C H A P T E R T H I R T Y - T W O :
""Promise me."
Flashback
___________________________________

The neon lights of Seoul flickered against the wet pavement as Yi-Seo drove home, her fingers tight around the steering wheel. The city was alive with celebrations—laughter spilling from packed restaurants, couples walking arm-in-arm, and the distant sound of fireworks testing the night sky in early anticipation of midnight.

Yet, none of it could shake the exhaustion settling deep in her bones. Today had been grueling. A tough case, endless paperwork, and the suffocating weight of expectations pressing down on her.

She sighed as she pulled into the underground parking of her apartment building, rubbing her temples before stepping out into the cold. The winter air bit at her cheeks as she hurried inside.

As soon as she opened the door to her apartment, a familiar voice startled her.

"Welcome home, baby."

Yi-Seo gasped, her hand flying to her chest as Daeshim emerged from the kitchen, a small smirk on his lips. He was wearing a sweater and jeans, casual but effortlessly put together, his dark hair slightly tousled.

"Daeshim, what the hell? How did you even get in here?" she scowled, setting her bag down.

"Spare key," he replied, holding it up between two fingers.

She rolled her eyes but let a smile slip. Walking up to him, she placed a quick peck on his lips, her exhaustion melting just a little. "You scared me."

"Wouldn't be the first time." He chuckled. Then, his expression shifted as he glanced at his watch. "Speaking of surprises, my parents will be here in about... thirty minutes."

Yi-Seo froze. "What?"

Daeshim raised a brow. "You forgot, didn't you?"

Panic flared in her chest. "Oh my god—why didn't you remind me earlier?! I look like a mess!" She spun on her slippers, rushing toward her bedroom.

Daeshim laughed, watching her flustered state. "You already look beautiful."

Yi-Seo paused for a second, flustered by his words, but quickly shook off the distraction. "Flattery won't save you." She disappeared into the room, rummaging through her wardrobe in a frenzy.

By the time Daeshim's parents arrived, the table was set, candles flickering softly, and the delicious aroma of home-cooked food filled the air. His mother, Mrs. Lee, walked in first, carrying a large pot of tteokguk, while his father followed behind with neatly packed side dishes.

"Yi-Seo, dear!" Mrs. Lee beamed as she set the pot down. "You look lovely."

"Thank you, Mrs. Lee. You look beautiful than ever," Yi-Seo greeted politely, glancing at Daeshim, who shot her an amused look.

"Hello dear," Mr. Lee greeted Yi-Seo and gave her a hug.

"Thank you both for coming." She smiled at them and bowed.

Everyone gathered around the table, bowls filled, chopsticks clinking as they ate. The conversation flowed smoothly—updates on work, family matters, and the usual exchange of pleasantries. But just as Yi-Seo reached for her drink, Mrs. Lee suddenly brought up the topic she hadn't expected.

"So, Yi-Seo," she said, setting her spoon down, "when are you and Daeshim planning to get married?"

Yi-Seo nearly choked on her food. Coughing, she grabbed her napkin, trying to regain her composure. "Oh, um—"

Daeshim cleared his throat, letting out a nervous chuckle. "Mom... you can't just spring that on her like that."

Mrs. Lee waved him off. "Nonsense. You two have been together for a while now. It's only natural."

"I agree with your mother." Mr. Lee spoke up. "You two make a great couple! Besides, it would be good help if we have an extra lawyer under our company."

Yi-Seo forced a polite smile, her heart pounding. "Well, we haven't really set anything in stone yet..."

Daeshim reached for her hand under the table, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "But it's in the planning," he added smoothly.

Mrs. Lee seemed satisfied with that, nodding as she continued eating. Yi-Seo exhaled quietly, thankful for the save.

—

    After dinner, it was close to midnight. The four of them stepped outside onto the balcony, bundled up against the cold. The streets below were alive with people gathering for the countdown, the air buzzing with excitement. Daeshim wrapped an arm around Yi-Seo, pulling her close.

"You cold?"

She shook her head, leaning into his warmth. "No, this is nice."

The sky shimmered with the first bursts of fireworks, golden trails blooming like flowers against the darkness. Yi-Seo smiled, ready to welcome the new year with Daeshim, until her phone vibrated in her coat pocket.

She frowned, pulling it out. An unknown number.

Her brows furrowed, hesitating before answering. "Hello?"

