NLFSD Chapter 100

Chapter 100

Snow fell in heavy drifts, but soon, a gentle breeze melted the ice away. Green shoots pushed through earth, and soft southern winds carried the stir of spring.

March — the beginning of spring.

Perhaps because it had been awaited so long, their wedding day gleamed unnaturally bright. Guests all remarked they had never seen such a clear and radiant spring day before.

In the waiting room, Jiwoon was jittering with nerves. Though the weather wasn’t hot, sweat beaded on him, and his head spun. He kept nibbling at fruit and biscuits, gulping down water, pacing in front of the mirror without pause.

“Phew… How do I look?”

“Perfect. You don’t even look pregnant.”

“Really?”

“Really. The white looks amazing on you.”

His college friends circled around him with encouragement. When Jiwoon and Seo Taecheon had first announced marriage, they had dramatically pretended to faint, but soon became his staunchest allies.

Checking his appearance in the mirror again, Jiwoon smoothed out his suit. His belly was slightly rounded, but the expertly tailored fit hid it well. And in any case, everyone already knew about Mango growing inside him.

“How do I look, sunbaenim?”

“No question. You’re the best.”

“Taecheon is just lucky, plain and simple.”

Deputy Min Hye‑gyeong and Secretary Kim Min‑ji joked. Laughter bubbled from Jiwoon, nerves softened.

“Groom, it’s time! Please hurry.”

The venue coordinator entered briskly. Already the moment had come? Jiwoon jumped, staring once more into the mirror. His friends and supporters clapped.

“We’ll go first. Come out when you’re ready!”

“Right!”

Jiwoon inhaled deeply, several times, and stepped out. Fresh air kissed his face — still chilly, but threaded with the delicate aroma of early flowers.

He walked the flower‑strewn aisle, blossoms opening on both sides. Since it was an outdoor wedding, the guests were countless, their applause like waves in his ears.

“Congratulations!”

“You look wonderful!”

“Be happy!”

Jiwoon smiled and bowed politely as he passed. At the front row, Taecheon’s parents sat side by side — clasping hands. When had their relationship thawed so? Jiwoon grinned and continued forward.

“You’ve come at last.”

When Jiwoon arrived, standing beside him, Taecheon exhaled as though a lifetime’s wait were over. Ironically, he was the one looking stiff with nerves. Always strong, always composed — and yet now trembling. Jiwoon found it both adorable and fascinating.

“Have you been waiting long?”

“Perhaps a year or so, watching that door and wondering when you’d finally come out.”

The tall man in his black tuxedo, hair slicked back, confessed with strain clear on his face. Jiwoon couldn’t help but laugh — that such a dazzling man had waited for him. He had to marry him quickly, before that moment slipped away.

“The formal speech, I’ll skip. I trust you two to live well. Lee Jiwoon, Seo Taecheon — do you agree?”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

The officiant was none other than their Divorce Reflection supervisor. When asked to preside, he had said it was the greatest honor in his career. In thanks, Taecheon had prepared lavish gifts for the whole supervising team, and invited them all.

“In that case — seal it with a kiss.”

Cheering erupted, applause thundered. Taecheon cupped Jiwoon’s face, and as Jiwoon’s lashes trembled shut, their lips parted and pressed. Guests roared in joy.

“I now declare you husband and husband.”

The hall resounded with claps again. Jiwoon and Taecheon gazed into one another’s eyes — silently saying the same thing:

We are truly married now.

No turning back.

There had been two grooms, but only one bouquet. Together they hurled it upward. With Alpha strength doubled, the bouquet sailed like a comet farther than intended.

“Ah!”

Deputy Min sprinted into action, launching herself like a striker in a championship game. She leapt, caught the bouquet mid‑air — a sports highlight play. The audience howled applause as she waved it proudly overhead.

Warm sunlight, floral fragrance, laughing guests, and his love by his side. Jiwoon felt no fear anymore. The future glittered so brightly, merely thinking of it made time seem scarce.

After the ceremony, the banquet hummed with conversation and cheer. Jiwoon and Taecheon sat at a table with Chairman Seo and Madam Choi.

“Jiwoon, how’s the baby?”

“Healthy, they say.”

“Good thing I already booked the English kindergarten. What foresight!”

The Chairman boasted, puffing his chest.

“Hah, then I’ll one‑up you. I’ve already reserved the best postpartum center. Five‑star facilities, Jiwoon can stay as long as he likes.”

Madam Choi cut in proudly.

“Thank you, Mother.”

“From now, we’re family. Let’s live well together.”

“…Yes.”

Tears pricked Jiwoon’s eyes. Beside him — steadfast Taecheon. Before him — warm in‑laws who embraced him and Mango as family. He had four family members again. The long‑lost warmth of kinship stung his chest sweetly.

“I’m so grateful. I’ll do my best to live well.”

“You’ll manage just fine.”

“Don’t worry about us, just live happily.”

After greetings all around and farewells to guests, the pair climbed into their wedding car.

“Enjoy your honeymoon!”

“Safe travels!”

Everyone assumed Incheon Airport was their destination. But in truth, the couple had decided otherwise the previous night.

“Driver Kim, please head to this address.”

“…This is a district welfare center on duty tonight? Ah, it’s on the way to the airport.”

“Yes.”

Instead of the skies, it was bureaucracy. That particular weekend, only one center per district handled after‑hours work. With closing time looming, they raced. Skilled chauffeur Kim pressed the accelerator, delivering them by 6 p.m.

“Thank you! We won’t be long.”

“Please wait!”

Still in tux and suit, they strutted inside.

“There’s the forms.”

“Let’s fill them out quickly.”

Together, they bent over the Marriage Registration Form. They wrote in Kim Min‑ji and Min Hye‑gyeong’s names as witnesses, signed, and brought it forward.

“Excuse me. We’re here to register marriage.”

The clerk eyed their outfits, clearly guessing they had come straight from the altar.

“Yes. IDs and form please.”

As the clerk tapped away, her expression twisted.

“…Strange. Let me check again.”

Frowning, she looked up.

“…I’m very sorry, but you two are already registered as married.”

Her bewildered gaze found theirs. Jiwoon burst out laughing.

“Yes. We know.”

“…Pardon?”

“We just wanted to do it again, properly. Sorry to waste your time!”

They bowed politely and exited, leaving startled clerks exchanging incredulous looks.

On the steps outside, Jiwoon turned.

“Director, did you know we were already married all this time?”

“No, not at all. This is absurd. How did it even happen?”

“My point! Which is why I said, Director, please divorce me!”

It was verbatim — the first words Jiwoon had cried months ago when he stormed into the Director’s office, clutching his family registry.

Yet this time, the ending shifted.

“I refuse. I will not divorce Assistant Lee.”

Taecheon drew him close and clasped his waist. Jiwoon feigned protest, only to collapse smiling against him.

“Oh no, then I suppose I have no choice… I must stay married to you.”

“…And let’s have a child together.”

“…Well then, why not?”

Jiwoon’s laughter rang, bright and clear.

The Marriage for the Sake of Divorce Project had transformed at last into a Marriage for the Sake of Marriage. The days to follow would be theirs to weave — together, hands clasped, forever unbroken.

< The End: “A Newlywed Life for a Successful Divorce” >