Chapter 22: Ryu Taesan

Some days later.

The music thumped through the crowded room, the dim lighting casting shadows over the faces of my classmates as they laughed, drank, and let the weight of university life slip away for the night. Someone had the brilliant idea of throwing a party, and before I knew it, the entire batch was in one place, filling the air with the sharp scent of alcohol and the hum of idle conversations.

I wasn't particularly interested in these gatherings. They were loud, messy, and full of unnecessary drama. But showing up was inevitable—I had a reputation to uphold, and skipping out would only invite more questions.

From my seat in the corner, I kept my eyes trained on one person.

Sera.

She was sitting on one of the couches, a half-empty bottle of soju in her hand, her expression unreadable. She wasn't laughing like the others. She wasn't even pretending to enjoy herself. She just sat there, drinking—again and again—without a word.

Her silence unsettled me.

Zixuan was beside her, watching her with concern. He wasn't drinking much himself, and I could tell he had been trying to stop her for a while now. His hand hovered near her bottle as if debating whether to take it away.

"Sera, that's enough," Zixuan said, his voice low but firm.

She ignored him.

"Sera," he tried again, reaching for her glass this time. "You're drinking too much."

Still, she didn't acknowledge him.

Instead, she poured herself another shot, her hands steady despite the amount she had already consumed. She tilted her head back and drank, as if the burn of alcohol was the only thing keeping her grounded.

Dohyun, who had been watching quietly from across the room, met my gaze.

We both knew what this was.

She wasn't drinking for fun. She wasn't drinking to celebrate. She was drinking because she was frustrated.

Because of me.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as guilt churned inside me. This was exactly what I had wanted to avoid. I thought distancing myself from her would protect her, that if I pushed her away, she would be safe.

But here she was, spiraling right in front of me, and I was the reason.

More bottles emptied. More students got drunk. Some stumbled around, others laughed too loudly. One by one, they started leaving, disappearing into the night with slurred goodbyes and uneven footsteps.

Sera remained on the couch, swaying slightly, her eyes unfocused.

Zixuan let out a deep sigh. He ran a hand through his hair before finally deciding, "I'll take her home."

He stood up, moving to help her, but before he could lift her, Dohyun spoke.

"Taesan lives nearby. He'll take her."

Silence stretched between us.

Zixuan's eyes flickered to me, searching for something—hesitation, reluctance, anything that might make him fight for the responsibility.

But I was already moving.

I grabbed my coat and walked over to them, my expression unreadable. Without a word, I crouched down in front of Sera. Her head lolled slightly, her breath slow and warm, carrying the scent of alcohol.

"Sera," I said, my voice lower than I intended.

She didn't respond.

Damn it.

I sighed and slipped my arm under her legs, my other arm supporting her back as I lifted her into my arms. She was light—too light. And she didn't resist. She simply melted into me, her head resting against my chest as if this was the most natural thing in the world.

Zixuan hesitated before nodding. "Alright. Make sure she gets home safely."

I didn't answer.

I just held her closer and walked out into the cold night.

The cold night air hit us the moment I stepped outside, but Sera didn't seem to notice. Her body was warm against mine, her soft breaths fanning against my neck as I carried her down the quiet street. The party was nothing but a dull hum in the distance now, but my mind was still reeling.

She had drunk too much. Too fast. Too recklessly.

And it was because of me.

I tightened my grip around her, adjusting her slightly as I walked. She stirred in my arms, her fingers weakly clutching my shirt. Then, out of nowhere, she mumbled something.

I almost missed it.

"Hmm?" I glanced down at her, expecting nothing but incoherent drunken murmurs.

But then she spoke again, clearer this time.

"I like you."

My breath caught in my throat.

I froze.

Her voice was small, slurred, but filled with something raw—something I wasn't ready to hear.

"I like you, Ryu Taesan," she repeated, her words tumbling out in drunken honesty. Then, as if remembering something painful, she frowned. "But you hurt me."

I swallowed hard, my pulse pounding.

She was still drunk. She didn't mean it.

…Right?

"You bad boy, Taesan," she continued, her voice laced with frustration. She lazily poked my chest with her finger, as if trying to scold me but failing miserably. "You—" she hiccupped "—you ignored me. I sent you a message. You didn't reply. You—" another hiccup "—you made me feel… feel…"

Her voice trailed off, and for a moment, I thought she had passed out again. But then—

She suddenly leaned in, her lips brushing against my ear.

