To whom was he trying to look so handsome?
He suited it much better than Muheon, who had worn dopo his whole life.
Muheon sent a disapproving look to the family members standing behind him.
They were bewildered, not understanding the meaning of Muheon’s gaze.
Hakyung, too, seeing Muheon say nothing, felt his greatly swelled heart deflate.
Hakyung, unable to tolerate curiosity, continuously bombarded Muheon with questions.
His tone was full of conviction that he looked quite splendid at the moment.
Muheon swallowed silently and nodded.
He replied to Hakyung, his murderous gaze still fixed.
“Kang Hakyung, you’re too handsome. That’s why I’m a little uncomfortable right now.”
“Me…?”
“It means I want to take you to a place where no one else is, right this instant. I don’t want to show this beautiful and handsome sight to anyone else.”
As the man’s reply grew longer, Hakyung’s lips curved upwards, endlessly reaching for the sky.
The family members who were also listening to their conversation blushed, murmuring “Oh my…!” as if embarrassed.
Hakyung grabbed Muheon’s sleeve and stood on his tiptoes.
Then he secretly whispered into his ear.
“You’re not just going to look at clothes when we go somewhere private, are you?”
Muheon chuckled at the “river dolphin’s” cute provocation and, like Hakyung had done, bent down to give a secret reply.
“Of course, I’ll take them off.”
Hakyung couldn’t help but laugh loudly.
Conversations with Muheon were indeed fun.
Even though he didn’t give long replies, he picked out exactly the words Hakyung wanted to hear, which was simply delightful.
As soon as he heard Muheon’s answer, Hakyung also felt an urge to pick Muheon up and go to a secluded spot, wanting to be alone with him.
However, thinking of those who had worked tirelessly day and night for them, he had to maturely suppress his momentary impulse.
He was now a grown “river dolphin,” having even completed his wedding ceremony.
***
The sweet conversation between the newlyweds ended, and the wedding ceremony finally began.
The wedding prepared in the West Sea was a traditional one.
The West Sea shapeshifters sat in a row at a long gyojasang (traditional low table), awaiting the couple.
In front of them were generously arranged makgeolli (rice wine), buckwheat pancakes, galbitang (rib soup), and janchi guksu (feast noodles), all filled with precious abalone, octopus, and various seaweeds from the sea.
The preparations for the wedding were also perfect.
Hakyung continuously exclaimed in admiration, looking at the lavishly set table, just as he had seen in movies and dramas.
In contrast, Muheon looked over the preparations with little emotion, when suddenly he felt a poke in his side.
“Quickly, say thank you for their hard work.”
“Huh?”
“They prepared such a tremendously wonderful wedding for us, didn’t they? Of course, you have to greet them! Hurry!”
At Hakyung’s urging, Muheon shifted his gaze to his family members.
Hundreds of sparkling eyes, solely fixed on him and Hakyung, followed him.
Up until now, he had only considered the sea shapeshifters bothersome, but hearing Hakyung’s words, they looked a little different.
A thought, albeit fleeting, crossed his mind: he was grateful for their unwavering affection and interest, which expected nothing in return.
Of course, more than that, it was still troublesome.
Even as he was re-evaluating his thoughts about the West Sea shapeshifters, Hakyung’s side attacks continued without cease.
Although it wasn’t an attack that inflicted great damage, he worried that Hakyung’s fingers would get hurt before his side did.
Muheon’s every thought revolved around Hakyung. He quickly opened his mouth.
“You’ve worked hard preparing. Thank you. It seems like it will be a special day for the two of us.”
It wasn’t loud.
It wasn’t an overwhelming tribute.
But it was more than enough of a greeting to move the West Sea shapeshifters who were circling him.
They pondered Muheon’s words, some reddening their eyes, others blinking with bewildered expressions.
“It truly, truly is a joyful day, Muheon-nim.”
“It feels like a lifelong wish has come true.”
“Be happy!”
Congratulations for their happiness poured in from all directions.
Hakyung smiled and thanked them, instead of Muheon, who had already said more than his share today.
Although it was a traditional wedding, the atmosphere wasn’t overly solemn.
They exchanged deep bows, shared haphanju (a ceremonial drink for couples), greeted the guests, and then it was over, but still, a sense of fulfillment lingered.
What he liked best was the haphanju.
As soon as it touched his lips, the scent of flowers filled his mouth, making him feel as if he was in a flower garden.
With wide eyes because it was so delicious, Hakyung looked up at Muheon.
