TRWBU Ch 2

PR by neji

“I can’t believe it. To think that you called me out first to grab a drink together…”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Jiyoon sat across from HaYeon at a samgyupsal barbeque restaurant. The smoke from the grill filled the air. Jiyoon picked up the liquor bottle and looked a bit fascinated with the situation.

Jiyoon’s surprise was expected. HaYeon usually didn’t drink. But she called Jiyoon out for a drink. Was the sky going to crack open and fall down tomorrow?

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Did something happen?”

Jiyoon poured some liquor into HaYeon’s glass. She glanced at HaYeon’s face, but she couldn’t tell what she was thinking.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“Yeah.”

“What happened? Did someone throw a tantrum while you were working? Did the photographer tell you to take more clothes off? Or was your client an old fart who wanted to enjoy a meal and some drinks with you?”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“No, none of that.”

“Then what is it?”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Jiyoon asked absentmindedly. If it wasn’t any of those reasons, then what was it? She looked at HaYeon quizzically.

“Broke up.”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

HaYeon’s answer was curt. ‘We shouldn’t talk about other people,’ Jiyoon thought, but she hesitated. But when HaYeon didn’t say anything else, Jiyoon realized that she was talking about herself.

“…What? Wait, you and Kang Taewan?”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Although she knew the answer, Jiyoon asked back. That’s how unbelievable it was to her. Jiyoon had been by HaYeon’s side and witnessed her love life through its entirety.

On the day of their graduation, she begged HaYeon to join them for a group date, but she merely blurted out, ‘I’m dating Taewan.’ Ever since then, the two of them had continued dating until now. They were together for over ten years.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

At first, she couldn’t believe it. She’d never seen them together at school. And on top of that, Jiyoon had also had her eye on Taewan. But the two of them were such a perfect couple that she wholeheartedly congratulated them.

From then on, they had never been apart.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Therefore, the names Na HaYeon and Kang Taewan were always stuck together on her lips.

“Yeah. Me and Kang Taewan.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

HaYeon answered calmly.

“No way. You just fought, right?”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Jiyoon couldn’t believe it.

“No. We broke up. Completely.”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

After HaYeon replied, she threw back the entire shot of soju.

“…How can you two break up?”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Why can’t we break up? People get divorced all the time now.”

HaYeon’s eyes were clear. After hearing her words, Jiyoon’s mouth closed shut. Just as HaYeon said, couples who had lived fifty years together would get divorced these days. Ten years was nothing compared to that. But Jiyoon still felt as if she were slapped across the face.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“But you still like Kang Taewan.”

HaYeon, who had been about to pour herself another glass of soju, froze when she heard Jiyoon’s words. Her eyes remained on the soju bottle as they began to blur. It was almost as if something deep within her heart had been exposed.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“Yeah. I do like him.”

She eventually acknowledged it. Jiyoon looked as if she couldn’t understand.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“So why? Did Kang Taewan say he found someone else? Is he dating that girl from that scandal? Is that why he said he wanted to break up with you?”

“No.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“What is it then? Is it another woman?”

Jiyoon began to search for reasons why Kang Taewan wanted to break up.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“No. Taewan doesn’t have another woman. I was the one who said I wanted to break up.”

“What? You did?”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Jiyoon looked surprised.

“Yeah.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“What was the problem?”

Jiyoon shouted out with a frustrated look on her face. They had dated for over ten years. She knew very well what Kang Taewan meant to HaYeon.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

HaYeon didn’t open up her heart to people easily. It had taken her a long time to open up her heart and approach someone. Jiyoon knew she was like this because of some issues with her family.

HaYeon had a family, but they weren’t her real family. Her father remarried and had a hard time interacting with his grown-up daughter and treated her harshly. Her relationship with her stepmother and half-brother was awkward at best. 

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

That was why she moved out as soon as she graduated high school. She found it hard to get along with people because she had been silently pushed out of her family.

