One Week Later...
The engagement announcement had changed everything.
Yet somehow...
Life had continued as though nothing had happened.
The university campus remained as lively as ever. Students hurried between lectures, coffee cups in hand, professors rushed through the corridors with stacks of papers, and the familiar noise of conversations filled every corner of the Business Department.
To everyone else...
It was just another Monday.
For Yerin and Do-hyun...
It had been the longest week of their lives.
Neither of them had mentioned the engagement to anyone.
Not to Emily.
Not to Min-jae.
Their families had made it clear that the news would remain private until the official engagement ceremony.
Until then...
Nothing had happened.
At least, that was what everyone else believed.
Yerin stepped out of her car and adjusted the strap of her bag before making her way across the courtyard.
The cool morning breeze brushed against her face, but it did little to clear the thoughts clouding her mind.
The past week had been exhausting.
Every evening, she had returned home to find her mother discussing fabrics, invitation samples, floral arrangements, and guest lists with professional planners.
Whenever Yerin entered the room...
The conversations stopped.
Her mother would simply smile and tell her not to worry.
That somehow made everything worse.
It reminded her that everyone else was preparing for a future.
A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
"There she is!"
Emily appeared out of nowhere, linking her arm through Yerin's before she could react.
"You've been impossible to reach all week."
Yerin smiled apologetically.
"I've been busy."
"Busy?"
Emily narrowed her eyes dramatically.
"You disappeared right after classes every single day."
"I had family matters."
"For seven straight days?"
"Yes."
Emily stared at her for a moment.
"...You're hiding something."
"I'm not."
"You blinked."
"I always blink."
"You blinked suspiciously."
Yerin laughed softly.
"I don't think that's a real thing."
"It is."
Emily nodded with complete confidence.
"I invented it."
Before Yerin could answer...
Another familiar voice joined them.
"Morning."
Min-jae caught up, balancing a cup of coffee in one hand while trying not to spill it.
Emily immediately pointed at Yerin.
"She's hiding something."
Min-jae looked at Yerin.
Then shrugged.
"I believe it."
Yerin sighed.
"Why does nobody trust me?"
"Because you're a terrible liar."
Emily answered instantly.
Min-jae nodded.
"When you actually have nothing to hide..."
"You talk normally."
"When you do..."
"You smile too politely."
Yerin blinked.
"...You two have way too much free time."
"We're observant."
"You're dramatic."
"We're talented."
Yerin shook her head, unable to stop herself from smiling.
Some things...
Thankfully...
Never changed.
A black sedan pulled into the faculty parking lot.
Do-hyun stepped out, closing the car door behind him.
He had barely taken a few steps when Min-jae spotted him.
"There he is!"
Do-hyun already looked tired.
"What now?"
Min-jae walked over with an exaggerated grin.
"I have a very serious question."
Do-hyun waited.
"When was the last time you actually enjoyed yourself?"
"I don't know."
"I knew it."
Emily looked toward Do-hyun.
"He looks even more tired than Yerin."
Min-jae nodded.
"Exactly."
He looked between the two of them.
"...You know what's strange?"
Yerin immediately looked away.
"What?"
"You've both been disappearing after class all week."
Emily's eyes widened.
"You're right."
Yerin felt her heartbeat quicken.
Do-hyun remained perfectly calm.
Min-jae folded his arms.
"What have you two been doing?"
Yerin answered almost immediately.
"Nothing."
Do-hyun replied at the exact same time.
"Family matters."
Silence.
Emily slowly looked at Min-jae.
Min-jae slowly looked at Emily.
Then both turned toward Yerin and Do-hyun together.
"...That sounded suspicious."
Yerin mentally closed her eyes.
Wonderful.
That couldn't have gone worse.
Do-hyun cleared his throat.
"Our fathers have been busy with business."
"So have our families."
It wasn't a lie.
Just not the whole truth.
Emily studied both of them for several seconds before shrugging.
"I guess that makes sense."
Min-jae wasn't convinced.
"...Still."
"You're both acting weird."
Before anyone could continue the conversation...
The first bell echoed across the campus.
Students immediately began rushing toward their classrooms.
