Chapter Text
"Good afternoon," Daeyoung greeted a security guard standing in front of the restaurant with a warm smile.
As soon as he entered the restaurant, Daeyoung's light steps suddenly felt heavy. He even paused for a moment to take a deep breath. His heart pounded fast, tense, and a little afraid. He then took out a photo of a man his father had given him three days earlier.
"Tokuno Yushi, table number 45."
Once again, Daeyoung took a deep breath. He was hesitant about meeting the man in the photo—someone his father wanted him to meet.
"Excuse me, are you Tokuno Yushi-ssi?" Daeyoung asked a man who was sitting with his back to him, looking out the window. When the man turned around, Daeyoung's heart nearly skipped a beat.
"Kim Daeyoung?"
The question made Daeyoung come to his senses. He gave a slight nod.
"Please, have a seat. This table was reserved for you," the man said again, with a faint smile—so faint that Daeyoung wasn't sure if it was a smile or not.
Daeyoung didn’t pay much attention to that, but Tokuno Yushi in front of him was far, far more handsome than the photo his father had given him.
---
"Young-ah, t here’s someone I want you to get to know," his father had said nearly a week ago after their family dinner.
Daeyoung received a photo of a man that made him frown. "He's a good person, hardworking, and from an honorable family. Are you willing to meet him?"
So here he was, now, facing Tokuno Yushi, the man his father wanted him to meet.
"How old are you, Daeyoung?"
Daeyoung almost asked the same question. He looked at Yushi, who wasn’t looking away from his lunch.
"I'll be 21 in June, Hyung ," he said nervously. He felt a little awkward calling Yushi " Hyung ," though Yushi himself had asked him to.
"21? That’s old enough to marry."
This time, Daeyoung was genuinely taken aback. Fortunately, Yushi quickly offered him a drink.
"What’s up with this Tokuno Yushi?" Daeyoung wondered in amazement. The word "marriage" wasn’t in his life plan. "I haven’t even finished college. I still have to complete my thesis, and this guy says I’m old enough to get married? Seriously?"
But, of course, Daeyoung didn’t say any of that, because the only thing that came out of his mouth was, "Thank you, Hyung ."
Yushi cleared his throat and continued focusing on his meal. "I'm sure your father mentioned something."
So far, they hadn’t talked much beyond the introductions earlier. As his father mentioned, Tokuno Yushi was Japanese. Yushi’s father was a professor and a highly respected teacher to Daeyoung's father.
"I want to get to know you better, Daeyoung-ah."
At nearly 21 years old, Daeyoung understood that his father had arranged for him to meet Tokuno Yushi and that this meeting was part of a matchmaking plan.
---
Yushi continued visiting his house every day after their meeting at the restaurant. His agenda wasn’t really to see or get to know Daeyoung. Sometimes, he’d chat with Daeyoung’s father about business. Other times, with his mother, discussing the latest developments in music. Daeyoung was simply ignored, even though he’d been there from the beginning.
"Ah, music has become very diverse lately. Songs these days are quite different from before," Yushi said with a friendly smile. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Daeyoung, who looked slightly sleepy. "Daeyoung, why did you choose to study music in Seoul instead of Daegu?"
Yushi's words surprised Daeyoung. His drowsy eyes suddenly widened, prompting laughter from his mother and Yushi himself. His mother even urged him to go wash his face. But when Daeyoung returned to the living room, he was surprised to find his mother gone, leaving only Yushi, who seemed to have been waiting for this moment.
"So, why did you choose to study music in Seoul instead of Daegu? Your mother’s university has a good music department."
Daeyoung pouted. "Hyung’s asking a question I hear a lot: why didn’t I go to my mother’s university, right?"
Yushi nodded. He wasn’t really curious, but Daeyoung’s reluctance to answer piqued his interest.
"I wanted to be independent," he replied shortly.
"That’s all?"
"I wanted a new environment. Besides, I can’t imagine being my mother’s student. I’d probably cheat on exams. That wouldn’t be responsible, would it?"
"I don’t think you’d do that, Daeyoung."
"No one knows, Hyung ."
Yushi smiled briefly. He then patted the empty spot on the sofa next to him, motioning for Daeyoung to move closer. Daeyoung had originally been sitting beside him, but since his mother left the room, he’d taken his seat.
"Come here," he said.
Daeyoung obeyed, not knowing if it was due to Yushi’s dominant presence or because they were alone. Almost a week had passed since meeting Yushi, but it hadn’t made him feel fully at ease. He was still often nervous and awkward. Like now, for example. Yushi wasn’t saying much, just focusing his gaze on him, making Daeyoung blush.
" Hyung , stop staring at me like that!"
Yushi didn’t budge. His gaze remained intense.
"Daeyoung, I hear your vacation is ending soon." Yushi finally voiced what had been on his mind. "When are you going back?"
"The day after tomorrow," Daeyoung replied, daring to look into Yushi’s eyes. "My university professor has already scheduled the final project program. So I have to go back soon."
If he wasn’t mistaken, Daeyoung thought he saw a hint of sadness in Yushi’s eyes. Was Yushi sad that they would part?
"Hy—"
"What do you think of this past week?" Yushi interrupted. "What do you think of me?"
" Hyung ..."
"Daeyoung, I know there’s a big age gap between us. But I can’t wait too long. At the very least, I want to know what you think."
" Hyung , you’re kind, and I like your attitude."
"Just liking isn’t enough, Daeyoung-ah. If I propose to you now, will you accept?"
" Hyung , I am still studying in college."
"I’m not asking you to stop."
"There are still many things I want to do."
"I won’t stand in the way of your dreams."
" Hyung , I—"
Yushi extended his hand and held Daeyoung’s wrist tightly. This was the first time they’d had physical contact.
Daeyoung wanted to pull away, but Yushi’s grip held him firmly.
"Nothing will change in your life, Daeyoung. Let me be by your side; let me watch you achieve all your dreams and aspirations. I want you with me, Daeyoung."
Daeyoung closed his eyes, unable to withstand Yushi's intense gaze. He didn’t want to guess what it meant or what was on Yushi’s mind. But in the end, he chose to voice his thoughts.
"Tokuno Yushi-ssi, do you feel like time is running out? Hyung, do you really want to marry me? Why?" Daeyoung asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
"Why me, Hyung? We haven’t even known each other for long."
"Not long?" For the first time, Yushi laughed heartily in front of Daeyoung. "You have no idea, Daengie."
Daeyoung's eyes widened. "Daengie" sounded familiar, but he couldn’t remember where he'd heard it.
Once again, Yushi chuckled softly. He brought Daeyoung’s hand closer to his lips and kissed it several times.
" Hyung , tell me," Daeyoung asked without realizing it.
"I know I’m not good at crafting words or writing beautiful poetry. But one thing is certain—I want you by my side, not just for today or tomorrow, but for every day to come. So, Daeyoung, will you marry me?"