Weeks passed and only,
Four Days Until the Engagement
now.
Monday mornings were never quiet.
The university came alive long before the first lecture began. Students hurried across the campus with backpacks slung over one shoulder, some carrying unfinished assignments, others balancing cups of coffee while trying not to miss attendance.
The familiar chaos had returned.
To everyone else...
It was simply another week.
To Yerin...
It was a countdown.
Four days.
Four days until she would stand in front of both families and become officially engaged to a man she had never imagined marrying.
The thought lingered in the back of her mind no matter how hard she tried to ignore it.
A sleek silver sports car rolled through the university gates before coming to a smooth stop near the Business Building.
Yerin stepped out, adjusting the strap of her bag before looking toward the busy courtyard.
She took a slow breath.
"Just one day at a time."
It was becoming her favorite lie.
"Good morning!"
Emily appeared almost instantly, waving enthusiastically as she hurried over.
"You actually came early today."
Yerin smiled.
"I've been trying."
Emily narrowed her eyes playfully.
"No."
"You've been avoiding me less."
"I never avoided you."
"Oh?"
Emily folded her arms dramatically.
"So disappearing every afternoon without explanation isn't avoiding me?"
Yerin laughed.
"I told you."
"Family matters."
Emily sighed so dramatically that two passing students glanced in their direction.
"There it is."
"The famous family matters."
"I'm starting to hate those two words."
Yerin gently bumped her shoulder.
"I promise..."
Emily immediately interrupted.
"Don't."
"You always promise."
"And then you vanish again."
Yerin's smile softened.
"I know."
Emily looked at her for a few moments.
Behind the smile...
There was something different.
Something heavier.
She didn't know what it was.
But she could tell her best friend was carrying something she wasn't ready to talk about.
Instead of asking again...
Emily smiled.
"When all your mysterious responsibilities are over..."
"I'm stealing an entire weekend."
Yerin laughed.
"I'll allow it."
"You don't have a choice."
Meanwhile...
Across the courtyard...
Do-hyun had just arrived.
He had barely locked his car when Min-jae jogged toward him carrying two coffees.
"I come bearing peace."
Do-hyun looked at the cup being offered to him.
"...Should I be worried?"
"Very."
Min-jae placed one coffee into his hand anyway.
"You've looked like someone stole your future all week."
Do-hyun froze for the briefest moment.
"...That's oddly specific."
"I have a talent."
"You have too much imagination."
"Also true."
They began walking toward the Business Building together.
Min-jae glanced sideways at him.
"So..."
"Any plans this weekend?"
Do-hyun looked straight ahead.
"...Family."
"There it is again."
Min-jae pointed at him.
"You and Yerin are starting to sound like twins."
Do-hyun didn't answer.
Min-jae laughed.
"I'm kidding."
"Relax."
"I wasn't tense."
"You absolutely were."
Before Do-hyun could respond...
A cheerful voice interrupted them.
"Good morning, Do-hyun!"
Both men turned.
Seo Jina.
She approached with the same bright smile she always wore, dressed impeccably as usual, a small takeaway coffee in her hand.
"Morning."
Do-hyun greeted her politely.
"I was just on my way to class."
"So was I."
She lifted the coffee slightly.
"I accidentally bought two."
"I thought maybe you'd like one."
Min-jae immediately took one step backward.
"Oh."
"I suddenly remembered I left something in my locker."
Do-hyun looked at him.
"You didn't."
"I definitely did."
Without waiting for another word, Min-jae disappeared into the crowd with a grin that clearly said, You're on your own.
Jina held out the coffee.
"Here."
Do-hyun glanced at the cup.
Then at the one already in his hand.
"My friend already bought me one."
Her smile faltered ever so slightly.
"Oh..."
"I didn't notice."
"I'm sorry."
"You don't need to apologize."
He smiled politely.
"But I can't let it go to waste."
She quickly recovered.
"Then I'll drink it myself."
"That's probably best."
The conversation lasted less than a minute.
Yet it drew more attention than either of them realized.
Not because of Jina.
Because of who happened to witness it.
Across the courtyard...
Emily nudged Yerin.
