“No matter how hard I tried to push you away, it was as if you never left. I couldn’t erase you from my thoughts,” she revealed.

She explained how his strong presence had made everyday life almost impossible to bear.

Kwon Yool, who frequently broke into laughter without any apparent reason, leaned his forehead against Seo Yeon’s shoulder.
That was the most intimate gesture he could make.

“I felt the same way,” he confessed.

Whenever he missed her, he deliberately immersed himself in his studies.

One day, he didn’t leave his chair for five hours, a fact that made Seo Yeon simply smile.

Even though they were apart, it felt like they shared their pain and suffering in unity.

“I surrender completely. I can’t live without you, Yool,” she declared.

There were no winners or losers.

Only a declaration of surrender that would bring happiness to everyone.

Kwon Yool’s face was filled with indescribable happiness.

“From the beginning, I knew I could never live without you, Seo Yeon.”
As Kwon Yool spoke with an air of certainty, Seo Yeon looked at him warmly.

“Even though I received it late, the letter… I appreciated it. It felt like a great opportunity to truly understand your heart, Yool.”

“To be honest, I came here today because of the letter.”

“Really?”

“Because I always had a pile of letters. I thought you had already sorted them out, Seo Yeon.”

That couldn’t be true.

If she had known about the letters, her decision might have come faster.

“When I found out today that there were no more letters, I was half anxious and half hopeful, wondering if you would still receive me.”
“I couldn’t bear it any longer, so I went to find you without a plan.”

He explained that he checked the mailbox every day, as if stamping his attendance for work, but today was the first time he actually came to the office.

I see.

Even though they were apart, they had the same feelings for each other.

That alone gave her the confidence that choosing Kwon Yool was the right decision.

“Although we ultimately couldn’t keep our promise, it still feels like the best thing I’ve ever done.”

As Seo Yeon remembered the moment when she was stopped by the unfamiliar man, Kwon Yool’s forehead creased.

“If something had happened to Seo Yeon, I couldn’t have endured it.”

Is this fate?
It felt like fate that they had reunited with perfect timing, as if someone invisible had written the script.

People who must meet always find a way to do so, without any grand gestures.

Seo Yeon wondered if she and Kwon Yool were bound by such a connection.

She chose to believe that.

With that thought, Seo Yeon’s heart, which had once been like winter, melted as if it were meeting the warmth of a spring day.

Kwon Yool, keenly capturing that moment, stepped forward confidently.

“Starting today, I want to officially date Seo Yeon.”

Seo Yeon wondered what the difference was between just dating and officially dating.

“What does Yool mean by ‘officially’?”
Seo Yeon had decided that from now on, she wouldn’t hold back from asking questions when she was curious.

That way, there would be no more secrets between the two of them.

“There are no restrictions between us.”

She remembered how she had candidly shared her reality with him, nearing her thirties.

“If it’s because of what I said before, you don’t need to feel burdened.”

She genuinely believed that.

“Yool, I’ve considered your reality as well.”

The decision to be with him had already been made, taking into account Kwon Yool’s reality.

“I’ve thought about it for several days, wondering what it would have been like if I were in Seo Yeon’s shoes.”

He had been so deep from the beginning that she hadn’t even suspected his age.
At times, he had shown even more consideration than she had, and she had thought he was a really good person.

But now, she had considered it from her own perspective.

Seo Yeon was grateful for his heartfelt feelings.

“I felt the emotions and fears you had felt, Seo Yeon. So, there was no need for hesitation.”

Seo Yeon couldn’t quite find the right words to respond.

“I don’t like the assumption that we would date as a warm-up and then break up just because of the age difference.”

“Yool…”

In truth, there was a corner of Seo Yeon’s heart where such thoughts existed.

“This love will fail someday.”

“…”
“So, I hope you won’t say that this will be a good experience in my life from now on.”

Of course, her desire to go all the way with him was stronger.

But she also had the determination that if her love faded without regrets, it would remain as a good memory for his bright future.

Perhaps because their relationship was special, her willingness to endure it all became entangled in her heart.

But to point that out…

Seo Yeon became even more curious about what Kwon Yool would say next.

“I want to be Seo Yeon’s present and future.”

At his earnest words, Seo Yeon was secretly surprised.

“To be honest, I was worried because everyone around Seo Yeon, including Seo Yeon, is so great.”
Kwon Yool recalled the day when Ho Jin visited his house and candidly expressed the emotions he had felt that day.

“How can I become more confident in front of Seo Yeon? I’ve thought about it a lot.”

He mentioned that there were still steps to go through before the final acceptance, but he was working hard.

“No matter what happens, I will definitely pass this year.”

“Yool, you haven’t been discharged for long. It’s okay to take your time.”

That was sincere.

There was no intention to rush him.

“No! Please consider it as an expression of my will to be with Seo Yeon.”

His determination was so firm that it seemed odd to discourage him.
Seo Yeon felt it might be better to ask him what he wanted.

“Well, can I help you with your studies, Yool? Feel free to ask for anything.”

She asked while holding hands with him.

He seemed to hesitate about what to say, and his lips quivered.

But it was just a momentary pause.

“Would it be too much to ask for two things?”

He asked, sounding apologetic.

Seo Yeon smiled happily at his cautious demeanor, thinking that she could grant up to ten requests.

“I can accommodate up to ten requests. What are they?”

She asked, generously offering her assistance.

“The first one is… I would like it if you hugged me every time we meet.”

He said more cautiously after taking a breath.
Taking a deep breath, he spoke more cautiously.

“I would like it if you hugged me every time we meet.”

It was something he didn’t necessarily need to request.

However, as she observed his more careful behavior, Seo Yeon felt completely captivated by him.

Because he was so lovely to her.

She even came close to kissing him right then and there.

Suppressing her trembling emotions, Seo Yeon politely asked.

“Why is that?”

When she asked for a valid reason, Kwon Yool seemed taken aback, as if he hadn’t anticipated the question.

“Because I want us to get closer, like we used to.”

“Is that the only reason?”

“Being close to you makes all my worries and concerns disappear. Do you… find it uncomfortable?”
Far from being uncomfortable, it was a very welcome request.

Seo Yeon made an effort to conceal her fluttering emotions as she gazed steadily at Kwon Yool.

“I like it too, when I’m close to you…”

Before Seo Yeon could finish her sentence, Kwon Yool’s lips lightly brushed against hers, then quickly retreated.

“I’ll get even closer.”

His lips, which had been so soft, were now rougher, as if he had endured a lot during this time.

But the sensation was just as it used to be.

As Seo Yeon was about to say something else, a large hand grasped her cheek, and a warm breath brushed her ear.

“This much, and more.”

Tilting his head slightly, he slowly drew nearer.