Chapter Text
Geonbae
It was nighttime.
The restaurant they chose was tucked away from the bustling streets, an intimate venue known for its low-key charm. The lighting inside was dim, with warm, amber hues that softened the space, casting gentle shadows on the wooden floors. Candles flickered on each table, adding to the cozy yet sophisticated ambiance. The soft hum of music drifted through the air—low enough to encourage conversation, yet present enough to fill any silences that might arise.
Jihyo had rented out the entire place for the night, ensuring complete privacy. It was the perfect spot for their reunion: quiet, peaceful, and away from the public eye. They needed that—a space to be themselves without the pressures of the outside world.
Momo was the first to arrive, sitting at a long table near the center of the room, where they could all gather comfortably. She wore a cropped fitted top under an oversized bomber jacket, paired with high-waisted jeans, the perfect blend of feminine and boyish style. She scanned the menu, occasionally glancing at the dark wooden beams that crisscrossed the ceiling, trying to relax in the tranquil setting. The faint scent of jasmine hung in the air, coming from the elegant floral arrangements scattered throughout the room.
Just as Momo was about to settle on her order, a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Some things never change."
Momo jumped, startled, then broke into a wide grin as she recognized the voice. Jeongyeon was standing behind her, dressed in an oversized black hoodie and baggy cargo pants, her arms crossed, a knowing smile tugging at her lips.
"Unnie!" Momo exclaimed, getting up to give her a tight hug. "Did you miss me that much?"
Jeongyeon chuckled, hugging her back briefly before stepping away. "As if." But there was a warmth in her voice that betrayed the truth—they had all missed each other.
The serene atmosphere was soon interrupted by the unmistakable sound of laughter. Nayeon and Sana entered in a whirlwind of energy, their voices echoing through the otherwise quiet restaurant. Nayeon was in a playful oversized pastel sweater and a flirty pleated skirt, while Sana looked effortlessly chic in a knit sweater over a sleek midi skirt.
Jeongyeon grinned, watching them approach. "Are you already drunk?" she teased, wrapping an arm around Nayeon in a hug.
Nayeon smirked, pushing her away gently. "How dare you!" she laughed, her usual sass shining through.
Sana joined in, nudging Jeongyeon playfully. "Is that how you talk to your elders?" she joked.
Momo, giggling, leaned into Nayeon. "Don’t get mad, ahjumma," she teased, narrowly avoiding Nayeon's playful swipe.
The teasing continued until Jihyo arrived, dressed confidently in a fitted off-shoulder top and high-waisted trousers that showed off her toned figure without being too revealing. She stealthily hugged both Nayeon and Momo from behind. "WAH! I miss you guys!" she shouted gleefully, making them all burst into laughter.
They all took their seats around the table, the familiar vibe of their friendship settling in comfortably. It was as if no time had passed, and despite the elegance of the restaurant around them, it felt like any other casual night spent together.
Sana glanced around the room, her eyes finally landing on Jihyo. "So, we’re waiting for the youngsters, huh?"
"Yeah," Jihyo replied, flipping through the menu absentmindedly. "They’re always so full of energy."
Momo confidently spoke up, her eyes still scanning the menu. "Well, I already know what I’m going to order."
Nayeon leaned back, crossing her arms with an exaggerated look of surprise. "Oh? Momo’s prepared? Should we all bow down and follow her expert lead?"
Momo rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips. "I was the first one here, okay? I had time to study."
Sana leaned in with a mischievous grin. "So that’s your excuse? First one here means you’ve memorized the menu?"
Before Momo could respond, Jihyo’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and chuckled. "Dahyun says they’re stuck in traffic with Chaeyoung, Tzuyu, and… Mina. They’re going to be late, but we should order first."
At the mention of Mina’s name, the table fell into a brief, loaded silence. All eyes subtly shifted to Jeongyeon, who pretended not to notice. Instead, she flipped open the menu with exaggerated nonchalance.
"Guys, relax," she said, her tone casual but with an edge of amusement. "We’re fine."
"If that’s what you say," Nayeon teased, her voice dripping with playful skepticism.
Jeongyeon shot her a sideways glance, lips twitching into a barely contained smile. "It is."
The others exchanged knowing looks but decided to let it drop for now, enjoying the lighthearted atmosphere. Nayeon leaned in to whisper to Sana, "You know she’s just trying to act cool, right?"
Sana grinned, whispering back, "Obviously. It’s been what? 5 years?" they both chuckled.
The music in the background picked up slightly as the night went on, blending seamlessly with the sound of their laughter and conversation. Even though the world outside continued to rush by, inside this private haven, it felt like time had slowed down just for them.
After what felt like forever, the food began arriving, dish by dish, filling the table with delicious aromas. Perfect timing, too—the latecomers had finally made it. The door to the private room swung open, and Chaeyoung was the first to rush in, dressed in an oversized graphic tee, exuding her quirky, hippie style. She immediately wrapped Jihyo in a back hug.
