As they drove through the peaceful streets of Shi Town, Micha's heart beat a little faster. This moment felt monumental, a crossroads between the love she had built with So Hyung and the new steps they were about to take. She glanced over at him as he navigated the roads with ease, the sunlight casting a warm glow over his profile. His calm confidence made her feel at peace, even though her nerves were creeping up on her again. The thought of meeting his family and having that first real conversation about their future made her stomach flutter, but she knew this was the right step.
"So," Micha said softly, breaking the comfortable silence between them, "do you think they'll like me?"
So Hyung chuckled, reaching over to squeeze her hand gently. "Like you? They'll love you. I've told them all about you, Micha. You're everything they would want for me—and everything I could ever want."
Her cheeks flushed at his words, and she turned to look out the window, trying to hide her shy smile. It was still overwhelming sometimes, just how much he loved her. Micha had never experienced such a deep connection with anyone before, and the way So Hyung made her feel so treasured was something she would never take for granted.
"I hope so," she murmured. "I just want them to understand how much I love you, Hyung. How much you mean to me."
He glanced at her briefly before turning his eyes back to the road, his expression soft. "They'll see it. You don't have to worry about that. My parents have always trusted me to make my own decisions, and I know when they meet you, they'll see why I'm so sure about us."
Micha nodded, though a part of her still felt the weight of the upcoming introduction. She had never doubted their love, but family was important, and their approval meant the world to her. It was more than just formalities—it was about blending their lives together fully and taking another step toward the future they both wanted.
When they arrived at So Hyung's family home, Micha felt her breath catch in her throat. The house was beautiful in a charming, understated way, nestled among towering trees and surrounded by well-kept gardens. It had an inviting warmth to it, much like So Hyung himself. He parked the car and turned to her, his smile gentle but reassuring.
"Ready?" he asked, his tone light but filled with the underlying understanding of the gravity of this moment.
Micha exhaled deeply and nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be."
They stepped out of the car, and as they approached the front door, it opened to reveal So Hyung's mother standing in the entryway. She was a kind-looking woman, her eyes soft and welcoming, with a smile that immediately put Micha at ease. Micha felt her nerves dissipate slightly as she saw the resemblance between mother and son. There was something so familiar and comforting in the warmth of her smile.
"So Hyung!" His mother exclaimed with joy, rushing forward to embrace him. "It's so good to see you! And this must be Micha?" she asked, turning her attention toward Micha with that same bright smile.
Micha bowed slightly, feeling the weight of the moment as she greeted her. "Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Hyung. Thank you for welcoming me into your home."
"Oh, none of that formal stuff," Mrs. Hyung said with a wave of her hand, pulling Micha into a gentle embrace. "You're family now. Come inside, come inside! We've been looking forward to meeting you."
As they stepped inside, Micha felt a sense of relief wash over her. The house was warm and inviting, filled with soft light and the comforting scent of home-cooked food. So Hyung's father appeared soon after, a tall man with kind eyes, who greeted Micha with a firm handshake and a warm smile. The initial introductions were brief, but it wasn't long before they were all seated in the cozy living room, sipping tea and engaging in light conversation.
Throughout the afternoon, Micha could feel the ease with which she fit into their family dynamic. They laughed, shared stories, and So Hyung's parents asked her thoughtful questions about her life, her work, and her dreams for the future. The more they talked, the more Micha realized how much their values aligned with her own, and by the time the conversation turned to her relationship with So Hyung, she felt confident in speaking her heart.
"So," his father began, glancing between Micha and his son with a knowing smile, "it sounds like the two of you have been thinking about the future together. Have you talked about… where things might be headed?"
Micha blushed, glancing at So Hyung, who reached over to take her hand, his expression filled with love and certainty.
"We have," So Hyung answered, his voice steady. "Micha and I are serious about each other. We've been talking about marriage, and we wanted to come here today to talk to you both about it."
