Choi Yoon woke up when the bright, warm sunlight fell on her face. She smiled and stretched her body.

She tilted her head up and looked outside, admiring the morning view. She stood up and opened the window.

The cool wind touched her skin. She closed her eyes, feeling the cool breeze and listening to the birds chirping.

After taking a shower, Choi Yun changed into a simple yet elegant outfit. She carefully combed her long hair and packed her belongings before heading downstairs.

As soon as she reached the dining area, the delicious smell of breakfast greeted her.

"Good morning, Mom. Good morning, Dad," Yoon said cheerfully.

"Good morning, sweetheart," her mother replied with a warm smile as she placed a plate of breakfast on the table.

Her father looked up from the newspaper and smiled. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, Dad," Yoon answered as she took her seat.

The family spent a few minutes talking about ordinary things while enjoying breakfast together. Although their lives were simple, Yoon cherished these peaceful moments more than anything.

After finishing her meal, she picked up her bag and walked toward the door.

"Take care," her mother called out.

"I will. See you later!" Yoon replied before leaving the house.

The weather was pleasant, and a gentle breeze brushed against her skin as she made her way to the kindergarten. The streets were already busy with people rushing to work, but Yoon wasn't in a hurry. She enjoyed observing the small details around her—the blooming flowers by the roadside, the laughter of children, and the peaceful rhythm of the morning.

Soon, she arrived at the kindergarten.

As the children settled into their seats, Yoon began the day's lesson. She patiently taught them colors, shapes, and simple words. Whenever a child struggled to understand something, she would kneel beside them and explain it gently.

"Miss Yoon, look what I drew!"

a little girl said excitedly, holding up a colorful drawing.

Yoon smiled warmly and took a look at it.

"It's beautiful, Hana. You did a great job."

The little girl's face instantly lit up with happiness.

Throughout the day, Yoon helped the children with their activities, read stories to them, and joined them during playtime. Their laughter echoed through the classroom, making the atmosphere lively and cheerful.

At lunch, she made sure every child finished their meal properly. Some children were picky eaters, while others preferred talking instead of eating.

"Finish your vegetables first," Yoon said with a gentle laugh.

The children pouted but listened to her.

After lunch, it was time for a short nap. One by one, the children drifted off to sleep.

Yoon quietly walked around the room, making sure everyone was comfortable. Looking at their peaceful faces always brought a smile to her lips.

A few hours later, the school day finally came to an end.

Parents slowly arrived to pick up their children. One by one, the classroom became empty.

"Goodbye, Miss Yoon!"

"See you tomorrow!"

"Have a nice day!"

Yoon waved at each child until the last one left.

After cleaning the classroom and arranging the teaching materials for the next day, she finally left the kindergarten.

As she stepped outside, she stretched her arms and looked up at the clear sky.

"It was a good day," she whispered to herself.

Without wasting any time, she headed toward her dance studio.

Unlike the kindergarten, the dance studio was always filled with energetic music and excitement. The moment she entered, several students greeted her.

"Teacher Yoon!"

"There you are!"

Yoon laughed and greeted them back.

For the next few hours, she completely immersed herself in dancing. She corrected her students' movements, demonstrated difficult steps, and encouraged those who lacked confidence.

"Again from the beginning," she said with a smile.

Despite repeating the same routine countless times, she never became tired of it.

Dancing made her feel free.

Whenever she danced, all her worries seemed to disappear.

As the class finally ended, the students thanked her before leaving one by one.

Soon, the studio became silent.

Yoon switched off the music and gathered her belongings. She was preparing to leave when she suddenly noticed a black luxury car parked across the street.

The tinted windows made it impossible to see who was inside. She ignore it and went to her home.

Little did she know that this ordinary day was about to become the beginning of a story that would change her life forever

The next morning, Choi Yoon woke up to the sound of her alarm.

As usual, she got ready and walked downstairs, expecting another peaceful morning.

But the moment she sat at the dining table, she noticed the strange look her parents exchanged.

Her mother smiled softly.

"Yoon… you're already twenty-four."

Yoon froze for half a second.

Her father folded the newspaper.

"We're not forcing you. We just think you should start thinking about marriage."

Her appetite instantly disappeared.

Her mother continued gently, "Sweetheart, time passes quickly. We just want to see you happy."

Yoon lowered her eyes.

Happy.

Such a simple word.

But whenever she heard words like marriage, trust, forever… old memories quietly returned.

Promises.

Late-night calls.

Someone saying, "I'll never leave you."

And then leaving anyway.

She forced a smile.

"I'll think about it."

After finishing breakfast quietly, she left for work.

The entire morning, her mind stayed restless.

At kindergarten, she accidentally dropped markers twice and forgot what she was saying in the middle of class.

But as always-

the children saved her mood.

One showed her a drawing.

Another held her hand.

Someone proudly said she was their favorite teacher.

For a while…the heaviness disappeared.

After work, she went to the dance studio as usual.