“Unnie!” she exclaimed, her voice warm and playful.
Jihyo stood up, turning around to properly hug the younger woman. “I missed you so much,” she said, her voice softer now as she held Chaeyoung tightly.
“Where have you been?” Jihyo asked after pulling back, though she kept her hands resting on Chaeyoung’s shoulders.
“The traffic was super tight,” Chaeyoung sighed, glancing behind her as Dahyun bounced into the room, smiling brightly in her long-sleeved blouse and high-waisted pants that flattered her waist perfectly.
“Dahyun!” Nayeon shrieked, jumping up from her seat and running toward her.
The rest of the members, who had been seated, stood up one by one, taking turns greeting the latecomers. It was a whirlwind of hugs, familiar laughter, and the kind of chatter that filled every quiet space in the dimly lit restaurant.
However, as Jeongyeon finally stood to greet the others, there was a noticeable shift in the atmosphere. Mina, dressed elegantly in a flowy dress that exuded grace, stepped into view. The room went quieter as she and Jeongyeon found themselves standing barely a foot apart. The tension between them was undeniable, almost palpable to the rest of the group. They exchanged a brief, stiff side hug and muttered quick greetings. The awkwardness lingered long after they stepped apart, and even the rest of the members, who had watched the interaction closely, couldn’t quite hide their concern.
Nayeon and Jihyo exchanged a look, both recognizing the strain in their friends’ interactions but staying silent for now. Meanwhile, Tzuyu, wearing a trendy tailored blazer over a crop top and wide-leg pants that reflected her Gen Z fashionista vibe, leaned down slightly toward Sana. Her voice was barely above a whisper. “This is going to be a long night.”
Sana’s eyes gleamed with amusement, and she flashed Tzuyu a wide grin, raising her shoulders in a small shrug. “Well, at least we’ll be entertained,” she teased under her breath.
Once everyone had taken their seats again, the room seemed to settle, though there was an unspoken tension still hanging in the air—most noticeably between Mina and Jeongyeon, who were now sitting directly across from each other, thanks to the "not-so-subtle" seating arrangements orchestrated by Nayeon and Sana. Despite the carefully arranged seating, both Mina and Jeongyeon kept their eyes firmly on their plates, focusing on eating in silence. Jeongyeon, usually so talkative, barely spoke. She would nod along to the conversation, offering the occasional laugh, but she didn’t seem like herself. Mina, too, was quiet, barely lifting her head.
As the meal went on, everyone started to relax, full from the food and enjoying each other’s company. But the heavy feelings between Jeongyeon and Mina never fully dissipated.
When the plates were nearly cleared, and the atmosphere grew calmer, Jihyo suddenly stood up and clinked her glass, catching the attention of everyone at the table.
“So, I’ve been thinking,” she began, wiping her mouth with a napkin. “In 2 months, it’ll be our 15th anniversary as a group, and I thought... maybe we could hold a surprise concert for the fans.” Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and it was clear she had been waiting for the right moment to share this idea.
“Absolutely,” Nayeon said without hesitation, her face lighting up. “We owe it to them.”
The others quickly chimed in with their agreement, nodding and murmuring in approval.
Momo smiled, her eyes reflecting the same nostalgia that everyone else felt. “It’d be nice to perform together again. Just like old times.”
“Yeah, old times…” Sana added, her voice trailing off slightly, caught in the wistfulness of the moment.
For a few beats, the room grew quiet. The memories of the past—of everything they had been through together—seemed to wash over them all at once, and the shared silence was both comforting and emotional. Even Jeongyeon and Mina seemed lost in their own thoughts, though neither dared to break the quiet by looking at each other.
Sensing the shift, Jihyo clapped her hands loudly, breaking through the somber mood with a bright smile. “Okay! Stop getting so emotional!” she said, her voice laced with her usual leadership and cheerfulness. “Let’s celebrate properly.”
She signaled to the waiter, and soon after, bottles of alcohol were being brought out.
“Unnie! How drunk are you planning?” Chaeyong asked with a surprise tinge in her voice.
Jihyo smirked, raising an eyebrow mischievously. “Oh, don’t worry. Just enough to loosen us up. We’ve got a lot of memories to revisit.”
The drinking games began, with Jihyo in charge of leading them. The room quickly filled with laughter and friendly competitiveness as each game ensured that almost everyone had to take a drink—except for Dahyun, who happily sipped her cider, pretending to join in like the rest. The atmosphere became louder, more boisterous, and even Jeongyeon, who had been relatively quiet earlier, loosened up with the help of the alcohol. She began laughing freely and joined in on the jokes.
Momo, however, soon took the mood in a different direction. With her cheeks flushed and a nostalgic glint in her eye, she leaned back in her chair and sighed dramatically. “Do you guys remember our last concert?”
The room went momentarily still. It wasn’t a sore subject, but it definitely opened Pandora’s box, bringing back memories that each of them had tucked away in their own hearts.
