11-1

by Han Yong-un

Sun-young ultimately made a decision.

One hundred and fifty won was the money Dae-cheol needed.

She decided to provide that money herself.

She thought it wasn't just a simple money issue.

Perhaps—

it felt like a fateful connection that could bring her closer to Dae-cheol.

Even if the marriage did not happen, it was the same.

Once she learned that Dae-cheol was in such a difficult situation, it felt natural to offer some money that she could help with.

However, reality was a bit different from the future she had been dreaming of alone.

Sun-young had originally been thinking.

If she really ended up marrying Dae-cheol—

she couldn't continue living by serving drinks in someone else's house after getting married.

Yet, it was also impossible to leave freely without fulfilling the promised period while being in a situation where her body was sold.

In the end, she had to pay off the remaining period's price.

Three years' price was seven hundred won.

Calculating that, the remaining one year's worth was roughly around two hundred won.

With the money she had saved so far, it seemed barely possible.

So, Sun-young was dreaming in her heart.

To escape this life as soon as possible—

to live in a warm house with Dae-cheol.

But if she gave one hundred and fifty won to Dae-cheol—

she would be short on the money to pay off her price.

At the moment she realized that fact, Sun-young felt her eyes getting warm without even realizing it.

‘Is there still misfortune left in my fate…’

She quietly wiped her eyes.

But her mind was already made up.

The next day.

Sun-young planned to visit Dae-cheol directly whenever she had the chance.

At the same time—

she also had the hope that Dae-cheol might come to find her first.

In any case, they would meet again.

And at that time—

she decided not to bring up the marriage topic first from her side.

I have already revealed my feelings twice enough.

I didn't directly say, "I want to get married," but I expressed it enough for anyone to notice.

Yet, if Dae-cheol doesn't say anything—

It was something that could no longer be forced to hold on to.

However, one thing was already decided.

If Jeong-soon’s words are true—

Sun-young was willing to give Dae-cheol one hundred fifty won without any conditions.

She vowed in her heart again and again.

And one more thing.

If Jeong-soon’s words are true—

It meant that Dae-cheol also loved her.

As that thought crossed her mind, the anxiety that had been weighing down on her just moments ago gradually faded away.

Like a sweet dream.

The weather was cloudy the next day as well.

The rain from yesterday hadn't completely cleared, making the whole air damp.

As twilight descended, even though it should still be bright, darkness began to settle on the streets.

The streetlights were turned on earlier than usual.

Sun-young looked outside several times.

Wondering if Dae-cheol might come.

Then suddenly, her heart grew anxious.

‘Should I go find him…’

She eventually stepped out of the tavern and looked towards the direction of the inn where Dae-cheol was staying.

There were many people going, but hardly anyone was coming.

Sun-young sighed and turned her body away.

‘Should I change my clothes and go in person…’

Just as she thought that and was about to go back inside—

She turned back once more.

And stopped.

In the distance, she saw an umbrella.

A person carefully walking along the path where rainwater had pooled.

That figure was definitely—

Dae-cheol.

Sun-young's heart sank.

She instinctively ran out to meet him but—

Suddenly stopped in her tracks.

She felt embarrassed to greet him first for no reason.

Sun-young pretended nothing had happened and went into the room.

In that room, Mo-ran was sitting.

Sun-young quickly wanted to change her clothes.

But she deliberately pretended to be calm, fearing that Moran might think it was strange.

“Oh dear, maybe it's because of the rain that I feel so disheveled.”

She fiddled with the jeogori hanging on the wall and eventually opened the clothing box.

Then she took out her most cherished triangular-shaped green silk jeogori and put it on.

She was about to change into a skirt as well but felt embarrassed and only touched it.

At that moment, she heard San-wol's voice from outside.

“Sun-young, we have a guest.”

Sun-young pretended not to know and asked.

“What kind of guest?”

“The guest who came the other night.”

Sun-young turned away as if to hide her smile.

“Yeah... right.”

She slowly went outside.

And when she saw Dae-cheol, her face brightened.

“Teacher, you’ve come? I was just about to…”

Sun-young stopped her words.

Because the people around her were watching.

She quickly guided Dae-cheol to another room.

As soon as they entered the room, Sun-young smiled and said.

“I was planning to come visit you shortly, but you came here instead.”

However, Dae-cheol's expression was somewhat heavy.

“I wanted to thank you for your kindness the other day, and to greet you…”

He paused for a moment.

“I came because I have to leave soon.”