And the person who had filled her heart for these past ten years was Kang Taewan. He was basically her family.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

And she broke up with him. Why?

“Y-You guys were dating just fine. Was there a problem?”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Jiyoon stuttered as she asked.

“…Were we really fine, though? Jiyoon…”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Jiyoon’s mouth closed shut. Clasping her glass of soju, HaYeon’s clear eyes met Jiyoon’s.

“…Can you even call it ‘dating’? This thing between us?”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

HaYeon asked again. The words that threatened to pour out of Jiyoon’s mouth were suppressed as she kept her mouth shut.

Jiyoon’s silence answered in her stead. HaYeon quietly lowered her eyes. She was the one who asked, but she already knew the answer.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The answer was ‘no’.

After graduating high school, she moved out. At that point, they were no different from other couples. After they had graduated, there was no need to be conscious of other people’s gazes.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

They held hands as they walked together. They’d eat delicious food with the money they earned from part-time jobs. They attended different universities, but they’d visit each other’s campuses to study for tests.

Taewan was so incredibly popular that whenever she visited his campus, she’d feel the intense gazes of the other students there. But other than that, they enjoyed a common, everyday relationship.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Things began to change a little when Taewan was discharged from his military service and began to properly pursue a life as a celebrity. He’d begun to receive bigger and bigger roles, and his domain as a celebrity began to broaden. More and more people would begin to recognize him in the streets.

At first, it was fun. Watching him achieve his dreams made her feel so happy. As if her own dreams were coming true. She wanted him to be successful, and she’d rewatch his programs over and over again.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Taewan would bashfully cover his face with his large hand as he mumbled, ‘Why are you watching something like that so early in the morning?’ HaYeon liked seeing this side of him as well.

His embarrassed face, the red tips of his ears, his large hand covering his eyes. But his lips were still stretched into a proud smile.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

This image of him was so beautiful in her eyes. HaYeon wished she could stop time as she gazed at him. Their lives were full of ups and downs, but whenever she saw him, she felt as if the day had grown sunny and bright. But this was before she found out that her existence was a hindrance to his success.

“I’m so sorry to say this, but please make the wise decision for his sake, HaYeon-ssi.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Taewan’s manager asked to see her secretly. He spoke with a sorry expression on his face. He nervously rubbed his hands together.

“It’s not easy for me to say this either, but the CEO found out about you and Taewan. The CEO said that he’d give Taewan better roles and better opportunities if he broke up with you, but… Taewan is being stubborn.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“……”

“You know how it is. You’re a model, too, so you know how the celebrity world is. If people find out that a newly debuted male actor has a lover, who would like him? That would be fatal to his career. So… Do you know what I’m saying?”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The manager seemed apologetic for having to say something like this. He continued to ramble on afterwards. Every time he did, HaYeon felt as if she were being pushed back.

‘I’ll leave it in your hands.’ With that, the manager was finished. HaYeon felt as if she were an impurity in Kang Taewan’s otherwise faultless life.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

When HaYeon didn’t say anything, the manager avoided her eyes and shortly left. Left alone, HaYeon’s head was blank.

She wanted to see his dream come true, but in order to do that, she’d have to leave him. Maybe it was because it was such a contradiction, but not a single tear fell from HaYeon’s eyes. She felt numb.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

HaYeon remained sitting with a blank expression on her face. When the part-timer came up to her to inform her that the cafe was closing, HaYeon finally mustered the strength to get up.

That night, Taewan pounded on her door so fiercely that he almost broke it. When she opened the door, Taewan looked very angry. ‘I heard you met with my manager-hyung.’

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He was panting for breath as if he’d run all the way over here. She didn’t know how he found out, but because it seemed like he already knew, she couldn’t hide it.

“Yeah.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Then why didn’t you tell me?”

Taewan ripped his scarf off of his neck as he asked.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“Just because. It wasn’t a big deal.”

Although she said these words, the inside of her mouth felt prickly.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Actually, it was a big deal, Taewan.

