As the rain continued to fall outside, Ah Reum was getting ready for bed, or at least trying to. She's so happy about everything that's happened that it's going to be hard to sleep.
Millions of thoughts take over her mind, as well as nostalgia and the desire to share her joy with her loved ones. It's impossible for her not to think of them at this happy time.
"I miss my family so much! It would be amazing if they were here. My father would scare Jin Young, but at the same time he would welcome him. My mother would be mesmerized by his beauty, I'm sure she'd say he's handsome to his face. My sister would make fun of me for finally falling in love haha. We would laugh so much, eat together and be together... I'm happy just thinking about it." These were Ah Reum's thoughts at that moment, full of affection and longing for his family.
She continues: "But I know that, even far away, they're probably as happy as I am."
As these thoughts warmed Ah Reum's heart, the phone rang - it was her mother, Lee Hyang Suk.
Ah Reum quickly answered with excitement. "Mommy, Mommy," she said, like a child waiting for her father at preschool.
"Hi, daughter, is everything okay? Did everything go well at school? I couldn't talk to you today..." Her mother said, worried.
"Mom, guess what? I'm a stewardess!!!" Ah Reum shouted euphorically.
On the other end of the line, her mother also shouted. "Woo-hoo! Congratulations, daughter. It was hard, wasn't it? Being away... You're amazing, my Ah Reum!" Hyang Suk spoke with his chest full of pride for his daughter.
"Mom, I miss you..." Ah Reum said, her voice shaking as tears streamed down her face. "Mom..."
"Oh, are you crying? Let's cry for joy together when we meet, don't cry alone, hm? Mom misses you too! Have you eaten? Don't forget your meals or to take care of yourself, okay?" Said Hyang Suk, who was also heartsick with longing.
"Okay... Mom?" Ah Reum said.
"Hm?" Hyang Suk replied.
"I love you!" Ah Reum exclaimed with a smile as the tears continued to fall.
Ah Reum's words traveled down the telephone line and reached the other end not just as words, but as a big, warm hug - that's what her mother felt when she heard it.
Hyang Suk overflowed with her daughter's declaration and tears rolled from her eyes too. "I love you, my daughter!"
...
Date day!
Jin Young wakes up with a sense of anticipation. He glances at the clock; it's 8 a.m. "There are still so many hours to go..." he mutters in disappointment.
Then, the memory of kiss floods his mind, and his heart races.
"How did I pull that off? It was so close..." He grins with a mixture of seduction and surprise.
"Uuh," he shakes his head, regaining his focus. "Alright, I need to rein myself in. But it's today, it's today!" His face lights up with happiness and nervousness, a man deeply in love."
Meanwhile, in another part of town and a little later, Ah Reum is having lunch at home, humming happily. Until she suddenly realizes she's forgotten something important.
"Stop! What am I going to wear?" She thought, her eyes widening in a frightened expression. "Why did I only think of it now?"
Quickly, Ah Reum got dressed and ran to the mall, determined to find the perfect outfit. Trying on several pieces, she thought about how she wanted to look beautiful not only for herself, but also for the person she loved.
"Hmmm, he mentioned that we're going somewhere warm. Should I opt for lighter clothes? I'm not sure, but lately it's been colder than usual, even in summer. Maybe I should take a jacket?" Ah Reum wonders as she tries on a variety of clothes.
Finally, Ah Reum chooses a beautiful, understated retro dress with buttons and an elegant overcoat that enhances her natural charm.
"That's the one! I'm sure!" She exclaimed, the dress fitting her perfectly, as if it had been made just for her.
"While I'm here, hihi, I'm going to the beauty parlor. It's been a while since I've been to one, and it would be a great way to pass the time..." She thought anxiously.
Ah Reum and Jin Young are looking for distractions to ease their growing anxiety as they wait for the moment to be together.
As the hour approaches, Jin Young paces back and forth in his house, full of nerves. He's about to brush his teeth for the eleventh time.
Jin Young's father, Hwang Hak Seon, who happened to be in the room at the time, stopped reading the book he was reading when he noticed his son's palpable restlessness.
Naturally, he began to observe Jin Young more closely, pondering the cause of his son's reaction.
