22-18

EP.18 1. (Pre-Livestock Female University Student Lee Sol-ah) - Wedding March (18)(Complete)

"Sol-ah, why is your face like that?" Oppa asked, surprised when he saw me late. It was understandable; my makeup was a mess from crying.

"I...it's nothing."

Oppa looked handsome in his wedding tuxedo. He had even done his makeup, which was a new image for me.

In comparison, I was a mess. I had ruined my beautiful makeup.

"I'm sorry, Oppa. I messed up my makeup."

I didn't want to cry, but once the tears started, they flowed easily.

Oppa approached me silently and hugged me without asking anything.

His embrace felt like Dad's, which made it hurt even more.

The pain I had caused Mom and Dad was now tearing my heart apart.

Fortunately, there was some time before the ceremony, so I redid my makeup and became beautiful again.

I won't cry anymore. There's no need to cry now.

[Your mom is in the car. Go see her.]

Oppa whispered this to me. It seemed Dad had told him even though he was angry.

Mom had to enter the wedding venue naked, as that was the rule for livestock. Dad probably thought it was horrific for Mom, who was already a livestock, to see her daughter become one too. However, Mom wanted to attend.

This might be the last time Mom sees me. Dad might have another chance to see me as a livestock, but for Mom, this could be the final goodbye.

I knocked gently on the car door so Mom wouldn't be startled.

There was a knock from inside, indicating Mom was there.

"Mom, I'm here."

"Miss..."

Mom's eyes welled up with tears, but I wouldn't cry anymore. I smiled instead.

"Why are you crying on such a happy day? You should be congratulating me."

"You shouldn't become a livestock, Miss..."

Mom kept repeating that I shouldn't become a livestock. She had prepared herself, but seeing me made her forget her resolve.

"Don't call me Miss. I'm also a livestock now."

I hugged Mom.

"Call me Sol-ah."

"How...how can I...to Miss..."

I showed her my arm, where the red scar had turned into a black barcode.

"Mom, look. I got it just like you."

"Aaah...Miss...Miss..."

"Now we're both livestock, so I'm not a Miss anymore."

Mom started crying, holding my arm.

"Sol-ah...huh...perhaps it's good...I always hoped you wouldn't become like me...huh...huh..."

"Now you call me Sol-ah."

I hugged Mom.

"Thank you, Mom, for giving birth to me, raising me, and calling me by my name."

"I'm sorry...Mom is sorry...I couldn't protect you..."

"Don't cry, Mom. It's not your fault. I'm the one who's lacking."

"If only I had more strength...if only I weren't a livestock...then..."

Mom kept apologizing, blaming herself. I hugged her, happy that she called me Sol-ah.

Mom wanted to attend my wedding. Dad opposed it, but I also wanted Mom to see it.

Mom willingly undressed and handed me her leash.

"Sol-ah, I'm sorry to ask you to do this."

"It can't be helped. Mom can't move alone in this place."

Mom kept saying sorry, expressing all the apologies she had wanted to make to me.

"Don't apologize. I should be sorry. I should have been a daughter who proudly claimed her rights in front of you."

"It's not your fault, daughter...it's all my fault..."

"I'm satisfied that we can have a conversation like this."

I smiled at Mom.

Mom covered her mouth, and soon tears flowed again.

"Mom, see how kind my husband is. He'll treat me better than Dad ever did."

"Huh...huh...Sol-ah..."

"Please watch, Mom, and then forget about me. You'll be happier that way."

Mom didn't move, just crying silently.

"Mom, the ceremony is about to start. Do you not want to see your daughter marry a good master?"

Mom nodded with tears in her eyes.

"Let's go, Mom."

Mom moved her hand, which had been still, and I took her leash, leading her into the wedding venue.

Mom was able to sit in a VIP section, courtesy of Oppa, who had rented the entire area on the second floor of the venue.

When we entered the VIP section, Oppa gave Mom some clothes.

"Please be comfortable here. You can sit and watch since this area isn't visible from outside."

"I...I shouldn't...as a livestock..."

"Please don't say that, Mom. Whether you have rights or not, you're Sol-ah's mother. You're the one who gave birth to Sol-ah, whom I cherish."

Oppa bowed deeply to Mom.

"Oh, sir! Don't do that! How can you bow to a lowly livestock like me?"

Mom was at a loss. I stopped her from bowing with Oppa, as per his request.

