I sat on the living room couch, one leg crossed over the other, checking the time on my phone for what felt like the fiftieth time. It had been almost an hour since Suha went to get ready. I wasn't impatient, just… unsure what to do with myself. I wasn't used to waiting like this. Or going out like this.
I leaned back and raised my voice a little. "Are you ready yet?"
A muffled voice answered from the bedroom. "Five more minutes!"
I exhaled quietly. "You said that thirty minutes ago."
"I'm almost done, I swear!"
I leaned back and rubbed my face. I wasn't used to this. I wasn't used to spending a whole day with someone either. But I promised her yesterday, and I wanted to keep at least this promise. If I could do the bare minimum of what a husband should do, then maybe she wouldn't regret being married to me.
The bedroom door finally opened and Suha stepped out, brushing her hair behind her ear with a shy look. "Sorry. I didn't mean to take so long."
"It's fine," I said, standing. "Let's go before you need another five minutes."
She puffed her cheeks a little but didn't argue.
We headed out together, walking side by side but with a small space between us. The air felt awkward in a harmless way. Not uncomfortable. Just… unfamiliar.
As we reached the gate, she suddenly spoke up. "Can we watch a movie first? Before shopping?"
I blinked. "A movie?"
She nodded. "I saw the trailer of that drama film. Everyone said it's good."
"Alright," I said. "If you want."
Her eyes brightened a little more than I expected. She didn't say much else on the way, but I noticed her steps got lighter.
I drove us there. The lobby was crowded, loud, and coated in the smell of popcorn. Not my ideal environment, but she seemed happy, so I didn't say anything.
We bought tickets. Suha insisted on popcorn even though she could barely finish a small bag. I carried it without complaint.
Inside the dark theater, she sat beside me, hugging her purse like it was a shield.
Halfway into the movie, I heard a sniff.
Then another.
I turned my head.
Her eyes were shining. She tried wiping her cheeks quietly, but the tears kept coming. She wasn't sobbing… she was just crying softly, the way people cry when they're too invested in something fictional.
I stared, unsure what to do. Comforting wasn't something I had practice in.
"Are you… okay?" I whispered.
She nodded way too fast. "Yes. It's just… sad."
I nodded back, awkward. "Ah."
I wasn't good at handling situations like this. I slowly pushed the popcorn bucket toward her, like offering food was a universally accepted solution.
She blinked at it, then let out a tiny laugh between sniffles. "Thank you."
At least that worked.
After the movie, we went for shopping. Suha walked ahead sometimes, checking different clothes, occasionally holding something up and glancing at me for an opinion. I tried to give honest answers, even if I wasn't sure what the right answers were.
"What about this one?" she asked, holding a pale blue cardigan to her chest.
"It suits you," I said.
Her face warmed. "You didn't even look properly."
I looked again. "It still suits you."
She laughed softly and placed it in her cart.
We wandered around a while longer. Every so often, our hands brushed accidentally. Each time, Suha would glance away quickly, pretending to look at something else. I pretended not to notice, but my heartbeat definitely noticed.
She bought matching strawberry keychain for us.
Around lunchtime, she tugged my sleeve lightly. "Are you hungry?"
"Yeah."
We went to a quiet restaurant. Suha talked a little more during lunch, telling me about her favorite foods, small memories, things she liked doing. I listened, answering where I needed to, but most of the time, I just… watched her talk. She talked softly, easily. I didn't understand how someone could be this gentle with the world.
After lunch, she asked carefully, "Can we go to the aquarium? If you're not tired."
I wasn't. So we went.
She pressed close to the glass, eyes lighting up at the fish gliding by. Sometimes she'd glance back at me as if checking whether I was enjoying it too.
"It's peaceful here," she said.
"It is."
She looked up at the huge tank above us, the light shining through the water casting moving patterns on her skin. Her hair caught the glow, turning warm at the edges. I looked away before I stared too long.
We didn't stop there. We walked through a park after that, got drinks at a café, took a detour into a small gallery where local artists displayed their work. Suha spent time standing in front of each canvas. I stayed beside her silently.
By the time we stepped out, the sky was turning orange.
"Jay," she said quietly.
"Yeah?"
"Can we go to an amusement park? Just for a bit."
I didn't even have to think. "If you want to go, we'll go."
