♥︎ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 11♥︎

𝐿 𝑂 𝑉 𝐸❦⊹܀𝑆𝐼𝐶𝐾❦⊹

ೄྀ𝐀 𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐎𝐅 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒ೄྀ____

⊹܀☙❦☙܀܀💌🌹ೄྀ𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍ೄྀᴇᴘɪsᴏᴅᴇ ᴏɴᴇ

ʜʏᴏsᴀɴ

𝐈t was the end of the day, and like any regular day, the students needed to help clean up the school before heading home. Na-hee was currently engaged in this task, along with her friends I-sak and On-jo. They were outside, assisting their classmates with the cleanup while playfully teasing one another, laughter echoing in the air.

As the three of them walked together, Na-hee spotted some of her classmates, Su-hyeok, Cheong-san, and Gyeong-su across from them. A warm smile spread across her face as she greeted them.

"Hi, Na-hee!" Gyeong-su exclaimed cheerfully, his eyes wide with excitement.

"Yah, watch we're you're going!" Cheong-san joked, shaking his head at Gyeong-su.

"Oh yeah? Take this!"Gyeong-su then playfully bumped into Cheong-san, making him stumble a bit and hit the garbage bag they were holding. Gyeong-su laughed loudly, and his laughter made everyone smile.

Meanwhile, Na-hee's gaze drifted up to a window where she spotted a familiar face, Dae-su. He inhaled the smoke from a cigarette that the teachers were smoking. She shook her head disapprovingly at him, concerned for his health.

Just then, Wu-jin, another classmate, noticed Na-hee and flashed her a warm smile. He quickly grabbed Dae-su by the collar, pulling him back from the window and playfully hitting him on the head. "You moron!" Wu-jin scolded him.

Wu-jin then waved his hand towards Na-hee, and she shyly waved back, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. The friendly atmosphere among the students made the end of the school day feel a little brighter.

Na-hee returned to the science lab with some of her classmates, including Joon-yeong, to clean up after their experiments. Since their last encounter in the lab, both Na-hee and Joon-yeong felt a shyness enveloping them, but they were determined not to let that awkward moment interfere with their friendship.

As they worked together, tidying up the scattered materials and equipment, the atmosphere was filled with a mix of laughter and lighthearted banter. However, as they finished cleaning, a wave of tiredness began to wash over the group.

"Yah, should we wake her up?" one of their classmates suggested, pointing at Hyeon-ju, who had dozed off at one of the lab tables, her head resting on her crossed arms.

"I think we should" Na-hee replied with a shrug, glancing over at Hyeon-ju's peaceful face.

"Let's not" Joon-yeong interjected, shaking his head. "She'll probably scream at us for waking her up."

Na-hee chuckled softly, realizing he had a point. "You got a point." she agreed, nodding in understanding. "I mean, she'll wake up eventually, right? No big deal?"

The group exchanged knowing glances, and a few of them stifled their laughter at the thought of Hyeon-ju's potential reaction. As they gathered their things to leave, Na-hee couldn't help but steal a glance at Hyeon-ju.

Finally, the day came to an end. Everyone had finished cleaning up, and the atmosphere was filled with cheer and laughter. The sun was setting, casting a warm golden glow over the horizon, while the sound of light chatter and playful banter echoed in the air. People shared stories about their day, exchanging smiles and high fives as they admired their hard work.

Na-hee felt the straps of her backpack as she walked outside the school building, a bright smile on her face. Her head swayed gently with each step, and she hummed a cheerful tune to herself. Just then, I-sak and On-jo spotted Na-hee and rushed towards her, their laughter filling the air with a contagious joy.

As Na-hee continued to hum, she suddenly felt a sharp tug at her hair. I-sak had intended to grab the strap of Na-hee's backpack but had accidentally caught a handful of her hair instead. Na-hee spun around, her hand instinctively reaching up to scratch her head in pain.

"Ouch! I-sak!" she scolded, her eyes wide with surprise.

I-sak, unfazed, struck a playful pose with a peace sign, her grin wide. "Sorry, Na-hee! It was an accident!" she said honestly.

On-jo, standing beside them, nodded in agreement. "It's true, I-sak really didn't mean to grab your hair" she added, her voice soft yet reassuring. Na-hee couldn't help but smile shyly at her friends.

