Jinu returned, holding two ice creams.
For a while, they sat in comfortable silence, enjoying the cold sweetness.
But Jia's mind wandered—still stuck on the girl she'd seen talking to Jinu earlier.
A flicker of jealousy stirred in her chest.
"That girl… the one you were talking to," she said suddenly.
She tried to sound indifferent, but the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her.
"What was she saying to you?"
Jinu paused, then a playful smirk tugged at his lips.
"Oh, her? She was just telling me how incredibly handsome I am," he teased, eyes dancing with mischief.
Jia choked on her words, a sharp hiccup escaping.
"What…? She… she actually said that?"
Jinu laughed, shoulders shaking.
Jia's innocent reactions always amused him.
"Hey, why the shock? I can't help it if I'm this good-looking!"
Jia had had enough.
Half-finished ice cream forgotten, she stood abruptly.
"Fine! If you're so handsome, why don't you go eat ice cream with her instead?"
She spun and started marching away.
"Wait! Jia!" Jinu called, scrambling after her.
"Hey, hold on! I was only joking! Why are you getting so worked up?"
"Go back to her!"
Jia snapped without looking back.
"You don't need to follow me!"
"Jia, listen… I'm sorry!"
He reached her in one swift stride, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her against his chest.
Their hearts beat frantically against each other.
At first, Jia struggled. "Let me go, Jinu! Let go!"
But Jinu only held her tighter, resting his head atop hers.
His fingers gently stroked her hair, a tenderness that made her chest ache.
"Why let such thoughts trouble you?"
he asked, voice low and serious.
"When you know perfectly well… that I belong only to you."
Jia went still. Anger evaporated, replaced by raw emotion.
Tears blurred her vision.
"It's one thing to be together, Jinu… but you've never actually told me you liked me."
Jinu pulled back slightly, framing her face with his hands.
The warmth of his palms contrasted her cold cheeks.
"If hearing it matters that much," he said, gaze locked on hers, "then listen carefully.
Jia, the most beautiful moments of my life are the ones I've spent with you.
And every moment from now on, I want to spend it by your side. I am yours.
Entirely. I like you… more than words can ever express."
To Jia, it felt like a dream.
She was speechless, her world narrowed to the boy before her.
Jinu smiled softly, leaned down to press a gentle kiss on her forehead, and pulled her back into his arms—as if shielding her from every sorrow in the world.