chapter thirty seven

exams ended. the halls emptied. uniforms were traded for suits, and glitter quietly crept into every corner of the city.

prom day arrived.

aeri stood in front of her mirror, the lavender dress zipped perfectly, her hair curled into soft waves. her heart wouldn't stop fluttering.

"you look like a dream," yejin said behind her, tugging on her own earrings.

"i look nervous."

"nervous is part of the dream."

they laughed together, the kind of laughter only best friends shared—the kind that steadied shaky hands and made waiting feel bearable.

aeri touched her necklace. checked her lipstick. looked in the mirror one last time.

then the doorbell rang.

wonwoo stood in the entryway, holding a small corsage box in both hands.

he wore a perfectly fitted black suit, a lavender tie tucked under his blazer. his hair was swept neatly, and he looked composed—until his eyes landed on her.

and he forgot how to breathe.

aeri walked in slowly, and everything else faded.

"hi," she said, almost shy.

wonwoo blinked. "...wow."

she laughed. "what?"

"you're... you're really beautiful."

her cheeks flushed.

her mom appeared with her phone and instantly gasped. "oh my goodness. you two look like a drama couple."

"mom," aeri groaned.

but her mom was already posing them in the hallway. "okay, hold the corsage—yes, that's it. now one with you smiling. no, real smile, wonwoo. there we go."

click. click.

they eventually escaped out the door, still laughing.

"you really do look beautiful," he said again as they walked to the car.

she glanced at him. "you're not so bad yourself."

"not so bad?" he pretended to be offended.

"fine. you look perfect," she teased.

"better."

prom was golden lights, soft music, and laughter echoing against glass walls.

the ballroom shimmered. couples twirled beneath chandeliers. hands reached out. drinks clinked. and in the middle of it all, aeri stood beside wonwoo, feeling like a character in someone else's love story.

they danced.

slow at first, just rocking side to side, his hands steady on her waist, hers resting on his shoulders. he was warm. grounded. calm in the middle of the music.

when a faster song came on, he let her drag him into it, grinning as she spun in circles around him.

they laughed until their cheeks hurt.

they danced until their feet ached.

and then, as the night thinned and the lights dimmed, they slipped outside together—her heels in her hand, his jacket now draped over her shoulders.

"that was the most fun i've ever had at a school event," she whispered.

"same," he said, glancing down at her with a soft smile.

they walked slowly under the streetlights, the city quieter now. she leaned into him, her bare feet sore on the pavement.

he held her heels in one hand, the other brushing against hers every few steps.

they found a little street vendor near the river—one of those late-night carts with steam rising from metal lids.

"two corn dogs, please," aeri said.

they sat on a bench nearby, sauce dripping onto napkins, laughter still stuck in their throats.

"thank you," she said between bites.

"for what?"

"for all of this. the rooftop. the flowers. tonight."

he turned to her.

"there's something i've been wanting to ask you," he said quietly.

she paused, corn dog halfway to her mouth.

"what?"

he set the food down, turning his full attention to her. "aeri... will you be my girlfriend?"

her breath caught.

she blinked. "what?"

he laughed nervously. "you heard me."

her smile broke slowly across her face. "are you serious?"

"yeah," he said. "i've been serious for a while now."

she didn't speak—just stared, stunned and glowing.

then whispered, "yes."

he exhaled, like he'd been holding his breath all night. "really?"

"yes, wonwoo," she said again, and this time she laughed. "i'm so happy."

he smiled at her, something soft blooming behind his eyes.

"can i..." he hesitated, voice lower now. "can i kiss you?"

aeri's heart flipped.

her throat tightened.

but she nodded—slowly, shyly. "okay."

he leaned in.

her eyes fluttered closed.

their lips met gently, softly, like a question being answered.

then it deepened—slow, warm, careful.

his hand rested at her jaw, thumb brushing her cheek. she held his wrist like she was scared the moment might disappear.

and under the quiet city lights, in the scent of fried food and river wind, they kissed like the world had been waiting for them to.