Emily sighed dramatically.
"Saved by the bell."
Min-jae pointed at Do-hyun.
"This conversation isn't over."
Do-hyun replied calmly.
"I hope it is."
"It isn't."
The four of them walked toward the Business Building together.
For everyone around them...
They looked exactly the same as they always had.
Friends walking to class.
Laughing.
Talking.
Complaining about lectures.
No one could have guessed that beneath those ordinary conversations...
Two of them were secretly trying to stop an engagement that was only weeks away.
The rest of the morning passed in a blur of lectures, presentations, and endless notes.
For once...
Even Professor Lee noticed something unusual.
He paused in the middle of explaining a case study and looked toward the back of the classroom.
"Mr. Do Hyun."
Do-hyun looked up.
"You've answered every question correctly today."
A few students laughed.
Professor Lee smiled.
"But somehow..."
"You look like you're not here."
The classroom turned toward him.
Do-hyun calmly adjusted his notebook.
"My apologies, Professor."
Professor Lee nodded.
"Just don't let your mind wander during the final exams."
"It won't happen again."
A few seats away...
Emily leaned toward Yerin.
"See?"
"I told you."
"He's acting strange too."
Yerin pretended to continue writing.
"I think he's just tired."
Emily narrowed her eyes.
"And how would you know that?"
Yerin's pen stopped moving for a split second.
"I..."
Before she could answer—
Professor Lee called out,
"Miss Yerin."
She immediately looked up.
"Since you seem to have finished taking notes..."
"Perhaps you'd like to answer the next question."
A wave of laughter spread across the classroom.
Even Min-jae couldn't hide his grin.
Emily whispered,
"You almost got caught."
Yerin shot her a glare before standing to answer the professor's question.
By lunchtime...
The campus cafeteria was as crowded as ever.
Students filled nearly every table, conversations echoing throughout the room.
The four of them managed to find an empty table near the windows.
Emily looked around dramatically.
"I swear this place gets louder every day."
Min-jae sat down beside her.
"That's because you talk enough for four people."
Emily picked up a french fry and threw it at him.
It bounced harmlessly off his shoulder.
"Rude."
"Accurate."
Yerin laughed quietly while opening her drink.
For a few minutes...
Everything felt normal.
Until Emily suddenly remembered something.
"Oh!"
She looked at Yerin.
"I almost forgot."
"My parents are having a barbecue this weekend."
"You have to come."
Yerin hesitated.
"This weekend?"
Emily nodded excitedly.
"Everyone's coming."
"You."
"Min-jae."
"Do-hyun."
She pointed around the table one by one.
"It'll be fun."
Before Yerin could answer...
Her phone vibrated inside her bag.
She glanced down.
A message from her mother.
Don't forget. Saturday evening at the Choi residence. Wear the dress we chose yesterday.
Her appetite disappeared instantly.
Emily noticed.
"What happened?"
Yerin quickly locked her phone.
"Nothing."
"Just my mom."
"So?"
"Family dinner."
Emily groaned dramatically.
"Again?"
"I'm afraid so."
"You've become impossible to borrow."
Yerin smiled apologetically.
"I know."
Emily sighed.
"Fine."
"But after your mysterious family dinners are over..."
"You owe me an entire weekend."
"I'll make it up to you."
"You'd better."
Across the table...
Do-hyun's own phone vibrated.
He looked at the screen.
Father: Be home by six on Saturday. The Hwang family will arrive at seven.
He quietly slipped the phone back into his pocket.
Their eyes met for only a second.
Neither needed to say anything.
Saturday.
The first test.
The afternoon classes ended earlier than expected.
Students poured out of the building in groups, already making plans for the weekend.
Min-jae stretched his arms above his head.
"I'm finally free."
Emily laughed.
"For exactly two days."
"I'll enjoy every second."
He turned toward the others.
"Coffee?"
Emily immediately nodded.
"I'm in."
She looked at Yerin hopefully.
"You?"
Yerin forced a smile.
"I have somewhere to be."
Emily sighed.
"I already know..."
"...family matters."
"Exactly."
Min-jae looked toward Do-hyun.