"Isn't that Seo Jina?"
Yerin looked up instinctively.
Her eyes found Do-hyun standing a short distance away.
Jina was smiling brightly as she spoke to him.
Yerin watched quietly.
Emily sighed.
"She still hasn't given up."
Yerin looked away.
"I suppose not."
Emily laughed.
"I almost feel bad for her."
"Why?"
"Because Do-hyun has rejected her more times than I can count."
Yerin didn't respond.
She simply adjusted the strap of her bag.
Something about Jina's smile...
Felt different today.
It wasn't hopeful.
It was determined.
A few moments later...
The first bell echoed across the campus.
Students immediately began moving toward their classrooms.
Jina smiled one last time.
"I'll see you around, Do-hyun."
He nodded politely.
She walked away without another word.
As she passed through the crowd...
Her eyes briefly met Yerin's.
Only for a second.
A smile appeared on Jina's face.
Small.
Almost unnoticeable.
Then she continued walking.
Yerin frowned slightly.
"...That was strange."
Emily looked at her.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Maybe...
She was imagining things.
But for the first time...
It felt as though Seo Jina hadn't been looking at Do-hyun.
She had been looking at her.
And somehow...
That feeling stayed with Yerin long after the morning classes had begun.
The rest of the morning passed quietly.
Professor Lee's lecture on corporate strategy held everyone's attention as diagrams and case studies slowly filled the whiteboard.
Normally...
Yerin would have been one of the first to answer his questions.
Today...
She simply listened.
Occasionally writing a few notes before her mind drifted elsewhere.
To the ring.
To the invitation.
To the engagement.
She quickly forced herself back to the lecture every time.
She couldn't afford to lose focus now.
Not when she needed university to be the one place where she could forget everything waiting for her outside those gates.
"Miss Yerin."
Professor Lee's voice pulled her back.
She looked up immediately.
"Could you explain why Company B's strategy failed?"
Several students turned toward her.
Yerin stood.
She answered without looking at her notebook.
Within a minute...
The professor smiled.
"Excellent."
"You've been paying attention."
She gave a polite nod before sitting down again.
Emily leaned closer.
"You looked like you were a thousand miles away."
"I was just thinking."
"About?"
Yerin smiled faintly.
"Nothing important."
Emily wasn't convinced.
But before she could ask again...
The bell rang.
Students poured into the hallway, laughing as they escaped another long lecture.
Emily stretched.
"I vote we skip the next ten years of university."
Min-jae appeared beside them as if summoned.
"I second that."
"You don't even study," Emily replied.
"Exactly."
"I'm exhausted from avoiding it."
Yerin couldn't help laughing.
Somehow...
Those two always managed to pull her back to reality.
They walked together toward the courtyard.
The autumn breeze rustled through the trees, carrying a welcome coolness across the campus.
Everything felt...
Normal.
Until a familiar voice interrupted.
"Do-hyun."
The four of them looked up.
Seo Jina stood near one of the benches, holding several books against her chest.
She smiled politely.
"I was hoping I'd run into you."
Min-jae immediately whispered,
"Here we go."
Emily elbowed him.
Jina walked over.
"I actually needed help with Professor Kim's finance assignment."
She looked at Do-hyun.
"I know you're really good at it."
"Could you explain one part to me?"
Do-hyun answered as calmly as ever.
"I'm sorry."
"I have plans after class."
"Oh..."
Her smile remained.
"It'll only take five minutes."
"I'm afraid I still can't."
She nodded understandingly.
"Maybe another day."
"If I'm available."
His answer was polite.
Careful.
Neither encouraging nor rude.
Jina smiled again.
"I'll ask another time."
She turned and walked away.
Min-jae watched her disappear before looking at Do-hyun.
"...You're unbelievably dense."
Do-hyun frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Emily laughed.
"She wasn't asking about homework."
"She was asking about you."
"I know."
"You do?"
"I just don't want to give her the wrong idea."
Min-jae blinked.
"...Okay."
"I wasn't expecting that level of self-awareness."
"I simply don't like misleading people."
Emily folded her arms.
"I almost respect that."
"Almost?"
"You still rejected her."
