Jihoon was determined to avoid an encounter with Jieun or her boyfriend, if that is who he is in Jieun’s life. Whatever their relationship is, he  shouldn’t even care. Jieun made it clear it was one night of fun and that was it. 

These thoughts were running through his head when Sarangy forcefully ran towards the opposite direction. Janguny, who loved following suit, did the same and Jihoon was burdened with trying to get the two dogs under control. Before he knew it, the dogs were leading him back the way they came, towards Jieun, Inna and the man he only knew as “Teo”. 

“Aish! Sarangy, Janguny!” He tried to call them back but the dogs were running and jumping around. His suspicion is that they saw and smelt Jieun; his dogs are particularly affectionate even after months of not seeing someone close to them. To date, it’s been around three years since his dogs last saw Jieun, but at the looks of it, they still remember her. 

He gripped Sarangy’s leash even tighter but that made the stubborn dog pull harder away, so he had to let go. He huffed, looking on as Sarang ran towards the unknowing Jieun, jumping up and touching the back of her thighs with her paws until she finally turned to look at her. 

formed a surprised “o” when she saw who it was and she seemed too startled to do anything. She stared at the playful dog jumping up and down, taking a while before she finally fell on her knees, letting the dog her hand and her face. 

“How have you been?” She sweetly asked the dog, petting her head. 

“Sorry, I tried to pull her back but she was too stubborn.” He interjected. 

Jieun looked up. There was a small crease that formed between her brows but she did offer him a smile.

“It’s fine. I think she missed me.” Janguny was barking so hard and Jieun couldn’t help but smile at the dog which was trying to get her attention. “And this one too.” She tapped her lap and allowed the brown dog to come to her. 

Jieun was giggling as the dogs smothered her with attention. He had no choice but to stand there awkwardly. 

It didn’t take long until Jieun’s companions took notice of him. 

“Long time no see, oppa.” 

It was Inna. She wasn’t especially friendly, but she eyed him curiously. Beside her stood Teo. He was of average height, but he looked like a man who took care of his body. What annoyed Jihoon most was the way he had this kind smile on his face. He wasn’t in the mood to be chummy with Jieun’s boyfriend or fling or what. 

“Hi Inna. The dogs..they saw Jieun. I had no choice.” He explained half-heartedly. He knew no words would make Inna less suspicious of him. Jieun probably told her about Greece - maybe not all but still. Jieun used to tell him how her best friend seemed to know if something’s up even before she spills all the details. 

“Sure.” Inna replied, still eyeing him. 

There was an awkward silence until it was broken by Teo.

“Hi, we haven’t been introduced. I’m Teo, by the way.” The guy offered his hand which Jihoon took. 

“Hey. I’m Jihoon.”

The other man eyed him, still with that friendly look on his face, but it felt like he knew that he and Jieun weren’t just friends in the past. 

He eyed Jieun who stood up and was ushering the dogs back towards him. 

“Come on, let’s go home.” He motioned, as Sarangy and Janguny obediently walked back to him. Sarangy whimpered when Jihoon started leading them away from Jieun. Jihoon sighed when Sarangy refused to be led away. 

He knelt, patting the dog’s head a few times, before saying, “Okay, one last time and then we’ll leave, alright?” 

He let go of the leash and Sarangy ran back into Jieun’s arms. 

“Aww, poor baby.” Jieun cooed. “It’s fine, you know that I love you…” She hugged the huge furry dog for quite a stretch then petted her for a while. It must’ve been more than a while because Jihoon sat beside her, with Janguny. 

“Dogs are amazing, aren’t they.” He said.

“Yeah. Such precious creatures. Can’t even remember how Sarangy used to bite my shoes and bark at me like crazy.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle. 

There were a few people exercising in the area and there was a light breeze that made the afternoon pleasant. When he closed his eyes and listened to the sound of people talking and laughing, with his dogs playing with Jieun, it seemed like how his dreams went after he and Jieun ended their relationship. But when he opened his eyes, turning his gaze to Jieun and the dogs, it was not a dream, but it wasn’t real either. They were no more than two people who knew each other and shared some memories together. 

“I think we should really be going.” He mentioned. Jieun nodded saying that her friends are also waiting for her. Jihoon clicked his tongue several times before the two dogs started moving. 

“Oh by the way, you left something in my room. Just give me your details so I can send it to you.” 

“Oh? Really?” 

“Yeah…I tried to give it back but you were gone.”

Jieun’s cheeks turned a light shade of pink, probably remembering the events of her last night in Greece. 

“You can contact Hanteo..I think you still have his number..” She said. 

Jihoon can’t help but bite down the small smile that was forming on his lips. Jieun has no idea that the item she left was so personal, he can’t possibly send it to her manager. 

“What?” She asked, curious about his lack of response. 

“Jieun, I can’t send him your underwear.”

When the words came out of his mouth, Jieun’s face turned a deep shade of red. She immediately asked to have his phone so she could type in her number.

“There. You know my address..just message me.”

He had a huge grin spread out on his face by then, which couldn’t be helped. 

“Can’t you just throw it away?” She said with a glare. “Why do I feel like you’re having way too much fun.”

“I don’t know, Jieun. It’s funny that we’re talking about your underwear when your boyfriend is just a few meters away.”

“H-he’s not my boyfriend.” She said. “But he’s…special.”

Jihoon’s brain froze. He studied her, thinking if she’s lying, but he can’t tell for sure. 

They’re not together? 

Oh. 

“Then who is he?” He asked, not even trying to hide the fact that he cared. 

Jieun narrowed her eyes at him, crossing her arms over her chest. “I think it’s fair if I asked you first. Who gave you that special birthday greeting after we slept together?” 

Her gaze was unflinching and he did the same. It was a staredown. 

He was conflicted. Should he tell her that he’s been living like the worst kind of man known to the human race in the last two years? It’s not like it’s a secret…but still. A part of him wanted to be the good guy Jieun knew. 

He gritted his teeth and decided to be honest. There was no point in lying. It’s not like sleeping together made them a couple again. As Jieun herself said, it was nothing. 

“She’s someone I’ve been seeing for the last few years….but we’re not exclusive.” 

There. That wasn’t so hard. 

Jieun stared at him still, her eyes looking hard like they were lasers. 

“Oh. I guess the rumors are true.” She said and he shrugged in response. Again, there is no use denying it. “Well. I’m leaving Korea for a while…so I guess we’ll deal with that thing I left on your bed when I get back.”

Jihoon watched Jieun walk away thinking how much more complicated and confusing things are between them. 

**

Berlin

“Danke!” Jieun repeated one last time to the roaring crowd. They didn’t want the encore to end, and honestly she was having so much fun but they already went 20 mins overtime. 

Jieun did a 90 degree bow which lasted for five minutes, wanting to make the crowd feel just how grateful she was for their support. The concert hall was packed and the promoter told her that there were fans who weren’t able to get tickets. Sometime