Her smile was so bright I felt something twist in my chest.
We headed to Lotte World. It was busier than I expected, filled with families, couples, kids running around with balloons. Suha's eyes sparkled like she'd stepped into another world.
We had barely taken five steps inside when someone called out from behind me.
"Jay? Oi, Jay!"
I stiffened instantly.
A tall guy jogged over, messy hair, annoyingly bright grin.
Han Taemin.
My only friend… if you could call someone that irritating a friend.
Taemin spread his arms. "Wow. Is this why you ignored my messages? You're out here dating your wife?"
My eyebrows furrowed.
Han Taemin walked toward us with that same smug grin he always carried.
I scowled. "Don't start."
"Aww man, don't make that face." He pretended to cry. "I missed you."
I sighed. "Unfortunately, I didn't."
Suha looked startled, so I introduced them. "This is Han Taemin. A friend from college."
Taemin nudged me. "Only friend. Don't downgrade me."
I ignored him. "Suha, this is him. And that—"
Behind him, a girl with long dark hair smacked his arm lightly. "Taemin, be nice. Hi, I'm Ha-Eun."
Suha bowed politely. "I'm Suha. It's nice to meet you."
Taemin lifted his brows. "Your wife? The Suha?"
"Yes," I said.
He grinned wider. "Damn. She's pretty. How did you manage that? Did she lose a bet?"
I glared. "Taemin."
He held up his hands. "Relax, man. I'm complimenting her."
Ha-Eun sighed. "Sorry. He's always like this."
Taemin's eyes brightened. "Let's hang out together! Double date!"
"No," I said immediately.
"Come on, man—"
"No."
But Suha tugged my sleeve gently. "It's fine. We can join them."
I hesitated. One look at her hopeful eyes and my resistance melted like nothing.
"…Fine," I muttered.
Taemin smirked. "Whipped already."
I stepped toward him. "I can still leave you behind."
He raised his hands. "Okay, okay. Friendly teasing."
The four of us explored the park together. Taemin kept teasing me. I kept telling him to shut up. Ha-Eun kept apologizing for him. Suha kept laughing softly at everything.
At one point, Taemin put his arm around my shoulders.
"Man, I forgot how dead your expression always is. Suha, blink twice if he threatened you to marry him."
Suha shook her head, trying not to laugh. "No. He didn't."
"See?" I said. "Now stop talking."
Taemin laughed so loud people looked at us.
We were walking past the biggest rollercoaster in the park when Taemin suddenly stopped, stared at the towering monster of spinning metal, and turned to me with the brightest evil on his face.
"Ohhhh no," I said immediately.
"Ohhhh YES," he said, pointing at it like he discovered a new continent. "Let's ride that."
Ha-Eun groaned. "Taemin, that thing has three loops."
"Four," he corrected proudly. "And it goes backwards."
Suha blinked at the giant ride, eyes sparkling with interest. "It looks fun."
Great. She liked it.
Which meant I couldn't say no.
Taemin folded his arms and smirked at me. "What's wrong, Jay? Scared?"
I stared at him. "You think I'm scared of a bunch of metal?"
"Yes," he said instantly.
I gripped his collar. "I will throw you off this bridge."
He grinned. "Just admit it. Big, scary rollercoaster intimidates you."
That did it.
I stepped forward. "Fine. Let's ride it."
Taemin bounced. "LET'S GOOOO!"
Ha-Eun facepalmed.
Suha looked at me worriedly. "You don't have to if you don't want to."
"I'm fine," I said confidently.
This was a mistake.
We got into the seats.
Taemin beside me.
Ha-Eun beside him.
Suha beside me.
The bar lowered.
Taemin leaned forward. "Hey Jay."
"What."
"You look pale already."
"I'm going to kill you."
The ride shot forward before I finished the sentence.
Suha screamed.
Ha-Eun screamed.
Taemin screamed like he was in a metal concert.
Me?
I saw my soul leave my body.
The world flipped, spun, twisted, turned upside down, inside out, backwards, sideways—
At one point I'm pretty sure I prayed.
I don't even pray.
The coaster did a full loop and I felt my ancestors slap me in the face.
Then it went backwards and I considered filing a lawsuit.
When it finally stopped, Suha was laughing breathlessly. "That was so fun!"
Ha-Eun was shaking but smiling.