"What about you?"
"I should head home."
Min-jae threw his hands into the air.
"You two are hopeless."
Emily nodded in agreement.
"I miss when you actually had lives."
Yerin smiled sheepishly.
"We'll make it up to you."
"You've been saying that all week."
Emily pouted before linking arms with Min-jae.
"Fine."
"We're leaving."
She pointed a finger toward Yerin.
"But next week..."
"No excuses."
"I promise."
Min-jae waved as they walked away.
"Try not to work yourselves to death."
The two disappeared into the crowd, still arguing over where to get coffee.
Silence settled between Yerin and Do-hyun.
For the first time that day...
They were alone.
Yerin looked around carefully.
"No one's watching."
Do-hyun already knew what she was about to ask.
"No."
She frowned.
"I haven't even said anything."
"I know what you're going to say."
"And?"
"I'm still saying no."
She folded her arms.
"You're refusing before hearing me."
"I already know it involves another plan."
"It does."
He let out a quiet sigh.
"...Five minutes."
She smiled victoriously.
"I knew you'd agree."
"I didn't."
"You gave me five minutes."
"I made a mistake."
She laughed.
"The rooftop?"
He shook his head.
"Too many people."
"The old courtyard behind the architecture building."
"Hardly anyone goes there after class."
Yerin nodded.
"I'll meet you there."
Without another word...
She walked toward the parking lot.
Do-hyun watched her leave before rubbing the back of his neck.
He had a feeling...
Whatever she was about to suggest...
He wasn't going to like it.
And judging by the determined look on her face...
She had definitely been planning this conversation all week.
The old courtyard behind the Architecture Building had long been forgotten by most students.
Tall trees surrounded the narrow stone pathway, their branches blocking out much of the afternoon sun. A weathered fountain stood quietly in the center, no longer in use, while a few wooden benches rested beneath the shade.
It was peaceful.
Almost too peaceful.
Yerin arrived first.
She checked her watch.
Two minutes later...
Footsteps echoed across the stone path.
She looked up.
Right on time.
Do-hyun walked toward her with both hands in his pockets, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"I came."
"You sound disappointed."
"I am."
Yerin laughed softly.
"You always look like someone's forcing you to attend a board meeting."
"I thought this was one."
"It isn't."
"Good."
He stopped a few feet away.
"So..."
"What was so important?"
Instead of answering, Yerin reached into her bag and pulled out a small black notebook.
Do-hyun stared at it.
"...What's that?"
"Our survival guide."
He blinked.
"Our what?"
She flipped it open confidently.
"Our alliance needs rules."
He looked at the notebook.
Then at her.
"...You actually wrote them down?"
"I couldn't sleep."
"So you made notes?"
"I made strategies."
He pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I already regret coming."
Ignoring him completely, Yerin cleared her throat dramatically.
"Rule Number One."
She held the notebook up like she was presenting a business proposal.
"Our families must never suspect we're working together."
Do-hyun nodded once.
"Agreed."
She smiled.
"Good."
"Rule Number Two."
"We never argue in private."
He frowned.
"...What?"
"If we're constantly fighting in front of our families but getting along when we're alone..."
"Someone will notice."
He considered it.
"...Fair point."
She continued writing.
"So..."
"If we're alone..."
"We solve everything calmly."
"No shouting."
"No unnecessary arguments."
He folded his arms.
"I don't shout."
She looked at him.
"You look like you want to."
"I usually do."
She smirked.
"I'll count that as progress."
Do-hyun sighed.
"What else?"
"Rule Number Three."
She raised one finger.
"When we're with our families..."
"We disagree naturally."
"No acting."
"No fake drama."
"We use our real opinions."
He nodded.
"That was already the plan."
"Exactly."
"Which brings me to Rule Number Four."
She looked directly at him.
"If either one of us feels uncomfortable..."
"The plan stops immediately."
Do-hyun looked at her in surprise.
"You'd actually do that?"
She closed the notebook.
"This engagement affects both of us."
"I'm not dragging you into something you don't agree with."
For the first time since they had formed their alliance...
Do-hyun looked at her differently.
Not with suspicion.
But with respect.
