Their gazes lingered, held together by an unspoken pull, until their faces leaned closer, drawn toward each other like magnets. And in that moment, their lips met—soft, tender, not as long as their first kiss, but just as meaningful. It was a kiss full of unspoken promises, of feelings they hadn't yet fully explored but knew were there, waiting to be given shape. When they finally broke away, it was like they were both catching their breath, as if the world had shifted, just for a second.
Hansol took her hand, his fingers lacing with hers as he smiled that smile that always seemed to make her heart skip a beat.
"Come on," he said softly, his voice full of warmth, and a little mischief, as he led her down the large grassy hill to the left of the parked car. Nabi didn't know what to expect, but just being with him, in this quiet, golden moment, was more than enough. If her friends were watching, they'd be teasing her by now, no doubt, about how she had completely changed—about how she was someone else, someone entirely new in his presence. It was like a switch had flipped inside her, and she didn't mind it one bit.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting its golden glow over Hansol's face. The light danced across his lashes, illuminating his honey-colored eyes, and for a moment, Nabi thought she might lose herself in the softness of his gaze. He smiled at her again, a smile that was almost shy but full of something deeper—something he didn't even realize he was capable of. A joy, quiet but all-consuming.
When they reached the bottom, Nabi felt the cool touch of sand against her ankles, and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore seemed to rise up to greet them, like the earth itself was preparing for this moment. The air felt still and calm, as if the world knew something beautiful was about to unfold.
Hansol gestured ahead of them, and Nabi's breath caught in her throat. There, in front of them, was a breathtaking setup—an array of blankets and pillows strewn about, an oversized projector casting a soft glow, lanterns flickering like tiny stars, and vines and flowers adorning the area in the most delicate, perfect way.
Nabi gasped. "This is gorgeous, Sol."
"Never stop calling me that." he said, his voice soft but genuine, as he continued walking beside her, hand-in-hand.
Nabi's lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. "I won't." She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, the wind playing with it, tugging it gently as if trying to keep her in this perfect moment a little longer.
When they finally reached the setup, Hansol gestured for her to sit first, then settled down beside her. In front of them, an array of food boxes lay waiting, and as Nabi took a closer look at the logos on the boxes, she blinked in surprise.
"Is Mexican food okay?" Hansol asked, his voice filled with a quiet laugh.
Nabi's eyes widened in shock. "This is... the food we had when we first hung out. How—how the hell did you remember that?" She laughed, more from disbelief than anything else.
Hansol scooted closer, his expression suddenly more serious, though still warm. "I know this is gonna sound kinda weird, but I've liked you since that day we bumped into each other at the conference, Natalia. And... that feeling, it's never gone away. So, I've made it a point to remember everything we've done since then. I've cherished those moments."
Tears instantly welled up in Nabi's eyes. She blinked them away, not knowing how to respond to such an overwhelming confession. It was the kind of love she hadn't ever thought was possible—unconditional, unwavering, and all for her. For the longest time, she had been told she wasn't worth loving, but here he was, proving every single lie wrong.
