“Fear that becoming a family and just the pride of becoming a family will ruin you again scares me. I’m not normal. I don’t even know how I might change.”

Kanghyun took Seoyoon’s hand, which he was holding, and brought it to his cheek, gently patting it.

Seoyoon, who had softened the hurt feelings, moved her thumb and brushed Kanghyun’s cheek.

It felt like there was something heavy around the back of his neck. It felt like a large boulder had been placed there.

“How long are you going to say that you’re not normal? You were like that even when you lived as Seojian. Chasing me like a stalker and getting caught, then making it an excuse.”

Playfully jabbing at Kanghyun, Seoyoon straightened his neat eyebrows.

“I missed you. I wanted to keep seeing you. We couldn’t see each other for a very long time, you know.”

The small contact with Seoyoon made Kanghyun’s deeply spread lips curve even more pleasantly.

“When I was young, I held my father’s hand and went to the hospital tirelessly. I went to the psychiatric department and took pictures here.”

Kanghyun raised a long finger and touched his temple.

“I was hospitalized in a closed ward too. It was because of my grandfather’s order, who hated the mutant grandson, so my father barely got me out after ten days.”

Speechless, Seoyoon simply gave strength to the hand she was holding with Kanghyun.
Before entering the Seowon Temple, or when Kanghyun was very young, it was the first time he heard stories.

“Until my grandfather passed away, I was hospitalized for two days at the shortest and a week at the longest. It wasn’t for treatment. He was trying to tame a long-lost son who wasn’t afraid of him, didn’t submit to him. As you know, our house was crazy in its own ways.”

“Was it tough?”

“Boring. Always until I met you.”

Seoyoon descended from the sofa to the floor and took a seat next to Kanghyun.

Kanghyun, who naturally pulled Seoyoon between his thighs, didn’t neglect his duty as a turtle shell, pressing his chest against her back.

Recently, it was Kanghyun’s most stable posture.

“Oppa.”

“Yeah.”

“What were you thinking for the past five years?”

“About you.”

With the hand firmly tied around Seoyoon’s waist with his ring finger, Kanghyun leaned his forehead on her round shoulders.

“I hope you forgave me because I endured as much as you wanted.”

“Was that enduring? I was just waiting for the day to die. I haven’t hit you on the back yet. I’ll grab you and smack you hard.”

“That sounds wonderful.”

Due to Kanghyun, who was behind, sticking to her and laughing, Seoyoon’s body shook along with his.

The resonance reaching the shoulder blades felt like it was pounding the heart.

Seoyoon looked down at Kanghyun’s hand, which was trying not to let go even for a moment, and then placed her hand on the back of the hand where veins stood out.

She felt like she couldn’t handle him if he didn’t have confidence, but she felt like she could handle him.

It was an indescribable feeling.

She loved Taekanghyun enough to give up many things by his side.

“Marry me.”

“Yuna.”

“Only two things will change. You becoming my husband and me becoming your wife. Other than that, everything will stay the same.”

“Yeah, that meant it’s dangerous.”

Seoyoon, who took Kanghyun’s hand off her waist, turned around and faced him.

“I’m not the old Han Seoyoon. Now, I can beat you, Oppa.”

Seoyoon confidently said with shining eyes.

“As long as you don’t hit me.”

“If something like that happens, I’ll cut my wrist.”

“…Why do you keep saying scary things?”

“I’m confident to that extent.”

Kanghyun, holding Seoyoon’s cheek with a squelch, pressed his lips on various parts of her small face.

“Anyway, I’ll become an audacious Han Seoyoon and overpower Oppa. And there’s something I’ve been thinking about. A place where Taekanghyun gets punished.”

Kanghyun chuckled and smirked.

Seeing Seoyoon clenching both fists, full of determination, he couldn’t help but laugh.

“Wait a moment.”

“Where are you going?”

“Don’t follow me, wait!”

Seoyoon left and wandered around the hotel here and there, leaving a short warning as if to a wagging pet.

Kanghyun couldn’t sit still and just watched Seoyoon with his eyes.

“Well done.”

Seoyoon returned with the desired item in her hand and patted Kanghyun’s head.

“Should I take it as meaning you want me to live like a dog?”

“Hand, give it with your left hand.”
Heaving a sigh, Kanghyun obediently extended his hand, following Seoyoon’s rhythm.

Holding a black pen that had come from the bedroom a while ago, Seoyoon drew two lines on Kanghyun’s left ring finger.

“I couldn’t prepare a ring, so for now, I’ll propose with this.”

Having drawn confidently even a small circle in the midst of the crooked lines, Seoyoon looked satisfied, narrowing her eyes.

“Let’s get married, Oppa. I’ll take responsibility for Taekanghyun, who can’t live without me.”

Having finished the reliable proposal, Seoyoon spread her arms and waited for Kanghyun.

“I’ll be the one to put on the real ring. I can prepare all ten fingers.”

With a pull, Kanghyun, who embraced Seoyoon, made a terrifying sound.

“…Oppa, do you know you’re addicted to shopping? Tone it down. One is enough.”

“One is too few. Then let’s do seven. Change one every week.”

Seoyoon, who gently warned Kanghyun’s shoulders, preparing an excessively lavish gift as always, looked into his eyes, saying many things, without causing pain.

“I love you.”

Arriving at the apartment complex where she lived with her parents, Seoyoon placed her hand on her trembling heart.

“I’m so nervous.”

“It’s okay.”

Standing next to Seoyoon, Kanghyun tightly held her trembling hand.

Upon receiving the news that she had arrived in Seoul, Docheol suggested having dinner together at home, and Seoyoon gladly agreed.

They were planning to share the news of the upcoming wedding soon.

Seoyoon’s heart raced as she entered the elevator.

1st floor, 2nd floor, with each rising number, her breathing became faster.

Seoyoon and Kanghyun had no idea how Docheol and Junghye would react when they saw their faces.

Although she wished for a warm welcome, the worry of seeing her face like a dead daughter made her wonder what would happen if they rejected her after inviting them.

Ding.

Completely opened the elevator door, Seoyoon came out and took a moment to calm herself in front of the front door.

Encouraged by Kanghyun’s gentle touch on her back, Seoyoon slowly raised her arm.

When the finger pressed the bell, a familiar voice came from inside.

“Is it Seoyoon?”