My Unrequited Love Is an Absolute Secret - Chapter 119

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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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Side Story Episode 14

Jessie left the ceremony midway through and moved to the Reception Venue.
When the officiant asked if anyone objected to the marriage, he’d nearly stepped forward himself.
‘I can’t cause Lili any more trouble.’
Jessie sighed, recalling events from years past.
The incident had begun like this.
Harry announced the news on social media the day Aemerus proposed to her.
At first, the responses were mostly congratulatory.
That is, until a high school classmate appeared claiming Harry had cheated on Jessie with Aemerus.
“The rumors aren’t true.”
Upon hearing the news of their marriage, Jessie—who had been frequenting Harry’s social media like a clingy ex-boyfriend—swiftly jumped to her defense.
“Lili has been my most precious friend since childhood until now.
I have no idea why Tyler would spread such lies.
We weren’t even close in high school.”
Though they’d been on the same Hockey Team and had hung around together a few times, Jessie had deliberately pretended not to know him to get under his skin.
The strategy worked perfectly.
Tyler, furious, shifted his attacks from Harry to Jessie instead.
He hurled insults about how annoying Jessie had been since high school, calling him a deadbeat and worse.
Eventually, Jessie’s fans bombarded Tyler’s comments so relentlessly that he made his account private.
In the end, he got absolutely roasted by Jessie’s fans in the comments and made his account private.

“I’m sorry for causing you trouble because of me.”

Harry seemed oblivious to what had happened on social media.
Harry seemed to have no idea what was actually happening on social media.

“Sorry. I actually couldn’t see my phone, so I don’t understand what situation you’re talking about. I was with Aemerus the whole time.”

At any rate, it was fortunate that Harry hadn’t seen the comments overflowing with profanity.
Since there was nothing good for her to gain from learning the details, I simply explained it as a minor misunderstanding among people that had been resolved smoothly and left it at that.
While he remained lost in thought, guests began appearing one by one.
The wedding seemed to have concluded without incident.
‘Lili really was beautiful today.’
I was lost in a wistful reverie, recalling the image of her walking while holding Aemerus’s hand.
“Excuse me.”
Someone approached Jessie’s side and called to him carefully.
“You look like someone I know. You’re the person from ‘Quarterback Taming,’ aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am.”
The teen drama ‘Quarterback Taming’ that Jessie had starred in was nothing short of a massive hit.
In the midst of a global shortage of handsome men, Jessie had appeared like a prince freshly emerged from a fairy tale.
The response was nothing short of fervent.
“My goodness, I’m such a fan of that drama! I never expected to see you here!”
“Thank you.”
“A psychopathic quarterback—you were truly sexy. But you really did love Vivian, didn’t you?”
As the excited fan’s voice grew louder, the glances directed at him from those around increased.
“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, could you take a photo with me?”
Jessie declined with a smile.
“Today is a personal schedule for me.”
“Oh….”
“I’m sorry. Would a hug suffice instead?”
The fan covered her mouth with her hand.
“If I can hug you, what’s one photo….”
“Thank you for understanding.”
Jessie gave the fan a light embrace and released her.
“My goodness…. You smell wonderful too. You’re the best-smelling man I’ve ever met.”
Jessie thanked her with a smile and quietly moved to a corner.
Those who had belatedly recognized him, understanding his subtle expression of reluctance to converse, merely looked at him with longing but did not approach to speak.
‘I should have just gone home.’
I felt a slight regret that I should have returned home immediately after leaving the Church.
What would attending my first love’s wedding bring me but more wounds?
I couldn’t even understand why I had insisted on attending when Harry had said it was fine not to come if I was busy.
“I’ll have a drink.”
Jessie said to the bartender while reproaching himself internally.
“What would you like?”
“Anything strong.”
“I apologize, but among the beverages provided to guests today, there are none with high alcohol content.”
I had lost my first love forever, and now there wasn’t even alcohol.
Nothing was going the way I wanted.
Seeing his disappointment, the waiter offered a suggestion.
“We have spirits with lower alcohol content. Why don’t you try one?”
Jessie stared down at the cocktail the waiter handed him.
With its reddish hue, it resembled a fruit punch.
At first sip, a sharp tartness bloomed across his palate.
“It’s an unfamiliar flavor. What’s in it?”
“It’s made from a fruit that offers five distinct tastes. Fascinating, isn’t it? The bride’s father prepared it.”
Harry’s Father?
He was savoring another sip when applause erupted around him.
Turning, he glimpsed the groom and bride, now changed into fresh attire.
‘A hanbok?’
While Harry had worn a form-fitting mermaid gown for the ceremony, she now graced the reception in a traditional Korean hanbok.
A pristine white jeogori paired with a voluminous skirt in the softest blush pink.
Atop her elegantly pinned hair sat ornamental flowers crafted from white mother-of-pearl and coral, adorned with a traditional hairpin.
“You mentioned the bride is Korean, didn’t you?”
“The dress is certainly distinctive. And quite beautiful.”
While the guests marveled at Harry’s attire, Jessie’s gaze remained fixed solely on her face.
As Aemerus escorted her forward with each careful step, Harry’s expression radiated the joy and anticipation of a bride embarking on a new chapter.
“Oh.”
When Harry accidentally stepped on the hem of her skirt and stumbled, Jessie instinctively tensed.
But his intervention proved unnecessary.
“Are you alright?”
Aemerus had caught her immediately.
“Yes. Thank you.”
Harry gazed at Aemerus with a gentle smile.
He smiled back and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

