Arianna and her friends strolled through the festival corridor, laughter filling the air. But as they passed the section where Ara, Taehyun, and Yoonseok stood, Arianna froze. Her eyes narrowed, sharp and calculating.
Arianna (inner thought, seething):
Why is he so… calm with her? Why is he looking at her like that? That's… impossible… she's just Ara Jeon.
She noticed the tension, the subtle push-and-pull between Taehyun and Yoonseok, and her chest tightened. The way Ara smiled lightly, brushing off Yoonseok's concern—it made Arianna's stomach churn with frustration.
Arianna (under her breath, bitterly):
How can she just… stand there? Laugh? Smile? With him? With my Taehyun?
Her hands clenched into fists. She turned abruptly, walking away without a word to her friends. The jealousy coiled around her like fire, burning hotter with each step.
---
At the university gate, Arianna's mother, Seora Park, stood beside a sleek black car, ready to leave after visiting the festival. Arianna approached, still boiling inside.
Arianna (coldly, voice tight with restrained anger):
"Goodbye, Mother."
Seora's eyes flickered briefly to her daughter, sharp and knowing, a smirk playing on her lips.
Seora Park (softly, leaning closer, heel clicks echoing):
"Darling… what's wrong? You seem upset."
Arianna (biting her lip, voice low, seething):
"It's nothing. I… it's nothing important."
Seora's smirk deepened, almost predatory.
Seora Park (quiet, confident, teasing):
"Don't let anyone take what's yours. Everything… from the runway as a child… it's yours. Always yours. And everything that could be yours—don't let anyone snatch it from you."
Arianna's pulse raced. Goosebumps prickled her arms. Her mother's obsession with her success, her need to control every detail of Arianna's life, weighed on her heavily.
Arianna (inner thought, shivering slightly):
She's obsessed… always has been. Everything I am, everything I do… it's never just me. It's hers.
Seora turned, the heels clicking against the pavement, and slipped into the car. The vehicle drove off smoothly, leaving Arianna alone at the gate. The cool evening breeze barely touched her skin, but the echo of her mother's words lingered, heavy and sharp, like a shadow she could never escape.
Evening had draped itself over the city, casting the university festival in a soft golden glow. Inside Ara's apartment, the two friends were busy preparing for the night. Mina hovered over Ara with brushes and powders, her excitement infectious despite the quiet tension lingering in the room.
Mina adjusted Ara's hair, gently tucking stray strands behind her ear. "There… perfect. Look at you! Ara… you're gorgeous!" Her voice carried both admiration and awe. "Seriously, everyone will be staring at you tonight. You—you could be a model. Everyone would see you shining brightly."
Ara gave a small, bittersweet smile. Her eyes didn't light up like they used to when talking about modeling. "I… I don't want that kind of bright anymore, Mina. I just want… a normal life. That's enough for me."
Mina's excitement faltered slightly, but she nodded, understanding. "Okay… normal life it is. But still… wow, you look amazing." She stepped back, taking in Ara's long blue dress, elegant and flowing, carefully chosen to hide the faint marks on her arms. "I mean it. You're perfect."
Ara looked at her friend, her smile quiet but genuine. "Thanks, Mina. For everything."
---
By the time they reached the university, the festival had reached its peak. Stalls crowded every corridor, colorful lights flickering, laughter and music filling the air. For Ara, the noise and throngs of people were overwhelming, each step stirring a little unease. Mina noticed and gently guided her toward a quieter lane, away from the busiest areas.
"See? This way's better. Less crowded, still fun," Mina said softly, offering her arm for support. Ara took it gratefully, the simple gesture grounding her.
Across the festival grounds, Taehyun wandered casually, dressed in a light green t-shirt, a jacket draped over his shoulders, and a watch catching the fading sunlight. He strolled past the stalls, feigning interest in the various trinkets, but something caught his eye—a small, shiny blue hair stick at a woman's grocery stall.
His gaze lingered. The stick gleamed like it had been made just for someone special. Without thinking, he handed over cash, taking the item with a chuckle. "What the hell am I doing?" he muttered under his breath. "Buying this… for someone?" He shook his head, amused at himself, but there was a softness in his smile that lingered longer than usual.
---
Ara and Mina finally entered the festival area, the crowd pressing in around them. Ara's shoulders tensed slightly, and she took a cautious step back. Mina caught her hesitation.