"Thank you for allowing me to have Sol-ah. I will make sure she lives happily without feeling like she lacks rights."

"Aaah...sir...sir..."

Mom started crying again. It was understandable.

Most people treated Mom like a livestock, but Oppa didn't. He treated her as my mother and called her "Mom." He even bowed to her, which was unheard of in this world.

"Please enjoy the ceremony. I've prepared a meal for you here."

Mom nodded silently, tears streaming down her face. She might not have dared to speak informally to Oppa, or perhaps she feared that speaking would make her cry.

Oppa took my hand and left the VIP room.

"Thank you, Oppa, for calling Mom 'Mom'."

"It's only natural. You were born to such a wonderful mother."

I leaned on Oppa's arm.

"It's reassuring to have such a great master like you."

"Don't call me master, Sol-ah."

"But you are my master."

I smiled broadly. I couldn't show a sad face to such a wonderful Oppa. I had to show him a happy, obedient appearance.

We took photos before the ceremony. If I still had rights, I would have taken them after the wedding. However, the wedding gift was a livestock collar. Once I wore it, I would become a livestock and couldn't take photos with friends who still had rights.

"Congratulations, Sol-ah."

"Congratulations, Sol-ah..."

My friends' eyes were swollen, but they tried not to cry.

I had asked them to smile for the photos, not to cry, and to look happy. That way, they could remember me as happy.

"Let's take the photo. Everyone, please smile!"

Click.

The photo was taken. I wonder if I'll ever see it. I hope my friends smiled as I wished.

The wedding began. Dad didn't show up even after it started.

That's understandable. He probably didn't want to see his daughter's last moments. He must have been disappointed.

It's okay. At least Mom is watching.

I looked up at the second floor, where the large, tinted windows were. Mom was probably watching from there.

Watch, Mom. Even though I'm becoming a livestock, I'll show you a happy face.

"Are you ready?"

Oppa offered me his hand. Originally, Dad should have walked me down the aisle, but since he wasn't there, Oppa took his place.

"Yes, Oppa."

"Aren't you nervous?"

"It's okay. My heart is racing because it's a happy day."

Oppa smiled softly.

"Thank you, Sol-ah. I feel the same. I'm excited about the world we'll build together."

Oppa gave me a gentle kiss. His lips were sweeter than ever today.

"Shall we go?"

"Yes, Oppa."

We walked into the ceremony hall, hand in hand. The spotlight shone brightly on us.

The officiant was one of Oppa's university professors, someone he trusted. The professor was considerate of me, as Oppa had asked.

Usually, the ceremony emphasizes the duties of a livestock, but this one didn't mention any of that.

"Now, let's proceed with Jun-seok giving Sol-ah the gift."

The livestock collar was handed to Oppa.

"Please put the collar on the bride."

Oppa approached me with the collar.

"I'm sorry. It's not a ring."

Oppa was still apologetic.

"It's okay. This collar is more beautiful than a ring."

I smiled happily.

Oppa's hand touched my neck, and the rough collar encircled it.

[Click.]

The collar was placed around my neck.

The sound of human Sol-ah disappearing. The sound of livestock Mimi being born.

"By the power vested in me, I declare that Jo Jun-seok and Lee Sol-ah are now married."

All that was left was the procession. Now I'm a livestock, and I have to walk on all fours.

I decided to walk on all fours. Initially, I hated the idea of crawling in front of my parents and friends, as it was humiliating.

But now it's okay. I realized that those who truly care for me don't see it as humiliating.

Oppa offered to carry me, but that wasn't possible. The law is the law, and it must be followed.

I bent down, hands on the ground.

Suddenly, I felt myself being lifted.

"Ack!"

Oppa had picked me up.

"I promised not to make you crawl."

"Ma...master..."

"Don't call me master. It's an order. I'm your eternal Oppa."

Tears welled up. I didn't want to cry.

"...Yes..."

Oppa carried me as we walked. The wedding march filled the hall.

Applause erupted from all sides.

Oppa's broad back was incredibly comforting.

I looked up at where Mom was sitting.

Mom, are you watching? I got married. Did I look happy? I hope I did.

Mom's daughter, now a livestock, but with such a kind master.

Don't worry. This man will do more for me than Dad ever did for you.

I whispered into Oppa's ear, "I love you, Oppa."

"I love you too, Sol-ah!!!" Oppa exclaimed.

The hall erupted in applause.

On the day I became a livestock, I was happier than ever.

That's how it was.