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At Trend's company rooftop, Yunah and Serena sat cross-legged on the concrete floor, leaning back on their palms, faces tilted toward the vast, cloudless blue sky above. Each held a Frooti, the straws resting lazily between their lips.
They both looked effortlessly striking.
Yunah wore a brown-and-white checked suit, soft yet sharp, while Serena's teal-blue suit contrasted boldly against the sky. A few open packets of chips and McDonald's wrappers lay scattered beside them, rustling lightly as the afternoon breeze played with them. The same breeze teased loose strands of Yunah's tied hair and lifted Serena's ponytail, giving the moment an unbothered, stolen-time kind of peace.
They had escaped here—far from deadlines and the company canteen—for lunch and a little air. Serena broke the silence without turning her head.
"Did you ask Noah for help?"
Yunah's shoulders dropped. She sighed, the straw brushing her lips. "No."
Serena finally looked at her, unimpressed.
"You are unbelievable." She shook her head. "I was sure you'd ask him when you were drunk. That failed. Then I thought—fine—you'll ask when the reunion gets closer." She paused, eyes narrowing. "But no. You did absolutely nothing."
Yunah sighed again, this one heavier.
"I'll just tell them he's busy," she said quietly. "Independence Day work and all."
Serena scoffed, taking a long sip of her drink. "Wow. Brilliant plan." She shot Yunah a sideways glare. "Do whatever you want, but don't come crying to me tomorrow when they start teasing you. Consider this your official warning."
Yunah turned toward her, a slow smile spreading across her face—lighter now, mischievous. "I won't." She leaned closer. "And even if they do… I know you'll defend me."
Serena raised an eyebrow.
"As long as I have you," Yunah continued warmly, "I have nothing to worry about. You're my knight in shining armor."
Before Serena could protest, Yunah wrapped her arms around her in a sudden hug.
"Hey—!" Serena laughed, trying to push her away. "Let go, idiot!"
"I won't," Yunah said stubbornly, tightening her hold.
The wind laughed with them, the city humming far below—while for a brief moment, it was just two friends, rooftop secrets, and the comfort of knowing someone always had your back.
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That evening, after clocking out, Yunah stepped out of the company building and paused. Her eyes instinctively scanned the street.
Nothing.
No familiar car. No Noah leaning casually against it, pretending he wasn't watching the entrance like a hawk—just in case. She waited a few seconds longer than necessary, glancing left, then right.
Still nothing.
A small ache settled in her chest before she could stop it. He didn't came today. Her lips pressed together. Why didn't he came?
The question echoed too loudly in her head.
For a split second, a darker thought crept in—Did something happ— She cut it off immediately. No. She exhaled sharply. He must be busy. But why I'm feeling sad?
Yunah frowned at herself.Why am I even disappointed? She shook her head, almost annoyed. I guess… him picking me up every day just became a habit.That's all. A habit. She was convincing herself when her phone buzzed. Her heart jumped before she could control it. She unlocked the screen and saw Noah's name. Without realizing it, she had already opened the message.
"I'm sorry, Di. I couldn't pick you up today.
I had to come to the stadium for decorations—school prefects are volunteering compulsorily. Being the school president, I couldn't escape. Please take a taxi. Don't walk back home. I'll be worried if you do."
By the time she finished reading, a soft smile had already curved her lips. Heat rushed to her cheeks, completely betraying her earlier disappointment. Her heart fluttered—once, twice—and something warm twisted in her stomach. She scoffed quietly, embarrassed by herself."What is this?" she muttered. "Am I a kid or what?" She slipped her phone back into her pocket—only for it to buzz again.
This time, it was Serena.
"Yunah, wanna hang out? We're going to the stadium."
Yunah blinked.
"What a coincidence…" she murmured under her breath. She typed back quickly.
"Okay.I'll meet you outside the stadium gate."
After sending the message, she took a deep breath, straightening her posture as if preparing herself. I'm just going to see the decorations, she told herself firmly.That's all. It's not for Noah. She repeated it once more in her head—just to be sure.Then she hailed a taxi and slid inside, giving the driver the address. As the car pulled away, Yunah stared out the window, her reflection faintly visible in the glass—eyes thoughtful, lips still holding onto a smile she hadn't meant to keep. No matter how much she denied it…
Her heart already knew exactly where she was going.
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At KPG Stadium, the taxi rolled to a stop near the main gate.Yunah stepped out, the evening air brushing against her face. Before she could even take in the stadium, her eyes landed on Serena—standing right at the entrance, waving both arms wildly like she was afraid Yunah might miss her.