"...Thank you."
She smiled faintly.
"My Pleasure."
A brief silence settled between them.
Then...
He looked at the notebook again.
"Is that all?"
Yerin hesitated.
"...Almost."
She slowly turned one more page.
His eyes narrowed.
"You have another one."
She smiled awkwardly.
"...Rule Number Five."
"No laughing."
He frowned.
"What?"
"When we're pretending to disagree."
"We cannot laugh."
He stared at her.
"...Why would we laugh?"
She gave him a look.
"You've seen Min-jae."
"He'll definitely say something stupid."
A small smile tugged at the corner of Do-hyun's lips.
She immediately pointed at him.
"See?"
"Exactly like that."
"I wasn't laughing."
"You almost did."
"I didn't."
"You smiled."
"It doesn't count."
"It absolutely counts."
For a moment...
They simply looked at one another.
Then...
Without warning...
Both of them laughed.
It wasn't loud.
Just enough for the tension between them to disappear.
Yerin sighed dramatically.
"We're hopeless."
Do-hyun nodded.
"We haven't even started."
"And we've already broken one of our own rules."
She closed the notebook and slipped it back into her bag.
"This is going to be harder than I thought."
"It already is."
Another comfortable silence followed.
It was strange.
A week ago...
They barely knew how to hold a conversation.
Now...
Planning how to stop their engagement somehow felt... normal.
Yerin looked toward him again.
"Saturday."
"The Choi Mansion."
He nodded.
"Our first attempt."
She took a deep breath.
"No matter what happens..."
"We stay calm."
"And if the plan fails?"
Yerin smiled.
"Then we make another one."
Do-hyun couldn't help letting out a quiet chuckle.
"You really don't give up."
"I've never been good at losing."
"I noticed."
Before either of them could say another word...
A voice echoed from somewhere beyond the trees.
"Hey!"
The two of them instinctively stepped apart.
Footsteps grew closer.
It sounded like...
Students.
Yerin quickly whispered,
"We should go."
Do-hyun nodded.
"You first."
Without another glance, Yerin walked away through the eastern path.
A few seconds later...
Do-hyun left through the opposite side.
Neither of them noticed...
From the second-floor balcony of the Architecture Building...
Ji-hoon had just arrived to meet one of his professors.
He glanced down into the courtyard at the exact moment Yerin disappeared behind the trees.
A few seconds later...
Do-hyun walked out from the opposite direction.
Ji-hoon's brows slowly knitted together.
"...That's odd."
He looked toward the empty courtyard.
"They weren't..."
He paused.
Then laughed to himself.
"No."
"My sister?"
"And Do-hyun?"
"Impossible."
Shaking his head, he continued toward the faculty office.
But despite dismissing the thought...
A tiny seed of suspicion had quietly been planted.
Saturday Evening...
The Choi Mansion stood proudly beneath the golden glow of the setting sun.
Unlike the Hwang residence, which reflected modern luxury, the Choi estate carried a timeless elegance. The architecture was traditional, the gardens meticulously maintained, and every corner of the property radiated discipline and history.
Luxury sedans lined the driveway as the Hwang family's car slowly came to a stop.
A servant immediately opened the door.
"Welcome, Mr. Hwang."
Mr. Hwang stepped out first, followed by his wife.
Grandmother smiled warmly as Ji-hoon helped her from the car.
Yerin was the last to step out.
She looked toward the mansion.
Tonight...
Their plan officially began.
The front doors opened before they could even ring the bell.
Mrs. Choi welcomed them with her usual warm smile.
"You've finally arrived."
Mrs. Hwang embraced her lightly.
"It's been too long."
"It has."
Mr. Choi stepped forward to greet everyone.
"We're honored to have you."
"The pleasure is ours," Mr. Hwang replied.
As the adults exchanged greetings, Ji-hoon quietly looked around.
"...I forgot how enormous this place is."
A nearby servant smiled politely.
Ji-hoon whispered to Yerin,
"If I lived here, I'd need a map."
She couldn't help smiling.
"You'd still get lost."
"I definitely would."
Their conversation was interrupted as footsteps echoed from the staircase.
