episode_0078

“Let’s have a contract relationship.”

That was a statement from the future three years later, acknowledging the self from three years ago as a man.

Since the outcome of the two falling in love cannot be changed….

“Just for a month, as a test.”

It was like a declaration that, although reluctantly dragged into it, he would not be led on coolly.

Chae-won’s head fell as it touched the floor.

And the hand that had been holding onto his side slipped away.

When Si-woo tried to turn his head, Chae-won blocked him.

“I told you not to turn around.”

“…Okay.”

“Let me tell you my conditions briefly.”

With a trembling voice, Min Chae-won stated his demands.

“I will only allow physical contact with hands. You can touch my face, shoulders, and hands only.”

“These rules are quite strict.”

“You have to follow these conditions as well, and I will too. Don’t think it’s one-sided.”

“Okay. Go on.”

After a long sigh, Chae-won continued speaking.

“As a condition for extending the contract, you must completely cut ties with Baek Cheong-ha.”

Si-woo chuckled when Baek Cheong-ha was mentioned.

“Why is he suddenly brought up?”

“I’ll explain from now on, so listen carefully.”

Chae-won did not mention his mother’s story.

That was a secret between women.

“I like you cutting ties with Baek Cheong-ha.”

“…I had no idea.”

“I thought you might.”

“No, how did you know?”

The story that flowed out of Chae-won’s mouth was about a conversation that took place in the women’s restroom at the store when he went to buy sanitary pads.

Si-woo sighed as he touched his forehead.

“When I asked if you liked him, you didn’t even answer….”

Seeing Si-woo react exactly like himself, Chae-won chuckled.

“So, how can I help you?”

“I need you to pretend to be in a relationship with me.”

“…Is that all?”

“Yes.”

Chae-won tightened his grip on Si-woo’s waist.

“I decided to confront you head-on and end it. I didn’t expect it to end so quickly.”

A war that ended in just a few weeks after starting.

But is Baek Cheong-ha the type to retreat like this? Absolutely not.

“If we start dating, the confrontation will end in your victory, right?”

“Will it end so easily?”

Although it was not a particularly well-founded rebuttal, with that one word, a perfect understanding was formed between the two.

“If I don’t show you solid evidence, I won’t back down.”

“Evidence… like what?”

“Probably a kiss.”

Si-woo swallowed hard, as if his words were stuck in his throat.

Chae-won casually spoke as if it was nothing.

“Why are you so surprised? Let me just show you once.”

“So, the condition for extending the contract was like that….”

For a moment, the sound of Chae-won’s small and cute laughter could be heard behind Si-woo.

She let go of the hand that was holding Si-woo’s side and took a step back slowly.

It was a completely different situation from just a while ago when the surrounding sounds were drowned out by classical music playing from the AirPods, and only Chae-won’s voice and footsteps could be heard.

“It’s cold, so I’m going in. I’ll rest well tomorrow and see you on Monday morning.”

“I’ll come tomorrow too.”

“Alright. You’ve been here for two days.”

Although he wanted to turn around and face Chae-won, Si-woo kept his gaze fixed on the large door in front of him as she had requested something.

“You’ve been visiting me for days at a time.”

“If my rib breaks, I’ll come find you. I’ll leave the door open.”

“I looked more in pain than you with a broken rib.”

Chae-won couldn’t refute the accurate statement. Si-woo continued confidently.

“And, even if it’s a contract, we’re still dating. If my lover is in pain and comes to see me, who would stop them.”

No matter how hard she tried to send him away, Min Chaewon stabbed Siwoo with sharp words.

“Are you not going to practice the piano?”

But seemingly unfazed, Siwoo countered.

“Good. Play for me tomorrow.”

Was it really her intention to get this close during their contract relationship?

Siwoo seemed to know what expression Chaewon was making just from her small whimper, barely audible over the classical music flowing through his AirPods.

Picking up his hastily spoken words, Siwoo began to walk ahead.

“Just kidding. I’ll come on Monday.”

Maybe he was too aggressive.

That’s why relationships were problematic.

He needed to restrain himself a bit from now on…

Muttering such thoughts inwardly, he walked towards the front door.

— Ding.

A KakaoTalk message came through.

The pre-set message-to-speech function activated.

— Message from Min Chaewon: “Come tomorrow.”

Ha.

As laughter burst out and he turned his head, Chaewon had already fled into the house.

The slightly delayed closing of the front door was evidence of her escape.

