Kiss the Ground

Winchester United F.C.’s new season was relentlessly busy. Every day was filled with interviews and events, with the team flying across the UK to play in league matches, leaving no time to catch a breath.Adrian’s wedding date was set right in the middle of this hectic schedule, on the Friday noon of a three-day golden holiday. It was, quite simply, an absolutely perfect date.The day before the highly anticipated wedding, Adrian handed over two large boxes adorned with gold decorations, with a proud look on his face. Inside the luxurious Pandora’s boxes were pure white silk suits that were blindingly bright.“No way… this is the dress code?”Chahyun’s eyes widened as he lifted the shoulder of the outfit to inspect it. Misha, who was standing close beside him, also rounded his mouth in surprise.“Wow, he really went all out.”“This isn’t just going all out, is it? He prepared all of this in different sizes?”“Adrian likes things to be flashy.”Chahyun clicked his tongue as he looked down at the two outfits laid on the table. Even to someone as clueless about fashion as Chahyun, the clothes in front of him were the epitome of luxury. A white dress shirt and a three-piece suit, complete with a pastel yellow tie, golden collar pin, and cufflinks. It was the perfect set of formal attire.But a white base with yellow accents… isn’t that a bit of a nightclub-ish combination?“It’s impressive, but… is this really for the groomsmen? The groom could wear this.”“Really? I think it’s pretty standard. The design is nice too.”“Of course, anything looks good on you.”Misha, with a serious expression, picked up the tie and examined it. Given his keen eye for clothes and accessories, even the dazzling white suit didn’t seem overwhelming. After thinking for a moment, Chahyun abruptly thrust Misha’s suit into his arms.“You try it on first.”Misha nodded and without hesitation, stripped off his casual clothes. He smoothly buttoned up the new shirt and fastened the accessories here and there, with a natural and practiced ease. When Chahyun tied the tie for him, Misha spun around once on the spot and then casually tucked his hands into his pants pockets.“How do I look?”“……”Well….As expected, Misha looked stunning. The subtly shining silk suit blended with his calm brown hair, creating an almost surreal appearance. The elegant colors and design enhanced his naturally aristocratic aura, but most impressive was his attitude, as if this flashy attire didn’t faze him at all.Of course, he looked amazing. But….Chahyun took a step back. Misha slowly removed his hands from his pockets, sensing the silent gaze upon him.“Is it weird?”“No….”It was a miscalculation. Chahyun knew that suits looked good on Misha, but he hadn’t anticipated how he would look in a white formal suit. The thought of videos he had seen online flashed through his mind—grooms bursting into tears upon seeing their bride in a wedding dress for the first time.So that was real. His tear ducts tingled suddenly. It was ridiculous.“Yuan.”Misha, not hearing the usual compliments like “pretty,” “cute,” or “handsome,” looked puzzled.“What’s wrong?”“No, it’s just,”Don’t cry like an idiot. Finally, a slow compliment escaped his lips.“It’s just… you look so good in it….”“……”“It’s like… you’re the one getting married.”The spacious living room fell silent. Misha and Yoon Chahyun both shut their mouths at the same time.Chahyun’s eyes, now bright red, met Misha’s clear gaze. Unspoken words seemed to ripple between them, teetering on the brink of being voiced. His face grew hot with the feeling of his heart racing ahead of him. In the whirlwind of busy days, there hadn’t been a moment to even think about proposing. So, the Misha standing in front of him now…Chahyun carefully took Misha’s hand.“You, with me…”Misha gently placed his hand over Chahyun’s, looking as if he was curious about what would be said next.But just as Chahyun was about to continue with words he himself didn’t fully know, something came crashing in, leaping into Misha’s arms.“Ugh, Hong Sam…”Apparently, the couple’s dog was also entranced by the white suit. The way it suddenly squeezed between the two and began licking Misha’s lips was a sight to behold. The loud bark snapped him out of it.