EPISODE 4

Chapter 4: Rooftop Revelations

The evening air was crisp and carried the faint aroma of blooming flowers as Yo Nabi climbed the stairs to the rooftop. She had spent the day debating whether she should attend Seo Joon’s invitation, but her curiosity got the better of her. There was something about these four men—her neighbors—that she couldn’t quite pin down. They seemed so different from one another, yet their bond was undeniable.

As she reached the rooftop, the scene before her took her breath away. String lights hung delicately across the space, casting a warm glow over a neatly arranged table filled with snacks and drinks. The city skyline stretched endlessly in the background, the twinkling lights of Seoul merging with the stars above.

“Nabi! You made it!” Taeyang’s cheerful voice broke through her thoughts. He waved enthusiastically, his vibrant personality lighting up the atmosphere. Dressed casually in a loose shirt and jeans, he looked like the embodiment of carefree charm.

“I hope I’m not late,” she said, stepping closer. The other three were already there: Jung Hwan leaning against the railing with a confident air, Hyun Woo seated quietly with a glass in hand, and Seo Joon arranging the food with meticulous care.

“Right on time,” Jung Hwan said, his signature smirk playing on his lips. “Welcome to the neighborhood.”

Nabi couldn’t help but smile. Despite their larger-than-life personas, they made her feel oddly comfortable. Taeyang pulled out a chair for her, and soon, she was seated at the table, surrounded by the four most intriguing men she had ever met.

The conversation started light—Taeyang’s antics quickly had everyone laughing. He shared stories of his wild childhood adventures, most of which ended with him getting into trouble. Even Seo Joon, who usually carried an air of seriousness, cracked a smile at one of Taeyang’s exaggerated tales.

“And that’s how I ended up stuck in a tree for three hours,” Taeyang concluded dramatically, earning a chuckle from Nabi.

“You’ve certainly lived an interesting life,” she said, shaking her head in amusement.

“What about you, Nabi?” Hyun Woo asked, his voice soft but resonant. He had barely spoken so far, but when he did, everyone listened. “What brought you back to Seoul after so many years?”

The question caught her off guard. She hesitated, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. “I guess I’ve always felt like I left something unfinished here. My childhood, my memories… it’s like a part of me was still waiting in Seoul.”

Her answer seemed to resonate with Hyun Woo, who nodded thoughtfully. “Sometimes, returning to the past helps us move forward.”

Jung Hwan, who had been quietly observing, raised an eyebrow. “Or it complicates things. Not everything in the past is worth revisiting.”

“Spoken like someone with regrets,” Taeyang teased, earning a glare from Jung Hwan.

Before the banter could escalate, Seo Joon interjected. “Why don’t we toast? To new beginnings.”

They all raised their glasses, the clinking sound echoing softly under the night sky. As they sipped their drinks, the atmosphere grew more relaxed. Nabi found herself opening up about her two best friends, Minji and Jisoo, and how they had reconnected after years apart. She shared memories of their childhood escapades, and the men listened intently, occasionally chiming in with their own stories.

As the evening wore on, the conversation turned deeper. Hyun Woo spoke about his journey as a music producer and how he often felt overshadowed by the more glamorous professions of his friends. “But music is my way of expressing what I can’t put into words,” he said, his voice tinged with vulnerability.

Taeyang, ever the optimist, patted him on the back. “And you’re brilliant at it. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

Seo Joon, on the other hand, shared the challenges of being in the spotlight. “People see the glitz and glamour, but they don’t see the pressure, the constant scrutiny. Sometimes, I just want to disappear and be normal for a while.”

Nabi looked at him, surprised by his candor. “I guess everyone has their struggles, no matter how perfect their life seems from the outside.”

Jung Hwan’s voice broke the brief silence that followed. “True, but some of us are better at hiding it than others.” His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning.

Nabi felt a pang of curiosity. Each of these men carried their own burdens, their own stories. She wondered what had shaped them into the people they were today.

By the time the gathering came to an end, Nabi felt a sense of belonging she hadn’t expected. As the others began to clear the table, Jung Hwan approached her.

“You handled tonight well,” he said, his tone light but his gaze serious. “Most people would’ve been overwhelmed by us.”

“I think you’re giving yourselves too much credit,” she replied, a teasing smile on her lips.

He chuckled. “Fair enough. But don’t get too comfortable. Life around here is rarely predictable.”

With that cryptic remark, he walked away, leaving Nabi alone with her thoughts. She looked out at the city, its lights shimmering like a sea of possibilities. For the first time since her return, she felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be.

As she descended the stairs to her apartment, she couldn’t help but wonder what the future held. Her neighbors were more than just celebrities; they were people with depth, complexity, and stories waiting to be uncovered. And somehow, she was becoming a part of their world.

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