Author's Pov:

Junhui stopped the car infront of Soomin's apartment, a sense of relief washing over him. The tide had been comfortable, but now that they were back, he felt his nerves settle.

 Soomin stepped out, giving a cheerful smile, "Thanks for the treat!", she called, her voice light as she closed the door.  Junhui leaned back in seat, returning her smile, "Thank you for helping me".

As Soomin turned to leave, she paused. "When's your mother birthday, by the way?", she asked casually, her tone serious. 

Junhui felt his heart skip a beat, caught off guard by the sudden question. He cleared his throat, forcing himself to act natural.  "M-My mother's birthday is n-next week, yeah, next week", he stammered, the lie slipping out smoothly but Soomin didn't notice.

The phone kept on his lap buzzed and Junhui quickly glanced at the screen. It was Jeonghan's message: "Where are you? We're all ready". 

"I'll leave then. Thank you for dropping me", Soomin said, waving a quick goodbye as she turned and headed toward her building.  As soon as she disappeared from his sight, Junhui exhaled the breath he didn't realize he was holding for so long and immediately dialed Mingyu's number, "She is coming, everyone be ready". 

On the other hand, Mingyu glanced at the group gathered around him, some standing near the cake, others adjusting the decorations. He gave a thumbs up to the group, "Everyone she is coming!", he announced with a grin, the room erupting into quiet but excited chatter, "Yes! Let's surprise Eomma!", Eunsoo giggled.

Soomin entered her house to find the lights inside dim, and felt unusual stillness in the air. She paused, feeling something off, her brows furrowing in confusion. and then she heard it- a soft muffled laugh coming from far side of the room, near the window. 

Her heart jumped in her chest, and her breath caught in her throat. She squinted, her eyes trying to adjust with the dim light. She gasped seeing a shadow standing by the window.

Grabbing the vase beside her, slowly aiming at him. "No wait", someone shouted just as the lights turned on.

She gasped seeing Mingyu, "What are you doing here? I was about to throw this vase at you!".

"Umm...I guess turn around. There's a surprise", Mingyu said pointing behind her. Soomin frowned turning around to see Minhee, Soojin, Eunsoo, Jiwoo, all the seventeen members and her Mother-in-law, Mrs. Lim.

"Happy Birthday", they all sang in chorus.

Soomin froze, her heart pounding. She wasn't used to celebrating this day. For so long, her birthday had been a painful reminder of loss, not something to celebrate. But seeing all their smiling faces, especially little Eunsoo's, made her heart soften.

"Eomma, happy birthday", Eunsoo took Soomin's hand in hers.

Soomin's initial shock melted into warmth as she looked at Eunsoo. "You all...did this?", Soomin asked, still trying to comprehend the surprise.

Her gaze turned to Minhee and Soojin who stood their arms crossed, clearly looking proud of themselves.

"Of course we did! We can't let your birthday go unnoticed", Minhee said hugging her. Soojin nodded, "The idea was Eunsoo's but we all excuted it".

Mingyu rubbed his nape sheepishly, "I was supposed to hide better but I guess I scared you".

Soomin laughed, "You nearly gave me a heart attack but this....", she trailed off looking at the decorations and the warmth of her moment, "This is perfect".

"So let's start with celebration?", Mrs. Lim asked. Minhee and Jiwoo glanced at each other with hesitancy, "There's a problem".

"What?", everyone asked in unison.

"We need to wait for cake-"

"But I brought the cake you had ordered. I've kept it there- where did it go?", Seokmin said looking at the table empty.

"That's the problem, we got cake but it wasn't ours. It was someone's anniversary cake", Minhee answered.

"Kids, it's fine. We have waited for so long, we can wait for 15 more minutes right?", Mrs. Lim said. Everyone nodded in agreement. 

Soomin pulled Soojin and Minhee aside, "Thank you so much for this".

Soojin smiled, "I know you hate this day but you always say right, it's no use of being stuck in past?". Soomin chuckled, giving both of them a tight hug.

