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  and we met once upon a fairytale..

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⋆ ۫ ໒ 𝓪 𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓶𝓮𝓻𝓻𝔂 𝓹𝓲𝓷𝓴 𝓬𝓱𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓶𝓪𝓼 ׁ 𐑥 ָ֢
ᰋ. ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ 𝒹𝑒𝒸𝑒𝓂𝒷𝑒𝓇 ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ : ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ₂₀₂₄ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ᰍ

The apartment smelled of cinnamon and ginger, the air warm with the aroma of freshly baked cookies cooling on the counter. Nami had outdone herself this year, turning the space into a festive wonderland. Pink garlands looped along the walls, twinkling fairy lights framed every corner, and the tree—a mix of her and Zola's styles—stood proudly near the window, topped with a glittering pastel star.

It was perfect, but this Christmas was more than just about the decorations. For the first time since moving to Korea, her parents were visiting from Hokkaido to celebrate the holiday with her. And to make things more nerve-wracking, she was introducing them to Yejun later that evening.

Nami adjusted the ribbon on a wrapped gift, her heart racing as she glanced at the clock. Her parents were due any minute, and though she wasn't exactly worried, there was a nervous energy buzzing inside her. When the doorbell rang, she jumped slightly before rushing to the door. Swinging it open, she was immediately enveloped in her mother's warm embrace.

"Nami!" her mother exclaimed, her voice bright and full of affection. She pulled back to study her daughter's face, cupping her cheeks. "You've gotten thinner. Are you eating properly?"

"Mom, I'm fine," Nami replied with a laugh, stepping aside to let them in. "Merry Christmas!"

Her father stepped in after, carrying a neatly wrapped box that Nami recognized as her favorite chocolates from Hokkaido. "Merry Christmas, kiddo," he said, grinning as he set the box on the counter. "Your mom's been worrying about you the whole trip. I told her you're an adult now, but you know how she is."

Her mother shot him a look but softened almost immediately. "Of course, I worry. It's a mother's job." She glanced around the apartment, her expression softening even more. "Nami, this is beautiful. You really put your heart into this place, didn't you?" Nami's cheeks flushed with pride. "I wanted it to feel special for you both. It's been so long since we've had Christmas together."

Her father nodded appreciatively, walking over to the tree. "This is impressive. Did you do all this yourself?" Nami laughed. "Mostly, but my roommate Zola helped with some of the decorating before she left for America. The pink is all me, though."

Her mother chuckled, running her fingers along one of the pink garlands. "Of course it is. You've loved pink since you were little. Remember the time you tried to convince us to paint the kitchen pink?" Nami groaned, hiding her face in her hands. "Mom, don't bring that up!"

Her father laughed, the sound warm and hearty. "It took us months to scrub all the pink stickers you put on the cabinets."

"I was six!" Nami protested, though she couldn't help but laugh along with them. The next few hours were spent sharing stories, the apartment alive with warmth and laughter. Over lunch, Nami served a mix of dishes—Japanese favorites like miso soup and tamagoyaki alongside Korean dishes like bulgogi and japchae. Her father, ever the foodie, was quick to compliment her cooking.

"This japchae is amazing," he said, holding up his chopsticks to emphasize his point. "You've really picked up Korean cooking, haven't you?" Her mother nodded in agreement, taking a sip of the miso soup. "I'm impressed. It's not easy to balance so many flavors, but you've done it beautifully."

Nami beamed, the praise filling her with pride. "I've been practicing a lot. I wanted to make sure you both felt at home, even though we're not in Hokkaido." Her father smiled, reaching over to squeeze her hand. "You've done more than that, Nami. This feels like home."

After lunch, they moved to the living room, where her parents admired the decorations more closely. Her mother picked up a delicate ornament, her brow furrowing slightly. "This one looks handmade. Did you make this?" Nami nodded, sitting cross-legged on the floor beside the tree. "Zola and I made a bunch of them last year. She's way better at crafts than I am, but I think they turned out okay."

