Chapter 79

At three in the afternoon, in a grand café.

"Yoon-hyun, you're here!" Yoon-hyun stood up from his seated position.

"OPPA, did you get here early?" A slightly travel-worn Eun-jung, wearing large sunglasses, walked into the café.

"Just got here, come sit down." Yoon-hyun pulled out a chair for Eun-jung and helped her sit down.

"OPPA, what's with you today?" Eun-jung's expression stiffened, seemingly unaccustomed to Yoon-hyun's actions.

"Nothing, today is actually the first real date for Her Highness and the General. I just want to do well!"

"First date... You're right, it really is!"

"Yes, so let's have a good time today," Yoon-hyun's gaze drifted to the window, "in our own way."

After drinking a cup of coffee and both adjusting their states, they began their grand shopping trip.

Although Yoon-hyun and Eun-jung were not yet major stars in the true sense, their fame was not insignificant. In less than twenty minutes, a large crowd had gathered around them.

This made Yoon-hyun somewhat annoyed.

Let's go back to this morning, when Yoon-hyun arrived at MBC.

"Yoon-hyun xi! Why did you come so early?" PD Cho was surprised to see Yoon-hyun at the station so early.

"Is today the last recording for my show with Eun-jung?" Yoon-hyun asked.

"Um... yes. There are some reasons..." PD Cho hesitated, becoming a bit embarrassed.

"It's fine, I'm not here to blame anyone. Was this last recording suggested by CCM?"

"Not exactly. It's just that our production team, based on the rhythm of the show..."

"It's fine, I said I'm not here to blame anyone. If it wasn't suggested by CCM, then Eun-jung probably doesn't know this is the last recording, right?"

"Eun-jung xi probably doesn't know. Can I ask if someone told you this is the last recording?"

"I guessed." Yoon-hyun said straightforwardly.

PD Cho was speechless.

"It's easy to guess. The last shoot didn't go well, and I could see the production team had some issues. Plus, it seems Eun-jung's company has some new arrangements, so they definitely want the show to end quickly. The shooting schedule is so tight, so I assume they want to wrap it up as soon as possible."

"Yoon-hyun xi... I'm really sorry. I asked you to participate, but it turned out like this..." PD Cho sincerely apologized to Yoon-hyun.

"It's not your fault, PD. I just had bad luck!" Yoon-hyun smiled awkwardly, "I have a favor to ask the production team."

"Oh? What is it?"

"According to the rules, the task card for the last date should be given to us as soon as we meet, right?"

"It should be before we meet. According to the plan, there will be a small interview in a black room. We didn't expect that Yoon-hyun xi, who participated in the music festival yesterday, would get up so early."

"Then I request that the production team give Eun-jung the task card at the end of today's recording, okay?"

"Why?"

"Give her a bit of romance at the end. Otherwise, our marriage would be too tragic."

"...Okay. But you should record this segment in the black room now."

"Alright, I will."

Let's go back to the afternoon in the grand city.

"Sorry, everyone, do you like us?" MC mode activated, Yoon-hyun began to restore order.

"Yes!"

"Yoon-hyun and Eun-jung are the best!"

"Today is actually our first real date, so please give us some space, okay? Thank you!" Yoon-hyun bowed deeply to the crowd.

"OPPA, do we need help from our fans?" A girl's voice came from a distance.

"Today, I want to give Her Highness an unforgettable experience, so please help!" Yoon-hyun was overjoyed to hear from his fans.

"Okay!"

Miraculously, the crowd began to disperse.

"OPPA! You're amazing!" Eun-jung was stunned as the crowd dispersed. "It's like Moses parting the sea."

Yoon-hyun bowed deeply to the figures in the distance, who were clearly helping the production team maintain order, and then said to Eun-jung, "Now, let's continue enjoying our time!"

Thus, on a winter afternoon, two popular stars had a truly meaningful date on the streets of the grand city.

They took photos together, ate stir-fried rice cakes, and sat in a café, lost in thought.

They laughed at a street performer, bickered over whether a hair accessory looked good, were frustrated by the time it took Eun-jung to pick out a piece of clothing, and agonized over what to have for dinner.

Like a real couple, they walked hand in hand, sweetly, down the street.

Finally, as night fell, despite the various snacks they had been eating, their stomachs told them it was time to prepare for dinner.

"What should we have for dinner?" Eun-jung asked, fiddling with the ring Yoon-hyun had given her on her left ring finger. This was actually for Yoon-hyun to see.

But Yoon-hyun didn't seem to notice. He was a bit distracted.

"I know a good place. After dinner, we can go ice skating." Yoon-hyun smiled, "Last time you taught me skiing, this time I'll teach you ice skating!"

"Oh! I know that place!"

"Do you want to go?"

"Sure, sure!" Eun-jung was very enthusiastic.

After driving for over an hour, they finally arrived at the outdoor ice rink on the edge of Namsan.

Dinner was actually quite simple.

"Do you know why I chose this place for dinner?" Yoon-hyun asked casually.

"Because we can see the New Year's fireworks." Eun-jung smiled.

"Let's watch them together on the ice rink!"

"I'm curious, why is there no one else here today?" Eun-jung looked around, puzzled. "This time isn't usually the off-season."

"Today, it will just be the two of us." Yoon-hyun smiled.

