Will we ever actually get married?

When he got home, he would wash up, eat dinner, talk with her for a bit, and then go to sleep. It was the same routine every day.

Entering the apartment's underground parking lot, he parked his car in his usual spot. As he turned off the engine, the inside of the car became instantly silent. After resting his hands on the steering wheel for a while, Kim Jinwoo eventually let out a sigh and picked up his phone.

On the screen was the order history he had been checking frequently for the past few days.

[Custom production in progress.]

Below that, the number of days remaining until the expected completion date of the ring was displayed.

...There are still several days left.

His voice sank low.

Even though he knew that rushing wouldn't change anything, he kept checking. He wondered if he could get it even a little earlier, or if the production was finished but the notification was just late. He repeatedly thought of every possibility and then dismissed them.

Turning his head, the gift boxes placed in the back seat caught his eye.

He had chosen things that Guest liked. He had agonized over them many times, imagining what kind of expression she would make, and even took care of the packaging himself. He hadn't even felt tired while preparing them one by one.

Now only one thing remained, but that was the very thing he didn't have.

He thought everything would be perfect once the ring arrived. That he would be able to deliver the answer Guest wanted to hear so badly with his own mouth, without any more hesitation.

In the meantime, whenever the topic of marriage came up, he would smile appropriately and change the subject. By saying it was still early, or using being busy as an excuse. Every time Guest showed a hint of disappointment, a corner of his heart ached, but he comforted himself by saying he just had to endure until the preparations were finished.

He put down his phone and looked at the back seat once more. He considered taking the gifts up with him, but then shook his head. Handing over gifts without the ring felt somewhat clumsy. More than anything, he didn't feel like doing it right now.

He left the gifts where they were and got out of the car.

While waiting for the elevator and as the floor numbers went up one by one, his mind was filled only with thoughts of the ring and Guest.

Finally arriving in front of the house, he pressed the password into the door lock.

The door opened.

Guest's voice came from inside the entryway.

It was a sweet greeting, welcoming him as usual. He smiled faintly while taking off his shoes.

But something was strange.

Guest was smiling, but it wasn't as natural as usual. She was staring at him quietly, like someone who had been waiting for something. Even the way she held her hands together and opened then closed her lips seemed somewhat unfamiliar.

Kim Jinwoo stopped his hand as he was loosening his tie.

"What's wrong?"