A familiar voice came through. "Yi-Seo."

Her stomach dropped. "...Sang-woo?" She whispered.

"Can you meet me? At the store near your apartment."

She hesitated, glancing at Daeshim, who was watching the fireworks, oblivious to the conversation. "Why?"

A pause. Then, a quiet confession. "...I just need to see you."

Yi-Seo swallowed. She shouldn't go. But something in his voice made her cave. "I'll be there."

Ending the call, she turned to Daeshim. "I need to grab something from the store. I'll be right back."

Daeshim frowned slightly. "I'll come with you."

"No," she said quickly. "It's just a quick errand. I'll be fine."

He studied her for a moment before nodding. "Alright. Don't take too long. Call me right away if something happens."

Yi-Seo nodded and Daeshim gave her a quick kiss on her forehead before she left.

—-

    The streets were more packed and filled with laughter, the crisp winter air carrying the scent of street food and the distant echoes of music. Yi-Seo's boots clicked against the pavement as she approached the small convenience store near her apartment. The bright, artificial glow of the store lights illuminated the sidewalk, casting a long shadow of the figure leaning against the glass window.

Sang-woo.

He looked up as she neared, his hands shoved deep into his coat pockets. His dark eyes held something unreadable, a mixture of hesitation and quiet longing. For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Yi-Seo exhaled sharply, crossing her arms. "Alright, I'm here. What is it?"

Sang-woo let out a slow breath, his gaze flickering to the street before settling back on her. "I just... I wanted to see you."

Her brows furrowed. "On New Year's Eve? Right before midnight?"

He scoffed lightly. "Didn't realize there was a rule against that."

She rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean, Sang-woo. Why now?"

He was silent for a moment, then looked at her with an intensity that made her shift uncomfortably. "Ever since the gathering... I can't stop thinking about you."

Yi-Seo tensed. She wasn't sure how to respond to that.

Sang-woo let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "It's stupid, isn't it? After all these years, after everything... I still find myself wondering about you."

She swallowed. "We've moved on, Sang-woo."

"Have we?" He tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "I mean, yeah, I've tried to. You clearly have. But tell me, Yi-Seo—when you saw me at your family's gathering, did you feel nothing?"

She opened her mouth, then closed it. She hated how easily he could dig into the places she had carefully locked away.

"I was surprised," she finally admitted, looking away. "I never thought I'd see you again."

"Neither did I," he murmured. "But there I was, standing in front of you like no time had passed. And you know what? It didn't feel like six years."

Yi-Seo clenched her jaw, forcing herself to stay composed. "That's nostalgia talking. We were young, Sang-woo. What we had... it was a different time."

Sang-woo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Maybe. But that doesn't change the fact that seeing you again—being around you—it made me remember things I thought I buried." His voice softened. "It made me wonder if you ever think about us."

Yi-Seo's chest tightened. She hated this. Hated the way he could unearth emotions she had spent years suppressing. "It doesn't matter."

"It does to me."

She let out a dry laugh. "Why, Sang-woo? What are you hoping to hear? That I still think about you? That I regret how things ended? That I wake up some nights wondering what would've happened if we had fought harder for each other?"

His silence was enough of an answer.

Yi-Seo shook her head. "I have a life now. I have someone who loves me. I'm happy, Sang-woo."

"Are you?" His voice was quiet, but it cut through the night like a blade.

She stared at him, stunned. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Sang-woo took a step closer. "I see the way Daeshim looks at you. He adores you. But what about you? Do you love him the way you loved me?"

Yi-Seo felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. She took a step back, shaking her head. "I've already answered these questions Sang-woo. You asking me again isn't fair"

"I'm not trying to be fair." His voice was raw, filled with something dangerously close to desperation. "I just want to know... do you ever miss me?"

She clenched her fists. "Of course I miss you, Sang-woo. You were a huge part of my life. But missing someone doesn't mean they belong in your future."

Sang-woo let out a slow, defeated breath. "I know," he murmured. "But damn it, Yi-Seo, I wish things had been different."

The distant sound of people counting down filled the air.

"Ten... Nine... Eight..."

Yi-Seo swallowed, glancing at the fireworks stand nearby. The sky was dark, the last few moments of the year slipping away. She turned back to Sang-woo, their eyes locking.

"Seven... Six..."

A soft, bitter smile tugged at his lips. "We always had bad timing, didn't we?"

