Melting Slow

The name Yoo Hwan always came out of Kim Seung-jae’s mouth with a negative connotation. 

Arrogant guy.  

Cocky bastard.  

A bastard who thinks he’s above.

Kim Seung-jae himself always insisted that he didn’t care about someone like Yoo-Hwan, but the fact that he constantly brought him up made it obvious that he was very conscious of him. 

This was despite the fact that Yoo Hwan’s current position was weaker than his own. 

Recently, there had been widespread rumors that the chairman had distanced himself from his grandson Yoo Hwan. The proof, it seemed, was that Yoo-Hwan was still stuck in the R&D department while only Kim Seung-jae was being promoted to an executive position at Holdings.

“If you can, try not to get involved with Yoo-Hwan personally. You’ve heard the rumors about his womanizing, haven’t you?”

“Yes, I know.”

Yeo-min nodded and got into Kim Seung-jae’s car. Then she quietly recalled the kindness Yoo-Hwan had shown her just moments ago.

‘”Be careful.’

A soft, resonant voice. And…

‘Be careful, Yeomin. You’ll fall if you keep doing that.’

A boy’s voice she had heard sometime in her childhood. Lighter than it was now, but still deep and calm for a thirteen-year-old Yoo-Hwan.

‘We used to play together all the time… but now…’

Back then, Yoo Hwan—no, Hwan oppa—had been her entire world. She had always thought he would be there, always by her side, holding her like that.

But now, the man she met after all those years was nothing more and nothing less than a coworker. Team Leader and Assistant Manager. A very clear and unambiguous superior-subordinate relationship.

Sometimes, that distance felt so vast. Almost as if those childhood memories were just a dream.

If, when they first reunited, he had said, ‘You’ve grown well’ and patted her head like he used to, she might have asked him why he had disappeared so suddenly.

Nine-year-old Chae Yeo-Min and thirteen-year-old Yoo Hwan.

Recalling those days anew, Yeo-min leaned her forehead against the car window. She slowly savored the memories that seemed to mean so little to Yoo-Hwan but were precious to her.

***

The colors of the season were changing.  

The streets that had been full of lush greenery were now tinged with crimson hues. 

Autumn leaves fluttered down onto the streets visible through the building’s windows.

After a hectic day at the office, Yeo-min hurriedly changed her shoes. Kim Seung-jae was waiting for her in the underground parking lot.

‘Let’s go.’

She rushed down to the fourth basement level as fast as she could. She saw his car. 

Kim Seung-jae, sitting in the driver’s seat, seemed to be exchanging messages with someone.

Knock, knock, knock.

Yeo-min tapped on the car window to let him know she had arrived. Kim Seung-jae naturally turned off his phone screen and opened the door.

“When did you get here?”

“Just now. Did you wait long?”

“No, I just got here too.”

The car, which had already been switched on, pulled out of the car park. Yeo-min leaned back in the seat. Beyond the car window, she could see the building’s glass windows glowing in the setting sun.

The car soon passed the building and merged onto a familiar road.

Rubbing her tired eyes, Yeo-min absentmindedly checked her phone as a sudden vibration startled her.

She then muttered in surprise.

“Chae-Nari?”

The caller was someone she hadn’t expected at all.

Kim Seung-jae, who was driving, glanced sideways at Yeo-Min with a strange  expression.

Yeo-Min, unaware of his gaze, answered the call in a daze.

“Hello?”

– Hey, it’s me, unnie. What are you doing?

It was so quiet that Chae-Nari’s voice came through clearly on the other side even though she hadn’t put it on speaker.

Her voice sounded unusually affectionate compared to her usual tone.

“I’m on my way home from work. Why?”

– I see. You must be tired, unnie. You’re always working so hard… Has it been tough?

Yeo-min frowned, a feeling of unease settling in. This was strange. Chae-Nari wasn’t usually one to greet so kindly…

“Is something going on?”

– Huh? No, nothing. I just wanted to hear your voice, unnie.

“…Really?”

– Have you had dinner? 

“Not yet.”

– I see. Make sure to eat something good, unnie! Oh, and are you free this weekend by any chance? I’d like to have a meal with you, it’s been a while.

Yeo-min lowered her phone from her cheek and checked the screen. Chae Nari. The name on display was certainly the one she knew.

‘I’d like to have a meal with you, it’s been a while.’

She wants to have a meal together?

Yeo-min took a deep breath. It felt suffocating.

Hearing that from Chae Nari, Yeo-min was reminded of the voice she’d heard when she was nine.

‘I don’t want to eat with Chae Yeo-min! Can’t we just tell her to leave? She’s not even part of our family, so why does she have to live with us? I hate living with her; it makes me so uncomfortable!’