A rush of warmth shot down my spine, my entire body stiffening at the unexpected contact.

And then—she kissed it.

A small, drunken, innocent kiss—soft, fleeting, but enough to completely shatter my composure.

I felt my entire face burn. My heart slammed against my ribs so hard I was afraid she could hear it.

Shit.

I stood frozen for a few seconds, my brain refusing to process what had just happened.

Then she sighed against my skin, completely unaware of the chaos she had just caused inside me. "Bad boy," she muttered one last time, her voice barely above a whisper.

And just like that, she fell completely silent in my arms.

I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to keep walking.

She was drunk. She didn't know what she was saying. She wouldn't even remember this in the morning.

So why the hell was my heart still racing?

I walked in silence, my pulse still uneven from what had just happened. The way Sera had whispered against my skin, the warmth of her breath, the drunken kiss on my ear—it was messing with my head. I forced myself to focus on the road ahead, tightening my grip on her as she rested heavily against my chest.

She was completely out of it now, lost in a deep, drunken sleep.

By the time I reached her apartment building, my hands were tense from holding her so long. I shifted her weight slightly and pressed the doorbell.

A few seconds later, the door swung open, revealing Soobin-hyung. His brows furrowed in confusion at first, but the moment he saw Sera in my arms, his expression shifted to concern.

"What happened?" he asked, stepping aside so I could bring her in.

"She drank too much," I muttered, carefully carrying her inside and laying her down on the couch. "She wasn't in a state to come home on her own, so I brought her."

Soobin-hyung sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair as he glanced at his unconscious sister. "This girl…" he muttered under his breath before turning back to me. "I really don't know what to say. Thank you, Taesan. If you weren't there…"

I shook my head. "It's fine, hyung."

"No, it's not," he said firmly. "She's not the type to drink like this. Something must have really upset her."

I didn't say anything. Because I already knew.

Soobin-hyung studied me for a moment, as if he could see right through me. Then, with a small sigh, he walked toward Sera and gently tucked a blanket over her. She stirred slightly but didn't wake up.

"I'll take care of her from here," he said, turning back to me. "You should go rest."

I nodded, but before I could leave, he spoke again.

"Taesan."

I stopped at the door, waiting.

"She's been looking for an answer," he said quietly. "And you're the only one who can give it to her."

I swallowed hard, gripping the doorknob tightly before stepping out into the cold night.

I didn't have an answer.

Not one I could give her.

And yet…

The ghost of her voice still echoed in my head.

"I like you, Ryu Taesan."

So, her brother knew that too.

I knew I had hurt Sera. I hurt her feelings, her trust. She was drunk, she said that she liked me. At first I thought she was saying those without meaning. Then I remembered something that my father once said: PEOPLE ARE AWFULLY HONEST WHEN THEY ARE DRUNK. So she wasn't lying. She liked me. But it was the only way I could protect her. If I let my emotions take over, I wouldn't be able to focus on what truly mattered—finding out who was behind the attack and why they were targeting her.

Sleep was a luxury I couldn't afford. The night stretched endlessly as I sat on the balcony, my mind restless. Jihyo, my little stepsister, was curled up in my bed, sleeping soundly. I had been helping her with a math problem, but she had dozed off midway. I didn't have the heart to wake her up, so I let her stay.

With nothing else to do, I absentmindedly scrolled through my phone, my thumb moving without thought—until it stopped. A new post from Zixuan caught my attention. It was a photo. Him and Sera. His arm was draped over her shoulder, his touch light but possessive. My stomach twisted uncomfortably. Sera looked beautiful—too beautiful. I zoomed in, ignoring Zixuan completely. My fingers instinctively cropped the picture, erasing him, erasing his hand from her shoulder, leaving only her. I saved it.

And then, I just… stared.

What was I doing? What was I feeling?

Jealousy? Possessiveness? Or something deeper, something I wasn't ready to admit?

I locked my phone and leaned back against my chair, exhaling sharply. No. I couldn't afford to feel like this. Not when Sera was in danger.

The next morning, I had an early start at the company. Work was piling up, and I had no choice but to drown myself in it. Soobin hyung had his first day at the office, and I made sure to introduce him to everyone. But my mind was elsewhere.

Jongkook-nim called me into his office as soon as I returned to my room.

"I called you early for a reason," he said. "You need to meet someone today."

"Who?" I asked, barely paying attention.

"Park Hyun Min."