"I answered honestly."
"You did."
Emily sighed dramatically.
Yerin remained unusually quiet throughout the conversation.
Not because she was interested.
Not because she was jealous.
But because...
Something about Jina felt different.
She wasn't acting impulsively anymore.
Everything she said...
Felt carefully planned.
Almost rehearsed.
As if she were trying to be seen.
After lunch...
The four friends separated for their afternoon electives.
Yerin headed toward the university library.
She needed a few reference books for an upcoming presentation.
The library was unusually peaceful.
Only the soft turning of pages disturbed the silence.
She wandered between the tall shelves until she found the section she needed.
As she reached for a book...
Another hand reached for the very same one.
Both stopped.
"...Sorry."
Yerin looked up.
Do-hyun.
He withdrew his hand slightly.
"You saw it first."
She smiled politely.
"No."
"You take it."
"I've already borrowed it before."
He looked at the title.
"You have?"
She nodded.
"It's actually more useful if you combine it with Professor Lee's recommended reading."
He looked at her with mild surprise.
"I didn't know that."
"It's hidden in Chapter Six."
He accepted the book.
"...Thank you."
She gave a small nod.
"You're welcome."
Neither moved.
The silence between the bookshelves felt strangely comfortable.
Then...
Do-hyun spoke.
"...How's Ji-hoon?"
Yerin blinked.
"My brother?"
"Yes."
She smiled.
"Busy."
"He spends more time at the company than at home these days."
"He always seemed responsible."
"He is."
She laughed softly.
"He just complains while being responsible."
A faint smile appeared on Do-hyun's face.
"I can imagine."
Yerin noticed it.
She laughed quietly.
"So stubborn."
Before either of them could continue...
A loud voice echoed from the end of the aisle.
"There you are!"
Emily.
She walked around the corner carrying three books before stopping abruptly.
Her eyes moved from Yerin...
To Do-hyun...
Then back again.
"...Am I interrupting something?"
Yerin answered immediately.
"No."
"We both reached for the same book."
Emily looked at the book.
Then at them.
Then grinned.
"I'll pretend I believe that."
Yerin sighed.
"You never believe anything."
"Not when it comes to you two."
Do-hyun quietly closed the book.
"I should go."
Emily waved cheerfully.
"Bye, Do-hyun."
He nodded politely before leaving the aisle.
Emily watched him disappear before turning back to Yerin with an amused smile.
"...You know..."
"What?"
"I think the universe really likes putting you two in the same place."
Yerin picked another book from the shelf.
"I think the universe has a strange sense of humor."
Emily laughed.
"I couldn't have said it better myself."
Yerin smiled.
But deep inside...
She couldn't shake the feeling that the universe wasn't the only one watching anymore.
Somewhere on campus...
Seo Jina had begun making her moves.
And Yerin had a feeling...
This was only the beginning.
The afternoon sun had begun to dip lower by the time Yerin returned home.
The Hwang Mansion was unusually quiet.
Most of the staff moved silently through the halls, and the peaceful atmosphere was a welcome escape from the crowded university campus.
She handed her bag to one of the housekeepers.
"Has my father returned?"
"Not yet, Miss."
"And my grandmother?"
"She's resting in the garden."
Yerin nodded.
"Thank you."
She slowly climbed the staircase toward her room.
The moment the door closed behind her...
The smile she had worn throughout the day disappeared.
She walked toward her desk.
There, resting neatly beside a stack of books...
Was the small velvet box from the jeweler.
Mrs. Choi had insisted she take it home after the fitting, saying the final adjustments would be completed before the engagement ceremony.
Yerin stared at it.
She didn't touch it.
Not immediately.
Almost a full minute passed before she finally reached forward.
Her fingers rested lightly on the lid.
She slowly opened it.
The platinum ring lay perfectly centered against the dark velvet.
It sparkled beneath the afternoon light.
Beautiful.
Elegant.
Perfect.
Yerin quietly smiled.
Not because she liked it.
But because she found it ironic.
"So much beauty..."
She whispered to herself.
"...for something that feels like a cage."
She gently traced the edge of the ring with her fingertip.
