When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

(S02) Chapter 43

I fell quiet for a second, watching how the morning sun curved around his lashes, how his smile wasn’t just playful—it was sure.

“Yeah,” I murmured. “We were always orbiting around each other, weren’t we?”

He smiled. “Always.”

I tilted my head, narrowing my eyes playfully. “But let’s not pretend like this was all destiny’s doing. You aimed for me since we were kids.”

He raised a brow, smirking. “I did not.”

“You so did,” I said, laughing.

I said, pointing at him. “So don’t act like we just bumped into each other by accident. You played with destiny. You practically chased it down and made a deal.”

He leaned in, that golden smile stretching wider. “That’s true,” he said, without a hint of shame. “I was ready to kill if someone else took you.”

I blinked, caught off guard. “Wait—what?”

He grinned, completely unbothered. “Not literally. I mean… unless I had to. You’re not exactly replaceable, Ye Na.”

I laughed, shaking my head, cheeks warming. “You’re insane.”

He looped an arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer as we walked. “Maybe. But you’re the only one I’d go insane for.”

I groaned. “Stop saying stuff like that.”

“What? It’s true.”

“You say it so casually, like it’s just... weather talk.”

“Fine,” he said dramatically. “Chance of sunshine, 100% chance I’m in love with you.”

I shoved him gently, trying not to smile too hard. “You’re the worst.”

“And yet,” he said, holding the grocery list up like a scroll, “you still came grocery shopping with me.”

“Because I’m scared you’ll buy nothing but ramen.”

“I only buy the good ramen.”

“Is that your love language?”

“Absolutely,” he said, reaching over to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “That, and making sure you never run out of your favorite tea.”

I softened, watching his face, the lightness in his eyes.

Maybe he didn’t just chase destiny. Maybe he became it. Maybe fate was just another word for Han Wool—showing up, staying close, holding on like it was the easiest thing in the world.

“Let’s get strawberries,” I whispered.

He blinked. “Why strawberries?”

I grinned and took a step backward. “Because,” I said slowly, “they’re red… sweet… slightly dramatic. Like me.”

He narrowed his eyes with a crooked smile. “You’re not dramatic.”

I tilted my head. “Aren’t I?”

Then, without warning, I turned and ran.

“Hey—!” he called, startled, laughing already.

"Look, I'm dramatic"

I darted down the quiet road, the morning sun spilling gold over the pavement, and I didn’t even look back. I knew he’d follow.

And of course, he did.

I heard his footsteps chasing after me, the thud of sneakers, the breathless little curse under his breath, and then—

“Ye Na—!”