The name meant nothing to me. "Never heard of him."

"Because you were never interested in the company's work before. You were just a kid back then."

"True," I admitted. "Then why do I have to meet him now?"

"Our company is collaborating with a U.S.-based firm on the next project, and Mr. Park's company is a key player in this deal. It's an important opportunity, and I want you to handle it."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Alright. Tell me everything I need to know."

Jongkook-nim went over all the details, and as soon as he was done, I grabbed my keys and headed out. I had no time to waste.

In the car, I pulled out my laptop, trying to get some work done before the meeting. My new assistant, Huh Hajoon, glanced at me from the driver's seat.

"You're still young to be handling all of this together," he commented.

I smirked. "Hyung, are you worried about me?"

"Yes, I am," he said without hesitation. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"You've been upset since yesterday. Is it because of what happened? Because someone attacked Sera?"

I paused, my fingers freezing over the keyboard.

"I wonder why," I murmured. "It wasn't her father. And there's still no sign of him."

"How many times has she been attacked?"

"Three."

"Three? I thought it was two."

"No."

"How?"

"The first one happened in the village. The second was yesterday. The third…" I hesitated. "The third was in front of my apartment building."

Hajoon hyung's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "Your apartment building?"

"Yes."

"Who was it?"

I clenched my jaw. "Her father."

A heavy silence filled the car.

"Oh god…" Hajoon whispered. "How can you be so sure?"

"He escaped police custody that day. He was in the hospital, but he fled. And Sera… she was sure it was him. A daughter would recognize her own father, no matter the circumstances."

Hajoon exhaled deeply. "Poor girl." His voice was filled with genuine sympathy. Then, after a pause, he asked, "Taesan, can you send me a picture of him? If I ever see him, I'll make sure he doesn't slip away again."

I frowned. "Hyung, why are you so interested in this?"

He met my gaze in the rearview mirror. "Because I'm your assistant. It's my job to check up on everything related to you—including your friends. And… I can tell she means more to you than just a friend."

I stiffened. "No…"

He let out a chuckle. "Your eyes betray you, Taesan."

"Focus on the road, hyung," I muttered, looking away.

But the truth was, his words lingered.

And deep down, I knew he was right.

When I stepped into One Spark Ltd, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by its grandeur. It wasn't just an ordinary company—it exuded power, elegance, and something strangely familiar. As I walked in, the security guard scrutinized me thoroughly, checking every detail before allowing me entry. But the moment I flashed my CEO card of HoloVerse Innovations, his eyes widened in shock.

I could tell exactly what he was thinking—how could a 20-year-old hold such a position? His silent astonishment lingered, but he said nothing, simply stepping aside to let me pass.

A well-dressed female employee approached me with a polite smile and guided me toward Park Hyun Min's office. Her voice was gentle as she informed me,

"Mr. Park is in an important meeting. Can you please wait for some time, Sir?"

I nodded with a small smile. "I will."

"Thanks, Sir." She gave a slight bow before leaving me alone in the vast, luxurious office space.

As I stood there, something stirred inside me—a strange familiarity. My eyes roamed over the polished furniture, the modern yet elegant interior, the large glass windows overlooking the cityscape. I had seen this before. But where?

Then it hit me.

I had dreamt of this place—of this very office—days ago. It wasn't just déjà vu; it was something more profound. The same eerie sense of familiarity sent a shiver down my spine. Why did I dream about it before coming here?

Time ticked away slowly, and impatience gnawed at me. I found myself pacing, unable to shake off the unsettling feeling. And then—

A warm yet firm touch landed on my shoulder from behind. The heat of the touch sent an unexpected jolt through my chest, making my heart stutter for a second. A deep, gentle voice followed,

"You've been waiting for an hour, son. I'm sorry for that. I had an important meeting."

At that moment, my breath caught in my throat.

It was him.

The man from my dream.

My fingers curled into fists, trying to steady myself. Slowly, I turned around, and as my eyes met his, an indescribable emotion surged through me. The dream, the déjà vu, the strange pull—I couldn't understand any of it.

But I bowed slightly and spoke, my voice softer than usual. "I'm Ryu Taesan. Nice to meet you."

His lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "You're such a kid. Your father used to talk about you a lot. I'm Park Hyun Min, by the way… Let's talk then. I heard that you have classes after this meeting."

As he spoke, my heart clenched painfully.

It was familiar.

Too familiar.

As if my destiny had been rewritten long before I ever stepped into this place.

