The city glowed like a heartbeat.
Soft gold poured from street lamps. Storefronts twinkled in red and silver. Winter hung in the air, crisp and promising.
Sera stood by the window, clutching her clutch bag and exhaling slowly. Her reflection blinked back: lips glossed, cheeks brushed with rose, a navy-blue off-shoulder dress hugging her figure, subtle sparkle glinting under the light.
"You look stunning, sweetheart," her mother whispered, wiping a tear.
"It's just a school party, Mom," Sera laughed nervously.
"And still… he won't know what hit him."
The doorbell rang.
Sera smoothed her dress once more, heart pounding, then opened the door.
And there he was.
Jisoo.
Dressed in all black — turtleneck and tailored coat, clean lines and quiet elegance. But none of it mattered. Not to him. Because he couldn't stop staring.
She was light. She was everything.
Oh my word, he thought. She's beautiful.
"Hey…" she said, her voice shy, fingers curled into her purse.
"Wow," he breathed. "I mean… hi. You look…"
She tilted her head. "I look?"
"Perfect," he whispered. "You look perfect."
Their eyes locked. A silence stretched. The kind with electricity in it.
"You clean up well too," she teased, stepping out, her perfume brushing his senses.
"Let's just try not to outshine the actual party," he muttered.
They shared a smile. And walked hand in hand into the night.
Lights danced across the gymnasium.
Decorations shimmered, a DJ pumped upbeat tracks through the speakers, and students swayed and laughed, drinks in hand.
Jisoo stayed close to Sera — protective, quiet, present.
They danced a little. Talked more. Their hands never parted.
But across the room… hearts were unraveling.
Taeyang had downed his third drink.
He wasn't drunk. Yet. But he wasn't sober either.
He watched Jisoo and Sera twirl beneath the lights.
Her laugh — the way her hand clutched Jisoo's sleeve.
It should've been his moment.
Minjeong approached, glass in hand.
"You okay?" she asked softly.
He didn't answer. Just gave her a tight, forced smile.
They stood side by side. Not talking. Just watching.
Another drink. Then another.
And then—he looked at her. Really looked.
She was beautiful too. Eyes like soft fire, lips curled into something almost sad.
Their gazes met.
She didn't pull away.
And in that strange haze of heartbreak and too many drinks…
He kissed her.
And she kissed him back.
Hands fumbled. Breaths mingled. The world spinning and quiet.
Across the gymnasium, Jisoo twirled Sera one last time, and she crashed into his chest, laughing.
"You're getting better at this," she teased.
"I have an excellent teacher," he whispered.
Their foreheads met. And for a while, they danced in silence.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through Taeyang's apartment blinds.
Minjeong stirred first. Her eyes opened slowly.
Sheets tangled. Her head on his chest. His arm around her waist.
No. No no no no…
Taeyang blinked awake, groaning. He sat up too fast, dizzy.
They locked eyes.
Neither spoke.
Just the realization.
Just the silence.
Did we…?" she whispered.
"Yeah," he said hoarsely. "We did."
They looked away.
And neither of them smiled.