There might have been a more eloquent way to say it. Honestly, I wanted to give it to her casually, as if it wasn’t a big deal, but I got carried away by the moment and didn’t prepare a proper line.
So, it ended up being a somewhat clumsy statement.
-Drip, drip.
Fortunately, even with such an uncool line and gift, she was my girlfriend, moved to tears by my gesture.
"What’s this... all of a sudden..."
"I prepared it as a surprise. It's my Christmas gift to you."
"Wasn’t it expensive...?"
Even while being moved, she was concerned about my finances.
"Honestly, it was a bit pricey, but it's nothing compared to what you've given me."
"No... it’s... it’s all because of you... I haven’t done anything..."
Tears streamed down her face. I put the ring case aside for a moment and wiped her tears with a handkerchief, which I had now gotten used to carrying.
"Really, you've done so much more, Heena."
"No, it’s all because of you... I just... just..."
I couldn’t fully understand her words through her sobs, but I guess this was a moment to be felt, not understood.
"I'll do everything for you in the future. Everything you've done for me."
"Thank you... I love you. I love you so much, Yeonho..."
"I love you too."
I hugged her as she couldn't stop crying. I hoped for her to be happy, but I hadn't expected her to be so moved to tears.
Holding Heena in my arms, I reflected on the past year. Being with her, I experienced so many things.
Taking photos with my girlfriend for the first time, walking the streets hand in hand. Going on dates.
Studying together, going on trips.
Sharing kisses as naturally as breathing.
I learned what it was like to like someone, to feel that emotion, through meeting Heena.
I always wanted to say thank you. I think I've told her before.
Thank you for finding me.
I love you, Heena.
Please stay with me.
---
Raei Translations
---
( feat. Heena )
Christmas with him was just around the corner.
I had been knitting a scarf for him as a gift for several weeks now. Due to my lack of dexterity, it wasn’t going as well as I’d hoped.
But no matter how it turned out, Yeonho would be happy.
Thinking of his smiling face, I knit a little each day.
Yeonho and I, the two of us.
Like these strands of yarn interweaving stitch by stitch, eventually forming a scarf.
Hoping our lives intertwine, and someday, we can look at a shared life.
I originally planned to visit with just my brother, but unexpectedly, the whole family ended up going to Yeonho's house.
It wasn't intentional. But as Mom jokingly said, it was like an early meeting of the families. Mom and his mother had been in contact for some time anyway.
"We're meeting after lunch tomorrow, right?"
Yeonho seemed completely unaware, but thinking it was just Mom's joke, I didn't tell him either.
It was mischievous, but I wanted to see his surprised face. Just imagining it brought a smile to my face.
And as expected.
On Christmas Day, when the whole family gathered and entered Yeonho’s house.
His face clearly showed he hadn't imagined this in the least.
I felt a bit disappointed that he regained his composure so quickly.
I wished I had taken a photo.
Every night, looking at the photos I had taken with him before going to bed was an indispensable part of my day.
His smiling face always hanging there, his frightened expression when watching something scary, the tears on his face after a sad movie.
And many other countless expressions of him that let me fall asleep peacefully.
Regretting that I couldn't add a new collection, we all entered the house.
Our parents brought drinks and sat at the kitchen table with his parents, sharing stories.
-Smack.
I kissed Yeonho’s cheek and got scolded a bit.
It seemed he was still embarrassed to do this in front of our parents. Maybe I need to do it more often to get rid of this inhibition.
"In a few years, we will be family, after all."
After all, we were going to be family.
Then we spent time playing games brought by my brother. I had never done this at home with my brother, so this was a first.
Luckily, the game wasn't too hard.
And besides, I could see Yeonho next to me, laughing and talking loudly, enjoying himself.
I even felt thankful to my brother for bringing the game.
"Heena!!! You're not going to use that on me, are you?!"
"Maybe~ There’s something I want you to do for me right now."
But of course, I got a bit jealous seeing him pay more attention to the game, so I played a little trick.
"This! Santa cosplay! I originally brought it for Yeonho, but how about using it for a penalty?!"
I couldn’t miss the opportunity to see Yeonho in Santa cosplay, so I gave it my all.
It seemed it was meant to be a Christmas gift for us, as there was an outfit for me too, so we changed into them together.
Yeonho in a plain, typical Santa outfit and red Santa hat.
What can I say? If there was a Santa like this, I’d be good all year round.
"Both of you are so cute~ Look this way, please? Say cheese~"
"Cheese..."
"Kimchi!"
My mom took plenty of photos in my stead, with Yeonho shouting "Kimchi," which he had picked up from me.
And furthermore.
"Han Yeonho! You should pick up Heena and take a photo!"
I silently vowed not to get angry at my brother at least for this year, grateful for his timely shout.
"Kyaa~ I love that! Do a princess carry!"