Music filled the room.

She danced.

She taught.

She smiled.

After finishing her dance class, Choi Yoon stood quietly inside the empty studio.

The music had stopped.

The room was silent.

Usually, dancing helped her forget everything.

But today not even dancing can completely clear her thoughts.

Her parents' words kept repeating in her mind.

Marriage.

Future.

Time passing.

She let out a long sigh and picked up her phone.

Can we meet?

Her best friend replied almost immediately.

Same café?

Yoon smiled slightly.

Yeah.

About an hour later, the two were sitting in their usual corner of a quiet café.

Her friend looked at her and immediately frowned.

"You look terrible."

Yoon rested her head against her hand.

"Thank you."

"I'm serious."

Yoon stirred her drink.

"It's marriage again."

Her friend became quiet.

"They brought it up?"

Yoon nodded.

"They keep saying my age is passing and that someday I'll have to marry anyway."

Her friend sighed.

"They don't know."

Yoon looked down.

"No."

"Will you ever tell them?"

Yoon immediately shook her head.

Her friend frowned.

"Yoon…"

She smiled weakly.

"No parent wants to hear their daughter trusted someone completely and still got betrayed."

Silence.

Her friend slowly reached across the table and held her hand.

Yoon laughed softly.

"Don't make that face. It's embarrassing."

Her friend ignored her.

"You're still scared."

Yoon didn't answer.

Her friend looked at her quietly.

"Not everyone is like him."

Yoon looked outside the window.

Maybe.

But she didn't want to take that risk.

She wasn't scared of being alone.

She was scared of trusting again.

After a while, her friend suddenly leaned back.

"Okay."

Yoon blinked.

"Okay?"

Her friend nodded seriously.

"If normal dating isn't working, we'll think differently."

Her friend looked at her for a few seconds before reaching over and hugging her.

Yoon blinked.

Her friend gently patted her shoulder.

"It's okay. We'll see what to do. Don't stress too much."

Yoon laughed softly.

"You always say that."

Her friend smiled.

"Because we always survive."

That made Yoon smile properly for the first time that day.

Her friend suddenly clapped.

"Enough sadness."

Yoon looked up.

Her friend picked up the menu.

"Anything you want to eat?"

Yoon thought for a second.

"Strawberry cake."

Her friend pointed dramatically.

"Already ordering."

After placing the order, the two sat quietly.

Then the café door opened.

Two boys walked in.

One was tall with broad shoulders and calm features.

The other was shorter, slimmer, and seemed more expressive.

The shorter one held onto the taller one's arm while talking excitedly.

Yoon slowly turned.

Her friend slowly turned too.

Both looked at each other.

Silence.

Her friend whispered—

"...Yoon."

Yoon whispered back—

"...I see it."

The shorter one laughed and lightly pushed the taller one.

The taller one quietly fixed his friend's hair.

Both girls stared.

Yoon covered her mouth.

"Oh no."

Her friend looked emotional.

"Why are they cute?"

Yoon immediately looked away.

"We are not assuming."

Her friend nodded seriously.

"We are respectful people."

Two seconds later—

Both looked again.

Her friend leaned closer.

"I support whatever story is happening over there."

Yoon started laughing.

Her friend dramatically put her hand on her chest.

"This is unfair."

Yoon smiled.

"What?"

Her friend sighed.

"Fiction ruined my standards."

Yoon nodded instantly.

"Same."

Her friend pointed.

"These fictional men are too caring."

Yoon added dramatically—

"They remember birthdays."

Her friend nodded.

"They protect."

Yoon nodded again.

"They're possessive."

Her friend gasped.

"And obsessed."

Both became quiet.

Then both started laughing.

Her friend covered her face.

"We sound ridiculous."

Yoon smiled.

"But fictional characters really make expectations too high."

Her friend suddenly remembered something.

"WAIT."

She immediately opened her phone.

Yoon blinked.

"What?"

Her friend shoved the phone toward her.

"Today I saw an edit."

Yoon looked.

It was a dramatic edit from a manhwa

Slow music.

Intense eye contact.

Yoon stared.

Her friend whispered dramatically—

"Cinema."

Yoon burst out laughing.

"You're impossible."

Her friend giggled

Then somehow—

their conversation drifted.

Drama.

Ships.

Characters.

Her friend suddenly said...

At this point maybe you should just marry a fictional character."

Yun laughed for the first time that day.

"Honestly? BL male leads are way better."

Her friend gasped dramatically.

"Wait…"

"What if your problem already has a solution?"

Yoon blinked.

Her friend lowered her voice.

"What if you find someone who also doesn't want a normal relationship?"

Yoon looked confused.

Her friend smiled slowly.

"No expectations."

"No heartbreak."

"No pressure."

Yoon slowly sat straight.

Her friend looked at her.

Yoon looked back.

Silence.

Then—

both smiled at the exact same time.

A ridiculous idea.

A terrible idea.

And somehow—

a very interesting idea.