"Soojin aunty, come here!", Eunsoo pulled Soojin away from them leaving Soomin and Minhee alone. "You won't believe what happened today", she said.

"I heard someone in the cafe and that person exactly sounded like Dohyun, can you believe it", she said her mind wondering back to the familiar voice, "But it couldn't be him, could it?".

Minhee smirked as she crossed her arms, "Well, funny you should mention that because..", she trailed off, her gaze toward the door just as it creaked open.

Soomin's eyes darted to the entrance, and there he was— Dohyun, standinfg in the doorway with a confident grin, looking almost exactly as she remembered.

The confused others, turned to Mrs. Lim and Soojin who stared at the man standing at the doorway. 

"Who is he?",  Eunsoo tugged Mrs. Lim's hand, her eyes darting  between the man and her grandmother. 

"Surprise!", he said, his voice carrying a mix of amusement and nostalgia.

"Dohyun!", Soomin and Soojin whispered. 

Before she could say anymore, he stepped forward, arms outstretched, "It's been a while, huh?".

Without missing a beat, Soomin and Minhee rushed forward and engulfed him in a hug. The years had passed, but the warmth between them never faded.

Dohyun chuckled, his arms still around them, "You two haven't changed at all! Well maybe you've both gotten a bit older".

Soomin playfully swatted his arm away, "Look who's talking! You're the one who's been hiding for years!".

Minhee grinned, "Yeah from where did you find my number? I thought we had blocked each other".

Dohyun released them from the hug and scratched the back of his neck, "I'll tell you everything later. I figured out it was time to return back and what could be the better occasion than this? After all, Soomin has turned into a grandma after now", he playfully ruffled her hair, just like those old times.

Soomin hit his arm, "Don't make me feel that old, remember you are same age as me! You grandpa".

Minhee chuckled. "Oh he is just being annoying again. Still same".

Dohyun glared at Minhee but smiled seeing at Soomin, "Happy Birthday". Soomin returned his smile, "Thank you".

"Everyone meet Dohyun", Minhee announced with a grand gesture, turning to the rest of the group, "One of our best friend from college and a total troublemaker".

Dohyun gave a mock bow, "Guilty as charged". 

Before the conversation could go any deeper, Chan's voice broke through, "Everyone, the cake is here! Let's celebrate".

"Finally!", Mingyu said with an exaggerated relief. "We thought we'd have to celebrate birthday with an anniversary cake".

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of laughter, cake and conversation. Junhui felt it was right time to present his gift. He approached Soomin, who was chatting with Dohyun.

"Soomin", he called gently, drawing her attention. She turned, her eyes bright with curiosity. 

He hesitated for a moment before pulling out a small yet familiar velvet box from his pocket, "I wanted to give this to you". 

Soomin's brows knitted together in confusion, "Oh? You didn't have to-".

"I insist", Junhui interrupted softly, steeping closer. He revealed the box and opened it to show the delicate pendant she had liked. 

Soomin stared at the pendant, a mix of surprise and hesitation washing over her, "But it is for your mother".

He chuckled softly, shaking his head, "I lied. It was never for my mother. I just wanted to keep you busy so that others prepared for you birthday surprise".

Soomin stared at him, "So that's why we took 4 rounds for?". Junhui nodded.

He smiled gently, taking a step closer, his eyes sincere, "Here, a small gift from me. Happy Birthday".

Her heart raced at his words, the sincerity in his gaze pulling her in. She felt a warmth spread through her, "But-"

"Soomin", he interrupted. Soomin sighed, "Okay, if you insist. Thank you", she said, a small smile spreading across her face.

"Eomma, wear it right now", Eunsoo urged. She looked at Minhee and Dohyun who gestured to put it on.

Minhee helped her fasten the pendant, Soomin touched the pendant lightly, feeling the cool metal against her fingertips. "Thank you, this is beautiful". She looked at Junhui, who nodded, "You are looking beautiful".

Soomin felt her cheeks heating up and she quickly turned away, her heart beating fast. It was something she hadn't felt in a long time. She didn't know what it was or where it would lead but it scared her a little.