Tethered by Rivalry | Eunwoo

5

Finally, after the hell brought by midterm examinations, Christmas break arrived like a long-awaited breath of fresh air. For the first time in months, you and Eunwoo were free from the relentless academic pressure that had defined your lives for so long. No more thesis drafts, no more exams hanging over your heads—just a much-needed escape from the chaos of university life.

Both your families decided it was the perfect opportunity to gather for the holidays. They had rented a cozy resthouse nestled in the mountains, far from the noise and bustle of the city. The place was serene, surrounded by towering trees and the quiet hush of winter, the perfect setting for a Christmas retreat. For once, it felt like you could breathe.

You and Eunwoo had both agreed to this vacation reluctantly, not sure how you’d handle being in close proximity with no distractions. But neither of you had anticipated what your families had in store.

The first couple of days passed quietly enough—conversations over hot chocolate, exchanging gifts, and playing card games by the fireplace. You and Eunwoo kept things cordial, sticking to small talk and maintaining the fragile peace that had settled between you. It was almost comfortable, being away from the academic rivalry, at least for a little while.

But it was during a dinner on Christmas Eve when the real awkwardness began. The fire crackled warmly in the background, and the resthouse was aglow with soft lights and holiday cheer. Everyone was in high spirits, and as the wine flowed, the conversation took a turn you hadn’t expected.

“So,” one of your aunts began, leaning in with a mischievous glint in her eye, “now that you two are married… when are we going to hear the pitter-patter of little feet?”

You nearly choked on your drink, your face instantly heating up. You hadn’t even thought about that. The very idea of it sent a rush of embarrassment through you. Across the table, Eunwoo looked equally caught off guard, his usually composed face reddening as he fumbled with his glass.

His mother chuckled, clearly enjoying the moment. “Oh, come on. You two have been married for a few months now. It’s only natural we start thinking about grandkids!”

You exchanged a quick, panicked glance with Eunwoo, both of you speechless. Of all the things you’d prepared yourself for, this wasn’t it. You could handle academic rivalry, you could handle the tension between you, but this? This was a whole new level of awkward.

“W-We’re still busy with school,” you managed to stammer, your voice a little too high-pitched. “Graduation is coming up, and, uh, we’re focused on that right now.”

Eunwoo nodded quickly, his agreement almost frantic. “Exactly. A lot on our plates. Maybe… maybe later.”

Your family laughed, clearly not taking you seriously. “Well, don’t wait too long!” someone teased. “You wouldn’t want to miss out on starting a family while you’re young!”

The teasing continued for a while, and all you could do was sit there, cheeks burning, praying for the conversation to shift. Eunwoo, for once, seemed just as flustered as you were, his usual calm demeanor completely shattered by the unexpected pressure.

When dinner finally ended, you both practically bolted from the table, retreating to your separate rooms in the resthouse. As you closed the door behind you, you could still hear the soft murmur of laughter from the dining area, the weight of your families’ expectations hanging in the air.

You leaned against the door, heart still pounding, trying to shake off the embarrassment. But the teasing had stirred something between you and Eunwoo—something neither of you was ready to face yet. For now, you’d pretend it was nothing, just more family banter. But deep down, you both knew that the holiday vacation had brought a new layer of complexity to your already complicated relationship.