He chuckled, thinking of all the memories that brought up. "My parents? They're ridiculous. They're very scatterbrained, and I keep on joking that I'm surprised they could focus on anything long enough to create a child." Blushing a little at this he pushed past it, continuing. "But they both try to use their talents, and wanted something better for me than what they had. My father got his degree from the University of Seoul as an artist, and it never got him. My mother had my half-sister Minzi when she was young, and never finished college. So when they saw that I had talent, they insisted that I use it."

Sighing, Hongki bit the inside of his lip. "They put me in all kinds of classes, saying that I would thank them one day when I became famous. We didn't have a lot of money, so I always felt like I had to do well, to pay them back for all the financial support they put into me." His ex
pression changed, and for a split second it was tired and hurt, quickly replaced by quiet grattitude. "They're very proud of me, and we see each other as often as I can get the time away from rehearsals and filming. They've been very understanding." He finished with a smile, masking the scars that hid just under the surface. They had worked so hard to get him to where he was. Maybe it hadn't been his first choice, but it had all worked out in the end. After all, without this career he would never had met Uzume. And he didn't want her to think he was an ungrateful son.

His smile became more sincere, and he pressed his face into her palm. "Indeed is. Wonderful. But I am not the only one here with parents. Even you must have had a childhood, unless you lept into existence as you are, guitar and all." He chuckled, kissing the top of her head.

That shudder. He understood that shudder all too well. Something she didn't want to think about, and it had to do with how traditional her parents were. Instead of trying to figure out what the cause was as he so desired Hongki just settled against her, brushing her cheek with the back of her hand. "Just because they were wealthy doesn't mean they were wonderful. I always thought it would. But I'm certain you see things a bit differently."

Seeing Uzumi pull away from him, Hongki had no desire to do either. Instead he pulled her back to him, craddling her against him. He pressed his face into her hair, holding her against his chest in a manner that could've been taken to be possessive. "Tell me what I can do to stop it. I won't let them trap you in a loveless marriage. I won't let them do anything that you you do not want them to do." His voice was soft, but under that softness was rock hard determination, jaw clenched. She would not suffer.

Hearing the escape route, Hongki chuckled. "It's so simple. I am not one to be trapped, my beautiful Uzume. No, if I do something I do so because I desire it with all my heart. First and foremost, I have no desire to leave you. Second, I may have to have a stern talk with your father on how to treat a lady. But before I say anything that might embarrass me irrepairably, how strongly do you feel about me, and how much do you trust me?"

For a moment Hongki was completely silent. He could go with his gut, and put all his heart in the hands of a woman he had just met. Or he could be safe, and watch her fall without a net to catch her. The choice was clear in the star's mind, and with a set heart he dropped to his knee infront of Uzume, taking her hands gently in his. Without further delay he held her gaze, letting the tender sincerity of his emotions pour through.

"Uzume Li, I have only just met you. But when the option arose to leave or do as I am about to, I could not find it in myself to part from you. It isn't pity that has me here, nor any sense of duty or obligation. So, with all I have to offer you... Will you marry me?"

"Kyah!" He lept forward, pulling her into his arms. "Wonderful! I would like to tell the old man myself, if that's okay with you. Do you have any pointers on how I can best appear to him? I want him to see that I am the right man for you. But if he doesn't see it, I shall marry you anyway. This will all work out, you shall see." Hesitating a little Hongki pulled back away, once more taking Uzume's gaze. "If at any time you wish to end our engagement, you need only say so."

Joy replaced any other emotion apart from determination, though the two blended until it was hard to tell one from the other. "Indeed. I want to see his ex
pression when he gets the news. I must dress appropriately, of course. I assume a suit would be considered respectable? I know it sounds strange, but I want him to approve of me. I don't think I've ever been so worried in my life, with the exception of asking you. I was afraid you would say that you had no interest in me on such a serious level, and that I was unsuitable for marriage to a girl of your class. But now I just have to worry about your father, and that isn't nearly as bad."