Two weeks later, the invitation came, crisp and official, with his old school’s emblem embossed on the front. Jimin’s fingers lingered over it, his eyes tracing the date and location details written in fine print. A high school reunion, set in a high-end hall downtown, designed to look more like a gala than a casual gathering. It was the sort of event he’d have ignored in any other circumstance, brushed off as an unnecessary reminder of times he’d long buried.

High school had been a tough period for him, filled with whispers and harsh laughs behind his back. They’d mocked his weight, his quietness, his gentle disposition, leaving him with memories he preferred not to revisit. He’d spent most of those years in the shadows, hidden from the social circles that ruled their school. But despite all of that, there had always been one bright spot, one person who had unknowingly made it bearable—Rosalia.

She’d been his crush back then, his silent motivation to push through each day. Even if they’d barely spoken, just catching glimpses of her around the school was enough. Now, after their grocery store encounter, he was determined to meet her again, to see if they could reconnect in a way he’d never dared to dream about before.

The idea of seeing her stirred a sense of nervous excitement he hadn’t felt in years. He could hardly stop himself from wondering what she’d wear, whether her style would be the same as he remembered or if she’d have a new look, something that would take his breath away all over again. But just as quickly, doubts crept in. Would she even acknowledge him in front of her friends? Or would she find it embarrassing to talk to the boy she’d known as “the chubby kid from the back of the class”?

Pushing aside his worries, he decided to go. This might be his only chance, and he wasn’t going to miss it.

The evening of the reunion arrived faster than he’d expected. Jimin spent more time than usual getting ready, carefully selecting his suit and making sure every detail was perfect. His mafia life had taught him how to present himself with confidence, and his once-shy demeanor was now replaced by a quiet strength that seemed to radiate from him. Tonight, he would face his old classmates not as the boy they once teased but as the man he’d become.

Arriving at the venue, Jimin paused to take in the sight. A luxurious ballroom filled with people, laughter, and the faint hum of old pop songs drifting through the air. It felt surreal, like stepping back into a time he barely recognized.

He walked inside, scanning the crowd for familiar faces. Some people noticed him, a few former classmates who hadn’t seen him in years. They looked surprised, some even stunned, by his transformation. The shy, chubby kid they remembered was gone, replaced by someone who held himself with quiet authority, someone who commanded respect. But Jimin paid them little attention; his focus was elsewhere, searching the room for a single face.

Then, he saw her.

Rosalia stood near the bar, talking to a few friends, her laughter lighting up the room. She looked stunning, dressed in a simple yet elegant black dress that hugged her figure, her hair falling in soft waves over her shoulders. Jimin’s heart skipped a beat as he took her in, marveling at how effortlessly beautiful she was. Time had only made her more captivating.

She hadn’t noticed him yet, and he took a moment to gather himself, calming his nerves. Would she remember their grocery store conversation, or would she brush it off as a casual encounter? He took a deep breath, willing himself to walk over, when one of her friends spotted him.

“Jimin?” she called, her voice carrying over the chatter of the crowd.

All heads turned in his direction, and Jimin found himself under the gaze of people who once wouldn’t have spared him a second glance. He forced a small smile, nodding in acknowledgment, but his eyes remained on Rosalia. She looked at him with a flicker of surprise, her lips parting slightly as if she hadn’t expected to see him there.

She moved through the crowd, her eyes never leaving his. When she finally reached him, there was a softness in her gaze, a warmth that he hadn’t dared to hope for.

“Jimin,” she said, her voice a quiet murmur above the noise. “You came.”

He nodded, swallowing past the sudden tightness in his throat. “Yeah. Figured it was time I faced this place again.”

Her lips curved into a smile. “I’m glad you did. It’s nice seeing you here.”

They moved off to a quieter corner, away from curious eyes. They fell into an easy conversation, reminiscing about their high school days, sharing memories that felt like they belonged to someone else.

“Do you remember the art project we did back in sophomore year?” she asked, laughing softly. “I was terrible at painting, but you tried to help me anyway. We spent hours on it after school.”

He chuckled, remembering how nervous he’d been sitting beside her. “I remember. You ended up being the one to save our grade.”

She shook her head. “No, you did. I just tried to keep up.”

They shared a quiet laugh, and Jimin found himself relaxing, the years slipping away. Talking to her felt natural, like picking up a conversation that had never really ended. And as the night went on, he felt his old insecurities melting away. She didn’t see him as “the chubby kid” or “the quiet guy in the back.” She saw him as he was now, and that was more than he’d dared to hope for.

