The whispers hadn't disappeared.
If anything, they had only grown louder overnight.
By the time Yerin stepped through the university gates the next morning, conversations that had begun as quiet murmurs suddenly died the moment she walked past.
Students looked away.
Some smiled awkwardly.
Others simply pretended to be busy.
Yesterday's confrontation had become the talk of the entire Business Department.
The girls who had once laughed the loudest now lowered their heads whenever Yerin appeared in the corridor.
She noticed.
She ignored it.
There was no satisfaction in seeing people fear her.
She had never wanted yesterday to happen in the first place.
Adjusting the strap of her bag, she continued toward the main building.
"Yerin!"
Emily's cheerful voice echoed across the courtyard.
Before Yerin could react, Emily looped an arm around hers.
"Good morning."
"You seem unusually happy."
"I am."
Emily grinned mischievously.
"Do you know what happened after you left yesterday?"
Yerin raised an eyebrow.
"I'm almost afraid to ask."
"The four girls?"
Emily leaned in conspiratorially.
"They haven't looked anyone in the eye since yesterday."
Yerin sighed.
"Emily..."
"I'm serious!"
Emily struggled to hold back a laugh.
"I passed them this morning."
"They literally changed direction when they saw you."
Yerin rubbed her forehead.
"I wasn't trying to scare anyone."
"I know."
Emily smiled proudly.
"But you accidentally became the most feared woman in the Business Department."
"Please don't call me that."
"Oh?"
"What should I call you then?"
Emily dramatically placed a hand over her heart.
"Queen Yerin?"
"No."
"The Ice Queen?"
"No."
"The Silent Assassin?"
Yerin stopped walking.
"...Emily."
Emily immediately raised both hands.
"Fine."
"I'll stop."
A familiar laugh came from behind them.
"You should've seen your face."
Min-jae caught up with them, still laughing.
Emily folded her arms.
"Whose side are you on?"
"The entertaining one."
"There isn't one."
"There is now."
He looked at Yerin.
"You've become famous."
"I was happier before."
"I don't believe that."
"I do."
Min-jae chuckled.
"You know..."
"I walked past those girls this morning."
"And?"
"They apologized."
Emily frowned.
"...To you?"
"No."
"They apologized for standing in the hallway."
Yerin blinked.
"What?"
"I wasn't even talking to them."
Emily burst into laughter.
"They're traumatized!"
"I think they're just embarrassed."
"No."
Emily shook her head confidently.
"They're terrified."
Yerin let out a defeated sigh.
"This is exactly what I didn't want."
Emily gently nudged her shoulder.
"You defended me."
"I'd do the same again."
"I know."
Emily's smile softened.
"And I'd still fight them again if I had to."
Yerin looked at her for a second before smiling.
"I know you would."
Min-jae dramatically wiped an imaginary tear from his eye.
"Friendship."
"Beautiful."
Emily elbowed him in the ribs.
"Don't ruin the moment."
"I improved it."
"You absolutely didn't."
Their usual bickering returned almost instantly.
Listening to them argue over something completely meaningless made Yerin smile despite herself.
For a few moments...
Yesterday felt far away.
A black sedan pulled into the faculty parking area.
Do-hyun stepped out, closing the door quietly behind him.
His eyes instinctively searched the courtyard.
It didn't take long to find her.
She was standing beneath the large maple tree with Emily and Min-jae, laughing at something Min-jae had said.
He paused.
Without realizing it...
He smiled faintly.
"Morning, Do-hyun!"
Min-jae noticed him first, raising a hand.
Do-hyun walked over.
"Morning."
Emily immediately narrowed her eyes.
"There it is again."
He looked confused.
"What?"
"The smile."
"I wasn't smiling."
"You were."
"I wasn't."
Min-jae nodded seriously.
"I saw it too."
Do-hyun looked at both of them.
"...You're imagining things."
Emily gasped dramatically.
"He even denies it now."
Yerin couldn't help laughing.
"Leave him alone."
Emily looked at her.
"You're defending him?"
"I'm defending common sense."
"Hmm..."
Emily looked between the two of them suspiciously.
"Interesting."
Yerin already knew that look.