After the meeting, i changed my dress at car, then went to the uni. I was a bit late.

I entered the lecture hall, slightly out of breath. The professor had already started, and every seat was taken—except one. Right beside Sera.

I didn't hesitate. Without a word, I slid into the chair next to her.

She didn't even look at me.

Her gaze stayed fixed on her notebook, her fingers gripping the pen a little too tightly. I could feel the weight of her silence, heavy and deliberate. It wasn't the usual comfortable quiet we shared. This was different. Colder. Distant. Unforgiving.

I didn't say anything either.

The air between us felt thick, charged with unspoken words, with things we should have said but didn't. I could hear her breathing, steady but controlled, like she was forcing herself not to acknowledge my presence.

My hands rested on the desk, unmoving. I glanced at her from the corner of my eye. She looked tired.

Had she slept at all last night?

The professor's voice droned on in the background, but I wasn't listening. My focus was on her, on the way her jaw tightened slightly when she turned a page, the way she adjusted her sleeve, subtly covering a faint bruise on her wrist.

A bruise I hadn't noticed before.

My fingers twitched, an urge rising in me to reach out, to ask, to demand an explanation. Had she been hurt again?

But I held myself back.

I'm protecting her. This is for the best.

That's what I told myself. Over and over again.

Still, the silence between us felt unbearable.

And for the first time, I hated it.

The cafeteria was bustling with students, but at our table, the silence around Sera was deafening. She sat beside Zixuan, her presence quiet, withdrawn. I sat across from her, watching without meaning to.

She hadn't spoken a word since we sat down.

Dohyun, ever the one to keep conversations flowing, tried to distract the group with some lighthearted talk, but I barely heard him. My attention was on Sera. She looked tired. She kept playing with her food, barely eating, as if the mere thought of chewing was exhausting.

Then her hair slipped forward, falling over her face as she lowered her head. She didn't seem to care, didn't even bother to fix it.

Before I could stop myself, my fingers twitched, an instinct to reach out, tuck it behind her ear, do something—

But Zixuan beat me to it.

He leaned in, effortlessly reaching out, his fingers brushing against her hair as he tucked the loose strands behind her ear. His voice was light, teasing.

"You should tie your hair up when you eat."

My stomach twisted. Something inside me snapped.

I stared at him, at his hand that had just been where mine should've been. My grip on my chopsticks tightened so much I thought they might snap in half.

Sera didn't react. She didn't even acknowledge the small gesture, just kept playing with her food, lost in her own world.

But I saw the way Zixuan looked at her—the way his gaze lingered a little too long, the way his lips curved in a soft smile as if he enjoyed taking care of her.

I hated it.

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to look away, trying to focus on anything else. This is what I wanted, isn't it? I was the one who pushed her away, the one who decided she was better off without me.

Then why did it feel like someone was stealing something that belonged to me?

Just as I was about to lose it, I felt a presence beside me.

Dohyun leaned in, lowering his voice so only I could hear.

"I shouldn't have told you that."

I froze.

His voice was calm, but there was a knowing edge to it.

"I made a mistake, Taesan. I told you, 'Don't grow her if you don't want to involve her in your life.' But I was wrong."

His next words hit me like a punch to the gut.

"I'm withdrawing my words. Just get what's yours."

I swallowed hard.

My gaze drifted back to Sera—still sitting beside Zixuan, still silent, still so painfully out of reach.

And for the first time, I realized.

I might have pushed her away…

But I wasn't ready to lose her.

The day dragged on, every lecture passing in a blur. Sera still didn't look at me. Not once.

By the time our last class ended, I was exhausted—not from studying, but from holding myself back. From watching Zixuan stay close to her while I forced myself to act like I didn't care.

And then, just as we were about to leave, Dohyun made his move.

He clapped a hand on Zixuan's shoulder, flashing a casual grin. "Hey, I need to buy some stuff. Come with me."

Zixuan blinked. "Huh? Why me?"

Dohyun threw an arm around his neck, laughing. "Because you're the only one easy enough to drag around. Come on, let's go."

Zixuan groaned but didn't resist. "Fine, fine. But if this is boring, I'm leaving."

I barely heard the rest because Dohyun turned his head slightly—and winked at me.

He planned this.

I didn't even have time to react before he walked off with Zixuan, leaving me and Sera standing there, alone.

For the first time that day, she hesitated.

