YEAR 2009
The sun was already dipping low, painting the streets in a dull orange glow as the last of the students trickled out of the school gates. Ga-young walked nonchalantly, choosing the quieter route home through the narrow alley behind the gym.
But the sound of heels clicking against pavement froze her in place.
"Well, well, well…" A sing-song voice floated through the alley. "Look who's sneaking home all alone."
Ga-young turned, her expression cool and unimpressed by their childish theatrics. Blocking the exit stood So-yeon and her friends, their lip gloss gleaming even in the fading light, arms folded, smiles sharp as broken glass.
So-yeon twirled her phone charm lazily. "You've been walking around here like you belong. Newsflash, new girl—you don't."
One of the girls leaned in with a laugh. "Yeah, you're kind of… embarrassing, you know? That ribbon, that cheap bag. People are already talking."
Ga-young sighed and tried to brush past, but Hera grabbed her arm, yanking her back. This time Ga-young's eyes blazed, fists clenching. She was seconds from exploding when another voice sliced through the tension.
"What's going on here?"
A tall, skinny girl appeared at the mouth of the alley, a lollipop stuck between her lips. Her tone was calm, but carried an edge sharp enough to cut.
"So-yeon," she said flatly.
"Ji-hye…" So-yeon's smirk faltered.
"What did I say about bullying?" Ji-hye asked, unimpressed.
"She was rude to us. Are we not allowed to teach her a lesson?" Hera shot back.
Ji-hye popped the lollipop from her mouth and tossed it aside, her stare like daggers. "Go on. Touch her. I dare you."
For a moment, silence weighed heavy. Then So-yeon clicked her tongue, exchanging glares with Ji-hye before brushing past her with a shove of the shoulder. "She's nothing. Just let her go."
Ji-hye watched them leave, then turned to Ga-young and offered her hand. "You okay? You're the new girl, right?"
"I didn't need your help. I could've handled it myself." Ga-young shoved her hand away, attitude laced in every word.
Ji-hye smirked. "Relax. I'm just against fighting in school uniform. Bad for the school's reputation, you know?"
"That has nothing to do with me," Ga-young shot back, rolling her eyes.
"You've got a bad attitude," Ji-hye said, almost amused. "I like it. Jung Ji-hye." She stretched out her hand again.
"I'm not interested." Ga-young brushed past her, leaving Ji-hye hanging.
Ji-hye clapped her hands together with a sly grin. "At least a thank you wouldn't have hurt." Then, with her usual boldness, she followed after Ga-young.
Back to present
The café was glistening, alive with chatter and the warm scent of roasted beans. Ga-young and Ji-hye sat across from each other, sipping their lattes with the seriousness of two people downing bitter beer.
Ji-hye dragged out a dramatic sigh.
"This is terrible. If it were soju, I'd be drunk by now. But no, I can't even drink tonight because I have to take Ha-eun to her game tomorrow."
"Doesn't Hyun-woo usually do that?" Ga-young asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Long story," Ji-hye muttered, waving her hand dismissively. "Anyway, tell me—why were you out that night?"
Ga-young exhaled. "I met Seok-min."
Ji-hye slammed her cup down. "Seok-min? That bastard!"
"He said hurtful things…" Ga-young stirred her coffee slowly. "But the worst part was—he wasn't wrong."
"He never liked you to begin with," Ji-hye said fiercely. "When someone's looking for a reason to hate you, even the tiniest excuse becomes their weapon."
Ga-young leaned back, her voice small. "Why didn't you stop me when I was messing with Min-jae's feelings?"
"I mean, I did warn you," Ji-hye replied, twirling her cup with faux innocence.
"Oh my God." Ga-young dropped her head onto the table with a groan.
Ji-hye smirked. "So tell me—do you regret it because he's your boss now, or because you actually feel guilty?"
Ga-young shot upright. "Of course I regret it because it was wrong! But it haunts me more because he's my boss. And he's making it worse by being so… nice." She shook Ji-hye dramatically by the shoulders.
