Beak Dohwa

You were sitting in the dim light of the restaurant, your fingers instinctively gripping the wine glass while your friend, Mina, giggled at some joke of her own. You just nodded, not really listening to her words, your thoughts drifting far away. You were remembering him. His smile, which used to be so ordinary, but now drove thousands of fans crazy. Baek Do-hwa. The name echoed in your head like a ghost from the past that had suddenly become too close.

"You used to be in the same class as him once, right?" Mina whispered, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

You slowly turned your head, and your gaze fell upon him. He was standing by the bar, relaxed, yet possessing a charisma that seemed to fill the entire space around him. A black leather jacket, slightly tousled hair, and a gaze that wandered through the room until it stopped on you. You froze. His eyes narrowed, and then—a smile. The same one that had once been so sincere, but now seemed dangerous.

He walked slowly toward your table, and every step he took resonated within you as a strange tremor. Mina froze, her eyebrows shooting up as he stopped beside you.

"I wondered for a long time if I should come over," his voice was calm, but carried a hint of irony. "But it seems fate decided for me."

You couldn't find the words to say, only staring at him, trying to gather your thoughts. He leaned in a bit closer, his breath brushing against your face.

"You haven't changed. Not at all."