Resonance

New Year's Surprises

As New Year's Eve descended upon them, In-Sung found himself standing outside the Han residence, gifts in hand, and a mixture of nervousness and anticipation in his heart. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Hyu-Joo opened it with a warm smile, welcoming him inside.

The sight of In-Sung at the doorstep surprised Hyu-Joo for a moment, but she quickly composed herself and ushered him in. In-Sung's hands were laden with gifts, a gesture that reflected his eagerness and anxiety about this meeting. His eyes scanned the surroundings, taking in the ambiance of the house that held memories both distant and recent.

Jung-Ha's presence broke the silence as he approached, greeting In-Sung with a polite smile. "Welcome, Prof...." And then, unexpectedly, Jung-Ha added, "Dad." It was a simple word, but its weight was immense. In-Sung's heart fluttered at the unexpected warmth in Jung-Ha's voice.

Jung-Ha excused himself, mentioning that he would be meeting Youn-Jung and bringing her back home later. In-Sung's surprise was evident, and he turned to Hyu-Joo, curious. "Youn-Jung? A friend of Jung-Ha's, right?"

Hyu-Joo nodded, offering an explanation. "Yes, a close friend of his from university. She is Seung-Ryeong's daughter. They've become quite close." The revelation of Jung-Ha's newfound friendship with a girl brought a smile to In-Sung's face. It was a testament to the progress Jung-Ha had made in opening up to others.

As they began to prepare for the New Year's Eve celebration, In-Sung and Hyu-Joo found themselves side by side, working in harmony. In-Sung's initial hesitance melted away as he realized that he was not an outsider in this home anymore. The two of them set the table together, sharing small talk and laughter.

In-Sung paused for a moment, looking at Hyu-Joo with a sincere expression. "This is how it feels to be a part of the family, isn't it?"

Hyu-Joo smiled warmly, her eyes reflecting gratitude and acceptance. "Yes, it is. I'm glad you're here, In-Sung."

With that shared understanding, they continued their preparations, each moment building bridges and strengthening the connections that were forming within the Han household.

As the evening light began to wane, Jung-Ha spotted Youn-Jung waiting for him outside their restaurant. His heart quickened as he waved at her, her mittens in his hand. His steps grew lighter with anticipation as he approached her, a wide smile on his face. Youn-Jung's presence seemed to fill him with a sense of warmth and excitement.

Youn-Jung met his enthusiasm with her own, and as he reached her, she held up her mittens playfully. "Been waiting for long?" he asked, his tone a mixture of excitement and playfulness.

Youn-Jung chuckled softly. "Not really, just enough to build up the suspense."

With a hint of nervousness, Jung-Ha decided it was time to ask the question that had been on his mind. "So, have you thought about it?"

Youn-Jung's eyes sparkled mischievously as she leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. Jung-Ha's cheeks flushed a deep shade of red, mirroring Youn-Jung's own blush. The proximity between them seemed to amplify their emotions, leaving Jung-Ha momentarily stunned.

"Does that mean...?" Jung-Ha's words faltered, and he looked at Youn-Jung with a hopeful expression.

Youn-Jung nodded, her smile bright and genuine. The happiness that washed over Jung-Ha was palpable, and he couldn't help but let his joy show. He leaned in, placing a soft kiss on her cheek in return. Youn-Jung responded with a playful punch to his shoulder, causing him to laugh.