I always felt that I could have a lifelong good relationship with Yoonjung, who was always there to help me.
Though Yeonho hesitated at first, probably because he was shy, he lifted me up in a princess carry when I encouraged him a bit more.
Wrapped in his arms, I couldn't imagine a more perfect Christmas.
I wanted to kiss him right then, but I refrained, fearing he might actually burst into tears.
Though part of me wanted to see that too.
After the photo session, somehow, the conversation shifted to marriage.
Of course, everyone was joking, but the fact that such a topic came up naturally was important.
Slowly, it would be accepted as something natural.
"Oh, dear! Of course, it's a joke~ You're still in high school, after all."
"Haha, right?"
"...Hehe."
"But Heena doesn't seem to be joking, so you two should talk it over. Got it?"
"......"
I could have registered our marriage on my next birthday as per the conversation, but I knew everyone would oppose that.
I wanted to hurry, but I decided not to rush too much.
After all, time and family were on my side.
As everyone started focusing more on drinking, Yeonho and I sat together in a corner of the living room, feeding each other snacks.
Our gaze was on our families, laughing and chatting while drinking.
Yeonho's face looked incredibly happy as he watched them.
I felt the same.
Leaning my head on his shoulder, I softly spoke.
"This is nice."
"Yeah, it is."
Yeonho was the most important to me, but our families were precious too.
I was happy because Mom, Dad, and my brother were my family. And because Yeonho's mom, dad, and brothers were his family.
The harmony in our families.
The harmony in Yeonho's family.
Surely, it was a happiness inherited from our parents.
There might be exceptions, but I believe happiness is something you grow into from childhood, and good people tend to attract other good people.
I was so grateful that Yeonho was such a good person now and would be in the future.
And I'm grateful to his family for being such good people too.
The ones who had saved me back then were all here.
Yeonho suggested stepping out for some air, and we went outside.
Walking around the neighborhood in Santa costumes felt refreshing.
Seeing how he liked wearing such outfits, I thought it might be nice to plan more diverse costumes in the future.
As we walked through the quiet neighborhood on Christmas, he suggested going to the playground.
Heading there together, I thought about giving him the scarf I had knitted.
It was a bit awkwardly made, but I was sure he would love it.
Yeonho, he might even cry a little too exaggeratedly from being moved.
Imagining him, I walked around the playground until he led me to a bench. There was a peculiar atmosphere.
Yeonho, kneeling before me with a tense face, pulled out a small, square case from his pocket.
"Ah..."
Even without saying anything, I had an idea of what it was.
He had mentioned getting matching rings before, but with our daily dates, money was tight, and I didn't want to pressure him into it.
Nor did I want to wear something that felt like a toy.
Though I enjoyed matching things with him, being together was what mattered most; other things were secondary.
But still...
"Will you accept this ring?"
As Yeonho softly opened the case and looked into my eyes.
-Drip, drip.
Tears started to fall before I could even process the moment.
Maybe because of the earlier conversation, this felt like a proposal.
My body reacted with emotion before my mind could catch up.
"What’s this... all of a sudden..."
"I prepared it as a surprise. It's my Christmas gift to you."
"Wasn’t it expensive...?"
I was too happy to speak properly, yet my mouth blurted out something else.
I thought being together was what mattered, not these things.
Why then does my heart not listen and get so stirred up?
"Honestly, it was a bit pricey, but it's nothing compared to what you've given me."
"Really, you've done so much more, Heena."
No, that's not true.
What I've received, it's all because of you.
Though I tried to think and do things on my own.
I'm still not even close to catching up.
Because I can't imagine making you feel as happy as I am now.
I could die this moment and still smile.
"I'll do everything for you in the future. Everything you've done for me."
Thank you. But you can't.
If you do more, I'll never catch up.
"Thank you... I love you. I love you so much, Yeonho..."
"I love you too."
I love you.
More than words can express.
So much.
More than yesterday.
More than the day before yesterday.
I thought I loved you as much as possible, but every day my love grows.
If I showed it all, you might not be able to handle it.
So, I'll show you a little more, bit by bit.
Over decades, very slowly.
I love you, Yeonho.
Please stay with me.
---
Raei Translations
---
"Uhahahahah!!! Look at this scarf!! So this is what you finally made!"
"Is this the twisted scarf of oblivion..?"
"Ah, Sunhoo, shut up!! Hee, Heena? I really like it. Thank you so much. I’ll wear it every winter until I die!"
"Next year, I’ll make it prettier."
"No! It's already pretty! Ignore what they say. Okay?... Eh?"
-Smooch
"Whoa!?"
"Kyaa~ Do it again! One more time!"
"I'm so sorry about our child.."
"Haha, no worries. Kids will be kids."
"Eung~ I love you, Yeonho!"
"Hey, not in front of the family..! Uh... I love you too."
