Kai's heavy question hangs in the air. Knelt down on one knee in front of his office door, and office workers all around him, snapping photos and squealing.
Ren feels his heart pound in his weak chest as he stands there, staring at the beautiful ruby ring that Kai had prepared. It looks like pure silver and crystals, but It didn't matter to him at that moment. Money, or diamonds was the last thing on his head right now.
He was only thinking of what to say. Months ago he was just Kai's secretary. The one that he was oddly suspicious of, and now? That very person was knelt before him, looking at him with galaxies in his eyes.
"Ren...will you marry me?"
The question hangs heavily in the air. It's tense, but not for much longer.
Ren feels his eyes clog up with heavy tears. He nods, his hopeful, but shaky.
"Of course I will.."
Ren says, leaping into Kai's arms happily. He can barely stop sobbing. The two share a special embrace. No words, no tension. Just them, and the warmth that comes with the new story that they can imagine.
Days later, the world still feels unreal to Ren.
Every morning since that moment in the office, he wakes up with the same disbelieving flutter in his chest—like he's afraid the proposal had only been some wild dream he made up in exhaustion. But every time he turns his head and sees Kai lying beside him, hair messy, face soft, one arm naturally draped over Ren's waist as if drawn there even in sleep, the truth settles into him all over again.
They're engaged.
Kai asked him to marry him.
And he said yes.
The ring glows faintly in the early sunlight. Kai insisted on placing it on Ren's finger again the moment they got home, whispering something about wanting a perfect moment away from cameras and cheering employees. They sat on the couch, Kai holding Ren's trembling hands, sliding the band on gently, as if afraid to hurt him. Ren had cried then too.
But what surprised him was that Kai cried first.
Now, days later, Ren is sitting in their shared kitchen, hands wrapped around a warm mug of chamomile tea. He brought the tea leaves from his hometown years ago, never thinking he'd use them often—he'd planned on saving them for some special occasion. But now he almost drinks them daily, because everything feels like a special occasion.
Kai walks into the kitchen in loose black pajamas, rubbing his eyes. His hair sticks up everywhere, refusing to obey gravity. Ren bites the inside of his cheek to hide a smile.
"You're awake early," Kai says, voice scratchy and low. He leans on the counter, blinking a few times. "Again."
Ren shrugs gently. "Just thinking."
Kai hums and pads over toward him. Without hesitation, he places both hands on Ren's shoulders, then dips down to press a kiss to the top of his head. Ren feels the warmth travel from his scalp straight into his chest.
"What are you thinking about?" Kai asks.
"The same thing as yesterday. And the day before." Ren lifts his left hand slightly, letting the ring catch the sun. "It doesn't feel real yet."
Kai's lips curve. "It's real. You said yes."
"I did," Ren whispers back, unable to stop smiling. "I really did."
Kai pulls out the chair beside him and sits down, touching their knees together under the table. It's a small thing, but Ren feels electricity crawl up his spine anyway.
"Are you nervous about people knowing?" Kai asks softly. His tone is careful, not wanting to push.
Ren nods once. "A little. I mean… we work together. Or, I used to work for you. The employees are talking about us nonstop, aren't they?"
"It's the company's new favorite topic," Kai admits. "But they're happy. No one is saying anything bad. Most of them just think it's cute."
Ren covers his face with both hands. "Cute? Oh my god…"
"You shouldn't be embarrassed." Kai laughs quietly. "You really leaped into my arms that fast, you know."
Ren groans. "Please don't remind me. I blacked out from emotions."
"You cried into my shoulder for like five minutes."
"I SAID don't remind me!"
Kai is laughing so hard he has to hold the table.
But then, just as quickly, he softens. His hand reaches out, finding Ren's and intertwining their fingers. His thumb runs slow circles against the back of Ren's hand, grounding him.
"You were perfect," Kai murmurs. "It was perfect."
Ren's throat tightens.
He knows Kai is telling the truth—Kai doesn't say things he doesn't mean. And Ren believes him, even if it makes heat rise behind his eyes all over again.
"Thank you," Ren whispers.
Kai squeezes gently. "You never have to thank me for loving you."
Ren's heart squeezes right back.