A sudden knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in."
The door opened.
Ji-hoon stepped inside, loosening the tie around his neck after what looked like another exhausting day at work.
"I knew I'd find you here."
He smiled.
"How was university?"
"It was..."
She searched for the right word.
"Normal."
He immediately noticed the open ring box.
His smile slowly faded.
"So..."
He walked closer.
"You've been looking at it."
Yerin closed the box gently.
"I wasn't."
Ji-hoon raised an eyebrow.
"It was open."
"I was just..."
She sighed.
"I don't know."
He leaned casually against the edge of her desk.
"Still hoping it'll disappear?"
A small laugh escaped her.
"...Something like that."
He folded his arms.
"You know..."
"When we were kids..."
"You used to believe hiding things meant they stopped existing."
She looked at him.
"I was six."
"You hid your math homework inside the freezer."
"I thought Mom wouldn't find it."
"She found it next to the ice cream."
Yerin laughed despite herself.
"I still got grounded."
"You did."
For a moment...
The room felt lighter.
Then Ji-hoon's expression softened.
"You're smiling..."
"But your eyes aren't."
The laughter faded.
Yerin lowered her gaze.
"I guess they're tired."
"No."
He shook his head gently.
"They're scared."
Silence.
A long silence.
Ji-hoon waited.
He didn't rush her.
Didn't pressure her.
He simply stood there.
Eventually...
Yerin spoke.
"So obvious?"
"To me."
She looked down at the ring box resting between her hands.
"I'm scared."
The words came out barely above a whisper.
Ji-hoon didn't interrupt.
"I'm not scared of marriage."
She continued quietly.
"I'm scared of waking up one day..."
"...and realizing I never got to choose my own life."
Her voice trembled.
"I had plans."
"So many plans."
"I wanted to travel."
"I wanted to build my own company."
"I wanted..."
She stopped.
Her eyes slowly filled with tears.
"...I wanted the chance to decide."
Ji-hoon's heart tightened.
He had always seen his little sister as fearless.
The girl who climbed trees faster than anyone.
The girl who argued with teachers when she knew she was right.
The girl who never cried unless she was truly hurt.
He stepped closer.
"You know something?"
She looked at him.
"When you were born..."
"I promised Mom I'd always protect you."
She smiled weakly.
"You were four."
"I took the promise very seriously."
"You also cried because they wouldn't let you hold me."
"I still think that was unfair."
She laughed through her tears.
Ji-hoon smiled.
Then his expression became serious again.
"I wish I could fix this."
"So do I."
"I wish I could tell Dad to cancel everything."
"You can't."
"I know."
He looked toward the window.
"Our parents truly believe they're doing what's best."
"They're not trying to hurt us."
"I know."
"And somehow..."
He sighed.
"That makes it even harder."
Yerin slowly nodded.
Neither of them blamed their parents.
That was the cruelest part.
No one was acting out of hatred.
Only love.
A love that had forgotten to ask what she wanted.
Ji-hoon gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Listen to me."
She met his eyes.
"If you spend every single day fighting tomorrow..."
"...you're going to forget how to live today."
She remained silent.
"You still have dreams."
"You still have a future."
"This engagement..."
"...doesn't get to take away who you are."
A single tear escaped down Yerin's cheek.
She quickly wiped it away.
"I'll try."
"No."
Ji-hoon smiled gently.
"You will."
He lightly tapped her forehead.
"Because you're the most stubborn person I know."
She rolled her eyes.
"I wonder where I got that from."
He grinned.
"Definitely not me."
"Oh please."
"I've met you."
The two of them laughed together.
For the first time in days...
It wasn't forced.
It wasn't out of politeness.
It was genuine.
And although nothing had changed...
Although the engagement was still only days away...
Yerin no longer felt like she was carrying the weight completely alone.
Because no matter what happened...
She still had her brother.
And somehow...
That made breathing just a little easier.
That same evening...
The Choi Mansion stood quietly beneath the fading colors of the sunset.
Unlike the Hwang residence, where Ji-hoon's laughter had briefly lifted the heavy atmosphere, the Choi home remained as disciplined as ever.
