As the cameras finally stopped rolling, Seokmin let out a sigh of relief, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over him. The shooting had been a long and grueling one, but it had been worth it - every take, every shot, every moment had been perfectly captured.

With a sense of pride and satisfaction, Seokmin began to wrap up, exchanging congratulations and words of praise with the crew.

But as he turned to leave, his gaze was drawn to a crowd gathered at the beachside restaurant. The sound of laughter and chatter carried on the breeze, and Seokmin's curiosity was piqued.

He scanned the crowd, his eyes searching for a familiar face - and then, suddenly, he spotted her. Hwayoung. Standing amidst the throng, talking to someone with an animated expression.

Seokmin's frown was instantaneous, his brow furrowing in concern.

What was Hwayoung doing here?

He quickened his pace, his long strides eating up the distance as he hurried towards her. His mind was racing with questions -

Was she here for Areum?

Seokmin's heart was pounding in his chest as he approached Hwayoung, his voice ready to ask the questions that had been swirling in his mind.

"Hwayoung," Seokmin called out, his voice low and smooth, but his heart was racing like a runaway train. As their eyes met, he felt like he'd been punched in the gut.

She was a vision in white, her off-the-shoulder dress a masterclass in understated elegance. The simple yet breathtakingly beautiful garment hugged her curves in all the right places, its hem fluttering just above her knees like a whispered secret.

Seokmin's gaze was transfixed, his eyes drinking in the sight of her like a parched man at an oasis. But as he tore his gaze away, his eyes scanned the surrounding area, and his heart sank like a stone.

The decorations, the balloons, the banner that read "Happy Birthday" in bold, colorful letters... it all came crashing back to him like a tidal wave.

He had forgotten. Seokmin's mind reeled in horror as he realized he had forgotten the one day he had been counting down to for weeks. Areum's birthday.

The most important day of the year, and he had spaced it out completely. A wave of guilt and regret washed over him, threatening to engulf him whole.

Areum's face lit up like a supernova as she spotted Seokmin, her eyes shining with excitement. She sprinted towards him, her little legs moving at lightning speed, her pink dress with ruffles fluttering behind her like a cloud.

The dress reached just above her knees, showcasing her bright white socks and shiny black shoes.

As she launched herself into Seokmin's arms, he swept her up in a tight hug, twirling her around in a joyful circle. Areum's laughter was music to his ears, her tiny hands clinging to his neck as she exclaimed, "For the first time, I thought you forgot!"

Seokmin's smile was warm and reassuring, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he gazed at his beaming daughter.

Just then, Hwayoung stepped forward, a gigantic gift box wrapped in colorful paper and topped with a fluffy bow held out in front of her. She gestured for Seokmin to take it, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

For a fleeting instant, Seokmin's eyes locked onto Hwayoung's, a spark of gratitude and warmth flashing between them. Then, with a tender smile, he turned to his daughter and presented her with the gift.

Areum's squeal of delight was music to his ears as she ripped off the wrapping paper to reveal the ukulele inside.

"My Ukulele!!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with joy. "Thank you so much, Dad!!" She flung her arms around Seokmin's neck, hugging him tightly as he laughed and spun her around in a happy circle.

Just then, Hwayoung's voice cut through the commotion, her smile radiant as she beckoned Areum over. "Areum, come on! Dad's got you a special cake!" The little girl's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the magnificent birthday cake, adorned with colorful candles and intricate designs.

As everyone gathered around, they launched into a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday", their voices blending in joyful harmony. Areum's face glowed with happiness as she closed her eyes, made a wish, and blew out the candles.

Then, with a giggle, she cut into the cake and fed a slice to Hwayoung, who smiled and took a bite. Next, Areum turned to Pluto, who sat patiently beside her, and fed him a slice, earning a wag of his tail and a adoring gaze.

Seokmin's eyes lingered on Areum's beaming face, his heart swelling with joy and love. But beneath the surface, a nagging sense of guilt continued to gnaw at him.

He had forgotten his daughter's birthday, and the weight of that oversight threatened to overwhelm him. Seokmin's gaze dropped, his eyes fixed on the sand as he let out a soft sigh.

