“Let’s finish the meal; an exquisite dessert was placed on the table. Kwon Taejung, while watching Yigyeom enjoying the custard pudding, secretly took out the ring case from his bag.
“Chief, the pudding is really delicious.”
“Oh, is it?”
Kwon Taejung, who had just taken a bite of the pudding in front of him, slyly touched the ring case under the table. Though his heart always raced and trembled whenever he looked at Yigyeom, today it felt more intense. Despite having talked about marriage countless times, it felt like his throat was getting dry.
“…Chief, um… Did I do something wrong?”
“Huh? No, Yigyeom. It’s not like that.”
“If I did something wrong or made a mistake, please let me know…. I’ll fix anything I did wrong.”
“No, Yigyeom, really, it’s not like that. There’s nothing wrong or mistaken about you. If anyone is reckless, it’s me, not you. You’ve never done anything wrong.”
“…Because you’ve been silent, I wondered if you might feel uncomfortable… or something like that.”
Seeing Yigyeom’s face slightly downcast, Kwon Taejung, realizing that things might be misinterpreted, tightly gripped the ring case and turned his body towards Yigyeom. It seemed necessary to speak up before any more misunderstandings arose.
“It’s not that… Actually, I’ve been thinking about something important.”
“…”
“Even though it’s something significant… I really want to handle it impressively. I want to do it so well that the other person can never forget it, to create the most impressive moment.”
“……”
“But I don’t know how to create that perfect moment. It’s difficult.”
Listening silently to Kwon Taejung’s words, Yigyeom put down the spoon he was holding while eating pudding, turned his body, and met his gaze.
“I may not know what it is, but wouldn’t it be enough if Chief’s feelings are apparent? You always treat even the smallest things… well, with genuine kindness, considering them not a big deal, and sincerely looking at them.”
“Do I do that?”
“Yes, Chief. You are such a person. Even for very small things… you show sincerity. So, whatever you are worrying about, I’m sure you can handle it impressively if you put your sincerity into it.”
Seeing Yigyeom raising both hands in a cheering gesture, Kwon Taejung smiled, took another deep breath, and retrieved the ring case that he had hidden under the table.
“It would have been better to do it all at once properly, but my impatience led me to do it in several parts.”
“……”
“Oh, I should get on my knees.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Kwon Taejung, who had stood up from his seat, knelt in front of Yigyeom. Then, he opened the blue ring case and presented it.
“Jtlfo…”
“Ktjcx sbe obg wjggslcu wf. Vlcmf Tlusfbw rajgafv ibnlcu sbe, P gfjilhfv obg atf olgra alwf atja ibnf jirb tjr j obgw. Ktf fwbalbcr atja kfgf jikjsr njuef cbk yfmbwf mifjg lc fnfgs wbwfca.”
“……”
“P ibnf sbe, Tlusfbw.”
“……”
“Xlnf wf tjqqlcfrr obg j ilofalwf.”
Tlusfbw’r nblmf, agfwyilcu klat fwbalbc, wjvf Bkbc Kjfpecu mtbxf eq. Ktf kbgvr jrxlcu obg j ilofalwf bo tjqqlcfrr gfrbcjafv vffqis lc tlr tfjga, ifjnlcu cb agjmf yftlcv. Rbk, ageis, tlr ilofalwf yfibcufv ab Bkbc Kjfpecu.
“Chief, please… be happy with me.”
Leaning towards Kwon Taejung, who was speaking from a lower position, Yigyeom gently clasped his face with both hands, meeting his lips. Smiles bloomed simultaneously between the lightly touching lips.
“Now, get up, Chief. Your leg is hurting, isn’t it?”
“It’s okay. I want to put this on before getting up.”
Taking out a smaller-sized ring from the ring case, Kwon Taejung held the delicate and white hand of Yigyeom. Then, he quietly placed the symbol of love on the fourth finger. Fortunately, the ring fit Yigyeom’s finger beautifully.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes, it’s so beautiful…”
Relieved, Kwon Taejung smiled and bent one knee to extend the leg that had been boiling in pain, sitting on the chair. Seeing Yigyeom, who couldn’t take his eyes off the ring on his finger, Kwon Taejung chuckled.
“I want to put a ring on you too…”
“Yeah, put it on.”
Kwon Taejung reached out his hand quietly to Yigyeom. The beautiful hand with the sparkling ring grasped his hand, and just like he had done, Yigyeom placed love on his finger. Watching Yigyeom, who was so happy, Kwon Taejung’s heart swelled. He felt like crying, overwhelmed by the desire to express his love.
Lately, Kwon Taejung’s emotions had become more intense. Just looking at certain aspects made tears well up as if he were about to burst with love. Initially, he thought it might be emotional fluctuations synchronizing with Yigyeom, like impressions manifesting like a mirror reflection. However, as time passed, he realized that it wasn’t just emotional fluctuations but his true self, someone who had fallen in love.
“Thank you. It’s even more beautiful because my Yigyeom put it on.”
Laughing, Kwon Taejung overlapped their hands, both adorned with identical rings.
“Shall we take a picture?”
“Yes, I’ll take it.”
Quickly taking out the phone, Yigyeom overlapped their hands again, capturing a photo to show both rings side by side. Looking at the screen, even with the same design, the hands with the rings looked incredibly beautiful. Kwon Taejung, seeing his Yigyeom’s hand with the ring, couldn’t help but smile.
“Let’s take a lot of pictures from now on. I want to capture every moment we spend together.”
“Yes, that’s good.”
Kwon Taejung tilted his head as Yigyeom’s face, bright with a silent laugh, approached. Leaning lightly against Yigyeom’s head, the screen captured another smile. That laughter was now saved, imprisoning the moment of happiness forever. The love of this moment, which would never fade away.
