MHD - 86

Chapter 86: Where Spring Has Passed

Hee-soo lowered her head toward the trophy and bouquet in her hands, hesitating.

The thoughts that had filled her mind as she stepped onto the stage, the emotions she felt while accepting the award, and the longing to see him—all surged together at once.

As she hesitated, unable to speak, Jae-hyuk broke the silence first.

“Congratulations.”

“Ah, yeah... thanks to you.”

Jae-hyuk’s reaction seemed surprisingly subdued. For a moment, Hee-soo wondered if coming here had been a mistake, and she stared at her feet, fidgeting with her fingers.

Rustle. The sound of the bouquet’s wrapping paper crinkled in her hand.

Chewing on her lips, Hee-soo mustered a bit more courage. Her mind was a jumble after rushing over so impulsively. She decided to start with the bouquet in her arms.

“...The bouquet—when did you send it? Thank you.”

“Oh, that. I asked the director to deliver it for me. I wanted to give it to you myself, but I was worried about causing unnecessary gossip.”

Jae-hyuk gave an awkward smile as he looked at Hee-soo.

Though he hadn’t attended the awards ceremony, Hee-soo didn’t feel disappointed. Jae-hyuk always acted with her best interests in mind, no matter what. Realizing this, Hee-soo’s eyes began to sting with emotion.

Yes, without this person, she wouldn’t be where she was today.

A flood of emotions welled up inside her, overwhelming and refusing to settle. Pressing down on her racing heart, Hee-soo slowly opened her mouth.

“...I received the award, but it didn’t feel like it was entirely mine. It felt like I received it because of Lee Jae-hyuk.”

As she spoke, Hee-soo extended the trophy and bouquet toward Jae-hyuk. But Jae-hyuk gently pushed her hands back, returning them to her.

“It’s all because of your hard work. So, fully enjoy it.”

“But... that’s not true.”

She wanted to express her feelings more eloquently, but her thoughts refused to organize into coherent words. Awkwardly clutching the trophy and bouquet, Hee-soo didn’t know what to do next, so she abruptly turned away.

She felt like she might burst into tears at any moment—her chest was pounding uncontrollably.

“Are you leaving?”

Jae-hyuk’s voice came from behind her.

This wasn’t why she had come.

Hee-soo quickly spun around to face him again.

Under the soft glow of the garden lights, Jae-hyuk’s face appeared pale and luminous. As she had noticed before, he still looked incredibly handsome and made her heart flutter.

The one and only person in my life.

One truth surfaced in Hee-soo’s mind.

Her first love, her first man, and likely her last love.

For Seo Hee-soo, there had always been only Lee Jae-hyuk.

“No, no.”

As she spoke, Hee-soo practically ran into Jae-hyuk’s arms, throwing herself against him. Wrapping her arms, still holding the trophy and bouquet, around his neck, she hugged him tightly.

“I love you.”

Jae-hyuk gently caught Hee-soo as she suddenly leapt into his embrace. With both arms, he pulled her close, feeling the small frame of her body against him.

Seo Hee-soo was truly in his arms.

“I love you, Lee Jae-hyuk.”

Though Hee-soo continued to murmur more words, Jae-hyuk heard none of them. Only the phrase “I love you” echoed in his chest, as if it had deafened him to everything else.

“Hee-soo.”

Holding her tightly, Jae-hyuk suddenly flinched and gently pushed her back by the shoulders to look at her face. He needed to confirm this wasn’t a dream.

“Hee-soo, Hee-soo.”

Was this really the Hee-soo he had dreamed of? His trembling eyes searched hers.

“Mm-hmm,” Hee-soo replied repeatedly, tears streaming down her face. Then, she hugged him again, clinging to him as she cried. Jae-hyuk held her firmly in return.

“I’m sorry I came so late. I’m really sorry.”

Hee-soo’s delicate arms wrapped around Jae-hyuk’s neck. Bending down, Jae-hyuk buried his face in the nape of her neck, closing his eyes shakily. The scent he had longed for in his dreams lingered sweetly in the air.

Hee-soo’s shoulders trembled as she sobbed, her voice thick with emotion.

“From long ago until now, the only man in my life has been Lee Jae-hyuk. I ran here tonight just to tell you that. This bouquet is the only meaningful one to me—it’s from you.”

Hee-soo’s voice sweetly resonated in Jae-hyuk’s ears. Tears streamed down both their cheeks as their faces touched.

Hee-soo briefly pulled back to look into Jae-hyuk’s eyes.

“I wanted to give you the award I received tonight. And I wanted to tell you that this award, and I, belong to you. Will you accept me, even now?”

“Ah, Seo Hee-soo.”

Without a word, Jae-hyuk pulled her tightly into his arms. Lifting her up, he carried her swiftly into the house.

---

Sunlight poured through the gap in the curtains, waking Jae-hyuk.

