* * *

Though I’d worn it for quite some time, I barely felt its presence on my finger, so I couldn’t estimate its size accurately.

Seeing the original would be better.

Eunsoo probably had it on him—he always carried it in the original story, so he should have it now too.

“The heirloom ring? Why do you need it?”

“The gemstone it originally had is broken, right? Let’s replace it with something similar. At least visually, I’d like to restore it to its original appearance.”

Eunsoo fell silent.

Hastily, I added, “It’s not a gift. It’s compensation. I broke something precious to you, so I’ll take responsibility and replace it. Just keep it within ten million won, okay?”

I couldn’t afford for this to fail.

I didn’t have any better ideas for using the remaining budget.

Even if it was expensive, it wasn’t technically mine, so it didn’t feel like a personal burden.

Besides, buying something meaningful for Eunsoo seemed to align with his intentions.

I looked at him, desperate.

“Hyung, you’re really…”

Was I about to get scolded for being crafty?

Eunsoo didn’t finish his sentence, instead gazing at me for a moment before smiling faintly.

He unbuttoned the collar of his shirt, revealing a necklace.

He detached the ring hanging from it and handed it to me.

“Do as you like, Hyung.”

Success!

Overwhelmed with joy, I nearly hugged Eunsoo and kissed him on the spot.

---

In the end, I managed to spend the ten million won within the time limit.

The critical factor for the gemstone I wanted was its color.

There was no way the store would have a gem in the exact shade and size I needed, so I placed a custom order.

Since it would take time to arrive, I paid a deposit upfront.

Though the immediate payment wasn’t over five million won, Eunsoo generously allowed the anticipated full cost to count toward the budget.

Thanks to him, I escaped the hellish shopping spree unscathed.

‘Honestly, thank goodness…’

Had I failed to buy something today, the stress might’ve knocked me out cold.

“Hyung seems happier eating a ten-thousand-won meal than spending ten million won.”

“Yep, I’m really happy right now. Warm and full—what could be better?”

A bowl of hot soup after achieving my goal—a modest yet genuine happiness worth every penny.

The first bite was so satisfying it nearly brought tears to my eyes.

It was only a shame that my small stomach couldn’t handle the entire bowl.

“Still, spending ten million won was fun. Thanks for giving me the chance, Eunsoo.”

“Are you sure you’re not just saying that? You looked like you were dying while spending it.”

“No, really, I mean it! But once is enough. I don’t want to do it twice.”

Even imagining a second round made my stomach churn.

“I’ve lived modestly my whole life; I can’t change overnight. But I’ll try, so I won’t feel out of place next to you…”

This experience taught me something important.

The stark contrast between the first jeweler’s dismissive attitude toward me and their warmth toward Eunsoo made me reflect.

‘At the very least, I should dress well enough not to embarrass Eunsoo.’

Judging people by appearances is wrong, but facing such treatment makes it hard not to care.

I didn’t mind being disregarded myself, but I couldn’t tolerate Eunsoo being affected.

My chest tightened.

“What are you saying? I’m not ashamed of you, Hyung, no matter how you look or live. I just wish you’d spend a bit more for your own sake. Sorry for forcing you to do something you didn’t want to.”

“It’s okay. I understand.”

I knew Eunsoo’s actions came from a place of care, and I was grateful.

If not for his push, I might’ve never changed.

I would’ve lived a frugal, mundane life, always picking the cheapest options, never realizing the joy of spending meaningfully.

In a way, I’d just overcome a significant hurdle in my life.

“Still, you surprised me in the end, Hyung. You always think of something unexpected.”

“Uh, right. About that ring… You don’t have to replace the gemstone in the heirloom ring. It’s okay to make a new one with a similar design… No need to alter the original.”

At the time, I’d wanted to compensate Eunsoo for what I’d damaged.

But some people might prefer keeping a broken item as it is.

After all, it could never truly be restored to its original state.

“I’m fine with it. After all, it’s your way of showing you care.”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

Hearing Eunsoo’s approval made me smile.

I’d worried that my actions might have hurt him somehow.

As I smiled, Eunsoo hesitated briefly before asking, “Since it’s come to this… How about I make a matching ring? For when we get married.”