That’s what she wanted to tell him.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“What did you two talk about?”

Taewan still looked very angry.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Nothing much. We just drank some tea.”

“Why would Hyung drink tea with you?”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“Because we know each other.”

HaYeon answered evasively. She didn’t say, ‘He told me to break up with you.’ If she said those words out loud, she was afraid those words would act as a seed and actually take root.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Because I hate it. I hate it so much.

Instead, she swept back her long hair and lowered her eyes. HaYeon didn’t say anything, so Taewan blurted out the following words.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Let’s go see a movie this Christmas.”

His voice sounded as low and sturdy as always. HaYeon froze when she heard his words. She slowly lifted her head and saw that his eyes were looking directly at her. He stretched out his hand and grasped hers.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Next spring, let’s go on a trip. And then let’s go on a trip out of the country next year.”

“……”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“And I’m also going to come and sleep over at your place tomorrow.”

He looked determined. As if all those promises could tie up the dissolving love between them. From then on, the amount of promises he made to her increased.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

HaYeon remained still as she listened to all those promises. She listened to him say that they’d marry and have a child as she nodded her head. She lowered her head because the tears were threatening to escape her eyes. But she couldn’t hide the way the tip of her nose grew red.

“…Okay. Let’s do that.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Then she silently held Taewan’s hand as well. The hand that she needed to let go… Ultimately, she couldn’t. Others may say that she interfered in Taewan’s life like an impurity, but it didn’t matter to her. If Kang Taewan still needed her, that was enough.

Most of the promises that Kang Taewan made that day never came to be. That Christmas, the movie he had starred in was released.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

The movie theaters were packed with posters of his face, so they watched a movie at home. When that movie hit big, Taewan’s popularity skyrocketed.

They gave up on the trip in the spring, and they spent the three days and two nights at home. They didn’t go out at all. They weren’t able to take the vacation out of the country. They were seeing each other in secret, and his every move was being monitored because he was now an up-and-coming actor.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

In the end, they weren’t able to make any special memories, but she was still happy. Whenever she stretched out her hand, Kang Taewan was there. Whenever she lowered her head, she could smell his skin, and whenever she opened her eyes, his smiling eyes were looking right back at her.

To feel his warmth. To know that she was imprinted underneath his warm skin. That was enough for her.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

As time passed, Taewan became a household name. And as his popularity grew, HaYeon gradually hid her existence.

She didn’t contact him unless he contacted her first. She was worried that his manager would notice if she ever called him first.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Whenever she met new people, she never told them that she was currently in a relationship. She was afraid that an observant reporter would notice her wearing any couple items.

She even moved into the same building as Taewan. Whenever he came home, he’d leave his apartment lights on and come downstairs to hers to spend time with her. When it was time for his manager to come back, he’d quickly run back upstairs.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

If the manager was earlier than usual, he’d call Taewan. And when Taewan got that call, HaYeon would place some digestive medicine in his hand.

“Tell him you didn’t feel well and went down to the convenience store to buy this.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

She’d even prepare an excuse for him.

“There’s no need to go this far.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Taewan would laugh as he took the digestive medicine upstairs. HaYeon would stare at the closed door and listen to his footsteps as he walked away.

This was all she could do for him. The only thing she could do was hide her existence. Because this was all she could do… She’d express her love for him by hiding it.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Their meetings were gradually only done at home. Every anniversary or holiday happened at home. They would rarely deviate from this routine by taking a walk around the neighborhood late at night.

In the end, HaYeon’s job was to wait for him. That was it. When he couldn’t make it because of work, she would clear the cooled food from the table. She’d have lost her appetite, so she’d eat a bowl of cereal as her dinner and fall asleep on the sofa. And when Taewan returned late at night, she’d quietly receive him.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Love turned into waiting, patience, endurance, and acceptance. She could take it. But the hardest thing to endure was to witness the things that changed.

