The reception desk gleamed like it had a degree in intimidation.
Marble surface. Gold trim. A chandelier hanging above it like judgment.
Garment bags were laid out one by one, carefully folded, tagged, approved by mirrors and group debates.
The staff member smiled again. "Will that be everything?"
Min-Hyuk glanced at the growing total on the screen and inhaled slowly. "Define everything."
"Don't look at me," Do-Hyun said calmly. "This was your idea."
"It was not my idea to buy two ties."
"It was strategic."
Nisa stood beside them, clutching her garment bag like it contained national treasure.
"Okay," she said suddenly. "Important rule."
Everyone looked at her.
"When we go home," she continued, eyes bright, "we have to show the dresses and suits to Ha-Joon."
Ji-Ah blinked. "Why?"
Nisa gasped softly. "Because he trusted you."
She pointed at Ji-Ah accusingly.
"And I need to see his face when he sees what you picked."
Min-Hyuk snapped his fingers. "Yes. Mandatory reveal."
Seo-Yeon adjusted her bag on her shoulder. "You're all dramatic."
"You're participating," Min-Hyuk said.
She didn't deny it.
Do-Hyun leaned casually against the counter. "He's going to pretend he doesn't care."
"Exactly," Nisa said. "Which makes it better."
Ji-Ah tried to sound uninterested. "It's just a suit."
All four of them turned to look at her.
Simultaneously.
Min-Hyuk narrowed his eyes. "You spent twenty minutes staring at fabric like you were solving a murder case."
Seo-Yeon added calmly, "You closed your eyes."
Nisa clasped her hands. "You visualized him."
Ji-Ah froze.
"…You all need hobbies."
The staff member politely looked away, pretending she was not absolutely entertained.
Do-Hyun chuckled. "Come on. You know he's going to look good."
"He always looks fine," Ji-Ah muttered.
Min-Hyuk leaned closer. "Fine?"
She glared at him. "Shut up."
Nisa bounced slightly on her heels. "No but really. When we get home, we should all try everything on. Like a pre-preview."
Seo-Yeon tilted her head. "You want a fashion show?"
"Yes."
Min-Hyuk pointed at her. "You're excited."
"I am," Nisa admitted, smiling wide. "His mom and sister are coming. We can't just show up casually."
Do-Hyun nodded thoughtfully. "She's right."
Ji-Ah sighed, accepting defeat. "Fine. We'll show him."
Min-Hyuk grinned. "And if he compliments you?"
"He won't."
"And if he does?"
She adjusted her bag with unnecessary precision. "Then I'll assume he has a fever."
Laughter rippled across the marble floors.
The payment went through. Receipts printed like official declarations of elegance.
Garment bags were handed over carefully.
As they walked toward the exit, sunlight spilling through the glass doors, Nisa leaned closer to Ji-Ah.
"You picked midnight blue, didn't you?"
Ji-Ah paused.
"…Maybe."
Nisa's smile widened knowingly.
"He's going to look unreal."
Ji-Ah didn't answer.
But the faintest curve touched her lips.
Behind them, Min-Hyuk whispered loudly to Do-Hyun, "Place your bets. He compliments her first or the suit first?"
Do-Hyun smirked. "Suit. Then her. Indirectly."
Seo-Yeon walked past them both. "You're all children."
The doors opened again.
Warm air greeted them.
Four hours well spent.
And somewhere waiting at home was Ha-Joon, unaware that he was about to become the main event of his own runway.
The front door opened like it knew drama was about to enter.
Garment bags everywhere.
Energy high.
Nisa was already grinning. "Okay. Nobody sits down. This is important."
Ha-Joon looked up from the couch, expression neutral. Too neutral.
"You're loud," he said.
"You're nervous," Ji-Ah shot back automatically.
He didn't deny it.
"Go," he said simply. "Show me."
First: Do-Hyun & Nisa
They disappeared down the hallway.
A minute later, they stepped out together.
Charcoal suit. Emerald dress.
Balanced. Polished. Effortless.
Do-Hyun adjusted his cuff like he had been born doing it.
Nisa's dress caught the light softly, elegant without shouting.
Ha-Joon leaned back slightly, assessing.
"At least now," he said calmly, "you look ready for Mother's approval."
Do-Hyun scoffed. "At least?"