Do-hyun descended wearing a simple black shirt beneath a charcoal blazer.
He greeted the Hwang family respectfully.
"Good evening."
"Good evening," everyone replied.
His gaze briefly met Yerin's.
Neither of them reacted.
Not a single expression changed.
Only the slightest nod.
Enough to acknowledge one another.
Nothing more.
The families gathered in the drawing room while tea was served.
Business discussions quickly filled the room.
New investments.
International markets.
The overseas expansion.
Ji-hoon, naturally, had no interest in any of it.
He quietly leaned toward Do-hyun.
"Tell me honestly."
Do-hyun looked at him.
"How many meetings have you escaped by pretending to read a book?"
"...None."
Ji-hoon frowned.
"You're wasting your talent."
Mrs. Choi overheard them and laughed softly.
"He never pretends."
"If he has a book, he actually reads it."
Ji-hoon sighed dramatically.
"That's somehow even scarier."
Even Do-hyun allowed himself a faint smile.
Across the room...
Yerin noticed.
She quickly looked away before anyone else did.
Almost an hour later...
Dinner was announced.
The long dining table was already prepared with an impressive variety of dishes.
Everyone took their seats.
Coincidentally...
Or perhaps intentionally...
Yerin and Do-hyun found themselves seated beside one another.
Ji-hoon noticed immediately.
He leaned across the table with a grin.
"I see our parents are already assigning seats."
Mrs. Hwang smiled innocently.
"It was simply the easiest arrangement."
Ji-hoon looked unconvinced.
"Of course it was."
Yerin quietly picked up her glass of water.
She could already tell...
This evening wasn't going to be easy.
The meal began peacefully.
Conversation flowed naturally around the table.
For several minutes...
Everything seemed perfectly normal.
Until Mr. Choi suddenly looked toward Yerin.
"I heard from your mother that you've always preferred modern architecture."
Yerin nodded politely.
"I've always admired simpler designs."
Mr. Choi smiled.
"Interesting."
He then looked at his son.
"And you?"
Do-hyun answered without hesitation.
"I prefer traditional styles."
Yerin's eyes shifted toward him.
Here it comes.
Mr. Choi chuckled.
"Well, that's fortunate."
"Why?"
Mrs. Choi smiled.
"It'll help when deciding on the engagement venue."
Silence.
The opportunity had arrived.
Mr. Hwang placed his chopsticks down.
"Actually..."
"I was thinking the same thing."
He looked at both of them.
"Since it's your engagement..."
"Why don't the two of you decide the venue together?"
Yerin glanced at Do-hyun.
He gave the smallest nod.
Mission begins.
Yerin smiled politely.
"I think a modern hotel would be the best choice."
"It would be elegant."
"It would also be practical."
Before anyone else spoke...
Do-hyun calmly answered,
"I disagree."
"I think a traditional family estate would suit the occasion better."
Yerin turned toward him.
"Hotels are designed for events like this."
"They're organized."
"They're efficient."
Do-hyun remained composed.
"They're also impersonal."
"Our families value tradition."
"I think the ceremony should reflect that."
Around the table...
The adults exchanged interested glances.
Ji-hoon quietly took another bite of food.
This was getting entertaining.
Yerin folded her hands neatly.
"But traditions can evolve."
"Not every celebration has to follow the past."
Do-hyun answered just as calmly.
"And not every tradition should be abandoned."
The room fell quiet.
Neither of them raised their voices.
Neither interrupted.
But neither was willing to give an inch.
For the first time that evening...
The discussion had stopped being about a venue.
It had become a clash between two completely different ways of seeing the world.
And everyone at the table was listening.
For several long moments...
No one spoke.
The quiet debate between Yerin and Do-hyun had captured everyone's attention.
Ji-hoon slowly looked from one of them to the other before reaching for his glass.
"...Well."
"This is more entertaining than I expected."
Mrs. Hwang gently shook her head.
"Ji-hoon."
"What?"
"I'm just observing."
Mr. Choi leaned back in his chair, his fingers loosely intertwined.
"So..."
He looked at Do-hyun.
"You believe tradition should always come first?"
