119.

“I think I’ll be able to tell him soon.”

As those words echoed in my mind, I decided to set a date and finally tell Norma, “I love you.”

The month he’d be gone would undoubtedly feel longer than any other time, and I wanted to express my feelings before then. A month from now wasn’t “soon,” and more importantly, I didn’t want to make him wait any longer.

With a clear deadline suddenly looming, I grew anxious. Time began to fly by as if mocking me, and my nervousness only grew. After missing the timing once, I kept fumbling every opportunity to confess to Norma.

“Sa… Sa…” <Saranghae>

“Yes, Aisa?”

“…Salt soup. Do you want salt soup?”

Shut your mouth, Aisa McFoy.

Cursing my own clumsiness, I avoided his gaze. I could feel Norma’s eyes on me, watching intently.

“Sure.”

e said after a brief pause, smiling warmly as usual. His face was so full of happiness as he habitually opened his mouth, waiting for me, that it left me feeling conflicted.

What an idiot I am. Another spectacular failure. At least we’re in the study. What would I have done without actual candy?

Why was it so difficult to say “I love you”? Meeting Norma had forced me to confront so many parts of myself I hadn’t known existed.

Most of those realizations were startling, but the most shocking one was how emotionally inarticulate I was at twenty-six. Having ignored my own feelings for so long, I found that even saying a simple phrase felt unnatural. Instead of words, I felt a surge of resistance and fear.

This is harder than I thought.

Hiding my frustration, I opened the box and placed a candy into his waiting mouth.

Norma had surely noticed how strange I’d been acting recently. He might not know it was because I was obsessively trying to find the perfect moment to tell him “I love you” before he left for Baghdad, but—knowing him—he might have figured it out.

How frustrating it must be for him. But I was the one most frustrated of all.

Watching him openly express his feelings so confidently made me realize how amazing he was. Before I knew it, I was staring at him with a gaze full of admiration. When our eyes met, he blinked silently, a candy tucked into his cheek.

As I brooded over how I’d missed yet another chance, Norma, who had been quietly sitting beside me, suddenly spoke.

“Aisa. Are you very busy?”

“The rainy season is coming soon, so I suppose I am. Why do you ask?”

“Would it be too much to ask for a day together before I leave for Baghdad?”

…This was it.

“Since we’ll be apart for so long, I’d like to spend that day entirely with you,” he added, his tone careful and sincere.

Could he read my mind? Sometimes, it felt as though he could. I tried my best to keep a composed expression.

“Just one day.”

Despite my effort to hide my eagerness, my answer came far too quickly. However, seeing his face light up with joy as if deeply moved made me feel warm inside.

Fine. Whether you know it or not, you’ve set the perfect stage for me. If I spend an entire day with you and still can’t say it, I’ll truly be a fool.

Wait for me, Norma Diazi. This time, I’ll set the perfect mood and tell you how I feel.

My earlier gloom vanished, replaced by renewed determination.

I immediately called Erika to inform her of my decision to take a day off on the eve of Norma’s departure. Naturally, she protested vehemently, but I ignored her without hesitation.

* * *

Aisa McFoy realized, ‘this isn’t quite right.’

Norma’s lips pressed firmly against hers for a long moment before pulling back, his lower lip grazing hers in a slow, deliberate motion. She hesitantly opened her tightly shut eyes, only to see a thin string of saliva between them and his swollen, reddened lips. Overwhelmed by the dizzying sight, she took a sharp breath and shut her eyes again.

Even in moments like this, Norma never hurried. His unyielding, deliberate movements felt as though they were searching for their rightful place, a sensation Aisa found overwhelming every time. It stretched endlessly.

Her body swayed in rhythm with his movements. The unfamiliar sensation spreading from her lower abdomen was so vivid she couldn’t bear to keep her eyes open.

“Aisa. Look at me.”

His low voice was tense, almost commanding. He guided her hands to cup his cheeks, her fingers trembling at the contact. She couldn’t tell if the heat radiating was from his face or her own hands. Every point of contact between them seemed to burn.

“Look properly.”

