027 — Son Chaeyoung

Chaeyoung and Violet had been together for almost two years.

They had been each other's first love, first heartbreak, and first person to truly know one another. Somewhere between busy schedules, misunderstandings, and feelings neither of them knew how to express, they slowly drifted apart until "I love you" became "take care."

Months passed.

Chaeyoung convinced herself she'd moved on.

She stopped checking Violet's social media, stopped wondering where she was, stopped expecting to see her around.

Then she walked into a party.

And suddenly forgot how to breathe.

The girl who used to hide behind oversized hoodies and steal Chaeyoung's jackets now walked confidently through the room in a fitted black dress, silver jewelry catching the flashing lights. Her hair was perfectly styled, her makeup subtle but elegant, and every step carried a confidence Chaeyoung had never seen before. She laughed louder, smiled brighter, and looked completely at home as people naturally gathered around her.

"...That's Violet?" Nayeon asked quietly.

Chaeyoung couldn't answer.

She just kept staring.

The shy girl she'd once known was gone.

In her place stood someone radiant. Someone who looked like she'd finally learned to love herself.

"...She looks..." Chaeyoung whispered.

Nayeon glanced at her with a knowing smile.

"Better?"

Chaeyoung let out a quiet laugh, unable to take her eyes off Violet.

"...Dangerous."

As if she had felt someone watching, Violet turned around.

For the first time in months, their eyes met.

Violet offered a small, polite smile before turning back to her friends, disappearing into the crowd as if nothing had happened.

Chaeyoung remained where she was, her heart beating far louder than the music surrounding them.

After everything they'd lived through...

After all the time apart...

Only one thought echoed in her mind.

She had changed.

And somehow...

She had never looked this good.