A slow song started playing, and before he could second-guess himself, he extended his hand. “Would you like to dance?”

Rosalia’s eyes sparkled with surprise, but she didn’t hesitate. She placed her hand in his, and they moved onto the dance floor, her hand resting on his shoulder as they swayed to the music. The room around them faded, and for a few precious moments, it felt like they were the only two people there.

“Jimin,” she said softly, looking up at him, “I always wondered what happened to you after graduation. You disappeared.”

He looked away briefly, collecting his thoughts. “Life took me in a different direction. I had to leave the city for a while.”

She nodded, seeming to understand. “Well, I’m glad you’re back. I’ve missed seeing you around.”

Her words stirred something deep within him, and he met her gaze, searching her eyes for any hint of what she was feeling. She didn’t look away, and for a heartbeat, he felt like he was standing on the edge of something profound.

“Rosalia,” he began, his voice barely above a whisper, “there’s something I should probably tell you.”

She tilted her head, her expression open, waiting. But before he could find the right words, one of her friends called her name, breaking the spell between them. She glanced over, her brow furrowing slightly, and Jimin felt a pang of disappointment as she stepped back.

“I’m sorry,” she said, looking genuinely apologetic. “They’re calling me over. But I’d love to continue this conversation sometime. Maybe… maybe we could meet up for coffee?”

His heart leapt at the suggestion, and he nodded, trying to hide his excitement. “I’d like that.”

She smiled, squeezing his hand briefly before stepping away to join her friends. Jimin watched her go, feeling both elated and restless. The evening had been more than he’d dared to hope for, but it had left him wanting more. He’d reconnected with her, yes, but it wasn’t enough. Now that he’d tasted the possibility of something real with Rosalia, he wasn’t sure he could settle for anything less.

As Jimin and Rosalia continued talking in their quiet corner, an unwelcome voice interrupted them.

“Well, well, look who we have here. The class chubby kid finally made it to a reunion,” a familiar, taunting voice sneered. It was one of his old classmates, a guy who had taken particular joy in making Jimin’s high school years miserable. A few others joined in, smirking as they glanced Jimin’s way.

Jimin stiffened, his smile fading as memories of those rough years came rushing back. He could feel their eyes appraising him, trying to reconcile the confident man in front of them with the quiet, insecure boy they once knew.

“Bet you’re still holding onto some of that old chubbiness, aren’t you, Jimin?” one of them jeered, grinning as if he’d made the joke of the night.

But before Jimin could respond, Rosalia stepped in, her eyes narrowing as she crossed her arms, a protective glint in her gaze.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said firmly. “I thought Jimin was adorable back then. Honestly, I always thought he was one of the cutest guys in our class.” Her voice was unwavering, her tone confident as she looked each one of them in the eye. “And clearly, he’s grown into someone who’s more than earned everyone’s respect. So, maybe it’s time to drop the childish comments.”

Jimin’s face heated up, and he struggled to suppress the shy smile that tugged at his lips. Rosalia thought he was adorable? The words replayed in his mind, each time sending a new wave of warmth across his face. He didn’t know what to say, a rare moment of shyness overcoming him as he glanced down, his cheeks flushed.

The bullies, clearly taken aback, muttered a few awkward apologies before dispersing, leaving Rosalia and Jimin alone again.

“Thank you,” he murmured, his voice soft, but his eyes were filled with genuine gratitude. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had defended him so wholeheartedly.

Rosalia’s expression softened, a gentle smile crossing her lips. “You don’t need to thank me. Honestly, I always thought you were cute. And now…” She trailed off, her eyes sweeping over him briefly before meeting his gaze. “Now, you’re… well, you’re kind of amazing, Jimin.”

Her words left him speechless, his heart pounding as he looked at her, feeling more vulnerable than he had in years. The thought that she had seen him this way, even back then, filled him with a mixture of disbelief and joy.

Rosalia’s smile turned a little playful as she added, “And it looks like I’m not the only one blushing this time.”

He chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck, his cheeks still warm. “Guess I can’t hide that, can I?”

“Nope,” she said, grinning. “And that’s fine. I kind of like seeing this side of you.”

With that, the last of his shyness melted away, replaced by a feeling of connection he hadn’t expected but found himself treasuring all the same.

As the night drew to a close, he made his way out of the venue, his thoughts consumed by the memory of her laughter, the warmth of her touch. He’d been given a chance, and he wasn’t going to waste it. The next time he saw her, he would tell her everything—the truth about his feelings, about who he’d become.

For the first time in years, Jimin allowed himself to hope, to believe that maybe, just maybe, he’d finally found something worth fighting for.