"Don't worry, Ara. We don't have to go into the crowd," Mina reassured her, guiding her toward a less congested area near the food stalls, where the chatter was softer, and the lights created a gentle glow.
Ara exhaled slowly, trying to settle her nerves. She glanced around, observing students laughing, parents chatting, the occasional burst of fireworks signaling the evening's excitement. For the first time tonight, she felt… almost normal. Almost safe.
Mina leaned in, whispering with a grin, "See? You can enjoy it. Just… quietly shining, like always."
Ara gave a small, serene smile, letting the sound of laughter and music fill the space around her. For tonight, at least, she could be herself.
Taehyun wandered deeper into the festival, the small blue hair stick tucked carefully into his pocket. He wasn't sure why he had bought it, only that something about it had made him think of someone—someone he couldn't stop picturing. A faint smirk played on his lips as he shook his head, muttering, "I'm ridiculous…"
Taehyun's steps slowed the moment his eyes found Ara. She stood beside Mina, her blue dress flowing softly with the evening breeze, the faint glow of the lanterns outlining her figure. For a second, he forgot to breathe. Blue. Of all colors—his favorite.
Damn… is this fate playing with me? he thought, a small chuckle slipping out as he ran a hand through his hair, trying to calm the restless beating in his chest.
Straightening, he finally approached them, his presence tall and impossible to ignore.
> "Ara…" his voice carried that teasing lilt, eyes glinting with mischief. "You're looking something tonight."
Mina blinked, her lips parting at the way he said it—half compliment, half provocation. Ara, on the other hand, stiffened instantly, her brows knitting.
> "Something?" she repeated, narrowing her eyes. "That's not even a real compliment."
Taehyun smirked, leaning just a little closer, as if daring her to swat him away.
> "Oh, it's real enough. You don't want me to say what that something is… trust me."
Mina gasped dramatically, pressing a hand over her mouth, clearly entertained.
Ara's cheeks warmed under the weight of his gaze, but she folded her arms and scoffed.
> "You're so full of yourself."
> "Maybe." He tilted his head, his grin softer now. "But tonight, you're making it hard not to be."
For a brief moment, Ara's eyes flickered, her heartbeat stumbling at his words—before she quickly looked away, pretending to focus on Mina.
Mina whispered low, nudging Ara's arm, "He's totally into you."
Ara glared at her friend under her breath, "Shut up."
Taehyun, of course, caught every flicker of her reaction. And in that second, he knew—she could push him away all she wanted, but she wasn't unaffected.
Taehyun's gaze lingered a little too long on her dress, the corners of his lips tugging upward. He tilted his head, pretending to study her like a puzzle.
> Taehyun (teasing softly): "Hmm… something's off. Oh, I see it now."
Ara blinked, frowning slightly. "What?"
He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper just enough to fluster her.
> Taehyun: "You're stealing the color from the sky. That blue isn't supposed to look better on you than it does above us."
Ara's eyes widened, her cheeks instantly heating. "W–what are you talking about… don't say weird things." She turned her face away, pretending to fix her dress.
But Taehyun wasn't done—his grin widened, his eyes glinting mischievously.
> Taehyun: "Ah, now I get it… you wore this dress just to make me lose my mind, didn't you?"
Ara froze, her hands gripping her clutch. "You're impossible."
Mina, standing beside her, muffled a laugh, clearly entertained.
Taehyun's eyes gleamed with amusement as he leaned a little closer, voice dropping into a teasing lilt.
> "Blue really suits you… or maybe it's just you making the dress look this good."
Ara blinked, a faint flush creeping to her cheeks before she quickly snapped back, crossing her arms.
> "Wow. Did you practice that in the mirror before coming here?"
Taehyun chuckled, lips curving into that smug half-smile.
> "No need. You're inspiring enough."
Ara rolled her eyes dramatically, but the corners of her mouth threatened to twitch upward.
> "Please. If you keep talking like that, I'll start charging you for compliments."
Taehyun tilted his head, unfazed, eyes still fixed on her.
> "Fine then, I'll pay. Dinner. Tomorrow. Deal?"
Ara's jaw dropped slightly, caught off guard. She quickly snapped back again.
> "Who said I was taking offers?!"