Ch.254254. A Conversation Too Embarrassing to Share with Others

“Why did you do that?”

“Yes. From what you’re saying now, it seems like you knew everything but pretended not to know. Isn’t that right?”

Looking at just the results, setting aside our individual circumstances and my reasons for having no choice, I suppose that’s how it appears. But for me, it was an unavoidable choice.

Right? As I said earlier, if I had given in to momentary pleasure and something happened—even if it was a one-in-a-million chance—it would have become irreversible.

This might be an embarrassing confession to share with others… but back then, I was quite seriously thinking about a future with Hwa Nabi. It made sense since we weren’t just in an ordinary relationship—we were engaged through family arrangements, so barring any issues, I naturally assumed we would get married.

“At that time… I had no choice.”

So naturally, I had to treat Hwa Nabi with extreme caution. And I had to treat her preciously.

I’m not sure if this is the right expression, but back then, I treated Hwa Nabi almost like a jewel. I was careful about touching her, careful about everything I did. There were a few times when I couldn’t resist and touched her a bit, but I never crossed the line.

Why?

Because I didn’t want to ruin our future. That’s also why I couldn’t fully reciprocate when Hwa Nabi was more forward than I was. If I had actively responded, the outcome waiting at the end would have been all too predictable.

“Why did you have no choice?”

Hwa Nabi, who couldn’t know my inner thoughts, asked with her lips slightly pouted as if annoyed. But why did I find it so cute? Even her sulky expression seemed lovable—I must really have it bad.

I suppressed the tingling feeling in my heart and took a deep breath. Hwa Nabi’s gaze watching me seemed to have softened a bit.

“Are you not going to answer?”

…Correction, that must have been my imagination. As the questioning resumed, I muttered sincerely.

“Because… you were precious.”

“What? What did you say?”

“Because you were precious to me… I had no choice.”

“…You pretended not to know because I was precious?”

“Yes, I know it sounds a bit strange… but at that time, I thought it was the best approach.”

And even now, that thought hasn’t changed. Why? Because my judgment proved correct. The evidence is that we’re now on day two of our honeymoon, standing in the middle of a street in Puerto Rico.

Therefore, I could speak proudly, with my chest out, but Hwa Nabi didn’t seem to take it that way. As if making sure I could hear, she muttered without trying to hide her voice, “Do all men think like this?”

“When something is truly precious, you naturally hesitate.”

“Not all men think that way, right? Isn’t that just your personal philosophy?”

“No, there’s no man in this world who can treat a precious woman carelessly.”

If there were such a man, he would be one of two types: either he doesn’t consider the woman precious, or he’s a beast acting only on instinct.

When I spoke firmly, Hwa Nabi’s sulkiness subsided a little. But her lips were still protruding, suggesting she wasn’t completely convinced.

“I sort of understand what you’re saying, but I still don’t get it… If someone is truly precious, shouldn’t you first claim them as yours, and then take proper responsibility if something happens? It’s not like you didn’t have the ability to do that.”

“We were both students then—what ability did we have to take responsibility?”

“Your family is rich.”

“Nabi, not everything in the world can be solved with money.”

“Really? My grandfather said money can solve anything. He said if something can’t be solved with money, it’s not that it can’t be solved with money—it’s that you don’t have enough money.”

“…”

Coming from the chairman of a conglomerate ranked in the top five, I had nothing to say in response. At a loss for words, I turned my head and looked at distant mountains.

“And why are you so certain something would happen? If you use protection properly, nothing might happen.”

“No matter how careful you are, there’s always a possibility. Look at now—about four months ago, didn’t you get that birth control procedure? I looked it up, and the failure rate is supposed to be less than one percent, yet Ua was conceived despite those odds.”

As long as humans are involved, nothing in this world is 100 percent. Hwa Nabi seemed to have nothing to say about that point and closed her mouth with a guilty expression.

“Ah… right. That’s how Ua happened.”

“See? Nothing is absolutely safe. There’s no 100 percent safe method except abstinence.”

“…What are you saying, idiot.”

“Why are you suddenly insulting me…?”

I thought she finally understood and responded happily, but she abruptly called me an idiot. Dumbfounded, I asked why, but Hwa Nabi pretended not to hear and changed the subject.