"Could it be because of the test?" he thought at first. "No, he's already passed, it's just that the results haven't been released yet, it couldn't be that."
He continued: "Come to think of it..." He said to himself, squinting his eyes as he examined Jin Young closely.
"I wonder if he's meeting someone. He's definitely more elegant today, much tidier than usual and... despite all this restlessness, I can still see his face smiling... Could it be a woman? But what about Hyun Ah?" he asked, now even more curious, as all the signs seemed to point exactly in the direction of a woman.
Meanwhile, Jin Young whispered softly to himself: "Is it okay if I go earlier? Actually, I should have booked earlier anyway; we need to go slowly because of the rain."
"Is he talking to himself now?" His father thought, amusedly, before turning to him: "Son, are you talking to yourself?"
At that moment, Jin Young made up his mind and decided to go immediately to Ah Reum's house, trapped in his inquiries, he couldn't even hear his father.
"Dad, wish me luck!" said Jin Young with palpable excitement while leaving.
"Good luck, then!" Hak Seon replied, although he still didn't fully understand his son's sudden enthusiasm.
Jin Young had just left home, decided he couldn't wait any longer, and quickly arrived at Ah Reum's residence, parked the car, took a deep breath and got out with his umbrella in hand.
His aim was to look calm and cool as he led her to her car, like in those romantic rain scenes in dramas. Although, he knew he was just an idiot in love in front of her. Anxiously, he waited for her to get out.
As if in slow motion, Ah Reum opens the gate and steps out. She looks wonderful, radiating light with her smile.
"Wow," Jin Young sighs.
Whether by coincidence or fate, Jin Young had selected an outfit that perfectly complemented Ah Reum's attire. He sported an elegant combination of pants and a shirt in neutral tones, akin to the shades of Ah Reum's dress, and an overcoat in the same color that exuded sophistication.
"Oh, we're matching lol," Ah Reum remarks casually, her smile radiating happiness.
Jin Young is mesmerized. "You look so beautiful! How do you manage to look more beautiful every time I see you?" he says.
Ah Reum laughs shyly. "You look beautiful too!"
He opens an umbrella and gallantly leads her to the car, successfully achieving his goal.
They then set off on the route to their rendezvous destination, with Jin Young laughing radiantly as he drives.
"What's so funny? Why are you laughing so much?" Ah Reum giggles, her cheeks turning pink.
He looks at her, she looks back at him, and they both share bubbly smiles, unable to contain their joy.
"You look incredibly beautiful, extremely beautifuuuuuul!!!" He shouted enthusiastically.
"What's gotten into you? lol" Ah Reum laughs even harder, savoring every moment.
Ah Reum truly enjoys the best scenes with Jin Young, a handsome fool in love.
"I'm happy to have this beautiful woman by my side," he continues, his heart overflowing with happiness.
"Where are we going?" Ah Reum asked.
"It's a surprise," Jin Young, the mischievous boy, sayd with a mischievous grin.
"Surprise?" Ah Reum inquires, her excitement.
"But just so you know, we're leaving Seoul," Jin Young adds with a quick, teasing remark.
Ah Reum is genuinely surprised, wondering where he could be taking her.
Inside the Gwangneung Forest, in the Soheul-eup area, they arrived at a cozy chalet, perfect for cold days and couples in love.
As they made their way, they could admire the beautiful pines, firs, and other equally enchanting trees. The rain, although it had subsided, had been their companion all the way here. The veil that had covered the sky had now descended to the earth in the form of mist, slowly flowing as they entered the forest, creating a magical and intense atmosphere.
"Nature truly is splendid!" Ah Reum thought, etching each image into her heart.
"We've arrived!" Jin Young exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Ah, I was distracted. Is this it? Wow... It's so beautiful!" Ah Reum exclaimed, utterly delighted by the sight of the chalet.
"This is it! Would you like to go in first?" Jin Young asked, noticing the enchantment in her eyes."
"They've really told you a lot about me, haven't they? Wow, I love it, the forest, this place... I'm so happy!" said Ah Reum excitedly.
She approached, totally elated. "Can I come in?" Ah Reum asked, her eyes shining in line with her excited smile as she did little jumps of happiness.
Jin Young nodded and replied: "As if you were at home." full of affection.