NOVEL NEXT Chapter 80
After briefly greeting people I knew, including Park Jae-seong, I moved to the wedding hall with Older Sister Seo-ha. The announcement for the ceremony was soon to follow.
“There are so many guests.”
“That’s probably because Park Jae-seong’s parents are well-connected.”
“Yeah, that makes sense.”
As I looked around at the guests, I noticed the MC on stage tapping the microphone a few times. It seemed the official ceremony was about to begin.
– Ah, ah. I would like to thank the guests for joining us today, and now we shall start the ceremony. Please switch your mobile phones to silent mode…
Before the MC could finish his words, Seo-ha and I, as well as several others, quickly retrieved our phones.
After a little more time passed, the lights suddenly dimmed, creating a cozy atmosphere.
♬~
With the soft singing that soon echoed, light shone at the entrance of the wedding hall, revealing both mothers who approached.
Step by step, they walked slowly in sync to the end of the aisle, igniting the candles as guided by assistants coming from both sides.
Whoosh.
Facing each other, they deeply bowed, before moving to their seats.
– Now, I would like to introduce one of today’s main characters. Groom, enter!
With the MC’s announcement, lively music played, and to everyone’s delight, Park Jae-seong appeared.
Contrary to the solemn mood just moments ago, he confidently made his way to the front with a cheerful gait.
“Wow, he looks really excited.”
“He must be really happy.”
“It makes sense. It’s a moment where he’s tying the knot with someone he loves.”
As he reached the end of the aisle and bowed deeply to the guests, a small applause erupted.
And finally, the highlight of the wedding arrived: the entrance of the bride.
Ding.
If the previous lights had brightened the surroundings, this lighting felt like it was gently cradling the bride walking down the aisle as the most precious thing in the world.
Click clack. Click clack.
With soft footsteps, Yoo Na-yeon, wrapped arm-in-arm with her father, walked slowly, devoid of her usual spirited vibe.
As everyone held their breath and took in the sight, the couple reached the end of the aisle leading to the stage, where Park Jae-seong stepped forward.
“Please take care of her.”
“Sure.”
Though they were somewhat far apart, it seemed there was an exchange of words.
Park Jae-seong’s arms were released by Na-yeon’s father, who wore a bittersweet expression as he let his daughter go.
I could only imagine the multitude of emotions he felt at that moment. It was beyond my comprehension.
Finally, standing side by side, the groom and bride held the microphone and read the marriage vows aloud, then approached their parents to read letters they had written themselves.
“Dad, Mom… thank you so much for raising me. Even though I’m a bit lacking…”
It was strange to see Yoo Na-yeon, who always acted so innocent before me, reading the letter with a voice thick with emotion; it was also intriguing to realize she had such a side to her.
“Na-yeon really is a sensitive child.”
“I didn’t know either, but Park Jae-seong mentioned she’s quite emotional.”
“They say the brighter ones often have that side. Ha, it’s kind of cute.”
Though I couldn’t bring myself to agree that Na-yeon was cute, I did concur with Seo-ha that such unexpected facets enhance her humanity.
– Now the groom and bride shall share a kiss of promise…
As the moment for the ceremonial kiss finally arrived, the MC’s announcement called them to face each other.
It felt oddly embarrassing to watch my friends, typically flaunting their romance, stand solemnly like that, but as I witnessed their lips coming together, I couldn’t help but smile.
Either way, they really are a perfect couple.
Clap clap clap.
Finally, as the ceremony’s events concluded and the couple began their march as husband and wife, a louder round of applause erupted from the guests.
“I’m so jealous… really.”
Hearing Older Sister Seo-ha whisper that made her sincerity palpable. She probably didn’t even realize she uttered it unconsciously.
Tight.
I silently took hold of Seo-ha’s hand.
Startled, she looked up at me, and I smiled back, watching the couple’s march together once more.
Someday, I want to be in that spot with Older Sister Seo-ha.
That heartfelt wish flitted through my chest.
*
After the wedding, several group photos with the bride, groom, and guests followed.
Naturally, Older Sister Seo-ha and I joined in, and soon after, it was time for the much-anticipated bouquet toss.
Typically, it’s the bride’s friend or someone about to get married who catches the bouquet, but due to Yoo Na-yeon’s youthful age, there wasn’t anyone fitting to take it.
Ultimately, the bouquet toss would be decided at random.
“Sis, why don’t you go stand over there?”
“Huh? Me?”
“Yeah, you never know, you might catch it.”
After nudging her gently, she looked a bit flustered but approached the cluster of female guests.
“One, two…!”
