bonus chapter 1

"i just wanna be with you, i just wanna stay with you, i just wanna live and die with you." -ghost girl, txt.

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misun woke to the soft sunlight spilling through the curtains. she blinked a few times, turning her head to see jihoon still asleep beside her. she smiled softly, careful not to wake him, and brushed a strand of hair from his forehead.

"good morning," she whispered.

jihoon stirred, stretching lazily, and opened one eye. "morning, fiancée... you're up early."

"i couldn't sleep," she said, smiling. "today's the day we tell our parents."

he yawned, sitting up and running a hand through his hair. "right... let's do this. we'll go together. i'm nervous. your dad still hates me."

she laughed softly, leaning over to kiss him. "i'm nervous too. but they love me, and they love you. my dad doesn't hate you... it'll be okay."

they got out of bed and showered quickly, the air filled with soft laughter and teasing. jihoon slipped into a crisp white shirt and dark jeans, looking effortlessly handsome. misun wore a light blue dress that flowed softly around her knees, hair curled slightly at the ends, a touch of natural makeup that made her look radiant.

"you look beautiful," jihoon said, teasing. "don't get too many compliments before we even leave the house."

"oh, you love it," she shot back playfully, smiling as she grabbed her bag.

they stepped out into the crisp morning air, holding hands tightly. the drive to her parents' house was quiet at first, both lost in their own thoughts. finally, jihoon broke the silence.

"you ready?" he asked, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.

she nodded, taking a deep breath. "as ready as i'll ever be."

when they arrived, her mom was already in the garden, humming, and her dad was tending to some plants.

"mom! dad!" misun called, excitement and nerves bubbling together.

"misun!" she said, pulling her into a tight hug.

she hugged her mom back, laughing through her nerves. "there's something i need to tell you and dad."

"what is it?" her dad questioned.

"jihoon..." she began softly. "he proposed... last night." she showed them the ring. "we're engaged."

"finally! i've been waiting for this moment for so long!" her mom's eyes filled with tears as she pulled misun and jihoon into a hug.

her dad walked over, wrapping his arms around misun in a quick, strong hug. "congratulations, kiddo," he said, ruffling her hair. then he turned to jihoon, crossing his arms with mock seriousness. "jihoon... i still don't like you," he said.

jihoon grinned sheepishly. "yes, sir... i'll try to earn your full approval."

her mom laughed, shaking her head. "oh, he's already perfect in my eyes. don't be so hard on him!"

misun reached for jihoon's hand again, squeezing it. "see? they love you."

he chuckled, looking at her. "i'll take partial approval for now," he teased.

they all laughed, the tension dissolving. her parents kept asking questions about the proposal, the night, and how he did it. misun answered shyly, occasionally glancing at jihoon, who smiled at her softly every time.

her dad shook his head, still pretending to scold jihoon lightly. "you better take care of her, jihoon. she's precious."

"i promise, i will," jihoon said, sincerity in his voice. "always."

her mom squeezed misun's hand and looked at both of them with a soft smile. "you two... it's about time you found your forever."

misun leaned against jihoon, feeling warm and safe, her parents' happiness surrounding them. it felt like the perfect start to the next chapter of their lives.

soon, they said goodbye to her parents and left the house together.

jihoon started the car, misun's hand in his. the engine hummed softly as they drove.

"ready to call my parents?" he asked, glancing at her.

"i'm ready," she said, squeezing his hand. "just... be gentle with them."

he chuckled softly. "always," he said, lifting his phone. he dialed his parents' number, and after a few rings, his mom picked up.

"hello?" her cheerful face and voice came through.

"mom! dad!" jihoon said, voice bright. "i... i have news."

"what is it, jihoonie?!" his mom asked, excitement bubbling through the line.

he took a deep breath, glancing at misun. she smiled encouragingly. "i proposed to misun," he said.

there was a pause, then his mom squealed. "finally! oh, woozi, i am so happy! she's perfect for you! i've been waiting for this forever! where's she? show me the ring!"

misun blushed, hiding her face in his shoulder, giggling softly. "i'm here!" misun waved shyly at jihoon's mom.

"misun, darling, i've missed you!" jihoon's mom said. "i'm glad you two ended up together. i almost killed jihoonie for what he did."

jihoon groaned. "mom, don't mention it!"

"you almost lost a gem," his mom scolded. "you're lucky she's with you!"

"i am." he grinned, turning to misun and giving her a kiss on the cheek. "where's dad?"

"he's right here!" his mom turned the phone, pointing the camera at his father. "misun, jihoonie! congratulations, you two! i'm so happy for you!"

"thank you!" misun smiled. "i missed you so much, i can't wait for us to meet."

"we'll be coming to visit soon." he smiled at her. "i can't wait to work on this new puzzle with you."

misun laughed. "oh my god, i missed doing that with you! i can't wait!"

"jihoonie, take care of her, or else!" his mom threatened.

"yes, mom," he said, laughing. "i'll take care of her every day of my life."

after saying their goodbyes, misun rested her head on his shoulder, letting out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding. "see? your parents love me," she teased.

they drove the rest of the way holding hands, both hearts light, both knowing this was the beginning of everything they'd been waiting for.