She glanced at the door, at the emptying hallway, then at her phone, pretending to be busy. Her posture was stiff, uncomfortable, like she was itching to leave.

She was about to go.

I couldn't let her.

"Sera," I said, my voice low but firm.

She stilled.

Then, slowly, she turned. Her eyes met mine for the first time all day.

For a second, I forgot how to breathe.

The exhaustion, the frustration, the jealousy that had eaten at me all day—it all faded the moment I looked at her.

She was beautiful. Not just in the way she always was, but in a way that made my chest tighten, made something ache inside me. Her long hair fell gently over her shoulders, her lips slightly parted in surprise, her dark eyes guarded but still so painfully soft.

And I had missed her.

I had spent the entire day pretending she didn't affect me. Pretending I didn't care that she was ignoring me. But the truth was, I hated this distance between us.

She blinked, her expression unreadable. "What is it?"

Her voice was calm, but I could hear it—the slight tremble at the end.

She wasn't as unaffected as she wanted to be.

I took a step closer.

She stiffened but didn't move away.

Good.

For a moment, I didn't say anything. I just looked at her, really looked at her.

And then, in a voice quieter, softer than before, I said—

"Are you going to ignore me forever?"

Her breath hitched. Just for a second.

Then she looked away. "You're the one who started ignoring me first."

I exhaled, rubbing the back of my neck. She wasn't wrong.

But I didn't know how to explain it. How to tell her that I wasn't avoiding her because I wanted to, but because I was scared—scared that she was getting too close, that I would pull her into my chaos, that she deserved someone better.

But seeing her like this, distant, out of reach…

I couldn't stand it.

I stepped even closer, closing the space between us. I saw the way her fingers curled around her phone, the way her shoulders tensed slightly, the way she refused to look at me.

"Sera," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "Look at me."

She didn't.

So I did the only thing I could think of.

I reached out.

Gently, carefully, I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear—just like Zixuan had done.

But unlike with him, this time, she reacted.

Her lips parted slightly, her breath shaky as she finally lifted her eyes to mine.

And when she did, I saw it—the confusion, the hesitation, the flicker of something deeper.

Something that matched what I was feeling.

I let my fingers linger just for a second longer, barely grazing her skin.

Then, my voice low, rough, filled with something I couldn't control anymore, I asked—

"Do you really want me to stay away?"

Her lips parted, but no words came out.

I took another step, so close now that I could see the rise and fall of her chest, the way her pulse quickened.

"Because if you don't…" I exhaled, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Then stop pushing me away."

The air between us was charged, too heavy, too much.

Sera's breathing was uneven, her lips parted as if she wanted to say something—but she didn't.

And I waited. Waited for her to speak. To push me away. To pull me closer.

But before she could do either—

"What are you two still doing here?"

A sharp voice cut through the tension like a blade.

We both turned, startled, as Professor Jung stood at the doorway, arms crossed, watching us with a raised brow.

Sera instantly stepped back, almost too quickly, as if she had just been caught doing something she wasn't supposed to.

My hand, which had just barely touched her, fell to my side.

"We—" Sera started, her voice slightly shaky, but the professor didn't wait for an explanation.

"Shouldn't you be heading home by now?" He glanced at me, then back at her, his gaze lingering.

Sera swallowed, nodding hurriedly. "Yes, sir. I was just leaving."

She didn't look at me again. Didn't say another word.

She turned and walked away—faster than necessary, her pace almost desperate, like she needed to escape.

I stood frozen, watching her go.

My jaw clenched.

She ran. Again.

Professor Jung sighed, shaking his head. "Whatever that was, figure it out elsewhere."

I exhaled sharply, forcing my face into something neutral. "Noted, sir."

He nodded and walked past me, leaving me alone in the empty hallway.

I stared at the door where Sera had just disappeared.

Something in my chest twisted painfully.

I had asked her if she wanted me to stay away.

And she hadn't answered.

Maybe that was my answer.

I didn't think. I just moved.

The moment Sera disappeared through the door, my legs followed before my mind could stop me.

She was walking fast—too fast. Her bag slung over her shoulder, her hair swaying as she rushed down the hallway like she was trying to escape something.

Or someone.

Me.

I didn't call out to her. Not yet.

I just followed, matching her pace, staying just far enough behind.

Outside, the evening air was cool, the sky painted with soft shades of twilight. The university courtyard was quieter now, students leaving one by one.

Sera's pace slowed. She exhaled, her shoulders rising and falling as if she was finally catching her breath.