"...Don't."
"I'm not saying anything."
"Good."
"I'm just observing."
"Emily."
"What?"
"You've become worse than Min-jae."
Min-jae placed a hand over his heart.
"I'm proud."
Emily gave him a high-five.
Yerin sighed.
"I've surrounded myself with children."
"We prefer the word 'fun,'" Min-jae replied.
Before Yerin could answer, the first bell echoed across campus.
Students immediately began making their way toward the academic buildings.
Emily looked at her schedule.
"We've got Marketing first."
Min-jae groaned.
"I was hoping I'd suddenly become sick."
Emily rolled her eyes.
"You've tried that excuse three times this semester."
"And it almost worked once."
"It really didn't."
The four of them began walking toward the Business Building together.
Yerin walked beside Emily.
Do-hyun walked beside Min-jae.
Neither Yerin nor Do-hyun spoke much.
But every now and then...
Their eyes met for only a second before one of them quietly looked away.
Neither understood why.
Neither wanted to think about it.
Because every time they did...
Their thoughts drifted back to the same thing.
Tonight.
The family dinner.
Neither knew why it made them uneasy.
But both carried the same strange feeling in their chest.
As if something was waiting for them beyond the sunset.
And neither of them was ready to face it.
Hwang Mansion
The black gates slowly opened as Yerin's sports car rolled into the driveway.
She parked beside Ji-hoon's car and stepped out, immediately noticing something unusual.
The mansion looked... different.
Fresh white lilies decorated the entrance hall.
Several servants hurried from one room to another carrying polished silver trays, crystal glasses, and expensive china.
Even the garden had been rearranged, with lanterns already being lit although the sun had yet to set.
It felt less like an ordinary family dinner...
And more like an important celebration.
Yerin closed the car door behind her, looking around in confusion.
"What is all this...?"
Before she could think any further, one of the housemaids approached and bowed politely.
"Welcome home, Miss."
"Madam has been waiting for you."
Yerin nodded politely.
"Thank you."
She had barely taken two steps inside when a familiar voice echoed through the hallway.
"Well..."
She turned.
Ji-hoon stood on the staircase with one hand tucked into his pocket and the other holding an apple.
He took a dramatic look around the mansion before looking back at her.
"...Either someone's getting married..."
"...or Dad has invited the president over."
Yerin laughed despite herself.
"I was wondering the same thing."
Ji-hoon walked downstairs, glancing toward the dining room where servants continued arranging everything with military precision.
"I asked one of the staff earlier."
"And?"
"They wouldn't tell me."
"They just smiled."
Yerin frowned.
"That's strange."
Ji-hoon nodded.
"Exactly."
He leaned slightly closer.
"I think Mom threatened them."
Yerin couldn't help laughing.
"You watch too many dramas."
Just then...
Their mother appeared from the hallway.
"There you two are."
She smiled warmly before looking at Yerin.
"You've just arrived?"
"I have."
"Good."
Her mother gently brushed a strand of hair behind Yerin's ear.
"Go upstairs and get ready."
"I've already asked Hana to prepare a dress for you."
Yerin blinked.
"A dress?"
Her mother nodded.
"Tonight is important."
Ji-hoon immediately raised an eyebrow.
"Important how?"
Their mother smiled mysteriously.
"You'll find out soon enough."
She turned back toward Yerin.
"I'd like you downstairs within an hour."
"All right."
As soon as their mother disappeared toward the dining room, Ji-hoon looked at Yerin.
"...That wasn't suspicious at all."
She sighed.
"Not helping."
He grinned.
"I wasn't trying to."
Before heading upstairs, Yerin looked around the mansion one last time.
The decorations.
The servants.
The unusually formal atmosphere.
Something was definitely happening.
She simply didn't know what.
Choi Residence
Across the city...
The Choi residence was just as busy.
Do-hyun had barely entered the house when one of the household staff approached him.
"Young Master."
"Master Choi wishes to see you once you've changed."
"I'll be there shortly."
He made his way upstairs in silence.
His bedroom door closed quietly behind him.
A neatly pressed charcoal suit had already been laid out on the bed.
Beside it rested a small note in his mother's handwriting.
