The golden afternoon in Aureum-ri stretched lazily into evening.
The families had moved back to the small villa above the sea, where the scent of grilled fish and salt air drifted through open windows.
Inside, Ha-rin's mother and Chairman Kang were busy debating recipes like old friends reunited by destiny.
On the terrace, Yoon Ha-rin leaned against the railing, hair catching the breeze.
Beside her, Kang Jae-hyun handed over a cup of barley tea.
"Peaceful, isn't it?" he said.
"It is," she replied. "Almost suspiciously peaceful."
He smiled. "You think the universe is plotting something?"
"It always is. Especially when you start smiling this much."
He leaned closer. "Maybe the universe just realized I finally did something right."
---
She rolled her eyes, pretending to sip her tea.
"You're dangerously charming today."
"Today?" he teased. "I thought that was a permanent condition."
Ha-rin laughed — that quick, bright sound that always made his chest tighten.
"Careful, Director Kang. Your confidence is showing again."
"Then hide it for me."
She looked up, puzzled. "How am I supposed to—"
He took the cup from her hand and, without warning, kissed her cheek.
The world seemed to pause; the only witnesses were the sea and the startled seagulls.
Her eyes widened. "You—!"
He grinned. "You said to be less serious."
"Not that much less!"
They both burst into laughter, the kind that turned into breathless silence far too easily.
He tilted his forehead against hers, smiling. "You blush more than the sunset."
---
A polite throat-clearing shattered the moment.
Both turned simultaneously.
Ha-rin's mother stood at the doorway, arms crossed but eyes sparkling.
Behind her, Chairman Kang looked suspiciously pleased with himself.
"Well," Ha-rin's mother said, "seems like dinner isn't the only thing heating up."
Ha-rin nearly choked. "M-Mom!"
Chairman Kang chuckled. "Ah, young people. When we were your age, we at least pretended to be subtle."
Jae-hyun straightened instantly, trying to look dignified. "Sir, we were just—"
"Don't explain," his father interrupted, waving a hand. "Just remember to invite us early when the next ceremony happens."
Ha-rin froze. "C-ceremony?"
Her mother smirked. "He means wedding, dear. Don't act surprised — we can all see it coming."
---
Later, after the teasing finally subsided and the parents retreated back inside laughing, Ha-rin groaned into her hands.
"I'm never living that down."
Jae-hyun grinned, still amused. "I think they like us together."
"They like embarrassing us together."
He nudged her shoulder gently. "Still, it's kind of nice, isn't it? No secrets. No walls."
She peeked at him from behind her hands, smiling despite herself.
"Are you sure you're not just happy because someone mentioned a wedding?"
He shrugged innocently. "Depends. How soon do you think we can book the venue?"
Ha-rin swatted his arm, laughing so hard she nearly spilled her tea again.
---
When night finally settled, they stood side by side, watching the moonlight ripple over the sea.
Jae-hyun reached for her hand. "You realize, right, that I'm never letting you walk away again?"
Ha-rin squeezed his fingers, eyes soft. "Then I guess you'd better keep up."
And somewhere inside, both families listened to their laughter echo through the villa —
a sound bright enough to promise that the next chapter of their story would begin not with sorrow,
but with vows, music, and the scent of jasmine under the same sky that had always been waiting for them.