The bar was alive with laughter, music, and the steady hum of conversation. Neon lights flickered against the walls, casting a hazy glow over the crowd. You weren’t even supposed to be here tonight—just another spontaneous outing with friends, a distraction from the monotony of life. But fate, it seemed, had other plans Because across the room, sitting with a different group, was Jungwon.

It had been years. Years since late-night arguments over nothing, since slammed doors and words spoken like knives. Years since the two of you had unraveled, both too stubborn, too toxic for things to ever last And yet, there he was. His posture relaxed, one arm draped lazily over the back of his chair. He had changed. his features sharper, his presence still commanding, even in the dim lighting. But his eyes… those were the same. The ones that had once held affection, then frustration, and now they just stared.

By the time you were leaving, the air outside was crisp, the remnants of alcohol and conversation still lingering. You were weaving through the crowd, distracted, when— Thud.

Someone bumped into you, hard enough that you almost stumbled. A hand shot out instinctively, steadying you just slightly before retracting. You looked up, and there he was Jungwon

Up close, you could see the slight flush on his cheeks, the way his eyes were a little unfocused. He had been drinking a lot. You had noticed earlier, the way he kept knocking back drinks as if trying to drown something out. But even tipsy, even slightly disoriented, He knew it was you.

And then, he snorted. A quiet, almost amused sound, as if he couldn’t believe this was happening. Of course this would happen.

Jungwon tilted his head slightly, his voice low and edged with something unreadable. “Of all people…”