6.2

Seonho was carefully examining a limited-edition action figure. Seokhyun’s office was so filled with toys it could have been mistaken for a toy store.

“I still want this every time I see it. Sell it to me.”

Seonho pointed to a figurine.

“It’s a collector’s item. I waited for years and went to the U.S. to get it myself.”

Seokhyun declined in a gentle tone.

“It’s good to have your own business, you can decorate your office however you want. Our company is still stiff, so we can’t do this. Do you think I could do this if I became a director?”

Seonho looked somewhat wistful.

“Just decorate one of your apartments like this. You have several, after all.”

Seokhyun offered Seonho a cup of freshly brewed coffee from beans he had personally selected.

“Got any spare rooms here? Give me one. I’ll turn it into my office.”

Seonho’s tone was light, but Seokhyun’s eyes held a deep look as he gazed back at him.

“…….”

“What, you don’t have a room?”

Seonho asked again.

“Just by signing as a witness, you’ve already done more than enough for us. I’m truly grateful for that.” 

Seokhyun spoke, eyes downcast, his voice tinged with regret.

Others might say that a witness signature is no big deal. What matters is who did it.

Seonho was pushed for an arranged marriage with Joo-eun, and she broke it. Even if it was verbal, it was a clear breach of contract, and Seonho’s family could claim compensation.

However, Seonho signing as a witness meant he was informed and consented, leaving his family no grounds to object. From a business perspective, this was no small favor. The potential backlash from his family elders would also be significant.

That’s why Seokhyun’s guilt outweighed his gratitude.

“A drop overflowing or a cup overflowing, it’s the same thing, unless you never spilled it in the first place.”

Seonho lifted his cup, savoring the aroma of the coffee before taking a sip.

“And about the stocks I was planning to pull out, I’ll leave them as they are for now. As long as I remain a major shareholder, it won’t be easy for Joo-eun’s family to make a move.”

“Thank you so, so much.”

Seokhyun’s face lit up with evident relief. Seonho was such a formidable barrier.

“Don’t trust me too much. If I wanted, I could swallow up your company just like that.”

“It doesn’t matter. If it means Joo-eun and I can live without trouble, what does it matter? Business can always be rebuilt. If you want, you can have this place.”

“Of course, it can be rebuilt, but that’s a long way round. Hyung, really! To make such foolish choices over an unborn baby.”

“The baby is just an excuse. An excuse to keep Joo-eun.”

“An excuse.”

“I can wait until I can get over it, but not Joo-eun. How can I let her stay when I know she’ll be unhappy if she marries another man?”

“Are you trying to tell me that’s love?”

“It might seem foolish to you.”

“Honestly, it’s a type of love I’ve never seen before. That’s why it’s fascinating, and why I’m investing in it. I’ll watch to see how my investment turns out. I hope it doesn’t disappoint me.”

Seonho smiled faintly.

“Of course.”

Seokhyun also cast off the shadows on his face and smiled.

***

December, New York.

[Congratulations! You passed the certification exam on your first try. I have to retake it.]

Jessie admired Chaeyoon for her accomplishment.

[I was just lucky. Thankfully, the exam featured colored stones that I was familiar with.]

[Lucky? You’ve consistently topped the written exams. But aren’t you saying you won’t continue the other courses at GIA?]

[Yeah, I’m heading to London. I’ve always been interested in antique jewelry. I plan to complete courses in jewelry art, design, and craftsmanship there.]

[So you’ll be leaving soon?]

[I’ll go to Korea first. A friend’s wedding is coming up, and I also want to spend the rest of December with my family. What about you?]

[I have to go back to my hometown, Milan, after I get my license. My parents are urging me to come back soon, so I’m actually a bit torn. Part of me thinks maybe failing this exam wasn’t so bad.]

Jessie, who had chosen to come to New York despite there being a GIA in Italy because she wanted to enjoy the city, understandably felt some regret.

[You could always go back home and take it in Italy.]

[Oh, why didn’t I think of that?]

[Still, I envy you for having a family business to inherit.]

Their conversation captured the universal theme of young adults navigating their futures: balancing personal aspirations with familial expectations, making choices about their education, and dealing with the pressures of adult responsibilities. This mix of pride, support, envy, and worry paints a vivid picture of friendship and personal development amidst life’s crossroads.

As a late-blooming international student who ended up studying a non-major field, Chaeyoon dashed forward with the stubborn tenacity typical of Koreans. For Chaeyoon, who had to build everything from scratch by hand, this certification was an essential starting point.

However, for classmates like Jessie, who had family businesses, it was more of an option than a necessity—how could their sense of leisure and stability compare?

[It’s a shame to part like this. Who will I talk to about idols now?]

Jessie looked genuinely disappointed.

[You know more about idols than I do, anyway. Go and become a missionary spreading the word about Korean idols to many in Italy.]

[If you’re ever in Milan, stop by.]

[Of course.]

After hugging Jessie and saying goodbye, Chaeyoon walked slowly through the streets of Manhattan, looking around at the places she had been for the past six months.

With Christmas around the corner, December in New York buzzed with a festive atmosphere and overflowed with tourists. The shop windows were competitively decorated, looking magnificent and dazzling.

This glamor covered the cold grimness brought on by the gray high-rise buildings and the low-hanging gray clouds.

“I thought I’d be spending Christmas in New York with Joo-eun, but here I am.”

Despite feeling that cosmopolitan New York wasn’t quite for her, Chaeyoon felt a pang of regret at the thought of when she might visit New York again.

“Right, I need to buy a gift.”

Chaeyoon said as she looked at the glamorous department store windows.

She took out her phone from her pocket and checked the wedding invitation she received via a message again. Just then, a text from Joo-eun came through.

[You got the invitation, right? You have to come. I don’t want to do the wedding without you].

“So, the wedding is really happening.”

Chaeyoon muttered to herself as she stared at the invitation in disbelief, the last image of Joo-eun in New York flickering before her eyes, making her heart ache.

“She must have gained some weight, right?”