NLFSD Chapter 56

Chapter 56

After spending the morning filled with activities, the couples were given a short break. The organizers passed out cold drinks. Seo Taecheon and Lee Jiwoon sat side‑by‑side on the grass, each sipping from a cup with a straw.

“Phew… sweet nectar.”

“Jiwoon. Would you like this one too?”

Taecheon held out his cup of orange ade.

“No, you should drink it, Taecheon.”

“Water is enough for me. Besides, I think this is the flavor you like.”

“I already have mine, so it’s fine. And, well… this may sound silly but—”

“What is it?”

“What if you try it and… see what flavor I like for yourself.”

As soon as he said it, Jiwoon worried it sounded silly and considered taking the words back — but Taecheon accepted them completely seriously.

“I never thought of that. You’re right. I’ll study your tastes from now on.”

“Really?”

He sipped Jiwoon’s drink and nodded as though he liked it.

“I’ll probably enjoy this more often from now on. It’s good.”

That teasing smile shining boyishly across his face made Jiwoon’s chest pound.

The more I look, the more he’s completely my type. How did I not realize before — Seo Taecheon is my heaven‑sent ideal.

Jiwoon thought back on the past. Most likely, because it was his first time feeling something like love, he hadn’t recognized it for what it was. Not knowing how to hold someone in his heart, he had denied his feelings again and again. But that was all behind him now.

“You smile so beautifully.”

“…What?”

“Just now — so beautiful, I regret my eyes don’t have a save function.”

“Wha— Taecheon, how are you suddenly so good with words? You never used to be this way!”

“When was I different?”

Dumbfounded, Jiwoon pressed him.

“I mean affection. You weren’t this expressive before we started dating, and now it’s nonstop.”

“Then take it as a compliment.”

And with that, Taecheon leaned in and kissed him, brief and soft.

“H‑hey! People are watching!”

“Everyone but us is kissing already.”

“…What?”

Looking around, Jiwoon saw it was true. All across the lawn, couples were practically devouring one another.

“Oh… well then…”

“Shall I continue?”

“…Yes.”

Jiwoon smiled shyly and closed his eyes. The orange‑flavored kiss under the sunlight was sweet.

In the afternoon, a candle‑making class began. At the small multipurpose hall in one corner of the park, couples each took a desk. The instructor entered.

“Hello, everyone. Today I’ll be leading this one‑day scented candle workshop.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Polite applause followed.

“For those of you in love, today you’ll each make two large candles you can burn for a long time. The theme is romantic. I’ll explain the different fragrance bases, then place them on the central table so you can mix and match freely.”

The instructor guided them through bases: floral, woody, forest, cinnamon, citrus, herbal… offering samples to smell.

“Which scent draws you most?”

When Jiwoon’s turn came, he chose without hesitation.

“This one — forest.”

“May I ask why?”

“…It’s embarrassing to say, but… because it smells a little like my Alpha.”

A chorus of playful groans and jealousy erupted; comments about how the two were obviously crazy for each other. Jiwoon and Taecheon had already stood out as inseparably devoted.

“Well, it could be interesting to make a candle that reminds you of your partner. Now, go ahead and follow the recipe guide to blend your scents.”

Just as he planned, Jiwoon combined the forest base with faint touches of woody and herb fragrances.

“…Do you like my scent that much?”

From across the desk, Taecheon asked with his usual formal tone — and yet dappled with playful teasing.

“I… like it. Obviously I like it.”

Clearing his throat, flustered, Jiwoon focused on blending.

“And what about you, Taecheon? Which scent will you choose?”

“What a pointless question.”

“Huh?”

“I already picked it. I didn’t know the name, but I recognized it immediately.”

Curious, Jiwoon leaned in to smell the oils before Taecheon. It was close to sage, paired with a chin‑lifting, tangy hint of citrus.

“…Don’t tell me.”

“It’s your scent. I haven’t gotten to smell it properly, but I notice it when I’m close.”

“…Taecheon.”

He’s really trying to create a candle that smells like me. He’s utterly smitten… What a lover boy.

“So I’ll make Taecheon, and Taecheon will make me… I love this.”

Bouncing in his chair, Jiwoon could barely contain himself. Taecheon hid a laugh behind his fist.

“Be careful, or the melted wax’ll burn you.”

“Okay, okay, I’m starting the pour.”

Together they carefully scooped the water‑bathed wax, mixed in fragrances. Jiwoon steadied the wick upright, while Taecheon poured the wax into glass jars. The two scents mingled in warmth, tickling their noses.

Jiwoon grinned wide, snapping a photo of the twin candles side by side. This is why they wanted couples to do this — perfect symbolism.

“Keep them safe. They’re one‑of‑a‑kind candles, irreplaceable.”

“Yes!”

The instructor passed out wrapping paper and bags. Jiwoon meticulously packed his candle, triple‑wrapping it to be sure.

He didn’t yet stop to imagine how the candle might one day be burned. For now, he just knew he wanted to store it carefully away at home.

By the time they finished, the skies outside were stained orange with setting sun.

“Wow, when did the time get away?”

“In a flash.”

I’m starting to get hungry.

No sooner thought than the organizer announced dinner.

“You can cook with what you brought. Each tent has a wood table and chairs out front. We’ve provided charcoal, grills, torches. If you need more, ask us.”

Yes! This is why I shopped so hard yesterday.

Racing toward their tent, Jiwoon almost shouted with glee.

“Slow, Jiwoon.”

“I want to eat quickly!”

There it was — the ice box he’d stashed at noon. Packed inside were all the groceries he’d carefully bought.

Where to start? Barbecue first, right?

“Taecheon, let’s grill the beef!”

“Good idea. I’ll light the charcoal.”

“Let’s do it together.”

Flurrying, Jiwoon carried baskets and produce. At the water spout, he fumbled with washing vegetables.

“Uh… grapes need rinsing… ramen now or later? No, the meat first… where’s the charcoal?”

“I’ll handle it. Relax, Jiwoon.”

Torch in hand, Taecheon stopped him.

“No, no, I’ll wash the greens at least!”

He grabbed lettuce and perilla leaves to wash, hurrying to the communal sink. Other couples were already there rinsing veggies.

As the cold water hit his hands, Jiwoon remembered their last company workshop, where Taecheon had efficiently washed piles of produce in minutes. What doesn’t that man do well?

Feeling warmhearted, Jiwoon smiled.

“Oh! Aren’t you the couple who won the quiz earlier?”

Another participant at the next faucet spoke up.

“Ah, yes… that was us!”

Suddenly shy, Jiwoon chuckled.

“You two were amazing, perfectly in sync. How did you even come to the point of divorce?”

Since this was a divorcee camp, chatting candidly about marriage and divorce came naturally. During the recent candle class he’d overheard several couples sharing their “divorce reasons” casually, so he understood there was no bad intent. Still — how could he explain a government clerk’s paperwork mistake had accidentally registered them?

“…It was just, ah… a misunderstanding.”

That’s the closest safe word for mistake.