"Well…" Ji-hye said, pausing with a mischievous grin. "I think he still likes you. You were his first love, after all."
"Stop!" Ga-young stomped her feet like a child. "Don't say it. My life is already a complete mess."
Ji-hye patted her back, cooing, "There, there, pretty Ga-young."
Ga-young sighed. "It's too late to undo anything now. Only if I could turn back time…" She sipped her coffee, then looked at Ji-hye. "But enough about me. What's going on with you?"
"I fought with Hyun-woo," Ji-hye admitted, taking another sip. She suddenly winced. "Ugh, this coffee is awful. Why do we even come here? I feel pathetic drinking this instead of soju!" she yelled, drawing the stares of half the café.
Ga-young immediately bowed to everyone. "Sorry, sorry—she's going through something." Then she turned back. "You what? You fought with Hyun-woo again? What did you do this time?"
"Hey! Why do you assume it was my fault?" Ji-hye gasped in mock offense.
Ga-young only raised her cup, sipping quietly.
Ji-hye narrowed her eyes. "Are you even my best friend? Or are you secretly Hyun-woo's fan?"
"Both," Ga-young replied with a smirk. "But seriously, what happened?"
Ji-hye slumped. "He's been coming home really late. Always tired. I barely see him. The other night I tried to seduce him, and you know what he said?" She leaned in dramatically. "He told me he wasn't in the mood."
Ga-young blinked. "And?"
Ji-hye threw her hands up. "And?! We're married! Does it have to be a mood?"
"Maybe he's just stressed. Didn't you say his company's project was keeping him busy?"
"Well, I don't care," Ji-hye muttered, pouting. "I need him more than the company does."
Ga-young tilted her head. "Have you actually told him that?"
Ji-hye froze, blinking at her.
"Ji-hye…" Ga-young's voice sharpened. "Did you even try talking to him?"
Ji-hye busied herself sipping her coffee.
"Yah! Jung Ji-hye! What did you say to him this time?" Ga-young pressed.
Ji-hye bit her lip. "…I may have… cursed him. A lot."
Ga-young's jaw dropped. "Ji-hye!"
"It's not my fault! He rejected me!" she said defensively, then her voice wavered. "Do you think I've gotten fatter? Maybe I'm not attractive to him anymore?"
Ga-young reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "Don't be ridiculous. You're the sexiest woman I know. Just… be patient with him, okay?"
Ji-hye exhaled and checked the clock. "I have to go. Ha-eun needs to be tucked in." She stood up.
"Call me later," Ga-young said.
"Okay."
"You've got this!" Ga-young called, giving her a thumbs up.
Ji-hye smiled faintly and left.
---
When Ji-hye arrived home, the house was dark. She flicked on the light—and gasped. A trail of rose petals stretched across the living room floor, leading to the dining table. Candles flickered around carefully prepared dishes, and the sweet fragrance of lilies filled the air.
Hyun-woo stepped out from the kitchen, apron on, holding a bouquet of lilies. His smile was bright, boyish. "You're home."
"Babe…" Ji-hye's eyes filled with tears as he knelt down, offering the flowers.
"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I was wrong. I should never have put work before us."
Her tears spilled as she knelt too, hugging him tightly. "No—it was my fault. I was awful to you, I thought you no longer found me attractive"
He pulled back with a teasing smirk. "How dare you insult my wife like that? You're the hottest being I've met, so hot I'm literally steaming"
"Hey!" She swatted his arm, laughing through her tears.
"Did you eat already?" he asked.
She shook her head.
"Perfect. Ha-eun's asleep, so tonight… it's just us." He guided her to the table, pulling out her chair.
Ji-hye sat down, still dazed. "I can't believe you did all this…"
Hyun-woo sat opposite her, eyes sparkling. "Of course. To keep the best woman in the world, I've got to give her my best."
Ji-hye covered her face, laughing and crying all at once. "You're ridiculous."
He reached across the table, taking her hand. "Ridiculous for you."
And as the candles flickered, the night became theirs again—messy fights forgotten, love louder than words.