Author's Pov:

"Congratulations", Aera wished Mingyu. "Thank you", Mingyu replied. "I am still curious, what happened to Eunji? Weren't you supposed to marry her?", Aera asked.

Mingyu sighed, "Eomma tried to set me up with her but one day Eunji left. I found her message which her mother wants her to marry a guy. She told me he already knows about her pregnancy. She accepted it and went away. I haven't heard about her since then". Aera nodded understanding his situation.

"I have moved on, but what about you? Do you like Minghao?", Mingyu asked. "Minghao? He is just-"

"Friend?", Mingyu said, "He is definitely not just a friend". Aera shook her head, "Yeah maybe".

"Oh look you are blushing!", Mingyu teased her. Aera widen her eyes, "Really?". Mingyu laughed out loud, "I was just joking".

Aera shook her head. "You know, if you like him, just go and tell. Who knows, maybe he likes you back", Mingyu said. Aera smiled, "Let's see what happens".

"Did Jiho say anything about the wedding?", Mingyu asked. Aera shook her head, "He is actually happy about that, he is also expecting me to get married soon".

Mingyu looked at her, "You did a good job today". Aera smiled, "Thank you". They sat there in silence.

"Mingyu", Aera broke the silence. Mingyu hummed. "You are getting married and I am happy for that too but if she really loves you a lot then pleased don't hurt her. And if I get to know you did the same thing again then you are dead", Aera said glaring at him.

Mingyu raised his hands in defense, "I won't repeat the same thing again. I promise". Aera nodded and smiled.

Time Skip:

"It is already night, Aera. Maybe some other time?", Minjee said. Aera shook her head, "Now that you have said ice cream. Let me go and bring". Aera got up but Minjee was still hesitant to let her go. "Don't worry, Minjee. I'll keep on calling or messaging you after every single cross, okay?". Minjee hesitantly nodded. "Please call me if you need anything". Aera gave a thumbs up.

Aera went to convenience bringing  a bunch of ice creams. "Thank you", she said taking the bags. Humming a song, she was in her own world until she heard a loud honk.

Before she could realise what happened a hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her aside. She tightly closed her eyes.

The person's breath hitting her cheeks. Slowly opening her eyes she saw Minghao, staring at her, let's not forget how extremely close they were. His hands were literally touching her bare skin making her feel goosebumps.

Aera couldn't help but get lost in his eyes. "Just watch where you are going", he whispered against her lips. Aera gulped, "I-I", she couldn't speak anything. Her words got stuck in her throat.

His eyes staring deep into hers, "Speak something". Aera blinked her eyes twice, "Leave me". Minghao realised the position they were in and quicklywithdrew his hand, "Uhh, I-I am sorry", he said rubbing his nape,not looking at Aera.

"Thank you for saving me", Aera said taking an ice cream out, "Here one for you". Minghao looked at ice cream and then shook his head, "I might get sick again". He clicked his tongue. "Don't worry, here", Aera took his hand and kept the ice cream on his palm, "Now eat it".

Minghao smiled and started eating the ice cream, "I'll walk you till home. After seeing this I can't let you go alone". Aera agreed, taking slow steps towards their house.

"You had a good time with Mingyu?", Minghao asked. Aera nodded, "After a long time I talked to him, it felt different".

Minghao smiled diverting his eyes from her. "You know Minghao, today I realised that I have moved on from him", Aera said. He looked at her with suprise, "Really?". Aera nodded, "I know it took me long but I am happy and he is happy too".

Minghao chuckled, "That's good to hear, Aera. I've always thought you deserved best". Aera blushed at his words.

"Thank you for being my friend, listening to all my talks and helping me. I want you to know that I appreciate you. You've been such a good friend to me, always there for me when I needed someone to talk to."

"17th time"

"Huh?"

"You have said this thing 17th time in this month", Minghao said. Aera laughed. "Here is your house", Minghao said. Aera asked him to come inside. Minghao resisted at first, but Jiho saw him and pulled him along.

"Yuna see who is here, Minghao uncle", Jiho said softly pinching her nose. "Minghao uncle", Yuna managed to say. Minghao giggled taking Yuna in his arms. "She is so cute".

Minjee smiled, she nudged Aera's shoulder earning her attention, "What do think about Minghao?". Aera frowned, "Means?".

