Three months had passed since then.
“Thank you so much for traveling all this way.”
Looking every bit the blushing groom, Kim Woohyun, dressed in a sharp tuxedo, was beside himself greeting the guests who had come to celebrate his wedding.
My love, my bride.
He was so busy he couldn’t even steal a glance toward the bridal waiting room where Danbi was.
Truthfully, he hadn’t intended for things to be this grand from the beginning.
Of course, it was a once-in-a-lifetime wedding, and he naturally wanted to show off the most beautiful bride in the world to as many people as possible. But doing so would cost tens of millions of won, so he had originally planned to keep it to a modest scale.
However, with Lee Duseok’s help, he was able to hold his wedding in the banquet hall of the largest hotel in South Korea.
Indeed, the saying that practically every top star held their wedding here was no exaggeration; the interior was jaw-droppingly grand and magnificent.
Not to mention the massive hall capable of accommodating a thousand people.
The chandeliers, encrusted with thousands of individual diamonds that refracted their own brilliant light, made an already special wedding feel even more extraordinary.
It was enough to make anyone dream of getting married here at least once.
It was an utterly dazzling and splendid wedding.
Was that why?
Far more people showed up than Kim Woohyun had ever anticipated. From acquaintances he had known in Korea to the LS Entertainment family, of course.
The place was teeming with people, packed with all sorts of broadcasting personnel he had only ever brushed shoulders with.
“Look at you, strutting around like a top star.”
Just then, Executive Director Park, sharply dressed in a suit, approached and spoke. A teasing edge laced his voice, but it wasn’t hateful in the least.
Because Lee Duseok wasn’t the only one who had helped make this grand wedding possible.
“It’s all thanks to you, Executive Director.”
When Kim Woohyun shot back with a bright, carefree smile, Executive Director Park chuckled self-consciously and patted him on the shoulder.
The touch was warm and comforting.
Beneath that gruff tone, Woohyun knew how deeply the man cared about looking after his own people.
Right.
Lee Duseok had helped book the wedding venue.
And Executive Director Park had covered the rest of the expenses.
Not only that, he had personally made calls to ensure that countless figures from the Korean entertainment industry could attend today.
Of course.
Because of that, the outside of the hotel was currently swarming with entertainment reporters.
“By the way…”
Kim Woohyun glanced around, tilting his head with a puzzled look.
“Where’s Hyunseung?”
Practically everyone who was supposed to come had arrived, and he had exchanged greetings with all of them.
Except for just one person…
Hyunseung was still nowhere to be seen.
“He’ll be here soon. Though I wonder if he got cornered by reporters on his way in. From the looks of it, some of them even sneaked into the parking lot.”
At those words, a vague sense of unease washed over Kim Woohyun.
Honestly, no matter how you looked at it, the reason reporters and crowds had gathered like this was precisely because of Hyunseung.
Since it was Kim Woohyun’s wedding, Min Hyunseung would surely attend.
People must have thought as much and flocked here just to catch a glimpse of his face.
To say nothing of the reporters.
“Haa…”
Executive Director Park smacked Woohyun on the back as he let out a deep sigh, scolding him.
“Why is the groom sighing on his wedding day?”
“I’m just worried about Hyunseung.”
“He’s not a child, what’s there to worry about?”
When you think about it, Kim Woohyun had a habit of borrowing trouble. A reasonable amount of worry could be called prudence, but…
Whenever it involved Hyunseung, ‘reasonable’ went out the window.
Just then, a murmur of voices rippled from one side of the lobby.
“There he comes. Your boy.”
Executive Director Park looked over, smirked, and gestured with his chin.
“Man, talk about a flashy entrance. You’d think they were the stars of the show.”
Woohyun, who had his back turned, quickly spun around to look.
“Looks like he ought to be the one catching the bouquet today.”
Walking in side by side were Hyunseung, impeccably dressed in the suit he had worn to the Grammys, and Sarah Stewart, wearing a subtle navy dress that complemented him perfectly.
They were a truly striking pair.
“I-Isn’t that Sarah Stewart? And next to her is M-Min Hyunseung, right? Are those two really an item?”
Ah, and naturally, they were a pair practically designed to steal the spotlight.
“The internet is going to be plastered with nothing but articles about those two today.”
“Seems likely.”
“Feels like I’m not even the main character at my own wedding.”
“Seems that way too.”
Watching the two of them, Kim Woohyun and Executive Director Park traded remarks.
All the while, a tiny tear threatened to form at the corner of Kim Woohyun’s eye.
Hyunseung took a seat at a round table representing LS Entertainment, joining Director Choi, Team Leader Han, and a few engineers.
At the surrounding tables sat Vincent, Sarah Stewart, Michelle, and Hyunseung’s crew.
“There really are a lot of people.”
Perhaps because the ceremony was about to begin, the massive hall was bustling with a flurry of activity.
“Half these people are probably here just to see you.”
Director Choi remarked casually, watching Hyunseung look around the hall.
“I’m not the one getting married today, so why would they come to see me?”
Hyunseung retorted, his face clearly saying, What kind of nonsense is that?
No answer came immediately. It was because the group was so dumbfounded that words failed them. Director Choi, along with the others seated at the round table, simply stared at Hyunseung.
“Why are you all looking at me like that?”
Hyunseung looked back at their faces one by one and asked.
Judging by his clear, unbothered expression and innocent blinking, he genuinely had no idea. Perhaps it was thanks to that nonchalant nature that Hyunseung could live so comfortably and carefree, entirely on his own terms.
