Chapter 15: The Sister Zone and the New Shore
The Restaurant – 10:30 PM.
The dinner ends with a heavy, lingering silence following JAE-WON's song. HAEYOUNG is the first to stand. She doesn't look at anyone, doesn't say a word about the music, and certainly doesn't wait for a "goodbye."
JUNGHAN stands up, his hand slightly extended as if to catch her attention. "Haeyoung, wait—" But she is already through the door. Within seconds, the roar of her car engine echoes through the parking lot. She drives away like she's escaping a burning building.
Junghan sighs, his shoulders slumping slightly. He turns to HYUNA, his protective instincts kicking in.
Junghan: "Hyuna, it's late. I'll drop you off. Let's go."
Jae-won: (Stepping in, his voice thick with a bit of wine but steady) "Don't worry, Director Junghan. I've got her. I'll drop her home."
Junghan: (Frowning, his voice turning sharp) "You've only known her for a few weeks, Jae-won. And right now, you're too drunk. I can't trust you to drive her. She is like a sister to me—I can't just leave her with you. Hyuna, come on."
The word "sister" hits the air like a lead weight. Hyuna flinches. It's the same old story, the same old label that has kept her in a cage for fifteen years. She looks at Junghan—the man who claims to protect her but doesn't even see her heart. Then she looks at Jae-won, who is waiting for her choice.
Hyuna: (Firmly) "Junghan Sunbaenim... I'm going with Jae-won. He's been dropping me home for weeks now. Thank you, but you can leave."
Junghan is stunned. "But Hyuna, he's—"
She doesn't wait for the lecture. She walks straight to Jae-won's car and gets in. Jae-won gives Junghan a small, triumphant smile and follows her. Junghan stands alone in the parking lot for a moment before driving away, his grip tight on the steering wheel.
Jae-won's Car – The Drive Home.
Jae-won drives with extreme focus, his eyes on the road, trying to shake off the buzz of the wine. The silence in the car is comfortable until Hyuna breaks it.
Hyuna: "You sang really well tonight. Those lyrics... they were beautiful."
Jae-won: (Smiling, his eyes reflecting the streetlights) "I meant every word."
They reach her house. Hyuna unbuckles her seatbelt and moves to open the door, but a hand catches her wrist.
Jae-won: "Hyuna. Wait."
Hyuna: "What is it?"
Jae-won: "I want to say something. I've been thinking about it since London... actually, since the night at the cafe. I want to date you."
Hyuna's eyes go wide. "What? Jae-won... we've only known each other a few weeks."
Jae-won: "And in just those weeks, I found my type in you. I like you—a lot. I promise I will always keep you happy. You will never cry if you're with me. I'll make sure of it."
Hyuna: (Looking down, her voice trembling) "You know... I've liked someone else for a long time."
Jae-won: "I know you liked him in the past. But why keep running after someone who can't be yours? I can be yours. I'm not asking you to say yes right now, but just... think about it, okay?"
Hyuna: "I've liked Junghan for so many years, Jae-won. It's not easy to just stop."
Jae-won: "I know. But as a man myself, I can tell you... he only sees you as a sister. You heard him tonight. But I see you as a woman. Trust me, Hyuna. If you come to me, you'll never have to remember the pain of that unrequited love again."
Hyuna: (A small, genuine smile forming) "I... I'll tell you my answer tomorrow. Okay?"
She gets out of the car, looking back once to see him still waiting there, making sure she gets safely into her house.
Hyuna's Bedroom.
Her brother sticks his head in. "Great day? Did Junghan drop you?"
Hyuna: "No. Jae-won did."
Brother: "That pilot? Oh. Interesting."
He leaves, and Hyuna collapses onto her bed. She stares at the ceiling. She thinks about the fifteen years of "running" after Junghan—the missed birthdays, the "sister" labels, the flowers given to another woman. Then she thinks about Jae-won—the song, the blue walls, the way he caught her wrist. For the first time, the path toward Junghan looks dark and exhausted, while the path toward Jae-won looks like home.
Jae-won's Home.
Jae-won enters his quiet house. His parents are out at a party, leaving him alone with his thoughts. He throws himself onto his bed, a massive grin on his face. He's relieved he finally said it.
"If she says yes tomorrow," he thinks, his eyes bright with hope, "the first thing I'll do is tell Haeyoung. She'll be happy for me. She's my best friend, after all."
He closes his eyes, dreaming of blue flowers and a girl who finally stopped running.
[FADE OUT]