Naeun turned her gaze to Soo, her lips curling into a gentle smile. "Soo, you like children, don't you?"

Soo's expression softened as she watched Joon, her eyes glimmering with affection. "Yes, I do. I've always loved being around kids. They bring so much happiness."

Naeun nodded slowly, her hand reaching out to rest lightly on Soo's. Her gaze turned more focused, her tone warm but serious. "Soo, I know you and Ha-neul... haven't been intimate."

Soo's eyes widened in surprise, and a faint flush crept up her cheeks. She shifted slightly, suddenly feeling self-conscious under Naeun's steady gaze.

Naeun gave her an understanding smile, her voice calm and full of reassurance. "It's okay, Soo. I understand. Your marriage with Ha-neul is approaching three years now, but things like that... they take time. It's not easy for everyone."

Soo looked down at her lap, her fingers fidgeting slightly as if grappling with unspoken emotions. Naeun's kind words seemed to resonate deeply, offering a sense of solace she hadn't realized she needed.

Glancing at Joon, Naeun placed a hand on her slightly rounded belly, a subtle yet undeniable sign of her pregnancy. Her smile grew even warmer as she turned back to Soo, her eyes brimming with affection.

"Look at Joon, and this little one growing inside me," Naeun said, her voice tender. "They're the result of love between me and your brother, as husband and wife. Soo, if having a child is something you truly want, maybe it's time to start thinking about the future."

Soo's expression wavered between uncertainty and quiet contemplation. The weight of Naeun's words pressed gently on her heart, planting seeds of possibility she had long ignored.

Sensing her hesitation, Naeun squeezed Soo's hand reassuringly, her tone filled with unwavering confidence. "Trust me, Soo. If you truly desire it, one day you will have a child of your own. You just need to give yourself and Ha-neul the time and space to grow. Sometimes, love has a way of blossoming on its own."

Soo exhaled deeply, her breath shuddering slightly as her emotions swirled. Her eyes glistened faintly with unshed tears, but her lips curved into a small, uncertain smile. Naeun's words lingered in her mind, igniting thoughts of a future she had never dared to imagine-a future with Ha-neul, and perhaps, a child to call their own.

Flashback to four years ago, in a cozy little café bathed in warm, intimate lighting set the scene for Ha-neul and Bora's first date. They sat across from each other at a small table, sharing light snacks and soft conversation. Despite the slight awkwardness of a new connection, their smiles were genuine, and the glances they exchanged carried the promise of something unspoken.

Ha-neul sipped his coffee, his gaze occasionally drifting toward Bora as she spoke animatedly about her day. Her voice carried a natural enthusiasm, and he found himself captivated by her energy. They seemed perfectly in sync, savoring the quiet joy of each other's company.

After a pause in their conversation, Bora took a deep breath. Her demeanor shifted slightly-still warm, but with a hint of nervousness. She leaned forward just a little, her fingers fidgeting lightly with the edge of her cup.

"Ha-neul," she began, her tone steady despite the subtle tremor of anticipation, "there's something I want to say before we part ways tonight."

Ha-neul raised his brows slightly in surprise but immediately gave her his full attention, his gentle smile encouraging her to continue.

Bora hesitated for only a moment before pressing on, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "Since the first time we met... I've felt like there's something special between us. I know this might seem sudden, but I think it's important for you to know how I feel."

Her words hung in the air, charged with vulnerability and sincerity. Ha-neul stared at her, his eyes widening slightly as her confession registered. His heart stirred, touched by her courage and openness.

"I... I like you, Ha-neul," she admitted, her voice quieter now, yet brimming with earnestness.

Ha-neul blinked, momentarily stunned by the directness of her words. A rush of warmth spread through him, and his face flushed slightly. For a moment, they sat in silence, their eyes locked as if the world had momentarily faded away.

Finally, Ha-neul's lips curved into a soft, genuine smile. His voice, when he spoke, was as gentle as a spring breeze. "Bora... I... I feel the same way. There's something special about us, too."

Their smiles mirrored each other, and in that moment, a quiet understanding passed between them. The look in their eyes was filled with hope and the fragile excitement of a new beginning.

As they continued their conversation, the connection between them grew stronger. It was the start of something beautiful, a journey filled with the promise of shared happiness and discovery.