Later that afternoon, Kai drags Ren to a boutique that looks too expensive to even breathe inside. Ren balks immediately.
"Why are we here?" he demands, eyes wide. "This place is for—like—famous people. CEOs. Royals. Not… me."
Kai raises an eyebrow. "You're marrying a CEO."
"That doesn't mean you have to dress me like a shiny luxury penguin," Ren hisses in panic.
Kai just laughs and places a hand on the small of Ren's back, ushering him inside. The boutique workers practically rush toward them, recognizing Kai at once. Their eyes light up when they realize who he's holding hands with.
One of the stylists, a tall woman with silver hair, clasps her hands dramatically. "Congratulations on the engagement! We've been expecting you two!"
Ren almost chokes. "E-expecting??"
Kai coughs lightly. "I may have made an appointment."
"You made an appointment?" Ren whispers.
"Of course," Kai says, as if it's obvious. "You're my fiancé. We need outfits for the engagement dinner."
Ren's heart stops.
"D-dinner? With who?"
"Just close family and the board members."
Ren feels like fainting. Kai notices immediately and cups his cheeks.
"Hey. Breathe."
Ren inhales sharply.
"It's scary," Kai acknowledges, brushing his thumbs along Ren's cheekbones. "But I'll be with you the whole time. You don't have to impress anyone. You just have to be yourself."
"But what if they don't like me?"
Kai leans closer and kisses his forehead.
"They will."
"How can you be sure?"
"Because they like me," Kai says simply, "and I love you."
Ren feels his lungs loosen.
Kai pulls him gently to the side of the boutique. "Now, I want you to try on whatever makes you feel confident. No pressure. No rules. Just pick what feels like 'you.'"
Ren takes a deep breath, nodding slowly.
For the first time in days, he realizes that he can actually picture it—the dinner, the future, the life they're building brick by brick. It's terrifying, but it's also warm. Soft. Real.
He lets the stylist guide him through racks of suits, fabrics brushing against his fingertips. For years he dressed in plain office clothes because Kai preferred minimalism in his employees. Now, Kai wants him to choose freely. Ren picks out a few things hesitantly, then tries them on one by one.
Every time he steps out of the fitting room, Kai looks at him like he's the only source of light in the entire universe.
At one point, Ren puts on a white suit with gold trim. It fits him perfectly, hugging him in ways that feel elegant instead of suffocating. When he steps out, Kai goes quiet.
Not the usual quiet—this one is intense, overwhelming.
"Kai…?" Ren says nervously.
Kai stands up slowly, walks toward him, and stops just inches away. His fingers brush Ren's jaw gently.
"You look…" Kai's voice trails off. "Ren, you look breathtaking."
Ren's ears burn. "You're exaggerating—"
"I'm not." Kai tilts his chin up lightly. "This one. We're getting this one."
Ren stares at him, speechless.
Kai presses a kiss to Ren's knuckles. "You look like someone I'd propose to."
"You already did," Ren whispers, flustered.
"I know." Kai smiles. "But if I saw you for the first time like this… I'd propose again."
Ren can't even argue—he's too busy trying to stop his knees from giving out.
That night, back home, Ren stands in the living room staring at the engagement dinner invitation Kai's assistant printed. He reads the gold lettering over and over.
Kai Nakamura & Ren Sato invite you to their engagement celebration.
It feels unreal all over again.
Kai walks out of the kitchen holding two bowls of ramen. He places one in front of Ren, then sits across from him.
"You're quiet," Kai observes.
Ren pokes his ramen. "Just thinking."
"Again," Kai teases.
Ren looks up. "Are you sure you want… all of this? With me?"
Kai doesn't even hesitate. "Absolutely."
"But I'm not—" Ren swallows. "I'm not strong. I get sick easily. I cry at everything. I'm not good with fancy events. I don't know how to be someone important."
Kai sets his chopsticks down and leans forward.
"You don't have to be strong for me. You don't have to be perfect. You don't have to be anything except Ren." Kai's voice is gentle but firm. "I fell in love with you as you are. I don't want a different version."
Ren's eyes sting instantly.
Kai stands up and walks around the table, pulling Ren into a warm embrace. Ren melts into him without thinking.
