PTC Chapter 17. Marriage Registration

Seoyeon shook her head at Da-in’s words.

“Honestly. How are you going to get anywhere like that? You need a man to give you a diamond ring, a proposal where he spends some money. A pricey proposal.”

Da-in laughed inwardly. Soon, they were going to the district office to register their marriage. They had agreed to leave work a little early and go together.

A proposal.

As she mulled over the word, she recalled what Seojun had said to her: ‘Let’s get married. A 100-day marriage.’

Could that be considered a proposal? Their marriage was a strict contract, merely the beginning of their time-bound spousal roles.

So, a proposal was just a romantic notion for ordinary people.

***

Seojun and Da-in stood in front of the district office. The building, a typical government office, was noticeably neat and tidy in appearance. A banner hung in front, reading, ‘Happy Families, Bright Futures.’

The warm late-winter sun shone down on the building. There was little wind, making the weather feel like spring was fast approaching.

The surrounding trees were still bare, but the magnolia buds were swelling considerably. Da-in gazed at the building, suppressing her mixed emotions.

No matter how calm she pretended to be, various feelings churned within her. Even though she had agreed to it, the idea of a contractual marriage registration felt more absurd the more she thought about it. And to have this contract marriage with none other than Kang Seojun…

She had once dreamt of marrying this man and living together, sometime during her twenties. A shattered dream, now gone. And now, a marriage registration for a 100-day marriage with this very man. It was a contract born of necessity, but marriage registration felt different.

Now, for 100 days, we’ll truly be husband and wife, legally.

Seeing Da-in standing silently, Seojun spoke.

“Why? Are you scared? Do you want to run away now that we’re actually registering our marriage?”

Da-in retorted sharply.

“No. I’m satisfied with the terms of this contract. Why would I run away?”

Seojun nodded at Da-in’s confident reply.

“Right. Out of mutual need. This is the best option.”

Seojun grabbed Da-in’s hand tightly and started walking. She could feel the heat from his large hand. Da-in tried to pull her hand away, but it was no use.

“What are you doing?”

“What do you mean? We’re here to register our marriage. We should at least hold hands going in. We’re the bride and groom.”

She couldn’t refuse when he put it that way. Holding hands, Seojun and Da-in entered the district office’s civil affairs department. Seojun approached the counter and said cheerfully, “We’re here to register our marriage!”

His voice was loud enough for everyone around to hear.

Da-in’s face flushed. As if it was something to be so proud of, registering a marriage like everyone else. Especially when theirs was a contract. Seojun squeezed Da-in’s hand, showed their clasped hands, and said, “We’re married, you see.”

The clerk smiled, looking at them.

“Yes, hello. Congratulations on your marriage. Please fill out this marriage registration form first.”

“Yes, we understand.”

Seojun filled out the form, and Da-in took it to the counter and handed it over.

“Here it is.”

The clerk received the document, reviewed it thoroughly, and began explaining in a friendly voice.

“Now, we just need to confirm a few things and get your signatures. Could I see both of your IDs, please?”

Seojun and Da-in took out their IDs. The clerk checked them against the form.

“You’ve filled everything out correctly. Now, just sign here.”

The clerk returned the document, pointing to the signature lines. Seojun signed first, and then Da-in signed as well. Her hand felt incredibly slow as she moved it.

With this signature, I’ll really become a married woman.

She handed the signed document back to the clerk, who stamped it a few times, sat down at the computer, and typed a few keys. Then, with a bright smile, the clerk said.

“Your marriage registration is now officially complete. As of today, the date you submitted the registration, you are legally married. Congratulations again. Here is your family register certificate.”

Seeing the freshly printed family register certificate brought a flood of thoughts. She lightly traced the part where it said ‘Spouse’ with her finger. Seojun put the certificate in his inside pocket and replied.

“Thank you.”

Seojun held Da-in’s hand tightly as they left the district office. She wondered why he needed to hold her hand so tightly even after they left the building, but before she could say anything, Seojun ushered her into the car and drove off somewhere.

“Where are we going?”

“There’s somewhere we need to go. I made arrangements beforehand.”

The place Seojun took her was a jewelry shop. And not just any jewelry shop, but a famous luxury brand that everyone knew.

“We don’t have a couple rings. Isn’t it wrong not to wear wedding rings after getting married?”