They both giggle

BUT~

Neither of them noticed someone sitting several tables away quietly watching the entire conversation.

A faint smile appered on his face

Looks like fate finally decided to help me..

My precious Yoon✨

The morning felt different.

Maybe it was because today was a holiday.

For once, Choi Yoon didn't have to follow her usual busy schedule.

But even though it was a day off, a small part of her missed the cheerful voices of the children she taught and the familiar feeling of being in the dance studio.

She stood in front of the mirror, looking at herself.

Today, she decided to dress a little differently.

She wore a simple yet elegant long dress that flowed softly around her figure. The color was gentle and matched her calm personality. Her hair was neatly styled, a few soft strands falling naturally around her face, making her look more graceful than usual.

The dress wasn't something that demanded attention.

It was just simple.

But somehow, it made her look warmer and softer than usual.

A small smile appeared on her face.

Maybe a peaceful day like this wasn't so bad after all.

A few minutes later, she grabbed her bag and left to meet her best friend at the park.

The moment she arrived, she saw her friend sitting on the bench with two coffees.

"You are late," her friend said dramatically.

Yoon looked at her.

"Five minutes."

"Five minutes is enough for someone to lose hope in humanity."

Yoon laughed.

"You are so dramatic."

Her friend handed her the coffee.

"Drink. We need energy for today's mission."

Yoon raised an eyebrow.

"Mission?"

Her friend nodded

seriously.

"Finding your fake husband."

Yoon almost choked on her coffee.

"Can you say that a little more normally?"

"Why? It's true."

They both laughed.

Yesterday, they had discussed the idea.

A contract marriage.

A marriage with rules.

No feelings. No expectations. Just a deal.

It sounded ridiculous, but for their own reasons, it was the easiest solution.

The only problem was finding the right person.

"And we still think finding a gay guy is the safest option?" Yoon asked.

Her friend nodded.Of course. Someone who understands the situation and won't create unnecessary problems."

"But where are we even going to find someone like that?"

"Technology."

Her friend proudly opened her phone.

"Today, we become detectives."

For the next thirty minutes, they searched through different apps and communities.

But nothing worked.

Some people were suspicious.

Some didn't reply.

Some were completely different from what they were looking for.

Finally, Yoon sighed.

"This is impossible."

Her friend dropped her phone.

"Maybe fate doesn't want you to get married."

Yoon smiled.

"Maybe fate is just enjoying watching us struggle."

After walking around for a while, they decided to go to a nearby cafe.

They ordered their drinks and sat at a corner table.

The cafe was peaceful.

Neither of them noticed the man behind the counter.

He was dressed differently.

A simple cafe uniform.

A gentle expression.

A warm smile.

Nothing like the person he truly was.

No one would have recognized him.

The man quietly worked, but his attention was never far from her.

Every time he passed their table, he heard pieces of their conversation.

Fake marriage.

Contract.

Finding someone.

And every time, he acted like he heard nothing.

Like it was just another conversation.

Until finally, he placed their drinks down and hesitated.

"I'm sorry."

Both girls looked up.

The man smiled politely.

"I didn't mean to interrupt… but I accidentally heard your conversation."

Yoon looked surprised.

"How much did you hear?"

"Enough to know that you are looking for someone."

Her friend immediately became cautious.

"And why are you telling us this?"

The man calmly looked at them.

"Because maybe I can help."

Yoon blinked.

"You?"

He nodded.

"I know it sounds strange."

A small smile appeared on his face.

"But I was actually looking for something similar."

Her friend narrowed her eyes.

"Similar?"

"Someone who needs a situation like this."

Yoon looked at him carefully.

"Why would you trust two strangers?"

The man smiled softly.

"Maybe because sometimes strangers are the people who change our lives."

His words sounded simple.

But something about them felt strange.

After a small discussion, they realized their situation was surprisingly similar.

They talked about the rules.

The expectations.

The boundaries.

Slowly, the conversation became easier.

Before leaving, her friend looked at Yoon.

"Well… this is better than all those apps."

Yoon laughed.

"Don't decide so quickly."

The man smiled.

"How about we discuss everything properly?"

They exchanged numbers.

"We can meet again tomorrow," he suggested.

Yoon nodded.

"Okay. Tomorrow after work."

"same cafe"

He nod.

Then they left the cafe, Yoon and her friend walked away, still discussing the unbelievable coincidence.

Neither of them noticed the man standing near the window, watching her disappear.

His gentle smile slowly faded.

The calm stranger.

The innocent expression.

The kind voice.

It was all just a mask.

He watched her walk away with the same expression of someone who had finally found something he had been searching for years.

His fingers lightly touched the phone in his pocket, where a few hidden memories of her already existed.

A quiet, almost dangerous smile appeared on his lips.

Then he whispered her name like a prayer.

"Yoon"

"My Yoon"

His eyes never left her.

"After all these years… you still don't know how long I've been waiting for you, my precious yoon✨