Taemin was yelling, "THAT WAS AMAZING!"
And I…
couldn't move.
I stepped off like a 98-year-old grandpa whose knees gave up on life.
I walked three meters and sat on the nearest bench before gravity betrayed me.
The world tilted.
Everything spun.
I put my hand on my forehead.
Suha rushed to me. "Jay? Are you dizzy?"
"No," I said, swaying. "The planet is just… rotating too fast."
She pulled a water bottle from her bag and opened it quickly. "Drink."
I took a sip. Missed my mouth. Almost spilled it on myself.
Taemin slid into view with the most irritating grin I've ever seen.
He bent down to eye level with me like he was observing a wild animal.
"Well well well," he said sweetly. "What do we have here?"
I glared weakly. "Don't."
"So the great Kim Jay… defeated by a children's ride?"
"It had FOUR loops," I snapped.
"Baby loops."
"I will actually punch you."
Taemin burst into laughter so hard he nearly fell over. "Jay, you looked like a malfunctioning robot up there."
Ha-Eun tried not to laugh but failed. "You did scream a little."
"I did NOT scream."
Suha tilted her head. "You… made a noise."
I stared at her. "What kind of noise."
She tried to hide her smile. "Something like… '—ghf.'"
Taemin exploded. "THAT WAS THE BEST IMPRESSION I'VE EVER HEARD!"
I covered my face with my hands. "I hate all of you."
Suha placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "You did well."
"Don't lie."
She smiled. "Okay… you survived."
Taemin clapped mockingly. "We are so proud. Our brave little soldier."
I looked at him. "I hope your wedding cake collapses."
He gasped dramatically. "Take that back!"
"No."
Ha-Eun was laughing so hard now she was wiping tears.
Suha giggled softly beside me. "Let's rest for a bit."
I leaned back on the bench, exhausted.
At least Suha looked happy.
Taemin, however…
"Next time," he said eagerly, "let's try the one that spins while going upside down."
I lifted my head painfully.
"Taemin," I said calmly, "if you suggest another ride… I will feed you to it."
He blinked.
Then laughed.
Suha covered her mouth, shoulders shaking with laughter.
"Worth it," Taemin whispered.
I reached out to strangle him. Ha-Eun grabbed him by the hoodie. "Taemin, let the man recover."
"Fine," he muttered. "But he's never living this down."
I groaned and leaned back again.
Worst ride of my life.
Best reactions of everyone else's.
Figures.
We tried a few more rides, played small games, walked under rows of lights strung overhead. As the day slipped into night, Suha pointed at the Ferris wheel.
"Can we ride that too?"
"Yeah," I said.
Taemin and Ha-Eun got into a separate cabin beside ours. Suha and I stepped into ours. The doors closed, and the wheel lifted us up slowly.
At first we looked at opposite windows. But when we reached the middle height, Suha leaned forward, staring out at the glowing city.
"Wow," she whispered. "It's so beautiful."
I looked at the view too, but my attention drifted back to her.
The moonlight fell directly across her face, softening every feature. Her eyes reflected the lights below like tiny stars. Her hair moved a little with the breeze from the small window. She looked… peaceful. Gentle. And incredibly beautiful in a way I hadn't let myself see properly before.
My breath caught without warning.
Maybe it was the height. Or maybe it was the moment. Or maybe it was her.
She turned to me suddenly. "Jay? Are you okay?"
I blinked. "Yeah. Just… looking."
"At the view?" she asked.
"…Something like that."
She didn't push. She just smiled a little. And that made the moment worse. Or better. I wasn't sure.
When we got off the Ferris wheel, Suha hugged her arms. "It's colder than I thought."
I didn't think about it. I took off my jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
"Oh," she murmured. "Th-thank you."
Before I could respond, Taemin called from behind in a dramatic voice.
"I'm also cold, Jayyy~"
I turned to him slowly and pointed toward a small group gathered around a campfire nearby.
"You see that campfire?"
Taemin nodded suspiciously. "Yeah…?"
"Go sit on it."
Ha-Eun burst into laughter. Suha tried to hide her smile. Taemin groaned. "Man, I missed you too, you menace."
I shook my head, but I didn't deny it.
Suha walked beside me, holding my jacket close.
And for the first time in a long time, the night didn't feel heavy.
It felt almost… warm.