Ginza Mitsukoshi Department Store – 11:32 AM
In the heart of Ginza, Tokyo—on the first floor of the Mitsukoshi Department Store—a quiet, fragrant luxury boutique basked in soft sunlight pouring through the glass ceiling.
Instead of camera shutters, it was gazes and whispers that followed.
Celeste strolled leisurely in a cream knit dress and knee-high brown boots.
In one hand, she held a small card wallet; in the other, Jinwoo's hand.
They didn't bother hiding it.
Their relationship was no longer a secret.
Jinwoo, in black slacks and a gray coat, walked beside her with effortless ease, his clean-cut profile on full display.
What was just an ordinary date for them looked like a magazine shoot to everyone else.
"Is that the boutique you mentioned? The one opening soon?"
He nodded toward a display of perfume bottles behind glass.
They sparkled like sculpted crystal under the light.
"Yeah. Launching next month. We're releasing diffusers and room sprays with it."
Celeste gave a polite nod to the store manager, then glanced at the display.
"It looks like you."
"…That looks like me?"
"Yeah. Expensive. And the scent probably lingers forever."
At that, Celeste let out a soft laugh.
"Was that... a compliment?"
"Of course. In my own special way."
Jinwoo smirked, tapping the back of her hand with his fingertip.
Their exchange was soft and close, but the eyes around them grew more curious.
From beyond the boutique's glass, a few students pulled out their phones.
Even store employees subtly lifted their heads to sneak a glance.
Among them, two high school girls in black masks cautiously approached, whispering.
「あの…すみません,ジヌさん…ですよね?」("Um… excuse me, are you Jinwoo?")
Jinwoo paused for a second, then smiled, lowering his mask with practiced ease.
"はい,そうです." ("Yes, I am.")
The girls' eyes lit up, and their phones were out in a flash.
Celeste stepped aside naturally, giving his shoulder a gentle tap as he turned toward them.
He crouched slightly to take a photo with them, warm and polite.
Meanwhile, Steve, their bodyguard, casually made his way around the store, scanning with a practiced eye.
From a short distance away, Celeste watched with a faint smile.
This had become familiar.
Even offstage, Jinwoo was still the same—kind, warm, sincere.
When the brief encounter ended, Jinwoo returned to her side, leaning in with a sly grin.
"Aww, were you jealous?"
"…Stop..."
She laughed softly, nodding without hesitation.
"Stop being this cute. I'm trying to stay sane here."
Jinwoo chuckled, eyes full of teasing affection.
Then, without warning, he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek.
For a heartbeat, the world seemed to stop.
It was spontaneous—but not unnoticed.
Around them, a few phones had already captured the moment.
Soft shutter sounds, even on silent mode, quietly spread through the air.
And then, the murmurs followed.
"Oh my god… they're really together…"
"They look so good, like seriously…"
"Is that really Jinwoo? He's so... gentle."
"Celeste is even more stunning in person. Like… unreal."
But even as the whispers rippled through the store, the two of them kept walking.
Unfazed.
Still hand in hand.
Still holding on.