Arianna turned slightly, seeing Taehyun, and her face burned with both surprise and indignation.
> "Taehyun… you…" Arianna stammered, voice shaking with frustration.
Taehyun didn't wait for her explanation. His gaze was fixed on Ara, whose eyes flickered with pain but also a quiet determination. He moved swiftly to stand between them.
> "Step away from her!" Taehyun ordered, his tone sharp, commanding. His hand was slightly raised, not to strike, but to assert his presence.
Arianna's lips trembled. The jealousy, the anger, the frustration—it all bubbled inside her.
> "She—she thinks she can take everything from me! My dreams, my spotlight… even you!" Arianna shouted, her voice cracking with emotion.
Ara stood frozen, heart pounding, but she didn't say a word. She only looked at Taehyun, silently pleading for the situation to end.
Taehyun's eyes softened as they met hers, a flicker of worry and protectiveness crossing his face.
> "Ara… you're okay, right? Did she hurt you?" His voice was firm but gentle, careful not to startle her further.
Ara blinked, trying to collect herself, and nodded.
> "I… I'm fine," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly, but she managed a small smile.
Taehyun's gaze shifted to Arianna, his jaw tightening.
> "Arianna, enough. This ends now. Back off," he said, his voice cold and unwavering, leaving no room for argument.
Arianna glared at him, her chest heaving. Her hands were still trembling with rage, but she took a step back, realizing that Taehyun's presence changed everything.
Ara let out a shaky breath, her body still tense, but she felt a flicker of relief. Taehyun's protective stance made the fear in her chest ease slightly.
> "Taehyun…" she whispered softly, just loud enough for him to hear, her voice carrying both gratitude and disbelief.
Taehyun offered a small, reassuring smile, though inside, his heart raced and clenched. Seeing Ara, vulnerable yet strong, ignited something fierce in him—a need to protect her, no matter what.
Arianna, still burning with jealousy, turned and stormed off silently, leaving the crowd whispering and pointing. Her hands were clenched into fists, and her mind spun with frustration: How could she have the nerve to smile like that… in front of him?
Ara, meanwhile, stayed close to Taehyun, her body still trembling but her eyes beginning to regain clarity. The festival lights flickered around them, but nothing felt normal anymore—the tension between past and present, jealousy and protection, had consumed the moment completely.
The festival lights glimmered faintly around them, but Ara felt nothing of the excitement. She sat quietly on the bench, the cool evening breeze brushing her hair. Taehyun's jacket rested on her shoulders, warm and slightly comforting, but her mind was elsewhere.
Taehyun sat beside her, close enough to notice every small tremble of her body. He didn't say anything at first, just let the silence linger. Around them, the distant hum of laughter and music from the festival seemed muted, as if the world had slowed down just for her.
Ara's hands clenched the folds of the jacket, her chest tightening. The sight of the fireworks looming in the distance should have been beautiful, joyful… yet she felt nothing but a heaviness pressing down on her. Her lips quivered slightly as she tried to keep herself composed.
> Why now… why tonight…
Memories she had long buried rushed forward—bright days of childhood modeling, the laughter of middle school Ara and Arianna, the innocence and dreams they shared.
> We were best friends… we were supposed to shine together…
Her chest ached as she remembered Arianna's betrayal, the misunderstandings, and the sharp edge of jealousy that had haunted their friendship. And then… the assault.
The memory of that night clung to her like a shadow. The alley, the fear, the feeling of helplessness—her dreams shattered, her confidence stolen. And even now, years later, she carried the invisible weight of it all.
A tear escaped, sliding silently down her cheek. She tilted her head slightly, trying to hide it, and the faint marks on her arm remained covered under the folds of the dress.
Taehyun's gaze softened as he noticed her trembling shoulders. He reached out slowly, not touching, but leaning just enough to let her feel his presence.
> "Ara…" His voice was quiet, gentle. "You don't have to hide it from me."
She flinched slightly at the sound of her name, her throat tight. She wanted to explain… to say everything, but she couldn't. Not to him. Not yet.
> "I… I'm fine," she whispered, barely audible, though the quiver betrayed her words.
Taehyun didn't push. He simply nodded, letting her take the time she needed, his jacket still draped over her shoulders, warm and steady.
