Side Story 3
02. College Student, Baek I-hae
“I-hae-ya.”
At Seo I-heum’s call, Baek I-hae—who had just finished putting their daughter Seo Do-hee to sleep—opened her eyes wide.
“Yes?”
“Tomorrow’s your first day at university. Aren’t you nervous?”
“A little, but Do-gyeom will be there, so I’ll be fine.”
Her enrollment had been delayed while she cared for Do-hee after giving birth. Seo Do-gyeom had started the previous year and was already settled into campus life, so adjusting shouldn’t be difficult.
“I truly never expected Do-gyeom to get into the same school as me—even after repeating a year.”
He had abandoned internal grades entirely and focused only on the entrance exam; the result felt miraculous.
Smiling to herself at the thought of “male protagonist buff,” she went on to the visibly worried Seo I-heum.
“I’m more worried about whether Do-hee will behave. If anything happens, please call me right away.”
“Of course. Don’t worry about Do-hee.”
There was a live-in housekeeper, and uncles who adored the baby in abundance. They would play with her and watch her constantly even without being asked.
Perhaps because she was his first grandchild.
“It really feels like Do-hee is the princess of this house.”
Maybe even more so because she looked exactly like Baek I-hae. Or perhaps because she took after Seo Do-gyeom—quiet expression but endlessly gentle and calm.
She mostly ignored the doting uncles, treating them with cool indifference, yet every one of them found even that adorable and beamed. It made for quite an entertaining scene.
Back in their room, Baek I-hae was choosing tomorrow’s outfit when Seo Do-gyeom emerged from the shower and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
She lightly swatted the familiar arms and scolded.
“You’ll catch a cold coming out with wet hair.”
“I’m fine. I’ve never gotten sick over something like this.”
True—since the turbulent high school years filled with incidents, she had never once seen him suffer even a minor cold.
Still, she insisted he dry properly, took the towel herself, and gently wiped his hair.
Through the damp strands his dark eyes gazed only at her.
“What will you wear tomorrow?”
“I’m not sure. I want to look pretty, so I’m thinking.”
“You’re pretty enough without trying.”
“You and your rose-colored glasses.”
He meant it sincerely, but Baek I-hae laughed brightly as if he’d told the funniest joke.
“How’s university life? Fun?”
“Ordinary. It’s less fun because you’re not there.”
“You should hang out with other people too. Just… not too friendly with girls.”
“Jealous?”
“Of course. If I went and got close with guys…”
Seo Do-gyeom silently clenched his fist hard. His face remained unchanged.
“If I hadn’t seen his hand, I’d think he was completely calm.”
No—now she could read the subtle sinking of his eyes as jealousy. She would definitely notice.
“You’re jealous. Actually, I’d prefer you stayed home.”
“So only you could see me?”
“Yes. But since that’s not possible… if anyone shows interest, make sure you tell them you’re married. Promise?”
“Of course.”
She didn’t have Seo Do-gyeom’s striking looks, so she doubted she’d attract that much attention anyway.
“He sometimes talks as if I’m some stunning beauty—it’s embarrassing.”
To ease his anxiety, Baek I-hae nodded firmly.
They slipped into the wide bed, and she burrowed into his embrace.
“I hope Do-hee stays calm.”
“Plenty of people will look after her.”
“That’s true, but still.”
Though newlyweds, they continued living in Seo I-heum’s house—partly for the active help with childcare, partly because Seo I-heum himself had suggested it.
“Me, a college student… it still doesn’t feel real.”
With excitement fluttering in her chest, Baek I-hae drifted into sleep.
***
The next morning she woke yawning and changed clothes. Seo Do-gyeom, already ready and waiting beside her, asked with concern.
“If you’re too tired, do you want to rest at home?”
“No—it’s my very first day. Are you all right? You’re the one who gets up whenever Do-hee wakes at dawn.”
Her sleep was deep and her stamina relatively weak, so Seo Do-gyeom usually checked on the baby in the early hours.
