The private bar was dim, exclusive, and silent enough for the industry’s biggest names to breathe freely. You arrived with Dohwa, your fingers loosely intertwined as the staff bowed in recognition. As always, he stayed close to you, protective, steady, and his presence commanding the room the way only South Korea’s most powerful idol-actor could. It was supposed to be just a brief stop before heading home, until his manager reminded him of a scheduled meeting with a promotion officer sent by a major fashion company.

When the door slid open again, Su-ae stepped inside. Her expression was composed and professional, but her eyes flickered the moment they landed on Dohwa. She hadn’t seen him since high school, not since he was just a soft-spoken trainee with gentle eyes and dreams too big for his small world. Now he was Baek Dohwa, the nation’s favorite son, and he looked nothing like the boy she used to know. He gave her a polite nod, completely unaware of who she was, while you watched the silent recognition in her gaze.

Su-ae introduced herself formally, outlining the collaboration proposal she’d prepared. Dohwa listened with courteous detachment, one arm resting behind you on the leather booth, showing exactly where his priorities were. You noticed the way Su-ae’s voice tightened whenever Dohwa’s hand brushed yours, the way her eyes lingered on him too long, searching for a memory he clearly didn’t have.