episode_0077

It could have been dismissed as a joke. However, the doctor kindly responded to Siwoo’s question.

“If the two of you truly are individuals with the same memories and experiences, breaking through a probability of one in several billion… I sincerely want to congratulate you. I envy you!”

Surprisingly, it began with a heartfelt congratulatory message.

The doctor mentioned the chameleon effect.

The theory was that people who exhibit similar behaviors, speech patterns, and habits quickly become familiar with each other and show a high level of affinity.

“Because you understand each other better, conflicts are minimized… and conversely, when you do something together, you feel the same joy, right? In a way, you’re the best couple candidates.”

“But Mr. Jung Siwoo’s case is a bit different. Because it’s the same personality.”

“So, even if it’s just the physical body that’s different, is it okay to love an existence that’s exactly like me? You might fall into a bit of a philosophical dilemma like this.”

Siwoo gained significant insight from this brief counseling session.

“The important thing is, the other person is probably having the same dilemma. If you start thinking ‘Is this okay…?’ and distance yourselves, the dilemma could prolong. But still, there was no certainty.”

If humans were creatures that easily changed their minds just by hearing someone’s story, the course of history over thousands of years would have flowed in a completely different direction.

Fortunately, the doctor was a convincing person.

“However, it’s better not to hesitate.”

Channeling Solomon, she came to an extraordinary conclusion.

“Do you feel like she’s the perfect partner?”

“…Yes.”

“Then don’t hesitate and express yourself actively. You’re still young, right? You might worry about being rejected, but you said it yourself, that you understand each other the best.”

She encouraged Siwoo with a thumbs up, instilling courage in him.

“If not now, then when will you meet such a perfect girlfriend?”

Isn’t that too hopeful?

Isn’t it necessary to discuss potential issues? Siwoo was about to ask when she continued.

“There could be various problems. But are you going to end it as soon as a problem arises? No, right. You should join forces to overcome the problems and move in a better direction! That’s what a possible couple does, right?”

A combination where conflicts are minimized. That’s Jung Siwoo and Min Chaewon.

There’s a saying that if a couple never fights while dating, one should actually doubt if they truly love each other.

People collide when they come together. They get heated, change, and grow.

But Siwoo and Chaewon, isn’t theirs a combination where such friction is very minimal?

“If you don’t have the confidence to overcome even a small conflict, maybe you shouldn’t start at all? Love is something that can be achieved only after overcoming various difficulties. It’s a much more challenging life achievement than professional success, some say.”

Instead of worrying about what might happen if they argue about something while dating and the relationship doesn’t recover, they should nurture each other.

Endure even when annoyed.

Understand, persuade, embrace.

Think optimistically and envision a future together. That’s the common sight of a married couple who started their relationship with love.

“Cheer up, Mr. Jung Siwoo. It’s very important to think positively. If you ever feel worried, feel free to drop by for a consultation. I’ll be happy to help.”

The doctor, making Siwoo, who doesn’t trust people easily, keep her business card in his wallet, concluded the counseling session excellently.

So, despite the awkwardness caused by the sudden confession, Siwoo went to find Chaewon without hesitation. The next day, when he heard she was feeling unwell, he didn’t hesitate.

He was determined to break through the thorns Chaewon had set up and reach her heart.

To convey his true feelings.

“The confession was just the other day. It’s okay if you don’t respond. Then I’ll just take it as a rejection. Nothing will change even if you reject me. We’ll just continue as we are now.”

There was no hesitation in Jung Siwoo’s charge.

There was no better time than now to conquer Min Chaewon.

“However, please accept it.”

Siwoo extended his arms from the posture of whispering to Chaewon with his chin resting on her shoulder, lightly embracing her body clad in only a nightgown.

Through the thin fabric, her softness was conveyed.

At the same time, Siwoo’s masculinity strongly asserted its presence. And it proved that the woman in his arms was undoubtedly his first love, Min Chaewon, despite her nonsense about being herself.

“Then, I will definitely treat you as my girlfriend, Min Chaewon. I will forcibly forget any facts that may hinder our relationship.”

Chaewon, looking flustered, pushed Siwoo away and slowly retreated into the bed.

She seemed quite startled.

Even though he clearly stated that he wouldn’t devour her, people still felt offended.

“I don’t like confusion. Don’t you agree?”

“We have a long way to go. There are many goals we need to achieve.”

“Let’s go.”

Having said all he needed to, Siwoo cleanly left the room, not wanting to burden Chaewon.

Therefore, he gave her time to think and left without her stopping him. She probably needed some time to think calmly.