Her mother turned the ornament over in her hands, a smile tugging at her lips. "It's lovely. It reminds me of the ones we used to make when you were little. Do you remember?"

"Of course," Nami said, her voice soft. "You'd lay out all the supplies on the dining table, and we'd spend hours making a mess." Her father chuckled, settling into the couch. "A mess is putting it lightly. Glitter everywhere for months."

"Glitter makes everything better," Nami replied with a grin, earning a laugh from both of her parents. As the afternoon went on, the conversation shifted to Nami's life in Korea. Her mother asked about her classes and songwriting, while her father wanted to know more about the city and her favorite spots. They shared their own updates from home, filling her in on neighbors, family friends, and their new favorite shows.

Her mother's gaze softened as she listened to Nami talk about her routines. "You've grown so much," she said quietly, almost to herself. "It's strange, isn't it? Seeing your child build a life so far away." Nami reached over to squeeze her hand. "You and Dad gave me the courage to do this. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you."

Her father cleared his throat, his voice a little gruff. "Well, we're proud of you, kiddo. Even if we miss you like crazy." The doorbell rang, cutting through the warm moment. Nami's heart jumped, and she glanced at the clock. It was time.

Her parents exchanged a knowing look before her mother smiled. "That must be him." Nami nodded, her palms suddenly clammy. She stood up and smoothed her dress, taking a deep breath before heading to the door.

When she opened it, Yejun stood there, holding a bouquet of winter flowers and looking a little nervous but still as charming as ever. "Hi," he said, his voice warm and steady.

"Hi," Nami said, her cheeks flushing. She stepped aside to let him in, her smile nervous but warm as she gestured to her parents. "I'm so glad you're here. This is my mom and dad."

Nami opened the door, her heart fluttering as she greeted Yejun with a bright smile. "Hey," she said, stepping aside to let him in. "Come on in. My parents are already here."

Yejun nodded, a soft smile tugging at his lips as he stepped over the threshold. The moment he entered, he was greeted by the cozy warmth of the apartment, with the sweet scent of cinnamon and ginger filling the air. His eyes immediately caught the festive decorations—pastel garlands, twinkling lights, and the colorful tree near the window.

Nami motioned toward the living room, where her parents were seated, the Christmas meal just beginning to settle on the table. "Mom, Dad, this is Yejun," she said, her voice tinged with nervous excitement. "Yejun, these are my parents—Hinami and Himeya."

Her father, Hinami, who had been sitting with his arms crossed and a calm expression, stood up first. His eyes, dark and watchful, sized Yejun up for a moment before he gave him a firm handshake. "It's good to meet you," he said, his tone polite but steady. "I've heard a lot about you."

Himeya, Nami's mother, was already standing and approaching with an open smile, her energy warmer and more inviting. "It's so nice to meet you, Yejun," she said, pulling him into a brief but genuine handshake. "Nami's told us so much about you. It's great to finally put a face to the name."

Yejun, now standing between Nami and her parents, gave a respectful nod, his hands clasped in front of him. "It's an honor to meet you both," he said with a slight bow, his voice calm but friendly. "I've heard wonderful things about you."

Hinami gave a nod and gestured for Yejun to sit. "Please, make yourself comfortable," he said. "We've just finished dinner. I hope you're hungry."

Yejun smiled as he took a seat, his nerves slowly dissipating. "Thank you, I'm very hungry," he said, looking toward the food. "It smells amazing."

Himeya, always eager to make guests feel at home, beamed. "It's all Nami's doing," she said. "She loves to cook."  Yejun sat beside Nami, the conversation drifted toward the early days of their relationship. Her parents, eager to learn more about him, asked the obvious question: "How did you two meet?"

Nami hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of the story. It was one of those encounters that seemed innocent at first but had a bit more complexity behind it, and she wasn't sure how much her parents needed to know.

