125
That winter was exceptionally cold.
As soon as December arrived, a cold wave advisory was issued for Seoul. During the evening commute, people bundled up in dark, long coats hurried home.
“Oh.”
As I waited at the crosswalk, something soft and cool landed on the tip of my nose. Others around me who felt the same sensation let out exclamations of surprise.
“Sir! Look at this. It just fell on my forehead.”
“Just now?”
“You should watch where you’re going, Chanyeon. You might get hurt that way.”
“Yes, teacher.”
I touched the spot where the cold thing had melted away and murmured.
“…It’s snow.”
It was this year’s first snowfall.
Watching the flakes drift down, I thought of Jin Woohyeon. Though my lover didn’t resemble these small, white, fragile things at all, it was only natural that his face came to mind.
This is how I live now. Whenever I see anything good, pretty, amazing, sparkling, tender, or wonderful in the world, I think of you.
I attach the name of the person I love most to all those separate, twinkling fragments of the world, giving them trivial stories and drawing lines between them like connecting stars.
From yesterday to today, and from today to tomorrow. From the lonely country where you weren’t, to the strange country you guided me to. To this sparkling season where miracles breathe vividly.
The signal changed. I hurried across the road, blending into the crowd. The items filling both my hands made me smile involuntarily.
December 1st. Today was Jin Woohyeon’s birthday.
It was our first celebration together, and we also had recent news to celebrate. I had prepared many things for this special day: a custom-ordered cake, champagne recommended by a colleague, and a carefully chosen gift.
Though I was exhausted from collecting everything, the thought that he might be pleased made me feel like I could do anything.
Was I caught thinking about him? Just then, Jin Woohyeon called. I hurriedly organized my packages and wedged the phone between my cheek and shoulder.
“Hi, Woohyeon. I’m almost there.”
When I told him I just needed to catch the bus and would be there in about 30 minutes, Jin Woohyeon responded with a concerned tone.
“I noticed the roads are quite congested on my way back. Maybe I should have picked you up.”
“It’s fine. I had some places to stop by… Are you home now?”
“Five minutes ago. Is there anything I should prepare before you arrive?”
“Hmm. Could you help set the dinner table?”
Though I felt a bit sorry asking the birthday boy for help, there were less than six hours left in the day. With every minute precious, it seemed better to accept his assistance.
I carefully recalled the details and told him:
“The lamb steak in the refrigerator just needs to be transferred to the pan. The stainless steel container holds orange salad, and the pot contains seaweed soup.”
After some clattering sounds came through the phone, Jin Woohyeon exclaimed:
“When did you make all this, hyung? You’ve been so tired with all the year-end reservations.”
“Being tired is one thing, celebrating your birthday is another.”
I chuckled softly and added:
“I thought you might prefer the one with clams over beef. Am I right?”
“You are.”
Jin Woohyeon joked:
“Ah, it might be a problem if I fall even more in love with you here.”
“Hahaha.”
“Thank you, hyung. I’ll prepare everything well, so come safely.”
“Okay. See you soon.”
Once on the bus, I took in the cityscape flowing past the window. Streets decorated colorfully for the year-end holidays, the gradually darkening sky, children running with bright faces, and affectionate-looking couples…
As I observed the small moments of romance scattered throughout the world, a thought suddenly occurred to me:
‘Jiwon hyung was right.’
Wasn’t happiness said to be like a bluebird? Something that seems so distant and unreachable, yet might actually be very close by.
He was right. My happiness was quite small, which made it shine even brighter, and it was much closer than I had thought.
Closing my eyes, I heard the rumbling noise of the bus. It was the sound of me diligently traveling toward my bluebird, the warmest thing in the world.
* * *
“Why did you buy so much?”
“I went all out for once.”
I smiled proudly and handed him the bouquet.
“Happy birthday, Woohyeon.”
Jin Woohyeon smiled back, holding the round chrysanthemum bouquet.
“Thank you. The flowers are unique. Did you choose them intentionally?”
“Of course.”
I had spent two weeks searching for yellow wormwood chrysanthemums. Fortunately, the result was exactly what I wanted.
“They’re your birth flower. The flower language is ‘peace,’ I heard.”
The peace I gifted him was transferred to a vase that decorated the bedside in our bedroom.
After eating the prepared meal and sharing slices of cake, we watched a drama in the living room. It happened to be the day a new episode of “Revenge Meal,” in which he appeared, was released.
I was completely absorbed in seeing Jin Woohyeon’s new character on screen and following the plot, while he held me in his arms, grinning and observing my reactions.
Whenever our eyes met, he would plant little kisses all over my forehead and cheeks, and each time, the blended perfume I had given him as a birthday gift mixed with his pheromones and settled gently over me.
“I bet you’ve gained a lot of fans thanks to this drama.”
“I can’t deny that.”
Jin Woohyeon answered, resting his chin on my shoulder.
