Roses at Midnight, Sunrise by the Sea
Someone once said on a date that the essence of love stems from pushing and pulling. A love that's all push gets exhausting, and one that's all pull is inevitably boring, so you have to mix the two just right.
"Bullshit."
Choi Ahyeon muttered it standing in front of Geum Taeyang's front door. Whoever that person was, they clearly didn't know real love—that nonsense had to come from ignorance. True love isn't bound by such things.
It had been over ten years since their relationship began. Even before they knew the concept of "dating," Ahyeon and Taeyang had shared something deeper. And in all that time, neither boredom nor fatigue had ever crept in.
Sure, crises had arisen a few times, but they were always born from her own petty jealousy or immaturity—never from Taeyang or any flaw in their bond.
"Hoo..." She took a deep breath, steadying her chest.
Every day was fresher and more joyful than the last. But today, more than any other, she felt double the tension and excitement compared to yesterday. Ahyeon checked the time again: 11:59.
She straightened her clothes one last time. Taeyang probably wanted her naked—that was his ideal outfit—but if Moonbyeol or any other apartment residents saw her like that, it'd be a huge problem.
She double-checked that the roses hidden behind her back weren't peeking out, then pulled out her phone and hit call.
[Hello?]
Even pretending to be asleep, his voice had that slight husky edge. Already heading to bed? No way. It's one minute till tomorrow. Every second of this date mattered.
"Yeah, Taeyang!" She grinned wide and shouted. "You weren't sleeping, were you?"
*
Screeech— Taeyang opened the door in his pajamas, looking flustered. But when he saw Ahyeon standing there, he let out a chuckle.
Her usual twin tails framed her face, paired with a blue windbreaker and tight spandex pants.
"Hmm..." Before he could say a word, Ahyeon struck first, whipping out the bouquet hidden behind her back.
"Ta-da!"
Along with the roses, she added, "A gift~"
She played it cool on the surface, but inside, Ahyeon was more nervous than she'd been in ages. Unlike other guys, Taeyang's tastes skewed extremely feminine—sticker photos, cute snacks, even a bit of bravado on SNS. Flowers were a gamble for someone who hated all that.
Taeyang made an odd noise, caught off guard by the unexpected gift. "...No. Uh."
He stared at the roses right in front of his nose, then at Ahyeon's tense expression beyond them. He smirked.
"Pretty. Thanks."
Were roses his favorite gift? Hell no. But if they were from Ahyeon? That changed everything.
He took the bouquet she offered. "Ten?"
"Yeah! I wanted to go with 99, and say the last one's you! But that felt too much. Ten was perfect to hide behind my back!"
He leaned in to sniff the flowers. Their sweet fragrance filled his nostrils. Of course, even a truckload of these couldn't compare to Ahyeon's scent.
"True. One's too skimpy, a hundred's overkill. This is just right."
Can't let fresh flowers die, though. Might need a vase. With that thought, Taeyang asked, "Heading out right away?"
"Yep! Get ready quick and come out!"
Taeyang nodded, bouquet in hand. "Wait just a sec. I'll change and be right out."
"Okay!"
As Taeyang headed back inside, Geum Moonbyeol peeked her head around the door from beyond the entryway. She hadn't been asleep anyway and had heard the doorbell, watching from the back.
"Hello..."
"Hey, long time! Doing good?"
Their eyes met, and they exchanged brief greetings—or more like sizing each other up. Even after ten years of familiarity, they'd never get close.
To Moonbyeol, Ahyeon was the thief who'd stolen her brother's attention since childhood. To Ahyeon, Moonbyeol was the main obstacle keeping her out of Taeyang's bed.
Moonbyeol fired first, scanning Ahyeon's outfit. "Even so, a date this late? Isn't that a bit... improper? And your clothes... kinda iffy."
"You think?" Ahyeon flashed a sly grin, crossing her arms under her chest to emphasize it. Compared to Moonbyeol in the throes of puberty, she was fully developed. No way she'd let her best weapon go to waste.
"Taeyang likes it, though. Wait, misspoke—he loves it."
"Our brother's just too honest."