“…I’ll go get ready too, Misha. We’re already late.”Chahyun muttered awkwardly, taking a step back. As he hastily finished speaking and turned around, Misha’s silent gaze followed him.After struggling to calm down the whining Hong Sam, who clung to him as if asking where he was going on a holiday, Yoon Chahyun and Misha finally rushed to the wedding venue, finishing their preparations late. The location mentioned on the invitation card was an outdoor venue in a secluded area in northern London. As they got out of the car, Chahyun stood at the entrance with his mouth wide open. Misha, beside him, also opened his mouth in awe.“Wow, they really put in a lot of effort.”“No, this isn’t just effort.”The wedding venue, set on an endless expanse of lawn, was clearly decorated with thousands of flowers. The flowers, gathered in clusters, were all white and yellow—the same combination as Yoon Chahyun and Misha’s groomsmen suits. The elegant and classical iron tables and the natural decorations boasted a design that was unbalanced yet harmonious. It was clear that a good twelve weeks’ worth of salary had been spent on the exterior.As they approached the entrance of the venue, two staff members overseeing the wedding came up to them. They pinned yellow boutonnieres on the chests of both men, confirming them as invited guests.After confirming their identities and passing through the grand archway, a vast flower field unfolded before them.“It’s really beautiful.”“It really is.”The noon wedding, bathed in gentle sunlight, was stunning. Each breath brought a sense of calm and peace.Guests were already gathered around the tables set on either side of the long wedding aisle, enjoying the catering. As they followed the gentle sounds of string instruments, the main character of the day, standing inside, raised a champagne glass high.“Misha, Yuan! Come on in! I was worried you weren’t going to make it because you were so late.”Adrian, wrapped in a black tuxedo, was grinning from ear to ear. After a quick greeting, Yoon playfully teased him.“Feeling good? Your smile’s practically reaching your ears.”“Of course! I’m the happiest man in the world right now.”“Congratulations on the wedding, Adrian. I honestly didn’t think you’d go through with it.”“Misha, is that really a congratulations?”Misha and Adrian shared a hug. As the three of them exchanged small talk, a figure in a white dress approached. Adrian immediately turned to greet her, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek and wrapping an arm around her waist.“This is Isla. My wife…well, in an hour.”The bride-to-be was a woman with long, beautiful brown hair styled elegantly. Yuan and Misha took turns shaking hands with her.“Hello.”“Hello, nice to meet you.”There had been rumors among the team that Adrian, craving excitement, had given his heart and soul to a dominant woman, but the bride was entirely different from what the rumors suggested. She had a bright and lively demeanor, with a dimpled smile full of energy. After exchanging greetings, the bride spoke up.“You’re wearing the suits I prepared. Do you like them?”“Of course.”Yuan, facing her energetic smile, returned a bashful grin. Misha added a gentle compliment from the side.“They’re perfect. You have an excellent eye.”Surprised by the sincere compliment, the bride opened her eyes wide. She looked over Misha’s attire once more before smiling brightly and responding.“Oh, it’s nothing. The suit looks like it was made just for you. I’m sure it loves being worn by you.”“It’s an honor.”“My friends will love it too, I’m sure. They’ve been looking forward to this.”Misha smiled faintly at the playful remark. Despite the short conversation, her warm and friendly personality shone through. Adrian, who was standing nearby, pointed to a distant party table.“Not bad, right?”“Well, it’s decent.”Every one of Winchester’s members gathered there was wearing the suits they had received earlier. Considering their generally well-built physiques, they didn’t look too out of place, but it was still amusing to see them all dressed up in white suits after always seeing them in their messy uniforms.“Go ahead and greet everyone. The ceremony will start soon.”The couple handed new glasses of champagne to Yuan and Misha before quickly disappearing somewhere.As they approached the table filled with familiar faces, their colleagues raised their hands to welcome them. After greeting their families one by one, Cahill Love approached them.