─── chapter six.
❛ REUNION ❜

Everyone was in the school gym for an award ceremony as Jae-Jun picked up a basketball and aimed for the hoop.

Just as the ball swished through the net, Hye-Jeong exclaimed, "Incredible! This place hasn't changed a bit." She held her phone to her ear, listening as the person she called began to ring.

"My first time back," she continued.

"Really? You never saw the gym teacher again?" Sa-Ra asked, her tone dripping with boredom.

"Hye-Jeong broke up with him, and he was pissed," Yeon-Jin joked, glancing at Jae-Jun. "Yah! Jae-Jun, where's Eun-Ji?"

"She said she's coming in a bit. She had to wait for Joo-Won's nanny to show up."

The friends looked up when they heard the familiar sound of heels clicking against the gym floor. They turned to see Eun-Ji enter, her long, wavy hair, adorned with braids, cascading over her shoulders.

She wore golden hoop earrings that complemented her skin tone, along with a white knee-length dress and heels that showcased her pale legs beautifully. After a slight bow, she said, "Sorry, Joo-Won's nanny got stuck in traffic."

"Why isn't this jerk answering?" Hye-Jeong muttered, staring at her phone in annoyance. "He has something I need."

"Myeong-O?" Sa-Ra asked, her head resting on her arms. She quickly lifted it, looking at Hye-Jeong. "You can't reach him either?"

"Ah, shit, I need something from him too."

"No idea where he is?" Sa-Ra replied monotonously as Jae-Jun pulled a chair closer and turned it around. "He probably got drunk and passed out somewhere," he remarked.

"I should've fired that idiot ages ago," Jae-Jun continued angrily, shaking his head.

Just then, footsteps approached, and the group turned to see a woman with short hair. Eun-Ji recognized her instantly.

"Wow, it's been far too long, you guys!" Dong-Eun greeted with a bright smile, but everyone except Eun-Ji looked at her with confusion.

"How's everyone been?"

"I swear I've seen her before," Sa-Ra whispered to Hye-Jeong, leaning in.

"Wow, it's been forever since the six of us were all together, huh?" Jae-Jun said, glancing at Dong-Eun.

"Don't you mean the five of us? Myeong-O's not here," Sa-Ra replied.

Suddenly, a lightbulb went off in Sa-Ra's head. "Ha! Moon So-Hee? That's it!"

Eun-Ji rolled her eyes at Sa-Ra's cluelessness. Hye-Jeong slapped Sa-Ra's arm, causing her to jump back. "It's not her," she said firmly.

"Moon Dong-Eun and Yoon So-Hee," Hye-Jeong clarified.

"I heard she dropped out and started working in a factory," Hye-Jeong continued, turning to Dong-Eun. "What are you doing here now? You're not an alum like us."

"Sorry, but I feel bad. I can't recall any fond times with you," Sa-Ra said wryly, but Dong-Eun just smiled, unfazed.

"Anyway, it's good to see you, So-Hee!" Sa-Ra waved at her.

Dong-Eun looked at Sa-Ra with a straight face as she heard Hye-Jeong corrected her, "I told you, it's Dong-Eun."

"I actually come to this gym every once in a while," Dong-Eun explained. "But today, it seems I've gathered all my friends together again." She turned to Yeon-Jin, who hadn't said a word yet. "How have you been, Yeon-Jin?"

"I love watching your weather reports," Yeon-Jin replied.

"Whenever I see you on screen, I think, 'You look so good!'" Dong-Eun said, causing Yeon-Jin to give a sly smile.

"And you?" Yeon-Jin smirked.

"I just got a new job, so I've been pretty busy with that," Dong-Eun replied casually. "Got some new clothes and even ate sashimi!"

Eun-Ji, unable to contain her excitement, walked over and hugged Dong-Eun. "We need to grab coffee and catch up!"

Despite having met the day before at her flower shop, the two were eager to reconnect, especially since they might be working together soon, unbeknownst to their friends behind them.

Dong-Eun hugged her back, pulling away with a smile. "We should definitely do that."

The friends exchanged glances, remembering how, the last time they met Dong-Eun, she had urged Eun-Ji not to let them take advantage of her kindness.

"Now, we will begin the award ceremony," the emcee announced, ensuring both new and former students could hear.

Eun-Ji took a seat beside Jae-Jun. "Our first award goes to Park Yeon-Jin, an alumna from the 23rd graduating class," the emcee declared.

Applause erupted as Yeon-Jin stood up and made her way to the stage, bowing respectfully as she received a bouquet of flowers. The applause faded, only to be reignited as Dong-Eun started clapping enthusiastically.

"Let's give it up for Yeon-Jin!" Dong-Eun cheered.

Everyone turned to her, surprised at the excitement emanating from her.

"Bravo!" she exclaimed. "You're incredible, Yeon-Jin! Ah!"