“If I’d known this would happen, I should have accepted that advertisement.”

I was about to ask “what advertisement” when I realized. She must be talking about the one from that condom company.

“Since it’s all in the past, I’m just curious—what would have happened if you had accepted it?”

“Nothing special. I would just sign a contract to post reviews on Instagram after using the product, and the company would pay me—that’s all.”

“You’d have to post reviews after using it?”

“Yes. Isn’t that obvious? Recommending a product without trying it would be like fraud.”

It was quite a significant statement for how casually she said it. Using condoms… that ultimately meant doing that.

“So to post a review, I would inevitably, absolutely inevitably, have to try using it.”

“…By yourself?”

“Honey, I’m a woman. How could I use it by myself?”

Hwa Nabi emphasized the word “by myself” and gave me a meaningful look. Under that suggestive gaze, I unconsciously turned my head slightly to avoid eye contact.

“It’s not me but a boyfriend who’s tried it who would have to give the review. I would just write it down and post it.”

“And who is this ‘boyfriend’?”

“I wonder—maybe the person avoiding my eyes right now?”

Hwa Nabi whispered softly, resting her head on my shoulder. While the action itself looked like an affectionate moment between lovers, the content of our conversation was embarrassingly private.

Glancing at her face, I saw no trace of sulkiness, just a strange smile… I’d prefer if she were still pouting. This is actually scarier.

“Ah, I wanted to see what they looked like. Too bad.”

“Didn’t you see them in person before…?”

“It was so long ago, I don’t remember.”

Hwa Nabi pressed closer to me. Not wanting to pull away, I walked with her body against mine, and just then, a convenience store came into view. It was an American brand commonly seen in Korea.

And they sell all sorts of things there. For instance, the items we’ve been persistently discussing, among other things.

“…You don’t remember?”

“No, I don’t remember.”

“Well, you could see them again now. And accept that advertisement while you’re at it.”

“You want me to accept an advertisement from a year ago?”

“You have more followers now than back then. Wouldn’t they like that?”

“I’m not sure. It’s not just my followers that have increased—their business has grown too. I heard they’re even exporting now. …Wait, that’s not the point. Honey, do you understand what you’re suggesting?”

As if I wouldn’t know what I meant. Hwa Nabi, belatedly realizing the implication of my words, looked startled. I gently held her waist, brought my face close to her ear, and whispered leisurely.

“Nabi. About the hotel we’re staying at—I looked it up and they offer many services. Did you know they even rent clothes?”

“They rent clothes…?”

“They have many types of clothes. There’s a catalog full of options to choose from.”

“Hmm, I see… But why are you suddenly telling me this?”

By now she should have caught on. Is she pretending not to know, or does she really not understand?

“There are school uniforms in the catalog. The design happens to be similar to what we used to wear.”

“…Really?”

Hwa Nabi stopped walking at the mention of “school uniforms.”

“Yes, and at the convenience store ahead.”

They have those advertised products. I swallowed the rest of my words and waited. Gradually, I could see Hwa Nabi’s earlobes turning red.

“What do you want to do?”

“…Then, should we stop by briefly? We need to buy some things anyway, and it’s hot, so we could cool off for a bit…”

She mumbled without fully looking at my face, and when our eyes met, she quickly lowered her gaze. Judging by her reaction, she’s definitely embarrassed.

How cute—just moments ago she was confronting me with such confidence. But whenever I get a little assertive, she becomes so docile. It’s adorable.

Excited by Hwa Nabi’s shyness, instead of answering, I pulled her strongly toward me. As I walked forward, she followed me, pressed tightly against my side.

Even so, she kept glancing around nervously, concerned about people watching. I gently rubbed her lower abdomen. It meant: don’t look elsewhere, focus on me.

“Eek…!”

Understanding my message, Hwa Nabi looked up with a reddened face. She glared at me, trying to be threatening, but this only excited me more. Her reactions are so good that I want to tease her more.

“Nabi, shall we make a bet?”

“…What kind of bet?”

“Try not to make a sound until we reach that convenience store. If you succeed, you win; if you can’t, I win. How about it?”