Chapter 7

　　The tip of her nose tingled from the wind seeping through a crack in the window. Sitting at a table in her shop, listening to the carols on the radio, Yura lifted her teacup. Warm Earl Grey was perfect for a chilly day like this. Savoring the fragrant tea, she gazed out at the falling leaves.

　　“The year is almost over.”

　　Once Christmas passed, it would be the end. Yura pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders and surveyed the shop, now decorated for the holidays. Last year, the thought of spending Christmas alone had been miserable. This year was different. She had someone. She smiled softly at Minwook, who was asleep with his head on the table in front of her.

　　But the moment her heated gaze landed on him, a complaint broke the silence. “You’re going to burn a hole through my face if you keep staring like that.”

　　He had woken up. Yura put down her teacup and shrugged. “What can I do? I like looking at you.”

　　“Still, stop. I’ll get worn out.”

　　He always said that. Yura swallowed a laugh as she watched him stretch and sit up. She still couldn’t quite believe he felt the same way she did. That he actually liked her. She reached out and tapped the back of his hand.

　　“Hey. Do you really like me?”

　　Minwook let out a long yawn, then chuckled. “You know you’ve asked me that more than twenty times, right?”

　　“It just doesn’t feel real. It’s still like a dream.”

　　A month had passed since they started dating, but it still felt surreal. Every single moment was perfect. She fiddled with his large hand and grinned.

　　“So, when did you first know you liked me?” She was suddenly curious.

　　After a moment’s thought, he answered. “When I realized I didn’t mind you pestering me to go on dates. And when, at some point, I found myself waiting for your texts.”

　　He said it casually, scratching the back of his neck, but somehow, he looked incredibly cool. Yura gazed up at him, mesmerized, and a slow smile spread across her face.

　　“Well, that sounds like a serious case. Are you sure you’re not the one who’s more into this?”

　　“Ah, and one more thing.” He leaned closer, as if he’d just remembered something. “When I started wanting to do this.”

　　He lightly cupped her chin and pressed his lips to hers. Startled by the brief, soft contact, Yura’s eyes widened. He pulled away almost immediately, a playful smile on his face as he stood up.

　　“Alright, I’m heading out. See you after work.”

　　“Ah! Wait, wait!” Yura shot up and grabbed his arm as he started to leave, pulling him back. It was cruel to leave her hanging like that. Standing on her tiptoes, she cupped his cheeks. “Just one more time. Just once.”

　　And with that, she pressed her lips to his. This was love.

* * *

　　A tiny snowflake landed on the back of her hand and vanished without a sound. It was cold. Saebom blew on her fingertips and looked around. The world was painted white, heavy snow piling softly on bare tree branches. It was truly winter. She turned her gaze to the man beside her.

　　“It’s been a long time since we were here. A year and a half, maybe?” she mused, walking along the familiar street with Jihun, lost in memory. Before they were dating, she had come here frantically searching for a jewelry shop to remove the ring stuck on her finger. They had returned once more after they started dating.

　　Jihun rubbed his cold nose. “Has it really been that long?”

　　“I know. It’s hard to believe.”

　　Saebom smiled softly, recalling that first desperate visit. Back then, she never dreamed she would fall in love with the man beside her, let alone become his wife. She brushed a snowflake from his coat.

　　“I never imagined I would end up marrying you.”

　　“Who would have known,” he said, his eyes on her. “That a ring would connect us like this.”

　　Saebom looked down at the diamond ring that now sat comfortably on her left hand. The ring that had once tormented her, refusing to budge, now slipped on and off with ease.

　　“The shop was in that alley over there, right?”

　　“Yeah. That was it.”

　　Feeling cheerful, Saebom took a brisk step toward the alley. They had come out for lunch on their day off, and as luck would have it, the restaurant was near this memorable place. She took his hand and quickened her pace.

　　“I’m getting excited for some reason.”

　　As they approached the alley, they saw a young man and woman arguing, their voices raised. The man was dressed in a sharp suit, with an earpiece in his ear, while the woman wore a miniskirt.

　　“Are you certain you purchased the ring around here?” the man asked.

　　“Yes! The shop was definitely in this alley! I saw it with my own two eyes!”

　　Jihun and Saebom, who had inadvertently overheard, widened their eyes. The conversation sounded eerily familiar.

　　Oh my goodness. Saebom stood rooted to the spot, silently meeting Jihun’s gaze.

　　“I’m telling you, I bought a ring from this handsome, pale-skinned guy!” the woman lamented, chewing on a manicured nail. “Ugh, seriously! I remember the shop’s interior, the atmosphere, everything…” She looked utterly frustrated by the shop’s disappearance.

　　Saebom approached her. “Excuse me, but are you by any chance looking for a shop called Wolha?”