She thought she was alone.

She wasn't.

She reached into her bag, probably to grab her phone, but then—she stilled.

She knew.

"Sera," I said, my voice steady but low.

She flinched. Just slightly.

Then, slowly, she turned.

For the first time today, her eyes met mine without hesitation.

I didn't stop walking until I was right in front of her.

Neither of us spoke.

The silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating, filled with everything we weren't saying.

She was waiting. Waiting for me to say something first.

So I did.

"Why did you run?"

Her lips parted, but no words came out.

I took a step closer. She didn't move away this time.

"Why?" I asked again, softer this time.

Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag. Her walls were up, but her eyes—her eyes told a different story.

"I wasn't running," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

I tilted my head slightly. "No?"

"No."

Lie.

I could see it in the way she swallowed, in the way her grip on her bag faltered for a second.

I let out a quiet breath, shaking my head.

"You're still bad at lying, Sera."

She inhaled sharply, her gaze flickering with something unreadable.

"And you're still bad at letting people go," she shot back, her voice trembling.

That stopped me.

Letting people go?

My chest tightened, and for a moment, I didn't know what to say.

Then, before I could think better of it, I reached out—not touching her, just closing the space between us.

Her breath hitched.

I saw the way her fingers twitched, how she fought the urge to step back, to put more distance between us.

But she didn't.

She stayed.

"Then tell me," I said, my voice quieter now. "Do you want me to let you go?"

Her eyes widened. Just slightly.

She opened her mouth, then closed it again.

She didn't have an answer.

And somehow, that felt more terrifying than if she had just said yes.

Sera's lips parted, and for a second, I thought she would say something.

But then—her eyes filled with tears.

She bit her lower lip, her body tense, as if she was trying to hold it in. Trying not to break.

But I saw it—the way her shoulders trembled, the way she clenched her fists, the way her breathing grew uneven.

And then, she finally broke.

"Why?" Her voice cracked, barely above a whisper. "Why did you ignore me?"

My chest tightened.

"Why did you avoid me, Taesan?" she demanded, her voice rising, raw with hurt. Tears spilled down her cheeks, but she didn't wipe them away. "What did I do wrong?"

Shit.

I exhaled sharply, my heart twisting painfully at the sight of her. This was my fault. I did this to her.

I should have been the one protecting her. Instead, I became the one hurting her the most.

"Sera…" I whispered, but she shook her head, stepping back.

"No," she said, her voice thick with tears. "You don't get to just say my name like that."

She was right. She deserved more.

I didn't think—I just pulled her into my arms.

She stiffened, but I didn't let go. I held her tighter, as if she was a kid, as if she would disappear if I didn't.

Her face pressed against my chest, her hands gripping my shirt as she let out a quiet sob.

I closed my eyes, tightening my arms around her.

She felt small. Too small. Too fragile.

And I hated myself for making her feel this way.

"I'm sorry," I murmured, my voice rough.

She shook her head against my chest, her sobs muffled. "Then why did you do it?"

I swallowed hard, my hands gently rubbing slow circles on her back.

Because I was scared. Because I thought staying away would protect you. Because I didn't know how to handle what I felt for you.

But I couldn't say any of that.

So instead, I whispered, "I won't do it again."

She didn't reply.

But the way her fingers clutched onto me told me she wasn't ready to let go either.

Sera's sobs softened, her breathing still uneven as she clung to me. I could feel the warmth of her tears soaking into my shirt, the way her fingers trembled against my back.

I never wanted to let go.

She was still hurting, and I was the reason for it.

I exhaled, my hands still rubbing slow, soothing circles on her back. Then, in a voice so soft it almost got lost in the night air, I murmured—

"Stay with me, Sera."

She froze.

Her fingers tightened around my shirt, but she didn't pull away.

I lowered my head slightly, resting my chin against the top of her head. My heart was beating too fast, but for once, I didn't try to stop it.

"I don't want to stay away anymore," I admitted. "And I don't want you to, either."

She sniffled, her voice small, unsure. "What… what are you saying?"

I let out a quiet chuckle, my lips barely brushing against her hair.

"You're smart, Sera. You already know."

Slowly, she pulled back, just enough to look at me. Her eyes were still glossy, but there was something else now—something raw, something vulnerable.

Something hopeful.

I lifted my hand, gently brushing away the tear that clung to her cheek. My fingers lingered, tracing the softness of her skin.

