Ava, Carrie, and Leo entered the house, their laughter and lively chatter filling the air—until the moment they stepped into the living room.
There, on the sofa, sat Jae-wook. His posture was unnaturally rigid, his body so still it was almost unsettling. The dim lighting cast sharp shadows across his face, making his features appear even colder. He didn't blink, didn't move, didn't acknowledge their presence. The air around him felt heavier, charged with something dark and unspoken, like a storm brewing in silence.
"Damn," Leo muttered under his breath. "He looks like he just crawled out of a psychological thriller."
Ava and Leo turned to Carrie, their eyes filled with silent accusation.
"I didn't do anything!" she protested, raising her hands in defense. "I swear! I haven't even talked to him today!"
"So what happened?" Ava asked, her curiosity piqued as they hesitated at a safe distance.
Carrie tilted her head, studying Jae-wook's unnervingly still figure. "He looks dead. Are we sure he's breathing?" she whispered.
Leo suddenly stiffened. A thought struck him, his expression shifting from confusion to mild panic. "Wait a minute… What's today's date?"
"October 21st. Why?" Carrie answered without much thought.
Leo let out a quiet curse under his breath. "Oh, this is bad."
"What is?" Ava pressed, brows furrowed.
"It's Alex's birthday," Leo revealed grimly. "He never appreciates this day."
At the sound of that name, Jae-wook finally moved. His fingers curled slightly against the fabric of the sofa, but his expression remained unreadable.
Then, out of nowhere, he spoke.
"Let's have dinner."
The three of them froze.
"Bro, I—wait, what?" Leo stammered, exchanging glances with the others.
Jae-wook finally rose to his feet, his movements fluid yet controlled. "Let's have dinner at Sushi Masaki Saito." He straightened his sleeves with practiced ease before adding nonchalantly, "It's my birthday. I can't have a cheap dinner. Oh, and we're taking the limo."
With that, he walked out of the living room, leaving a stunned silence in his wake.
"What just happened?" Leo asked, still trying to process the sudden shift.
"We're going to a five-star restaurant without our parents, that's what," Ava said, eyes gleaming as she grabbed Carrie's arm. "Oh my god, it's going to be like prom night!"
Carrie let out a dramatic sigh. "Rich people are so confusing."
Leo chuckled, shaking his head. "Carrie you're also rich"
"my dad is rich not me" Carrie said in a casual manner before walking out.
As the minutes passed, excitement replaced hesitation. Everyone changed into their best outfits, each piece chosen to match the sophisticated setting of the restaurant.
Ava wore an elegant midnight-blue dress that hugged her figure just right, while Carrie opted for a sleek black jumpsuit paired with silver jewelry. Leo went for a classic black suit, effortlessly charming, while Jae-wook—true to his character—wore an all-black ensemble, his tailored blazer exuding quiet luxury.
The limo ride was smooth, and despite the initial tension, their usual dynamic returned. Carrie and Ava took endless pictures, Leo made dramatic speeches about being underdressed (despite looking like a model), and Jae-wook… well, he remained mostly silent, his gaze fixed on the city lights flashing past the tinted windows.
By the time they arrived, the restaurant's ambiance—low golden lights, soft instrumental music, and an air of exclusivity—wrapped around them like an expensive perfume. The restaurant was a vision of quiet sophistication, its dim golden lights reflecting off sleek marble surfaces. The scent of fresh seafood and delicate seasonings filled the air, complementing the low hum of elegant chatter.
As they settled at their reserved table—a secluded corner with a perfect city view—the menus were placed before them. The sheer variety of dishes made Ava's eyes widen.
"Oh my god," she whispered, scanning the options. "I don't even know what half of these words mean."
Leo smirked, leaning back lazily. "Don't worry. Just pretend you do and act like you've had caviar since birth."
Carrie rolled her eyes. "Leo, the last time we had sushi, you asked for ketchup."
"That was one time, and I panicked," Leo defended himself, causing Ava to giggle.
Meanwhile, Jae-wook remained silent, his eyes skimming the menu without much focus. It was clear his mind was elsewhere, but he made no effort to pull himself away from his thoughts.
After a brief pause, a waiter approached, exuding the kind of patience one develops from catering to the ultra-rich. "Have you all decided?"
Jae-wook barely looked up. "We'll have the omakase."
Carrie blinked. "Uh—"
"Omakase?" Ava echoed.
Jae-wook finally glanced at her, his tone calm but firm. "It means the chef chooses for us. It's the best way to experience the restaurant."
Leo exhaled in relief. "Oh, thank god. That means I don't have to pretend to know what I'm ordering."
As the waiter nodded and left, Carrie leaned forward slightly. "So… we're just letting a stranger decide what we eat?"
"Yes," Jae-wook replied simply.
Ava tilted her head. "You must really like this place."
Jae-wook gave a slow nod, his fingers tracing the rim of his glass absentmindedly. "Hari liked it."
The table fell silent for a second. The weight of his words settled between them like an invisible thread tying them to the past, though Carrie had no idea who Hari was.
Leo was the first to break the moment. He cleared his throat, forcing a smirk. "Well, if your sister had good taste, then I trust her."
Jae-wook gave no verbal response, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—a brief acknowledgment of Leo's words.
The first course arrived, a delicate arrangement of sashimi, its vibrant colors almost too beautiful to eat. Ava picked up her chopsticks and studied the plate.
"Okay, tell me I'm not the only one afraid to ruin this masterpiece," she said, eyes flicking between them.
Carrie chuckled, already taking a bite. "You'll get over it once you taste it."
As the evening went on, the food kept coming—each dish more exquisite than the last. The conversation, too, shifted between lighthearted moments and deeper reflections.
At one point, Ava turned to Jae-wook, her voice softer than before. "You mentioned you didn't like your birthday. Was it… always like that?"
Jae-wook was silent for a long moment, as if deciding whether to answer. Then, with a quiet exhale, he spoke.
"I didn't like attention. Also birthdays felt forced." He tapped his fingers lightly against the table.
Ava's heart twisted slightly at that.
Leo, sensing the shift in mood, leaned in with a smirk. "So, in honor of Alex, I think we should make this as unbirthday-like as possible."
Carrie's lips curled into a grin. "Meaning…?"
"Meaning we toast to literally nothing," Leo declared, raising his glass. "To… good food, unexpected limo rides, and not knowing what half the menu means."
Ava laughed, clinking her glass with his. "I'll drink to that."
Jae-wook, despite himself, lifted his glass as well. The faintest ghost of a smile played at his lips—not enough to change his expression entirely, but enough for Carrie to notice.
By the time dessert arrived, the atmosphere had settled into something more comfortable. The weight of memories still lingered, but it no longer felt suffocating.
As the others debated which dessert was superior, Carrie turned to Jae-wook. He was staring out the window, the city lights reflecting in his dark eyes.
She hesitated for only a second before saying, "I might not know who Hari is but I think she would've liked this."
Jae-wook turned to her, studying her face carefully. "You think so?"
She nodded. "Yeah. Maybe not the birthday part, but…watching someone she cares about being surrounded by people who care. I think she would've liked that."
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, Jae-wook exhaled, as if releasing something invisible.
"…Maybe."
Leo offered a small smile. Without thinking, he reached under the table and gently squeezed his hand.
Jae-wook didn't pull away.
And for the first time that evening, he let out a small, almost imperceptible breath, as if the weight on his chest had momentarily lightened.