CHAPTER ELEVEN - FINALE

The soft breeze from the sea swept through the open space as Oner led a blindfolded Khynny through the grounds of the Incheon Landing Operation Memorial. His fingers were interlaced with hers, and he felt her gentle squeeze every time she felt uncertain.

"Are you going to give me any hints?" Khynny asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

"Not a chance," Oner grinned, enjoying the element of surprise. "We're almost there. Just trust me."

"I am trusting you," she teased. "I'm just wondering if you're about to walk me off a cliff or something."

He chuckled softly. "You'll see in about... three seconds."

He stopped her at the perfect spot. "Okay, you can take it off now."

Khynny pulled off the blindfold, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the soft afternoon light. Her gaze swept across the serene setting of the Incheon Landing Operation Memorial. The large statues of soldiers stood solemnly against the backdrop of the expansive sea, the sky a pale blue canvas, and the air thick with history. It was peaceful, yet poignant—a fitting tribute to the lives lost in the battle that connected Korea and the Philippines.

Her breath hitched as she realized where they were. "This…this is the Incheon Memorial."

Oner stepped beside her, his voice softer now. "Yeah. I wanted to bring you here. I thought it would bring us full circle."

Khynny's gaze softened, recognizing the significance immediately. "Like when I took you to the MacArthur Landing Memorial in Leyte." Her voice was quiet, thoughtful, as she turned to face him. "You remember?"

"How could I forget?" Hyeon Jun's lips curved into a fond smile. "That was the day I realized you're not just passionate about history—you live it. You see the stories in everything, and that intrigued me back then. Now, it's one of the things I love about you."

Her heart fluttered at his words, and she looked back at the memorial, taking in the weight of the moment. "I didn't expect to be here again…at another memorial tied to the same event. It's like fate has been nudging us together all along."

He nodded, his voice thoughtful. "Back then, I was so caught up in my esports career. It was everything to me—my entire focus. I didn't even realize how much I was missing."

Khynny glanced at him, a smile tugging at her lips. "You were pretty intense. I remember thinking you were an unstoppable force back then."

"I was," he admitted with a chuckle. "But since we reconnected, I've learned that balance is important too. I don't want to just be 'Oner' forever. I want something more."

She reached out and squeezed his hand, her thumb tracing the back of his knuckles. "We've both grown so much. I used to be terrified of letting anyone in, of trusting someone with my heart. I guess I was afraid of losing myself."

Hyeon Jun's expression softened as he looked at her. "And now?"

"And now…" she hesitated, feeling the warmth spread through her chest, "now I'm ready. You've shown me that it's okay to be vulnerable, that love doesn't have to mean losing yourself."

He smiled, leaning in slightly. "I'm glad. Because I want to build something real with you—something lasting."

They began walking through the memorial, pausing occasionally to read the plaques and observe the statues. The weight of the history around them, combined with the personal history they were forging, created an atmosphere of reflection and growth.

As they walked, Oner shot her a sideways grin, scratching his head. "Remember how we met? I was so lost outside the Sto Niño Shrine. Pretty sure my tour group had given me up for dead."

Khynny smirked. "Couldn't forget it if I tried. You looked like a kid who'd lost his mom at the mall."

"Harsh," he laughed, nudging her. "But fair. I was just relieved you didn't just point me in some random direction. Not only did you help me find the shrine, but when I found out my bus had ditched me, you didn't even blink when I said I wanted to see the place anyway."

"Yeah, right before you got all wide-eyed over MacArthur's portrait," she teased. "I thought you were putting on a show until you actually knew who he was."

"Blame my grandfather for that. He used to tell us all these stories about the Korean War," Oner explained, his expression softening. "He always mentioned MacArthur and how Filipinos helped us, so seeing him there…guess it hit different."

Khynny nodded, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Then you wanted to see the park. The way you took it all in—it was like you were seeing it through your grandfather's stories."

"Maybe I was," he admitted, voice quieter. "Funny how that trip led to this, though," he said, nodding between them, a small grin tugging at his mouth.