Everyone was thinking the exact same thing.
“If you don’t get it, never mind.”
Just as Director Choi shook his head in defeat.
“Hyunseung-ssi!”
The engineers leaned in eagerly toward Hyunseung, unleashing a barrage of questions.
“We’re going to start working soon, right? It’s been so long, I’m nervous.”
“Can’t you let me in on the project too? They won’t let me join just because I’m the maknae.”
“Could you give us just a tiny hint about what kind of track it is?”
They looked like a nest of baby sparrows, beaks wide open and chirping away for food.
“Today is an important day, so let’s talk about that later.”
Hyunseung cut their questions short in one stroke.
It seemed the ceremony was about to begin any second.
“Ahem, hem!”
Taking the podium as today’s master of ceremonies, Executive Director Park adjusted his tie with a visibly tense expression and spoke into the mic.
“May I have your attention, please. The wedding ceremony of the groom, Kim Woohyun, and the bride, Cho Danbi, will begin shortly. We kindly ask all guests to remain seated until the end of the ceremony.”
Judging by the slight tremor in Executive Director Park’s voice as he read the announcement, he was terribly nervous.
Then again, hosting such a grand wedding wasn’t an everyday occurrence.
No matter how seasoned Executive Director Park was, this was a first for him.
“Pfft!”
Director Choi cleared his throat repeatedly to swallow down his bursting laughter at the sight.
It had to be hilarious, seeing his longtime friend like that for the very first time.
Especially so.
Given that they had met at the company and spent years butting heads and grinding their teeth at each other.
Their bond ran that much deeper for it.
The crowd began to murmur at Executive Director Park’s appearance.
“Hello, everyone.”
However, as soon as Executive Director Park began his opening remarks, the hall fell quiet once again.
“Hello, my name is Park Taemook, Executive Director at VINCIS Label alongside today’s groom, Kim Woohyun, and I will be presiding over today’s ceremony.”
The moment the opening remarks ended, Vincent was the first to clap.
Clap, clap, clap, clap!
Just what did that guy even understand to be clapping like that?
Then again, the two of them had shared meals under the same roof for years now, so they had grown quite fond of each other.
“VINCIS!”
Ah, maybe not.
“VINCIS numba one!”
Maybe he just reacted to the word ‘VINCIS.’
Where on earth did he even pick up that Korean?
“Haa…”
Looking at him, Vincent truly had an extraordinary affection for ‘VINCIS.’
In a way, it was a company he had invested in and helped build, and his name was on the line, so was it only natural?
Regardless, it was a relief that Vincent was the one leading VINCIS.
‘At least it won’t go under.’
Just as Hyunseung was thinking that and turned his gaze back to Executive Director Park.
“Despite your busy schedules, on behalf of both families, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has traveled a long way to attend our Woohyun’s wedding.”
Executive Director Park stepped to the side of the podium and bowed at a ninety-degree angle toward the guests.
A few people gasped in shock at the sight.
To see the formidable Executive Director Park bow so politely.
“O-Our Woohyun?”
Though Director Choi seemed more triggered by the phrase ‘our Woohyun.’
“Oh, please, why is he ‘our Woohyun’? He’s my Woohyun. Don’t you think so, Hyunseung?”
He immediately grabbed Hyunseung, asking in a heated tone.
“Neither of your Woohyuns exists anymore. He is simply someone’s husband and the head of a household now.”
Hyunseung flatly dismissed Director Choi’s question.
Right.
He wasn’t my mom anymore either.
“As today is the day these two unite, it could not be a more precious occasion. We ask our honored guests to shower them with warm applause to celebrate this special day.”
Before long, Executive Director Park seemed to find his footing, his confident voice drawing enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!
With so many people filling the hall, the applause was nearly deafening.
“And now, we will begin the wedding ceremony for the stars of today: the groom, Kim Woohyun, and the bride, Cho Danbi.”
Still, seeing so many people gathered to celebrate Woohyun brought a constant smile to Hyunseung’s face.
“We were going to call our protagonist right away, but first, the beautiful mothers of both families will light the ceremonial candles!”
Above all, one of the middle-aged women walking out was tightly clasping hands.
Yes.
It was Woohyun’s mother.
Seeing his mother walking down the aisle looking so healthy brought an unbidden smile to Hyunseung’s lips.
It was a smile of relief and comfort, putting an end to long-held worries.
She had truly gotten so much healthier.
Soon.
After both mothers finished lighting the candles, the main event finally arrived.
“Please welcome the handsomest groom in the world!”
Having completely settled in, Executive Director Park called for the groom’s entrance with a beaming smile.
—♬♬♬
A very familiar melody began to play.
Step, step.
Matching the rhythm, Kim Woohyun strode boldly through the doors at the back of the hall.
—Coffee starts with a ‘C’.
Through the microphone, he laid his own voice directly over the melody.
—And a latte starts with an ‘L’.
Yes, this song was…
—But why does happiness start with ‘you’?
A song Hyunseung had written, inspired by Kim Woohyun’s unrequited love.
Back then, Kim Woohyun had been the one who had to endure the sheer embarrassment of this song.
“Ah, seriously…”
Now, the one who had to bear the shame was Hyunseung.
—And why does pain start with ‘you’ as well?
Why on earth did he have to deliver the narration with such deadpan sincerity?
As Kim Woohyun’s cringe-inducing narration continued, the original composer, Hyunseung, could only lower his head further and further, until it was practically under the table.
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