Every servant moved with practiced precision.
Every room was immaculate.
Everything was exactly where it belonged.
Everything...
Except the thoughts inside Do-hyun's mind.
The study lamp cast a warm glow across his desk.
An open laptop displayed tomorrow's schedule, several business reports lay neatly stacked beside it, and a half-finished notebook rested near his hand.
Normally...
He would've finished everything before dinner.
Tonight...
He had been staring at the same page for nearly twenty minutes.
His pen hadn't moved once.
A gentle knock sounded on the door.
"Come in."
The door opened slowly.
Mrs. Choi stepped inside carrying two steaming cups of tea.
She smiled warmly.
"I thought you might still be working."
Do-hyun immediately stood.
"Mother."
"You didn't have to bring this."
"I wanted to."
She placed one cup beside him before noticing the untouched notebook.
"You haven't written anything."
He followed her gaze.
"I suppose not."
She looked at him for a long moment.
Then spoke softly.
"Would you walk with me?"
He looked slightly surprised.
"...Now?"
"The roses have started blooming."
"I haven't seen them in days."
He hesitated only briefly before nodding.
"Of course."
A cool breeze welcomed them as they stepped into the back garden.
Stone pathways wound through rows of carefully maintained flowers, while small lanterns had already begun lighting the walkways.
The evening air was calm.
For several minutes...
Mother and son walked without speaking.
Neither felt the need to fill the silence.
Mrs. Choi had always known...
Do-hyun spoke only when he was ready.
Eventually...
She broke the silence.
"You've become quieter lately."
He gave a faint smile.
"I've always been quiet."
"You have."
She looked ahead.
"But lately..."
"You've been carrying silence."
The words made him stop walking.
Mrs. Choi turned toward him.
Her expression wasn't accusing.
It was concerned.
"I've watched you grow up for twenty-two years."
"I know the difference."
Do-hyun lowered his eyes.
"...I'm sorry."
She gently shook her head.
"Don't apologize."
"I'm your mother."
"If something is weighing on your heart..."
"...I'd rather share the burden than watch you carry it alone."
He looked away toward the fountain.
The sound of flowing water echoed softly through the garden.
After a long pause...
He finally spoke.
"Mother..."
"Do you think I'm selfish?"
She frowned.
"What makes you ask that?"
He took a slow breath.
"Everyone keeps telling me how fortunate I am."
"Our families trust each other."
"They believe this engagement is the best decision."
"They're happy."
"So..."
He looked at his hands.
"Why am I the only one who can't be?"
Mrs. Choi remained silent.
Not because she didn't have an answer.
But because she wanted him to continue.
"I don't dislike Yerin."
He said the words calmly.
"She's kind."
"She's intelligent."
"She deserves respect."
Mrs. Choi nodded gently.
"I know."
He closed his eyes briefly.
"But..."
"I dislike that neither of us was given the chance to choose."
The sentence lingered between them.
The evening breeze stirred the leaves overhead.
Mrs. Choi slowly stepped closer.
"I wondered when you'd finally say it."
Do-hyun looked up, surprised.
"You... knew?"
She smiled sadly.
"A mother notices more than her children realize."
"I could see it in your eyes the day your father announced the engagement."
"You weren't angry."
"You were... trapped."
For the first time...
Do-hyun didn't hide his emotions.
"...I am."
Mrs. Choi reached out and gently straightened the collar of his shirt, just as she had done when he was a little boy before sending him off to school.
"I wish things were simpler."
"So do I."
She sighed quietly.
"When I married your father..."
"I was frightened too."
He looked at her.
"I barely knew him."
"Our families had already decided."
"I smiled through the ceremony because everyone expected me to."
"But inside..."
"I was terrified."
Do-hyun listened carefully.
"I won't tell you that everything became easy."
"It didn't."
"There were days I wanted to go home."
"There were days I questioned whether our parents had made a mistake."
She smiled faintly.
"But..."
"Your father earned my trust."
"He didn't demand it."
"He earned it."
She gently rested a hand against his cheek.
"I'm not asking you to fall in love."
"I'm not asking you to pretend you're happy."
"I'm only asking one thing."