Minjee gave a smirk, "Do you like, Minghao?". Aera leaning in, "Should I be honest?". Minjee nodded.

"I do have some kind of attraction towards him"

"Wha-", Minjee shouted but stopped seeing Minghao looking at her, "Ugh, I am sorry". Minjee pulled Aera with her, "For real?". Aera nodded.

Minjee jumped and hugged Aera, "I can't express how much happy I am for you. After your divorce I thought you won't be able to move on from him but I am happy".

After having dinner with Aera's family, Aera came out with Minghao. "Umm, Aera", Minghao said. Aera looked at him, "I heard you talking with Minjee". Aera blinked her eyes, her cheeks instantly getting red, "W-What did you hear?", Aera tried to act. Minghao giggled at her, pinching her cheeks, he said, "If you are preventing yourself from confessing then let me tell I feel the same".

Aera looked at him, "Really?". Minghao nodded, "For two years. Mingyu already knew this". Aera gasped, "Really? I do have some kind of attraction Minghao but I am still not sure. I just don't want to hurt you".

Minghao smiled holding her hands, "I am ready to wait".

At Mingyu's house: 

Mingyu went inside his house to hear the sounds of vessels. "Hayoon?", he said. "Yes", the sweet voice said. Mingyu smiled seeing his girlfriend in the kitchen, hugging her, he kissed her cheeks, "What are you doing?".

Hayoon turned around smiling at him, "Dinner". Mingyu kissed her cheek once again. "What are you doing?", Hayoon giggled at his behavior.

"I don't know how to express it. I never thought someone will be in my life after Aera. But you did. Even after knowing I have once cheated, you still stayed", Mingyu said touching their foreheads.

Hayoon smiled, "I know you made a mistake, I also know that you have regretted it a lot. But remember I am not like Aera who will keep quiet, if you do something again". Mingyu instantly shook his head, "I am never doing such thing again. I don't want you to go through same thing",  Mingyu pecked her lips.

5 Years Later: 

"Kim Mingyu, get ready fast. I don't want to be late", Hayoon yelled waiting for Mingyu who was getting ready. "Calm down, I am here", Mingyu said holding her shoulders.

Hayoon smiled, "Finally, let's go. I don't want to miss this". Mingyu laughed seeing her excited, "I know but you will fall if you keep going like this". Hayoon shook her head, "Walk fast old man".

"Old man? Yah, I am just a year older than you, grandma", Mingyu said. Hayoon gave a teasing smile, "I love seeing you annoyed". Mingyu shook his head.

Today was a small festival held in the city. Hayoon was excited to go there.

Reaching there, Hayoon held Mingyu's hand, "Shall we go around?  After an hour there is a firework show".

Mingyu smiled seeing her getting excited like a child. She pulled Mingyu from one store to another, trying various things.

"It's almost the time", Hayoon said. Mingyu and Hayoon stood by the river, the show was going to start in few minutes. Mingyu looked around to see some familiar face out of which one was too familiar, it was none other than Aera.

But soon she disappeared in the crowd, "Mingyu, look it is starting", Hayoon said tapping his shoulder. As the firework started Hayoon looked at it in awe. Mingyu looked at her and chuckled, "Cute".

Soon it was crowded, Mingyu's eyes again landed on Aera who not too far from them. She with Minghao, Jiho and their 2 year old son. His one hand carrying his son while the other hand was around her waist. While Jiho was standing beside Aera.

Aera noticed someone's gaze on her and turned to look. Her eyes locked with Mingyu. She smiled at him but then diverted her eyes as Minghao called her.

"See it is looking beautiful, isn't it?", Minghao asked. Aera nodded. She again looked at Mingyu who was already enjoying the view with his wife. 

Aera smiled to herself knowing that both are happy in their own lives. At first she couldn't forgive him but later she did.

"Just be happy like this forever", both said in their mind as their eyes met again for a second.

Sometimes, life gives us second chances, opportunities to heal and grow. Aera and Mingyu had both found happiness in their own way, but the memory of their love would forever remain a bittersweet reminder of what once was.

THE END

                                                                 
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And here the book ends.

Thank you to all the readers who read, voted and commented on this book 💙

Also let me know the svt member you want me to write next along with the love trope, so that I can get some ideas....

I was thinking to write 'brother's best friend' trope, which member do you think will look good??