{KOREAN-ENGLISH}
"Let's go now," Hye Sua tugged on So Min's arm.
"Where do you think you're going?" the man growled, still clutching his side in pain. He staggered forward and grabbed both girls roughly by their arms.
"How dare you?!" Joon So Min screamed, struggling against him.
"Let us go!" Hye Sua shouted, kicking at his leg, but his grip was strong.
Suddenly, a force slammed into the man's back. He stumbled forward and crashed to the ground with a grunt.
"What the hell?!" he barked.
Both girls turned in shock.
"Jung Hyun?" So Min's eyes widened as she saw a familiar face,tall, handsome, and fierce.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Hold on a second, girls," Jung Hyun said, stepping protectively in front of them. He turned to the man.
"And who the hell are you?" the man snarled, rising to his feet.
"Someone you really don't want to mess with," Jung Hyun muttered darkly and then, he struck.
A clean, hard punch landed across the man's face. He staggered again. Jung Hyun didn't stop. His fists moved fast, precise. The man didn't stand a chance he was on the ground again within seconds, groaning in pain.
Jung Hyun took out his phone. "You're going to jail," he said and dialed 112.
Then, turning back to the stunned girls, he asked, "Are you both okay?"
Both nodded silently, impressed.
"When did you learn to fight?" Hye Sua asked, blinking.
"That's not the point. Let's get out of here," Jung Hyun said firmly.
The three of them hurried to his car parked behind the taxi.
⸻
In the car, both girls leaned back, exhausted. The cold glass of the windows pressed against their cheeks.
"So Min, how have you been?" Jung Hyun asked, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.
She looked at him, then turned her gaze away. "I've been fine. Not that you'd care... You broke up with me without a word."
Jung Hyun was quiet.
⸻
A Year Ago...
Joon So Min stood outside a warm, lit building, clutching a bouquet of flowers. Snow fell gently, dusting her hair and coat. Her fingers trembled from the cold and from nerves.
She stepped into the restaurant, Jung Hyun's parents' place, where his birthday party was in full swing. Laughter, music, and warm light filled the air.
"So Min!" Jung Hyun called out, beaming. He ran up to her and hugged her tightly.
"These are for you," she said, handing him the bouquet.
"You're late, but thank God I haven't cut the cake yet!"
"I'm sorry. I had to deliver the new designs to D-Fashion."
"Let me introduce you to my friends."
She hesitated. "That wasn't the plan. You said we'd leave for dinner after cake. You know they don't like me."
"I'm sorry... They want us to head to the club after this."
"I don't want to go there, Hyun."
He looked at her for a moment. "So Min, you've been... different lately. Maybe we should take a break."
Her eyes widened. "Wait, are you breaking up with me?"
"No... just a break for now."
"Fuck you, Jung Hyun," she said, her voice cracking. She ran out into the snow.
He didn't chase her.
"What's wrong, Hyun?" a girl asked.
"Nothing... Me and So Min just broke up. Did I do the right thing?"
"Of course. You deserve better," the girl replied, touching his arm.
⸻
"I'm sorry," Jung Hyun said now, softly.
"Don't be. It's in the past," So Min replied with a fake smile.
She had cried over him for weeks... then found out he moved to the States without telling her.
"I heard you went abroad?"
"Yeah. Just got back a few days ago," he replied. She was quiet again, staring out the window.
⸻
He pulled up to her apartment. The street was dark and quiet.
"Thanks again," she said as he parked. Hye Sua was already asleep, snoring softly in the backseat.
"Let me help," Jung Hyun offered, getting out and helping her carry her friend.
So Min unlocked the door, grateful her stepmother wasn't home. That would've been another war.
Jung Hyun helped her settle Hye Sua on the bed, then followed her back outside.
⸻
"So Min..." he began as they stood in the cold. Her breath came out in white puffs.
"How are you really doing?"
"I'm still trying, like always. Working under Mat & Made, hoping someday I'll launch my own brand. You?"
"I opened a restaurant near Gangnam. I also learned karate in the States."
She chuckled. "Wow, look at you. Dreams coming true."
He smiled. "So Min, can I get your number? Just coffee, sometimes? As friends?"
She paused. "We can never happen again, Jung Hyun."
"I know. Just friends."
"Alright." She took his phone and typed in her number.
"Good night, So Min."
"Good night, Jung Hyun."
He got in his car and drove off. She stood by the gate for a while, staring at the darkened sky.