartment, I spotted an unfamiliar suitcase placed in front of the entrance room. It was unmistakably Kwon Seok-ha’s. It seemed he had decided to spend his vacation on this island.
Jun-hee’s head snapped around to look at Kwon Seok-ha. He averted his gaze as though feigning indifference, staring out toward the distant sea.
“You can’t see anything in the dark, can you?”
Jun-hee spoke sharply, setting the container of side dishes she’d received from Grandmother Kim onto the veranda with a thud.
“I can see it just fine.”
Even as Kwon Seok-ha stared at the dark sea where nothing was visible no matter how hard he tried to look, he stubbornly insisted.
“Just eat on your own. Buy instant rice if you need to.”
Jun-hee didn’t bother responding to that.
“Won’t you eat with me? Grandmother said we should eat together.”
Kwon Seok-ha climbed onto the veranda and settled himself. As always, his natural charm had already earned him the friendliness of an island resident in less than a day.
“Why would I eat with you?”
Jun-hee spun around and headed into the kitchen.
Though the back of my head tingled, I didn’t turn around and quietly went about my tasks. Just as I always did after coming home from work, I pulled out the rice I’d frozen in the freezer and put it in the microwave.
The side dishes were nearly the same as always. Thanks to Grandmother Kim, there was never a shortage of kimchi and seasoned vegetables, along with a fried egg or two.
After that, I lit the gas stove and began brewing soybean paste stew. I wasn’t particularly skilled at cooking, but living here had made my hands naturally adept at it.
The soybean paste Grandmother had given me was so delicious that adding a bit of pumpkin, potato, and onion made it taste far better than most restaurants in Seoul. The ingredients that went into the broth were so authentic that it was impossible for it not to taste good.
While the stew simmered, I oiled a frying pan. I pulled an egg from the small refrigerator and cracked it onto the heated pan. The sizzling sound as the whites and yolk cooked was appetizing.
“Whether you’re hungry or not, what do I care.”
Jun-hee slightly furrowed her brow and pouted her lips. Though she’d resolved to ignore Kwon Seok-ha, all her attention was actually on him sitting out on the veranda.
“Why did you even come here in the first place?”
Muttering to herself with a frown, Jun-hee pulled out another egg from the refrigerator. She cracked it beside the frying egg that was already cooking.
Still feeling like something was missing, she eventually cracked a third egg. One fried egg would hardly be enough for that large frame of his.
I heated another portion of frozen rice and placed it on a tray, and by the time I’d arranged three fried eggs on a plate with the side dishes, the stew had finished cooking.
As I picked up the tray with a spoon and chopsticks, Kwon Seok-ha was suddenly standing at the kitchen entrance.
“Wow, when did you prepare all this? Three fried eggs just for me? This is VIP treatment.”
He spoke with shameless ease, took the tray, and headed out to the veranda. Jun-hee could only shake her head in exasperation, letting out a hollow laugh as she grabbed water and followed him.
“Only today. All the neighborhood stores are closed at this hour. Starting tomorrow, don’t count on it.”
Jun-hee climbed onto the veranda and sat across from Kwon Seok-ha. Lettuce from the vegetable garden had somehow made its way onto the table, freshly washed at the water tap in the yard.
“Wow, this really is delicious.”
Kwon Seok-ha tasted the soybean paste stew with his spoon and exclaimed in admiration. He was so focused on eating that he didn’t seem to hear a word Jun-hee had said.
Jun-hee glanced at him sideways for a moment, then eventually ate her meal alongside him. I usually ate dinner alone at this hour, but having someone right beside me wasn’t unpleasant. Or rather, since it was Kwon Seok-ha, I honestly liked it.
However, I couldn’t let that show, so I steeled my resolve even further.
“How long are you planning to stay here?”
“As long as you’re here.”
Kwon Seok-ha answered without a moment’s hesitation.
“What about the Company? The Executive Director wouldn’t approve of this.”
Jun-hee placed the fried egg on top of her rice and cracked the yolk. The perfectly cooked yolk flowed down over the hot rice like melted cheese.
“Then come along with me.”
Kwon Seok-ha retrieved his own fried egg and popped it into his mouth. The semi-cooked yolk rolled moistly across his tongue.
“I only said it because I’m worried about the Executive Director. What does it have to do with you? Do as you please.”
