Bom dropped her phone dramatically onto the table. “I swear, if those two keep pretending they don’t like each other, I’m going to lose it.”
Ji Yong looked up from his coffee. “You mean our favorite enemies, right? Because, yeah, it’s painful to watch.”
Daesung laughed. “Every time they’re in the same room, it’s either glaring or silence.”
Taeyang leaned forward with a grin. “So what’s the plan, noona? You look like you already schemed something.”
Bom smirked. “Oh, I did. A nice, elegant dinner — everyone invited, but only they will show up.”
CL raised a brow. “You’re evil. I like it.”
Dara gasped. “Wait, you mean you’re going to trick them?”
Minzy giggled. “Unnie, of course we are! It’s not like they’ll agree to go out together otherwise.”
Ji Yong pulled out his phone and started typing. “Alright, let’s make this official. Group chat name: Operation: Blackout Dinner.”
Taeyang peered over his shoulder. “Why blackout?”
“Because,” Ji Yong said smugly, “they’re both gonna wear black. It’s a dinner, not a funeral, but it’s gonna look like one at first.”
Bom laughed. “Perfect. I’ll text her. Tell her we’re all meeting at that fancy restaurant in Gangnam — 7PM, all black dress code.”
Ji Yong nodded. “And I’ll text Seung Hyun. He’ll question it, but he won’t say no.”
CL leaned back in her chair. “You two sure this won’t turn into a fight?”
Daesung snorted. “Oh, it will. But that’s half the fun.”
Minzy added, “We’ll be nearby, right? Watching?”
Ji Yong smirked. “Front-row seats.”
Bom clapped her hands once. “Good. Let’s give them a dinner they’ll never forget.”
A few nights later...
Seung Hyun arrived first. Black leather jacket, white shirt, gray trousers — every line crisp, clean, deliberate. His car key hung from a metal hook on his belt, swinging lightly as he walked in.
He looked around the restaurant. Empty.
He frowned. “I knew Ji Yong couldn’t tell time.”
He sat down, loosening his jacket slightly, waiting.
Then the door opened — and there you were.
Your black knit off-shoulder top clung to your frame, paired with a short pleated skirt and knee-high socks. The silver necklace resting above your collarbone caught the warm light when you stepped closer.
You froze the moment you saw him. “…You.”
Seung Hyun raised a brow. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“You’re here too?”
“Ji Yong told me we’re having dinner.”
“Bom told me the same thing.”
Both of you turned toward the empty room. No Ji Yong. No Bom. No one.
A pause.
You sighed, glaring at the empty chairs. “Unbelievable.”
“Typical,” Seung Hyun muttered. “They set us up.”
You gave him a look. “You don’t sound surprised.”
“I’m not. I know Ji Yong.” He tilted his head slightly. “You still want to sit, or should we both leave and pretend this never happened?”
You crossed your arms. “If I go home now, Bom will never let me live it down. So—” You pulled out a chair and sat. “I’ll eat.”
He smirked faintly and sat opposite you. “Fine by me.”
Meanwhile — across the hallway, in a hidden booth.
Ji Yong peeked through the divider. “They’re both sitting.”
Bom nearly squealed. “Yes! Phase one successful.”
CL was sipping her drink calmly. “It’s about time. You can practically feel the tension from here.”
Dara whispered, “Look, he’s watching her. Look, look—”
Minzy covered her mouth, giggling. “He totally is!”
Taeyang grinned. “This is gonna be fun.”
Back at the table, the waiter set down two glasses of water and quietly said, “Your friends mentioned they’ll be joining a bit later.”
You shot Seung Hyun a glare. “You heard that?”
He nodded. “Yeah. And I don’t buy it for a second.”
You huffed, looking away. “Same.”
He leaned back slightly, a teasing smile pulling at his lips. “You look… decent tonight, though.”
You blinked. “What?”
“I said decent. Don’t let it go to your head.”
You rolled your eyes, but you were smiling a little.
Ji Yong whispered gleefully, “Ohhh, she’s smiling.”
Bom grinned. “Hook, line, and sinker.”