BLOSSOMS IN THE SPOLIGHT | HEESEUNG

18: Mending the Bonds

Jia hadn’t realized how much she missed the ease of friendship until she started to feel it slipping through her fingers. The tension between her and Heeseung had been building for weeks, and it wasn’t just him—there was a subtle shift in her dynamic with the rest of the Enhypen members as well. She wasn’t as carefree as she once was around them, and the lighthearted moments that used to make her smile now felt awkward and forced.

But things couldn’t stay strained forever. She knew that, and deep down, she didn’t want them to. So when Sunghoon casually mentioned that the group was planning a day out—something low-key and fun, just to take a break from their busy schedules—Jia saw it as an opportunity to start fresh. She was determined to fix whatever had gone wrong, to reconnect with the boys, and maybe, just maybe, find a way to bridge the distance that had grown between her and Heeseung.

The outing was set for a weekend afternoon, at a popular park on the outskirts of Seoul. The autumn air was crisp but not too cold, and the sky was a brilliant blue, with just a few clouds drifting lazily by. Jia arrived early, her heart beating a little faster than usual. She wanted this to go well.

The park was bustling with families and groups of friends, the energy infectious. She spotted the boys near the entrance, a mix of laughter and chatter surrounding them as they playfully jostled each other. Sunghoon was the first to notice her, his face breaking into a wide grin as he waved her over.

“Jia!” he called, his voice full of warmth. “Glad you could make it!”

She smiled and quickened her pace, feeling a little lighter at his greeting. “Wouldn’t miss it,” she replied as she reached the group. She noticed that Heeseung was there, too, though he was talking to Jake and hadn’t yet acknowledged her. The sight of him still brought a flutter to her chest, but she pushed the feeling aside. Today wasn’t about complications—it was about reconnecting.

“Hey, Jia!” Ni-ki bounced over, his youthful energy already in full force. “We’re gonna play soccer. You in?”

“Soccer?” Jia raised an eyebrow, laughing. “I haven’t played in forever. You sure you want me on your team?”

“Of course!” Ni-ki exclaimed, as if the idea of her not playing was absurd. “It’s just for fun. You’ll be great.”

Sunghoon threw an arm around her shoulders, steering her toward the open field where they planned to play. “Don’t worry, we won’t let Ni-ki go too hard on you.”

“Hey, I’m always fair!” Ni-ki protested, though his grin gave him away.

The casual banter helped ease Jia’s nerves, and soon enough, they were all splitting into teams. She ended up on Sunghoon and Jay’s side, while Heeseung, Jake, and Ni-ki formed the opposing team. Jia caught Heeseung’s eye briefly, and he gave her a small, almost shy smile. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

As they kicked the ball around, the atmosphere quickly turned competitive—but in a way that was playful and light. Jia found herself laughing more than she had in weeks, running across the field and trying her best to keep up with the boys, who were far more skilled than she was. Sunghoon was by her side, helping her out with tips and encouragement, while Jay took on the role of “coach,” shouting out exaggerated instructions that made everyone laugh.

At one point, Jia found herself face-to-face with Heeseung, who was blocking her path to the goal. She froze for a moment, the ball at her feet, unsure of how to react. For a brief second, the tension between them seemed to return, the air between them heavy with unsaid words.

But then Heeseung grinned, that mischievous, playful look she’d always loved, and suddenly the tension melted away.

“Come on, Jia,” he teased, moving to block her. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Without thinking, she tapped the ball to the side and tried to sprint past him, but Heeseung was faster. He stole the ball with ease, laughing as he jogged away. “Better luck next time!”

“Hey!” Jia called after him, pretending to be indignant. “That’s not fair!”

Heeseung glanced back over his shoulder, still smiling. “All’s fair in soccer!”

The exchange was small, almost insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but to Jia, it felt like a breakthrough. For the first time in weeks, she and Heeseung had shared a moment that wasn’t weighed down by awkwardness or distance. It was just them, playing a silly game, laughing like they used to.

After an hour of soccer—and after Ni-ki’s team inevitably won—they all collapsed onto the grass, exhausted but happy. Jia stretched out on the ground, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath. The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting a golden hue over the park. She closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the peacefulness of the moment.

“You did pretty well,” Sunghoon said from beside her, nudging her lightly. “For someone who hasn’t played in a while.”

Jia chuckled, opening her eyes and turning her head to look at him. “Thanks. I tried to keep up.”

“You more than kept up,” Jay added from where he sat cross-legged nearby. “I’m impressed.”

Jia felt a warmth spread through her at their compliments. It wasn’t just the praise that made her feel good—it was the fact that, for the first time in what felt like forever, she was a part of their world again. She didn’t feel like an outsider, watching from a distance. She was with them.

As they sat together, chatting and joking about the game, Jia noticed Heeseung sitting a few feet away, leaning back on his elbows and listening to the conversation with a contented look on his face. He hadn’t said much since the game ended, but he seemed more at ease than he had in days. Their earlier interaction on the field had broken the ice, and now, even though they weren’t talking, the awkwardness between them felt less oppressive.

After a while, Jake stood up and stretched. “Alright, who’s up for some food? I’m starving.”

A chorus of agreements followed, and soon enough, they were all heading toward a small food truck nearby that sold a variety of snacks and drinks. Jia found herself walking next to Heeseung, and though they didn’t say much, the silence between them was comfortable. She felt like they were slowly finding their way back to each other, even if it was just through small steps.

As they sat down with their food—hotteok and kimbap for most of them—Jia felt a deep sense of contentment wash over her. The boys were back to their usual selves, teasing each other and sharing stories from their recent schedules, and Jia was right there in the middle of it all, laughing along with them. It was like a weight had been lifted, the tension that had hung over their interactions finally dissolving.

Heeseung, who had been quieter than usual, finally turned to her after a few minutes. “Hey, Jia,” he said softly, so that only she could hear. “I’m glad you came today.”

Jia looked at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. There was no teasing, no playful banter—just a genuine moment between them.

“Me too,” she replied, her voice just as quiet. “I’ve missed this. All of you.”

Heeseung nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Yeah. Me too.”

It wasn’t an apology, and it didn’t need to be. They both knew that things hadn’t been easy between them lately, but today had been a step in the right direction. There were still things they needed to work through, conversations that needed to happen, but for now, just being able to enjoy each other’s company was enough.

As the sun set and the city lights began to twinkle in the distance, Jia felt a sense of peace settle over her. She was getting along with the boys again, laughing, joking, and just being herself. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start. And for the first time in a long while, she felt like everything was going to be okay.