One night, after a long day of work, Taeyang felt that he deserved to relax for a while. However, before he could resume his routine at home, Minseok and Jiho called him. They invited Taeyang to have a drink together. At first, Taeyang was hesitant, but since he hadn't socialized with his friends in a long time, he finally agreed.
"Come on, Taeyang! It's been a while since we've been together," Minseok said teasingly over the phone.
"Ah, I knew you guys would want to prank me," Taeyang replied in a casual tone, though he actually preferred spending time alone.
Nonetheless, Taeyang ended up heading to the bar where they usually hang out. Once he arrived, Minseok and Jiho were already waiting with two glasses of liquor at their table.
"Welcome! Come on, this is for you," Jiho said with a big smile, already preparing a glass for Taeyang.
Taeyang sat in the empty chair that had been provided. "You know, I'd rather be at home, but you forced me to come," Taeyang said with a slight laugh. "You two, you're always forcing me out."
Minseok laughed. "You've been alone too much. Now it's time to have a little fun."
They started chatting casually, talking about everything from their work as detectives to funny stories that happened during their time on duty. Taeyang, who was usually serious, began to loosen his attitude a little. He enjoyed the company of his two friends who were also in the same profession.
However, there was something different that night. Even though they were laughing and joking, Taeyang couldn't ignore the thought of Jiwon. All this time, he had been comfortable with his solitary routine, but ever since his encounter with Jiwon, there was a feeling that he found hard to express.
"Hey, what's wrong with you?" asked Jiho suddenly, noticing Taeyang's more serious expression than usual.
Taeyang smiled slightly. "It's just... a little bit of my mind interfering."
Minseok looked at Taeyang curiously. "Aha, there's a woman behind all this, huh?"
Taeyang just chuckled. "You guys talk too much."
"Yeah, yeah, we know. You can hide everything, but we all know. If something bothers you, you can tell us," Minseok said as he took a sip of his drink.
Taeyang was silent for a moment, then raised his glass. "Maybe later... when the time is right."
They had a good time that night, but Taeyang still couldn't shake the strange feeling that came with his unexpected encounter with Jiwon. He knew that the following days would bring even bigger changes in his life.
The night was getting late, and the bar was getting crowded. Taeyang, Minseok, and Jiho began to be affected by the alcohol they were drinking. Minseok and Jiho, who are usually strong enough to withstand alcohol, seemed to be getting weaker and almost losing their balance tonight. They looked at each other with wide eyes, laughed incoherently, and spoke in stammering tones.
"Taeyang... why are you still fresh?" asked Jiho with a broken laugh.
Taeyang just chuckled. "I'm just holding back. You guys are going too fast."
However, Taeyang finally began to feel the effects of the alcohol flowing through his body. Although he wasn't an impressionable person, that night he felt a little dizzy and somewhat disoriented. Holding onto the table to balance his body, he tried to stay calm.
Minseok and Jiho, who couldn't stand up straight, decided to go home first. They tried to stand up, but their steps looked limp and unsteady. "Come on Jiho, let's go home. I don't think I can take it anymore," Minseok said in a muffled voice, trying to walk but almost falling.
Jiho nodded in agreement though her steps were like a tarzan learning to walk. "Yeah... we're not strong. Let's go home."
With difficulty, the two of them made their way out of the bar with a limp. Taeyang, who saw them almost fall down several times, could only shake his head with a chuckle. "Go home carefully, you guys!" Taeyang shouted in a slightly drunk voice.
After making sure Minseok and Jiho got out safely, Taeyang decided to sit down for a moment, trying to calm his mind. However, he started to feel dizzy, and his eyes felt heavy. When he tried to stand up to go home, he felt like he couldn't step properly.
Suddenly, someone came up to him. It was Jiwon. She had just finished her work at the gym and happened to pass by the bar where Taeyang was.
"Taeyang? What's wrong with you?" asked Jiwon anxiously when she saw Taeyang looking unsteady.
"I'm... a little... drunk," Taeyang replied with a faint smile. He tried to keep himself from falling, but his body was too heavy to control.
Jiwon quickly approached and held Taeyang's body to keep him from falling. "Ouch, you should be more careful. Come on, I'll help you get home."
With Jiwon's help, Taeyang walked slowly out of the bar towards Jiwon's car. Jiwon helped Taeyang into the car, making sure he was seated safely. "You really need to rest, Taeyang. Minseok and Jiho have gone home first, so you're staying with me now."
