Chapter 5

　　He hadn’t felt anything romantic for her at first, despite her confession. He’d known her for a long time and was as comfortable with her as he would be with a little sister.

　　But watching her try so hard, completely undeterred by his indifference, had sparked a small curiosity. What is it about me that makes her like me so much? Why is she trying so hard? At some point, that curiosity and sympathy had blossomed into genuine interest. He smiled, stroking her teary cheek.

　　“I’ve grown to like you, too.”

　　Yura blinked, her face welling with emotion. She never imagined that her efforts, waiting for him to get off work on weekdays, contacting him every weekend, had actually worked. She squeezed his hand and asked again, “Really? Is it really true?”

　　“How many times are you going to ask? I told you, yes.”

　　Only then did his confession feel real. He felt the same way. Tears brimming, Yura threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

　　“Thank you. Thank you so, so much.”

　　There was nothing else to say. Her face now a mess of tears, she sniffled.

　　“I’ll be so good to you. I’ll make sure you never regret this.”

　　“You don’t have to do anything,” he said, pulling her head to his chest and holding her close. “Just stay by my side, exactly as you are now.”

　　Yura smiled into his embrace. The day she first started liking him, she had made a wish: Please, let this love have a happy ending.

　　It seemed that wish had finally come true. Hugging him with one arm, she wiped the tears from her eyes. The wind was chilly, but his embrace was the warmest place in the world.

* * *

　　Dry leaves rustled across the sidewalk. Seated in the back of the sedan, Jihun watched the autumn scenery blur past the window and picked up his phone. A couple strolling among the vibrant trees brought Saebom to mind, sick at home. He pressed the call button and waited.

　　—“It’s me. I was just thinking of you and wanted to check in. How are you feeling?”

　　No sooner had he asked than a series of coughs came through the speaker.

　　—“I’m okay. Just a bit of a headache. I’m feeling much better than before.”

　　—“Shouldn’t you go to the hospital? I don’t think resting at home is enough.”

　　—“Well, it’s the weekend, so the nearby clinics are probably closed. I’ll just rest today and go tomorrow.”

　　Still, he was worried. He wanted to be by her side, and he cursed the timing of his schedule. He sighed, looking disapprovingly at the traffic that was beginning to snarl.

　　—“I’m sorry. I should be there with you on a day like this.”

　　—“A party is no place for someone who’s sick. You just rest up at home. Don’t worry about a thing.”

　　Even though he’d told her it was fine, Saebom still seemed to feel bad about missing the company’s anniversary party. Jihun soothed her and changed the subject.

　　—“By the way, is there anything you’re craving? Just say the word. I’ll pick it up on my way back.”

　　—“Something I’m craving? My stomach’s upset, so not really.”

　　—“You have to eat something. If you don’t have an appetite, should I get you some porridge?”

　　—“I’m fine for a meal. But on your way back, could you buy some fruit? Like oranges or tangerines.”

　　—“Alright. I’ll pick some up.”

　　After hanging up, Jihun gazed out the window again. He wished he could ditch the anniversary party and go straight to her, and the fact that he couldn’t was frustrating. I’m so worried…

　　He clenched his empty fist, swallowing his frustration.

　　As befitted a corporate anniversary gala, the banquet hall was teeming with people. Wine glass in hand, Jihun made small talk with the executives while scanning the room. Not far away, he saw his parents, who had arrived earlier, chatting with executives from an affiliate company.

　　Jihun excused himself and nodded a greeting to his mother as she approached.

　　“How is Saebom?” Hwayeong asked immediately.

　　“She says she is, but her voice sounded weak.”

　　“What’s wrong with her? A cold?”

　　“I’m not sure. She has a slight fever and feels bloated, like her stomach is upset.” Jihun ran a hand through his hair and shrugged. She’d told him she gets sick like this whenever the seasons change, but he didn’t know the exact reason.

　　Just then, Hwayeong, who had been listening, suddenly brightened. “Could it be? Is Saebom pregnant?”

　　Pregnant? Jihun’s eyes widened, the thought having never once crossed his mind. As he stood there, speechless, Hwayeong covered her mouth with her hands and bounced on the balls of her feet.

　　“Those are the first signs of pregnancy! A little fever, a strange feeling in your stomach!”

　　“But…”

　　Flustered, Jihun wiped his mouth with a dry hand. With the topic suddenly jumping to pregnancy, he was at a loss. Seeing him struggle for words, Hwayeong pressed him urgently.

