That evening, the Choi residence was quiet — too quiet. The faint clinking of silverware echoed through the dining room as Mr. and Mrs. Choi finished their dinner in composed silence.
When the servants cleared the table, Mr. Choi finally spoke, "I met with Kim Ha-rin yesterday," he said calmly, reaching for his tea. "He brought up an interesting proposal."
Mrs. Choi glanced up, her curiosity piqued. "Oh? He suggested a match between his son and Seo-in."
Mrs. Choi's hand paused midway, the porcelain cup hovering in the air. Then she set it down gently. "Kim Ha-rin's son?" she repeated. "That family owns one of the famous real-estate group, doesn't it?"
Mr. Choi nodded once. "Yes. The boy's well-educated, stable, and well-connected. It would be … a strong alliance."
Mrs. Choi leaned back slightly, her expression unreadable. "It certainly sounds more suitable than that boy Seo-in is seeing now."
Her tone was calm, but the underlying distaste was unmistakable. "I've told her countless times — he's not our kind of people."
Mr. Choi's gaze hardened ever so slightly. "I agree. That relationship has gone on long enough. She refuses to listen, but perhaps this offer will open her eyes."
Mrs. Choi gave a quiet sigh, though it was more of annoyance than concern.
"Seo-in has always been stubborn. She thinks she's in love, but that's just childish infatuation. She'll understand once she sees the kind of man the Kims are offering."
Mr. Choi took a slow sip of his tea before replying. "I told Ha-rin I would speak to you before making any decision. But honestly … I see no reason to refuse."
Mrs. Choi folded her hands neatly on the table, her tone measured but decisive. "Neither do I. If their son is as respectable as people say, we should arrange a meeting soon. It's time our daughter starts acting like an adult — and understanding what's best for her."
Mr. Choi gave a faint nod. "I'll make the call tomorrow."
The conversation ended as quietly as it began, leaving only the soft ticking of the clock in the background. To anyone else, it might have seemed like a peaceful evening — but beneath the calm, a decision had been made.
***
Seo-in walked beside Ye-rin as they left campus, the late-afternoon sun casting long shadows across the sidewalk. Her hands clutched the straps of her backpack as she finally opened up—about Luca, about her decision to move in with him, and why she'd chosen to leave her apartment despite the inevitable fallout.
"It's just … different with him," Seo-in said softly, glancing at Ye-rin. "I know he can seem unpredictable, even intense, but when it's just the two of us … he listens. And I don't feel like I have to be perfect around him."
Ye-rin exhaled through her nose but kept walking, her expression unreadable. This wasn't exactly new information—she'd watched their messy, complicated relationship unfold for years—but hearing that from Seo-in was something else.
"Perfect?" she said at last, with a teasing edge. "Since when does the Choi family's golden princess worry about being anything less than flawless?"
Her tone was light, but concern threaded through her words. After all, Seo-in had grown up under the careful watch of overprotective parents who would definitely lose their minds if they found out their youngest daughter was living with a man they considered unstable.
Seo-in stopped under a tree near the bus stop and turned to face her. Her gaze was steady, determined.
"That's exactly the point," she said quietly. "With them, everything always felt conditional—love included." Her voice trembled for a second before she continued. "Luca doesn't care if I'm top of the class or wearing designer clothes. He sees past all that."
Ye-rin opened her mouth, then closed it again, torn between wanting to protect her best friend and respecting her choices. Logic wasn't going to win today—she could see that much in Seo-in's eyes.
So instead, she slipped her phone from her pocket and muttered, "...Just promise me you'll call if anything feels off, okay? And for God's sake, keep some emergency cash hidden somewhere he can't find it."
Seo-in smiled faintly, recognizing the worry behind the sarcasm. She squeezed Ye-rin's arm gently. "Promise."
A buzz from her phone cut through the moment. It was a message from Luca:
[Luca] 17:48 "Where are you? I'm on my way to pick you up."
Seo-in's lips curved into a small smile as she showed the screen to Ye-rin. "He's coming to get me."
Ye-rin raised an eyebrow. "Oh, still playing the protective boyfriend, huh?" she said dryly.
"He's just being attentive," Seo-in replied softly, pocketing her phone.
"Attentive or obsessive?" Ye-rin shot back with a half-smirk. "Because if he starts tracking your steps or monitoring your snack intake again, that's not romance—that's a red flag waving in a hurricane."
Seo-in rolled her eyes, laughing despite herself. "That was one time! And it was because I—"
"—Forgot to eat for three days during midterms," Ye-rin interrupted. "Yeah, yeah. Saint Luca the Worrier strikes again."
Just then, the low rumble of a familiar motorcycle echoed from the street. Ye-rin's gaze flicked past her friend.
"...Speak of the devil," she murmured.
Luca killed the engine and tugged off his helmet, his sharp blue eyes immediately locking onto Seo-in like she was the only person in Bremen who mattered. Which, to him at least … she kind of was. His expression softened just slightly when he noticed Ye-rin standing there too — polite but guarded as ever around her best friend since high school always seemed wary of him anyway ... Not that could blame either side really given history between all parties involved here today still ongoing unresolved tensions lingered beneath surface level civility exchanged now through gritted teeth pleasantries:
"Ye-rin," Luca nodded curtly before turning back toward waiting girlfriend expectantly outstretching spare helmet toward without another word spoken aloud yet somehow message clear nonetheless 'Let's go.'
Seo-in hesitated briefly glancing between two most important people life currently radiating opposite energies before finally stepping forward take offered gear from boyfriend though not before shooting quick reassuring smile back bestie way silently mouthing, 'Call you later!' over shoulder while climbing onto classic scooter behind protective arms wound securely around waist possessively pulling closer than strictly necessary perhaps—but then again when did anything about these two ever operate on basis moderation?
Ye-rin watched the exchange unfold with a slight frown tugging at her lips. It was all so typical—the possessiveness, the protectiveness. It almost seemed like Luca was staking his claim, trying to keep Seo-in all to himself.
But there was no point in arguing. Seo-in had made her choice weeks ago, and she seemed determined to follow through regardless of the potential consequences. As the classic scooter rumbled to life, Ye-rin couldn't help but feel a pang of worry for her best friend.