Taeyang just nodded slowly, feeling a little embarrassed at having to rely on others. "Thank you, Jiwon. I... have a lot to learn sometimes."
Jiwon just smiled. "That's okay. Everyone needs help, even the best of you."
The ride home was quiet, although Taeyang still felt dizzy. Arriving home, Jiwon helped Taeyang out of the car and put him in the house. He invited Taeyang to rest in the living room.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure you're comfortable here. Sleep first, then we'll talk about everything later," Jiwon said, making sure Taeyang sat comfortably on the sofa.
However, when Taeyang sat down, he felt himself a bit fragile and tired. In a state slightly swayed by alcohol, he accidentally pulled Jiwon's hand closer. Jiwon was surprised, but she did not withdraw her hand, feeling that there was something different about Taeyang that night.
Taeyang looked at Jiwon with a softer gaze than usual, his eyes a little wistful. "Jiwon," he said softly, "thank you for being there for me. I wouldn't know what to do if you weren't there."
Jiwon felt her heart tremble at those words. She bowed slightly, and softly said, "You don't need to thank me. I will always be there for you, Taeyang."
The two looked at each other for a few seconds in silence, the atmosphere suddenly feeling more intimate. Taeyang then averted his gaze, feeling a little awkward, but in his heart he felt a little lighter.
"I'm going to bed soon, Jiwon. You've helped me a lot," Taeyang said with a tired smile.
Jiwon just nodded, and made sure Taeyang was comfortable. "Sleep first, you need rest. I'll stay here, close to you."
With a sense of calm slowly coming, Taeyang closed his eyes. That night, although his body still felt heavy, he could feel Jiwon's presence as a warmth that made him feel better.
And once the night was over, Taeyang knew that there was something new in their relationship. Something that might develop further, though he didn't know for sure where this direction would take them.
The next day, Taeyang woke up with a headache that still haunted him. Although he didn't drink much alcohol, the effects were quite pronounced. However, there was something different this time. He felt a little lighter, as if the weight that usually gnawed at him was starting to ease.
Jiwon was already in the kitchen, preparing breakfast when Taeyang came out of the bedroom. The smell of coffee and snacks greeted him, making his empty stomach feel more comfortable.
"Awake already? You look better," Jiwon said with a smile, looking at Taeyang who looked a little confused but calmer.
"Thanks for last night," Taeyang replied hoarsely. He sat down at the dining table, leaning his back against the chair. "I guess I can't rely on you too much."
Jiwon shook her head and served breakfast in front of Taeyang. "There's no need to worry. I want to help. You've helped a lot of other people, right? So, it wouldn't hurt if I could help a little."
Taeyang only smiled slightly, but in his heart he felt grateful. Maybe he had been too busy with his work to realize how important the presence of others around him was.
After eating, they talked more about various things. Jiwon told him about her work at the gym and a bit about her life. Taeyang listened intently, feeling that Jiwon was not only a friend, but also someone who made him feel more alive.
"So, where are you going after this?" asked Jiwon, raising an eyebrow.
Taeyang frowned. "I haven't decided yet. I still want to soak it all in. New home, new life."
Jiwon smiled and got up from her chair. "Then let's go for a walk. We can go out for a while. You need some fresh air."
They went out for a walk around the neighborhood around Taeyang's house. Taeyang felt strange, yet at the same time comfortable, being in a new place. Jiwon took him to enjoy the view of the neighborhood park and talked lightly about things he had never thought about before.
The day went leisurely. There was no urgency, just peace flowing between the two. Maybe this was the start of something more, but Taeyang felt no need to rush. The important thing was that he could enjoy every second.
That night, when they returned home, Taeyang sat in the living room, pondering for a while. Although the day had been full of light and casual activities, his heart felt calmer. Jiwon had helped open Taeyang's eyes to many things that had been overlooked.
"Jiwon," Taeyang called out in a low voice, "thank you. I don't think I know how to express true gratitude."
Jiwon, who had just come out of the kitchen to get a drink, turned her head and smiled. "You don't need to say it. Just be yourself."
Taeyang looked at Jiwon for a moment, feeling a warmth growing inside him. Although they were just friends, Taeyang could feel something deeper than just friendship. However, he was in no hurry to interpret it. For now, he wanted to enjoy what was.
And that night, under a sky full of stars, Taeyang felt the presence of someone very precious in his life.