The rooftop party had begun to fade, the beat of the music softening as the VIP crowd thinned. Girls in glittering dresses and boys with their medals dangling from their necks spilled into waiting cars or taxis, laughter trailing behind. The Korean team huddled together, faces flushed, shoes in hand, medals clinking. Captain So-young called for a headcount—one, two, three—all present except for Ji-hye, who lingered by the outdoor lounge's edge, biting her lip, eyes fixed on Joon-ho across the terrace.
He caught her gaze, nodding with a gentle smile. "You should go back with them," he said, voice low and reassuring. "Get some rest. I'll be fine here."
She hesitated. "Text me the second you're on your way. And don't do anything stupid, oppa."
He squeezed her hand, thumb brushing her knuckles. "Promise. I just need to finish something with Valeria and her family. You know how she is."
