It had been a whole week since Yuna last met Mina and Soojin for coffee, and the guilt in her chest had only grown stronger. Every day, she thought about telling them the truth—that Ryu kept showing up in her life, as if the magical night on set had never ended. But the words always got stuck in her throat.
Part of her was scared they'd scold her for being reckless and for letting a secret romance with a celebrity sweep her off her feet. Another part feared something even worse—that they wouldn't believe her at all.
Yet every evening, the pattern continued.
Ryu would arrive as the city slid into darkness, usually bringing take-out or warm street snacks. They would enjoy late-night meals of comforting bowls of ramyeon, chatting until her eyes felt heavy. Then, they would fall asleep next to each other. And each morning, Yuna would wake up to an empty apartment, with no single trace of him.
Another Saturday morning came too quickly. Yuna stepped off the subway, embraced by a mild breeze that held the scent of roasted chestnuts from a nearby vendor.
The small café behind the market was already bustling with students and young couples. Warm music floated through the air, mixing with the rich aroma of espresso. Mina waved from their usual corner booth, her smile bright enough to cut through the morning gloom. Meanwhile, Soojin sat in another corner, cradling a book in her hands.
"Over here, superstar!" Mina called out.
Yuna laughed, making her way through the busy tables. "Superstar? Hardly."
Soojin quickly glanced over her as Yuna slid into the booth. "Are you sure about that? You're practically glowing."
Yuna sighed. "Not that again."
"She's right," Mina said, leaning forward with a grin. "Your skin, your eyes are radiant. This is not the Yuna who usually drags herself here like a zombie after a week on set."
Yuna ducked her head, a smile creeping onto her lips. "Maybe I finally learned how to sleep." She said the same excuse.
Soojin set her book aside. "No, this is different. There's a…spark. Okay, spill. Are you seeing someone?"
The question surprised Yuna, even though she had half expected it. She traced her finger along the rim of her mug. "Maybe," she said softly..
Both friends leaned in closer, intrigued. Mina's eyes widened. "Who?"
Yuna hesitated, the name feeling delicate on her tongue. "Ryu Jin."
For a heartbeat, the café's busy noise seemed to fade.
Soojin blinked. "As in…actor Jin Ryu? Top of every billboard Ryu Jin?"
Yuna nodded, cheeks warming.
Mina's mouth opened, closed, then opened again. "You're…dating Ryu Jin?"
"I don't know if I'd call it dating," Yuna admitted. "We…see each other after work. Late. We eat, talk a little. Sometimes he stays the night."
Mina and Soojin exchanged a quick, startled glance.
"That's…" Soojin searched for a word that wasn't disbelief. "…incredible."
"And totally unexpected," Mina added, her tone gentle, not mocking.
"I know." Yuna let out a nervous laugh. "I keep thinking I'm imagining it."
Soojin tilted her head. "Does anyone else on set know?"
"No. And during the day…" Yuna swallowed. "He acts like he doesn't know me. Like nothing ever happened."
Her friends absorbed this in silence, the café's jazz filling the quiet. Mina reached across the table, placing her hand over Yuna's. "That must be confusing."
"It is," Yuna agreed. "Sometimes I wonder if it's even real. I wake up, and there's no proof he was ever there."
Soojin frowned. "And this happens often?"
"Almost every night," Yuna said. "But only at night."
Mina's thumb brushed gently over Yuna's knuckles. "Yuna, you know we care about you. And we believe you. It just sounds…hard to explain."
Yuna gave a small, sad smile. "I know. Part of me wonders if I'm…hallucinating. Maybe I'm just too tired. Sometimes it feels so real it scares me."
Soojin hesitated and then softly said, "Sleep deprivation can do strange things. Remember my cousin during her medical residency? She started hearing music that wasn't there."
"Or maybe it's just stress," Mina suggested carefully. "You work crazy hours. The mind plays tricks when it's exhausted."
Yuna stared into her coffee, watching the tiny ripples dance on the surface. "It feels like more than just tricks."
They didn't rush to answer. Instead, Mina gave her hand a light squeeze. "Would you consider talking to a doctor? Just to be safe?"
Yuna's chest tightened. "You think I'm crazy?"
"We think you're exhausted," Soojin said gently. "And we want you healthy. That's all."
The warmth in their voices soothed her more than it stung. They weren't dismissing her—they were worried, just as good friends should be.
Yuna nodded slowly. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I should."
Mina smiled gently. "Whatever's happening, we're here for you."
"Always," Soojin added.
The three of them sat together for a long while after that, talking about ordinary things. Soojin shared details about her new design project, Mina talked about her neighbor's playful cat, and they excitedly planned for the upcoming cherry blossom festival.
Later, on the subway ride back to her apartment, Yuna pressed her forehead against the cool glass window. Her friends' concern echoed in her mind, soft yet persistent.
See a doctor.
Perhaps she should.
But deep down, beneath all her uncertainty, a small part of her held onto the memory of Ryu's warm gaze and the steady rhythm of their late-night walks. Those moments, real or not, felt more genuine than anything else.