There might have been a more eloquent way to say it. Honestly, I wanted to give it to her casually, as if it wasn’t a big deal, but I got carried away by the moment and didn’t prepare a proper line.
So, it ended up being a somewhat clumsy statement.
-Drip, drip.
Fortunately, even with such an uncool line and gift, she was my girlfriend, moved to tears by my gesture.
"What’s this... all of a sudden..."
"I prepared it as a surprise. It's my Christmas gift to you."
"Wasn’t it expensive...?"
Even while being moved, she was concerned about my finances.
"Honestly, it was a bit pricey, but it's nothing compared to what you've given me."
"No... it’s... it’s all because of you... I haven’t done anything..."
Tears streamed down her face. I put the ring case aside for a moment and wiped her tears with a handkerchief, which I had now gotten used to carrying.
"Really, you've done so much more, Heena."
"No, it’s all because of you... I just... just..."
I couldn’t fully understand her words through her sobs, but I guess this was a moment to be felt, not understood.
"I'll do everything for you in the future. Everything you've done for me."
"Thank you... I love you. I love you so much, Yeonho..."
"I love you too."
I hugged her as she couldn't stop crying. I hoped for her to be happy, but I hadn't expected her to be so moved to tears.
Holding Heena in my arms, I reflected on the past year. Being with her, I experienced so many things.
Taking photos with my girlfriend for the first time, walking the streets hand in hand. Going on dates.
Studying together, going on trips.
Sharing kisses as naturally as breathing.
I learned what it was like to like someone, to feel that emotion, through meeting Heena.
I always wanted to say thank you. I think I've told her before.
Thank you for finding me.
I love you, Heena.
Please stay with me.
---
Raei Translations
---
( feat. Heena )
Christmas with him was just around the corner.
I had been knitting a scarf for him as a gift for several weeks now. Due to my lack of dexterity, it wasn’t going as well as I’d hoped.
But no matter how it turned out, Yeonho would be happy.
Thinking of his smiling face, I knit a little each day.
Yeonho and I, the two of us.
Like these strands of yarn interweaving stitch by stitch, eventually forming a scarf.
Hoping our lives intertwine, and someday, we can look at a shared life.
I originally planned to visit with just my brother, but unexpectedly, the whole family ended up going to Yeonho's house.
It wasn't intentional. But as Mom jokingly said, it was like an early meeting of the families. Mom and his mother had been in contact for some time anyway.
"We're meeting after lunch tomorrow, right?"
Yeonho seemed completely unaware, but thinking it was just Mom's joke, I didn't tell him either.
It was mischievous, but I wanted to see his surprised face. Just imagining it brought a smile to my face.
And as expected.
On Christmas Day, when the whole family gathered and entered Yeonho’s house.
His face clearly showed he hadn't imagined this in the least.
I felt a bit disappointed that he regained his composure so quickly.
I wished I had taken a photo.
Every night, looking at the photos I had taken with him before going to bed was an indispensable part of my day.
His smiling face always hanging there, his frightened expression when watching something scary, the tears on his face after a sad movie.
And many other countless expressions of him that let me fall asleep peacefully.
Regretting that I couldn't add a new collection, we all entered the house.
Our parents brought drinks and sat at the kitchen table with his parents, sharing stories.
-Smack.
I kissed Yeonho’s cheek and got scolded a bit.
It seemed he was still embarrassed to do this in front of our parents. Maybe I need to do it more often to get rid of this inhibition.
"In a few years, we will be family, after all."
After all, we were going to be family.
Then we spent time playing games brought by my brother. I had never done this at home with my brother, so this was a first.
Luckily, the game wasn't too hard.
And besides, I could see Yeonho next to me, laughing and talking loudly, enjoying himself.
I even felt thankful to my brother for bringing the game.
"Heena!!! You're not going to use that on me, are you?!"
"Maybe~ There’s something I want you to do for me right now."
But of course, I got a bit jealous seeing him pay more attention to the game, so I played a little trick.
"This! Santa cosplay! I originally brought it for Yeonho, but how about using it for a penalty?!"
I couldn’t miss the opportunity to see Yeonho in Santa cosplay, so I gave it my all.
It seemed it was meant to be a Christmas gift for us, as there was an outfit for me too, so we changed into them together.
Yeonho in a plain, typical Santa outfit and red Santa hat.
What can I say? If there was a Santa like this, I’d be good all year round.
"Both of you are so cute~ Look this way, please? Say cheese~"
"Cheese..."
"Kimchi!"
My mom took plenty of photos in my stead, with Yeonho shouting "Kimchi," which he had picked up from me.
And furthermore.
"Han Yeonho! You should pick up Heena and take a photo!"
I silently vowed not to get angry at my brother at least for this year, grateful for his timely shout.
"Kyaa~ I love that! Do a princess carry!"