***
The evening before the wedding, after having an early dinner at their respective homes, Yigyeom and Kwon Taejung returned home together. They sent another message to the guests attending the wedding. After receiving several replies saying, “See you tomorrow,” they both entered a bathtub filled with warm water. The casual stories shared during their time in the bathtub were so delightful that it tickled their hearts.
Past 10 PM, while sipping fragrant tea in bed, they exchanged light banter. The playful kisses escalated, wanting to deepen, and eventually, they continued until the half-full tea became completely cold without any intention of stopping.
By the time midnight arrived, they forced themselves to close their eyes, preparing for the wedding the next day. However, on this day, Yigyeom found it difficult to fall into a deep sleep, still in a clear state of mind.
“Yigyeom, can’t you sleep?”
Kwon Taejung, who was also unable to sleep like Yigyeom, gently caressed Yigyeom’s cheek while keeping his eyes closed. Now, just by listening, he could tell whether Yigyeom had fallen asleep or not.
“I’m feeling nervous thinking about the wedding tomorrow… It’s making me tense, and I can’t sleep.”
“I feel the same. It’s wonderful, but it makes me nervous too.”
“I shouldn’t make mistakes… I’m worried.”
“There’s nothing difficult; it’ll be fine. Just hold my hand and walk in when they tell us. Do as instructed. And if you make a mistake, it’s okay. It might happen.”
Kwon Taejung kissed Yigyeom’s hand, where the ring was, reassuring him. Yigyeom’s worries and concerns about wanting the wedding to go well were so cute and lovely, making Kwon Taejung’s heart warm. At this rate, they might have to go to the hospital instead of the wedding venue.
“If you’re nervous, shall we practice walking together? People look awkward when they’re nervous, even when they’re walking.”
At Kwon Taejung’s suggestion, Yigyeom quickly got up. Kwon Taejung laughed as he watched Yigyeom go outside. Then, he followed right behind.
“Stand at the entrance on the way to the ceremony. Jinwoo will see us, and he’ll tell us to enter. Then, we can hold hands and go in together.”
When Yigyeom raised his hand, thinking of it as an entrance ceremony, Kwon Taejung placed his hand on top, releasing Yigyeom’s hand. Smiling reassuringly, Kwon Taejung led him to the living room, holding hands, but just that act, which they had never done before, relieved his heart.
“Now, let’s go back to the room. I’ll touch Piyak’s spot for you. You like being caressed, don’t you?”
Before returning to the bedroom, Kwon Taejung leaned down to kiss Yigyeom playfully. Matching Yigyeom’s pace, they walked with narrower steps and slower speed than usual. This moment of walking together was so wonderful.
“Before, just being still made me fall asleep instantly… Today feels really strange.”
“You have to sleep. If you keep thinking about it, you might not be able to sleep even more. Let’s stay up until you feel sleepy.”
As they got into bed, Kwon Taejung, who couldn’t fall asleep like Yigyeom, gently placed his hand inside the soft shirt Yigyeom was wearing. Feeling the slightly protruding spot of Piyak, Kwon Taejung gently stroked it, making Yigyeom laugh because it tickled. Kwon Taejung continued to caress Yigyeom’s belly, then lowered himself, planting a kiss on Yigyeom’s stomach.
“Piyak, Dad is getting married tomorrow. Did you know that? You’ve been quiet for a few days, right? Thanks to you, Yigyeom got to eat a lot of delicious things, and you didn’t make him feel drowsy. Our Piyak is a good one, taking after Yigyeom. I’m glad.”
Listening to Kwon Taejung’s words conveyed to Piyak, Yigyeom extended his hand to pat Kwon Taejung’s handsome cheek.
“… It’s good to resemble you,babe, being kind.”
“….. Piyak, it won’t work. Dad is going to see Yigyeom Dad now. Sleep well, my baby.”
Kwon Taejung quickly returned to his original position after kissing Yigyeom’s belly again. He faced Yigyeom, still with his hand inside the T-shirt.
“Yigyeom. What do we do? I feel horny every time you call me babe. What’s the deal with that?”
“Uh, I have to keep calling it from now on…”
“I don’t know. It seems like I’ll get horny every time you call it from now on.”
“Then… Should I not call it?”
“No, call it, and then you’ll be responsible for soothing it.”
Seeing Yigyeom bewildered, unable to say anything, Kwon Taejung laughed and playfully kissed his lips that emitted a gentle fragrance.
“But I’ll endure today. You shouldn’t cry because you’re too happy.”
“…Okay, then, I won’t… call you babe anymore today… I’ll call it tomorrow after the wedding is over.”
“Tomorrow? Ah…”
Kwon Taejung thought about the honeymoon they would go on after the wedding. Since it was the first night, it was only natural not to let it pass without any plans. He wasn’t the only one thinking about it; realizing that, his face began to blush.
“I’m looking forward to our first night together. That’s why you can’t sleep.”
“W-Well, it’s not like that…”
“No? So, you’re not looking forward to our first night at all? I’m really looking forward to it.”
Trying to look sulky on purpose, Yigyeom’s eyes wavered noticeably. Kwon Taejung quickly grabbed his own face and initiated a gentle kiss on Yigyeom, who was pouting.
“….H-How could I not look forward to it… It’s with you
Only then did Kwon Taejung smile mischievously and move the hand that had been caressing Yigyeom’s belly to gently tap his waist. The speed of tapping, done at the same pace as the movements in the womb, immediately caught Yigyeom’s attention. His ear, cheek, and nape of his neck reacted sensitively to the rhythmic tapping.
“I’ll make it even better than a few days ago.”
Then, with a sweet voice that touched the ears, he closed his eyes and embraced the warmth filled with the scent of dry roses, anticipating a tomorrow that would be good no matter how it unfolded.
Soooooo beautiful!!