“Is this… really me?”

Was it possible that someone who did such cute things truly possessed Siwoo’s identity? In just a month of living as a woman, she had adapted to such a degree. Siwoo began to feel fearful of his infinite potential.

Suddenly, memories from when he was six years old resurfaced.

It was like the memories Chaewon had recovered through her dream this morning.

‘…So that’s it.’

Unbelievable events had forced them to spend half a year together.

During that time, Siwoo had to live as a five-year-old little girl against his will.

He had quickly adapted to skirts, women’s clothing, and even physical contact with himself as a man. He endlessly pondered how he, a man, could exist when the one initiating physical contact was himself.

‘In this case, it makes sense.’

At the same time, the possibility that Min Chaewon was deliberately acting and teasing him was completely ruled out.

Given that extraordinary incidents like bodies swapping between genders did happen, there was no rule stating that Siwoo’s identity couldn’t be divided and imposed on Chaewon.

There were often things in the world that couldn’t be proven by science. This incident was just one of those things.

And Siwoo believed in Chaewon. If what was inside her was himself, he believed even more.

‘As expected. I…’

Just like catching a flying ball with a glove, he never took his eyes off Chaewon.

…But nothing changed.

‘I really like Min Chaewon.’

Even if his personality was imposed on her, she was still Min Chaewon.

Both the past Min Chaewon and the present Min Chaewon.

He liked them both.

*

“Ah.”

Lying sprawled on the bed, I thrashed the sheets as if playing a drum.

“Ahahahahahahah.”

Why did I do that? Why did I do that? Why did I do that?

I should have just told her to come on Monday, why did I say to come tomorrow?

No, Chaewon. If you miss Siwoo that much, just live together.

Instead of living apart like this and showing a girly side like ‘Come see me tomorrow…’ confidently declare it. Invite him to move in.

‘…I don’t have the confidence to persuade him.’

Certainly, whether it’s hitting him in the torso knowing our gunpowder will explode, or turning the conversation around to make the guy with a competitive spirit burst into a fit, it’s one of the two.

It’s not easy to persuade stubborn Siwoo.

‘If I ask him to live together, he’ll probably tell me to come to his place right now…’

Alone in a one-room apartment…

Wow. It’s a dream situation.

Living in close quarters because of the small space.

Brushing against each other while going back and forth to the fridge. Sitting face to face at a small dining table, making eye contact while eating.

But naturally, pressing against Siwoo’s back and getting close to him, rubbing bodies…

‘Min Chaewon. Calm down! Calm down!!!’

“Huuiii.”

I rolled my feet like crazy to calm down my burning body.

It wasn’t much different from kicking the blanket while recalling my embarrassing past.

“Ha. I can handle this white lie on my own…”

I was belittling myself from three years ago.

Recently, I had to admit that he had grown as much as I had.

But it was an undeniable fact. Could my past self show such composure in front of Chaewon? It was unimaginable. The current Jung Siwoo could be said to be an alpha male comparable to Song Seonghyuk.

“Conceited brat. Why do you have to grow up so quickly and make people go crazy…”

He could have just followed me quietly.

But as the same ego, he showed competitiveness and tried to catch up with me.

“But still. That’s Jung Siwoo….”

Let’s admit it.

With a little experience, I had the potential to become an alpha male.

Yes, I’m not being manipulated or anything.

Because Jung Siwoo is amazing.

He knows my heart too well.

He keeps making me feel itchy.

So, without realizing it, I keep…

“Could it be… Chaewon…? No way, am I… liking her? No, right? It’s not true, right?”

Liking oneself. Isn’t that really crazy?

If I told anyone this, they would say, “Are you really crazy?”

Meanwhile, Chaewon, a 19-year-old girl in love, comforts me, saying that everyone is like that when they fall in love.

The comfort doesn’t resonate at all. I didn’t want to end up like this. I thought I could endure at least 3 years. I thought I could endure.

“I have to endure as long as possible through the contract. I must. I must not cross the line…!”

Contract dating is a kind of ant hell and gaslighting. Because you can break up anytime using the contract terms as an excuse.

It’s like a blind fool falling into a trap with his first love. The moment he loses to desire and crosses the line, our relationship will end right away. Eventually, he will beg me to see him just once.

At that time, I will graciously grant his request but with even harsher conditions. Then the initiative will completely be on my side. I can engage in skinship only when I want.

Prepare yourself, Jung Siwoo!