He met her eyes.
"Don't close your heart before life has the chance to surprise you."
Do-hyun was quiet.
He understood what she meant.
But he also knew...
His situation wasn't the same.
After a long silence, he finally asked,
"...If I told Father I wasn't ready..."
"Would anything change?"
Mrs. Choi's smile slowly faded.
She looked toward the garden before answering.
"...No."
The single word was enough.
He already knew the answer.
Hearing it spoken aloud somehow made it feel more real.
"I'm sorry."
She whispered.
"So am I."
For several moments...
Neither of them spoke.
Then, without saying another word...
Mrs. Choi gently wrapped her arms around her son.
Do-hyun stood still.
Then slowly...
He returned the embrace.
Just as he had on the night he injured his hand.
This time...
There were no tears.
Only quiet understanding.
Sometimes...
Being understood hurt almost as much as being alone.
As they walked back toward the mansion...
A servant approached them with a respectful bow.
"Madam."
"The invitation cards have arrived from the printer."
Mrs. Choi smiled politely.
"Already?"
"Yes, Madam."
"They've been placed in the sitting room."
She looked toward Do-hyun.
"It seems..."
"...there's another step we can't postpone."
Do-hyun didn't answer.
His eyes remained fixed on the brightly lit mansion ahead.
Each step toward the front door...
Felt like another step toward a future that was arriving far too quickly.
Three Days Until the Engagement
The next afternoon arrived more quietly than the last.
The campus was unusually calm after the final lecture, with most students hurrying home before the evening traffic began.
The once-crowded walkways slowly emptied.
Groups of friends laughed as they made plans for the weekend.
Some headed toward the parking lot.
Others wandered to nearby cafés.
Within minutes...
The university felt almost deserted.
Yerin walked alone through the main courtyard, a book tucked beneath her arm.
Emily had left early to help her mother prepare for a family gathering, while Min-jae had been dragged away by a few classmates to football practice.
For the first time all week...
She was completely alone.
She welcomed the silence.
It gave her room to think.
Although...
Thinking was becoming the very thing she wished she could stop doing.
She wandered toward the old part of the campus, where a wide stone pathway led to the botanical gardens.
It had always been her favourite place.
Away from crowded classrooms...
Away from endless whispers...
Away from curious eyes.
Tall maple trees stretched overhead, their leaves dancing gently in the afternoon breeze.
Several wooden benches stood beneath their shade.
Students rarely came here unless they wanted peace.
Yerin slowed her pace.
Then stopped.
Someone was already sitting on the last bench beneath the largest maple tree.
She recognised him instantly.
Do-hyun.
He sat quietly with his elbows resting on his knees, absentmindedly turning a small cream-coloured envelope between his fingers.
The gold-embossed seal caught the sunlight.
She knew exactly what it was.
The invitation.
For a brief moment...
She considered walking away.
But something made her stay.
Perhaps...
It was because she knew exactly why he was sitting there alone.
Taking a quiet breath, she walked over.
"May I?"
Do-hyun looked up.
His usually unreadable expression softened slightly.
"Of course."
She sat beside him, leaving enough space between them for it to remain respectful.
Neither of them spoke.
The wind rustled the branches above their heads.
Somewhere in the distance, birds chirped softly.
Students' laughter echoed faintly from another part of the campus.
Here...
Everything felt still.
After nearly a minute...
Yerin finally broke the silence.
"You opened yours."
It wasn't a question.
Do-hyun looked down at the envelope resting in his hands.
"...Yesterday."
She nodded slowly.
"So did I."
Silence returned.
She looked ahead.
"I thought I'd feel angry."
He waited.
"But..."
She let out a quiet laugh.
"I didn't."
"I just kept staring at my name."
She swallowed.
"It looked strange."
"'Hwang Yerin.'"
She paused.
"And right beside it..."
"'Choi Do-hyun.'"
She smiled weakly.
"I've seen our names together before."
"On attendance sheets."
"Group notices."
"Competition results."
"But this..."
"...felt different."
Do-hyun quietly traced the edge of the envelope with his thumb.
"I know."
"I must have read it ten times."
She looked at him.