Out of habit, he reached out to check the space beside him. The moment his hand touched the back of Hee-soo’s hand, a sigh of relief escaped him. It was their first morning together after spending the night as one.

His entire body felt weak, as if all strength had drained away.

Ah, I shouldn’t have spent the whole night making love with Hee-soo.

Even in the morning, seeing Seo Hee-soo lying beside him felt surreal. Fearing it might be a dream, Jae-hyuk pulled her tightly into his arms.

“Mmm...”

Burrowing his face into her hair, intoxicated by the lingering scent of her skin that had driven him wild all night, Jae-hyuk felt Hee-soo stir slightly in his arms.

“...Are you awake?”

Still nestled in his embrace, Hee-soo rubbed her eyelids and opened her eyes halfway, murmuring sleepily.

“Yes. A little while ago.”

Jae-hyuk whispered softly, pressing a kiss to Hee-soo’s forehead. She looked more beautiful than ever, still in his arms, having woken up beside him without leaving.

“Go back to sleep.”

As Jae-hyuk kissed her forehead and whispered gently, Hee-soo smiled bashfully and hugged him tightly.

Her adorable expression made him want to run his fingers through her hair, lightly rubbing it. But suddenly, Hee-soo lifted her head and looked at him with a troubled expression.

“You know, now that I think about it, I think I caused a big commotion yesterday.”

“A big… commotion, indeed.”

While gently rubbing his nose against hers, Jae-hyuk reached for his phone on the small bedside table.

“Let’s see. There’s bound to be an article about it.”

As soon as he opened the portal site app, Seo Hee-soo’s name filled the screen. As expected, the entire internet was ablaze with discussions about her acceptance speech.

But there was an even bigger issue.

An article had surfaced about Hee-soo rushing straight to Jae-hyuk’s house, accompanied by photos of the two embracing. Paparazzi who had followed her from the awards ceremony had scooped the exclusive story.

“What do we do? They got pictures of everything.”

Hee-soo took the phone from Jae-hyuk, looking flustered. In response, Jae-hyuk kissed her cheek again, gently taking the phone from her hand and placing it back on the small table.

“Why did you do it?”

“My heart was so urgent. I just had to tell you. The emotions overwhelmed me—I couldn’t hold them in any longer.”

Hearing her words, Jae-hyuk buried his face in the nape of her neck and chuckled softly.

“It doesn’t matter anymore. I’ll take responsibility for you for the rest of my life.”

“Ah…”

“Tell me you love me.”

At Jae-hyuk’s request, Hee-soo blushed. Though she had been so bold last night, a day later, she seemed shy.

“Go on.”

Urged by Jae-hyuk, Hee-soo whispered softly with a flushed face.

“I love you.”

“Say it one more time.”

“I love you.”

“One more time.”

“I love you.”

“Keep saying it. I want to hear it more. No matter how much I hear it, I still want more.”

“I love you. I love you. I love you…”

Listening to her whispers, Jae-hyuk pulled her closer into his embrace. Their bodies sank deeper into the white sheets.

Jae-hyuk wrapped his arm around Hee-soo’s waist, pulling her tightly against him.

As their bodies pressed together without a sliver of space between them, heat radiated from Jae-hyuk’s body.

“Ah.”

Feeling the scorching heat of Jae-hyuk’s body, Hee-soo let out a soft sigh and closed her eyes. Jae-hyuk captured her parted lips with his own.

Hee-soo’s gaze drifted toward the window, where shadows of leaves danced.

Spring was fading away. Where spring flowers had bloomed, lush summer leaves were already preparing to take their place.

Though it was early summer, the morning was already hot. Perhaps it was the heat of the man holding her that made it feel like summer had already arrived.

I love you.

The sound of Jae-hyuk’s voice echoed sweetly in her ears. Her heart was full, overflowing with love, devoid of any emptiness.

I love you too.

Hee-soo held the burning body close to her, embracing him fully. Though he had whispered to her all night, it still wasn’t enough—she wanted to tell him again.

Their lips met, parting and melding together, exchanging breaths as they became one once more. Like they had always been one, their bodies intertwined and overlapped.

Jae-hyuk placed his hand over Hee-soo’s palm, which rested on the bed, gripping it tightly.

“Hee-soo. Hee-soo.”

His voice, filled with longing, called her name again.

Pulling her closer, deeper into his arms, Jae-hyuk held her tightly, trying to convey what words alone could not express.

When you weren’t within reach, I lost all meaning in life. Day after day felt empty, and I wandered for so long, searching for you.

Being together feels this good.

My world is complete because of you, and my future exists because you are here.

You are my light and my darkness.

Without you, I cannot open my eyes, nor can I fall asleep. I would have withered away, unable to breathe. Even in death, I would have waited for you if you promised to come to me.

My beloved universe, my love. Hee-soo.

“Hee-soo, I love you. I love you…”

Under the sunlight streaming through the window, their movements of love continued without pause.

Where spring had passed, the blazing sun heralded the start of summer.

<The End>