Even with the housekeeper, Do-hee only quieted and fell back asleep when she saw her parents’ faces.
“I’m fine. It’s more important that you rest well.”
Who raised him to say such sweet things so naturally?
Touched by his earnest, matter-of-fact sincerity, Baek I-hae gave him a light kiss.
She pretended not to notice the longing in his eyes that asked for more.
“The pink skirt?”
“Yes. Remember? It’s the one we color-coordinated on our last date. You wore the pink shirt for me that day.”
She recalled how Seo Do-gyeom, who always dressed in muted tones, had worn a pink shirt and white trousers at her request.
“It suited you so well—bright and handsome.”
Even in college he stuck mostly to white or black. Thinking he’d only wear color on dates, she felt a small regret and murmured without thinking,
“It would be nice if you wore something like that on campus sometimes.”
“Should I wear it today?”
“Really? You’d do that?”
“There’s no reason I shouldn’t.”
As if he’d been waiting for the invitation, he pulled off his top. His body, even firmer than in their younger days, caught her eye.
“I actually like the idea. It tells everyone I’m yours without words.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
She teased, but the words weren’t unpleasant.
In the end they decided to match colors as they had on dates, and Baek I-hae hummed happily.
Seo Do-gyeom in a pink shirt and white trousers, Baek I-hae in a white blouse and pink skirt—anyone could see they were a perfectly matched couple.
She had scolded him, yet she too had worried someone might covet her strikingly handsome husband.
“My man.”
Remembering his words, Baek I-hae smiled bashfully.
“We’re heading out. Please take good care of Do-hee.”
“Don’t worry—have a good day.”
The housekeeper, cradling Do-hee, smiled warmly as she saw them off at the door. The gentle baby, now thoroughly accustomed to those arms, slept peacefully without a peep.
Baek I-hae memorized the sight until the very last moment before stepping outside.
“Noona, if any weird guy bothers you, tell me. I’ll come running immediately.”
“You should tell me that, not him.”
Seo-yeol stood at the entrance offering worried advice and promptly received a light smack on the head from Seo Do-gyeom. The scene was absurdly funny.
Seo I-heum also saw her off with reminders to be careful, and Baek I-hae laughed softly.
“It’s just school—why is everyone making such a fuss?”
She grumbled lightly, but her mood looked anything but bad.
***
They arrived on campus in Seo Do-gyeom’s car. Baek I-hae got out first and turned back to the driver’s seat.
“I’ll head to the administration office first—park and text me.”
“Got it. If you get lost, call.”
“Okay, don’t worry. I came once when I applied for leave.”
She smiled lightly at the anxious Seo Do-gyeom, lifted her chin—and felt piercing stares. She tilted her head.
“What’s that about?”
When she glanced around, people quickly looked away as if nothing had happened.
There were too many students for anyone to recognize her as a returning student.
Shaking off the odd feeling, she started walking. She needed to confirm her readmission paperwork one more time.
“I-hae-ssi, you’re here!”
The teaching assistant who had handled her leave of absence greeted her warmly.
“Already back—must be nerve-wracking.”
“Yes, time really flew. When I came to apply for leave it felt like ages away.”
“Everyone says the same thing. Your readmission is all processed; you just need to stop by and greet the professor.”
As the assistant explained the professor’s office location, she suddenly asked,
“Are you planning to go to the lecture hall with Do-gyeom-ssi?”
“That’s the plan. He’s parking now, and going alone would feel awkward.”
“Going with Do-gyeom-ssi might be more awkward… but if it’s you, I-hae-ssi, you’ll be fine.”
“What do you mean?”
Baek I-hae tilted her head innocently. The assistant smiled lightly.
“Do-gyeom-ssi is incredibly popular—everyone pays attention. Of course, he ignores them so thoroughly it’s almost embarrassing for them, so you don’t need to worry.”
That’s exactly what worries me.
Baek I-hae gave an awkward smile at Seo Do-gyeom’s unchanged attitude from high school.
Should she be glad he gave no one an opening, or sad that his social skills remained stubbornly nonexistent?
