Marriage

by Han Yong-un · 2026-03-20

Sun-young had someone unforgettable in her life. That person was the one who saved her when she fell into the water in Wonsan. She could never forget that if it hadn't been for that person, she would have become a ghost in the water forever. Every time a painful moment came, she sometimes thought it would have been better if that person had never saved her, but that was just a temporary feeling. Even if she had died back then, her situation might have been better, but she could never forget the grace that person had shown by saving her.

Even though she had never forgotten that person's kindness at the time, as she grew older and matured, the person's heroism and courageous demeanor resonated with her even more. Thus, she developed a longing for that person in a way she couldn't quite explain. As Sun-young gradually began to understand people's hearts, she started to feel emotions towards the opposite sex, and the more she felt that way, the more she thought about that person.

While working at a bar, she had been tempted and threatened by several men and had faced crises regarding her chastity more than once. Nevertheless, the reason she was able to protect herself and maintain her modesty was that she wanted to keep her body clean, dreaming of the day she could meet that person again. If she were to meet that person again, it stemmed from a deep desire to repay that grace with her entire being.

However, at that time, she only remembered that person's face, and she had no other information about him. She didn't know his address or name, so there was no way to find him. Even if she were to meet him, she wondered if he would accept her feelings, which led to many days of unnecessary worry. So, she decided to leave everything about that person to fate, but she was always waiting for an unexpected stroke of luck.

That day, while watching men and women playing in the water at the beach, she naturally thought of that person. She imagined what it would be like if she were to marry him, living happily and enjoying the beach together like those people. In the midst of this, her heart wavered at the news that Jung-soon was engaged. When she heard that the fiancé was from Wonsan, that person's thoughts suddenly came to her mind. Since the place she had fallen into was Wonsan, just hearing the name Wonsan reminded her of that person. Listening to Jung-soon, she was surprised by the wild thought that perhaps that person was engaged to Jung-soon.

On the way to the beach with Jung-soon, she felt anxious about what kind of person he might be. She wanted to go but was also filled with fear. If Jung-soon's fiancé was the person she had been waiting for, she wanted to meet him at least once, but at the same time, she hoped he wasn't. As she carefully observed the person Jung-soon was pointing at, she suddenly saw him looking for someone among the other people. Then, when she heard that the shorter man among the two Jung-soon was pointing at was that person, she felt relieved.

First of all, the person she had been waiting for was neither that short nor did he look similar at all. However, strangely, Sun-young's gaze couldn't leave the other person standing next to him. She almost tripped over a stone, and without realizing her skirt was caught on a branch, she hurriedly approached until she was close enough to clearly see the person's face, and she was startled without knowing why.

"Why are you so surprised?" Jung-soon asked, looking at Sun-young with surprise.

"..... It's nothing, I just felt that way." Sun-young replied hesitantly, but she didn't realize that sweat was already flowing down her forehead.

"You really look surprised. You're sweating all over your forehead. I just saw a snake, why are you so surprised? I was just surprised." Jung-soon said while looking at Sun-young's forehead.

"I didn't see a snake, but I thought I saw something wriggling in the water and thought it was a snake." Sun-young made an excuse in response to Jung-soon's words. Then she looked at that person again and asked.

"But who is that person over there?"

Sun-young asked, trying to sound calm, but her voice trembled slightly.

"That person also lives near Wonsan, and they are swimming buddies. He is said to be a good swimmer. He has saved people from drowning several times."

"By any chance, what is his name?" Sun-young's heart raced even more.

"His name is Kim Dae-cheol, but what good does it do to know someone else's name?" Jung-soon replied as she turned her body.

"No, he is said to be a good swimmer who has saved many people from drowning." Sun-young's heart fluttered.

"Yeah, that's not easy either. The person I'm engaged to is also like that. It would be nice if he is a good swimmer." Jung-soon said, urging Sun-young.

"Let's hurry up and go."

"I'm not going." Sun-young said, stepping on the water and lowering her head.

"Why are you saying you're not going again? We came all the way here." Jung-soon asked.

"What am I supposed to do in front of strange men? It's embarrassing."

"Embarrassed? What are you embarrassed about? If you're so embarrassed by men, how can you sell alcohol?" Jung-soon's words pricked Sun-young's heart.

"I have to sell alcohol, but does the person selling alcohol not know what embarrassment is?" Sun-young's face turned red, and she became a bit sulky.

"That's not something to say. What is there to be embarrassed about when meeting many people?" Jung-soon said, giving Sun-young a light push on the shoulder and pulling her along.