CHAPTER EIGHT POINT THREE

After the Cuenca siblings' performance, the crowd again erupted in applause as the bride and groom took the stage for their first dance.

"Hey, do you want to dance?" Hye Jin asked Oner, breaking the tension. "I could use a partner. Come on, it'll be fun!"

"Right now?" he asked, glancing at Khynny again, uncertainty gnawing at him.

"Now or never," she grinned, pulling him away. "Just trust me. We'll make it through."

As they moved toward the dance floor, Oner couldn't shake the feeling of Khynny's gaze on him. The moment felt electric, as if their shared history was woven into the very air around them.

"Just relax," Hye Jin whispered, positioning him in front of her. "Focus on having fun. Forget about everything else for a bit."

He nodded, attempting to shake off the tension. The music played, and he followed her lead, the rhythm guiding them as they lost themselves in the moment.

But even as they danced, Oner's thoughts were drawn to Khynny. He could still feel her presence lingering, the weight of unfinished conversations and untold stories tugging at him.

As the song ended, he took a deep breath, resolve flooding back. He'd make things right with her, no matter what it took.

"Hey, I'll be right back," he said to Hye Jin, suddenly determined. "I need to talk to her."

Before she could protest, he turned and headed toward Khynny, who was now engaged in a light conversation with her brothers. The laughter surrounding them felt vibrant, but his heart raced as he approached.

"Professor Khynny," he called, his voice barely rising above the music.

She looked up, surprise flashing across her features. The moment their eyes met, everything else faded away.

"Hey," she replied, her tone warm but guarded. "Enjoying the wedding?"

"Yeah. A lot," he said, his throat tightening. "Can we talk? Just for a minute?"

Her brothers exchanged curious glances, and she hesitated, the laughter fading as a flicker of uncertainty crossed her face. "Sure, we can step outside for a moment."

With that, they slipped away from the festivities, hearts pounding and anticipation crackling in the air.

The night air was crisp as Oner gently guided Khynny toward the balcony, away from the vibrant hum of the wedding reception. The chatter and laughter faded into the background, replaced by the soft rustling of leaves and the distant hum of the city. They stepped into the open, the twinkling lights of Seoul stretching below them like a sea of stars.

Khynny leaned on the balcony rail, her eyes drawn to the sprawling cityscape. "Didn't expect to be dragged into a performance tonight. I blame Seo Yeon for exploiting Khyrby's enthusiasm."

Oner chuckled softly, hands stuffed in his pockets. "Blame me for being captivated the entire time then."

She turned, raising an eyebrow, amused. "Captivated? That's a big word for someone who barely strings together non-League sentences."

"Hey, I have my moments." He flashed a half-smile—the one he knew she secretly liked—but something heavier weighed on him. "Actually, I… needed to talk. Away from everyone."

A subtle shift in the air filled the space between them. Khynny's teasing smile faded into curiosity, her dark eyes searching his face. "Okay," she said, voice dropping to a whisper. "By the way, sorry I couldn't answer your calls and texts. I decided to give you space to reflect. Then I became busy attending my entire family's needs once they arrived here from the Philippines."

Oner rubbed the back of his neck, hesitating. "It's ok. I understand. Thank you for giving me space to think and reflect. Look… I know I messed up last time. At the fan event. When I just—walked away."

Her gaze remained steady, encouraging him to continue.

"I wasn't handling it well. My ex, the jealousy… I let my pride take over," he admitted, regret thickening his voice. "Seeing you tonight with your family, performing... I realized something." He paused, vulnerability crashing over him. "You're amazing. You deserve someone who isn't afraid to stand by you. I've been scared—scared of being hurt, losing control, of not being good enough. Scared of losing you."

Khynny blinked, her expression softening. "Hyeon Jun…"

"I was wrong. Watching you up there, I saw everything I love about you—your warmth, your confidence, how close you are with your family. I want to be a part of it." His throat tightened. "I want a future with you, Khy. I don't want to be scared anymore."

Her breath caught. For a moment, she said nothing, processing his words. "You're serious?" she finally asked, voice shaky, as if trying to shield herself from disappointment.

"As serious as I've ever been." He stepped closer, pulling out a small, delicate bracelet from his pocket—the Tiffany's MVP LCK Spring Finals 2022 bracelet. It was a significant piece of his esports career, a reminder of pride. Now, it symbolized something deeper. "I want you to have this. It's not just a bracelet. It's a piece of me, a commitment to being better. For us."

Khynny stared at the bracelet, emotions swirling within her. She looked up, searching his eyes for doubt, but found only sincerity.

She hesitated, fingers brushing the cool metal before she took it. "Hyeon Jun, I… didn't expect this. To be honest, I've been struggling too. Everything feels fast and overwhelming. I'm used to controlling everything. I didn't like losing that. I've focused on my career, my independence, and didn't let myself think about… us."

Her fingers fiddled with the bracelet, sincerity spilling out. "But you've been in my thoughts, even when I tried to push it away. I've been drawn to you since the start, but I was hesitant. Afraid I might be too much for you." She met his gaze, a small smile forming. "But seeing your honesty tonight, I want to explore this. I'm not afraid anymore."

Oner's heart leaped, relief washing over him. "You mean that?"

"I do," she replied, warmth evident in her voice. "But I need you to promise me one thing."

"Anything," he said, urgency in his tone.

"Don't run when things get tough," she said softly. "Because I won't."

He took her hand, the weight of her words settling over him like a promise. "I won't. I swear."

They stood in silence, the world around them quiet except for the distant hum of the reception. His hand held hers, fingers intertwined—natural, like a missing piece sliding into place.

"Also," Khynny smiled, breaking the tension, "I can't believe you gave me your MVP bracelet. Isn't that your prized possession?"

Oner grinned, the atmosphere lightening. "It should've been my World Championship 2023 ring, but… adjustments needed to be made. So, I'll settle for what's available now. And I'm okay sharing a bit of that glory with you."

She raised an eyebrow, mischief dancing in her eyes. "A bit? Just a bit?"

"Fine, maybe more than a bit," he laughed. "You were incredible tonight. I didn't know you could sing like that."

"Oh please," she rolled her eyes, flustered. "It's all Khyrby's fault for dragging me into that."

"Don't be modest," he said softly. "You were amazing. And I wasn't the only one impressed."

"Who else was impressed?" she asked, curious.

"My parents," he replied, sheepish. "Especially my father. He thinks you're… let's just say he has high expectations."

Khynny smirked, teasing. "High expectations, huh? Should I be worried?"

"Only if you're worried about making me work harder to be worthy of you," he shot back, playful yet sincere.

She laughed softly, leaning her head against his shoulder. "I'll see if you can keep up, Moon 'Oner' Hyeon Jun."

"I'm not going anywhere, Doctor Cuenca Khynny Myggz." His voice was gentle, full of promise.

For the first time in forever, she felt not fear but excitement. Excitement for what lay ahead, for the future they could build together. In that quiet moment, standing under the stars, he knew they were ready to take that step.

Together.