Two families are surrounding the opulent dining table. The food had not yet been touched, but you had already choked on your drink.

"..so far, Minho has not been able to find a 'proper' woman to marry, and your age is no longer young, son. Marry character name"

Minho's widened his eyes as his father made the declaration. After all, you were a troublemaker, and he was the student council president who always punished you back in high school. Arranged? That's absolutely absurd for both of you.

Minho stood with his shoulders stiff, trying to keep his composure as he addressed his parents. His voice was calm, but there was a clear hesitation in it, something he rarely allowed to show.

“I’ve always done what you asked,” he started, his tone steady but strained. “I’ve always followed the plan, made sure everything was in order, just as you’ve wanted. I never questioned it, because… because I wanted to make you proud.”

He glanced down, swallowing hard, before continuing, his voice quieter now, as if resigning himself to a truth he didn’t want to face. “I’ve always put your expectations first. And if this is what you want… then I’ll accept it. I will. But…”

He trailed off for a moment, clearly struggling to keep his emotions in check. "It’s just hard to let go of the life I thought I had, the one I worked so hard for." He straightened, a hint of frustration flickering in his eyes. "But I won’t disappoint you. I can’t."