“Oh, are you leaving?”

“Yes.”

“How is the young lady?”

“She seems to be feeling a bit better. But please take care of her until tomorrow, just in case.”

“Yes! Please be careful on your way back.”

The maid Kang Hwi, who introduced herself as the housekeeper, bid farewell to Siwoo with a bow.

Passing through the busy maids to conclude the day at the mansion, Siwoo arrived at the front door under the darkening sky.

A wolf-like dog suddenly rushed towards Siwoo, running energetically across the wide lawn under the darkening sky.

Although there was a leash around its neck, it was still an intimidating charge enough to startle anyone unfamiliar. It was a dog with the blood of a wolf flowing through its veins.

“You agreed to walk the dog, right? It would be good to bond with Strelka beforehand.”

Before starting his part-time job, it would be good to communicate with Strelka. Yesterday, Kang Hwi handed Siwoo a homemade jerky in a ziplock bag.

“Well, she’s a female, so she prefers males over females. Siwoo will probably get along with her soon.”

Perhaps smelling the jerky in his pocket, Strelka, who was sitting quietly, wagged her tail vigorously.

“Strelka, I’m trying to get closer to your sister.”

Tossing a piece of shredded jerky, Strelka caught it accurately in the darkness.

— Crunch.

“It’s okay.”

This time, two pieces. Strelka almost performed an aerial acrobatics to catch the jerky.

“You’ve given permission. Don’t go back on your word later.”

Siwoo pointed at Strelka’s nose with his finger, speaking gently.

“Since you’ve given permission, whether you like it or not, you have to walk with me from now on. Got it?”

Two more pieces. Once again, two more pieces.

After enjoying the jerky, Strelka howled softly and spun around in place.

It seemed like it was time to go to bed, as it was getting late.

The instructions on how to handle Strelka that Kang Hwi had given were written down.

“Have one more and then go to sleep.”

Swish. The jerky flew and landed perfectly in Strelka’s mouth.

She soon shook her body and went straight into the doghouse placed on the grass near the mansion.

Perhaps due to her large size, the house was no bigger than a small restroom.

“Sister-in-law has approved it, so there shouldn’t be any problem.”

Now, all that was left was to wait for Chaewon’s response.

When she went to work at the walking part-time job on the coming Monday, she wouldn’t have an immediate answer as if she was waiting for him, so he would have to wait for quite a long time.

But he wasn’t afraid. It was rather an enjoyable wait. As long as he could spend that time with Chaewon.

After plugging in the AirPods that Min Chaewon had bought along with the iPad Pro, Siwoo played Beethoven’s Choral Symphony. It was a classical piece that had become his favorite after being enchanted by Chaewon’s performance at the cafe in February.

“Will I really have to wait for three years?”

If he planned to make her wait until April 2026 when Chaewon was supposed to return, Siwoo would somehow open her heart before that time.

Maybe until next year when she becomes an adult. But it would be impossible to endure three years while being close like now unless he entered a monastery.

“I hope it’s at least a month long…”

A year could feel like a month.

However, even if time was long, it wouldn’t be as lonely as before.

“I told you last time. You have to pat me when I want you to.”

“You have to. Otherwise, I’ll be in big trouble.”

Min Chaewon wanted Siwoo.

She wanted him by her side, wanting to touch him.

Even though Siwoo, who didn’t notice Baekcheong’s signs of affection, knew that the strong affection shown by the girl he liked towards him was reciprocated.

She was the only one who didn’t know. Chaewon’s feelings had already been perfectly conveyed to Siwoo.

Without realizing how strongly she was tempting him. That way, Min Chaewon gradually handed over the initiative to Siwoo—.

— Ding.

The same KakaoTalk notification sound as Chaewon’s rings through the quiet one-lane road.

Taking out the phone from his pocket, Siwoo sees a message from a familiar person.

— Min Chaewon: I’ll reply now.

It must have been difficult to reply face to face.

It could be. But he didn’t expect her to be this quick even without seeing her face.

With a faint smile, Siwoo grips the phone with both hands to type.

— Min Chaewon: Don’t turn around.

Like an assassin, two arms reach around Siwoo’s waist as if piercing into his side and grabbing his stomach.

Thud. A small head touches his back.

“Let’s have a contract relationship.”

It was a statement from the future three years later, acknowledging his past self as a man, and it was inevitable that the two would fall in love…

“Let’s try it for a month, as a test.”

Rather than denying it coolly, it was like a declaration that he wouldn’t be dragged along in the process.