The times they could meet each other decreased. The time they had to talk to each other decreased. They’d tangle their bodies through sex, but they wouldn’t be able to tangle their hearts.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Their anniversaries became a mere formality, and they turned into days full of apologies for being unable to celebrate it. The few days they’d meet turned into days of waiting, and they ultimately turned into obligatory routines. The heart flutters and excitement gradually transformed into boredom.

She couldn’t bear to witness these changes any longer.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“Won’t it be difficult?”

Jiyoon successfully finished off two shots of soju. She looked at HaYeon with worry on her face as she asked.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“It will be difficult. Because it’s difficult right now.”

“……”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

When Jiyoon heard HaYeon’s reply, she closed her mouth. HaYeon’s expression was full of despair as if her heart were being torn into pieces. It was the first time she’d seen this expression on her face in the ten years she’d known her.

“But I think it’s better to end things now than watch our love cool.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

HaYeon lowered her eyes.

Until now, there hadn’t been a specific reason to break up. No, that’s what she wanted to believe.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

There were a few scandals here and there, but Taewan asserted his innocence. And because HaYeon knew that he never contacted other female celebrities when they were together, she believed him.

Whenever he had time, he’d always come to her home. They’d have sex, eat meals together, spend some time together before he had to return to his home. If he thought he’d have a difficult time keeping a promise, he’d contact her beforehand. Their relationship was a faithful one.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

That’s why the love continues.

That’s what she believed.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Because no matter where she looked, there wasn’t a period in sight to stamp an end to their relationship.

And then she saw Taewan from behind as he had his back to her. He hadn’t realized that his back was to her, and whenever their eyes met, he would look away after a few seconds. The indifference in his eyes brought a shiver to her spine. That’s when she knew.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

…We were already standing on the period. She couldn’t see it because she was on top of it all along.

* * *

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

HaYeon tugged her scarf up as it began to slip down. She checked the app on her phone and saw that the last bus would arrive in ten minutes.

HaYeon moved her feet from side to side as she buried half of her face into the scarf. It was really cold now that it was late at night. Because there wasn’t a single person at the bus stop, it felt even colder.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Jiyoon offered to give her a ride home when they exited the bar. HaYeon persistently declined. Jiyoon had drunk more liquor than her.

Jiyoon looked upset as she let out a sigh. ‘Good riddance. You should meet a nice guy now. How much longer are you going to hide that pretty face of yours at home? Enough! Good riddance!’ She shouted out as she tried to console HaYeon.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Then she drank another glass of liquor. It seemed that the liquor had induced some of the anger to burst out of her heart.

“But look, isn’t he being ridiculous? You asked to break up, and he just takes the bait? Wow, was he waiting for it? That’s so unreasonable. I didn’t peg him to be a guy like that.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

She pointed her arrow at Kang Taewan. HaYeon left Jiyoon to sort through her see-sawing emotions alone. Because Jiyoon was so angry, HaYeon couldn’t be too mad.

Jiyoon finished an entire bottle of soju on her own. When she drank the last shot, she was finally calm. Her drunk face looked down at the table for a long time before she spoke.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“…I heard this somewhere, but they say that love is like glass, HaYeon.”

“Why are you writing a poem all of a sudden?”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

HaYeon chuckled. She thought it was just nonsense that Jiyoon was spouting due to her drunken state. However, when Jiyoon lifted her head, her black eyes were extremely clear. They looked a bit drunk, but her voice was steady.

“I feel so cheesy saying it with my own mouth, but… I’m only saying it because I feel that it’s the most apt comparison. I’ve experienced a lot more breakups than you have. I’ve loved a lot more people. It’s just what I’ve felt through it all.”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“Why is it like glass?”

HaYeon smiled at the drunk Jiyoon. It was the first time she smiled after breaking up with Taewan. Even though she knew this wasn’t a situation that would warrant a smile, she couldn’t help it.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“If you want it to do its job, you need to take care of it constantly. It needs effort. But if it shatters, that’s the end.”

