In a world governed by the Soulmate System, everyone receives a faint countdown on their wrist at age 21.
These numbers track the exact distance between them and their soulmate, revealing just how near-or how far-they truly are.
Started: February 2...
Days melted into weeks, the transition from the soft, quiet air of Kyoto to the relentless pace of Seoul feeling like a blur of bittersweet nostalgia and mounting excitement.
The "real world" had indeed started again, but Yoongi was right—it was different.
Them living together in secret, which had once been a heavy, private weight was now a foundation they were building on, brick by brick.
The wedding preparations moved forward in the quiet pockets of their time.
They spent their lunch breaks on encrypted messaging apps, trading floral arrangements for seating charts, and their weekends coordinating with planners who specialized in the high-stakes privacy a global superstar required.
Yoongi had taken the lead on the venue, knowing that security was the one variable they couldn't compromise on.
After weeks of silent scouting, he had found it: The Shilla Seoul, specifically, the Yeong Bin Gwan.
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It was a traditional Korean annex that once served as the State Guest House, a stunning fusion of ancient Hanok architecture and modern luxury, nestled within its own private parkland in the heart of the city.
It was famous for being the venue of choice for Korea’s top elite because its walled-off structure and separate entrance made it almost impossible for paparazzi to penetrate.
On a crisp Sunday afternoon, they stood in the center of the courtyard, the towering stone walls of the hotel rising up like a fortress behind them, while the traditional tiled roofs of the pavilion glowed in the sunlight.
"It’s empty, Yoon," Aen whispered, her voice echoing slightly in the vast, open space.
"I had them clear it for the hour," Yoongi said, his hands deep in his coat pockets as he looked around the manicured gardens.
"I wanted you to see it without the noise. Just the space, Jagi."
Aen turned in a slow circle.
The contrast was breathtaking—the ancient, dark wood and intricate carvings of the Yeong Bin Gwan set against the backdrop of the Namsan forest and the Seoul skyline.
"It feels like... it feels like we’re back in Kyoto, but right in the middle of our own city."
Yoongi walked over to her, his boots crunching on the pristine gravel.
"That’s why I liked it. It has the walls we need, but it doesn't feel like a cage. It feels like a sanctuary."
He reached out, his thumb tracing the band of her ring.
"I’ve already put the deposit down. The date is locked."
Aen leaned her head against his shoulder, her eyes tracing the path where they would soon walk as husband and wife.