Do-hyun answered respectfully.
"I believe traditions exist for a reason."
"They represent the values our families have protected for generations."
Yerin turned toward him.
"And I believe traditions should never stop people from choosing what makes them happy."
He met her eyes.
"If every tradition disappeared..."
"We'd lose part of who we are."
"And if we never accepted change..."
"We'd never grow."
Neither of them raised their voice.
Neither looked angry.
They simply refused to surrender their opinion.
Ji-hoon quietly whispered toward his mother,
"...Should we stop them?"
Mrs. Hwang smiled.
"I don't think they need stopping."
Mr. Hwang suddenly laughed.
Everyone turned toward him.
"I like this."
Yerin blinked.
"...What?"
Mr. Hwang smiled warmly.
"You don't simply agree with each other because it's easier."
He looked toward Mr. Choi.
"Our children actually think before they speak."
Mr. Choi nodded in agreement.
"I was thinking the same thing."
He looked at Do-hyun.
"You listened."
Then toward Yerin.
"And you defended your opinion without being disrespectful."
He smiled proudly.
"That's rare."
Yerin's heart sank.
This...
Wasn't supposed to happen.
Mrs. Choi added with a gentle laugh,
"My husband and I argued over our wedding venue for nearly three weeks."
Mr. Choi smiled.
"And she still insists her choice would've been better."
"It would've."
The adults laughed together.
Ji-hoon leaned back dramatically.
"So basically..."
"They're already acting like a married couple."
More laughter filled the dining room.
Yerin slowly looked toward Do-hyun.
His expression remained calm...
But she could immediately tell.
He was thinking exactly what she was.
This is a disaster.
Dinner continued as though nothing unusual had happened.
The conversation shifted to the engagement ceremony.
Guest lists.
Invitations.
Traditional customs.
Jewelry.
Every new topic made Yerin feel more trapped.
Then...
Mrs. Choi looked toward her husband.
"Oh."
"I almost forgot."
She smiled brightly.
"I've already spoken with the jeweler."
Yerin stopped eating.
Mrs. Choi continued happily,
"They're available next Friday."
She looked at both Yerin and Do-hyun.
"We'll all go together and choose your engagement rings."
Silence.
Ji-hoon's smile slowly disappeared.
"So soon?"
Mr. Hwang nodded.
"We don't have much time."
"My flight is only a few weeks away."
Grandmother smiled softly.
"Everything is finally coming together."
Yerin forced herself to smile.
"...Of course."
Inside...
She felt like the walls were closing in around her.
Across the table...
Do-hyun quietly placed his chopsticks down.
He had completely lost his appetite.
Almost an hour later...
Dinner finally came to an end.
The adults moved back into the sitting room for coffee.
Servants began clearing the dining table.
As everyone settled onto the sofas...
Mr. Choi suddenly looked toward his son.
"Do-hyun."
"Yes, Father?"
"Why dont you and Yerin go talk about the venue and decide."
The room fell silent for a split second.
Yerin and Do-hyun exchanged a quick glance.
Neither of them had expected that.
Mrs. Choi smiled warmly.
"That's a lovely idea."
"I'm sure you will come to a conclusion."
Mrs. Hwang nodded.
"Go on."
"Take your time."
Ji-hoon grinned mischievously.
Yerin stood first.
"Of course."
Do-hyun followed.
"This way."
As they walked toward the staircase...
Neither of them looked back.
Behind them...
The adults happily returned to discussing engagement preparations.
Neither family noticed the worried expressions the two of them wore.
They had just survived one disaster.
Now...
They were about to be left completely alone.
And judging by the determined look already forming on Yerin's face...
She was definitely about to blame him for all of it.
The moment they stepped out of the sitting room, the voices of their families slowly faded behind them.
The second floor of the mansion was quiet.
Only the soft glow of the wall lamps lit the long hallway.
Neither of them spoke.
Do-hyun walked ahead with his usual calm pace while Yerin followed a few steps behind, her arms folded.
After nearly a minute...
She finally broke the silence.
"...This is your fault."
Do-hyun didn't even turn around.
"My fault?"
"Yes."
He stopped walking and looked at her.
