* * *

There were many reasons Jungin wanted to earn money—partly to repay those he cared about, but mainly for the younger children at the orphanage.

During the holidays or the start of the school year, there would often be enough donations to get by, but Jungin never knew when the director might relapse into gambling.

When he was lying in a good bed, eating delicious food, and wearing expensive clothes, it was the children he thought about most.

With a heavy heart, Jungin thought of the kids he hadn’t seen since his last visit to the orphanage and bit his lip.

“If it’s about that… then I—”

“No, don’t.”

Beomhyeon couldn’t understand. If Jungin needed money, Beomhyeon had more than enough to help him, and his family had even more.

“And besides, I just want to do it for myself.”

Seeing Jungin hesitate, still worried about his gaze, Beomhyeon chose not to push the matter any further.

It was clear Jungin didn’t want to be a burden, but if he wanted to do something, Beomhyeon didn’t want to stop him.

Finally, Beomhyeon gave in.

“Promise me you’ll stop if it gets too hard or if you don’t like it.”

“Yeah, I will…”

Jungin made a pinky promise, then sighed quietly as he saw Beomhyeon look away from him.

‘Now, I just need to get the approval from my brothers.’

Thinking of his older brothers, who would likely be even stricter than Beomhyeon, Jungin felt drained already.

The car slowly moved, and Jungin sat up straighter as he looked out at the familiar scenery.

It had only been a little over a week since he arrived, but this place had already become his comfort zone.

Getting out of the car, Jungin gazed up at the cherry blossoms falling like rain beneath the streetlights, his lips curving into a soft smile.

“So pretty…”

He looked up at the petals falling around him, stretching out his arms to catch them.

“What are you doing?”

“Beomhyeon, do you know this? They say if you catch a falling cherry blossom, your first love will come true.”

Jungin raised himself onto his tiptoes, reaching for the falling petals, but the wind kept blowing them just out of his grasp.

“Why can’t I catch it?”

Lowering his heels back to the ground and rubbing his aching arms, Jungin pouted.

“I guess it’s not going to happen for me.”

Jungin looked up at the sky with a disappointed expression and was about to suggest they head inside when his eyes caught sight of Beomhyeon stretching out his long arm to catch the drifting petals.

“Huh…?”

“I got it.”

While Jungin had struggled, Beomhyeon caught the cherry blossom effortlessly.

“Does this mean my first love will come true now?”

Beomhyeon grinned, showing Jungin the pink blossom resting in the palm of his large hand.

Jungin’s heart thudded strangely as he stared at it.

“Well, I guess… maybe.”

Flustered, Jungin quickly turned away, but just as he did, Beomhyeon grabbed his wrist and pulled him back.

“Ah…!”

For a moment, the soft scent of fabric softener filled Jungin’s senses as he found himself in Beomhyeon’s embrace.

His heart raced so violently he thought it might explode.

“Lee Jungin.”

Hearing his name, Jungin lifted his gaze, meeting Beomhyeon’s intense eyes.

His heart skipped a beat, and he clenched his fist tightly.

Why, of all times, did the memory of him kissing his cheek suddenly come to mind?

It was driving him crazy.

Thump, thump, his heart was pounding so loudly that he felt like he might go deaf.

What if Beomhyeon could hear it too?

Amidst the whirlwind of his thoughts, it was when Jungin bit his lip that he noticed.

Jungin looked down at the hand Beomhyeon had placed on his.

“Why are you giving this to me…?”

Jungin looked at Beomhyeon while staring at the cherry blossom resting on his palm.

“If I have a first love, it’s you.”

“……”

“So, I’m giving this to you. I want you to understand how I feel.”

The unexpected confession made Jungin feel like his heart might explode.

Beomhyeon stared at the frozen Jungin in silence, then let out a small, knowing laugh, as if he had expected this reaction all along.

With his hands in his pockets, Beomhyeon pulled out something from his pocket and held it out to Jungin.

“…I, I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to answer right away. But…”

Beomhyeon took out a ring engraved with both of their names and slipped it onto Jungin’s fourth finger.

“Our engagement will never be broken.”

Beomhyeon gazed at the perfectly fitting ring and then raised his head to look at Jungin.

Jungin’s eyes were still dazed, his gaze flickering around as if unsure what to make of it all.

Beomhyeon, suppressing the urge to kiss his cheek, gently cupped his face and spoke.

“I like you, Jungin.”

“…….”

“I really, really like you.”

‘Really, I like you.’

‘Really, I like you.’

‘Really, I like you.’

“I’m going crazy…”

With a soft thud, Jungin suddenly sat up, burying his face in his palms.

The warmth on his cheeks spread down his spine, scorching him all over.

Jungin shut his eyes tightly as Beomhyeon’s image grew clearer in his mind.

He couldn’t take it anymore.

He bolted off the bed.

“…I should study.”

The clock had already passed midnight, but sleep wasn’t coming.

Jungin, desperate to rid himself of the overwhelming thoughts, grabbed a workbook from the shelf and sat down at his desk.

“Ha… damn it.”

He tried to focus as he opened the book, but his gaze kept drifting to the ring on his fourth finger.

How did Beomhyeon know it would fit so perfectly?

Jungin absentmindedly rubbed the diamond on the surface, remembering the confession Beomhyeon had made.

His face flushed even hotter, and he tried to take off the ring, but then, with a resigned sigh, Jungin let go of it and picked up his pencil.

“Master Jungin, did you fall asleep while studying?”

A voice called to him, and Jungin lifted his heavy eyelids.

The sun was already pouring into the room behind Mr. Choi.

“Studying is important, but you should be sleeping in your bed. How’s your back?”

With a delayed realization, Jungin felt stiffness in his neck and back.

He hadn’t even realized he’d been dozing off.

Noticing Jungin’s grimace, Mr. Choi spoke sympathetically.

“If your muscles are sore, I could book an aesthetic appointment for you? I know a place where Madam used to go; I wonder if they’re still there.”

“Ah, no, it’s fine,” Jungin quickly waved his hand, not wanting to trouble her.

A little warm water to relax was enough.

He smiled, as if to show he was truly fine, and stood up.

“By the way… has Beomhyeon woken up?”

Jungin looked around the unusually quiet house.

Had everyone not gotten up yet?

As he followed Mr. Choi into the living room, he noticed a spoon on the dining table and asked.

“The chairman asked not to wake him. He’s already gone to work, and Master Beomhyeon should be in his study.”

Damn it… Jungin checked the time on his phone, biting his lip in frustration.

Mr. Choi, noticing his displeasure, stifled a laugh and said kindly.

“It’s fine. Chairman said not to wake you either since you must’ve been very tired.”

“But… do you have my father’s contact information?”

Jungin hesitated.

* * *