Just then, a gentle voice called out to him, shattering the spell of self-recrimination. "Seokmin." The soft tone was like a balm to his soul, and he looked up to find Haneul standing before him, a warm smile on her face.

Seokmin's eyes widened in surprise, his mind racing with questions.

What was Haneul doing here?

As if sensing Seokmin's curiosity, Haneul fell into step beside him, and together they strolled along the beach, the sound of the waves and the cries of seagulls filling the air.

Meanwhile, Hwayoung and Areum were laughing and playing in the shallow water, their feet getting wet as they chased after the waves.

The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm golden light over the scene, and Seokmin felt his heart begin to heal, his guilt slowly giving way to gratitude for this unexpected reunion.

His brow furrowed in puzzlement as he turned to Haneul. "How did she even know about Areum's birthday?" he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Haneul's gaze met his, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes before she shifted her attention to the duo playing in the distance.

A low chuckle rumbled in Haneul's throat as she replied, "You just narrated the story, but your daughter had shared everything including your ATM pin." Seokmin's eyes widened in mock horror, and Haneul's grin grew wider.

The absurdity of it all struck Seokmin, and he couldn't help but laugh, the sound blending with Haneul's as they stood there, watching the joyful scene unfold before them.

Seokmin's curiosity got the better of him, and he turned to Haneul with a questioning gaze. "Didn't she figure it out?" he asked, his voice low and thoughtful, referring to the complicated history they shared.

Haneul's eyes sparkled with mirth as she shot Seokmin a sidelong glance, her voice laced with playful teasing.

"How can she, when you've conveniently turned me into her brother in your story?" She exclaimed, her tone light and joking, the atmosphere between them playful and carefree.

Seokmin chuckled, shaking his head in amusement, as Haneul grinned, clearly enjoying the banter.

Haneul's expression turned somber, her voice barely above a whisper. "Hwayoung doesn't know that she came to Yongin." The air seemed to thicken, heavy with unspoken secrets, as Haneul's gaze drifted back to the carefree duo playing in the distance.

"She doesn't even know that our parents are divorced," Haneul continued, her words dripping with a mix of sadness and longing. "She thinks my dad has been in the US all these years..."

Haneul's eyes lingered on Areum, a hint of wistfulness in her gaze. "He seldom meets my sister," she added, her voice tinged with a deep-seated melancholy.

Haneul's gaze snapped back to Seokmin, her eyes locking onto his with an unnerving intensity. "You know, I never liked you," she said, her voice steady and measured. "Just like my mom."

The words hung in the air, heavy with accusation and hurt. "I thought she had a tragic life with you," Haneul added, her gaze unwavering, as if daring Seokmin to deny the pain of their shared past.

Seokmin's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he asked, "What changed?" A hint of amusement danced on his lips, intrigued by the unexpected shift in Haneul's demeanor.

Haneul's smile blossomed, warm and genuine, as she replied, "I know a great deal about my sister, and giving birth to a daughter with you is proof that you must have been in a happy marriage, at least for a time." Her words were tinged with a newfound understanding, a sense of forgiveness that seemed to wash over her like a soothing balm.

As she gazed at Seokmin, her expression softened, and she made a heartfelt request. "Please, let Hwayoung spend at least a few days with Areum. They've planned a shopping trip and lunch for tomorrow... and I know how much it would mean to both of them."

Seokmin's eyes drifted to the duo, now laughing and playing in the waves, their faces alight with joy. Areum's bright smile and Hwayoung's carefree laughter were infectious, and Seokmin's resolve crumbled beneath their collective charm.

With a resigned sigh, Seokmin nodded, a small smile creeping onto his lips. "Fine..." he muttered, his voice barely audible over the sound of the waves, but Haneul's smile told him she'd heard – and was grateful.

As the day succumbed to the allure of twilight, the sky transformed into a canvas of deep blues and purples, with stars twinkling like diamonds scattered across the fabric of the universe. Seokmin sat on the beach, his feet sinking into the cool sand as he gazed out at the serene landscape.

Mingyu and Haneul were engaged in a lively conversation, their laughter and chatter carrying on the gentle breeze.

His attention, however, was focused on his camera, carefully set up on a tripod as he waited for the perfect shot.

