When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

(S02) Chapter 22

Harin stood there for a second, watching him with narrowed eyes, before huffing and hurrying to catch up.

That’s right. Keep being suspicious.

Because she should be.

Because no matter how much she tried to cling onto him—no matter how much she tried to shove their relationship in my face—there was something in Han Wool that wasn’t completely hers.

And I wasn’t going to let her have him.

The store attendant, a well-dressed man in his mid-forties, bowed slightly as we approached. “Welcome,” he said with a warm smile. “Are you looking for something specific today?”

“Yes,” Harin’s mother said excitedly. “We’d like to see wedding bands.”

Han Wool’s mother nodded, clasping her hands together in delight. “Something elegant, of course. But nothing too simple either.”

The attendant smiled knowingly. “Of course. Please, follow me.”

I trailed behind them, keeping a safe distance.

Han Wool walked ahead, his hands in his pockets, his posture relaxed but uninterested. Harin, on the other hand, was practically vibrating with excitement.

“Oh my god,” she whispered as we approached the glass cases, filled with rows upon rows of wedding bands. “Oppa, look at this one.”

Han Wool hummed, glancing at it for barely a second before nodding. “Nice.”

Harin frowned. “Nice? That’s all you have to say?”

He shrugged. “What else am I supposed to say?"

Harin huffed, turning back to the rings. “This one is so elegant, don’t you think?” she gushed, pointing to a platinum band encrusted with small diamonds.

Han Wool glanced at it. “Sure.”

Harin narrowed her eyes. “Oppa, you’re supposed to care about this,” she whined, clutching his arm again. “It’s our wedding band.”

Han Wool sighed, slipping his arm away from her grasp as naturally as possible. He turned his attention to the display, eyes scanning the rows of rings with practiced disinterest. “They all look the same to me,” he muttered.

Harin gasped, smacking his arm lightly. “You cannot say that in a jewelry store! Do you have any idea how expensive these are?”

Han Wool let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. “I know they’re expensive. That’s exactly my point.”

Harin groaned dramatically, turning back to the glass case, determined to pick something herself. Meanwhile, the two mothers were deeply engrossed in a conversation with the attendant about custom designs and engraving options.

And that’s when I noticed it.

Han Wool.

Standing a little too close to me.

I stiffened slightly, my eyes flickering to him.

His hands were still in his pockets, his expression neutral, but there was something about the way he kept glancing at me—like a child sneaking looks at their favorite toy when no one was watching.

I raised an eyebrow at him.

He blinked.

Then, as if realizing I caught him, he gave me an awkward little smile.

I narrowed my eyes.

He shrugged with his shoulders, like a child caught doing something mischievous.

I almost laughed.