"You sure cling to guys a lot for someone your age? Girls who tie men down... not popular."
Ahyeon grinned wider. "Taeyang hates that type too."
"Why's my brother in this?"
Moonbyeol bristled. "Same goes for you, unnie. Waking a guy up this late for a date? Rumors spread, and you'd get flak."
"Nah, it's fine. Even if every guy in the world hates me, as long as Taeyang loves me, that's enough."
"Same here, so popularity doesn't matter."
As the air heated up, Taeyang emerged, changed, with a wry smile. "You two fighting?"
"Fight? I'm not a kid."
"Right! Me and Moonbyeol are buddies!"
They forced awkward laughs and shrugged. I heard everything, Taeyang thought. He placed a hand on Moonbyeol's shoulder and kneaded it firmly.
"Watch the house."
"Tch, bring back something tasty."
No point telling him not to go—it wouldn't work. Better to play it cool. Moonbyeol added, "Don't forget the promise."
"Of course."
Nothing she could do now. She just waved faintly, wistfully watching Taeyang's back as he shut the door and vanished.
Click—beep beep—
The door locked, and Moonbyeol turned away bitterly. This house had always been just the two of them. But without Taeyang, it felt so vast and lonely.
"Just hold out till next week..."
She muttered, heading to her room. But she doubled back, glancing around sneakily before slipping into Taeyang's room. She dove straight onto his bed.
"Oppa, oppa, oppa..."
Moonbyeol's longing moans echoed through the night.
*
Honestly, I was hyped. If she's dragging me out at midnight for a "date," something epic must be planned.
And sure enough...
"Uh..."
Something way beyond my expectations awaited us. Ahyeon shouted like she was unveiling a grand reveal.
"Ta-da!"
"Ta-da my ass."
I was speechless. A motorcycle? Not satisfied with regular car sex, so now she wants bike sex? Fine for some remote spot, but in our apartment complex? No way.
"Where'd you even get this?"
"Borrowed from a friend."
She said it proudly, handing me a helmet. "Wear this."
"Seriously?"
"Duh!"
Guess the goal wasn't bike sex. "Hop on!"
"Ah... sudden headache."
"Huh? Migraine? Hospital, let's go!"
"This is the cause!"
I calmed myself and asked the key question. "You got a license?"
Ahyeon whipped out her wallet, flashing her license proudly. "Ta-da~ Got it ages ago!"
Fine, licensed, so not impossible. But...
"Where we headed?"
Close? Taxi it is—no need for bike. Far? Crazy to bike. Either way, no thanks.
"East Sea!"
Smack—!
I couldn't hold back. Ahyeon yelped from the slap on her back.
"Ow!"
"You immature brat. Cut the crazy talk and call a taxi."
I'd bend for most things on this date, but not this. Ahyeon slumped, mumbling, "Taxi'll cost a fortune..."
"Whatever. Even with surcharges, 20,000 won tops. Where exactly?"
"Sokcho!"
"On a bike?"
"Why not? Sounds fun!"
Another smack, and pouty Ahyeon finally called a taxi via app. The delighted driver ferried us long-distance for three hours until we hit Gangwon-do.
"Whew, thanks!"
Stepping out, we walked a bit and soon felt sand underfoot, ocean waves crashing. The midnight beach, deserted and pitch-black, was eerily still. No scenic views—just darkness.
"Never thought I'd taxi to the beach at midnight."
Ahyeon slipped her hand into mine. "Wanted to show you the sunrise. We've never watched one together."
The path was ridiculous, but her intent was always for me. Feeling the warmth of our clasped hands, I replied softly.
"...That's kinda touching."
"And..." Ahyeon giggled, slowly unzipping her windbreaker up to her chin. It stopped at her solar plexus; she spread it open. Pale skin and bare breasts gleamed underneath. No shirt, no bra.
"Kinda wanted to try this too. Beach sunrise sex. Romantic, right?"
"Dunno about romantic."
"Eek!"
I plunged my hand in, squeezing her breast hard. "But it's definitely hot. You didn't plan to do it right here, did you? Got a spot?"
"Obviously. C'mon."
Ahyeon took my hand and led me gently forward.