　　“Did she say anything else? About how she’s feeling?”

　　“Huh?” Jihun scratched his brow, recalling their conversation. “Well, now that you mention it, she did ask me to bring home some tangerines.”

　　“See! When you’re pregnant, you lose your appetite and crave sweet and sour things! I was the exact same way when I was pregnant with you, Jihun!” Hwayeong exclaimed, patting her chest dramatically. It was just a wild guess, but she was already utterly convinced.

　　Jihun swallowed his bewilderment, watching his mother, who was too overcome with emotion to speak. He never knew what to do with her when she got like this, always ten steps ahead.

　　“No wonder! I had the strangest dream a few days ago, and I thought it was so odd. You know I don’t usually dream, Jihun!” Hwayeong couldn’t hide her joy as she recounted seeing a mystical white deer running through a field of flowers in full bloom.

　　A deer? Jihun tilted his head, listening intently. Now that she mentioned it, the dream did sound like a taemong—a conception dream. No way…

　　He met his mother’s eyes, then quickly waved his hand dismissively. “Still, don’t get your hopes up. Saebom hasn’t even been to the hospital, so we don’t know anything for sure.”

　　“What are you talking about? I have a mother’s intuition! This is definitely a pregnancy.” Hwayeong clapped her hands, her declaration final. It was clear that no matter what he said, she wouldn’t be swayed.

　　This is maddening. Jihun pressed a hand to his forehead.

* * *

　　“Is she really pregnant…?”

　　In the car on the way home, Jihun murmured to himself, gazing into the darkness. At first, the idea had seemed ridiculous, but he was a complete novice on the subject. He started to think his mother’s intuition might have some merit. And with the story of the conception dream, he couldn’t just dismiss it.

　　Besides, the possibility wasn’t zero. They’d used protection most of the time, but there had been a few recent exceptions. And protection wasn’t a hundred percent effective.

　　“Hmm…”

　　He had always thought having a child was something for the distant future. The idea that it might be just around the corner felt strange. Unfamiliar and new, like standing on the threshold of a completely different world.

　　With that thought, Jihun clutched the plastic bag of oranges and tangerines and punched in the door code. He was met by a dark living room. The apartment was silent, as if no one was home. He carefully took off his shoes, loosening his tie as he headed for the bedroom.

　　“Is she asleep…?”

　　Worried he might wake her, he moved as stealthily as a cat. But his efforts were in vain; Saebom, a light sleeper, rustled and sat up.

　　“You’re home?” she murmured, rubbing her eyes. The sight of her was impossibly lovely.

　　Jihun brushed her messy hair from her face and placed a peck on her forehead. “You don’t have to get up. Go back to sleep.”

　　“But you must be tired from work.”

　　“Not at all. More importantly, how are you feeling?” Jihun’s gaze drifted to her flat stomach. He’d told himself it couldn’t be true, but a sliver of hope had taken root. Unaware of his thoughts, Saebom only muddled them further with a gentle smile.

　　“Much better.”

　　“That’s a relief. Still, you should go to the hospital tomorrow. I’ll call a doctor and make an appointment.”

　　“Okay, thank you.”

　　Jihun tucked her back in, pulled the cozy blanket over her, and headed to the dressing room. As he took off his shirt, his mother’s confident voice echoed in his mind. “This is definitely a pregnancy.”

　　“What’s wrong with me…?” He wasn’t usually so easily swayed, but today was different. Hwayeong’s words were a relentless echo. He turned on the bathroom light, splashed his face with water, and let out a long sigh.

* * *

　　The next afternoon, Jihun still couldn’t shake the thought. Pregnant, pregnant… Sitting at his office desk, he twirled a fountain pen and gently bit his lower lip.

　　“If she really is pregnant…”

　　Indulging the useless hypothetical, he picked up his phone. She’d taken a half day for her hospital visit, so the results were likely in. Ahem. Swallowing against a sudden wave of anticipation, he pressed the call button.

　　—“Hey, it’s me. Did everything go okay at the hospital?”

　　—“I’m actually still here. Just finished my appointment and I’m on my way out.” Saebom’s voice was bright and cheerful. Did she have good news?

　　His own heart began to pound. Hiding his anxiety, he asked, “Oh? So… what did the doctor say?”

　　Jihun quietly clenched and unclenched his fist. The wait for her answer felt like an eternity. Finally, a small laugh came through the speaker.

　　—“Yep, it was just as I suspected.”