"Five... Four..."

Her heart pounded. "Yeah."

"Three... Two..."

Sang-woo took a step closer.

"One."

The first firework exploded, illuminating the sky in streaks of gold and crimson. Yi-Seo flinched at the sound but didn't break eye contact with Sang-woo.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air was thick with everything left unsaid.

Sang-woo let out a breathy chuckle. "Happy New Year, Yonnie."

She smiled weakly. "Happy New Year,  Mr. Perfect."

The fireworks continued, reflecting in his dark eyes. He studied her for a long moment before murmuring, "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For loving you too late."

Something twisted painfully in her chest. She took a shaky breath, then gently stepped back. "I should go. Daeshim is waiting."

Sang-woo nodded, but there was sadness in his expression. "Yeah. I get it."

She turned away, forcing herself not to look back. The fireworks roared above, the city celebrating a new beginning. But as she walked away, she couldn't shake the feeling that, for her and Sang-woo, this night had been nothing more than another unfinished chapter.

As she walked, each step felt heavier than the last, as if the weight of their conversation clung to her, refusing to let go. She had said what needed to be said. She had done the right thing.

But then, just as she reached the street corner, something inside her snapped.

Her breath hitched as she slowed to a stop. The cold air nipped at her skin, but it wasn't the chill that sent a shiver through her. It was the unbearable feeling of leaving things unfinished, of letting Sang-woo stand there alone with the echo of her words and nothing else.

Without thinking, she turned back.

Before she could second-guess herself, she ran. Her heart pounded against her ribs, not from exhaustion but from the overwhelming rush of emotions she couldn't suppress any longer.

Sang-woo hadn't moved. He was still standing where she left him, staring at the ground, hands deep in his coat pockets. The glow of the streetlights cast shadows across his face, making him look even more lost.

Then, suddenly, he felt the impact.

Yi-Seo threw her arms around him, wrapping him in the kind of embrace that spoke louder than words. Her face pressed against his shoulder, her grip firm as if she could hold together all the broken pieces between them.

Sang-woo stiffened at first, caught off guard, but within seconds, he melted into her hold. His arms wrapped around her tightly, his fingers gripping the back of her coat as if afraid she'd slip away. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling deeply, as if trying to memorize the scent of her one last time.

Neither of them spoke for a moment, letting the city's noise fill the silence between them—the distant cheers, the crackling fireworks, the hum of cars passing by.

Then, Yi-Seo whispered, her voice trembling, "Sang-woo... don't wait for me anymore."

He inhaled sharply, his grip tightening.

"You need to move on," she continued, her breath warm against his ear. "Live a happy and healthy life, okay?"

Sang-woo shut his eyes, his jaw clenching. "Yi-Seo..."

She pulled back slightly, just enough to look up at him. The flickering lights from the fireworks reflected in his dark eyes, and for the first time, she saw it—the quiet pain, the longing, the love that had nowhere to go.

Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, but she forced a small smile. "Promise me."

His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. "I don't know if I can."

"Yes, you can." She cupped the side of his face gently, her thumb grazing his cheek. "You deserve to be happy, Sang-woo. You deserve to find someone who will love you without hesitation, without the weight of the past holding you back."

Sang-woo exhaled shakily, searching her face. "And what about you?" he asked quietly.

Yi-Seo hesitated but then said, "I'll be okay."

He let out a soft, bitter chuckle, shaking his head. "You always were stronger than me."

Yi-Seo smiled sadly. "Maybe. But we were never meant to carry each other forever."

Sang-woo's grip on her loosened slightly, but he still held on, afraid to let this be the last time. But he knew—deep down, he knew—that it was.

Another firework exploded above them, showering the sky in gold. Yi-Seo glanced up, the light reflecting in her eyes before she finally, slowly, let go.

Sang-woo let his arms fall to his sides, his fingers curling into fists, as if trying to hold onto the warmth she left behind.

She took a step back, offering him one last, lingering look. "Goodbye, Sang-woo."

His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to stop her, to say something—anything—but no words came.

All he could do was watch as Yi-Seo turned away and disappeared into the night, leaving behind only the fading scent of her presence and the quiet ache of a love that had no place in the new year.

words from the author:

Listening to Mac DeMarco and CAS while writing this chapter was an experience fr 💔

But here goes a bittersweet moment as in an apology for these past chapters. 🥲