Wear this one. It suits you best. — Mom
A faint smile appeared on his face.
A few moments later, there was a gentle knock.
"Come in."
His mother stepped inside carrying a small box.
"I thought you'd still be changing."
"I was about to."
She smiled softly before setting the box on the table.
"I brought your cufflinks."
Do-hyun thanked her quietly.
She watched him put on the jacket before walking over to straighten his tie herself.
"You've been quiet lately."
"I'm fine."
She smiled knowingly.
"Mothers are very good at knowing when their sons aren't fine."
Do-hyun looked away.
"I'm just tired."
She studied him for a moment but chose not to press further.
Instead, she gently patted his shoulder.
"Whatever it is..."
"You don't have to carry it alone."
For a brief second...
He almost told her.
Almost.
But the words never came.
"I'll be okay."
She smiled sadly.
"I hope so."
Before leaving the room, she paused at the doorway.
"Oh..."
"Your father asked everyone to be punctual tonight."
"He said he has something important he'd like to discuss with the Hwang family."
Do-hyun slowly looked up.
"Something important?"
His mother nodded.
"He didn't tell me what."
"But..."
She smiled lightly.
"...Knowing your father, it's probably business."
The door closed.
Do-hyun remained standing in the middle of his room.
He looked out the window toward the fading evening sky.
For reasons he couldn't explain...
The uneasy feeling he'd been carrying all day only grew stronger.
He couldn't shake the feeling that whatever awaited him tonight...
Would change everything.
The Hwang Mansion glowed beneath the warm evening lights.
Luxury cars slowly entered through the iron gates one after another before coming to a stop in front of the grand entrance.
Inside, every servant stood in perfect formation.
The atmosphere was elegant.
Refined.
Almost ceremonial.
At precisely seven o'clock...
The sound of an approaching engine echoed through the driveway.
One of the servants looked toward the entrance.
"They're here."
Inside her room...
Yerin stood in front of the mirror while Hana adjusted the final folds of her dress.
It was a simple champagne-colored gown that reached just above her ankles.
Elegant without being extravagant.
Exactly the kind of dress her mother preferred for formal family gatherings.
Hana stepped back with a satisfied smile.
"You look beautiful, Miss."
Yerin looked at her reflection without saying a word.
For some reason...
She couldn't bring herself to smile.
There was a strange heaviness in her chest.
One she couldn't explain.
A knock came from outside.
"Yerin?"
It was Ji-hoon.
"You decent?"
She rolled her eyes.
"Come in."
The door opened.
Ji-hoon stepped inside wearing a navy suit.
He looked at his sister for a moment before pretending to shield his eyes.
"Oh no."
"What?"
"You actually cleaned up nicely."
She frowned.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means..."
He dramatically nodded.
"...you almost look civilized."
Yerin grabbed the nearest cushion and threw it at him.
He caught it effortlessly.
"I missed this."
"I didn't."
He laughed before setting the cushion back on the sofa.
Then his expression softened.
"You okay?"
She looked away.
"...Yeah."
"Liar."
"I'm just wondering why everyone's acting so strangely."
Ji-hoon shrugged.
"If it makes you feel better..."
"I have absolutely no idea what's happening either."
She looked at him.
"You don't?"
"No."
"Dad's been in meetings all day."
"Mom won't answer my questions."
"Grandma just keeps smiling."
He sighed.
"I've officially given up trying to figure this family out."
That earned a small laugh from Yerin.
"There."
Ji-hoon pointed at her.
"That's better."
"What is?"
"You smiled."
She shook her head.
"You really are impossible."
"I've been told."
A knock interrupted them.
"The Choi family has arrived."
Both siblings exchanged a glance.
Ji-hoon straightened his jacket.
"Well..."
He offered his arm dramatically.
"Shall we go face whatever mystery our parents have planned?"
Yerin laughed despite herself.
"You're ridiculous."
"I know."
"But it usually helps."
For the first time since arriving home...
The knot in her chest loosened ever so slightly.
She linked her arm with his.
Together...
They walked downstairs.
The grand entrance doors opened.
Mr. and Mrs. Hwang welcomed their guests with warm smiles.