Jun-hee pouted but quietly returned to her meal. Regardless of what she said, Kwon Seok-ha wouldn’t be staying on this island for long anyway. She tried hard to convince herself to just endure it for now.
Like the sound of waves reaching even the yard, Jun-hee made constant effort to push away the surging emotions. So she didn’t lift her head once, but then she saw fresh lettuce wraps that Kwon Seok-ha had prepared right before her eyes.
“What is this?”
Only then did I lift my head to look at Kwon Seok-ha.
“A wrap.”
“So why are you giving this to me?”
“I’m grateful that you worried about me. My arm’s getting tired, so take it quickly.”
Kwon Seok-ha waved the wrap in front of Jun-hee.
Jun-hee made an awkward expression before finally accepting the wrap. The fresh lettuce with its savory miso paste was delicious despite its simplicity.
As her cheeks puffed out while she chewed, Kwon Seok-ha stared intently at Jun-hee.
“…Um, why?”
Jun-hee asked him while chewing, her mouth full of the wrap.
“Because you’re beautiful.”
“….”
Jun-hee’s eyes widened in surprise.
“My Jun-hee looks even more beautiful at night.”
“Don’t joke around.”
After swallowing the wrap, Jun-hee shot him a glare.
“It’s not a joke. You look prettier in the dark. I guess you’re quite attractive when you’re not hiding yourself.”
“What did you just say?”
Jun-hee unconsciously struck Kwon Seok-ha’s back as he sat right beside her.
“Hahaha.”
Despite Jun-hee hitting him, Kwon Seok-ha laughed heartily as though delighted. Eventually, Jun-hee’s laughter burst forth as well. For the first time—or rather, the very first time—laughter filled Jun-hee’s yard on this night.

***

Kwon Seok-ha lay in bed, sleep eluding him. The entrance room that Grandmother Kim had provided was as dilapidated as expected. Still, it was maintained cleanly enough that the bedding was comfortable.
But that wasn’t why sleep wouldn’t come. I had finally found Jun-hee, and the joy of it refused to settle.
And I was terrified that she might flee in the night, leaving me behind. Though it would be impossible with only two ferries departing daily, the anxiety still gnawed at me.
If I lost her again after coming all this way, Kwon Seok-ha might shatter completely. I had driven myself here with nothing but the determination to find Jun-hee.
And the moment I saw her, I felt liberated from all the pressure that had been crushing me—as though my days of skipping meals and drowning myself in alcohol belonged to someone else entirely.
Between the master bedroom where Jun-hee slept and this room lay the wooden veranda. I wanted nothing more than to sleep on the veranda in front of her room.
“Why not do exactly that?”
Kwon Seok-ha sprang from his bedding.
Once the decision was made, action followed swiftly. I gathered the bedding and stepped outside to make my way to the veranda in front of the master bedroom.
But Jun-hee was already there, sitting on the veranda with her legs dangling over the edge, swinging them gently while gazing into the distance.
The night was dark, yet the stars scattered across the sky shone with breathtaking beauty. And Jun-hee, bathed in their light, was more beloved than anyone in the world.
“What are you doing? Can’t sleep?”
“The moon is so bright. What about you, Executive Director?”
In truth, Jun-hee couldn’t sleep either. How could she, having just encountered the man she had loved for so long—the one she had tried so desperately to sever from her heart?
“I…”
Kwon Seok-ha walked toward her in long strides and sat down beside her, looking down at her face.
Jun-hee lifted her head to meet his gaze. Fresh apple blossoms lingered on her skin after her shower. Kwon Seok-ha brushed her hair back with his hand, tucking it behind her ear. Her small, delicate earlobe was perfectly round like a pearl.
“I came out because I wanted to see you.”
His deep voice rode the night breeze, burrowing into her ear.
The moment her chest tightened, he slowly lowered his head and captured her lips. Soft lips met hers, conveying warmth as they intertwined.
His large hand traced her slender back and pulled her close by the waist. Jun-hee leaned quietly against him, her lips meeting his.
‘Is this even allowed?’
Even as she rested in his embrace, her heart was consumed by conflict. Yet before the excuse of love, shame and reason could not raise their heads.
‘I love you. I do too.’
If only for this night, unseen by anyone.
Jun-hee whispered to herself and closed her eyes. The hands holding her deepened their embrace.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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