"You booked the place?" Eun-jung was surprised; she didn't believe the production team would be so generous.

"Yes, to ensure our first date isn't disturbed." Yoon-hyun smiled warmly.

Suddenly, a romantic atmosphere began to spread between the happy couple.

Even if they ate slowly, it was only around ten o'clock when they finished their last sip of water.

"Let's go ice skating!" Yoon-hyun suggested.

Eun-jung was taken aback and nodded woodenly.

Yoon-hyun thought Eun-jung couldn't skate.

But the truth was...

"General, keep a half-squat position, or I can't pull you!"

...

Yoon-hyun embarrassingly fell three times in a row after getting on the ice...

Then it was Eun-jung, laughing until her stomach hurt, who started teaching Yoon-hyun how to skate.

Time passed much faster on the ice than at the dinner table.

Soon, the staff announced that it was almost midnight.

Then, a task card was handed to the two of them.

"What task? Do we have to kiss during the fireworks?" Yoon-hyun knew what it was but still joked with a smile.

Eun-jung playfully hit Yoon-hyun twice, then took the task card, opened it, and her smile froze.

"What's wrong?" Yoon-hyun asked carefully.

"To: Yoon-hyun and Eun-jung: Your imaginary marriage will officially end at 24:00 on December 31, 2009. Please enjoy your last date to the fullest." Eun-jung read the words in a low voice.

Yoon-hyun fell silent, looking towards the distant Seoul. The bright lights of Gwanghwamun were clearly visible.

"I'm sorry, OPPA." Eun-jung said.

"There's nothing to be sorry for. Let's watch the fireworks, part happily, and when we meet again, we won't be the General and the Princess, just Yoon-hyun and Eun-jung. Isn't that the same?" Yoon-hyun smiled.

Eun-jung nodded and also turned her gaze to the distant Gwanghwamun.

With the first bell toll, 2009 ended, and 2010 officially began. The fireworks started as scheduled.

"Beautiful!" Yoon-hyun said, looking at the fireworks and Eun-jung's smiling face illuminated by them.

He didn't know if he was talking about the fireworks or the person.

After about ten minutes, the fireworks ended.

"Yoon-hyun OPPA, it's time to go home." Eun-jung's expression was unreadable.

"Okay, let's go inside. There's one last gift, from the General to the Princess."

"Oh? Another one?"

"Yes."

"But it's not 24:00 yet..."

"When have the General and the Princess ever followed others' commands?"

Eun-jung laughed, her smile showing genuine happiness.

They returned to the restaurant where they had just had dinner. The table where they had eaten had been replaced by a piano.

"Is this a song you wrote?" Eun-jung understood when she saw the piano.

"Actually, when I received today's notice, I guessed it would be our last date." Yoon-hyun composed himself, "So I wanted to give you a romantic date today, but I didn't do a very good job. I'm sorry." Yoon-hyun bowed and waved to stop Eun-jung, who wanted to say something. This was a long speech he had prepared, and if interrupted, he might not be able to continue.

"The General and the Princess have only known each other for two months. The General had many things he wanted to do with the Princess, wanted to understand her better, and even had a song he had written but never had the chance to sing for her. But time is what it is, and the Princess is leaving. So the General can only give the Princess one last song. Since I only got the news... well, it was actually early this morning, I wrote it in a hurry and didn't have time to prepare a full band or orchestra."

Then Yoon-hyun sat at the piano and opened the sheet music: "Her Highness, do you remember the bet we made during our last trip, about who would find the accommodation first?"

"Of course I remember. Are you using it now?" Eun-jung's expression became more complex.

"Yes, the General's last wish is: after you listen to this song, will you leave, okay?"

"Okay, my General." Eun-jung's eyes were red.

"And no crying." Yoon-hyun took a deep breath and his fingers fell on the keys.

The piano music began.

"Without any preparation

Without any hesitation

You appeared

In my world

Bringing me surprise, unable to control my emotions"

Although the sheet music was open, Yoon-hyun closed his eyes. As he sang, a smile appeared on his face, as if remembering their somewhat absurd first meeting outside the MBC elevator. Eun-jung, seeing Yoon-hyun's expression, knew what he was thinking and smiled faintly. That meeting was indeed quite amusing.

"But you did this

Disappeared quietly without my notice

From my world, no news

Only memories remain"

Yoon-hyun's smile disappeared.

"You exist in my deep mind

In my dreams, in my heart, in my songs"

As the chorus began, Eun-jung's tears suddenly flowed.

"Remember when we

Walked side by side

Through that bustling alley

Even though we were strangers, passersby

We still felt

Each other's gaze, each other's heartbeat

An unexpected joy

Like a dream, destined"

Yoon-hyun's voice slowly resonated, and the room was filled with a faint, nostalgic sadness.

"You exist in my deep mind

In my dreams, in my heart, in my songs"

The chorus rang out again, as if a confession to himself, or a hesitant confirmation.

"Why did we meet in this vast world

Is it fate, is it destiny"

These two lines, whether a complaint or a gratitude, were sung with a shout, with a powerful impact.

"You exist in my deep mind

In my dreams, in my heart, in my songs"

In the piano music and the singing, everything came to an end.

Eun-jung wiped away her tears, smiled, and, as agreed, turned and quietly left.

Yoon-hyun kept his eyes closed.

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