The voice that had completely cut off Chae Yeo-min, who had already been pushed to the edge. 

Their father and stepmother, who had given in to Chae Nari’s whining, had pushed Yeo-min out of the family circle with apologies and excuses, making her feel like an outsider.

Lost in those memories, the voice of the real Chae-Nari came through the phone once again.

– Unnie, you like salmon steak, right? I found a good restaurant. Should we go there?

“This week is tough. I already have plans.”

– I see… What about next week? Let’s have a family reunion!

“I’ve been busy with work lately, so it might be hard then too. Sorry.”

– …No, I’m the one who’s sorry. I know you’re busy…

“Yeah.”

– Have a good weekend, unnie. Please let me know if you ever have time.

Chae-Nari’s voice sounded frail and defeated over the phone. She repeated several times, in an unusually whining manner, that she wanted to see her sister. Then, in a playful tone, she said she didn’t want to bother her anymore and ended the call.

Yeo-min held her phone, lost in thought after the call ended.

Why is she acting like this.

What is she thinking. 

Although she didn’t know the reason, Yeo-min was certain there was a hidden motive behind Chae-Nari’s actions.

While Yeomin was contemplating Chaenari’s intentions, Kim Seung-jae, who had been listening in on the call, interrupted.

“Yeo-min, your sister called because she wants to see you, don’t you think your reaction is too cold?”

“…Huh?” Yeomin responded belatedly. 

She was caught off guard, not expecting to hear that.

“I used to think your family was the bad one, just from your perspective, but watching you, I think there’s a problem with your attitude too.”

“……”

Yeo-min didn’t know how to respond. As she fumbled for a reply, she missed the timing. A heavy silence filled the car.

Kim Seung-jae pulled the car over to the side of the road, then spoke with a troubled expression.

“I’m saying you might bear some responsibility for deteriorating your relationship.”

“…Responsibility?”

“Everyone does things they don’t want to do sometimes. So if you can’t be the one to reach out to your sister first, at least don’t reject her when she does. We’re supposed to be mature adults”

“……”

Yeo-min bit her lower lip, her face pale. 

His tone was painfully gentle, almost as if he were scolding a child, which only made her heart ache more.

Yeo-min had never, not even once, poured out her frustrations about her family to Kim Seung-jae or anyone else for that matter. She had always thought it would be exposing her own shame and spit in my face. 

But perhaps that attitude was wrong. To someone who doesn’t know anything about her, Chae Yeo-min probably just seemed rigid and cold.

“You know, Seung-jae, that me and my sister don’t get along very well. It’s been that way since we were kids, and it’s still the same now. That’s why… the call earlier—”

Yeo-min stopped herself there, biting her lip hard. She tried her best to keep her voice steady, but her nose kept stinging, making it difficult.

Yeo-min didn’t know where to begin.

The way Chae-Nari had bullied and ignored her since childhood? 

Or how, during their school years, she had framed her and spread malicious rumors?

“I thought you knew what the atmosphere was like in my family, Seung-jae. You’ve always seen what kind of existence I have in that household.”

Though she never explained it in words, she had thought that someone who had watched closely would understand.

But then.

Yeo-min swallowed the lump of sorrow that had risen in her throat. She couldn’t help but feel a bit resentful toward him.

“I know. I do know, Yeo-min. I know you haven’t been able to get close to your family.”

“Then how can you say that?”

“I said it because I want you to overcome the pain and move forward. I want your relationships to mature.”

“……”

“We’re about to get married, so we’ll have to introduce ourselves to our families soon. When that happens, you’ll face them, and it’d be better if we could do that with a smile, right? You know what I mean, don’t you?”

Yeo-min stared at him quietly.

His face, gentle and apologetic, looked as though he was trying to justify himself.

“I’m just thinking of you, so don’t feel bad. You know I love you a lot.”

“…Right.”

With a blank expression, Yeo-min nodded habitually.

Don’t feel bad.

But this emotion she was feeling was far too deep and overwhelming to simply be called ‘hurt’” yet she couldn’t react in any other way.

Kim Seung-jae knew nothing.

It seemed like he had somewhat grasped the atmosphere in her family, but he didn’t know the details of her past.

It might be selfish greed to want him to know the truth without telling him. 

Yeo-min rested her head against the car window, trying to steady her confused thoughts.

Sooner or later, She would have to say everything she hadn’t been able to say today.

It would be a long story… but she felt she should finally open up to him about her past and her weaknesses, all the things she hadn’t been able to share until now.

After all, Kim Seung-jae was the only relief she had in this harsh life.

***

It was an ordinary day.