Before anyone could respond, Momo turned her attention to Nayeon, her smile widening. “YAH! Unnie, remember when you cried during Tzuyu’s solo?”
The mention of it sent Jeongyeon into hysterics. She stood up, nearly tipping over her drink as she pointed at Nayeon. “You were bawling! Like a baby!” Jeongyeon’s laughter filled the room, contagious and loud, her voice rising above the chatter.
Nayeon, clearly tipsy and not one to back down from a challenge, stood up with a wobble, her hand resting dramatically on her hips. “So, you wanna go there, Yoo Jeongyeon?” Her eyes narrowed in playful defiance, her usual sass in full effect.
“Oh no,” Jihyo muttered under her breath, grinning as she anticipated the chaos that was about to unfold.
“Sumimasen!” Jeongyeon exclaimed, bowing deeply in a mock apology, earning a burst of laughter from everyone at the table. When she straightened up, her eyes scanned the room, and then—she froze. Mina was laughing, too. Her expression softened as she watched Mina, her usually composed self, lose herself in the moment, shoulders shaking from laughter.
“Oh shit,” she thought to herself.
Her heart skipped a beat. The sight of Mina laughing-really laughing- caught her off guard. She hadn’t expected this. For a split second, the noise around her dulled, and all she could focus on was the familiar sound of Mina’s laugh, something she hadn’t heard so freely in a while.
But before she could dwell on it too long, Nayeon clapped her hands together loudly, snapping Jeongyeon back to the present. “Alright, alright, let’s get back to the game! Who’s next?” Nayeon declared, clearly ready to stir up more playful chaos.
Jeongyeon, still caught off guard by the sight of Mina laughing so freely, felt the world slow down around her. Their eyes met across the table, and for the first time in what felt like ages, they truly looked at each other. The noise of the restaurant and the laughter of their friends all seemed to fade away.
Mina held the gaze, her expression softening into something more vulnerable. A subtle smile tugged at the corners of her lips, delicate and almost shy. Slowly, she lifted her glass, taking a quick sip as she fanned herself with her free hand, breaking the stare as she looked away, her cheeks faintly flushed.
Jeongyeon, however, remained lost in the moment. Her heart raced, still captivated by the brief exchange. It wasn’t until Momo nudged her hard under the table that she snapped out of her daze. “What?” she blurted out, clearly startled.
Sana, who had been watching the entire interaction with a knowing grin, burst into laughter. “YOU! I know that look!” she exclaimed, pointing at Jeongyeon, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Jeongyeon’s face flushed as she shook her head, trying to deflect. “What are you talking about?” she muttered, though her voice lacked conviction. The teasing from Sana, Momo, and the rest of the group only intensified, drawing out her embarrassment.
“It was just like how my grandparents met,” Nayeon added, dramatically placing a hand over her heart. Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she exchanged a glance with Sana, who feigned a look of awe as they mocked the two.
Mina, too, found herself lost in the awkwardness, her cheeks tinged with a faint pink. She avoided everyone’s gaze, focusing on her drink.
Before the teasing could spiral further, Tzuyu spoke up in her usual calm voice, “But seriously, our last concert was a blast.”
Jeongyeon silently thanked her telepathically, grateful for the change in topic. The tension in her chest loosened slightly.
“Right!” Jihyo chimed in, her eyes lighting up. “Everyone was crying, and it was a sight.”
Chaeyoung let out a small laugh, shaking her head at the memory. “And then every news outlet went crazy when we announced the break. Remember that?”
Jeongyeon leaned back, the nostalgia washing over her, but her mind was elsewhere. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Mina had remained unusually quiet. Something stirred inside her, a mixture of curiosity and the remnants of unresolved feelings.
Before she could second-guess herself, Jeongyeon spoke up, her voice firmer than she expected. “How about you, Mina? Any particular memory?” The alcohol is kicking in.
The room grew still. The others exchanged subtle glances, taken aback by Jeongyeon’s boldness, but no one said a word. Mina, on the other hand, looked startled, her eyes widening slightly. She hadn’t expected the question to come from Jeongyeon, of all people. Her lips parted, but before she could respond, Nayeon and Sana exchanged grins and let out a high-pitched laughter.
“Oh, this just got interesting,” Sana murmured under her breath as she wiped her eyes from laughing too much.
Nayeon cleared her throat dramatically, as if preparing for a big reveal. “Since everyone’s wondering…” she began, her voice dropping conspiratorially.
Jihyo looked up, frowning with mock concern. “ Unnie, are you sure you want to go there?” she asked, acting as if Nayeon was about to step into a battlefield.
“No, Jihyo,” Nayeon replied gravely, her expression exaggeratedly serious. “This is for the greater good. Take care of my children.” She grabbed Sana’s hand dramatically, who played along, nodding solemnly.
The tension mounted as Nayeon leaned forward, eyes twinkling.
“So, are you two still in love?”
“WHAT!?” Mina and Jeongyeon said in unison.