Chapter 37 - Glistening Tears and Broken Cups

[INT. LUXURY JEWELRY PLAZA – CONTINUOUS – LATER]With the garments successfully finalized, the group moved smoothly into the glistening vault of the luxury ring plaza, where an elite male seller politely laid out rows of glistening platinum bands and diamond engagement rings across the velvet display cushions [Ch. 46, 47].The partners spent the next thirty minutes carefully tracking the exact sizes, cross-checking the design files for each other with absolute care [Ch. 46]. Mr. Choi Sun-woo smoothly lifted a breathtaking, custom-cut diamond ring band, carefully sliding it onto Ma Ha-rin's ring finger to test the physical size criteria [Ch. 41, 46]."The cut matches your profile perfectly, Rin," Sun-woo murmured with a satisfied smile [Ch. 41]. "Alright, let's take the ring frame off now so the seller can process the final engraving logs."Sun-woo gently gripped her hand, attempting to pull the platinum ring band past her knuckle—but the metal frame didn't budge a single millimeter. It was completely, entirely stuck fast against her skin parameters."Wait... it's absolutely not coming out, Director," Ha-rin blinked her eyes in sudden, flustered surprise, pulling her wrist back [Ch. 41].Sun-woo furrowed his strict brow, using more physical force as he tried to carefully twist the ring layout. "Stay completely still, Ha-rin, let me try a different angle.""Oh dear! Is everything alright, customers?!" the elite male seller gasped out loud, his face turning pale white with immense panic and worry as he watched the expensive band refuse to clear her knuckle. "Please be exceptionally gentle, sir! The skin alignment might get bruised if we force the metal too aggressively!"The male seller frantically stepped forward, attempting to gently take Ma Ha-rin's soft hand into his own fingers to try a standard sliding maneuver—but the exact microsecond his fingers touched Ha-rin's skin, a massive, sudden flash of explosive jealousy violently slammed straight into Sun-woo's executive brain [Ch. 42, 50]! His features froze into a terrifyingly dark mask [Ch. 50]. He aggressively, authoritatively snatched Ha-rin's hand straight out of the male seller's grip, pulling her upper body flush against his broad chest [Ch. 41, 50]."Do not dare touch her hand right now, young man!" Sun-woo barked strictly through his teeth, his roaring authority cutting through the vault air [Ch 50]. "I am the only one who will mandatory extract this ring layout from my woman's fingers! Main nikalunga! Step back immediately!""I am deeply sorry, sir! I didn't mean to cross any boundaries!" the male seller trembled, bowing frantically as he stepped back in absolute fear, while Dr. Choi Hyun-woo and Kim Seo-ah frantically rushed over to execute an intervention [Ch. 44, 49]."Use your medical science logic, Sun-woo, stop acting like a jealous caveman!" Hyun-woo scolded in a harsh whisper, quickly reaching for a container of liquid soap and cold water from the lounge counter [Ch. 44, 50].For the next ten minutes, the entire group engaged in a chaotic, hilariously frantic ring-extraction mission. They applied soap layers, twisted the metal, and blew cold air until—with a sudden, loud pop—the diamond ring smoothly slid completely off her finger. Everyone let out a massive, breathing-heavy sigh of pure, post-stress relief, laughing out loud through their teeth at Sun-woo's ridiculous overprotectiveness [Ch. 49, 50]. With the ring sizes confirmed, they finalized the purchase files and exited the plaza terminal [Ch. 47].