“…Huh?”

“If you want, we can make a new one when you actually get married. But that ring saved your life. I think it’d be nice if you used it as a wedding ring.”

“Th-that…”

How was I supposed to respond to that?

---

Until just a moment ago, my mood had been soaring, but now it plummeted all at once.

I tried my best to hide my expression, but it seemed I failed; Eunsoo noticed and quickly smiled.

It was a resigned smile.

“If you don’t want to, that’s fine.”

“N-No, it’s not that I don’t want to.”

“Then?”

“Well, it’s just… um…”

It hurts so much to hear you talk about my wedding as if it’s someone else’s story that I don’t even know how to respond.

I swallowed the words that had risen to the tip of my throat.

But holding them back only made them solidify into a heavy stone, pressing painfully against my chest.

Even so, saying it out loud terrifies me.

I’ve never felt this way before—what if I’m misinterpreting my own feelings?

Have I truly started harboring strange feelings for Eunsoo?

If so, why am I complicating things now, after I already resolved to let go?

Eunsoo and I aren’t in a position to create distance.

We’ll keep seeing each other, and sorting out my feelings won’t be easy.

Dragging this out in this ambiguous state isn’t right either.

I feel like I need to define this emotion clearly and deal with it somehow…

‘How do normal people figure out their feelings in times like this?’

There are so many kinds of love—love for a parent, a sibling, a friend, a mentor, or even a pet.

But among all these, how do people distinguish the kind of love that makes them want to become someone’s partner?

This is my first time experiencing such emotions.

And in my past life, I had no friends or anyone I could talk to about this, so I’ve never sought advice or shared experiences.

Now, I do have a few close people, but it feels absurd to consult them about romance right after coming back from near death.

Besides, the espers—they’re the ones who confessed to liking me five, no, six years ago.

That wouldn’t be proper.

“So? What is it?”

Eunsoo’s voice snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts, and I unconsciously lifted my head—only to find myself staring at his lips.

I couldn’t look away.

Those red lips.

The sensation of their warmth and softness, the way his tongue grazed mine when we kissed…

That strange fluttering feeling.

For Eunsoo, that kiss was five years ago. But for me, it feels like it was just two days ago.

Maybe… this is the perfect moment to compare how I felt then to how I feel now.

Eunsoo rejected me once, but he didn’t say he hated it.

He only said it wasn’t necessary.

I couldn’t let my thoughts continue.

Tearing my gaze from his lips with great effort, I opened my mouth to speak.

“Eunsoo, when we get home, just once—just once is enough—can we…”

Kiss.

That should help me figure out whether I truly have feelings for Eunsoo.

If I do, then I’ll confess on the spot, even if it means getting rejected.

I’ll cleanly sort out my feelings and move on.

Just give me this one chance.

I mustered all my courage to say it, but I couldn’t finish.

Eunsoo’s phone started ringing—loudly.

“Sorry, one moment.”

“No, it’s fine… really.”

It seemed urgent. Probably work-related.

‘He looks so cool when he’s working.’

It’s nothing, really.

He’s just standing upright and answering a call, but somehow, I can’t help finding him impressive.

Damn it.

This is bad.

My chest is fluttering again.

I fiddled with my lips, trying to distract myself.

I deliberately avoided looking at Eunsoo, focusing instead on the scenery around us.

Five years is a long time, and the world has changed quite a bit.

Yet, for some reason, nothing seems to catch my attention except Eunsoo.

Even paths I’ve walked before feel unfamiliar.

“Hyung.”

“Y-Yeah?”

“Sorry, but I need to take care of something. There’s a gate forming nearby, and I’m the closest one to the location. They say it might be dangerous because they can’t predict its size.”

“I- I see. Then should I just head home first?”

I want to see Eunsoo at work.

I want to be there with him.

But… last time, when I got involved in his work, it only caused trouble.

If I stay, he might be too worried to focus. It’s better for me to leave, even though it hurts.

“I’ll just grab a taxi and head home. Don’t worry about me—just take care of it.”

I made up my mind.

Before I could waver, I turned toward the street, intending to hail a taxi quickly.

“Hyung.”

But before I could take a step, Eunsoo grabbed my hand.

* * *