"Welcome."
"It has been too long."
Mr. Choi returned the handshake.
"It certainly has."
Mrs. Choi smiled warmly.
"Your home is as beautiful as ever."
"You flatter us."
A few moments later...
Do-hyun stepped inside.
Dressed in a charcoal-black suit, he carried himself with the same calm composure he always did.
Ji-hoon immediately walked forward.
"Do-hyun."
"It's good to see you."
"You too."
Ji-hoon grinned.
"I was beginning to think university assignments had kidnapped you."
"They've tried."
"Did they succeed?"
"Not yet."
Ji-hoon laughed loudly.
"I like that answer."
Before another word could be exchanged...
Soft footsteps echoed across the staircase.
Everyone looked up.
Yerin slowly descended the stairs.
The elegant gown moved gently with each step.
Her hair rested neatly over one shoulder.
She looked composed.
Graceful.
Yet there was something distant in her expression.
Do-hyun's eyes lifted instinctively.
For a brief second...
Their eyes met.
Neither smiled.
Neither looked away immediately.
It lasted only a heartbeat.
Then both politely lowered their gaze.
Mrs. Hwang spoke first.
"Yerin."
She reached the final step.
"Good evening."
Mrs. Choi smiled warmly.
"It's lovely to see you again."
"You as well, Auntie."
She greeted each member of the Choi family respectfully before turning toward Do-hyun.
"Good evening."
"Good evening."
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
Two simple words.
Yet both somehow felt more aware of each other's presence than ever before.
The family gathered in the sitting room before dinner.
Tea was served.
Conversations flowed naturally between the adults.
Business.
Travel.
Old memories.
Ji-hoon, however, had no intention of allowing the evening to become too formal.
He leaned toward Mr. Choi with a grin.
"Uncle..."
"I have an important question."
Mr. Choi smiled.
"I'm listening."
"When are you finally going to convince your son that smiling isn't illegal?"
The room fell silent for half a second.
Then...
Mrs. Choi burst into laughter.
Mr. Hwang chuckled.
Even Grandmother covered her smile with her teacup.
Do-hyun looked at Ji-hoon.
"...I smile."
Ji-hoon blinked dramatically.
"Mother..."
"Did anyone else hear that?"
Mrs. Hwang laughed.
"I did."
Ji-hoon nodded seriously.
"So miracles do exist."
Even Do-hyun couldn't stop the corner of his lips from lifting.
"There."
Ji-hoon pointed proudly.
"I did it."
"You smiled."
Mrs. Choi shook her head with a laugh.
"I've been trying for years."
Ji-hoon puffed out his chest.
"It's a gift."
Yerin quietly watched the exchange.
For the first time...
She noticed something.
Do-hyun wasn't expressionless.
He simply smiled around people he trusted.
It was subtle.
Easy to miss.
But genuine.
Dinner was announced shortly afterward.
The long dining table had been prepared with exceptional care.
Crystal glasses sparkled beneath the chandelier.
Fresh flowers decorated the center of the table.
Every dish had been prepared according to both families' preferences.
The atmosphere was warm.
Comfortable.
Almost enough to make Yerin forget the strange feeling she had carried all day.
Almost.
Because every now and then...
She caught her father exchanging quiet glances with Mr. Choi.
As though they were silently waiting for the right moment.
And every time she noticed...
The uneasy feeling returned.
Stronger than before.
After dinner, one of the servants quietly stepped into the dining room.
"Sir, the Lounge is ready."
Mr. Hwang nodded.
"Thank you."
He looked around the table with a gentle smile.
"Shall we continue our conversation there?"
No one questioned him.
The family rose from their seats and slowly made their way toward the Lounge.
The room felt warm despite the silence.
Bookshelves covered the walls, while the fireplace crackled softly in the background.
Everyone took their seats.
He looked first at the Choi family before turning to his own.
"Thank you all for coming tonight."
Mr. Choi smiled.
"The pleasure is ours."
Mr. Hwang took a slow breath.
"I'll get straight to the point."
Immediately...
The atmosphere changed.
Ji-hoon noticed it.
So did Yerin.