Muheon also looked satisfied, as if the taste wasn’t bad.
Hakyung sipped the alcohol, which was meant to be drunk only once, several times.
Those who saw him earnestly drinking laughed heartily.
***
Hakyung, having gone through two wedding ceremonies in one day, flopped face down onto the soft bed.
The West Sea family’s meticulous preparation meant their newlywed room was already completely finished.
The only difference from a typical newlywed room was that the embroidery on the duvet wasn’t a pair of mandarin ducks, but an Imugi.
After rolling around in the duvet for a long time, Hakyung suddenly got up, took a photo of the cool Imugi embroidery, then flopped back down again.
No matter how tired he was, he had to capture how cool Muheon was.
Muheon, watching Hakyung’s actions, chuckled softly.
Then he gently patted the only prominent bulge on Hakyung’s flat body—his rear.
When he told Hakyung, who was sprawled out, to wash up and go to bed even if he was tired, Hakyung shot up once more.
“Sleep?”
“Huh?”
“It’s our first night as newlyweds tonight. Are we just going to wash up and go to sleep?”
Hakyung snorted indignantly, blowing out hot air.
At his incredibly flustered reaction, Muheon unconsciously apologized.
Despite his apology, Hakyung didn’t lose his displeased expression.
Even with dark circles reaching his chin from exhaustion, his determination not to let their first night pass by was immense.
Muheon gently rubbed Hakyung’s darkened eyes, a sympathetic expression on his face.
“This isn’t our actual first night, is it? Didn’t we already have a grand one?”
“Oh, really! That was the day we registered our marriage!”
“So… you want to have a grand one tonight too?”
“Of course! Since the stage is set like this, it’s only right to have a wonderful night that matches it as a form of appreciation!”
Truly, he was a “river dolphin” of the land of courtesy.
It was unclear whether he was genuinely trying to show appreciation or fulfill his own desires, but it wasn’t a bad thing for Muheon, either way.
Despite his words, Muheon gently lifted Hakyung, who was still floppy with exhaustion, onto his lap.
He carefully removed Hakyung’s crooked samo (traditional hat) and stroked his exposed pink hair.
The soft, fluffy texture tickled his palm, causing the corners of his lips to naturally turn up.
He stroked Hakyung’s hair for a long time when he heard a purring sound near his ear.
Hakyung, sitting on Muheon’s lap, had already drifted off to dreamland.
“Oh dear.”
Muheon clicked his tongue briefly, then carefully embraced Hakyung and patted his back.
Cradled in the warm embrace, Hakyung stirred for a moment, then fell into an even deeper sleep.
Muheon stood up, still holding Hakyung, and lifted the duvet.
As he gently laid Hakyung down in the heavy blanket, Hakyung’s lips slowly curled up even in his sleep, seemingly pleased with the warmly heated floor.
He was truly too cute.
It wasn’t a word to describe a “river dolphin” who was now a full-fledged married man, but cute was cute, nonetheless.
Muheon squatted beside the sleeping Hakyung and admired his fair face, losing track of time.
The thought that he might be the happiest Imugi on Earth, with about 100 layers of infatuation, was a bonus.
Any other Imugi hearing this would probably collapse from laughter.
***
How much time passed like that?
Sounds of bustling movement were heard from outside the newlywed room.
Muheon’s brow furrowed instinctively, wondering who it could be, as he had instructed no one to come near this area.
He first checked that Hakyung was still sleeping soundly, then strode outside.
“Who’s there?”
At Muheon’s low voice, the noisy movements ceased.
Then, several shapeshifter heads popped up from amidst the seaweed thicket.
They faced Muheon with embarrassed and awkward smiles.
And then they handed him the things they held in their hands.
“We apologize! We didn’t mean to disturb your time, Muheon-nim. We were just bringing what you might need tomorrow morning, and…”
“Yes, yes…! We absolutely were not curious about Muheon-nim, we just… Gag!”
The one who stopped his friend from blurting out their true purpose awkwardly rolled his eyes.
Even though it was from beyond the thicket, peeking at Muheon-nim’s first night was, even to him, an incredibly audacious act.
Their hearts pounded, unsure what scolding would descend upon them, but surprisingly, Muheon said nothing much.
“My husband is sleeping inside, so just go back quietly.”
“Y-yes…?”
“Can’t you tell by his clothes still being on? I’ve been rejected.”
Those who had gathered were aghast at Muheon’s words.
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