‘Aemerus is always there for me.’

Only now did Jessie fully understand what Harry had once said through tears.
Even in the hours when he was absent, Aemerus would have been beside her, just as he was now.
He would have held her steady as she teetered on the edge of collapse.
So it was only natural that her heart leaned toward him.
“Now we’ll have the bride and groom’s first dance. Please give them a warm round of applause.”
Jessie had been staring blankly at the two of them when the emcee’s words snapped him back to attention.
Music filled the air as everyone clapped.
Harry and Aemerus held each other’s hands and waists, dancing in the center of the stage.
“Jessie, you made it?”
“Thank you so much for coming today.”
Harry’s Parents noticed him standing alone and approached to greet him.
“Of course. I had to be here. Where’s Robin?”
“Over there eating dessert. I have no idea why he’s complaining about being tired when he hasn’t done anything.”
Jessie chuckled at Harry’s Mother’s remark.
“I should go hang out with Robin. I was feeling a bit awkward standing alone, to be honest.”
“Sure. The desserts are delicious, so go grab some.”
“Drink in moderation. Though it really is delicious, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Whoever selected this liquor has excellent taste.”
Jessie offered Harry’s Father a bit of flattery before joining Robin at the round table where he sat alone.
“Hey, Robin.”
“Hey, Jessie.”
“You’ve got chocolate on your mouth.”
Jessie reached for a napkin to wipe it away, but Robin cleaned his mouth himself.
“…You’ve really grown up now.”
“Obviously.”
Robin scoffed and popped the rest of his éclair into his mouth.
“Here, try an éclair too.”
He placed one on Jessie’s plate and asked casually as he passed by.
“Lili looked beautiful today, didn’t she?”
Jessie let out a soft laugh.
“There hasn’t been a single day she wasn’t beautiful.”
“Do you regret it?”
Robin’s words knocked the breath from Jessie’s chest.
Regret?
It would be faster to ask if there was ever a day he didn’t regret it.
His silence was answer enough.
Robin shrugged.
“You’ll meet someone good too.”
“…Unbelievable. I never thought the day would come when I’d have this conversation with you. I can’t believe it.”
Jessie shook his head in disbelief and took a sip of his cocktail.
“What about you, Robin? Is there anyone you’re interested in?”
Robin scrunched the bridge of his nose.
In that small habit, I saw Harry’s face overlapping with his.
“There is one.”
“One is enough. Why would you need more?”
At Jessie’s teasing remark, Robin’s expression softened and he laughed.
“Have you asked her out on a date?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Just… she’s popular with the guys, and she’s white, you know.”
Someone like me wouldn’t stand a chance with her.
Jessie heard every word of Robin’s murmur.
“Look at me now, Robin.”
“…”
“If you keep acting like an idiot, you’ll end up like me—sitting alone at her wedding reception, pathetically sipping drinks.”
At his words, spoken as if he’d glimpsed the future itself, Robin’s expression grew serious.
He pushed all his remaining éclairs toward Jessie.
“You look like you need these more than I do.”
“What about you?”
“I’m going to ask her out on Monday. I need to take care of myself for that.”
“Right. Good thinking.”
Jessie took a bite of the éclair that had become his portion.
It was sweet enough to soothe his bitter heart.
“Thanks for the advice, Jessie.”
“Aren’t I the best?”
“Not really.”
“Are you serious right now?”
As Jessie bickered with Robin, I watched the newlyweds return from their dance.
In the tender gaze they shared, there was no room for doubt.
‘Maybe, like Robin said, I’ll meet someone wonderful someday too.’
But the fact that Harry was my dazzling first love would never change.
I quietly wished for her happiness.

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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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