On the day of 2nd of January
The phone on Joo Won's bedside table chimed softly, its screen lighting up with a message just as he stepped out of the shower. He toweled off his hair, picked it up to find a message from Hana.
"So Hee just called. Urgent meeting. Need to push the update in the game on 3rd of Jan."
Within minutes, he was in his car, driving quickly but carefully toward Hana's apartment. She was waiting outside, her expression anxious yet resolved. She slid into the passenger seat, and they shared a brief glance—no words spoken but hands met all throughout the journey.
Together, they sped toward Haneulbit Café.
The Haneulbit Café was looking pristine with its walls painted in soft lilac, with the sunlight entering the cafe's large glass wall, the cafe gave off a vibe of new beginnings, hope, and gentle optimism.
Seeing Joo Won and Hana enter the cafe, So Hee waved at them in order for them to notice her. Upon spotting her, Joo Won and Hana approached hurriedly. After ordering their favorite boba teas, "It's time to catch the Pokémon," So Hee said, her voice low but intense, a spark of strategic fire in her eyes, Pokémon being the chairman."3rd of January is a crucial date."
All three smiled mysteriously at each other. It was Ji Woo's birthday. Hana recalling Ji Woo's username, "So," a decidedly mischievous smile curling her lips, "we throw a surprise birthday party for Mr.Mightydragon0301."
All three of them went for shopping for the party. So Hee bought limited edition watch of a luxury brand and Hana chose a nice looking tshirt for JI Woo. Joo Won did not purchase anything as he already knew what he would gift his best friend. Joo Won's gift was resting in his apartment inside his bedroom. It was time the gift go to its original owner. The three planned a party at Joo Won's penthouse apartment in the evening. Colin, Dong Geun were invited too. So hee planned the surprise for Ji Woo. She would trick Ji Woo into coming to visit Joo Won in his apartment under the pretext of Joo Won needing their help on something urgent and they would surprise him there.
Joo Won and Hana decorated the whole apartment with birthday decorations. A cake with the nameHappy birthday Ji Woowas also purchased. Colin and Dong Geun, unaware that Joo Won was Bae Hoon, were ecstatic that they got to visit the Hwang Group's heir's apartment. They all brought some gifts for their boss.
So Hee's plan worked as Ji Woo readily agreed to visit his best friend worried he might really need their help. He and So Hee ran to Joo Won's penthouse apartment, they rang the doorbell being impatience- once- twice before the door swung open:
SURPRISE!
Everyone jumps out. "Happy Birthday, Kang Ji Woo!" Confetti poppers go off.
Ji Woo stumbles back, his hand flying to his chest in genuine shock. His eyes widened, scanning the room—the decorations, the smiling faces, the banner that read Happy Birthday Ji Woo. His gaze finally landed on Joo Won and So Hee, who were beaming at him, their expressions a mix of triumph and affection.
A disbelieving laugh escaped him, followed by a wave of emotion that made his eyes glisten. "You guys...," he managed, shaking his head in overwhelmed gratitude. "This is... wow." He was ushered inside, the group buzzing around him with laughter and well-wishes.
For Joo Won, this moment was profoundly significant. In the orphanage, the concept of a real birthday didn't exist. They'd all shared a single, collective celebration on Christmas—a day of donated gifts and communal cake, not of individual celebration. And in his 22 years of life, he had been ordered to celebrate another person's birthday by disappearing for that whole day. This—a party forJi Woo, onhisspecial day—gave the new year a different meaning altogether, it was definitely a start of a fresh chapter in Joo Won's new life where he met all these good people and made so many new memories which would attempt to override the stained memories which questioned his very existence. It was a first time for Ji Woo too, a new year, a birthday with a new, old soul -- his Joo Won, his brother.
The dining table was a testament to Joo Won's quiet dedication, every dish prepared from scratch. Hana had, of course, tried to help. But her presence itself had become the ultimate distraction. Simply seeing her in his kitchen—so beautiful, sohis—scattered his focus entirely.