“Misha, Yuan. Glad you could make it.”“Hello, Captain.”As much as he hesitated to admit it, the suit also suited Cahill Love quite well. He looked more like a young lawyer or prosecutor than the captain of a football club. As he looked Yuan and Misha up and down in their matching suits, he smiled softly.“You both look great. The suits really suit you.”Then, suddenly, he reached out and touched Misha’s chest. Caught off guard, Misha and Yuan both froze for a moment until Cahill gently pinched something off.“Except for this dog hair stuck here.”“Ugh.”“Did you take a walk together before coming?”Yuan quickly brushed off Misha’s clothes. Now that he looked, both their clothes were covered in Hong-sam’s fur. It was hard to say whether to thank the captain for pointing it out or not. After hurriedly tidying up their clothes under his pointed gaze, Jude appeared, looking grumpy.“Why were you guys so late? You live the closest.”“We were just getting ready. Is everyone here now?”“Yeah. We were all waiting for you. Us…and them.”He nodded toward a group of women dressed in matching yellow dresses. Judging by their outfits, they were likely the bride’s bridesmaids.They were chatting happily when their eyes met with this group, and they exchanged meaningful smiles. So they really had something planned. Jude, raising his hand and waving slyly, whispered to Yuan and Misha.“I have a good feeling about today. I think fateful love is about to begin….”The faintly burning determination in his eyes suggested he was intent on making something happen this time. He was definitely eager. Yuan and Misha glanced at each other, shrugged their shoulders, and chuckled a little.In the warm noon sunlight, with flower petals fluttering around, the bride and groom stepped onto the central aisle together. As they walked forward, parting the lush flower arrangements, the soft strains of strings filled the air behind them. The guests seated at round tables blessed the beautiful couple as they made their way down the aisle.Breaking through the billowing fabrics and holding hands, the couple stopped in front of the low platform. It was a moment when two people who had walked a long road together felt the humbling presence of love.As if the volume on the speakers had been turned down, the air grew quiet, and a faint, trembling voice was heard.“De- dearly beloved… Adrian……”The officiant of this splendid wedding was none other than the manager of Winchester United F.C., Vladimir. For a player, having their club’s manager officiate their wedding is deeply meaningful. However, as Blue began his speech with a solemn face, he soon found himself on the verge of tears.“In this noble… moment… to cherish and… love each other…”The battle-hardened manager who had led the team to victory was nowhere to be seen, and instead, there stood a man, just like any other, overwhelmed by emotion. No matter how high one climbs, it seems that a person’s heart remains unchanged. As the guests added their gentle applause to his efforts not to cry, Blue managed to catch his breath and finish the rest of his speech.Children scattered petals on the white wedding aisle. The bride and groom, having finished their vows, gazed at each other. It was time to exchange rings.The groom took the bride’s outstretched left hand. The round symbol of their union sparkled in the sunlight as it was gently placed on her ring finger. The bride then placed a ring on the groom’s hand. The friends and family who witnessed the entire process erupted in cheers. However, the two standing before them seemed to hear nothing as they simply stood there, lost in each other’s gaze.Yoon Chahyun watched the radiant scene in a daze. He couldn’t look away.“Beautiful.”At the faint murmur, Chahyun suddenly turned his head. Misha, who was sitting right next to him, was watching the couple, just like Chahyun.“Adrian’s bride is beautiful. We didn’t talk much, but… she seemed like a really good person.”“Yeah.”The bride was said to be a professional volleyball player. Her tanned arms peeking out from her white dress and her healthy expression evoked the energy she must have on the court. A soccer player and a volleyball player—a cute combination, like something out of a teen movie. They would surely make a great couple, complementing each other perfectly.