ALPHA UNIVERSE #5: DESIROUS

CHAPTER 47

Jeno never thought silence could be deafening.

The waves crashing against the shore filled the air with a rhythm, a soothing hum that normally brought him peace. Birds chirped faintly in the distance, leaves rustled in the breeze, and yet, none of it eased the heavy drumbeat of his heart.

Jeno was accustomed to silence. It had often been his refuge, a comforting space where he could think without distraction. But now, silence felt suffocating, a vacuum that amplified the uncertainty pressing on his chest.

"T-that's good!" Harin's voice broke through, her tone laced with a forced brightness that made it clear she was struggling. She let out a shaky laugh. "Uncle Jiyong will help you big time! By the end of your training, you'll be a total pro!"

Jeno didn't respond. He simply stared at her, his usually sharp eyes softening, filled with a sadness that mirrored her own.

Harin's lips trembled. She was gulping audibly, her hands fidgeting at her sides, and her gaze darted everywhere but at him.

She cleared her throat, trying to steady herself. "Next month, huh? Then we should start preparing! We'll get all the things you'll need—clothes, documents, maybe even snacks for your trip—"

"Harin," Jeno interrupted gently, his voice steady but quiet.

She froze mid-ramble, finally meeting his gaze. Her teary eyes sparkled like glass on the verge of shattering, and the sight was all it took for her to crumble. Without warning, she threw herself into his arms, burying her face into his chest.

"The bottom line is..." Her words came out between muffled sobs. "Dad is finally warming up to you, right? This is a good thing! Two or three years? That's nothing. We'll be fine. I'll visit! I can work on my choreography from anywhere, and—"

"I love you."

The quiet admission stopped her rambling. She pulled back slightly, wiping her tear-streaked cheeks as she looked up at him in confusion.

"Tell me not to go," Jeno said, his voice firm but tender. "Say the word, and I'll stay."

"What?" Harin's eyes widened. She sniffled, trying to process his words. "Jen, I love you too, but I can't stop you from chasing your dreams. We'll be fine! I know we will."

"But we'll be so far apart."

"We'll make it work." Harin smiled through her tears, her voice softening. "There's video call, texts... And you'll visit during holidays, right?"

Jeno stayed silent for a moment, his jaw tightening as he weighed her words. Then he spoke again, almost pleading. "Just tell me not to go."

Instead of answering, Harin leaned in and kissed him.

It wasn't a long kiss, but it said everything that needed to be said. Her lips pressed firmly against his, her hands gripping his shoulders as if anchoring herself to him. When they pulled apart, their foreheads rested against each other, their breaths mingling in the space between them.

"I'll come back," Jeno promised, his voice barely above a whisper. "And when I do, when I've secured everything for us, I'll marry you."