Encouraged by Dong-Eun's cheer, the crowd resumed clapping, and Jae-Jun, Sa-Ra, and Hye-Jeong exchanged curious glances, wondering what Dong-Eun was up to.

While Eun-Ji sat quietly, clapping, Yeon-Jin focused on Dong-Eun, who was beaming back at her.

Suddenly, Eun-Ji felt her phone ring. She stood up and stepped outside to take the call. "Hello?"

"Hello, Ms. Seong. Joo-Won was wondering if she could go hang out with Ye-Sol." The nanny's voice was soft.

Eun-Ji saw the kids leave the building, signaling the ceremony was over. "I'm okay with it, but please call Ye-Sol's father to check if he's fine with it."

"Okay, Ms. Seong. If I remember correctly, you gave me their nanny's number."

"Yes, it should be in your contacts." She heard the nanny hum in acknowledgment. "Thank you, Ms. Seong. Sorry to disturb you."

"It's no problem. Tell Joo-Won to have fun if she gets to go," Eun-Ji replied, and after a brief exchange, the call ended.

As she put her phone back in her purse, Eun-Ji sighed softly and turned to head back into the gym. Just then, she spotted Yeon-Jin slap Dong-Eun, causing her head to whip to the side.

Her footsteps quickened as she rushed over. "What happened here?"

Before Yeon-Jin could strike again, Jae-Jun swiftly grabbed her wrist while Eun-Ji gently pulled Dong-Eun towards her. "You crazy bitch!"

"Stop! Stop it!" Yeon-Jin shouted, trying to free her wrist from Jae-Jun's grip. "Why are you acting like a high schooler?" he asked monotonously, struggling to keep her calm.

Finally, Yeon-Jin managed to shake off Jae-Jun's hold, and Dong-Eun pushed Eun-Ji's hand away gently as she stepped toward Yeon-Jin. "Did all your dreams come true?"

"It seems you have a pretty decent job now, and you married a wealthy, connected man when you were young and pretty," Dong-Eun taunted.

"Are you living a happy life?" she challenged, noticing the tears brimming in Yeon-Jin's eyes. But Yeon-Jin held them back. "You got what you wanted. Right, Yeon-Jin?"

"What are you trying to do?" Yeon-Jin asked, her fury building as she stepped closer. "You must've seen that article about my marriage!"

"What the hell do you want from me?" Yeon-Jin shouted, grabbing Dong-Eun's white blazer.

Jae-Jun quickly intervened, pulling them apart. "Hey, hey! You're not going to kill her here."

"There's a crowd of kids outside," he reminded her.

Hye-Jeong and Sa-Ra observed the scene in silence. Hye-Jeong sat quietly while Sa-Ra stood beside her, both unsure of what to do.

"Be the bigger person," Jae-Jun advised Yeon-Jin. Eun-Ji scoffed quietly at his comment.

"She's still a kid," he added, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"An angry little kid," He taunted, Hye-Jeong was trying to stifle a laugh.

Yeon-Jin shoved Jae-Jun's hand away. "You all really haven't changed at all," Dong-Eun remarked, eyeing the group. "Neither has your friendship. I'm jealous." She glanced at the other two friends standing behind Jae-Jun and Yeon-Jin.

"Well, you've changed a bit," Jae-Jun replied.

"In high school, you were like a black-and-white picture," he added.

"You're more colorful now," he noted. She looked at him, a questioning smile on her lips. "Think so?"

"I've got to get going, okay?" Dong-Eun said, glancing at her watch before turning to Yeon-Jin. "Looking forward to your next forecast."

"I hope you don't mind that I watch you, Yeon-Jin," Dong-Eun added politely. Eun-Ji knew that no matter what Yeon-Jin's response was, Dong-Eun would continue to tune in to her forecasts.

Yeon-Jin met Dong-Eun's gaze with a mix of concern and apprehension, as if fearing what Dong-Eun might know or do next.

Dong-Eun shifted her attention to the rest of the group. "Anyway, nice to see you all."

"By the way, Jae-Jun," she began, locking her eyes on him. He looked back silently, the tension palpable. "How would you even know what's 'colorful' or not?" Her question hung in the air, rhetorical and pointed.

Eun-Ji winced at the remark; she knew how sensitive Jae-Jun was about that topic. Despite her feelings toward him, she couldn't ignore the protective instinct that flared up for the father of her child.

Sa-Ra and Hye-Jeong exchanged uncomfortable glances, trying to diffuse the escalating tension in the air.

Jae-Jun stared Dong-Eun down, his expression unreadable as he fought to maintain his composure. Eun-Ji could see the effort it took for him to remain calm.

With a final glance at the group, Dong-Eun turned on her heel, arms crossed, a small smirk dancing on her lips as she strode away. The friends stood in silence, watching her retreating figure.

© 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗜𝗦𝗭𝗡 // 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