“…I agree. I think she’s really wonderful, too.”Chahyun turned back to face the same direction as Misha. The couple, now holding hands, exchanged smiles as if they had just shared some private words. They looked less like a couple ablaze with passionate love and more like soulmates who knew everything about each other.“Adrian seems a bit different now.”“Yeah.”The guy who used to be as light as a feather was now looking at his bride with quiet eyes. His gaze was serious, as if he wouldn’t be swayed by anything. Standing in front of so many people, focusing solely on one person was in itself a testament to his commitment.How much can love really change a person?“…I take back what I said about him being promiscuous. I was too quick to judge.”Chahyun chuckled quietly at Misha’s pensive expression. The couple, now legally married, turned back to the guests. As they walked back down the aisle, they held hands, now adorned with matching rings. People turned to watch as the newlyweds passed by, hands clasped tightly.As Misha watched his friend’s retreating figure, he murmured softly.“Adrian, may you be happy forever.”As he whispered this, Misha’s profile looked more beautiful to Chahyun than any bride he had ever seen. Under the table, Chahyun found Misha’s hand and held it tightly. Misha, who seemed to be still for a moment, soon squeezed back in silence.You’ll be the happiest person of all, Misha. I’ll make sure of it.Feeling the warmth of Misha’s hand, Chahyun was certain that the person sitting next to him shared the same feelings.***“How did you propose?”“Pfft…”The person being asked the question spewed their drink all over the place. Glancing at the coughing man, Chahyun downed his sixth drink.The reception following the wedding was relaxed and carefree. The children who had come with their parents were running around on the lawn, and the adults, sharing finger foods and champagne, were chatting with faces flushed under the midday sun.Chahyun was leaning against a table, holding a glass of honey-colored champagne. In the distance, he could see Misha, cradling a baby, surrounded by his Winchester teammates and the bride’s bridesmaids.The child in the yellow dress was the three-year-old daughter of Lou. Once in Misha’s arms, she refused to leave. Misha was particularly popular with babies and animals—especially female babies and animals.“Yuan, who are you going to propose to?”Adrian’s eyes widened as he wiped the drink from his lips. Chahyun squinted at him before answering.“I could, if I met the right person.”“Well, yeah, but… it’s just surprising to hear you ask about that.”“Why?”“You just seem like the type who’d handle it naturally.”Adrian replied while glancing around. To be honest, Chahyun had thought the same. If he ever found someone he truly wanted to marry, proposing would be a piece of cake. But in reality, the precious ring had been sitting in his locker for weeks, unused.“Well, I thought about doing something simple, but… proposing at a restaurant seems a bit overdone.”“It’s cliché. So outdated.”“But I don’t want to do something too flashy like outdoors with a bunch of flowers, either.”“Us? Do you want to end up on YouTube?”The groom clicked his tongue disapprovingly. Chahyun slowly turned to face him. Though Adrian wasn’t the most reliable person to discuss this with, it was still better than asking his coach or father. Right now, he needed advice from someone a bit younger.“You managed to do it successfully. Do you have any tips as a pioneer?”“Well… I think with women.”Adrian gazed seriously into the distance. Chahyun leaned in closer to him.“The atmosphere is the most important thing.”What? Even kids know that…. As Chahyun frowned and started to pull away, Adrian quickly added more.“Not just vague things like a restaurant or flowers, but you need a truly certain and specific atmosphere. One that makes it impossible for the other person to escape.”“What kind of atmosphere?”“Isolation.”Chahyun widened his eyes at the sudden word. Seeing his surprised expression, Adrian finally wore a triumphant look.