The sauna air was thick and heavy, curling around Ji-hye like a warm blanket. Steam clung to her skin until tiny beads of sweat slid down her temple. She lounged against the smooth wooden bench, a folded towel cushioning her head, eyes half-closed in pure contentment.
Across from her, Min-jae sat as if the bench was a courtroom witness stand—arms crossed, shoulders stiff, jaw set. His damp hair clung to his forehead, and a faint blush crept across his sharp cheekbones, though whether from the heat or irritation was anyone's guess.
"You know," Ji-hye said lazily, not even bothering to open both eyes, "you look like someone dragged you in here against your will."
"That's because someone did," Min-jae replied flatly.
Ji-hye smirked, tilting her head. "Oh, come on. Sauna time is sacred bonding time. You should consider using it to forgive Ga-young."
He didn't respond—just shifted like the bench offended him. A drop of sweat slid down his nose.
Ji-hye chuckled under her breath, grabbing her water bottle. "You're hopeless, Min-jae." She exhaled and added softly, "She's really changed a lot."
"It's impossible not to notice," he said, still unfazed.
"Ever since her father died, it's been tough. Then Mom had gastric surgery and had to stop working. Ga-young's been working herself raw to pay off her father's debts," Ji-hye explained.
"So why are you telling me this?" His tone was pure disinterest, but his eyes flickered.
"Because you shouldn't be too hard on her. She already has more on her plate than anyone should."
Min-jae gave a low, humorless chuckle. "What do you people think I am?"
Before Ji-hye could reply, the sauna door swung open, and in walked Ga-young—followed closely by Ji-hoon.
"Oh, right, I forgot to tell you—I invited Ji-hoon too. Even numbers, less suffocation." Ji-hye waved at them cheerfully.
Ga-young's smile was flawless but hollow, while Ji-hoon's shone like a summer morning.
"Why are you guys so late?" Ji-hye whined.
"My fault," Ji-hoon admitted easily. "We had to wait for a package."
"Hmm… since it's you, you're forgiven," Ji-hye announced dramatically.
"I'll go change," Ga-young murmured, already heading toward the lockers.
Ji-hye clicked her tongue. "I miss my old bestie—the wild Choi Ga-young."
"I'll go change too," Ji-hoon said with a grin.
Ji-hye leaned back, a sly smile on her lips. "Something tells me today is going to be interesting."
---
Minutes later, they sat in a loose circle in the sauna, the air set at the perfect heat—warm enough to relax, not enough to choke.
Ji-hoon cracked open a bottle of 식혜 and handed it to Ga-young, the gesture so casual yet thoughtful it made everyone blink.
"Thank you," Ga-young said softly, smiling in a way that almost looked real.
"So," Ji-hye cut in like a sword through silk, "what now?"
"I think it'd be nice to hear how everyone's been holding up," Ji-hoon suggested, passing a bottle to Ji-hye next.
"You've changed, Ji-hoon. You're practically a gentleman now," Ji-hye teased.
"I'll start," Min-jae said suddenly.
"Ohhh, fine. Then Ga-young, then Ji-hoon, and I'll go last," Ji-hye said.
"The last ten years…" Min-jae paused, exhaling slowly. "Productive. I grew more confident in the business world."
"You grew so big you forgot how to live like a human," Ji-hye shot back.
"Hey!" His voice had the faintest growl.
Ga-young exhaled and began, "The past six years have been a rollercoaster, but I think it's shaped me instead of breaking me." She finished with an eye smile that could've fooled strangers but not Ji-hye.
"That's so touching," Ji-hye said, clutching her chest theatrically.
"Let's move on," Ga-young replied lightly.
"As for me, the last six years have been full of drama," Ji-hoon said with a chuckle. "Honestly, it's been fun."
"That sounds nice," Ga-young murmured.
"You're always welcome at my place in Busan if you need a breather," Ji-hoon offered with a warm smile.
Ga-young's lips curved in response.
When it was Ji-hye's turn, she clasped her hands like she was about to give a sermon. "Well, I'm married now—with one kid, my precious Ha-eun." Her voice softened. "At first, I felt like I was drowning. Overwhelmed. But I'm lucky… my husband stood by me and told me everything would be fine."
Ji-hoon leaned forward. "So… how did you meet Hyun-woo?"
Ji-hye's lips spread into a wide grin. "Do you really want to know?"
"Oh no," Ga-young muttered under her breath.
Ji-hye cleared her throat theatrically. "Listen, you single loners, and learn. It was a lonely spring day in 2021…"
---
Seoul – Spring 2021 – Gangnam District
Ji-hye's day had been a masterpiece of disasters.
First, her umbrella snapped mid-drizzle—the kind of rain K-dramas call "romantic" but in reality just frizzes your hair. Then she'd spilled coffee on her blouse while arguing with a street vendor about strawberries.
"Sir, these are not the strawberries from the Garden of Eden—lower the price!"
Now, she was sprinting in heels after a man in a black coat who—she thought—had stolen her tote bag.
"HEY! MISTER! STOP!" she yelled.
He turned. Wrong bag. Just a guy buying dumplings.
Before she could slow down, her heel caught in a pavement crack. She lurched forward—robotic, graceless—and slammed into a tall, broad-shouldered stranger.
Coffee. Everywhere.
Hyun-woo looked down at his ruined white shirt, then at her. His jawline could've cut glass.
"You're just my type," she muttered before her brain could intervene.
"Are you okay?" His voice was smooth, deep.
"I—no! I thought—" She pointed to the dumpling man. "—never mind."
Hyun-woo blinked. "You thought he stole your bag?"
"Yes! I'm sorry!"
"It's fine. I'll get it dry-cleaned. Just… don't run in heels—it's dangerous."
"Would you appear again if I did?" she blurted.
He laughed. Actually laughed.
Embarrassed, she bit her lip. "Sorry."
"No, I'm sorry. You look cold. Coffee? Soup?"
And that was it. The ridiculous, coffee-stained, rain-splattered moment they'd remember forever.
---
Present Day
"I'm glad I fell hard for the right person," Ji-hye said dreamily.
"Epic K-drama vibes," Ji-hoon teased. "Poor Hyun-woo—ambushed by coffee and romance."
"Hey!! Don't say it like you pity him for marrying me, he is more lucky than you know" Ji-hye said.
"Okay!" Ji-hoon said sarcastically.
"Hey! It's true" Ji-hye tough back
Moments later, they were back in their clothes.
"I'll leave first," Ga-young said.
"I'll drop you—" Ji-hye began.
"I live next door to her," Ji-hoon cut in smoothly.
"Ah. Drive safe."
Ji-hoon turned to Min-jae. "Nice spending time with you. Hope we get along more."
Min-jae smiled faintly. "I hope so."
As Ji-hoon led Ga-young away, Ji-hye leaned toward Min-jae. "You sure you don't still have feelings for her?"
He ignored her.
"If you do, be alert. Ji-hoon's pulling something—I can feel it. And FYI, his first love? Ga-young."
That made Min-jae stop. He looked at her for a long beat before smirking faintly. "Isn't it past Ha-eun's bedtime?"
"You're so annoying. Don't blame me if I start cheering Ji-hoon on," she called, spinning on her heel toward her car.
Min-jae watched her go, his mind lingering two words or rather a name.
Park Ji-hoon.