She hadn’t thought of that. Since signing the contract was practically their proposal, the thought of wedding rings hadn’t crossed her mind.

“Let’s go in.”

The manager, recognizing Seojun, greeted him.

“Welcome. I have the rings you requested, sir.”

The items brought out were a couple rings and a few jewelry sets. Da-in felt overwhelmed.

“Why are there so many?”

“What do you mean ‘so many’? It’s hardly anything. I chose the ring designs myself.”

The design was a famous one, practically a national couple ring. He had somehow even figured out her ring size perfectly. After they each put on a ring, the manager presented three more jewelry sets.

“Please try these on.”

“You really didn’t have to do all this.”

It was too much. Rings and jewelry sets from a luxury brand for a 100-day marriage? These were high-end items, almost equivalent to her contract payment.

“You can accept them. You’re my wife.”

“Who said I was going to refuse?”

Out of defiance, Da-in tried on each piece. Every time she did, Seojun looked extremely pleased. They left the shop with a bag full of jewelry and headed straight home.

“We’ll go straight to our room when we get home. Let’s eat first.”

“Okay.”

Today was the first day as a legally married couple and the first night she would sleep at her in-laws’ house. They had a quick late dinner and went to Seojun’s house. Soonja greeted them as they entered.

“Did you register the marriage?”

“Yes, we did. Grandma, here’s the family register certificate.”

Seojun handed her the document, and Soonja nodded.

“Oh, well done. Come in, Da-in.”

Soonja called Da-in’s name affectionately. It was unexpected.

“Let’s get along well for these 100 days.”

“Yes, Grandma.”

As they went inside, Junghee greeted them with an indifferent expression.

“Welcome. You must be tired after your first day.”

“Yes, but I’m fine.”

Da-in said she was fine, but Seojun nodded and replied, “We’re tired. We’ll just go up to my room.”

“Alright. But it’s your first day, so you should bow to Grandma.”

“Bow?”

Seojun hesitated, seemingly surprised, and Da-in said, “Yes. Please accept our bow, Grandma.”

“Alright.”

Soonja sat down, and Da-in spoke up.

“Mother should also receive a bow.”

“Me?”

At Da-in’s words, Soonja pointed to the spot next to her.

“You come here too and receive a bow. You’re the mother-in-law too. Let’s receive it together.”

Da-in and Seojun stood side by side and bowed. Soonja then said, “Marriage is no small matter. This is a precious connection, so let’s get along.”

“Yes.”

“Go on up now.”

All the conversations were brief and purely functional. Which was better that way. As soon as they opened the door to Seojun’s room upstairs, Da-in was taken aback. It wasn’t the plain room she had seen before.

The wallpaper was different, as if newly done, and the curtains were much more romantic. The bedding also stood out, fit for a newlywed couple, caught her eye. Even the dressing table had been replaced.

Seojun looked at Da-in and asked, “Do you like it?”

“Yes, I like it.”

“Today’s our first night.”

Seojun placed his hand on Da-in’s shoulder. The touch felt strangely new. He asked softly.

“Do you want to shower first?”

“No. You go first.”

“Okay.”

Seojun quickly undressed and went into the bathroom. Da-in sat at the dressing table, trying to calm her racing heart.  The first night. She had a first night with Kang Seojun in the past, too.

‘Da-in, I want you. Let’s sleep together.’

The youthful Kang Seojun had pleaded with her back then.

‘Okay. I want to sleep with you too. But let’s not set a date, okay? Let’s do it when the mood is right. Let’s sleep together then.’

‘Alright.’

After that conversation, he’d brushed against her chest every time they dated. And the time after that, they had cocktails at a hotel lounge and naturally ended up in a hotel room.

‘Da-in, are you nervous?’

‘Yeah, I’m nervous.’

‘Me too.’

Seojun had looked at Da-in, his breath hot. It was natural for them both to be nervous since it was their first time. Seojun slowly brought their lips together.

She remembered the hot, thrilling sensation from back then.

Da-in touched her face as she looked in the mirror. It was completely different now. This time, they were married by contract, and even their intimacy was stipulated in a clause. Instead of desire for each other, it would be a dutiful act to ward off bad luck. 

This kind of marriage…

Then, she suddenly changed her mind.

‘Get a grip, Park Da-in. Why the long face? I have a lot to gain from this. Right. Enjoy it.’