His mind kept wandering to her, his lips remembering the feel of hers, his hands itching to hold her instead of a knife. For a man who prized control, the risk of ruining the meal for everyone—especially for her—was too great. He had to act.
With a mock-stern expression that didn't quite hide his affection, he pointed a wooden spatula directly at her."You,"he declared, his voice firm but his eyes soft."You are not allowed in the kitchen. Your mission is to finish the decorations."
He stood there, in his comfortable clothes with an apron tied around his waist, wielding his kitchen utensil like a scepter. To Hana, he had never looked more attractive—capable, domestic, and utterly in his element. He looked like husband material.
A slow, adoring smile touched the corners of Hana's lips. She surrendered without another word, turning to the streamers and balloons.
From across the room, as she worked, she watched him. And her breath caught. This was a Joo Won she had never seen before. His brow was furrowed in concentration, but a faint, genuine smile played on his lips as he moved with practiced ease between pots and pans. He seemed... content. Happy. Lively.
It was as if, in reclaiming the simple, nurturing act of cooking for those he loved, he had finally found a piece of the soul he thought was lost forever. He wasn't just making a meal; he was building a home. And Hana felt her heart swell at the sight.
The menu for the birthday dinner was anything but simple ---
1. Amuse-Bouche Dish: Foie Gras Truffle Mousse on a Binggrae Banana Milk Brioche Toast
2. Appetizer: The Ocean's Elegance Dish: Hand-Harvested Scallop Crudo with Yuzu-Korean Pear Granita and Seaweed Oil
3. Palate Cleanser: A Hint of Seoul Dish: Shooting Glass of Sparkling Omija Berry Tea with a Lemon Twist (Store bought)
4. Main Course: The Heart of the Celebration Dish: Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb with a Gochujang-Red Wine Glaze and Duo of Purée
5. Side Dish: Earth and Luxury Dish: Asparagus Bundles with Prosciutto and Black Sesame Gomasio
After dinner, everyone gathered around for birthday cake. The room fell into a warm, contented silence, the air still rich with the aroma of Joo Won's exquisite meal. Plates were clean, glasses half-full, faces relaxed and smiling. It was then that Joo Won emerged from the kitchen one final time, carrying a beautifully simple cake adorned with glowing candles. The group erupted into a heartfelt, slightly off-key rendition of "Happy Birthday," their voices merging as Ji Woo closed his eyes, made a wish, and blew out the flames to a round of cheers.
One by one, the gifts were presented. So Hee's limited-edition watch was met with a low whistle of appreciation and compliment, "Certainly Noona, you have great taste." Hana's funny graphic tshirt earned a wide, grateful smile. Colin and Dong Geun handed a pair of sunglasses and a packet of Ji Woo's favorite snacks respectively. Ji Woo praised their excellent taste, holding each item as if it were a treasure.
When the last gift was unwrapped, Ji Woo turned to Joo Won with a playful, exaggerated pout.
"Ya, Joo Won," he said, tapping his empty hands together. "Where's my gift? The chef doesn't get to skip gift-giving just because he cooked!"
A soft, knowing smile touched Joo Won's lips. He stepped forward and gently pointed his index finger directly at himself.
"Here," he said simply.
The room broke into loud, understanding laughter. Ji Woo's theatrical disappointment melted into a look of deep affection. He pulled Joo Won into a tight, brotherly hug.
"You're right," Ji Woo murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "You are my best gift. Thank you, my friend."
But as he pulled back, Joo Won placed a small, mint-condition collector's box into Ji Woo's hands.
Ji Woo's eyebrows rose in surprise. Carefully, he lifted the lid.
Nestled inside on a bed of soft foam were two meticulously painted figurines:Mightydragon0301 and Startrooper0103, side by side. They were perfectly detailed, frozen in a dynamic pose as if ready to take on the world.
It was more than a gift. It was a promise. A symbol that from this day forward, no matter what villains they faced—in games or in life—they would face them together.
Ji Woo looked from the figurines to Joo Won, his eyes shining with unshed tears and a smile that spoke of battles won and bonds reforged.
The night ended in loud chatters and laughter as they clinked on birthday champagne.