Chapter Forty-Nine: The Final Chapter

In a single second, the proposal was a resounding success. Minhyuk’s face radiated pure happiness, and Ruiying’s cheeks were flushed crimson, her eyes sparkling with joy and shyness. Everyone was genuinely delighted for them, and the celebration carried on until well past four in the afternoon. Then Youngjae rallied everyone to see a movie—today was the premiere of his special feature. Although he and a current star played a couple on screen, Jieun seemed utterly unbothered, watching with delight and even shedding a few empathetic tears.

Rachel glanced at her, speechless, then turned to Ruiying, who was nestled against Minhyuk’s shoulder, the two whispering sweet nothings to each other.

Rachel held onto Kimwon’s hand, and noticing her glancing around, he bent down slightly and his low voice sounded in her ear, “What’s wrong?”

Rachel shook her head, but just as he was about to turn away, she swiftly kissed his cheek. Kimwon paused, slightly taken aback, then gently traced her palm with his fingers. “Little rascal.”

Although Rachel had already turned her attention to the screen, the smile lingering at the corner of her mouth betrayed her cheerful mood.

Kimwon shook his head and watched the movie with her, though their hands remained entwined, exchanging subtle squeezes. It seemed that even the dullest moments held a unique sweetness for couples.

By the time the movie ended, it was six o’clock. Since everyone was still full from lunch, no one had an appetite for dinner, so they gathered to discuss where to go next.

Everyone was dressed beautifully for the outing; the six of them standing together by the roadside were like a living tableau. Jieun and Youngjae were already familiar faces from the screen. Though Youngjae was in disguise, many fans still recognized him. Yet, perhaps because they were in a group, few dared approach.

Kimwon and Rachel seemed the perfect power couple, their aura sweet but formidable enough to keep interruptions at bay.

Minhyuk and Ruiying, meanwhile, had clearly slipped into their own world of bliss.

As the evening descended, they unanimously decided to ride the Ferris wheel. The suggestion was a bit childish, but couples seemed to love it. Surprisingly, Kimwon did not object this time.

Within their little group, Kimwon was naturally the leader, just as Jieun and Ruiying often deferred to Rachel. It wasn’t a matter of fairness—it was more an unspoken rule, a habit ingrained over time, as if everyone instinctively sought their opinions.

But no one had objections, and the dynamic was like a miniature society, maintaining a delicate balance.

The six of them drove three cars to the amusement park. The newly built park in Seoul was quite upscale, and none of them had been before. The three men, of course, and Jieun, who was always a homebody, rarely had time for such outings. Ruiying was busy with work, and besides, at the time, Juwang hadn’t cared for such places. Rachel, who had always styled herself as a sophisticated woman, had never deigned to visit such a venue, though deep down she yearned for it.

Aside from the Ferris wheel, nothing else much interested them, so they wandered, snacking and watching others scream and laugh, finding their own joy in the atmosphere.

Eventually, the group split up. Rachel held Kimwon’s hand, swinging it gently as he carried her skewer in his other hand, a bit greasy and vexing for him.

Rachel, however, was in high spirits. She seldom visited such places, and her dates with Kimwon were usually in chic, upscale settings, which had grown somewhat dull.

Seeing her so happy made Kimwon happy, too, and suddenly even the greasy food seemed tolerable.

When they grew tired, they found a bench to rest. The park was crowded, and few noticed them there. Rachel sat with a plastic container, nibbling grilled squid with a skewer. She tried to feed Kimwon, but he refused to yield, so she ended up eating it all herself.

“Your mother never let you eat this kind of thing,” Kimwon said, wiping her mouth with a tissue. Though his words sounded disapproving, his tone was gentle.

Rachel grinned. “It’s fine—it’s not every day I get the chance.”

Kimwon patted her head lightly, then looked up at the pirate ship ride before them.

Men and women alike appeared delighted, their laughter and screams blending into one. It was as if they had all stepped out of the real world, leaving only joy and excitement behind, untouched by life’s troubles.

The amusement park’s colorful lights flickered, reflecting in Kimwon’s eyes, making them appear dreamy and mysterious. Rachel gripped his hand tightly. She didn’t know what he was thinking, but she felt a profound sense of peace.

When you find peace in your heart—

After eight, the group boarded the Ferris wheel. Six people fit perfectly into one cabin. Whatever Kimwon had said to the staff, no one else joined them.

Jieun clutched an armful of snacks. Youngjae, though he feigned disdain, kept sneaking bites—childish to the extreme.

Ruiying and Minhyuk were more composed, holding hands, Ruiying’s fingers playing with a colorful glow stick.

This was enough.

As the Ferris wheel reached its peak, Kimwon wrapped his arms around Rachel from behind and whispered, “I love you.”

She laid her hand over his, and in the glass reflection she saw his smiling face—so handsome and gentle.

I want to spend my whole life with him.

Rachel silently made this vow, then whispered back, “I love you, too.”

Night settled over the city. The Ferris wheel began its slow descent, and the city lights shimmered to life. In this vast metropolis, they had met and come together—such a rare and precious fate.

Fortunately, none of them had taken it for granted.

—end—

Author’s note: For some reason, it suddenly felt discordant to add Heejin to this group. (I’ll move her to the extras.)

So this is the end. There will be extras—Uhey, Bona, and Yariyoung will appear there. Heejin, too, will be written into the extras.