“The feeling that it’s just the two of you in the world. A cozy and secretive atmosphere. It’s important to give your partner the confidence that only you two share true love.”He was raising his voice like an orator. Though it sounded a bit far-fetched, it wasn’t entirely unconvincing. Chahyun murmured,“Like anyone wouldn’t know that. The question is, how do you create such an atmosphere?”“That’s what the resort is for.”“A resort?”“Yeah. Ideally, a private beach just for the two of you. You set the mood properly and propose there. Whispering love under a starry sky. That’ll get you a 99% success rate. Look at me.”Even though he was the one who had fallen head over heels, it was typical of men to boast about how they seduced their partners. He’d been smiling like a fool throughout the wedding, and yet here he was acting all cool.“So, you proposed at a resort, isolating the other person?”“Yes. That’s my secret to success. It’s like the love bridge effect.”Adrian, who answered with satisfaction, turned his head to look into the distance. What he saw was his bride, smiling among their friends. Though it was all a bit of a bluff, the way his lips softened into a gentle smile wasn’t unpleasant to see.“That’s why we decided to go there for our honeymoon too. It’s meaningful since we have memories there.”“…I see.”“My wife likes it too.”“……”I’m envious. The honest feeling swept through Chahyun’s heart. Truly being united with the one you love was the greatest achievement in life. To win the league, to lift the Champions League trophy, to be named this season’s best player, or to win the Ballon d’Or… It was a shining, once-in-a-lifetime glory that surpassed any of those, Chahyun thought.“That’s impressive.”Concluding the conversation, Chahyun downed the remaining champagne in his glass. In the distance, people who had been scattered across the wide lawn were starting to gather. It looked like the event, often considered the highlight of the reception, was about to begin.“Looks like they’re going to throw the bouquet. I’ll go.”“See you later.”“Don’t drink too much, Yuan.”Adrian placed his glass on the table and hurried off. Meanwhile, the bride stepped forward slowly, with the women positioned slightly behind her to catch the bouquet. The men gathered a few steps away. Among them was Misha, looking awkward as he stood amongst the participants. It was cute.“Isolation, huh.”Now that he thought about it, he’d never traveled anywhere with Misha. Sure, they’d had brief dates in Korea, but he didn’t want to consider those trips, where they’d been more focused on avoiding people’s eyes, as true travel experiences.Yoon Chahyun and Misha had always been together, but they’d always been with everyone else, too.“Mm…”His head felt oddly light. Atmosphere, resort, isolation for just the two of them… The words he had just heard swirled around in his head.Would Misha like it if I suggested we go far away together? What kind of expression would he make? If I suggested spending time together in a space just for us… Chahyun absentmindedly watched the bride as she raised the bouquet.Ayla swung the bouquet back and forth a few times, as if preparing for a throw, and then launched it powerfully into the air. It was a beautiful scene.Except for one thing—the bride was a professional volleyball player.The bouquet, thrown far too powerfully, soared sharply into the sky. That was more like a practiced volleyball toss. The bride, realizing what she’d done, covered her mouth in surprise, but the bouquet had already launched into the air. The bride’s teammates, who had gathered to catch it, simultaneously jumped into the air. A perfect block! But the high arc of the bouquet soared far above the players’ hands.“Oh…”Oh, no… Chahyun winced as he watched. The bouquet, tracing a downward arc, was now heading towards the groom’s groomsmen behind the crowd. The other problem was that they were all soccer players.To everyone’s shock, it was the Winchester United F.C. goalkeeper, Lou Ekenda, who instinctively stepped forward to catch the bouquet. Unfortunately, he had a habit of catching round objects flying through the air. It was certainly better than kicking the bouquet, but unfortunately, he was already a married man with a three-year-old daughter.Then, midfielder Alois pushed through the jostling bodies and jumped forward. At the same time, Winston and Leroy, charging in from the sides, nudged his shoulders while reaching out for the bouquet. It was a fierce battle.The bouquet, bumped by someone’s outstretched fingers, bounced back into the air. Yellow petals rained down on the grass, and then,The bouquet, having lost its owner, drifted slowly, unbelievably gently, into someone’s arms.