After watching the sunrise and capturing the moment in photographs, they stopped at a small, nearby restaurant for breakfast. Simple food, warm tea, and shared smiles. Nothing extravagant. Yet everything felt full.
They were back on their feet again, wandering through the narrow streets and lively markets. Street shopping was her idea. Of course it was. And of course, he couldn't say no.
Hauen darted from one stall to another. Suho followed obediently, arms slowly filling with shopping bags, quietly checking prices, exchanging a few words with shopkeepers, selecting better deals without her even noticing.
She held up a dress, examining it thoughtfully.
"That color doesn't suit you," he said casually.
She turned toward him, offended curiosity flashing in her eyes. "Why?"
"It makes you look dull," he replied honestly. Then pointed to another one nearby. "Try that white one. White looks good on you."
She squinted at him suspiciously, then placed the first dress back and picked up the white one. Standing in front of the mirror, she held it against herself, tilting her head.
Suho stepped closer, standing behind her reflection.
"See," he said softly, a smile playing on his lips. "You really look like an angel in this dress."
She instantly made a weird face. "Not the cheesy lines again."
He chuckled. "What cheesy? It's true. Just hang a pair of wings behind you while wearing this dress," he added lightly. "You'll officially turn into an angel."
Her cheeks warmed. She smiled despite herself, then elbowed his stomach.
"Oof!" he yelped, breaking into laughter.
"Fine… I'll take this," she said, turning toward him with a satisfied nod.
He picked up another dress, yellow this time, and handed it to her. "Take this, too. Yellow suits you. Makes you look like a flower."
"Yaa," she chuckled.
"I'm serious," he insisted, still scanning the rack like a man on a mission.
She slipped her arm around his, leaning into him as he examined the dresses one by one. "You really have good taste in ladies' fashion," she said, amused.
His smile came instantly, easy and natural. "Maybe… by experience."
She looked up at him, eyes narrowing just a little. Suspicion, playful but sharp. "How many times did you take girls shopping?" she asked.
He burst out laughing at the very married tone of her question. "Well," he admitted honestly, "it was only Yerin. I shopped for her many times. And the women in my family also have pretty good fashion sense."
She studied his face for a second, then hummed. "Hmm… good."
Then, with a small but firm nod, she added, "Now use this wonderful skill only for me. For a lifetime."
For a lifetime. The words landed quietly, but heavily.
His heart dipped. Just for a second, the noise of the market faded, and he stood still, staring at the dress in his hand, his thoughts spiraling again, sharp and unwanted.
"How about this one?" she said suddenly, picking up another dress and holding it against herself.
He flinched slightly, pulled back into the present. "What?" he asked.
"You zoned out," she said, brows knitting. "What happened?"
He looked at her and quickly curved his lips into a smile. "Nothing. I was just… looking at the pattern of this dress," he said lightly.
Before she could question him further, his phone buzzed in his pocket.
He glanced at the caller ID.
Haraboji.
The name alone tightened something in his chest.
He looked at her once and forced a small smile. "Stay here… I'll be back," he said quickly, already turning away.
Before she could ask anything, he stepped out of the store, leaving her standing there with a dress in her hands and confusion in her eyes.
Outside, the noise of the market felt distant. His phone kept buzzing in his palm, impatient, demanding. Why is he calling now? His heart started racing again.
He inhaled slowly, steadying himself, and finally answered.
"Where are you, Suho?" His grandfather's voice came sharp and cold from the other end.
Suho didn't respond.
"I'm talking to you," the voice growled again.
He swallowed. "Jeju," he said quietly. "I'm in Jeju."
There was a brief pause. Then—
"Have you lost your mind?" Haraboji snapped. "What did I tell you? You still insist on being with her? How dare you disrespect us and go on a trip with that woman?"
The words hit hard, laced with authority and disappointment, carefully aimed where it hurt the most.
Suho stayed silent.
"I gave you one week to think and make a decision," Haraboji continued, his tone sharper now. "And instead, you ran to Jeju with her. Don't let emotions trap you, Suho."
His heart clenched painfully.That woman? Haraboji referred to her as if Hauen were a stranger. As if she doesn't belong to him.
He said nothing.
"Speak, Suho," Haraboji growled when the silence stretched too long.
Suho blinked, drew in another breath, and finally spoke.
"I brought her here… to fulfill her wish before I tell her my decision," he said, his voice trembling despite his effort to keep it steady.
There was silence on the other end.
"At least she deserves this," he added, slower now, each word heavy.
"Don't be sentimental, Suho," Haraboji replied after a moment. "Think logically. Like a businessman. You started this as a business arrangement, end it like one."
Suho's jaw tightened. "I love her, Haraboji," he said, the confession raw and unguarded. "If not for her… then at least for my sake, let me spend some time with her. Let me fulfill her wish."
His tone hardened, not loud, but firm.
"You gave me one week," he continued. "Let me use it my way. Please."
Another long pause followed. The silence felt heavier than shouting.
Finally, Haraboji spoke, measured, and controlled. "Fine. But remember this, Suho… I still believe you won't disappoint your family."
Suho said nothing.
The call ended.
He stood there, phone still pressed to his ear, the market sounds rushing back all at once. His heart began to race, anxiety crawling up his spine. Voices echoed inside his head, colliding, overlapping, threatening to swallow him whole.
Then—
"Suho."
Her voice.
He flinched and turned around.
Hauen stood there, eyes filled with concern, her brows knitted together as she took in his expression.
"What happened?" she asked softly. "Is everything okay?"
He looked at her, the question echoing far deeper than she knew, and for a second… he didn't know how to breathe.
He then pulled her into his arms. Suddenly. Without warning.
She bumped into his chest, the impact soft but sure, and she felt it instantly. His heart. Thudding hard, fast, uneven. As if it had been running from something it could not escape.
She hesitated only for a heartbeat before her arms came around him, holding him back just as tightly. Warmth. Familiar. Safe.
Slowly, his nerves loosened. His breathing steadied. The noise inside his head dimmed, retreating under the simple weight of her presence.
She tilted her face up, worry sitting openly in her eyes. "You okay, Suho?"
He met her gaze and curved his lips into a small, careful smile. "Yeah… I think my blood sugar suddenly went low," he said, offering the strangest excuse, almost sheepish.
She blinked at him. Once. Twice. "Suddenly…?" Suspicion flickered, soft but unmistakable.
Before she could press further, he moved, gently but decisively. "Come, let's go," he said quickly. "Did you pay the bill? I totally forgot. Come, let's get those dresses for you."
The words tumbled out faster than usual. Too fast.
He took her hand and guided her back toward the store, almost dragging her into motion, as if movement itself could keep the truth from catching up.
Hauen followed, confused but compliant, her gaze lingering on his profile.
The smile was there. The voice sounded normal.
But the awkwardness clung to him like a shadow he couldn't shake… and she felt it, even if she didn't yet understand why.