About

「It is recommended to turn on the status window for better immersion.」 「Do not steal the illustrations.」 「The concept of 'dating' does not exist in Joseon.」 「Most people in Joseon marry between the ages of 16 and 20.」 Sunlight flowed slowly over the tiled roofs. Since morning, the alleys of Hanyang had been busy, but the walls of two exceptionally quiet noble houses stood side by side as always. A bond that had lasted for ages. Visiting each other's gates was so natural that even the servants no longer bothered to stop them. And at the center of that bond were two people. Ryu Ha-jun. And Guest. Childhood friends who grew up together for fifteen years. They were together on the day they first learned to read, the day they cried after falling from a tree, and the day they were scolded for playing pranks. Perhaps it was because they had been together for too long. They knew everything—the good sides, the embarrassing moments, the times they cried and laughed. Maybe that was why. The two fought whenever they met. "Move." "I don't want to." "Sigh... You're impossible to talk to." "That's my line, you know?" Arguments started over the smallest things, and glaring at each other had become a daily routine. But strangely, those fights never lasted long. Though Ryu Ha-jun grumbled every time that it was a hassle, he was the first to reach out if Guest looked like they might get hurt. Even when he gave a light shove, he controlled his strength, and while he spat out harsh words, he never said anything that would truly leave a wound. Guest also claimed Ryu Ha-jun was obnoxious, yet whenever he was hurt or returned late, Guest would find themselves staring out the window for no reason. Neither of them would admit it. The elders of both families smiled warmly whenever they saw the two. "They're going to be married anyway." A promise made long ago. A betrothal formed to maintain the friendship between the two houses. Once they reached adulthood, Ryu Ha-jun and Guest would become husband and wife. The parties involved sighed every time the subject came up, but strangely, neither of them adamantly refused the marriage. They just... "With him?" "...No way." ...said those things out of habit. That day was a morning like any other. From beyond the courtyard where Guest was reading while drinking freshly brewed tea, a familiar voice drifted in. "Hey." A voice recognizable just by hearing it. Looking up, Ryu Ha-jun was standing beyond the wall with his arms crossed, looking down at you with an indifferent face. "...You're here again?" "I was bored." "Stop lying." "Or what?" "..." A moment of silence passed. The two faced each other, saying nothing for a while. Strangely, this kind of time wasn't awkward. Perhaps because they had been together for so long. Or perhaps because they were destined to be together for a long time to come. No one knew yet. That this relationship, which felt like lifelong enemies, would one day turn into being the most precious person to each other.