She looked at him, warmth in her eyes. "Fate, huh?"

"Fate," he agreed, letting the word hang between them. They strolled on in easy silence, the memories like silent footsteps following along.

Finally, Oner led her to a bench overlooking the sea. The horizon stretched out before them, the gentle waves lapping against the shore in a rhythmic, calming manner.

"Let's sit for a bit," he suggested, motioning to the bench.

As they sat down, the conversation naturally shifted to the future.

"So, what's next for us?" Khynny asked, her voice gentle but serious.

Oner glanced out at the sea, his thoughts clear. "We've both got demanding careers, but I'm ready to figure out how we can make this work."

Khynny nodded, understanding the reality they both faced. "My teaching and research might take me to different places. And your esports career—well, it's intense. But I think we can handle the challenges. We just need to communicate and plan."

He smiled at her, appreciating her pragmatic nature. "I've been thinking a lot about that. I don't want to hold you back from your career. But maybe, once things settle a bit, we could think about…living together?"

Khynny raised an eyebrow, though a playful smile tugged at her lips. "You're thinking about moving in together already?"

"Well, not right away," Hyeon Jun laughed. "I just… I don't want us to be apart for long stretches, you know? I've been thinking about maybe finding a place where we can both feel at home. But it's up to you. I want to take things at the pace that feels right for us."

She considered his words carefully before nodding. "I like the idea. But let's take it slow. I've always been so fiercely independent, and while I'm ready for us, I also want to make sure we're both ready for that next step. Maybe we can revisit the conversation in a few years, once we've both settled more in our careers?"

Oner smiled at her, relief washing over him. "That sounds perfect to me. No rush, just…building something solid together."

They shared a quiet moment, the sense of calm and security between them palpable. As they continued to talk about their hopes and dreams, Oner shifted slightly and reached into his jacket pocket. His fingers closed around something small and metallic. With a deep breath, he pulled it out—a small, sleek box.

Khynny's eyes widened slightly. "What's this?" she asked, curiosity lacing her voice.

Oner opened the box, revealing a gleaming ring. Not just any ring—it was his World Championship 2023 ring, now adjusted to fit her ring finger. "I had it resized for you," he said, his voice a bit shy. "It's not a proposal ring. It's more of a... promise ring. Something to remind you of me when we're apart."

Khynny's eyes softened, but she shook her head immediately. "Hyeon Jun, I can't take this. It's your most prized possession. You worked so hard for it—you've earned this. Besides," she smiled playfully, lifting her wrist, "I already accepted the Tiffany & Co. bracelet."

Oner's expression hardened, though not in anger. "I'm not hearing it," he said, determined. "I want you to have it. It means something to me, and so do you."

"But—" she started to protest, clearly torn.

He held the ring out, unwavering. "You've already been part of my life, and now I want you to hold onto this. It's not just a symbol of my win—it's a symbol of our journey, of everything we've been through and everything we'll face together. Please."

Khynny sighed, knowing she couldn't argue with him when he got like this. She reached out reluctantly, taking the ring from his hand. "Fine," she grumbled. "But only because you won't let it go. You've made me an unwilling caretaker of your treasures."

Oner laughed, his heart feeling lighter at her playful complaint. "You're welcome," he teased. "You're perfect for the job."

She rolled her eyes, but couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips. "You're impossible."

"And you love it," he grinned.

As the sun dipped lower into the horizon, casting a golden glow over the memorial, Oner turned to Khynny, his voice soft but filled with emotion. "I'm ready to face whatever comes next with you."

Khynny looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with warmth. "Me too."

Oner reached out, pulling her close in a gentle embrace, their hearts beating in quiet harmony. He pressed his lips tenderly to her forehead, a kiss both intimate and unspoken, as if placing a seal on a promise made in silence. The warmth of the sun seemed to wrap around them as they stood there, his arms a protective hold, her gaze unwavering and full of trust.

In that quiet, meaningful moment, they sealed their future—not with grand gestures, but with small, deeply personal promises that meant everything. The road ahead might be uncertain, but together, they knew they could handle anything.