After what had happened that day at the department store, that girl with the goddess like beauty kept appearing and appearing just to flirt around like an excessive hormoned crazed chimpanzee wanting to mate.   Maerin learned the woman’s name was Jung Soo Jung, because she had given her number to Tae Min prompting him to call her especially during the night. And like usual, Tae Min did his best to decline in such a gentleman worthy manner. He smiled, displaying his perfect teeth, and rejected whatever she was asking him to do. He wasn’t stern, Maerin knew he couldn’t be, but he was really trying.   “I’m sorry, I really can’t go to the movies with you.” Tae Min gently pulled his hand away from Soo Jung’s grip. “It would make my girlfriend upset.”   Right, the one thing Maerin hated most about this woman other than her attractive visual that made all heads turn whenever she entered, was her stubborn personality. She knew Tae Min had a girlfriend, and still chose to have the shameless audacity to try and approach him.   “Just ditch her. She isn‘t that pretty anyway. You’re better off walking next to me,” Soo Jung spoke.   Hearing those words, Maerin’s heart sank, because it was true. She couldn’t argue with that.   “Hey,” Tae Min called out, and this time, his tone was stern and his smile was no longer displaying the Mr. Nice Guy he was. “What makes a girl beautiful isn’t her outer appearance, but the treasures hidden in her heart. I don’t want all men to look at her, because I should be the only one staring at her beauty. I don’t want a girl who thinks higher of herself compared to others; I need someone who is humble.”   “What?” Soo Jung frowned it made ripples appear between her forehead, but she was still pretty.   “If you thought so highly of yourself and someone came to tell you you’re not all that great, you’d be embarrassed. But if you think humbly of yourself, someone could come to tell you you’re much better than that, then you’d be exalted.”   Maerin widened her eyes, not realizing Tae Min would be this wise when she had given his intelligence a seven out of ten. Wisdom did not come in the form of knowledge itself, but it is possessing a good and sound judgement. For all the things he spoke off made her heart flutter in awestruck wonder.   “So please, have some self worth,” Tae Min told the Soo Jung who almost seemed like she was on the verge of tears. He calmly watched when the girl turned around and ran away on her own, embarrassed by the humiliation.   “Wow, you made a girl cry,” Maerin spoke with surprise, though inwardly, she was giving him a standing ovation.   “I don’t like what she said about you,” Tae Min said, gently intertwining their fingers together.   Maerin giggled. “You went quite overboard with those lies though,” she said.   “Lies? I never lied,” Tae Min remarked, surprised she could even think of that possibility.   “Maerin,” he called, and that was probably the first time he had ever called her by her real name. It sounded like music to her ears. “There is a thin line between being humble and having low self esteem.”   She stayed quiet, watching Tae Min gaze deeply into her eyes in the hope he could change her mindset.   “Having low self esteem is not knowing how special you are. Staying humble is acknowledging you are special, but not boasting in it,” he told her, displaying his usual gentle smile.   Somehow, in that very moment, Maerin realized Tae Min’s existence was more than just a mere virtual boyfriend brought to life. He was so much more than she had ever asked for and was much better than her wildest imaginations, so a part of her started to wonder… If she would ever be good enough for such a perfect being?   “You seem unconvinced,” Tae Min noted, pinching her cheeks to get a reaction other than her solemn face.   “It’s hard to believe, that’s all,” Maerin said, rubbing the side of her cheek that lingered with his touch.   Tae Min smiled, patting the top of her head like she was a small child. “I know something that’s going to make you feel better.”     Tae Min was still holding her hand when he led her through the doors of a building she had never registered in her mind before. Yes it had always been there, but she thought that was all there was to it. Now they were inside, and Tae Min was sneaking in like a thief at night. His hand felt the wall to find the light switch, and finally the darkness was consumed by light.   The brightness revealed the marvelous sight of a spacious dance studio. The floor was laminated with dark wooden pattern. Mirrors extended from one side of the room to the other, wrapping an entire wall with its vastness. The back wall was covered with creamy white wallpaper.   “Wow…” Maerin was too busy being fascinated by the entire room she forgot how to control her derpy expression. Luckily, Tae Min always followed along with it.   “I remember I promised you to be your dance partner,” Tae Min then spoke.   Maerin felt her heart skip a beat at the simple fact that he remembered. He probably remembered every single one of their interactions from the game as well. She wouldn’t be the only one treasuring those moments.   “There is no event though,” she laughed.   “Yes there is,” Tae Min said and extended his hand to her like a fine gentleman asking his lady for the first dance. “The event to cheer you up.”   