Blossoms and Butterflies

The next day, Jin and Lily headed to the flower shop where Lily worked. Jin was still buzzing with excitement from the night before. As planned, Lily went to the owner’s cabin to ask about hiring a new helper. Luckily, the owner had already been looking for someone — and just like that, Jin got the job with no trouble at all.

Lily couldn’t help but feel pleased. Having Jin by her side for the entire day filled her with a joy she hadn’t felt in a long time. And though she hadn’t admitted it out loud, she was starting to fall for him. Her heart raced whenever he was near — his voice, his eyes, his smile — everything about him sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

On the other hand, Jin had already lost his heart to her. From the very first moment he saw her, he knew she was special. But neither of them said a word about their feelings, even as they grew harder to hide.

One day, on their day off, Jin was trying his best to convince Lily to go out somewhere.

“Lily… please! Let’s go?” Jin pleaded, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Ah, just give up already!” she groaned, flopping lazily on the couch with zero energy.

“No, I won’t! Okay, at least let’s just go for a walk… Ah! The park! We haven’t been there for ages!” he said, his voice full of enthusiasm.

“It’s only been a day since we last went, Jin,” Lily replied, rolling her eyes.

“I know… but I want to go with you there for a date!” Jin declared.

Lily froze. Her mind went completely blank. “For… what?”

“A date! Let’s go!” he said again, completely unaware of the effect his words were having on her.

“Wait—how do you even know about a ‘date’? Do you… know what it is?” she asked, her heart pounding.

“Of course! Our boss told me. He said I should go on a date with a girl — it’s refreshing!” Jin said proudly.

“He… said that?” Lily asked, trying to suppress a giggle.

“Yup! He also said I should give flowers and buy ice cream!” Jin added, as if that explained everything.

“Jin… did he actually explain what a date is?” Lily asked, barely holding in her laughter.

“Yes! It’s when you go out with a girl. And since you’re a girl, let’s go!” he said, already heading toward the door.

“No excuses! Fifteen minutes — I’m waiting downstairs!”

Before she could say another word, he was gone — leaving Lily standing there, torn between laughter and disbelief.

“He’s too innocent for his own good,” she muttered, shaking her head fondly. But the excitement in her heart was hard to ignore as she hurried to get ready. After all, who could resist going on a ‘date’ with Jin?

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The park was beautiful in the evening. The soft glow of the setting sun painted the sky in shades of purple and gold, and a gentle breeze made the pink blossom petals dance around them. After wandering through the city all day, they finally settled on a bench beneath one of the trees, enjoying their ice creams in comfortable silence.

It felt… perfect.

Jin was the one to finally break the stillness.

“It’s breathtaking, isn’t it?” he said softly.

“What is?” Lily asked, turning toward him.

“The sky… and you,” he answered without hesitation.

Lily’s breath caught in her throat. “Jin… what—”

“I like you,” he said, his voice warm and sure.

For a moment, time seemed to stop. Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure he could hear it, and her cheeks flushed a deep shade of red. She tried to speak, but the words wouldn’t come out.

But finally, she found her courage. “Jin… I… I like you too.”

A gentle smile spread across his face. “I know, princess,” he whispered.

“You… you know?” she asked, wide-eyed.

“That’s why I was so insistent on coming here today,” he said with a playful glint in his eyes. “I wanted to confess.”

“You…!” she started, but the words turned into laughter.

“And by the way,” Jin added, grinning, “I do know what a date is.”

“Jin…” Lily whispered, shaking her head at his teasing.

“Be mine, Lily,” he said, his voice softer now.

“I… would love to,” she replied, her heart soaring.

It was the simplest confession of her life — and yet, the most beautiful. No drama, no pretenses — just honest words and the warmth of someone she had slowly but surely fallen for. And with that, their love story began.