　　“Yes…?” The woman’s eyes widened in disbelief. The woman, who had waist-length black hair, grabbed Saebom’s hand. “H-how did you know? Do you know the shop?”

　　“Of course,” Saebom said, turning to Jihun with a radiant smile. “I know it very well.”

* * *

　　“That’s ridiculous. Are you saying this man and I are… destined for each other?” The woman, dressed lavishly in luxury brands, stared at the young man beside her, her mouth agape. She looked as though she’d been struck by lightning. “And the fact that the ring won’t come off my finger… is that why?”

　　Saebom, who had relocated to a nearby cafe with the pair, smiled gently as she sipped her warm tea. After hearing Saebom’s story, the woman had flown into a panic.

　　“Destiny? I refuse to accept it! There’s absolutely nothing compatible between me and this… this block of wood!” Wrapping her arms around herself as if warding off a chill, she glared at the man in the suit. It was obvious she found him utterly disagreeable.

　　The man shot back, his tone sharp as ice. “And what makes you think I’m pleased with this arrangement, miss?”

　　“What did you just say?” the woman growled, incensed. “I hate this more! A thousand times more than you!”

　　“My displeasure is ten thousand times greater than yours, I assure you.”

　　Watching the scene unfold, Jihun and Saebom shared an amused, knowing laugh. The couple’s bickering, so utterly oblivious to their shared destiny, was a perfect reflection of their own beginning. Saebom chuckled softly and turned to the woman, whose face was a mask of despair.

　　"Please, tell me this is some kind of mistake," the woman pleaded. "I’m supposed to end up with someone a million times better than this brick!"

　　"I know it feels overwhelming right now," Saebom said gently, "but give it time. You’ll come to realize there’s no one else in the world quite like him. Trust me, I can guarantee it."

　　Even so, the woman’s expression remained stormy.

　　"Ugh, but I still don’t want to…"

　　With a heavy sigh, she stared down at the ring on her left hand as if it were a shackle. Saebom gently placed her own hand over the woman’s.

　　"Don’t worry," she said, her voice soft with reassurance. "You two will find your happiness. Just like we did."

* * *

　　"They’ll be all right in the end, won’t they?" Saebom asked as she looked up at Jihun, her expression hopeful.

　　They had just left the cafe, and she was still marveling at having met another couple connected by the rings.

　　"With those rings? It’s a done deal," Jihun chuckled, adjusting the scarf around his neck.

　　Yes, she thought, they would surely become as special to each other as she and Jihun were. Glancing back through the cafe window at the man and woman still bickering, Saebom took Jihun’s hand. They began to walk, their feet slowly sinking into the freshly fallen snow with each step.

　　"It was cute, watching them go at it like that," she remarked with a small laugh. "It reminded me of us. We weren’t exactly friendly at first, either. Back then, I honestly thought you were the strangest man I’d ever met."

　　She could never forget how he’d invited her to lunch, only to spring a meeting with his parents on her. Saebom pouted playfully, and Jihun’s response surprised her.

　　"Is that so? Because I liked you from the very start."

　　"You did? Really?"

　　"Honestly. When I saw you at the hotel that day, I thought you were beautiful."

　　Saebom’s eyes widened. It was the first time he’d ever said anything like that. A warm blush crept up her cheeks as she swallowed against the sudden flutter in her chest. The simple compliment sent an undeniable thrill through her.

　　"Oh, that reminds me… there’s something I haven’t told you, either."

　　Saebom’s eyes lit up, and she beckoned him closer with a playful curl of her finger. He obediently lowered his head, his gaze meeting hers.

　　"Well… the thing is…"

　　Saebom leaned in, her lips brushing his ear as she whispered the words she had been rehearsing all afternoon.

　　At her words, Jihun froze completely. For a long moment, he was utterly silent, his gaze slowly drifting down to her stomach.

　　"Really…?" he finally breathed, his voice barely a whisper.

　　"Yes. The doctor said I’m six weeks along. I went to the hospital this afternoon."

　　For the past few days, her body hadn’t felt like her own. A secret test the day before had shown two dark lines, and a visit to the OB-GYN that afternoon had confirmed it.

　　A gentle smile touched Saebom’s lips as she stroked his stunned face.

　　"Thank you," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "Saebom… thank you."

　　In the next instant, he pulled her into a fierce hug.

　　Leaning her head against his chest, Saebom felt her heart pounding in her chest. A wave of exhilarating happiness washed over her at the sight of his pure joy.

　　"I’ll take such good care of you. Both of you," he vowed, his voice trembling slightly. "I promise. I swear I will."

　　Perhaps it was the tenderness in his voice, but even the crisp winter wind felt sweet against her skin. She hoped this perfect, radiant happiness would stay with them for a long, long time. Nestled in his warm embrace, Saebom smiled, overcome with a profound sense of peace.