"You counted?"
He gave the faintest nod.
"I was hoping..."
"...it would somehow change."
A small smile escaped Yerin.
"That's impossible."
"I know."
"But I still looked."
For the first time in days...
They both laughed.
It wasn't loud.
It wasn't forced.
It was simply the kind of laugh shared between two people who understood the same impossible situation.
The laughter faded as quickly as it had appeared.
Yerin lowered her gaze to the ground.
"Ji-hoon asked me yesterday if I was still hoping the ring would disappear."
Do-hyun looked at her.
"What did you tell him?"
"That I was."
She smiled sadly.
"He told me I was six years too old to believe in magic."
A faint smile touched Do-hyun's lips.
"Your brother seems wise."
"He pretends he is."
"He usually is."
She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"He also said something I haven't stopped thinking about."
Do-hyun remained silent.
She continued.
"He told me..."
"'If you spend every day fighting tomorrow... you'll forget how to live today.'"
The words lingered between them.
Do-hyun repeated them quietly.
"...He's right."
"Isn't he?"
She nodded.
"I hate admitting it."
"So do I."
Another gentle breeze swept through the trees.
The envelope in Do-hyun's hand fluttered slightly.
He looked down at it.
"I've been thinking."
Yerin turned towards him.
"Our plan."
She immediately understood.
"The one in the garden."
He nodded once.
"It won't work."
Her shoulders fell.
"I know."
"It was desperate."
"It was."
Silence.
Then...
"We're running out of time."
"We are."
For several moments...
Neither of them could find another answer.
Because there wasn't one.
A dry maple leaf drifted down from the branches above.
It landed quietly between them on the bench.
Yerin picked it up.
She turned it slowly between her fingers before smiling faintly.
"When we first met..."
"I thought you were the most arrogant person in our department."
Do-hyun raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"You hardly spoke."
"You always looked serious."
"I assumed you were judging everyone."
He almost laughed.
"I was usually thinking about assignments."
"I know that now."
She smiled.
"And you?"
He looked ahead.
"I thought you were impossible."
She stared at him in disbelief.
"...Impossible?"
"You argued with Professor Lee on the first day."
"I was right."
"You were."
"You challenged senior students."
"They deserved it."
"They did."
"You accidentally spilled coffee on me."
Yerin covered her face with one hand.
"...I was hoping you'd forgotten that."
"I haven't."
She groaned.
"Please."
"Let me keep at least a little dignity."
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
"I'll consider it."
She looked at him.
"There."
He frowned slightly.
"What?"
""Nothing."
The conversation settled into another comfortable silence.
Not because they had nothing left to say.
But because...
For the first time...
They realised they no longer needed words every second they were together.
Sometimes...
Simply sharing the silence was enough.
Far across the courtyard...
Standing beneath the entrance archway...
Seo Jina watched them from a distance.
She couldn't hear a single word.
But she saw enough.
She saw Yerin smiling.
She saw Do-hyun smiling back.
She saw the ease between them.
The silence they shared.
The comfort.
Her expression slowly hardened.
"So..."
She whispered under her breath.
"It wasn't just the café."
Her eyes narrowed as she watched them beneath the maple tree.
Whatever was happening between them...
She intended to find out.
No matter what it took.
For another few minutes...
Neither Yerin nor Do-hyun moved from the bench beneath the maple tree.
The afternoon sun slowly dipped lower, casting long shadows across the quiet garden path.
Students had almost completely left the campus.
The university, so lively only hours earlier, had fallen into an unusual calm.
Yerin glanced at the watch on her wrist.
"...I should go."
Do-hyun nodded.
"So should I."
They stood almost at the same time.
Neither seemed eager to leave.
Yet both knew they had no reason to stay.
Yerin adjusted the strap of her bag before looking at him.
"I'll see you..."
She stopped.
There was only one place they were guaranteed to meet next.
Do-hyun finished the sentence for her.
"...At the engagement."
The words felt strangely heavy.
She forced a small smile.
"...I guess so."
For a brief moment...
Neither of them knew what to say.
Then Yerin extended her hand.
"Good luck."
Do-hyun looked at her hand for a second before shaking it.