Yejun smiled, sensing her hesitation but deciding to play along. "We actually met a while back," he began, his tone casual but with a hint of humor. "It was a bit of a... misunderstanding, actually."

Nami chuckled nervously, relieved that he was taking the lead. "Yeah," she added, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "I was a bit... frustrated, and I wasn't exactly on my best behavior when we first met."

Hinami raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you mean?"

"Well," Yejun said, his smile never fading, "it was during an interview I had at the company. Nami was actually there for an audition, and she was having a tough time with the whole situation. She didn't know who I was, and—"

Nami quickly cut him off with a slight blush on her cheeks. "I may or may not have bumped into him while rushing out. I was... a little upset, and I kind of... snapped at him. I didn't realize who he was at the time."

Her father's expression softened slightly, though his protective nature didn't fade. "And then what happened?"

Yejun shrugged lightly, his tone easygoing. "We didn't see each other for a while after that. But a few weeks later, we crossed paths again, and this time, Nami recognized me. She was so embarrassed, she kept apologizing non-stop."

Nami's face flushed even more, remembering how mortified she had been. "I couldn't even look at him," she muttered. "I was so embarrassed. But I made sure to apologize this time."

Her mother laughed, clearly amused by the situation. "Oh, that sounds like something you would do, Nami."

Yejun laughed softly too, his eyes meeting Nami's with warmth. "I could tell she was really sorry. But, it was a bit much. We ended up finding a quiet place to talk, just the two of us, so she wouldn't have to worry about the crowd watching us."

"That sounds like quite the first encounter," Hinami said, still sizing him up but with a hint of curiosity in his voice. "But I suppose things went better after that."

Nami nodded, finally able to smile genuinely at the memory. "Much better. We started talking more after that, and... here we are."

Himeya beamed, her tone softening as she looked at the couple. "It's lovely to see how you two have gotten along so well. It sounds like fate played a hand in bringing you together."

Nami smiled, feeling a sense of relief that her parents were accepting of the story, even if it left out some details. "Maybe so," she said, her voice light. "I guess we were both in the right place at the right time."

Her mom's eyes twinkled as she glanced between the two of them. "Well, I'm just happy you two met. It's clear you care about each other."

Yejun nodded, a sincere smile on his face as he looked at Nami. "I'm really grateful for Nami," he said softly. "She's... someone I can really rely on."

Nami's heart fluttered at his words, her feelings toward him deepening with every moment. The warmth from her parents and Yejun filled the room, making the evening feel even more special than she had imagined.

As Yejun finished his story, Nami's parents seemed satisfied with the explanation. Her father's expression softened, though his protective gaze remained. He leaned back slightly in his chair, eyeing Yejun with quiet assessment. Her mother, on the other hand, looked delighted, her warm smile never fading as she watched the two of them interact.

"So, how long have you two been dating?" Hinami asked, his voice curious but not probing. He wasn't one to be overly direct, but the question was lingering in the air.

Nami glanced at Yejun, her lips curving into a small smile as she tried to remember exactly when it had started. "It's been... a little over six months now," she said, her voice softening with affection. "Time flies when you're with someone you enjoy spending time with."

Her father nodded, as though contemplating this piece of information. "Six months, huh? That's a good amount of time." Himeya's eyes sparkled with interest. "What's the best part about being together?" she asked, her tone genuinely curious. "What do you like most about Nami?"

Yejun chuckled, his eyes meeting Nami's with a fondness she couldn't help but notice. "Honestly, she's just... really easy to be around. She makes everything fun, even the little things. I've never met someone so full of energy and joy."

Nami's heart swelled at his words, though she kept her face neutral, trying to hide the warmth flooding her cheeks. Her mother smiled at Yejun's compliment, nodding approvingly. "And what about you, Nami?" Himeya asked. "What do you like most about him?"

Nami grinned, her hand instinctively reaching for Yejun's. "He's really calm, especially when I'm being a little too excited about things. He balances me out, and he's always there when I need him. I think he's the most patient person I've ever met."

