The corridor still held the echo of Ji-Ah's footsteps when—
Ha-Joon's phone lit up.
A name flashed.
Yoo-Na.
He stared at it for half a second.
Then answered.
No greeting.
"…What."
On the other end, her voice slid in, sugar-coated and sharp at the edges.
"Ha-Joon~ I need money."
Straight to the point.
Of course.
His expression didn't move.
"For what."
"A bag," she said lightly. "It's limited edition, and I—"
"No."
Flat.
Immediate.
A pause.
Then her tone tightened just a little.
"…Excuse me?"
"I said no."
He didn't raise his voice.
Didn't need to.
"I don't fund your shopping."
A small scoff came through the line.
"You're being stingy over something small—"
"If it's small," he cut in calmly, "buy it yourself."
Silence.
Sharp.
Then—
"You're going to marry me," she said, voice dropping. "What's the problem with—"
"I'm not marrying you."
That landed.
Hard.
Even the air shifted.
Beside him, Seo-Jun looked away slightly, lips pressing together.
Barely holding it in.
On the phone—
Yoo-Na laughed, but it sounded forced.
"You're funny today."
"I'm serious today."
Another pause.
Then her voice cooled completely.
"…You've changed."
"No," he said. "You're just hearing me properly now."
Seo-Jun let out the faintest breath through his nose.
Almost a laugh.
Almost.
Yoo-Na clicked her tongue.
"Fine. Don't send it."
A beat.
"But don't come looking for me when things get complicated."
Ha-Joon's gaze didn't flicker.
"They already are."
Click.
The call ended.
Silence settled again.
Seo-Jun finally spoke—
Low.
Under his breath.
"…A bag."
A tiny shake of his head.
"…Tragic ambition."
Ha-Joon slipped his phone back into his pocket.
Unbothered on the surface.
But his jaw tightened just slightly.
Then—
"Prepare tomorrow's meeting."
Seo-Jun nodded immediately.
"Of course."
And just like that—
The moment was buried.
But not gone.
-------
The living room had been transformed.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
But enough to feel like something important was unfolding.
Elegant tea set.
Fresh flowers.
Soft light pouring in like it had been invited.
At the center of it all—
Madam Kim sat with quiet authority, her posture perfect, her gaze sharp but controlled.
Across from her—
Min-Ji.
Calm.
Composed.
Exactly as she had been yesterday.
Maybe even more so.
Around them, the room was full.
Min-Hyuk leaned slightly back, watching with interest.
Beside him, Seo-Yeon sat poised, quietly observing every detail.
Ji-Ah sat just a little forward in her seat, eyes bright like she was mentally cheering.
Ha-Joon sat across, composed as ever—
But quieter than usual.
And nearby—
Arisoo watched with a small, knowing smile.
On the floor, completely unbothered by any of this—
Nikki played with his toys, occasionally glancing up like he was part of the evaluation panel.
Madam Kim lifted her teacup.
Elegant.
Measured.
"Min-Ji," she began.
Min-Ji nodded slightly.
"Yes, Madam."
"Tell me," Madam Kim said, "what kind of household do you think this is?"
A test.
Clear.
Min-Ji didn't rush.
"I think…" she said softly, "it's a strong one."
A pause.
"Not because everything is perfect," she added, "but because everyone here seems… used to protecting each other."
Silence.
A good kind.
Arisoo's smile deepened slightly.
Ji-Ah's eyes widened.
Yes, her face screamed silently.
Madam Kim's gaze lingered.
Interested.
"And you?" she asked. "Where do you fit into that?"
Min-Ji met her eyes.
"I don't think I need to 'fit' immediately," she said. "But I think… I can learn."
A small tilt of her head.
"And adapt without losing myself."
Min-Hyuk let out a soft, impressed hum.
Seo-Yeon's lips curved just slightly.
Ji-Ah leaned back, whispering—
"She's winning."
Arisoo nodded faintly.
"She is."
Madam Kim set her teacup down.
Slowly.
Carefully.
"And my son?" she asked.
The room stilled.
Min-Ji didn't look at Ha-Joon immediately.
Smart.
"I think he's someone who doesn't like being rushed," she said. "But also someone who doesn't like being alone."
That—
That made Ha-Joon's gaze lift.
Just slightly.
Min-Ji continued.
"So I wouldn't chase him," she added gently. "But I wouldn't disappear either."
A pause.
"I think that's enough."
Silence settled again.
But this time—
Heavier.
Fuller.
Madam Kim leaned back.
A faint smile touched her lips.
Rare.
Genuine.
"I like you."
Ji-Ah nearly clapped.
She stopped herself just in time, turning it into a cough.
"Ahem—yes—very good—"
Min-Hyuk chuckled under his breath.
Seo-Yeon gave Ji-Ah a quick side glance that said control yourself.
Nikki suddenly ran past, dragging a toy, completely cutting through the tension.
"Aunt Ji-Ji look!"
