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It's their first anniversary, Ikjun and Songhwa are heading home after dinner and a visit to the karaoke.
Ikjun has no idea how Songhwa managed to improve her vocals at such an exponential rate this past year. He once shared this fact with the rest of their friends, but they all claim he must be crazy.
Just as they lock and step out of their car, Ikjun halts suddenly.
A cold breeze flows by the dark night sky. Nothing seems especially different, but Songhwa knows exactly why Ikjun halted. She smiles like a proud girlfriend.
Ikjun holds his hand up to the sky, "Songhwa-yah, I think your intuition has rubbed off on me."
Songhwa nods in amusement, "3, 2, 1..."
Light rain begins to pour down as Ikjun reaches out his hand to intertwine with hers.
"My dear, would you like to dance in the rain?"
Songhwa lightly slaps Ikjun's forearm, "Yah, you're going to catch a cold. Remember what happened last month?"
"Then you can tend to me again. I love the feeling of being cuddled by you all day. That wouldn't be such a bad proposal, would it?"
Songhwa smiles at her boyfriend, forty-plus and still carries the heart of a playful kid. She pulls them towards the entrance, "Let's head up to enjoy the rain."
Ikjun sets down two cups of coffee on the table and settles down on the sofa next to Songhwa.
Songhwa stares at the cups, then at Ikjun, "I know rain and coffee is our thing, but it's 10:30pm, the caffeine is going to keep us up."
Ikjun gives Songhwa a nervous smile and wraps his hands around hers, "I have something to say tonight, so I don't think we'll be able to sleep well regardless."
Songhwa looks at Ikjun in confusion as he reaches into his jean pocket to reveal a set of simple silver rings.
"My first love. My best friend for 23 years. My soulmate. Tonight, I'd like to propose that we spend the rest of our lives together. I honestly don't think this is too fast because we've known each other and supported each other through highs and lows, especially these past 3 years. I love you with all my heart. I've never stopped loving you for the past 23 years, though that form of love might have been different for some period in between. I would like to begin the next chapter in our lives. I want to see your name on the spouse row of my family relation certificate. Would you be my Mrs. Lee?"
Songhwa nods, "It would be my pleasure. The three of us will make every ordinary day special, because we have each other. Ikjun-ah, just for the record, I don't think those years we supported each other as friends were wasted. I got to know you better, and I love how you've changed over these years. This you - the loving father to Uju, the caring brother to Iksun, and the dedicated doctor to your patients. Together as friends we've grown together and matured. Unlike our 20s, which were full of all sorts of uncertainty and navigating, we now have wisdom and affirmation. I will forever be your best friend, and from now on I will be your supportive wife, always. I love you, Mr.Lee."
Songhwa and Ikjun share a tender kiss before Ikjun pulls back, suddenly remembering something.
"Oh, those silver rings are for home use," Ikjun reaches into his shirt pocket to pull out a set of grey silicone wedding bands.
"These are for work use. This way no matter where you are, people will know you're already taken," Ikjun gives Songhwa a witty smile, "No more blind date requests from grateful patient mothers."
Songhwa laughs in realization, "So you knew about Yoo Kyungjin's mother."
"Do you know how fast I came running down to the cafe after Seonbin told me? I freaked out big time." Ikjun puts on a proud face, "But I managed to gather my calm demeanor moments before entering the cafe, so you probably couldn't see through my nervousness."
Songhwa gives Ikjun a teasing stare, "Well you did look quite calm with that straw up your nose."
Ikjun laughs remembering that embarrassing yet hilarious episode.
"Hey, I kept it together, okay?" Ikjun nods to himself, "I totally did. My worries subsided the moment I saw him. He's totally not your style."
"Oh?" Songhwa playfully rubs Ikjun's cheek. "And how would you know?"
"Because I'm your style," Ikjun jumps up from the sofa to put on a performance. "You...Pick me pick me pick me up."
"Hahahahahaha....." Songhwa bursts out her signature laugh. She can't wait to continue this journey with the man she loves.