"I don't know when it started," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. "But I don't want a life where you're not in it."

Sera inhaled sharply, her lips parting slightly, as if my words had stolen her breath.

Her gaze searched mine, as if waiting—waiting for me to say more, to close the space between us.

So I did.

I tilted my head down, closing the distance, my nose barely grazing hers.

Her breath hitched, and she didn't move away.

She was waiting for me.

And I wasn't holding back anymore.

Gently, slowly, I kissed her.

It wasn't rushed. It wasn't desperate.

It was soft—like a silent promise.

Her lips trembled against mine before she finally melted into me, her hands hesitantly reaching up to clutch my shirt.

I deepened the kiss just slightly, savoring the way she sighed against me, how perfectly she fit in my arms.

I didn't need to say it out loud.

This was my answer.

And from the way she kissed me back—I knew it was hers, too.

The night air was cool against our skin as we walked, our hands intertwined for the first time. The silence between us wasn't uncomfortable, but I could feel the warmth of her fingers against mine, the soft but certain grip that made my heart race. I didn't want this moment to end.

I wanted to hear her voice.

"Sera, are you happy now?" I asked softly, glancing at her.

She looked up at me, her dark eyes filled with a quiet kind of joy. "I am," she answered, her voice light, yet sincere.

I exhaled slowly, tightening my grip around her hand. "I was terrified last night."

She frowned slightly. "Why?"

"You were drunk," I said, my voice quieter this time, as if the memory still lingered in my chest.

She let out a small groan. "That's why I had a headache in the morning… Soobin Oppa said you brought me home."

"Yes, I did."

There was a moment of silence before I turned to her, watching her expression carefully. "Do you remember what happened last night?"

Her brows furrowed in thought. "Last night…?" she trailed off, before looking at me with slight concern. "Did I do anything wrong?"

I smiled faintly, my thumb gently brushing over her knuckles. "Remember it by yourself."

She pouted, tugging on my hand slightly. "Tell me, Taesan. Otherwise, I won't be able to sleep tonight."

A soft chuckle escaped my lips. "I know you won't sleep tonight either way. It's our first day together, and you're happy."

She huffed, her cheeks turning the faintest shade of pink. "Just tell me, Taesan. Did I embarrass you?"

I stopped walking for a moment, pulling her just a little closer. Looking into her eyes, I spoke in the most certain voice I could. "You never embarrassed me, Sera. Just remember it by yourself."

She bit her lower lip, clearly in deep thought. The wind played with a few loose strands of her hair, and I had to fight the urge to reach out and tuck them behind her ear. We continued walking, but I could feel her mind racing, piecing together fragments of last night.

Then, suddenly—she froze.

Still holding my hand, she turned to me, eyes widening in realization.

"What?" I asked, amused by the panic flashing across her face.

She gasped dramatically. "I kissed you, I proposed to you, I cursed. Didn't I?"

A small smirk tugged at my lips. "Oh? You finally remembered now?" I teased. "Yes, you did."

Her hands shot up to cover her face, her fingers trembling slightly. "Oh my God! I'm so embarrassed."

Before I could react, she suddenly released my hand, turning away in complete mortification. "Don't say anything," she mumbled behind her palms, her voice muffled. "I'm so embarrassed."

Watching her like this—so flustered, so vulnerable—I felt something warm bloom inside my chest. I didn't want her to feel ashamed. Not about last night. Not about anything.

I wanted her to know that I loved every second of it.

Gently, I reached forward, grasping her hands and pulling them away from her face. She resisted for a second, but when I tightened my hold, she let me guide her hands down.

"Sera," I murmured, looking straight into her eyes, my voice softer than ever.

She swallowed hard, her cheeks flushed under the dim streetlights. I could see the nervous rise and fall of her chest, the way her breath hitched slightly when I leaned in.

And then—I pressed a kiss to her forehead.

She stilled. Completely.

Her fingers twitched in my grasp, her lips parted in surprise. A deep warmth spread across her face, turning the soft blush into a full, beautiful shade of red.

I pulled away slightly, still holding her hands as I whispered, "Are you good now?"

She didn't speak. Didn't move.

And then—she smiled. Soft, small, but undeniably there.

"You know how to shut me up," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

I let out a quiet chuckle, tilting my head. "I know."

For the first time that night, she didn't try to argue. She didn't push me away.

Instead, she squeezed my hands back, and we continued walking—this time, without any silence between us.