Ji-Ah immediately leaned down.
"Wow, that's amazing—very important—continue—"
Arisoo laughed softly.
Madam Kim stood.
"That's enough for now," she said. "Let's move to the living room."
Everyone rose.
The shift was smooth.
Natural.
Like the room itself had decided—
This wasn't over.
Just moving forward.
As they walked—
Ji-Ah slipped slightly beside Min-Ji, whispering quickly—
"You're doing amazing."
Min-Ji blinked.
Then smiled.
Small.
Real.
Ahead of them—
Ha-Joon walked in silence.
Hands in his pockets.
Expression unreadable.
But his thoughts?
Much louder than he'd ever admit.
The living room had just settled into a softer rhythm—
teacups, quiet conversation, the faint hum of something almost… peaceful—
when—
BANG.
The doors flew open like they had been personally offended.
And there she was.
Yoo-Na.
Storm wrapped in silk.
Eyes blazing.
Steps sharp enough to cut the air itself.
"What is this?"
Her voice didn't rise.
It sliced.
"Why is there a meeting in this house without me?"
No one answered immediately.
Because everyone already knew—
this wasn't a question.
It was a challenge.
She walked straight in, heels clicking like a countdown, gaze sweeping the room before landing—
on Min-Ji.
A pause.
Then she smiled.
Not warm.
Not kind.
Just… precise.
"And you are?" she asked calmly.
Too calmly.
Min-Ji met her gaze without flinching.
"I'm Min-Ji."
Before anything could stretch further—
a chair shifted.
Ha-Joon stood.
Ha-Joon moved without hesitation, stepping forward—
and reaching for Min-Ji's hand.
He didn't rush it.
Didn't dramatize it.
But when his fingers closed around hers—
the room felt it.
"She," he said simply, "is going to be my wife."
Silence dropped.
Heavy.
Immediate.
Yoo-Na blinked.
Once.
Like her mind refused to process it.
"…What?"
Ji-Ah leaned forward instantly, unable to hold herself back.
"It's true!" she said, pointing lightly. "I found her. Perfect match. 10/10. No notes."
Ji-Ah looked entirely too proud of herself.
Yoo-Na's head snapped toward her.
And in one sharp movement—
she stepped forward.
Fast.
Hand lifting—
aimed straight for Ji-Ah.
But—
she didn't get far.
Min-Hyuk caught her wrist first.
Min-Hyuk's grip was firm, his expression no longer relaxed.
"Careful," he said quietly.
Seo-Yeon stepped in beside Ji-Ah instantly.
Seo-Yeon's gaze was cold now.
"Don't."
Yoo-Na yanked her hand back, breathing sharp, eyes blazing.
Then—
she turned.
To Madam.
"To you," she said, voice tight but controlled. "Am I not the one who is supposed to marry Ha-Joon?"
Madam Kim didn't even blink.
"That was never decided," she said calmly.
The words landed like a quiet verdict.
Yoo-Na let out a small, disbelieving laugh.
"Then what is this?" she gestured at Min-Ji. "You just pick—what—any random girl and sit her here like she belongs?"
Her gaze dragged over Min-Ji again.
Judging.
Dismissing.
"Do you even know what kind of family this is?" she added, voice dipping with mock concern.
A pause.
Then—
Min-Ji smiled.
Soft.
Polite.
Dangerous in its calm.
"I do," she said gently.
Yoo-Na scoffed.
"Oh really?"
Min-Ji tilted her head just slightly.
"Yes," she continued. "It's a family that values respect."
A beat.
"And calm."
Another.
"So I understand why this might feel unfamiliar."
Silence.
Then—
Ji-Ah made a choking sound.
Seo-Jun turned his face away completely.
Arisoo pressed her lips together, shoulders shaking.
Even Min-Hyuk looked down, covering his mouth.
Because that—
That was clean.
Yoo-Na's expression cracked.
Just for a second.
"You—" she stepped forward—
But Ha-Joon shifted slightly.
Not aggressive.
Just enough.
A wall.
Unmoving.
Yoo-Na stopped.
Her eyes flickered between them—
him.
Min-Ji.
The room.
And for the first time—
she had no control of it.
Her jaw tightened.
"…This isn't over," she said, voice low.
Then she turned sharply—
and walked out.
Fast.
The doors shut behind her with a final, echoing thud.
Silence.
One second.
Two—
Then—
Ji-Ah burst.
"OH MY—"
She clapped a hand over her mouth, laughing.
"That was—did you hear—'unfamiliar'—I'm—"
Arisoo finally let out a soft laugh.
Seo-Yeon shook her head, hiding a smile.
Min-Hyuk exhaled, amused.
Even Seo-Jun muttered under his breath—
"…Legend."
At the center of it—
Min-Ji simply sat back down.
Composed.
Like she hadn't just lit a match and walked away from the fire.
And Ha-Joon?
Still standing beside her.
Still holding her hand.
Like he had no intention of letting go.