Yoo Na-yeon walked a distance away, holding the bouquet tightly in both hands, and stretched her arm back as far as she could.
Whoosh!
The bouquet soared and eventually landed gently on Older Sister Seo-ha’s hand.
“Wow!”
As if it were a promise, the bouquet landed softly on her hand as she stood frozen in surprise.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, she approached me with a chuckle.
“I really caught it. I wonder if it’s okay?”
“Yoo Na-yeon looked happy about it too.”
It seemed Na-yeon was genuinely pleased to see the bouquet return to someone she had in mind, as she jumped up and down in excitement, causing me to smile as well.
But wow, I didn’t expect Older Sister to catch the bouquet. It felt like some twist of fate.
“…”
On the other hand, Older Sister Seo-ha stared at the bouquet for a long time with a peculiar expression.
Neither happy nor sad, her ambiguous mood piqued my curiosity until I noticed Park Jae-seong coming our way.
“Great job today. It must be exhausting to keep greeting everyone.”
“Still, it has to be done. Thanks for coming today.”
“It’s nothing.”
As I patted the tired guy on the shoulder to cheer him up, Park Jae-seong stretched, doing his best to shake off his fatigue.
Honestly, with all the greeting guests, preparing for the wedding, and so on, it would be a lot of work. The kicker is that it’s not even over yet.
“Thank you for coming today, too. Na-yeon is really happy.”
“Thank you too. I hope you and Na-yeon have a long and happy life together, Jae-seong.”
“Of course, thank you.”
Bowing slightly and thanking Older Sister Seo-ha, Park Jae-seong suddenly glanced at me, as if sensing something, and gestured for me to come over for a moment.
“Sis, can I talk to him for a sec…”
“Sure, go ahead. I’ll chat with Na-yeon for a bit.”
Noticing this, she smiled and first moved towards Na-yeon, who was chatting with her friends.
Left alone with just us guys, Park Jae-seong glanced at Seo-ha and spoke in a hushed tone.
“…Older Sister Seo-ha doesn’t look too happy today. Is something wrong?”
“I’m not sure. But she definitely isn’t herself.”
I stiffened at Park Jae-seong’s mention of the concern I had and replied.
Seo-ha probably tried her best to maintain her composure, but it was quite evident. I had been keeping my mouth shut, not wanting to tread into sensitive waters.
This wasn’t just a today-specific issue. Lately, there were quite a few days where Older Sister seemed down, and every time I wanted to say something, the timing never felt right.
“Didn’t Older Sister tell you to wait for her?”
“She did.”
“It could mean something’s bothering her.”
“I’d like to know about it too. I just wish I could help her…”
I didn’t dislike waiting. I genuinely didn’t want to see Older Sister fretting by herself.
Just as she had been a source of strength for me, I wanted to be a source of strength for her, too.
Tap.
“Why don’t you take the initiative to ask her?”
“Me?”
“Yeah, obviously I get that you want to wait for Older Sister because you’re such a nice guy… but we all have things we want to express. Sometimes you have to prompt the other person, too.”
Park Jae-seong dropped some sound advice, thumping my chest lightly.
It was definitely a valid point.
“Yeah, maybe my thinking was short-sighted.”
“Not like that. Honestly, with your personality, it makes sense to be a bit hesitant to pry into others’ matters.”
Seeing the smirk on his face, which seemed to say, ‘after all these years, you still don’t get it?’ I couldn’t help but chuckle, even if it wasn’t a funny situation.
“Still, give it a shot. You can be a great support for her with whatever troubles she’s facing.”
“Isn’t that a bit of an overestimation?”
“I’ve said it before, haven’t I?”
Tap.
This time he struck my chest a bit harder and continued with a rough tone.
“You’re a better guy than you think. So hang in there.”
“…”
Park Jae-seong had been telling me that since elementary school, even into adulthood.
‘You tend to underestimate your own worth.’
I used to think it was a mere platitude, but in reflection, perhaps he said it out of genuine conviction.
“Thanks. You’ve given me a bit of courage.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I don’t think I’ll hesitate anymore.”
“Good to hear! You’re finally sounding manly.”
It’s true.
When I revealed my true feelings to Older Sister in the past, I thought I’d grown significantly, yet I still seemed like an inexperienced child.
For that reminder, I am truly grateful to my friend. It’s a sentiment that words cannot fully express.
“Congratulations on your wedding.”
“You need to get hitched too, with Older Sister Seo-ha.”
“I’m working on it.”
That confident reply made him smile as I turned to leave.
I felt like a heavy burden had lightened a bit from my heart.