Even Do-hyun unconsciously straightened his posture.
Mr. Hwang folded his hands behind his back.
"Most of you already know that our families have shared a close relationship for generations."
Mr. Choi nodded.
"Our fathers built that relationship."
"We simply continued it."
Mr. Hwang smiled briefly before continuing.
"Many years ago..."
"Our families made a promise."
Yerin frowned slightly.
A promise?
Mr. Hwang looked directly at her and then at Do-hyun.
"We agreed that when the time was right..."
"Our children would be engaged."
The room became completely still.
Yerin blinked.
She wasn't sure she'd heard correctly.
Across from her...
Do-hyun's expression remained calm.
But beneath the table...
His fingers slowly curled into a fist.
Mr. Hwang continued before either of them could speak.
"We had originally planned to wait."
"But circumstances have changed."
He paused.
"Last week, the board approved our overseas expansion."
"I'll be leaving for London next month."
Ji-hoon looked up in surprise.
"For how long?"
"A little over a year."
Mrs. Hwang quietly lowered her eyes.
Mr. Hwang nodded once.
"If we postpone the engagement until I return..."
"It could easily be delayed another year... perhaps longer."
Mr. Choi spoke calmly.
"And after discussing it together..."
"We don't believe there's any reason to wait."
Another silence settled over the room.
Then...
Mr. Hwang looked at both Yerin and Do-hyun.
"So..."
"We've decided..."
"...that your engagement ceremony will take place before the end of this month."
Silence.
No one moved.
No one breathed.
Yerin stared at her father in complete disbelief.
"...What?"
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Ji-hoon looked from his father...
...to his sister...
...then to Do-hyun.
His smile had completely disappeared.
Across the room...
Do-hyun slowly lifted his eyes.
For the first time that evening...
He looked directly at Yerin.
She looked just as shocked as he felt.
Neither of them had known.
Neither of them had been asked.
And yet...
Their future had just been decided.
Mr. Hwang's voice broke the silence.
"I know this is sudden."
"But this decision wasn't made overnight."
"Our families have discussed it for years."
"We believe this is what's best for both of you."
Yerin looked down at her trembling hands.
She couldn't hear anything else.
Only one sentence continued to echo inside her mind.
Before the end of this month
The Lounge remained silent.
The weight of Mr. Hwang's words settled over the room like a storm no one had seen coming.
Yerin slowly lifted her head.
"...No."
Every pair of eyes turned toward her.
For the first time in years...
She had interrupted her father.
Mr. Hwang's expression remained calm.
"What did you say?"
Yerin stood.
"I said no."
A deep silence followed.
She looked from her father to her mother, then to her grandmother.
Finally...
Her gaze settled on Mr. Choi.
"With all due respect..."
"No one asked us."
Mr. Hwang's voice remained composed.
"This is a family decision."
"It concerns the family."
"It concerns my life."
The words escaped before she could stop them.
The room grew even quieter.
Mrs. Hwang looked at her daughter with concern.
"Yerin..."
She shook her head.
"No, Mom."
"I don't understand."
"You've already decided everything."
"The engagement."
"The date."
"The ceremony."
She looked directly at her father.
"...Without asking me once."
Mr. Hwang sighed quietly.
"I knew this would surprise you."
"Surprise?"
A small, bitter laugh escaped her.
"You call this a surprise?"
"You just planned the rest of my life."
Ji-hoon had never seen his sister like this.
Usually calm.
Usually collected.
Now...
Her voice trembled despite her efforts to control it.
Mr. Hwang remained firm.
"This isn't a decision we made lightly."
"It's one we've considered for many years."
"But I haven't."
Yerin answered immediately.
"I never even knew."
Mr. Choi finally spoke.
"You've both known each other since childhood."
"This isn't a marriage between strangers."
Yerin turned toward him politely.
"Uncle..."
"Knowing someone's name..."
"...isn't the same as choosing to spend the rest of your life with them."
The room fell silent again.
Across from her...
Do-hyun quietly lowered his eyes.
Every word she spoke...
He agreed with.
Mr. Hwang noticed.
His gaze shifted toward Do-hyun.
"What about you?"
Do-hyun looked up slowly.
