Just as Yoona was celebrating her success, the sound of a door opening echoed from the second‑floor balcony. A tall figure stepped out and his face strong yet gentle, hair dyed a soft blue streaked with pink highlights.
"What's going on, oh!" His eyes widened as he spotted the girl he once knew.
"Yoona… when did you get in here?!"
"I just wanted to talk with you privately," she said, hands clasped behind her back as she held up the photo. Minjun leapt down from the balcony, landing gracefully, and reached for the picture.
"You still kept this?"
"That's why I came. I still had something unresolved."
He bent down, listening closely. "I understand. You want to return this, don't you? Because it was mine to give back then. Am I right?"
"Mhm. I heard you've been dating someone quietly. I hope your relationship stays sweet—sweeter than mine ever was."
"And you and So Hyung too," he replied warmly. "Soon you'll graduate, start working. I hope it's stable, profitable, enough to support yourself and your family. If we ever have time, I'd like the three of us to share a meal again."
He brushed the ends of her hair before pulling her into a gentle hug, a blessing, a farewell.
"I'll hold up a banner at the concert," she promised.
The blond idol nearby burst into tears. "So touching… sniff, sob!"
Jinam rolled his eyes. "If it weren't for me, those two wouldn't even be standing together today." His boast was cut short by a sharp smack to the head.
"Ow! Did you just hit me, Tanni?!"
"You're annoying. You ruins the mood. Bleh~" Tanni stuck out his tongue, and the two idols tumbled into a scuffle, crashing onto the sofa.
"Got you! / No, I've got you! / Take this! / Arghhh!"
Yoona pointed at Minjun, urging him to break up the fight. He called out after her instead: "Good luck, Yoona! Be careful on your way out!"
She sprinted back toward the elevator, only to collide with a broad, muscular chest.
"Ow! That's… solid!" She looked up into the stern eyes of a bearded guard. Moments later, she was escorted outside the building, where So Hyung stood waiting, arms crossed.
"Lucky they didn't press charges," she sighed.
"Did they hurt you?" He rushed forward, checking her over.
"I'm fine, not a scratch. So… want to come home for a feast?" she asked, twisting her ankle shyly.
He shook his head, disappointed. "I've got a sales presentation with my professor. Maybe tomorrow we can go to the mall or catch a movie instead."
"I'll wait," she smiled, though inside she felt a pang of disappointment. Tomorrow, then.
Snowflakes drifted down, and the scene shifted back to her family's modern home. Yoona stepped inside, calling out:
"Eomma, Apa! I'm home!"
Her father was glued to the sports channel, shouting at the football match. "Run, run—ah! Ref, are you blind? Offside!" He turned, grinning. "Yoona, my girl!"
"Appa, you left the lights and TV on again," she puffed her cheeks in mock annoyance.
Her mother's voice floated from the kitchen. "Breakfast is almost ready, come quickly."
Yoona hurried to the table. Her mother unveiled a pot of steaming kimchi soup and braised pork with grains.
"Wow! My favorites!" Yoona clapped.
"Grandma recipe since your elementary days," her mother smiled.
The aroma drew her father from the couch. "In a few months you'll graduate. Those school years are the best, trust me. Oh, I spoke with So Hyung's mother—she plans to send him abroad for graduate studies."
"What?! He never told me that." Yoona stuffed food into her mouth, then excused herself. "I'll be upstairs gaming."
Her parents exchanged knowing looks. "She's just like you when you were young," her father teased.
Yoona flopped onto her bed, messaging her boyfriend. No reply. Doubt gnawed at her. Studying abroad? If I had the money, I'd follow him… She groaned under the blanket, then peeked out to confide again:
"I wish I could borrow money from you guys for tuition, just kidding. Ugh, broke life, empty pockets."
She sat up, diary in hand, and wrote: December 18, 2069. Today eased my heart. Minjun showed me he still cares deep down, though our bond must end with the passing year. But now another headache, So Hyung, is he really leaving abroad? I must clear this up tomorrow.
She hugged the diary, placed it on her bed, and whispered: "Let this day end quickly."
Her phone morphed into a sleek visor. Yoona slipped it on, sinking into the vast digital world.
"See you tomorrow, everyone…"