our crossed paths | jww.

twelve.

Planning the dinner wasn't easy, especially with their vastly different schedules. Wonwoo had shoots, Mingyu was stuck in the lab, while Seokmin and Jiwoo were constantly on their feet, keeping the wards running smoothly.

After a lot of back and forth, they finally managed to find a time that worked for everyone, and they settled on a tucked-away restaurant that offered the privacy they needed.

Jiwoo arrived on time, glancing around the cozy interior before spotting Wonwoo.

She sighed in relief as she walked over to him. "Sorry, got a little stuck in traffic."

"No worries. I just got here a little early," Wonwoo replied, his eyes briefly taking in her casual outfit.

A pink coloured tee, paired with jeans, and her hair tied up as usual.

He was used to seeing her in scrubs or professional attire, so this was a pleasant change.

"I left Ahrin with her nanny tonight," Wonwoo said, breaking the initial awkwardness that seemed to linger between them.

Jiwoo nodded, "Ah, I see... That must be a relief for you."

They both fell into a comfortable silence, the kind that comes when two people are still figuring out the dynamics of a new friendship—or perhaps something more.

Since the other two hadn't arrived yet, it left them some time alone to chat.

As they began grilling the meat over the sizzling flames, Wonwoo couldn't help but let his curiosity get the better of him. "So, Jiwoo, how did you meet Seokmin and Mingyu?"

Jiwoo looked up from the grill, pausing before she answered. "Those rascals? Ah, we go way back to freshman year in university. As for how we got close... Well, that's a bit of a long story."

"Give me the short version," Wonwoo said with a small smile.

Jiwoo chuckled. "Back in university, there was this guy—well, you've probably heard of him before. Haejoon. He was the campus heartthrob, rich, handsome... you know the type. But he only had eyes for me. The girls didn't take it well."

"Don't get me wrong, I never wanted the attention. It just happened that he confessed to me on campus one day," she added, sighing.

Wonwoo leaned in slightly, giving her his full attention. "That must've been tough."

"It was. I lost a lot of friends because of it. Even my best friend at the time, who had a crush on him, left me when she found out he liked me. I was pretty much isolated. Most of the girls either ignored me or tried to use me to get close to him."

"How did you even survive college then? So rough," Wonwoo said, genuinely sympathetic.

"It was. But then Seokmin, Mingyu, and a few other guys approached me. At first I thought they also came to me for the drama; but I was wrong. They genuinely needed help with studies and then I tutored them often, and they became my real friends. We've stuck together ever since."

"Kang Jiwoo you betrayer! Look Gyu! They're eating without us!"

Before Wonwoo could respond, Seokmin and Mingyu finally arrived, apologizing for being late. "Sorry we're late!"

"I did not betray anyone???"

The atmosphere lightened considerably as the four of them settled into their meal.

"So guys, this is Wonwoo," Jiwoo started introducing between the gentlemen.

"and Wonwoo, these are my best friends, you might know Dr. Seokmin from Ahrin's school and Associate Professor Mingyu," Jiwoo explained, with a bit of teasing especially to Mingyu.

"Nice to finally meet you two. And I'm truly thankful for all the help and bother I put you two, especially Mingyu," Wonwoo shook hands with the both of them.

"No worries, a friend of Ji is considered our friend too!" Mingyu replied back enthusiastically, before cutting in again slightly slower, "-especially since our Ji doesn't have many friends..."

"Yah I heard that!"