The room waited.
After a long pause...
He stood.
"I'm grateful for everything you've done for me."
He looked first at his parents.
Then at the Hwang family.
"But..."
"I can't agree with a decision made without asking either of us."
Mrs. Choi quietly closed her eyes.
She had expected this.
Mr. Choi's expression hardened.
"Explain."
Do-hyun remained respectful.
"I'm not refusing because it's Yerin."
He glanced at her briefly.
"I'm refusing because..."
"I believe marriage should be a choice."
Not an arrangement."
Mr. Choi slowly stood.
"And if your choice goes against your family's?"
Do-hyun didn't answer immediately.
"I..."
Mr. Choi interrupted him.
"You've always understood your responsibilities."
"You know why this matters."
"I do."
"Then you also know this isn't only about two people."
"It's about two families."
"Our reputation."
"Our future."
"Our promise."
Do-hyun clenched his fists behind his back.
"I understand."
Mr. Hwang stepped forward.
"No one is asking either of you to marry tomorrow."
"This is only an engagement."
"You'll have time."
Ji-hoon finally spoke.
"Dad..."
Everyone looked at him.
"Shouldn't they at least have some time to think?"
Mr. Hwang looked at his son.
"I've already given this years of thought."
"The circumstances leave us with very little time."
He looked toward Yerin again.
"I leave for London in three weeks."
"I will not postpone something this important for another year."
His words were calm.
But final.
There was no room left for negotiation.
Yerin felt her chest tighten.
"So..."
"It doesn't matter what we think."
Her father didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
His silence was answer enough.
Yerin slowly nodded.
"I understand."
She looked down for a moment.
Then forced a polite smile that never reached her eyes.
"...Excuse me."
Without waiting for permission...
She turned and walked out of the Lounge.
The heavy wooden door closed behind her.
No one stopped her.
Inside the room...
Silence lingered once again.
Do-hyun watched the closed door.
Then, after a moment, he spoke quietly.
"...May I be excused?"
Mr. Choi looked at him for several long seconds.
Finally...
He gave a single nod.
"Don't be long."
Do-hyun bowed respectfully before leaving the room.
As the door closed behind him...
Neither family noticed the same thought crossing both young hearts.
Neither of them was ready to accept a future that had been chosen for them.
And outside, beneath the quiet night sky...
Two paths were about to cross once more.
The cool night air hit Yerin the moment she stepped into the garden.
She didn't stop walking.
Past the stone pathway.
Past the fountain.
Past the carefully trimmed hedges.
Only when she reached the far end of the garden, where the city lights shimmered beyond the iron fence, did she finally stop.
She let out a slow breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
Her hands were still trembling.
"...An engagement."
She laughed once.
A dry, humorless laugh.
"They really planned my whole life..."
"...without even asking me."
She leaned against the marble railing and closed her eyes.
For the first time...
She felt trapped.
Behind her...
Footsteps echoed softly across the stone path.
She didn't have to turn around.
She already knew who it was.
Do-hyun stopped a few feet away.
Neither of them spoke.
The silence stretched between them.
Finally...
Yerin broke it.
"...Did you know?"
"No."
She nodded.
"I figured."
Another silence.
Do-hyun looked toward the city.
"I didn't expect this."
"I don't think either of us did."
Yerin folded her arms.
"So..."
"They've decided."
"They've set the date."
"They've even decided it has to happen before your father leaves."
She laughed bitterly.
"How thoughtful."
Do-hyun quietly looked at the ground.
"My father won't change his mind."
"Neither will mine."
"So that's it?"
She looked at him.
"We just accept it?"
He remained silent.
After a moment, he answered quietly.
"...What else can we do?"
Yerin stared at him in disbelief.
"What else can we do?"
She repeated the words slowly.
"You're actually serious."
He met her gaze.
"You know our fathers."
"I do."
"Arguing with them won't change anything."
She took a step toward him.
"So your solution is to give up?"
"It's called being realistic."
"No."
"It's called surrendering."
A tense silence settled between them.
Do-hyun sighed.
"You think I want this?"
"I didn't say that."
"But I also don't think charging into a wall is the answer."