“I was lucky. Thanks to it, I’ve been getting offers for commercials and variety shows. DBS variety keeps asking if you’d appear with me. Still not interested in broadcasting activities?”
“It’s not that I dislike it…”
I was mostly worried whether I could do well. I was also concerned about the restaurant, which was so busy that every staff member was invaluable.
“It’s difficult this year.”
“Won’t next year be difficult too?”
He waved his phone meaningfully with a smile. I laughed softly.
“That’s true… but I might find time once before spring?”
When I suggested that once would be fine, Jin Woohyeon nodded.
“I’ll pick the most interesting one. The pay is good, and it won’t disrupt your schedule.”
“By the way,” I said, nodding slightly toward his phone.
“Did you post it?”
“I scheduled it. Set to go up exactly at the hour, so ten minutes left.”
It was perfect timing as the drama was about to end. As the TV screen switched to commercials, he flashed a mischievous boyish smile.
“Want to make a bet, Sanho hyung?”
“A bet?”
“About who will call you first after this post goes up.”
“Does texting count too?”
“No. Calls only.”
“Alright.”
Still in his embrace, I reached out my arm to feel around the table.
“A bet needs a prize.”
“The winner gets to kiss the loser.”
“Fine. Who do you pick?”
“I choose Taeseong hyung.”
Jin Woohyeon said without hesitation.
“He’s really interested in you. Even though I know it’s not that kind of feeling, I still get jealous sometimes.”
“I don’t think it’ll be him. He’s completely focused on training these days.”
“Then who do you think it will be, if not Taeseong hyung?”
“Hmm… Yeonwoo? No, Sehyeong?”
When told to pick just one, I changed my mind with a giggle.
“Yudam. I think Yudam will contact me first.”
Just as I finished speaking, my phone vibrated. The name that appeared on the illuminated screen was the very one I had just mentioned.
“Wow, really. Look at the timing.”
“He’s got no manners either.”
In the end, I had a brief conversation with Jeon Yudam and received a kiss as my prize. Despite losing the bet, Jin Woohyeon looked completely happy.
“How’s your schedule tomorrow?”
Jin Woohyeon answered as he picked me up and headed to the bedroom.
“I’ll be extremely busy. I have a very, very important schedule.”
“Didn’t you say you don’t have filming or meetings tomorrow?”
I had even arranged my day off to match his, thinking we’d spend the whole day together…
“I need to be with you from morning till evening. Isn’t that important?”
“…You!”
Instead of answering, I pinched and stretched his cheek. Despite knowing his personality better than anyone, I kept falling for his pranks.
“I almost got disappointed. I thought you’d scheduled something else after saying we’d be together.”
“Come on. How could I?”
After placing me on the bed, he whispered in an affectionate tone.
“I need to properly play the role of groom-to-be until next spring. Don’t you think?”
“If you could just stop talking…”
I ended up laughing heartily at the ticklish sensation his words brought, the shower of kisses, and the happiness that welled up inside me.
“Woohyeon. Give me that.”
“That?”
“The original of the photo you posted today. I want the one you wrote yourself. Is that okay?”
“There’s not much to it… but sure, why not.”
He said, holding me close. His voice, the affection contained between each word, seeped into my body as a gentle tremor.
“I figured you’d ask, so I left it on the nightstand. Take it later.”
“Oh, it’s really there.”
Glancing at the nightstand, I saw what he mentioned. Next to the vase with wormwood chrysanthemums, on top of his next script, lay a letter. His feelings, written neatly and sincerely, were folded tidily.
“Actually, I wrote something separate for you.”
“Really?”
“I’ll give it to you tomorrow. Let’s get some sleep first.”
Hugging his waist tightly, I playfully asked:
“Planning to just hold hands while sleeping tonight?”
“Hmm… I’m considering it.”
He laughed softly and embraced me back.
“But I like being like this too, so I might be satisfied with just this today.”
“I guess so.”
Feeling the heartbeat transmitted from Jin Woohyeon’s chest, I answered quietly:
“It’s not like today is the only day.”
“We have many days ahead, right?”
“Yes.”
I gently repeated his words.
“Because we have many days ahead.”
It was an exceptionally cold day. A day when many people filled the streets and restaurants. A day when a cool, clear wind blew, and toward sunset, small snowflakes drifted down.
The day when the person I love most was born.
And also the day when we announced to the world that we had promised each other many more days together.
Hello, this is actor Jin Woohyeon.
I’m writing this letter because I have news I want to share directly with those who support me.
Simply put, next spring, Yoo Sanho and I have decided to get married.
The connection with Yoo Sanho that began through “Can Love Be Transferred Too?” has come to fruition thanks to your warm encouragement and support.
I will live happily with a grateful heart.
I’ll see you again with a better version of myself and with more good news.
Sincerely, Jin Woohyeon.
<Can Love Be Transferred Too?> The End.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
