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"I heard your new movie. I'll definitely watch it when it's released," said one of Yoona's school friends.Another chuckled. "You look sexy in theteaser."
Yoona smiled, lifting the glass of orange juice to her lips. Laughter of her friends surrounded her.
Amidst the chatter and clinking glasses, the MC's voice rang through the hall.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's welcome the bride."
The room fell into a collective hush as all eyes turned toward the aisle. The bride walked gracefully beside her father, her hand resting lightly in his, while the groom waited at the altar-still, patient, and smiling-ready to begin the next chapter of his life with the woman he loved.
"Sumi looks gorgeous, doesn't she?" one of Yoona's friends whispered.
Yoona nodded, raising her phone to capture the moment. She snapped a picture of the radiant couple, then turned the camera toward herself, taking selfies with her friends, their laughter frozen in frames they would look back on someday.
"Seo-jun!"
The name cut through the air.
Yoona turned-and froze.
Seven years.
That was how long it had been. Their eyes met across the room, and for a brief moment, everything else faded. Neither of them looked away.
"Oh my God! Han Seo-jun," a woman nearby gasped. "He looks so sexy!"
Seo-jun walked toward them, his steps unhurried, his presence effortlessly commanding attention.
"Hope I'm not too late," he said with a small smile.
"You look damn sexy, man. No wonder all the girls swoon over you," one of their friends teased.
Laughter followed, but something unspoken lingered between Yoona and Seo-jun.
All their school friends had gathered for the wedding of a batchmate-a rare reunion made possible only by an occasion this important. With their demanding schedules, Yoona and Seo-jun hardly met anyone from their past anymore. But this was one event they couldn't miss.
They sat together for dinner, conversation light and easy, stories flowing effortlessly around the table-except between the two of them.
"Come on," the bride finally said, shaking her head with a smile. "You're meeting after so long and still haven't spoken a word. There's no media here-at least say hi to each other."
"Exactly," another friend chimed in. "Relax. No rumours today. You're just old friends."
Old friends.
It was the closest they could get to a truth neither of them dared to name.
This was the first time since their breakup that they were sitting so close. They had seen each other at award shows before, always from a distance-careful, guarded, deliberately avoiding eye contact, conversation, and the memories that refused to stay buried. To escape rumours and unwanted attention, distance had been their safest choice.
Yoona took a bite of her dessert and spoke softly, almost casually.
"Do you still drink strawberry milk every night before sleeping?"
For a second, Seo-jun looked surprised. Then he smiled.
"Do you still cry over small things?"
Laughter erupted around the table.
This time, Yoona laughed too. And so did Seo-jun.
The awkwardness slowly faded, and soon the table was filled with easy laughter. Plates were emptied as the friends ate to their hearts' content, gossiping, teasing one another, and catching up on lives that had moved on in different directions.