“…….”The entire place fell silent.Through the fluttering golden petals, what could be seen was Misha, who had unknowingly caught the bouquet.Everyone around stood there with their mouths agape.Immediately after a brief moment of silence, the bridesmaids from the bride’s side swarmed around Misha with high-pitched cheers. In the blink of an eye, Misha was wrapped in yellow dresses, smiling awkwardly.But the most shocked of all was Yoon Chahyun, who stood a few meters away watching the scene. Along with the feeling of being smacked on the back of the head, his heart suddenly sank.“Mi…”White and yellow petals, the high-pitched laughter surrounding him, the people closing in, and Misha holding the bouquet…Chahyun felt dazed. His face heated up, and his heartbeat pounded loudly, as if right in his ears. Thump, thump, the irregular rhythm gradually blurred his consciousness. His balance faltered, and it took only a moment before he found himself falling into someone’s arms.***“It’s all wrong! All I’m thinking about is Misha!”Jude approached the table slowly, looking like he was about to burst into tears.“If I had known this would happen, I would have caught it myself, no matter what… This is ridiculous.”The destined love he had been yearning for vanished like smoke, all because of a bouquet that flew off course. The bride’s friends were so absorbed in admiring Misha that they completely ignored him. “What a shallow world that only cares about looks!” Jude thought as he wiped away his tears, seeing two black figures blurred in his misty vision.“Huh?”At the table where he expected Yoon Chahyun to be sitting alone, there was someone else—someone who was holding Chahyun, whose face was flushed red, with one arm.“What’s going on, Yuan… are you drunk? How much did you drink?”“He was like this when I got here.”Cahill Love shrugged at Jude Ingram, who approached cautiously. Jude looked over the table, noticing the chaos of scattered champagne glasses—there were at least five.“He can’t even handle alcohol. Why was he drinking like this on his own?”“Looks like he was in the mood for it.”“Unbelievable…”Cahill supported Chahyun, who was slumping even more in his arm. Jude stepped closer and carefully placed a hand on Chahyun’s forehead, noticing his poor condition after downing several strong champagnes. For someone who usually had such strict self-control, it was rare to see him this drunk.“He drank too much. How are we supposed to get him home?”“You don’t need to worry about that.”“Huh?”At that moment, a tall, broad figure cast a shadow over the three of them. Jude inhaled sharply as he looked up.“Yuan.”It was Misha Asplund. The popular figure who had just been surrounded by women was now standing before them like a ghost. The yellow bouquet was thrown down onto the table with force. The cold stare Misha gave them felt even more piercing than usual.In the chilly silence surrounding the table, Chahyun, who had been leaning against Cahill, stumbled forward a step.“Misha…”His steps were unsteady, like those of a typical drunk. He staggered forward a few steps before eventually falling forward.Misha expertly caught the falling Chahyun, cradling his flushed face with his hand and gently removing the empty glass from his grasp. Then, he looked up at the two standing before him.“What’s going on?”“I didn’t do anything.”Jude shook his head frantically at Misha’s cold, quiet voice. Desperately trying to deny any responsibility, he quickly pointed to Cahill.“Then was it you?”“It wasn’t me either.”The captain met Misha’s stare with a faint smile. Misha, who had been glaring at them with a sharp, cold gaze, slowly spoke.“Yoon Chahyun can’t handle alcohol.”“We know that…”“If you knew, you should have stopped him. How could you just let him keep drinking until he got like this?”They weren’t babysitters; how could they have possibly stopped someone determined to drink? But when the normally stoic Misha lowered his voice even more, they were at a loss for words. The usually cool Misha became frighteningly intense, like a blade heated over fire when he got serious.