Yerin looked away for a moment.
Then...
Something changed in her expression.
She turned back toward him.
"What if..."
He frowned.
"...What if we don't fight them?"
He waited.
She continued.
"What if we fight the reason they're doing this?"
He didn't understand.
"What do you mean?"
"They're convinced we're perfect together."
"Our families believe this marriage is the best decision because they think we'll make a perfect team."
She looked directly into his eyes.
"So..."
"What happens if they stop believing that?"
Do-hyun immediately understood.
His expression hardened.
"...No."
She blinked.
"You haven't even heard the plan."
"I don't need to."
"Yerin."
"It's reckless."
"It won't work."
She walked closer.
"Listen first."
He shook his head.
"We'd be lying to both our families."
"Not lying."
"Showing them something they don't expect."
He remained unconvinced.
She continued anyway.
"We don't run away."
"We don't embarrass our families."
"We don't disrespect them."
"We simply..."
She paused.
"...make them believe we're completely incompatible."
He stared at her.
She explained further.
"Whenever our families bring us together..."
"We disagree."
"Not childish arguments."
"Real ones."
"We challenge each other's opinions."
"We make it look like we can never see eye to eye."
"The more they believe we'd make each other miserable..."
"The sooner they'll cancel everything themselves."
Do-hyun looked at her for several seconds before shaking his head.
"...Absolutely not."
Yerin frowned.
"What?"
"It won't work."
"It might."
"It won't."
"Our fathers know us too well."
"If we suddenly start arguing all the time..."
"They'll know we're pretending."
Yerin's confidence faltered for the first time.
She looked down, thinking.
Do-hyun continued.
"And if they find out..."
"...we'll lose whatever trust they still have in us."
Silence.
Only the wind moved through the trees.
Then...
Yerin slowly smiled.
It wasn't because she'd given up.
It was because she'd just realized something.
"...You're right."
He looked at her in surprise.
"I am?"
She nodded.
"We can't pretend."
He frowned.
"What?"
She looked back at him.
"So..."
"We don't."
He still didn't understand.
She stepped closer again.
"We argue about things we genuinely disagree on."
His brows furrowed.
"The differences already exist."
"We're just going to stop hiding them."
"You think too logically."
"I think emotionally."
"You follow rules."
"I question them."
"You like structure."
"I hate being controlled."
She pointed between them.
"Those aren't fake differences."
"They're real."
"We just..."
"...let our families see them."
Do-hyun fell silent.
For the first time...
He couldn't immediately find a flaw.
Yerin saw it.
She pressed on.
"They want to see the perfect couple."
"We'll show them the exact opposite."
He looked away toward the dark sky.
"...It's still dangerous."
"I know."
"If this fails..."
"I know."
"We could lose our families' trust."
"I know."
Every answer came without hesitation.
Finally...
She said the words that made him stop thinking as the obedient son...
...and start thinking as himself.
"If we do nothing..."
"The engagement happens."
"A few months later..."
"The wedding."
"And after that..."
She looked down at her own hands.
"Our lives won't belong to us anymore."
The words lingered in the cold night air.
Do-hyun closed his eyes.
He hated admitting it.
But she was right.
Doing nothing...
Guaranteed failure.
Trying...
At least gave them a chance.
After nearly a full minute of silence...
He finally spoke.
"...I still think this is a terrible plan."
Yerin smiled faintly.
"I know."
He let out a quiet sigh.
"...But it's better than having no plan at all."
For the first time that night...
She genuinely smiled.
She slowly extended her hand toward him.
"So..."
"Partners?"
He looked at her outstretched hand.
Then...
Without another word...
He shook it.
"...Temporary partners."
"Until we stop this engagement."
Neither of them noticed the curtain on the second floor move ever so slightly.
From the study window...
Ji-hoon stood silently.
He hadn't heard their conversation.
He had only seen them shaking hands beneath the moonlight.
He frowned.
"...What are you two planning?"
The question lingered unanswered.
Below...
Yerin and Do-hyun let go of each other's hands.
Neither of them knew that the alliance they had just formed to destroy their engagement...
Would one day become the very reason they fell in love.
...To Be Continued...