The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, revealing Hayato and Haru standing side by side.
Sayu froze mid-step, her foot hovering just before the threshold. Her eyes darted from Hayato's familiar face to Haru, who looked effortlessly elegant—her wine-red dress draping over her like liquid silk, the faint sheen catching the light. The calm, practiced smile she wore somehow made the moment feel heavier than it should.
For a second, no one moved. Even the quiet hum of the hotel seemed to hold its breath.
Hayato's brows twitched ever so slightly in surprise. Noticing this, Haru tilted her head faintly before speaking.
"Oh," she said softly, her gaze sweeping over Sayu and Kanna before settling on Dae Woo. "Friends of yours?"
Hayato's expression barely shifted, though there was the slightest flicker in his eyes.
"…Classmates."
The word felt strange in the air: short, formal, and far colder than it needed to be. Sayu gave a small nod, unsure, followed by Kanna.
Dae Woo, oblivious to the tension, stepped forward with his usual grin. "Nice to meet you," he said politely, offering Haru a small bow, which she returned with a graceful nod.
The brief moment passed, and Hayato and Haru stepped out of the lift. As soon as they were clear, Sayu's group entered, Dae Woo pressing for the 18th floor.
Sayu's gaze lingered for just a second longer before the elevator doors slid shut, cutting the scene away like a closing curtain.
The hum of the elevator filled the silence. Kanna leaned slightly toward her, whispering just low enough for Sayu to hear. "…Who was she?"
"How would I know…" Sayu shrugged, keeping her eyes forward.
She didn't say anything more, simply watching the glowing numbers climb above the door as if they were the most interesting thing in the world.
Dae Woo glanced at her but said nothing, his easy smile fading into something unreadable for a moment.
* * * * *
As Haru and Hayato stepped out of the hotel's revolving doors, the cool evening air met them. A young man in a black suit jogged up, bowing respectfully before Haru.
"Miss," he said, "the car is ready."
"Ehm, thanks, Mark." Haru's tone softened slightly as she turned to Hayato. "Well, it was nice catching up…"
"Same," he replied, his hands slipping casually into his pockets.
"Say hi to Aunt and Uncle for me."
"I will. Get back safe."
They exchanged brief farewells before parting as Hayato headed toward the valet stand where his car waited, Haru followed her assistant toward the sleek black sedan parked by the curb.
Click.
The soft thud of the door closing as her assistant circled to the driver's seat, fastening his seatbelt before starting the engine.
Haru turned her head to the window, watching the city lights blur past. Her reflection in the glass looked calm, but her thoughts were far from still.
Where did I see her…?
The question tugged at her mind until, like a puzzle piece sliding into place, something clicked. Her hand drifted to the tablet on the seat beside her, her fingers moving quickly over the screen.
Within moments, her search brought up an article on Sakura University's campus board; one featuring a photo of Sayu and Hayato together. It was the infamous dare.
Her lips curved into a small, knowing smile. 'I was right.'
Her gaze lingered on Sayu's face in the image, the amusement in her eyes sharpening. Interesting…
With a quiet scoff, she set the tablet aside, turning her attention back to the cityscape as the car glided deeper into the city.
* * * * *
Ding.
The elevator doors opened on the 18th floor, and Dae Woo gestured for them to follow. "Come on."
They stepped out onto a plush hallway, the carpet muffling their footsteps as they approached a set of double glass doors leading into a grand dining area.
Inside, the polished marble floors reflected the warm glow of chandeliers. A faint aroma of fresh lilies drifted from a towering floral arrangement in the corner, mingling with the mouthwatering scent of freshly prepared dishes.
"Wow…" Kanna murmured, her eyes darting to the gold-trimmed reception desk. "This place is gorgeous."
Dae Woo chuckled. "Yeah, well, wait till you taste the food."
"Is he the chef too?" Sayu asked, taking in the refined décor.
"No, but he hired some of the best," Dae Woo said with a smile. "Enough for him to brag about them all day."
They crossed to the reception counter, where a man in a suit immediately smiled upon spotting Dae Woo.
"Oh, Dae Woo… you're here," the man said warmly.
"Hey, Taeyang. Is Ji-Hoon here?"
"Yes, follow me," Taeyang replied, leading them deeper into the venue.
As they passed tables dressed in crisp white linens and set with gleaming silverware, Kanna leaned closer to Sayu. "Wow… how much do you think it all cost?"
"No idea," Sayu whispered back. "Probably a lot."
Kanna nodded in silent agreement.
They soon reached the far side of the restaurant, where a tall man in a slate-grey suit was adjusting a floral centerpiece on a large round table. A clipboard hung from one hand as he gave quiet instructions to a nearby waiter.
"Ji-Hoon!" Dae Woo called out.
The man turned immediately, his face breaking into a wide smile. "Dae Woo! You actually came!"
The two closed the distance quickly, embracing like brothers who hadn't met in years. Ji-Hoon gave Dae Woo a playful shake by the shoulders. "How could you be late to your own cousin's opening, huh? I was starting to think you skipped it."
Dae Woo grinned. "Hey, I had class. Not everyone gets to just run a restaurant for a living."
Ji-Hoon smirked before glancing at the two girls behind him. "And who do we have here?"
"They're my friends," Dae Woo explained.
Kanna and Sayu both bowed slightly. "Thank you for having us," they said in unison.
"We met up earlier, and I thought they might like to check out the place," Dae Woo added.
"Of course," Ji-Hoon said warmly. "The more the merrier." He turned to a passing staff member. "I'm still finishing some touches for the evening service… Taeyang, could you take them to one of the tables near the back? Make sure they get something to eat while I wrap up."
"Sure thing, boss," Taeyang replied, motioning for them to follow.
As they walked toward a table by the window, Sayu's phone buzzed in her hand. She glanced down, unlocking it without much thought—then froze when she saw the name on the screen.
[Hayato Arisaka]
Her steps slowed, the glow of the message preview lighting up her expression in a way Kanna immediately noticed.