“Yoon Chahyun and I are leaving now. Tell everyone that.”Misha turned with Chahyun still in his arms. It was almost absurd to see him treating a normally fierce player like Chahyun as if he were a fragile glass vase. As Jude struggled to think of what to say, the person next to him spoke slowly.“He’s been having a lot on his mind lately.”“……”“Do you think I could help somehow? Like I said before, I…”Misha’s gaze bore into Cahill like he was about to cut him down.“Forget it. We don’t need your help.”“That’s disappointing.”Hiccup. Jude started to tremble beside Cahill, who showed no sign of distress and even smiled.“It’s a captain’s duty to look after his team members’ well-being.”“Go look after someone else.”“Are you sure? Even without my help?”“I’ll take care of it from now on.”Misha shot back, his tone sharp. He then swiftly turned away, carrying Yoon Chahyun as if he were weightless. The two of them quickly disappeared into the garden, leaving only Jude Ingram and Cahill Love behind.A cold breeze followed in their wake. Jude instinctively glanced at Cahill.Standing close by, Cahill was looking down with a slight frown. The amused smile he usually wore had vanished, replaced by an odd expression. Jude quickly understood what that look meant. Cahill’s downcast eyes held not disappointment or anger, but an aimless boredom.His instincts screamed at him to run. But, like a frog frozen before a snake, he couldn’t move an inch. Soon, Cahill slowly lifted his head and looked directly at Jude. His lips curled into a strange smile.“Then why don’t we have a drink together, Jude?”Hiccup, hiccup. Jude frowned, looking like he was about to cry, but he raised his glass nonetheless.***“Yuan.”A soft echo reverberated in his dazed mind. It felt like his body, submerged deep underwater, was being slowly pulled upwards. A familiar voice broke through the heavy fog of his consciousness.“Yuan, wake up. We’re home.”The gentle touch stroking his hair lifted Chahyun’s awareness. The warmth of that touch soon slid down to his cheek. Blinking a few times, Chahyun cleared his blurry vision. He found himself in a familiar, warm space. It was Misha’s car.“Why did you drink so much?”Through the hazy view, a beloved face came into focus. Misha, leaning against the steering wheel with one arm, was peering closely at Chahyun in the passenger seat. His tightly set mouth and sharply furrowed brows showed his concern.It felt as if time had been spliced together with tape. Just moments ago, they were on a sunny lawn, and now they were in the dark, quiet garage of Misha’s home. Chahyun blinked but said nothing, prompting Misha to reach out and gently stroke his lips.“We left the wedding a bit early. It was winding down anyway.”“……”“Jude Ingram and Cahill Love were really worried about you… They thought you’d had too much to drink and entrusted you to me.”“……”“What were you thinking, drinking like that when I wasn’t around?”Misha’s voice was low and mature, different from the playful tone he used when he pretended to be upset by Chahyun’s teasing. After a moment of silently gazing into Chahyun’s eyes, Misha leaned further forward, reaching over to unbuckle his seatbelt.“Just stay seated, I’ll carry you inside.”But as soon as Chahyun was freed from the belt, he grabbed Misha’s face, pulling him closer for a kiss. Misha gasped softly, but he didn’t pull away. Chahyun pressed his tongue through Misha’s parted lips, kissing him deeply, almost aggressively. Their eyes met through half-closed lids as Chahyun continued.“Hah, ah, haah…”Panting, Chahyun licked and nibbled at Misha’s lips before finally pausing to catch his breath. His body, heavy with alcohol, could barely support his head. His weakened arms slid from Misha’s neck, but Misha calmly supported him, pulling him closer as Chahyun’s wet lips parted again.“Misha, did you… bring the bouquet?”Misha raised an eyebrow slightly, perhaps thinking Chahyun was rambling.“When you held it… you looked so beautiful. The bouquet….”“……”“It really suited you… Everyone… loved it….”His voice trailed off gradually. The image of Misha holding the bouquet—yellow and white, blessed with flowers—was so beautiful. His white suit, the vibrant yellow tie—it all left Chahyun breathless. The faint afterimage still lingered in his alcohol-clouded mind.