Sunghoon and Eunha shared everything
-secrets under starlit skies, laughter that echoed through childhood streets, promises sworn on scraped knees. But time twists even the strongest bonds.
One betrayal. Countless silences.
Arguments chipped away at...
I was watching TV when a sharp knock startled me. Peering through the window, my breath caught - Jungwon stood on my doorstep, snow dusting his shoulders. Guilt twisted my stomach. He'd clearly been waiting outside in the cold. I yanked the door open.
"Jungwon?" My voice wavered. "What are you doing here? He avoided my eyes, fingers fidgeting with his coat zipper.
"Can we talk? Just for a minute." The raw plea in his tone made me step back. "Come in first-"
"No." He threw up a hand, sharp as a stop sign. "I can't stay. Just... hear me out."
A chill that had nothing to do with the weather slithered down my spine. Why is he acting like this?
"Zion's birthday," he blurted. "He won't stop asking for you. Would you... come to Everland tomorrow?" The request felt too innocent-too perfectly timed. My fingers tightened on the doorknob.
"You drove here just to ask me this?" Jungwon's phone buzzed. When he glanced at it, his jaw clenched like he'd been caught at something.
"Sure," I said slowly. I'll play along.
"Text me the details."
————
Next Day
Sunlight streamed through the curtains as I blinked awake. After a quick breakfast-scrambled eggs that somehow tasted more like nervous anticipation than food-I stood paralyzed before my open closet.
The hanging clothes seemed to judge me. Casual jeans? Too plain. A dress? Too formal. My fingers hovered over a cream sweater -the one Jungwon had given me for my birthday last year.
"Don't trust him," the text message flashed in my memory.
I yanked the sweater off its hanger. If this was a trap, I'd walk into it wearing his goddamn gift as armor.
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I put the clothes I had chosen on the bed and took my towel to take a shower
15 minutes later.
————-
After a quick bath, I slipped into the clothes I'd chosen earlier—including the cream sweater. As the car horn announced Jungwon's arrival, I grabbed my wallet and phone, pausing to gaze out the window. Grey clouds hovered over the horizon, the scent of upcoming snow in the air.
Minutes later, Jungwon was waving to me from his open car door. I thanked him as I slid into the passenger seat, the heat warming my cheeks. The car purred to life as we set off towards Everland.
#
[At Everland]
We arrived for Zion's birthday celebration. Hiding behind Jungwon, I watched as Zion ran up to his brother.
"Where's Noona?" Zion asked, bouncing on his toes. Jungwon ruffled his hair.
"Sorry, little one. She couldn't make it." I stepped out with a laugh, singing "Happy Birthday." Zion's head whipped around.
"That's Noona's voice!" When he spotted me, his face lit up like the park's fairy lights. "Happy 8th birthday, Zion!"He crashed into me with a bear hug. "I knew you'd come!"
"Here's your gift." | handed him a carefully wrapped box. Zion pressed it to his chest. "I'll save this surprise for later!"
Jungwon and I exchanged smiles-until Zion grabbed both our hands and mashed them together. "I've missed you two like this!"
Before we could react, he darted off to his friends. My fingers twitched in Jungwon's grasp before I pulled away.
"Sorry," I mumbled. Jungwon stared at his empty hand. "It's... okay." The awkward silence shattered when Zion came barreling back.
"Carousel! Now!" Jungwon paid for our tickets, positioning himself protectively behind Zion while I sat across from them. The music swelled as the ride began, and for three perfect minutes, we were just three people laughing under the glittering lights. Afterward, as I carried a sleepy Zion, I asked, "Want cotton candy?"
His enthusiastic nod sent me looking back at Jungwon. "We'll be right back." Jungwon squeezed Zion's rosy cheek. "Take care of my little man." As we walked toward the food stalls, Zion whispered, "Noona... I really did miss you." His small hand tightened in mine, and suddenly, all the unspoken words between Jungwon and me felt heavier than ever.
—————- Someone's POV
As I prepared to head over to Eunha's place today, I couldn't help but notice an unfamiliar black sedan parked nearby. A man emerged, his face obscured by the car's size. Then to my surprise, Eunha stepped into the passenger seat.
I froze in confusion. But I didn't recall her having a boyfriend.
Curiosity and jealousy mingled within me as they pulled away. My mind raced with unanswered questions.
———
---
Jungwon carefully lifted the sleeping Zion into his arms. "He must be exhausted from all the excitement," he whispered, gazing fondly at his little brother. We both chuckled softly.
"Thank you, Eunha," Jungwon said, his voice sincere. "For coming to Zion's birthday even after... everything." His eyes held that familiar warmth I remembered from better days.
I couldn't help but smile at his adorable pout. "It's okay, Jungwon. We can start fresh - as friends." I extended my hand toward him.
For a heartbeat, he hesitated. Then his fingers closed around mine, warm and familiar yet somehow different now. His grip was firm - not quite the casual handshake between friends, but something more tentative, like he was memorizing the feel of my hand in his.
"Friends," he repeated, the word tasting new on his tongue. Zion stirred slightly in his arms, bringing us back to the present moment.
#
[Jungwon's POV]
Once I had taken Zion back to our parents' house, I parked my car in the garage, located at my parents' home which was conveniently near my friend's dormitory.
I returned to the house and went to my room to change clothes. I put on a gray hoodie and a pair of sweatpants. I then left the house, not bothered to grab my jacket.
As I was walking back to the dormitories, I noticed Sunghoon standing outside. I approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, what's up?"
Sunghoon looked taken aback, surprised to find me there. "I just returned from visiting Eunha's house," he replied.
Ah, I thought to myself. So he too had attempted to reach out to her but had been unsuccessful. I withdrew my hand from his shoulder and ran a hand through my hair absentmindedly.
"And you?" he inquired, his gaze fixed on me.
"I've been out grocery shopping with my mother," I answered casually.
My response was deliberately dismissive, avoiding any mention of my relationship with Eunha. As far as everyone was aware, she was merely a friend.
"Oh, I see," Sunghoon replied.
Our conversation died as we continued walking, each of us lost in our own thoughts.
We arrived at the dorm. As I opened the door and settled onto the couch, I was surprised to hear Sunghoon's sudden shout.