Her parents exchanged a look, and Nami could sense the shift in their approval. Hinami leaned back, letting out a small sigh, as if he were finally feeling reassured about this relationship.

"It sounds like you two complement each other well," Hinami said, the words thoughtful but sincere. "That's important." There was a comfortable silence that settled over the room as the evening wore on. The clock ticked steadily, and Nami felt a sense of peace now that the initial awkwardness had passed. Her parents had warmed up to Yejun in their own way, and despite their initial reservations, they were now engaged in a relaxed conversation about life in Korea and Japan, how their work had been, and even how Nami was adjusting to everything.

Yejun chimed in with a few stories of his own, sharing anecdotes about his time studying abroad and his experiences in Korea. Her parents listened intently, laughing at the funny moments and nodding at his more serious reflections. There was no rush, no tension in the air—just a quiet, growing connection between them all.

Eventually, after a while, Himeya stretched and yawned, glancing at her husband. "It's getting late," she said with a soft smile. "I think we should let you two have some time alone. It's been a long day, and we have some plans tomorrow." Nami's face brightened. "Of course, you must be tired after the flight. Don't worry about us!"

Her father nodded, standing up with a small stretch. "We'll head to bed. But Yejun, it's good to see you," he added, extending a hand toward him. "I'm glad we could meet." Yejun shook his hand, a genuine smile on his face. "It was nice meeting you both as well. I'm really grateful for tonight."

"Get some rest, you two," Himeya said with a playful wink, her voice warm and affectionate. "We'll catch up more tomorrow." With that, Nami's parents made their way to the guest room, leaving her and Yejun alone in the living room. The quiet that followed felt different now—less awkward and more like a shared space where they could truly relax.

As Nami closed the door behind them and turned back toward Yejun, she smiled softly. "That wasn't so bad, was it?" Yejun shook his head, his smile still lingering. "No, it was nice. They're both really... welcoming." Nami let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Yeah... I was so nervous. But they like you. I'm glad."

"They seem great," Yejun said, his voice sincere. He took a step closer, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I'm glad we could finally meet them."

—

As the evening wore on and the warm glow of the Christmas lights filled the room, Nami's excitement bubbled up. She had been waiting for the perfect moment to give Yejun his Christmas gift, and with the night winding down and only the two of them left, it felt like the right time.

"Hey, I've got something for you," Nami said, her voice a little shy as she handed him a small, neatly wrapped box. Yejun raised an eyebrow, his smile playful as he took it from her hands. "You didn't have to get me anything," he said, though there was a clear softness in his eyes as he gently tore the paper away.

Nami watched him, her heart fluttering in her chest, as the box revealed a sleek, custom-made basketball uniform. The dark colors of the Seoul SK Knights, his favorite team, were the perfect touch. The jersey featured his name and number in bold lettering, and a small, intricate design symbolizing his almost permanent place with the team—something that held a lot of significance for him.

Yejun stared at it for a moment, clearly moved. His voice was quiet when he spoke. "Nami... this is... wow."

"I remember you talking about how much you wanted to be with them," Nami said softly. "And even though things didn't go the way you wanted, I thought this would be a good reminder of how far you've come."

He looked at her, his expression tender, and then pulled her into a warm hug. "Thank you, this means more than you know," he whispered. "It's perfect." Nami smiled, feeling the weight of his gratitude settle in her chest. She hadn't just given him a gift—she had given him something that reminded him of his journey and the passion he still carried for basketball.

As they pulled away, Nami chuckled. "Now you've got a uniform to wear on the court. Maybe one day you'll get to wear it for real." Yejun laughed, the sound light and genuine. "Maybe," he agreed, "But for now, I'll wear it with pride."

She smiled, feeling a warm rush of happiness. "Merry Christmas, Yejun," she said softly, her eyes meeting his.

"Merry Christmas," he replied, a deep sense of appreciation in his voice as he leaned down to kiss her, the holiday magic still lingering in the air between them.