Maerin was perplexed and soon chuckled along to him. She took his hand and allowed him to guide her to the dance floor. Tae Min seemed like the guy who could do all sorts of contemporary dance moves, the popping and the locking, but no. For now, he chose to hold her close like they were going to do a waltz.   “There is no music,” she then uttered, ruining his attempt at a romantic moment. But when Tae Min grinned in response, she knew she had it wrong.   “Yes, there is.” Tae Min took out his smartphone and deliberately showcased it for her to see. Attached to his phone was a dangling earphone. It was the white earphone that came with every purchase of a new phone. With that teasing smile on his face, he placed one earbud in his own ear. Then he softly tucked her long strand of hair behind her ear, and carefully placed the other piece there.   SHINee - Moon River Waltz   “Is the earphone necessary?” Maerin asked with an embarrassed chuckle and soon heard the music play through it.   “Yes, it’s what keeps you close to me,” Tae Min answered perfectly, draping one arm around her back to cup her shoulder blades, and gliding his hand between her fingers to outstretch both their arms. He slightly pulled her to stand in a straight upright position to give it a more royal feel. It was the basic waltz pose.   With a smile that shone brighter than the moonlit night, Tae Min began to guide her steps around the wooden floor. The two danced gracefully to the rhythm of the music, moving in such synchronized steps as if they had been lifelong partners who practiced the waltz dance every night.   The short seconds elongated to an eternal moment that will infinitely be embedded in both their mind. If only time could stop, if tomorrow never came, then this would be the perfect moment to capture.   “You are perfect the way you are, and if I had a choice, I would choose you over and over again,” Tae Min suddenly confessed.   Maerin widened her eyes, wondering what triggered him to say those words. Was the worry that visible in her eyes when that Soo Jung girl appeared earlier? The thought itself seemed so stupid now after Tae Min’s statement.   “Did you have a choice when you chose to date me?” She suddenly asked a little hesitant. What if his affections were predetermined because she was the one who made him? Would he have truly fallen for her if it weren’t for the game.   “Does it matter?” He whispered, love penetrating through his eyes. “I’m here with you right now, aren’t I?”   Her heart was clamoring loudly against her chest, matching the rhythm of the music. She tucked her lips and her eyes had unconsciously made its way to his lips.   “Forever?” The words escaped , so soft and filled with the desperation only he could answer.   “Forever.” He slowly let go of her long fingers and slid his hand to cup her cheeks. The smile that had become to mean the world to her continued to brighten her day. He leaned closer and began to close the distance between them.   Maerin loved the way he always pecked her forehead, so when his lips captured her own this time, she stood surprised. But feeling the sweetness linger, she soon fluttered her eyes shut and welcomed the kiss, welcomed everything of him. It tasted much sweeter than she had pictured it to be, just like Tae Min. Everytime she thought he was the best, he always surprised her by being better than the best. In the end, she left it at that; Tae Min would always be the only one for her.   No one knew what was going to happen, but if she had a choice, she would savor this moment forever. The time when two hearts connected as one.   “I love you,” he then whispered the magical word, and hearing it made her heart flutter the same way as when he called her by her name.   Was it too soon to proclaim their love to one another? Was this no longer just an infatuation? Was it okay to love someone without knowing what the future held for them?   She no longer cared about those inner thoughts and stared into his eyes, meeting it with her eye smile. What mattered right now was the moment right here they shared together.   “I love you too.”     That night, Maerin could feel her happiness gauged up to its maximum drive. It was as if she had discovered a new profound love towards her boyfriend. Being away from him made her anxious and she wondered whether it was even healthy. She realized she was in that honeymoon phase where being apart for one second made her heart sink. Maybe she was dramatizing it. After all, he was only in the bathroom, showering.   Since she was separated from her best girl friends but had so much to tell them, she decided to turn to their group chat instead.   MissPotato: Today, Tae Min said he loved me Hana.Deul.Set: AAAWWWW! That’s so sweet! Congrats! HeeJin159: Yaaayyy~~~ Hoyas_Princess: You two are so cute~ JangHM: So when will we receive a wedding invitation? MissPotato: HAHAHAHAHHA Don’t I have to wait for the older ones to get married first? JangHM: *looks at Yerin* Bang.Bang.Bang: *looks at Yerin too* Hwang.Yerin: Hi guys! My client is reallyy frustrating todayyy!!!!! JangHM: Aren’t they everyday? Hana.Deul.Set: Aawww cheer up! Hwang.Yerin: Thanks. Anyway, I need to work again. Hwang.Yerin: Congrats Maerin! Hwang.Yerin: Btw Hyunmi, I give u permission to get married first JangHM: Thank you, what an honor.