"I'd like to know how."
"You should've agreed with me."
She stared at him as if the answer were obvious.
"If you'd just agreed about the venue, none of that would've happened."
He raised an eyebrow.
"...The entire point of the plan was to disagree."
"Not like that."
"You sounded convincing."
"I was convincing."
"Exactly!"
She threw her hands into the air.
"They thought we were having healthy communication."
"I know."
"They complimented us."
"I know."
"They compared us to a married couple."
"I know."
She groaned in frustration.
"This is a nightmare."
For the first time that evening...
A faint smile appeared on Do-hyun's face.
"You've been saying that a lot lately."
"Because it keeps getting worse."
He resumed walking.
"I did warn you."
"You didn't listen."
"I know."
"So whose fault is it?"
Yerin sighed dramatically.
"...Still yours."
He shook his head.
"I don't think that's how responsibility works."
"It does today."
Despite himself...
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
Yerin stopped walking.
She pointed at him triumphantly.
"See?"
"We're arguing naturally."
He looked at her for a second before sighing.
"...You're impossible."
"And yet..."
She smiled.
"...you keep answering me."
For a brief moment...
Neither of them spoke.
Then Do-hyun opened the first door.
"The library."
Rows upon rows of books filled the room from floor to ceiling.
Yerin stepped inside.
"...This is bigger than our university library."
"My grandfather collected most of them."
She slowly walked past the shelves.
"Have you actually read all of these?"
"No."
"How many?"
"...Most."
She stopped walking and looked at him.
"...You're serious."
He nodded.
"I like reading."
"I noticed."
She smiled to herself.
"I would've gone insane."
"You probably would."
They continued down the hallway.
They reached the final door at the end of the corridor.
Do-hyun rested his hand on the handle.
"My room."
He pushed the door open.
Yerin stepped inside.
The room was exactly what she had expected.
Large windows overlooked the gardens.
A neatly made bed sat against one wall.
A desk stood beside the window, every document perfectly aligned.
Books were arranged by height and category.
Even the pens were perfectly straight.
She slowly looked around.
"...Do you ever make a mess?"
"No."
"Never?"
"No."
She looked at him with genuine disbelief.
"I suddenly understand why we're so different."
He closed the door behind them.
"So do I."
She walked toward the desk and picked up a framed photograph.
It showed a much younger Do-hyun with his parents.
He couldn't have been older than ten.
Unlike the reserved young man standing beside her now...
The little boy in the picture was smiling.
A real smile.
Without thinking, she spoke.
"...You smiled a lot as a kid."
Do-hyun looked at the photograph.
For a brief moment...
Something softened in his expression.
"...My mother liked taking pictures."
Yerin gently placed the frame back exactly where she had found it.
"I can tell."
An awkward silence settled between them.
Trying to change the subject, Do-hyun walked toward the glass doors.
"The balcony has the best view."
He slid the doors open.
A cool evening breeze swept into the room.
They stepped outside.
From there...
The lights of the city stretched endlessly across the horizon.
For a while...
Neither of them said anything.
Then Yerin rested both hands on the railing and let out a long sigh.
"...We completely failed."
Do-hyun stood beside her.
"I told you there was a chance."
"A chance?"
She looked at him.
"They practically celebrated our argument."
He nodded.
"They did."
She leaned her forehead against the railing dramatically.
"This is hopeless."
"No."
He answered quietly.
"It's just harder than we expected."
She looked at him.
"So..."
"What now?"
Do-hyun was silent for several moments.
Then he looked toward the city.
"I think..."
"...we need a better plan."
Yerin slowly smiled.
"So you're finally admitting my first one failed?"
"I admitted that downstairs."
She laughed.
"I must've missed it."
"You were too busy blaming me."
"I was."
"And you're probably going to do it again."
"I definitely am."
For the first time since the engagement announcement...
The conversation felt effortless.
Not because they had become friends.
But because...
For the first time...
They were facing the same problem from the same side.
And neither of them had to pretend when they were alone.
A comfortable silence settled over the balcony.
The cool breeze carried the faint sounds of laughter drifting up from the garden below, where their families were still enjoying the evening.