His grip was firm but gentle.
"You too."
They let go.
Yerin turned first, walking toward the parking area.
Do-hyun remained where he was until she disappeared behind the library building.
Only then did he quietly walk in the opposite direction.
Neither noticed...
That this simple goodbye somehow felt far more emotional than either of them expected.
That Evening
The Hwang Mansion had become busier than usual.
Several designers, assistants and staff moved in and out of the living room carrying garment bags, jewellery cases and fabric samples.
Mrs. Hwang stood near the staircase, checking a list while speaking with one of the stylists.
"No alterations?"
"The dress was tailored perfectly, Madam."
"Good."
"And the accessories?"
"They arrived this afternoon."
"Excellent."
At that moment...
Yerin stepped inside.
She stopped the moment she saw the activity filling the house.
"...What's going on?"
Her grandmother smiled warmly from the sofa.
"Come here, dear."
Confused, Yerin walked over.
A designer carefully wheeled forward a large ivory garment bag.
Mrs. Hwang smiled.
"It arrived this afternoon."
Yerin's heart sank.
"...Already?"
Her mother nodded.
"We wanted to make sure everything fits before Saturday."
One of the assistants slowly unzipped the garment bag.
A breathtaking engagement dress was revealed.
Elegant ivory silk flowed gracefully to the floor, embroidered with delicate floral patterns that shimmered beneath the lights.
It was beautiful.
Every person in the room admired it.
Her grandmother's eyes softened.
"You'll look wonderful."
The stylist smiled proudly.
"Would you like to try it on, Miss Yerin?"
Yerin looked at the dress.
For a long moment...
She couldn't answer.
Then, with a polite smile she didn't quite feel...
"...Alright."
Across the city...
The Choi Mansion was no less busy.
Several tailored suits had been delivered that afternoon.
Mr. Choi stood in the sitting room, reviewing tomorrow's schedule while speaking with his secretary.
"The guest confirmations?"
"Complete, sir."
"The security team?"
"They've already inspected the venue."
"The press?"
"No media have been invited, as requested."
Mr. Choi gave a satisfied nod.
"Good."
A servant approached carrying a black garment bag.
"Young Master's suit has arrived."
"Take it upstairs."
"I'll speak with him."
Moments later...
There was a knock on Do-hyun's bedroom door.
"Come in."
Mr. Choi entered.
His expression remained as composed as ever.
"The suit has arrived."
Do-hyun looked up from the book he hadn't been reading.
"I see."
"Wear it tomorrow evening."
"The tailor will make the final adjustments."
"Yes, Father."
Mr. Choi studied him for a brief moment.
"You understand the importance of this ceremony."
"I do."
"Our families have spent months preparing."
"I won't disappoint you."
His father nodded once.
"I know you won't."
Without another word...
He left the room.
The door clicked shut.
Silence returned.
Do-hyun looked toward the garment bag resting against the wall.
He slowly stood and walked over.
His fingers brushed against the fabric.
Behind it...
Resting on the table...
Lay the cream-coloured invitation.
His name.
Her name.
The suit.
The ring.
Everything was ready.
Everything...
Except him.
The Same Night
In her bedroom...
Yerin stood alone before the large window.
The engagement dress rested nearby on its mannequin, illuminated by the soft moonlight spilling into the room.
She stared at it for a long time.
Then quietly walked over.
Her fingertips gently brushed the delicate embroidery.
A few days ago...
It had been nothing more than an idea.
Now...
It was real.
She looked out through the window toward the city lights stretching into the distance.
Somewhere beyond those lights...
Do-hyun was probably doing exactly what she was.
Thinking.
Wondering.
Questioning.
A faint breeze stirred the curtains.
Yerin closed her eyes.
"...Just a little longer."
She wasn't sure whether she was asking for more time...
Or praying for a miracle.
Far away...
In another room beneath another window...
Do-hyun stood in silence.
His gaze rested on the night sky.
For the first time in years...
He found himself wishing...
That life had given him just one more choice.
Two Days Until the Engagement.
The clock continued to move forward.
Whether they were ready...
Or not.
...To Be Continued...