Yunah broke into a wide smile and jogged toward her.
Only when she got closer did she notice someone standing beside Serena.
"Oh—Sharon da?" Yunah said, surprise softening her voice. "You're here too?"
Sharon shifted awkwardly under her gaze. Tall, well-built, and undeniably handsome, he looked especially striking in a brown leather jacket and black pants. Everything about him was neat, composed—except the faint nervousness he couldn't quite hide.
"Yeah…" he replied, scratching the back of his neck. "Serena forced me to come."
Serena shot him an exaggerated look. "Forced you, da? Are you serious right now?"
Yunah let out a small scoff, catching the flush creeping up Sharon's cheeks. She knew why he was shy around her. He had once confessed—quietly, earnestly—and she had gently turned him down. Serena, of course, knew too… and enjoyed teasing him far too much.
"Enough," Yunah said lightly. "Let's go inside."
Serena grinned and followed as Yunah headed toward the gate, Sharon walking just behind them.
The moment they entered, the stadium came alive. Lights shimmered in saffron, white, and green, casting a festive glow over everything. Loud, trending Bollywood songs echoed through the stands. Students were everywhere—some painting walls, others stringing decorations, a few rehearsing performances while volunteers barked instructions. The air buzzed with warmth, energy, and excitement.Yunah felt her exhaustion melt away. For a fleeting moment, she was transported back to her own school days—carefree, hopeful, young.
"It's beautiful…" Serena breathed, eyes shining. Then she glanced at Yunah. "Don't you think time flies too fast?"
"Hm…" Yunah hummed absentmindedly.
Her eyes were already searching.
"What hm?" Serena frowned. "Are you even listening?"
"Are you looking for someone?" Sharon asked, following Yunah's wandering gaze.
"Huh?" Yunah blinked, snapping back. "Oh—no."
Serena narrowed her eyes, suspicious. She was about to press further when her phone started ringing. "I need to take this," Serena said, checking the caller ID. "You two stay here. It's too noisy to talk."
"Okay, take your time." Sharon replied easily.
"Of course you'd say that," Serena muttered, answering the call. Before walking away, she shot Yunah one last look—catching her scanning the crowd again.
The moment Serena disappeared, an awkward silence settled between Yunah and Sharon.
Sharon hesitated, watching Yunah's distracted expression. After a few seconds, he finally gathered the courage to speak.
"Do you want to sit on the bleachers?" he asked gently. "The band practice should start soon."
"Okay," Yunah replied automatically, barely registering his words.
Sharon paused, then tried again—this time more carefully. "I've been noticing… are you sure you're not looking for someone, Yunah?"
"No," she said, again too quickly.
Just then, a small folded piece of paper fluttered down from nowhere, landing softly in her hair. Sharon chuckled and lifted his hand to remove it.
He was just inches away—when the voice made him stop in the middle.
"Don't touch her."
The voice was cold. Sharp. Absolute.
Both Yunah and Sharon froze and turned toward the sound.
Noah was walking toward them. His white T-shirt was smeared with saffron and green paint. His hands were stained with color, and a bold streak of saffron marked his right cheek. He looked messy—almost clumsy. Yet the way he walked? It wasn't clumsy at all. It was controlled. Dominant. Burning with something dark. Jealousy. Possessiveness. His eyes locked onto Sharon first, then slid to Yunah. He ran a hand through his hair in frustration, smearing paint through it.
As soon as Noah reached them, he caught Yunah's wrist and pulled her to his side. The sudden movement left her stunned—confused, startled, and utterly unprepared. She had no idea what was going on in his mind.
But one thing was unmistakable. The moment she had seen him walking toward her, her heart had skipped a beat. And when his fingers closed around her wrist, a strange warmth rushed through her—sending a sharp, tingling sensation straight to her heart.
She stood frozen beside him, pulse racing, caught between questions she didn't dare ask and feelings she couldn't explain.
Meanwhile, Sharon's face hardened instantly. "Hey—what the hell?" He stepped forward, anger flaring. "Who are you? What kind of behavior is this?"
Noah's gaze snapped to him, sharp and lethal. "You're questioning my behavior?" Noah said calmly, though his voice carried a dangerous edge. His brow lifted slightly. "When you were about to touch her?"
Sharon felt a chill run down his spine under that glare.
"How dare you," Noah continued, stepping closer, his voice dropping lower, darker. "Try to touch what's not yours." The air between them crackled—tight, electric, ready to explode.