The lobby fell into a calm, frolicking silence, broken only by the rhythmic click of my boots against the floor. The sound seemed to echo in the stillness, drawing subtle attention to my every step.

Each person in the room had their own perspective as they watched me enter, but my eyes were drawn to two young men perched side by side. One wore a proud expression, his aura wrapped in a subtle blend of mint and chocolate. The other’s blue irises glinted with amazement and excitement, his slightly parted lips betraying his awe.

I stopped just short of their shoes, straightening my spine. Taehyung stepped closer, his gaze digging deep into mine, a suspicious smirk playing on his lips. He leaned in, his breath brushing against my ear, and my heart raced faster than I thought possible.

“Can I kiss you?” he murmured.

“Aish, stop!” I swatted him lightly and turned him around, my cheeks warm with embarrassment. “At least wait until we’re out of my house!” I whispered, trying to suppress a smile.

A soft chuckle escaped him as he intertwined his fingers with mine, the warmth of his touch filling the spaces between my fingers.

“So, we’re finally getting to see you two officially dating, huh?” Uncle remarked from his spot, a sly smile on his face. “I hope you’ve got plans that go beyond just one special date.”

My face burned as Taehyung’s grip on my hand tightened. He turned to Uncle and said, “I promise, sir, only if you allow me to earn her hand.”

Uncle leaned back on the couch, tapping his finger on his thigh as if weighing his response. “You can do whatever you need to win her heart, but there’s one condition—her happiness comes first. No tears. That should be your top priority.”

I glanced at Taehyung, watching his throat bob as he swallowed nervously. Uncle had never been this serious with him before. He had always welcomed Taehyung like family, granting him unlimited access to me whenever we wanted to spend time together. But now... perhaps the gravity of the situation—my future—had made Uncle’s tone so firm.

I cleared my throat to ease the tension. “Alright, samchon, I think we can save this conversation for another day.”

Before Uncle could respond, Taepung chimed in with a mischievous grin, “But what if you lose your virginity before marriage?” His tongue stuck out in mockery.

“Taepung!” I shrieked, my face flushing from pink to crimson. Aunt patted his back as though he’d raised a valid point, while Uncle’s laughter filled the room.

“I can’t believe you said that!” I whined, my voice pitched high as I threw him a puppy-dog pout.

Uncle, barely able to suppress his amusement, finally said, “Raehee, it’s your life. Spread your wings and follow your heart—whether it’s with Taehyung or not.” His smile softened, exuding warmth.

Yoongi, who had been sitting silently in the corner, seemed to grasp the weight of Uncle’s words. His gaze shifted toward Uncle with an expression I couldn’t quite decipher.

Taehyung pulled me gently. “Let’s go,” he whispered, his voice low but determined.

Before we left, Taehyung turned to Uncle, bowing deeply. “Thank you, Mr. Min. I won’t let you down.”

---

As I clipped my seatbelt into place, I turned to him. “So, what’s the plan for today?”

His fingers toyed with the car keys, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “It’s a surprise. I’ll just say this—don’t expect a typical romantic date.”

“Oh, come on. Can’t you at least give me a clue?”

His gaze turned cold, his lips pressing into a firm “no.”

Fine. Romance wasn’t Taehyung’s strong suit unless he decided to create it on his own terms. I wouldn’t press him further, though I was already planning to tease him mercilessly if this surprise turned out to be disappointing. But deep down, I knew he never failed to surprise me.

The car sped through the city streets, leaving behind tall buildings, bustling parks, and crowded malls. I watched the scenery blur past, the sharp breeze carrying a mix of morning warmth and winter chill. Closing my eyes, I let the moment sink in until I felt his hand rest gently over mine.

Startled, I looked down at our hands, then up at him. His eyes were focused on the road ahead, his expression unusually serious.

“What do you think about our future, Raehee?” he asked, his voice quiet but heavy with meaning.

I shifted in my seat. “I’m not sure... what about you?”

“I don’t know either,” he admitted, his tone softening. “But I think we should take this seriously. Are you willing to consider a future with me?”

My lips pressed together in thought. “Are you asking for my consent to propose marriage to Uncle?”

The traffic light turned red, and he slammed on the brakes. Turning to me, his gaze unwavering, he said, “Why not, if that’s the life we both want?”

---

The sky was a brilliant blue, the few clouds scattered like strokes on a canvas. The warmth of the sun softened the crispness of the air as we strolled through the park hand in hand.

The cemented path twisted like a snake, lined with tall, evergreen trees whose canopies formed a shaded archway above us. Sunlight filtered through the branches, casting playful patterns of light and shadow on the ground.

Taehyung’s gaze shifted from one corner of the park to another, as though searching for something. Finally, he broke the silence. “You didn’t answer my question.”

I hesitated, unsure of what to say.

He sighed, frustration creeping into his voice. In one swift motion, he pulled me toward him, and my nose collided with his chest. “Ow!” I exclaimed, rubbing the sore spot.

He grabbed my hands, forcing me to meet his eyes. “I asked you something, missy,” he said, his tone icy.

“Stop being so dramatic, Tae!” I pushed him back lightly. “Why are you so eager to leave behind our bachelor days? Don’t you want to make more memories first?”

A cocky smirk spread across his lips. “Ah, I see now. You haven’t seen my other side, have you? If you had, you wouldn’t speak so lightly.”

============
[UNEDITED]
Wooah it was a little longer than before. Anyways hehe let's see what's up next^^
Love ya INFINITE!!