His parents exchanged a look, but Micha could see the happiness in their eyes. Mrs. Hyung smiled softly, placing her hand over her heart. "We couldn't be happier for you both," she said, her voice filled with emotion. "All we've ever wanted is for you to find someone who makes you truly happy, and Micha… it's clear that you mean the world to him."
Micha felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes, overwhelmed by the kindness and acceptance she was receiving. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I love your son with all my heart, and I promise to take care of him, always."
With that, the room was filled with smiles and quiet laughter, the weight of the moment lifting into something light and full of promise. Micha looked at So Hyung, her heart swelling with love and gratitude for the man sitting beside her. Their future was beginning to take shape, and she knew, with every fiber of her being, that they were exactly where they were meant to be.
As the evening wore on, the conversations grew more relaxed, and plans began to form for the next steps. They discussed meeting Micha's family, finding the right time to celebrate their engagement, and how they wanted to build their life together. It was a night filled with love, hope, and the promise of a future that was now more certain than ever. Micha went to bed that night feeling not just loved but surrounded by family, knowing that no matter what, she and So Hyung would face the world together.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the windows, gently waking Micha from her peaceful slumber. She blinked against the warm light and stretched, her heart feeling lighter than it had in weeks. Beside her, So Hyung was still fast asleep, his face calm and content, the lines of stress from the past days softened. Micha smiled at him, her chest swelling with love and gratitude for everything he had done for her. They were stepping into something deeper, something more meaningful, and the thought of spending her life with him filled her with a sense of peace and joy she had never known.
Quietly, she slipped out of bed, careful not to wake him. As she tiptoed across the room, her thoughts wandered back to the night before, the warmth and acceptance from So Hyung's family still fresh in her mind. It felt as if everything was finally falling into place. Their talk about marriage, the future they were building together—it was all coming together so beautifully.
Micha made her way downstairs to the kitchen, her hands moving almost on instinct as she prepared breakfast for them both. The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, and she smiled to herself, imagining the look of surprise on So Hyung's face when he woke up to find breakfast waiting for him. As she worked, she couldn't help but replay their conversation from the previous night.
So Hyung had always been a pillar of strength for her, but hearing him talk about their future with such certainty and love had touched her deeply. It wasn't just his words—it was the way he looked at her, as if she was the center of his world. She had always known that he loved her, but there was something different about the way he had spoken last night, as if he was ready to take on any challenge, as long as they were together.
Lost in her thoughts, Micha didn't hear So Hyung enter the kitchen. It wasn't until he wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her close, that she realized he was awake.
"Good morning," he murmured into her ear, his voice still thick with sleep.
Micha leaned back into his embrace, resting her head against his chest. "Good morning," she replied softly. "I didn't want to wake you, so I thought I'd make us breakfast."
He smiled against her hair, his grip on her tightening just a little. "You're too good to me, Micha," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "I could get used to this."
She turned around in his arms, resting her hands on his chest as she looked up at him. "You deserve it," she whispered. "After everything you've done for me, this is the least I can do."
So Hyung gazed down at her, his eyes soft and filled with love. "I don't do any of it because I expect something in return," he said gently. "I do it because I love you. Because I want to make you happy, every day, for the rest of our lives."
Micha's heart swelled at his words, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. "You already make me so happy, Hyung," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I don't think I could love you more than I do right now."
For a moment, they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the world outside forgotten. In that small kitchen, with the morning light filtering in and the smell of breakfast filling the air, everything felt perfect. It was as if time had slowed down just for them, giving them this precious moment to hold on to.
Eventually, So Hyung pulled back slightly, his thumb brushing against her cheek. "I'm serious about what we talked about last night," he said, his voice soft but steady. "I want to meet your parents. I want us to take that next step."
Micha nodded, her heart racing. "I want that too," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm ready, Hyung. Let's do it."
With that, their future together became more than just a dream—it became a plan, a promise, a reality they were ready to step into. And as they sat down to eat the breakfast Micha had lovingly prepared, the sense of excitement and anticipation for what lay ahead filled the air, wrapping them both in a warmth that neither of them would ever forget.