“Yuan, are you okay?”He couldn’t hold back any longer. A pressing thought finally burst from the haze that had been weighing on him. Even though he knew this wasn’t the ideal situation he’d been searching for, he couldn’t fight the impulse of the moment. Chahyun tugged at Misha’s clothes, his knuckles white.“Misha, let’s….”“Yuan, let’s.”Their voices overlapped, interrupting each other. Chahyun fell silent, surprised, but Misha continued, seizing the moment.“Let’s go on a trip.”“Huh?”“Just the two of us, somewhere far away.”Chahyun’s mouth opened in surprise. Misha had completely stolen the words he was about to say, word for word.“Seeing Adrian go on his honeymoon made me a bit jealous. I thought it’d be nice if we went somewhere too.”“Oh….”“We’re on break until next week. Let’s go before the next match starts.”There was a calm determination in Misha’s voice, not a sudden impulse but a planned suggestion, like he had been thinking about this for a long time. Chahyun’s body tensed up in the confusion of having his thoughts overtaken. Seeing that Chahyun wasn’t answering immediately, Misha added slowly.“If you’re okay with it, we can leave as soon as tomorrow.”Suddenly? Now? From you? But instead of asking those questions, a foolish one slipped out of Chahyun’s mouth.“I’m okay with it… but where…?”Did it really matter where they were going? Yet Misha answered Chahyun’s naive question without hesitation.“I’ve already decided where.”“What? Really?”“But… you might get mad.”“Huh?”Misha’s serious face softened with a faint, unusual expression. It was a look Chahyun had seen before. It was similar to how their dog, Hong Sam, looked when it had chewed up Misha’s expensive loafers and was waiting for his owners to come home.Chahyun narrowed his drowsy eyes, trying to focus, and Misha, hesitatingly glancing up at him, quietly whispered.“To my island….”“Your island…?”As the alcohol began to clear from his mind, images of Misha’s various islands flashed through Chahyun’s thoughts. He couldn’t tell which one Misha was referring to or why he seemed so cautious in bringing it up. While Chahyun waited for further explanation, Misha gently brushed his lips against Chahyun’s.“It’s in Sweden….”The haze of alcohol lifted slightly. Chahyun frowned, meeting Misha’s eyes.“No way, did you buy another one?”“Don’t scold me, okay?”“You….”“Promise you won’t scold me.”Misha began planting light kisses all over Chahyun’s face, making it impossible for him to say anything else. The affectionate, playful kisses were different from Chahyun’s earlier rough, alcohol-fueled kiss. In between these soft, bird-like pecks, Misha whispered,“Yuan, do you know about the glowing sea?”“The sea?”“A sea that glows blue even at night.”Chahyun’s red eyes widened at the unexpected comment.“It’s called bioluminescence. It’s a phenomenon where plankton in the ocean glow blue when they’re stimulated. It’s rare, and you have to be lucky to see it… but it’s supposed to be really amazing and beautiful.”“…….”“This weekend, we might be able to see it at our island.”Our island. The phrasing had changed. Chahyun was starting to understand what Misha was getting at. Misha had been hesitant because he wanted to show him something special.“I think you’ll like it, Yuan. It’s a really beautiful place. I’d be so happy if we could share it together….”“Haa….”It was hard not to be charmed, even if it was obvious. Without a word, Chahyun let his body sink back into the seat. Whether it was the alcohol or the sweet kisses, he couldn’t be sure, but at this point, it didn’t matter. He had already softened under Misha’s affection.“…Alright. Take me there.”“That makes me so happy. I’m thrilled.”With a delighted expression, Misha showered Chahyun with kisses—on his forehead, eyelids, nose, cheeks, lips, chin—everywhere. Then, he slowly pulled back and murmured softly,“I can’t wait to see it with you… Yuan.”“Me too.”Overcome with emotion, Chahyun wrapped his arms around Misha’s neck, holding him close. The complicated feelings he’d been grappling with seemed to evaporate, leaving his mind clear. Yes, it’ll work out somehow. Feeling a surge of confidence, Chahyun poured himself into their kiss.