He said, his tone still polite yet carrying an undercurrent that sent a chill down her spine.

Reluctantly, she opened her eyes, only for his lips to brush against the corner of her eye, almost as if to praise her. Their gazes locked.

His golden eyes, usually so bright, were now backlit by shadows, making it impossible to discern his thoughts. But the slight curve of his lips and the persistent way his eyes lingered on her made his intent unmistakable.

Today, Norma wasn’t letting her close her eyes. It felt as though he wanted her to etch his face into her very soul.

‘But he keeps… moving… how am I supposed to—’

She found it impossible to maintain eye contact. Was he asking her to look, or to close her eyes?

Today, as usual, Norma’s upper and lower halves seemed to operate independently. His lower half, once gentle and teasing, grew bolder. The wet friction between them grew louder—a sound that was impossible to ignore. Embarrassed, she shut her eyes again.

The intense rhythm slowed, and he stopped deep within her. At that moment, Aisa shuddered violently, as if struck by something.

Soft moans escaped from their lips in unison. His hands gripped her hips, while she clung tightly to his wrists, unable to control the tremors wracking her body. Catching her breath, she finally opened her eyes to look up at him. His gaze, intense and searching, met hers. There was something entirely different about him now, a presence that made her swallow dryly.

‘Is this it? Now?

For once, Aisa wasn’t completely foolish. She realized that this was the moment. She had long given up on creating the perfect atmosphere. Since her vacation had begun, she’d missed countless opportunities, and there wasn’t much time left.

“Haa!”

She tried to blurt out the words, but instead, a breathless noise escaped. Her raspy voice and Norma’s sudden closeness disrupted her focus.

Flustered, she instinctively twisted her hips in a weak struggle. Norma responded by leaning down, pinning her beneath his body as if to prevent her escape. Realizing she couldn’t flee, she hurriedly wrapped her arms around his neck.

“I love you.”

But once again, Norma was the one to whisper the words first. His voice, low and intimate, caressed her ears as he pressed even deeper, leaving her breathless. Desperation crept in—this might be her last chance.

“I… I love you too…”

Her voice faltered, barely audible, as she finally managed to respond. But her confession, far less grand than she’d imagined, felt clumsy and small. She wasn’t even sure he’d heard it.

“Aisa.”

Just as disappointment in herself began to creep in, Norma lifted his head slightly and called her name.

“Well done.”

His voice, still rough with emotion, was filled with warmth and sweetness, like someone savoring a beautiful dream. Her lingering self-reproach melted away in an instant as she held her breath, listening to him.

“I’m your husband, and you’re my wife.”

It was a simple statement, but one that made her heart swell.

“We have a lifetime together, so we’ll have more than enough time.”

“…That’s true.”

He let go of her knees, cupping her cheeks instead. Her face, half-buried in the sheets, naturally turned to face him. When she opened her eyes, his expression left her speechless.

“So there’s no need for you to rush.”

His face, flushed red, radiated happiness. All that from her clumsy “I love you.” How much more did he intend to spoil her?

“I’m not going anywhere. Take your time and come to me at your own pace. You’re doing just fine.”

His keen insight made it clear he knew exactly where her mind had been during their vacation and what she’d been struggling with.

“I love you.”

Norma whispered the words yet again, his expression soft and unguarded. Heat rushed to her face as his large hands cupped her cheeks, and she felt like she might burst.

‘What is this feeling?’

She wanted to respond but found herself overwhelmed by an inexplicable emotion welling up from deep within. Her lips moved wordlessly for a moment before she nodded earnestly in response.

Norma chuckled softly at her awkward reaction. Unable to contain herself any longer, she reached out and pulled him closer.

‘I…’

Her clumsy motion caused their noses to bump, but she didn’t care. This time, she kissed him with all the effort she could muster. Taking it as a signal, Norma began to move again, his pace slow and deliberate.

‘It’s beyond words. This feeling… it’s too good to describe.’

Her heart raced so fast it almost hurt, and she felt tears slipping down her cheeks. As her mind went blank, her awareness began to fade.

It was just a few hours before he would leave for Baghdad.