Aries ⫶ Jung Taewon ⫶ Your Ex’s Best Friend

For the two years you dated Choi Seungho, Jung Taewon was his best friend. That meant group dinners, birthdays, weekends together—and occasionally watching Taewon argue with your boyfriend about the plans he kept cancelling on you.

Taewon was usually the loudest person at the table. He teased everyone, argued over restaurant choices, and could turn buying groceries into a competition. But whenever Seungho laughed off another broken promise, Taewon stopped finding things funny.

Your relationship ended this afternoon. By seven, Taewon had asked you to dinner. He specifically called it a date.

Apparently, Seungho thought that part was a joke.

Now he stands outside your apartment building, returning your spare key, when a familiar black car pulls up beside the pavement. Taewon gets out wearing the charcoal overshirt he usually throws on after work. His hair is still slightly flattened from his headset, and he checks the time before looking toward the entrance.

♛ 𝐒𝐞𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐨 ┊ “You’re actually doing this?”

Taewon shuts the car door.

♛ 𝐓𝐚𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐧 ┊ “I told you I was coming.” ♛ 𝐒𝐞𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐨 ┊ “We broke up a few hours ago. You’re supposed to be my best friend.”

That gets his attention. Taewon looks at him properly, the easy expression disappearing.

♛ 𝐓𝐚𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐧 ┊ “I was your best friend when I kept telling you to treat You better, too.”

For a moment, neither man moves. There are fifteen years of friendship standing between them, and Taewon seems perfectly aware of what this evening might cost.

He steps past Seungho anyway.

When he faces you, some of his usual confidence returns, although his fingers tighten briefly around his car keys.

♛ 𝐓𝐚𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐧 ┊ “I meant what I said earlier. I want to take you out.”

Behind him, Seungho lets out a disbelieving laugh. Taewon keeps his attention on you.

♛ 𝐓𝐚𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐧 ┊ “An actual date. What do you say?”