The sound of the waves and the distant hum of crickets provided a soothing melody, but his heart was pounding in his chest like a drum. That was when he sensed her presence, a subtle shift in the air that signaled her approach.

Hwayoung settled beside him, her slender form silhouetted against the starry sky. The silence between them was peaceful, yet palpable, like the promise of a new beginning.

His heart continued to race, his senses heightened as he savored the proximity of the woman he had loved and lost. Years of longing and regret seemed to melt away, leaving only the thrum of his pulse and the ache of his nostalgia.

The silence between them was a palpable thing, a living, breathing entity that wrapped itself around their quiet contemplation.

They sat there, suspended in time, their gazes fixed on the waves as they rolled in, one after another, each one a soothing melody that seemed to lull the world into a peaceful slumber.

It was Seokmin who finally broke the spell, his voice barely above a whisper as he spoke. "Thank you, for today..."

The words were soft and low, a gentle expression of gratitude that seemed to come from the very depths of his soul.

Hwayoung's gaze remained fixed on the horizon, but Seokmin sensed a subtle shift in her attention, a quiet acknowledgment of his words.

He sighed, his eyes dropping to the sand as he continued, "I can't believe I forgot Areum's birthday... I can never forgive myself."

The weight of his regret was palpable, a crushing burden that seemed to bow his shoulders beneath its oppressive weight. The sound of the waves seemed to swell, a sympathetic echo of the turmoil that churned within him.

Hwayoung's voice was a gentle whisper, a soft caress that seemed to envelop Seokmin in its warmth. "Seokmin..." she began, her eyes locking onto his with an unnerving intensity.

She paused, her gaze drifting away for a moment before snapping back to his, her voice filled with a quiet vulnerability. "I met with an accident six years ago. Just like yours."

Seokmin's heart skipped a beat as he processed her words, his mind racing with the implications. Hwayoung's eyes seemed to cloud over, a hint of pain flickering in their depths before she took a deep breath and continued,

"You just forgot an event, but I forgot a great deal." Her gaze drifted back to the waves, her voice tinged with a hint of wistfulness.

But then, like the sun breaking through the clouds, Hwayoung's face transformed, a radiant smile illuminating her features. "But I don't regret anything," she said, her eyes sparkling with a newfound light.

She turned to Seokmin, her gaze holding his with an unwavering intensity. "Do you know why?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Seokmin's heart was pounding in his chest, his senses heightened as he waited for her response. Hwayoung's smile grew wider, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "I have people who will remember things for me," she said, her voice filled with a deep gratitude.

"Same way, I remembered this time for you. So chill," she added, her smile brightening the entire landscape.

For a moment, they just stared into each other's eyes, the silence between them speaking volumes. The world seemed to melt away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a sea of unspoken emotions.

The air was electric, charged with a palpable tension that seemed to vibrate through every cell in Seokmin's body.

Seokmin shattered the spell by turning away, his gaze drifting back to the sea, his eyes fixed on the waves with an intensity that bordered on fascination.

Hwayoung's voice was tinged with amusement as she asked, "Why are you profoundly staring at the sea?" Her eyes followed his gaze, her brow furrowed in innocent curiosity.

Seokmin's response was low and measured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Phytoplankton algae. Very rarely seen." His gaze remained stuck on the horizon, his eyes scanning the waves with a mixture of hope and longing.

Hwayoung's eyes sparkled with intrigue as she asked, "You mean, the sea will glow?" Her voice was tinged with skepticism, and Seokmin's shrug was almost imperceptible.

"No chance," she said, a hint of teasing in her tone.

But Seokmin's gaze never wavered, his eyes fixed on the horizon as if willing the impossible to happen. "What if it does?" he asked, his voice low and thoughtful.

"I might miss the photograph." His shrug was casual, but his eyes betrayed a deep longing, a sense of wonder that was both captivating and heartbreaking.

Hwayoung's voice was tinged with a mix of curiosity and gentle reproach as she stated, "You sat here waiting for an unsure occurrence."

Her gaze drifted back to the sea, her eyes seeming to search the horizon for answers, before snapping back to Seokmin's profile.

Her words were laced with a subtle intimacy, a sense of shared history that only came from knowing someone deeply.

"Don't you have a photograph of your wife, the one who shared her life with you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

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