I always felt that I could have a lifelong good relationship with Yoonjung, who was always there to help me.
Though Yeonho hesitated at first, probably because he was shy, he lifted me up in a princess carry when I encouraged him a bit more.
Wrapped in his arms, I couldn't imagine a more perfect Christmas.
I wanted to kiss him right then, but I refrained, fearing he might actually burst into tears.
Though part of me wanted to see that too.
After the photo session, somehow, the conversation shifted to marriage.
Of course, everyone was joking, but the fact that such a topic came up naturally was important.
Slowly, it would be accepted as something natural.
"Oh, dear! Of course, it's a joke~ You're still in high school, after all."
"Haha, right?"
"...Hehe."
"But Heena doesn't seem to be joking, so you two should talk it over. Got it?"
"......"
I could have registered our marriage on my next birthday as per the conversation, but I knew everyone would oppose that.
I wanted to hurry, but I decided not to rush too much.
After all, time and family were on my side.
As everyone started focusing more on drinking, Yeonho and I sat together in a corner of the living room, feeding each other snacks.
Our gaze was on our families, laughing and chatting while drinking.
Yeonho's face looked incredibly happy as he watched them.
I felt the same.
Leaning my head on his shoulder, I softly spoke.
"This is nice."
"Yeah, it is."
Yeonho was the most important to me, but our families were precious too.
I was happy because Mom, Dad, and my brother were my family. And because Yeonho's mom, dad, and brothers were his family.
The harmony in our families.
The harmony in Yeonho's family.
Surely, it was a happiness inherited from our parents.
There might be exceptions, but I believe happiness is something you grow into from childhood, and good people tend to attract other good people.
I was so grateful that Yeonho was such a good person now and would be in the future.
And I'm grateful to his family for being such good people too.
The ones who had saved me back then were all here.
Yeonho suggested stepping out for some air, and we went outside.
Walking around the neighborhood in Santa costumes felt refreshing.
Seeing how he liked wearing such outfits, I thought it might be nice to plan more diverse costumes in the future.
As we walked through the quiet neighborhood on Christmas, he suggested going to the playground.
Heading there together, I thought about giving him the scarf I had knitted.
It was a bit awkwardly made, but I was sure he would love it.
Yeonho, he might even cry a little too exaggeratedly from being moved.
Imagining him, I walked around the playground until he led me to a bench. There was a peculiar atmosphere.
Yeonho, kneeling before me with a tense face, pulled out a small, square case from his pocket.
"Ah..."
Even without saying anything, I had an idea of what it was.
He had mentioned getting matching rings before, but with our daily dates, money was tight, and I didn't want to pressure him into it.
Nor did I want to wear something that felt like a toy.
Though I enjoyed matching things with him, being together was what mattered most; other things were secondary.
But still...
"Will you accept this ring?"
As Yeonho softly opened the case and looked into my eyes.
-Drip, drip.
Tears started to fall before I could even process the moment.
Maybe because of the earlier conversation, this felt like a proposal.
My body reacted with emotion before my mind could catch up.
"What’s this... all of a sudden..."
"I prepared it as a surprise. It's my Christmas gift to you."
"Wasn’t it expensive...?"
I was too happy to speak properly, yet my mouth blurted out something else.
I thought being together was what mattered, not these things.
Why then does my heart not listen and get so stirred up?
"Honestly, it was a bit pricey, but it's nothing compared to what you've given me."
"Really, you've done so much more, Heena."
No, that's not true.
What I've received, it's all because of you.
Though I tried to think and do things on my own.
I'm still not even close to catching up.
Because I can't imagine making you feel as happy as I am now.
I could die this moment and still smile.
"I'll do everything for you in the future. Everything you've done for me."
Thank you. But you can't.
If you do more, I'll never catch up.
"Thank you... I love you. I love you so much, Yeonho..."
"I love you too."
I love you.
More than words can express.
So much.
More than yesterday.
More than the day before yesterday.
I thought I loved you as much as possible, but every day my love grows.
If I showed it all, you might not be able to handle it.
So, I'll show you a little more, bit by bit.
Over decades, very slowly.
I love you, Yeonho.
Please stay with me.
---
Raei Translations
---
"Uhahahahah!!! Look at this scarf!! So this is what you finally made!"
"Is this the twisted scarf of oblivion..?"
"Ah, Sunhoo, shut up!! Hee, Heena? I really like it. Thank you so much. I’ll wear it every winter until I die!"
"Next year, I’ll make it prettier."
"No! It's already pretty! Ignore what they say. Okay?... Eh?"
-Smooch
"Whoa!?"
"Kyaa~ Do it again! One more time!"
"I'm so sorry about our child.."
"Haha, no worries. Kids will be kids."
"Eung~ I love you, Yeonho!"
"Hey, not in front of the family..! Uh... I love you too."