HaYeon nodded in agreement.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“But the problem is that it doesn’t end with it shattering.”

“……”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“You clean it up to the best of your ability, but the next day, you see that a shard of glass is sticking out somewhere. You see it with your eyes, you step on it with your foot, and your skin breaks… After repeating that a few times, just when you think it’s all over, you’ll find another one after a long time has passed. That damned shard of glass.”

According to Jiyoon, the shards of glass were memories. The smile disappeared from HaYeon’s face.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…It’ll hurt a lot more than you think, HaYeon.”

The more memories you have, the longer the farewell.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

After hearing Jiyoon’s final warning, HaYeon stayed silent. It was getting harder to control her smiling lips. They emptied another bottle of soju and left the bar. They didn’t say a word as they exited through the door.

Ding. 

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Her phone made a sound to indicate that she had received a text message.

[I just got home. What about you?]

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It was Jiyoon.

[I’m still waiting for the bus.]

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

[I told you to take a taxi.]

[I just like the bus.]

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

[As always, you’re stubborn in the weirdest ways. Let me know when you get home.]

[Okay.]

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Their conversation ended in an instant. Even though she knew no one else would contact her, HaYeon couldn’t put her phone back in her pocket. She waited as if by habit.

Like an idiot.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

She fidgeted with her phone before turning it on again. At the very end of her contact list, she found ‘Him’.

Because she had been so afraid that someone would see, she hadn’t saved him under his name or a nickname. After brooding over it for a long time, she ended up with ‘Him’. She still had his number memorized, but she still wanted to keep it on her phone.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Her fingers were frozen in the air. Although she knew that she had his number memorized in her head, she still deleted it. She stared at the spot where his phone number used to be. She felt strange. As if half of her phone’s contents had been deleted.

…He won’t contact me.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

She knew better than anyone that Taewan was exhausted. He might have been waiting for her to do this all along.

“Haa.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

HaYeon looked up at the night sky. Instead of the moon, the streetlamps had taken its place.

“…Ten minutes can be so long.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

HaYeon murmured in a soft voice as she closed her eyes. The cold wind blew past her face.

“It’s cold, so wear a scarf when you go out, HaYeon. If you expose your long neck for too long, you’ll catch a cold. Even if you’re fine, just wear one. If you catch a cold, it’ll pass on to me. You are me.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

When the familiar voice suddenly popped into her head, tears began to well up in her eyes. She bit down on her bottom lip and endured it.

* * *

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

HaYeon looked out the open doors of the veranda and gazed at the winter sky. There wasn’t a cloud to be seen.

After busily packing up all her things, she walked around the apartment to see if she had missed anything. She suddenly stopped when she walked past the veranda. 

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

This was the place she liked the most after the living room. If she opened the doors, the first thing she’d see was the blue sky even though she was on a lower level. She also liked how she could stack a bunch of items she didn’t use in the corner.

HaYeon looked around the veranda. It was clean when she had first moved in, but now it was filled with dust she had never noticed before. She’d lived here for two years.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“The next time you move, it’ll be to our newlywed home.”

Two years ago, as she admired the veranda, Taewan embraced her from behind as he said this. He smelled like her body wash.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Yeah. I’d like that.”

Back then, she truly thought it would end up that way.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

We used to make promises about our future together. Where did you and I go?

A cold breeze brushed past her eyes.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Have you finished checking?”

The ahjussi from the moving company called out. HaYeon turned around and nodded.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes.”

“Then let’s go.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

The man opened the door first and walked out. HaYeon was following behind him when she stopped and turned around one last time. The apartment was completely empty. It looked so unfamiliar. She stood still and gazed at the apartment for a while before turning around again.

“The next time you move, it’ll be to our newlywed home.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

She could hear Taewan’s voice in the cold wind. HaYeon flinched and pretended she didn’t hear it as she closed the door. Jiyoon was right.

The more memories one had, the longer the farewell.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

She was still in the middle of that farewell.