On the balcony stood Min-jae and Ga-young, quietly admiring the stars scattered across the night sky. The cold air wrapped around them, but their warm clothes and the mugs of hot cocoa in their hands made it comfortable.
Suddenly, Ga-young squealed.
Min-jae turned to her, slightly startled. "What is it?"
"I'm just… really happy," she said, her eyes shining. "Everything is working out. Your family is happy, you're happy, my mom finally has someone to gossip with, and I…" she paused, smiling softly as she looked at him, "…I'm standing right here with you, under the stars. It's beyond amazing."
Min-jae watched her quietly, then reached over and took her mug, setting it aside.
"Are you really that happy?" he asked.
"Yes!" she replied without hesitation.
He studied her for a moment. "Then what would make you even happier?"
Ga-young narrowed her eyes slightly, pretending to think. "Hmm…" She paused, then shrugged. "I don't know. I'm already happy just being here with you."
Min-jae's gaze softened, but there was something more in it now.
"Then… would you be happier if we could stay like this forever?" he asked. "No limits, no boundaries… just us?"
"Of course," she said immediately. "Is that even a question?"
He nodded slowly. "Then…"
His words trailed off.
Before she could react, he suddenly dropped to one knee.
Ga-young gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "What are you doing?!"
"Will you—" he started, then paused as he slipped his hand into his coat pocket.
Ga-young was already on the verge of tears, her heart racing wildly.
"—eat pork belly with me," he finished, pulling out a tiny finger heart instead of a ring.
Silence.
Her expression dropped instantly.
"I'm tired. I'm going to bed," she said flatly, turning away.
Min-jae blinked. "What? Are you mad at me?"
"No," she replied sarcastically. "I'm extremely happy. Goodnight."
She tried to walk away, but he caught her wrist gently and pulled her back.
"Are you really that mad?"
"I mean… what was I supposed to think?" she complained. "You knelt down, reached into your coat—God forbid a girl has expectations."
Min-jae chuckled softly.
She frowned. "Why does it feel like you're making fun of me?"
He looked at her then, really looked at her, and this time, there was no teasing in his eyes.
"If I asked you to marry me right now… would you say yes?" he asked quietly.
Ga-young froze for a second, then shook her head. "No."
Min-jae raised a brow slightly.
"If I say yes now," she continued, "it'll feel like I pressured you into it."
He let out a small breath. "I'd still like to take that risk."
And before she could respond,
He went down on one knee again.
This time, there was no joke, no hesitation. Just sincerity.
A small ring box appeared in his hands as he opened it, revealing the ring.
"Choi Ga-young," he said softly, his voice steady, "will you be mine, not just for a moment, but for a lifetime?"
Time seemed to stop.
Ga-young stood there, completely frozen, tears already spilling down her cheeks. For a second, she couldn't move, couldn't speak, then suddenly, she dropped to her knees in front of him, wrapping her arms around him tightly.
"Only if you'll be mine for more than a lifetime," she said through her tears.
Min-jae smiled, his voice almost a whisper. "I will. Always and forever."
She held him tighter. "Then… yes. I will."
He let out a soft breath, relief and happiness blending into one as he pulled her closer.
"I love you, Choi Ga-young," he murmured, gently patting her hair.
"I love you too, Hwan Min-jae," she replied.
And as the night grew deeper, so did their love, no longer just a quiet feeling, but a promise. A beginning. A future waiting to unfold.
For others, it might feel like the end of a story.
But for them...
it was only just beginning.
THE END...