That evening, light rain traced quiet lines across the car windows, streetlights blurring into pale gold streaks. Lena drove with both hands steady on the wheel, quieter than usual.

Not because of traffic. But because every time the image of Miu smiling at someone else surfaced, her chest tightened as if something were being pulled too hard.

Miu glanced at her and noticed the tension in Lena's knuckles. She shifted closer, resting her hand on Lena's thigh, drawing small circles with her thumb.

"You're still jealous, aren't you?"

Lena didn't look away from the road. Her voice dropped.

"Yes."

Miu let out a soft laugh.

"You're really... cute."

"I'm not cute."

"You are. Especially when you're jealous."

Lena shot her a sharp glance.

"I don't want to be cute. I want people to be afraid to approach you."

Miu swallowed.

"That's a bit tyrannical."

"Yes."

⸻

Lena's apartment was dim but warm. It no longer felt empty. There was a coat draped over a chair, two glasses on the table, a blanket folded on the sofa.

And by the shoe rack—

A new pair of house slippers.

Miu's size.

She stopped short.

"These..."

"I bought them a long time ago," Lena said, switching on the light.

"How long?"

"...Before you knew I liked you."

Miu stared.

"What were you thinking?"

"Preparing."

⸻

After showering, Miu stepped into the living room wearing Lena's oversized T-shirt, hair loosely tied. Lena sat on the sofa with her laptop open, expression focused.

"What are you doing?" Miu asked.

Lena angled the screen slightly.

"Looking at your Instagram."

Miu nearly fell over.

"What?!"

Lena scrolled calmly, eyes cool.

"There are people from Bizwell and Araya Group following you. Their sons."

Miu blinked.

"So?"

"They've tried to arrange alliances with your family before."

Miu's mouth fell open.

"Lena... what are you doing?"

Instead of answering, Lena turned the screen fully toward her.

Miu froze.

Her profile photo had changed.

Not a selfie.
Not a solo portrait.

It was the forehead-touch photo from the shoot. Soft light, intimate proximity, unmistakably a couple.

Miu gasped.

"LENA!"

"It's beautiful," Lena said simply.

"Beautiful?! This is my main account! People in the industry follow me!"

"Exactly."

"My friends, relatives, shareholders, even financial media—everyone will see it!"

"I know."

"Then why did you change it?!"

Lena closed the laptop and looked straight at her, voice low and firm.

"So everyone knows you're mine."

Miu went completely still.

"You're... declaring this to the entire business world?!"

"Yes."

"And you didn't even ask me?!"

Lena tilted her head.

"I did."

"When?!"

"You didn't object strongly enough."

Miu smacked a cushion into her shoulder.

"That's cheating!"

Lena caught the cushion and pulled Miu into her arms.

"I've never been fair when it comes to you."

⸻

Miu braced herself on Lena's chest, cheeks flushed.

"Aren't you worried? Going public like this means scrutiny from both families, shareholders, the press—"

"I want that."

"You want it?"

"Yes. So no group dares approach you under the excuse of alliances again."

Miu fell silent.

"You're cutting them off..."

"At the root."

Her voice softened, but carried danger.

"You are my choice. I won't let anyone compete."

Miu studied her for a long moment, then said quietly:

"You really are domineering."

Lena leaned down and kissed her gently.

"And you still kiss me."

"That's not the point!"

"It is."

They lay together on the sofa, Miu's head resting on Lena's arm, a blanket pulled up to their chests.

Miu whispered, "You really want to be public with me in that world?"

"Yes."

"You're not afraid of gossip?"

"I am."

"Then why—"

Lena turned to her and cut her off.

"Because being open about you matters more than my image."

Miu said nothing. Her heart softened completely.

She shifted closer and kissed Lena slowly.

When she pulled back, she pressed her forehead to Lena's.

"I belong to you."

Lena closed her eyes, breathing out.

"You finally said it."

Miu's phone lit up.

Notification:

Lena updated her profile picture

Miu bolted upright.

"LENA! I DIDN'T AGREE YET!"

Lena opened her eyes calmly.

"I told you. If you change yours, I post mine."

Miu stared at the screen.

Lena's profile photo was the same forehead-touch image.

No caption.
No explanation.
Just a declaration.

Miu buried her face into a cushion.

"You're unbelievable..."

Lena pulled her close, holding her tight.

"Sleep, my little one."

Miu pressed her face into Lena's neck, heart so full it nearly hurt in the best way possible.