Nisa laughed, relief visible in her shoulders.
"Translation," Min-Hyuk muttered from behind. "He approves."
Ha-Joon gave the smallest nod. "It works."
Do-Hyun bumped Nisa lightly with his shoulder, satisfied.
Next: Min-Hyuk & Seo-Yeon
They came out arguing quietly.
"You're walking too fast."
"It's called confidence."
"It's called tripping."
Then they stopped.
Navy suit. Silver-gray dress.
Clean. Refined. Sharp.
Min-Hyuk looked almost offended by how good he looked.
Seo-Yeon stood beside him, simple silhouette, no unnecessary embellishments.
Ha-Joon studied them carefully.
"Good," he said.
Min-Hyuk beamed. "Good?"
"Very good."
Seo-Yeon leaned slightly closer to Min-Hyuk and whispered, "I told you simple works."
Min-Hyuk whispered back, "I like that yours is simple."
She glanced at him sideways.
"You're simple," he added softly.
Her eyebrow lifted.
"That was not an insult," he rushed.
She didn't smile fully.
But she didn't move away either.
Silence settled again.
All eyes turned to Ji-Ah.
She was holding out the garment bag.
"For you," she said, suddenly less dramatic.
Ha-Joon took it.
Their fingers brushed briefly.
He didn't comment.
He disappeared into his room.
The hallway felt longer than usual.
Ji-Ah crossed her arms.
"He's going to hate it."
"No he won't," Nisa whispered.
A door opened.
Ha-Joon stepped out.
Midnight blue.
The suit fit like it had been tailored for his posture alone. The color deepened under the light, shifting subtly as he moved.
The room went quiet.
Min-Hyuk blinked once. "Okay."
Do-Hyun let out a low whistle. "That's dangerous."
Nisa clasped her hands dramatically. "See? See?!"
But Ha-Joon wasn't looking at them.
He had stopped in front of the hallway mirror.
He stared.
Longer than usual.
Midnight blue.
She always chose that color for him.
Not Ji-Ah.
Someone else.
For a moment, something old flickered in his eyes.
Memory.
Comparison.
He inhaled slowly.
Steady.
Then his gaze shifted.
Ji-Ah was watching him carefully.
Not teasing.
Just waiting.
He turned fully toward her.
"It fits," he said first.
Everyone collectively rolled their eyes.
He exhaled again, softer this time.
"…Thank you. For the suit."
The room stilled.
Ji-Ah blinked.
"You're welcome," she replied, trying to sound normal.
But she felt it.
Something different.
Something less guarded.
He held her gaze a second longer than necessary.
Then—
"Your turn."
She froze.
"Now?"
"Yes."
Nisa physically pushed her toward the hallway. "Go."
Ji-Ah disappeared to change.
The waiting felt heavier this time.
Ha-Joon didn't sit.
Didn't joke.
Didn't deflect.
He just stood there.
Different.
Min-Hyuk leaned toward Do-Hyun and whispered, "Why is he acting like he just unlocked a new personality?"
"Growth," Do-Hyun murmured.
Ji-Ah stepped out.
Champagne-toned dress.
Soft structure at the waist. Flowing just enough. The fabric caught light in a way that made her look almost untouchable.
She stopped at the edge of the living room.
Suddenly aware of everyone staring.
Nisa gasped first.
"Oh my God."
Seo-Yeon nodded once, approving. "Elegant."
Min-Hyuk blinked. "Okay. Okay."
Do-Hyun smiled. "Balanced."
But Ha-Joon—
Ha-Joon didn't speak.
He just looked at her.
Really looked.
Like he was recalculating something.
She shifted slightly. "What?"
He stepped forward one pace.
"It suits you," he said quietly.
No sarcasm.
No joke after.
Just that.
She swallowed lightly. "You're acting strange."
"Am I?"
"Yes."
He held her gaze again.
The midnight blue and champagne standing opposite each other.
Unintentionally matched.
Unintentionally aligned.
He nodded once, almost to himself.
"…Good choice," he added.
Min-Hyuk clapped his hands suddenly. "Well. If Mother disapproves, it won't be because of the outfits."
Laughter broke the tension.
But something had shifted.
Ha-Joon stood there, hands at his sides, still watching Ji-Ah like he was seeing something clearer than before.
And for once—
He wasn't hiding it.