After a hectic rush of work, Yeo-min had finally finished late and was about to head home.

As she passed through the lobby on the first floor and was about to step outside, her phone rang.

It was Kim Seung-jae.

Yeo-min answered the call with a happy expression.

“Yes, Seung-jae.”

– Have you finished work?

“I’m on my way out. Just finished.”

– It’s late, but do you have a minute? I need to talk to you.

Yeo-min looked at the clock hanging in the lobby. Nine o’clock. It was late, but not so late that she couldn’t make time for her boyfriend.

“Okay, sure.”

Nodding easily, Yeo-min sat down on a lobby chair, massaging her aching legs, while she waited for Kim Seung-jae, who said he’d come pick her up.

Recently, Kim Seung-jae had been appointed as a director at Taeju Holdings.

This had kept him very busy, and he and Yeo-min had only been able to go on surprise dates like the one they were having now.

While waiting for Kim Seung-jae, Yeo-min took the opportunity to check her email on her phone.

A new work email had arrived, one that hadn’t been there before she left work.

By the time she had almost finished reading it with her tired eyes, an all-too-familiar car pulled up in front of the lobby.

Yeo-min walked up to the luxury sedan with a smile on her face. 

“You’re here? You must be tired. What’s going on so late?” 

Yeo-min greeted warmly as she climbed into the passenger seat.

However, Kim Seung-jae only gave a faint smile and nodded.

Is something wrong?

Yeo-min tilted her head in curiosity but soon decided to set aside her doubts.

He had just been promoted to an executive role, so there were bound to be plenty of things wearing him out.

She didn’t want to burden him further by chatting about trivial things.

A little while later, they arrived at a quiet hotel lounge in the late hours.

Kim Seung-jae sat silently, throwing out only the words ‘I have something to tell you’ then remaining quiet.

What could it be.

Yeo-min couldn’t bring herself to ask first.

A chill of unease crept down her neck, though she didn’t know why.

Eventually, Kim Seung-jae placed something on the table.

Slowly, Yeo-min shifted her gaze and stared at the envelope.

As she was about to ask what it was, Kim Seung-jae spoke first.

“Yeo-min, I’m getting married.”

The hotel lounge was utterly silent, making his heavy words resonate even more clearly in her ears.

“……”

Yeo-min responded with silence.

Her head felt dizzy.

She realized for the first time that when confusion becomes too overwhelming, your thoughts can stop entirely before the shock fully registers.

His voice had been too serious to brush off as a joke, and the words were too vivid to be mere hallucinations.

Marriage. 

Getting married.

That was supposed to be a word exchanged between her and the man sitting across from her.

But the problem now was that his fiancée was not her.

“I know it’s hard to accept. But it wasn’t an easy decision for me either.”

“I understand. You don’t need to explain any further.”

Yeo-min slowly set down her teacup.

She hoped her voice wouldn’t tremble, and fortunately, the words that came out sounded quite composed.

She’d rather die than show herself breaking down in front of her boyfriend—no, ex-boyfriend—who could speak of betrayal so casually.

Would crying and pleading here will make a difference. 

Would expressing her grief change the situation.

He had already made up his mind, and was merely informing her of his change of heart. She would only end up feeling pathetic.

“Who is she?”

Kim Seung-jae didn’t answer. He only maintained a heavy silence.

She picked up the invitation on the table.

Hoping her hands wouldn’t tremble, she carefully opened the folded card.

“……”

In that moment, Yeo-min’s gaze wavered dramatically.

Chae Nari.

She checked, and then checked again, the three characters written at the bottom.

Then she closed her eyes tightly.

Otherwise, the turbulent emotions in her eyes would be revealed completely.

Chae Nari.

It was Chae Nari.

No, it couldn’t be.

It must be someone with the same name.

Someone who was closer to me than anyone else.

Someone who knew my wounds—how could they…

It just couldn’t be.

But when she looked up, trembling, Kim Seung-jae turned his head away with a low sigh.

Seeing that reaction, Yeo-min knew.

Her suspicion had turned into certainty.

In silence, Yeo-min stood up from her seat.

She left the lounge, almost fleeing from reality.

Across from her, Kim Seung-jae also stood up and followed her.

“Yeo-min.”

“Let go! Let go of me!”

Yeo-min pulled away from his grasp and ran.

She rushed into the restroom, collapsing as if she were falling apart.

Left alone in the space, she crumbled like dust.

Even her last shred of reason was slowly breaking down.

‘Yeo-min, I’m getting married.’

Hot breath escaped through her hands that covered her face.

Yeo-min clenched her teeth, forcefully holding back her tears.

Kim Seung-jae, how could you.

How could it be my sister of all people.