"You're enough," Kai whispers into his hair. "You've always been enough."
Ren grips his shirt tightly. "I'm scared."
Kai nods. "I know. I'm scared too."
Ren pulls back a little, surprised. "You? Why?"
Kai gives a small laugh. "Because I love you more than I've ever loved anyone. And I don't want to mess this up."
Ren's heart squeezes painfully.
"You won't," he says quietly. "You won't mess up. You're perfect."
Kai cups his cheeks. "I'm not perfect. But I'll try for you."
Ren feels tears spill down again.
Kai wipes each one delicately with his thumbs. "See? Crying again."
"Shut up," Ren mutters, but he's smiling.
Kai kisses him—slowly, softly, as if sealing a promise neither of them knows how to put into words yet.
That weekend, they visit Kai's family. Ren almost vibrates from nerves as they walk up the long driveway to the elegant house. Kai holds his hand the entire way.
Inside, Kai's younger sister practically tackles Ren with excitement.
"You're so cute!" she squeals, hugging him tightly. "I'm so happy he finally proposed!"
Ren blushes crimson. Kai's sister beams at him the entire time, asking questions about the proposal, about their relationship, about what kind of wedding Ren dreams about.
Ren doesn't know how to answer half of them. Kai does, though—whenever Ren falters, Kai gently explains, always with a confident smile. And each time, Kai's sister gushes even louder.
On the other hand, Kai's father is intimidating. He sits in a leather armchair, watching them with unreadable eyes. Ren tenses immediately.
Kai squeezes his hand, whispering, "It's okay."
Ren nods but doesn't relax.
When they sit down, Kai's father clears his throat. "Ren."
"Yes, sir?" Ren squeaks.
Kai's father studies him for what feels like a full minute.
Then he says, "Thank you."
Ren blinks. "Huh?"
Kai nearly chokes. "Dad—?"
His father continues, "My son was lonely for a long time. Too focused on work. You make him happy."
Ren feels something warm bloom slowly in his chest.
Kai stares at his father as if he's never seen him before.
His father nods once, decisive. "You both have my blessing."
Ren's eyes widen. Kai's hand trembles slightly as he tightens his grip on Ren's.
"Thank you," Kai says quietly.
Ren bows deeply. "Thank you so much."
Kai's father smiles faintly. "Welcome to the family."
Ren has to excuse himself to the bathroom so he can cry privately. Kai follows him, pulling him into another hug the moment they're alone.
"You're doing amazing," Kai murmurs, rubbing circles on Ren's back. "Everything's perfect."
"Your dad likes me," Ren sniffs.
"He does." Kai kisses his temple. "Because you're easy to love."
Ren hides his face in Kai's chest.
That night, when they get home, Ren collapses onto the couch, exhausted. Kai sits beside him, brushing his hair away from his face.
"You survived," Kai says proudly.
"Barely," Ren mumbles.
Kai laughs softly. "You did better than you think."
Ren turns his head to look at him. "Kai?"
"Hm?"
Ren swallows, nervous. "About the wedding… do you have a dream idea? Something you wanted since you were young?"
Kai thinks for a moment. "Honestly? No. I never imagined myself getting married."
"Really?"
Kai nods. "I never thought I'd find someone I wanted to spend my entire life with."
Ren's eyes soften.
"But," Kai continues, "now I can't picture my life without you."
Ren's breath catches.
Kai touches his cheek gently. "We can plan it together. You tell me what you want. Whatever it is, we'll make it happen."
Ren nods shyly. "Then… I want something small. Intimate. No reporters. Just people who care."
Kai smiles warmly. "Then that's what we'll do."
Ren wraps his arms around Kai's neck and buries his face there.
"I love you," Ren whispers.
Kai holds him tight. "I love you too. More than anything."
Ren closes his eyes, melting into the warmth of Kai's embrace. He never imagined he'd end up here—engaged, loved, supported, with someone who sees him clearly and still chooses him every single time.
And for the first time since the proposal, Ren feels it not just in his head, but deep in his bones:
He's ready.
Ready for their future.Ready for whatever comes next.Ready to build a life together—with Kai by his side every step of the way.