The fireworks started in the distance, bursting in brilliant colors across the night sky. Ara's eyes remained fixed on the dark horizon, tears silently falling as her past and present collided within her. She wanted to feel the joy, the sparkle, the innocence of those fireworks—but the pain and memories clung too tightly.
> I wanted to be bright again… I wanted to shine… but maybe that's not for me anymore…
Taehyun stayed close, silent, letting her grief exist without interruption. His heart ached, wanting to protect her from not just the world outside but the world inside herself.
For now, all he could do was be there, a quiet presence beside her, letting her lean on him without words.
The fireworks painted the sky, brilliant and fleeting, while Ara sat in the quiet darkness of her own memories, clutching the warmth of his jacket, hiding both her tears and her scars from the world.
Taehyun sat beside her quietly, giving her space. Then, softly, he reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Ara flinched instinctively, her heart skipping, but he noticed immediately. His hand froze in the air, hovering, not pushing, just letting her sense his presence.
> Taehyun (gentle, barely above a whisper):
"It's okay… you don't have to be afraid."
Ara blinked, surprised. The fear that always surged when someone touched her wasn't as sharp now. She lifted her eyes to his, and in the soft glow of the evening, she saw… care. Concern. Patience.
He slowly took her hand in his, his grip warm but gentle, a silent promise.
> Taehyun (softly, voice steady):
"Everything will be okay… I won't let anything hurt you. Not now, not ever."
Ara's throat tightened. She wanted to believe him, wanted to trust that this time, someone could be there for her without judgment. Yet doubt crept in, whispering bitterly: I'm not like other girls… I'm not pure… why would he want me?
Taehyun tilted his head slightly, leaning closer. Their faces were inches apart. His eyes searched hers, patiently, respectfully, as if asking permission without words. Ara's pulse raced. The warmth of his hand holding hers seemed to pull the shadows of her past closer and yet… farther away.
> Taehyun (softly, almost a murmur):
"You deserve to shine, Ara… even if you don't believe it yet. Even if it hurts… you deserve happiness."
Ara's breath hitched. She wanted to look away, to retreat, but something in his eyes—the sincerity, the unwavering focus—made her pause. Slowly, cautiously, she lifted her chin. Their lips hovered just a breath apart. Her mind screamed with the memories of pain, yet a fragile hope fluttered inside her chest.
Then, gently, tentatively, their lips met. It wasn't a rush, or a passionate kiss—it was careful, soft, a whisper of trust. Ara felt herself trembling, but it wasn't fear—it was relief, a sense that maybe, just maybe, someone could be there without taking or hurting.
As their lips met, the world seemed to pause. Ara's heart raced, a mix of fear, hope, and something she hadn't felt in years—safety. The kiss was soft, tentative, but full of unspoken promises.
And then—suddenly—the night sky erupted.
Brilliant bursts of color exploded above the university festival, cascading sparks of red, gold, and blue across the dark canvas. The fireworks lit Ara's tear-streaked face, and for a moment, the past—the pain, the betrayal, the endless nights of fear—felt miles away.
She pulled back just slightly, eyes wide, reflecting the shimmering lights. Taehyun's hand still held hers, steady, grounding her. The cold breeze mixed with the warmth of the fireworks, making the moment surreal, almost magical.
> Taehyun (softly, whispering near her ear):
"See? You shine… even now. Even after everything."
Ara's lips trembled as she finally let herself exhale. She leaned slightly into him, still unsure, still fragile, but trusting. The fireworks flared again, showering sparks around them like the world itself was celebrating this small victory—the moment Ara allowed herself to be seen, to be held, to be… happy.
> Ara (quietly, almost to herself):
"I… I didn't think I could feel… this again."
Taehyun smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, his thumb grazing her hand.
> Taehyun:
"You deserve to feel it… every bit of it."
The sky exploded once more in a symphony of light and sound. Ara closed her eyes, letting herself soak in the warmth, the protection, the tenderness. For the first time in years, she felt the weight lift—just slightly—feeling… normal.
And amidst the fireworks, the music, and the distant cheers, their fingers intertwined tighter, and the world outside faded, leaving only the two of them and the brilliant glow of a night that felt, somehow, like a new beginning.