Yerin rested her elbows on the railing.
"So..."
"Our first mission."
She looked at him.
"A complete disaster."
Do-hyun nodded once.
"I'll admit..."
"I didn't expect them to react like that."
She sighed.
"I thought they'd be worried."
"They were impressed."
"I thought they'd question us."
"They complimented us."
She let her head fall back dramatically.
"This is unfair."
A quiet chuckle escaped Do-hyun before he could stop himself.
Yerin immediately turned toward him.
She pointed a finger at him.
"You're impossible."
He looked at her with complete seriousness.
"I've heard that before."
"From me."
"Several times."
She folded her arms.
"Get used to it."
"I already have."
For a moment...
They simply looked at each other.
Then, unexpectedly...
Both of them laughed.
Not because anything was funny.
But because the situation itself had become ridiculous.
When the laughter faded, Yerin became serious again.
"What do we do now?"
Do-hyun thought for a moment.
"We stop trying to force arguments."
She frowned.
"What?"
"Our families are smarter than we expected."
"If we keep planning every disagreement..."
"They'll eventually notice."
Yerin looked down at the garden.
"So?"
"We let things happen naturally."
He continued calmly.
"If we genuinely disagree..."
"We don't hide it."
"If we genuinely agree..."
"We don't pretend."
She was quiet.
For once...
She didn't argue.
Because deep down...
She knew he was right.
She let out a slow breath.
"I hate admitting this..."
"But your idea is better."
"I know."
She rolled her eyes.
"Don't get used to hearing that."
"I wasn't planning to."
She smiled despite herself.
"Fine."
She slowly extended her hand toward him.
"New plan?"
He looked at her hand for a second.
Then shook it.
"New plan."
Just then...
A knock came from inside the room.
"Young Master?"
A servant's voice came through the door.
"Sir has asked everyone to gather downstairs."
"We're coming," Do-hyun replied.
The servant's footsteps faded away.
Yerin straightened her dress and glanced at the reflection in the glass door.
"Do I look like someone who just survived a family meeting?"
He looked at her.
"You look tired."
"That's not reassuring."
"It's honest."
She sighed.
"I'll take it."
They stepped back into the room.
Before leaving, Yerin paused at the doorway.
"Do-hyun."
He looked at her.
"No matter how impossible this gets..."
"We don't give up."
He held her gaze for a brief moment.
Then gave a small nod.
"We won't."
A few minutes later...
The Hwang family stood near the entrance of the mansion, saying their goodbyes.
Mrs. Choi smiled warmly as she embraced Mrs. Hwang.
"I'm so glad you all came."
"So are we," Mrs. Hwang replied.
Mr. Hwang shook hands with Mr. Choi.
"We'll meet again next Friday."
"The jeweler is expecting us."
"Of course."
Those words made Yerin's stomach tighten.
Next Friday.
The engagement rings.
Another step closer.
Ji-hoon noticed her expression and gently nudged her shoulder.
"You okay?"
She forced a small smile.
"Just tired."
He studied her for a moment but didn't press further.
As everyone walked toward the waiting cars, Yerin looked back one last time.
Do-hyun was standing beside the front door with his parents.
For a brief second...
Their eyes met.
No words were exchanged.
None were needed.
Both of them understood exactly what the other was thinking.
The first attempt had failed.
But the battle...
Had only just begun.
The Hwang family's car slowly pulled away from the Choi Mansion.
Standing at the entrance, Do-hyun watched the taillights disappear into the distance before quietly slipping one hand into his pocket.
His phone vibrated.
A single message.
From Yerin.
Mission One: Failed.
A second message arrived before he could reply.
Mission Two starts next Friday. Don't be late.
For the first time in days...
The corner of his mouth lifted into a faint smile.
He typed only three words before locking his phone.
You're unbelievable.
Inside the moving car, Yerin read the reply and smiled to herself before looking out the window.
The road ahead was uncertain.
Their plan was flawed.
Their families were one step ahead of them.
And yet...
Neither of them was willing to surrender.
Not now.
Not while there was still a chance to change the future that had been chosen for them.
...To Be Continued...