[INT. JUNU'S CAFE – LATER AFTERNOON – DAY]On their driving route back toward the apartment district, Sun-woo parked the sports vehicle right along the curb of Kim Jun-u's bustling coffee shop plaza, and the four of them stepped inside the cozy glass doors to enjoy a warm afternoon break together [Ch. 43, Ch. 49].Junu greeted them with a wide, hearty laugh behind the register counter, throwing his apron hooks aside to brew a premium round of steaming lattes for the couples [Ch. 46, 49]. They all sat comfortably at the long corner table, happily chatting and joking about the chaotic dress fittings under the warm amber lamps [Ch. 46, 50].Suddenly, the front door chimes rang out beautifully with a soft metallic jingle [Ch. 46, 49]. Han Chae-won stepped inside the cozy shop threshold, her dark eyes scanning the room layout before landing on their crowded table [Ch. 29, 49]."Oh! Chae-won!" Kim Seo-ah cheered warmly, her manager face lighting up with absolute joy as she waved her hand to invite her over [Ch. 44, 46]. "Come join our coordinates immediately! What brings your steps down to the café floor today?""Hi, everyone!" Chae-won smiled beautifully, stepping into their circle with an immaculate, polite bow as Junu's heart skipped a massive, violent beat against his ribs behind the espresso machine [Ch. 29, Ch. 49]. "My build strictly came down to purchase a final, warm cup of premium coffee from this register counter today.""Please, pull up a chair and sit down with our group, Chae-won!" Seo-ah insisted happily, introducing her smoothly to Mr. Sun-woo and the rest of the corporate branch [Ch. 41, 46].Chae-won gracefully sat down at the table layout, accepting a latte mug from Junu's trembling fingers as they all drank their coffee together, sharing lighthearted stories [Ch. 49]. But as the conversation logs continued, the radiant smile on Chae-won's face slowly faded into a soft, deeply emotional expression. She lowered her cup, her eyes locking directly onto Junu's face before scanning the rest of the happy couples."The absolute, historic truth behind my surprise visit today, everyone..." Chae-won murmured softly, her tone rich with a deep, hidden layer of profound sorrow. "Is that my heart desperately wanted to purchase one last cup of coffee from this specific counter... because my coordinates are officially leaving Seoul tomorrow morning. My system is moving abroad to pursue an advanced medical research contract in a foreign sector [Ch. 29]."The exact milestone microsecond the word "abroad" hit his ears, Kim Jun-u's entire world crashed into a total, devastating blank space [Ch. 39, 49]. The confident smile vanished completely from his features, his chest tightening with an intense, suffocating wave of deep, sudden sadness as he stared speechlessly at her face [Ch. 49]. The rest of the table fell into a quiet, deeply sympathetic silence, their eyes data-tracking the tragic twist [Ch. 44].A short while later, the clock tower signaled the departure timeline, and the group stood up to gather their luxury bags near the exit gates [Ch. 47]."Goodbye, Chae-won! We wish your system absolute victory across the seas!" Seo-ah and Ha-rin hugged her gently, offering their warmest blessings before stepping out onto the sidewalk pavement with the twin brothers to grant the two some final privacy [Ch. 41, 44].Han Chae-won turned her beautiful torso around near the glass door frame, her dark eyes completely glistening with unshed tears as she looked at Junu's frozen, downcast posture [Ch. 49]. Moving with a sudden wave of raw, deeply emotional affection, she stepped straight into his personal circle and threw her arms tightly around Kim Junu's neck, hugging his broad shoulders in a long, deeply sorrowful embrace [Ch. 49].The entire couple assembly outside the glass window panicked silently, their eyes widening to the size of saucers as they watched the intense, unexpected embrace in pure, unadulterated astonishment [Ch. 44, 49]."Take proper, absolute care of your leg cast recovery lines, Kim Junu..." Chae-won whispered brokenly straight into his ear, her voice cracking with raw pain as she released her hold, stepping back into the afternoon light [Ch. 29, 49]. "I will truly, deeply miss your smile. Goodbye."With a final, tearful wave toward the stunned group outside, Han Chae-won turned firmly on her heel and walked rapidly down the crowded sidewalk, her shadow completely disappearing into the heavy Seoul traffic lanes [Ch. 43, 49].Kim Junu stood entirely alone behind his wooden counter frame, his hand raised in a slow, trembling wave as his chest heaved in pure heartbreak, watching the beautiful woman who had healed his body carry his heart completely across the world grid forever [Ch. 29, Ch. 49].