"It's alright, I forgive you" she replied, her composure returning as she brushed her hair back into place.

With a mischievous glint in her eye, I-sak pulled Na-hee into the middle of their little trio, wrapping her arms around her in a friendly embrace. "Yah! Let's go home together!" I-sak suggested, with a big grin.

Meanwhile, On-jo felt a warm blush creeping onto her cheeks as she watched how close She and Na-hee were. She felt a mix of happiness and shyness. Suddenly, she looked over and saw Cheong-san and Gyeong-su talking nearby.

"W-wait! Come with me first!" On-jo exclaimed, her hands trembling slightly as she grabbed Na-hee's wrist. With a determined look in her eyes, she led the three of them towards Cheong-san and Gyeong-su, the air was filled with fun as they walked over towards the two boys.

On-jo rushed towards Cheong-san, causing him to drop his phone in surprise. Na-hee watched in shock at On-jo's sudden move. Cheong-san quickly picked up his phone, panic written all over his face.

"Hey! My phone!" he exclaimed, checking for any damages.

On-jo cleared her throat and said firmly, "You can't run away." Cheong-san narrowed his eyes at her, confused. She then took off her backpack and offered it to him.

"Hey, gopher. Let's go have some fried chicken" she suggested with a smile.

Cheong-san rolled his eyes. "It hasn't even opened yet" he replied, glancing at Na-hee and smiling warmly at her unexpected appearance.

"It has" On-jo chimed in. "She said she's testing out a new recipe today."

Gyeong-su, overhearing this, playfully slapped Cheong-san on the shoulder. "So you lied to me about the restaurant not opening!" he exclaimed, clearly excited.

"You're going?" On-jo asked Gyeong-su, who beamed with enthusiasm.

"Of course! If Na-hee is coming!" Gyeong-su replied, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

The others turned their attention to Na-hee, who looked a bit confused. "W-what are we talking about?" she asked, laughing nervously.

"Cheong-san's mom wants to try a new chicken recipe, and she needs someone to give her honest feedback" On-jo explained.

Na-hee's eyes widened at the mention of food. *FOOD?!!!* she thought happily. Eagerly, she nodded her head. "I'm definitely going if food is involved!" she said, her face lighting up with joy.

"Of course you'd agree, Na-hee! You love food just like Gyeong-su over here" I-sak joked, pointing at Gyeong-su, who was grinning from ear to ear.

"That means we make a good pair!" Gyeong-su said proudly, puffing out his chest.

Cheong-san scoffed, "As if" he muttered under his breath.

"Yah, as if!" On-jo shot back at Gyeong-su, causing his smile to falter slightly.

Cheong-san then looked at I-sak. "You're coming too?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I-sak nodded with a smile. "Sure" she replied. "Your mom told On-jo to bring friends" she added, her tone light and cheerful.

"Alright, let's go on a date, Na-hee!" Gyeong-su exclaimed, grinning widely. Na-hee stared at him in surprise, her cheeks turning slightly pink.

"Yah, what's with you, Gyeong-su?" I-sak chimed in, playfully rolling her eyes. She wrapped an arm around both Na-hee and On-jo, pulling them closer. "So annoying" she finished with a laugh, shaking her head at Gyeong-su's boldness.

The three girls then started walking away, leaving the two boys behind. They chatted excitedly among themselves, their laughter ringing in the air as they headed towards the restaurant. Gyeong-su and Cheong-san exchanged glances, both amused and a little bewildered by the girls' energy.

"But we aren't open yet" Cheong-san said, watching the girls ahead of them. His eyes still fixed at Na-hee who was happily chatting with the two girls as they walked.

"Yeah, but it is now. Let's go gopher." Gyeong-su replied, his grin still plastered on his face as he hurried to catch up with the girls.

The group stood outside the restaurant, and Na-hee couldn't help but stare in amazement at how lively everything looked. Her mouth dropped open as she exclaimed, "It looks so lively!"

"I'm super excited!" Gyeong-su shouted, his face lighting up with joy.

When they walked inside the restaurant, Na-hee's eyes grew even wider. The place felt warm and welcoming, like a cozy home. The soft lights and the cheerful sounds of people chatting made her feel happy and relaxed.

*the two elderly must be cheong-san's parents.* Na-hee thought in her mind, she smiles shyly at them.

"Mom, we're here!" Cheong-san called out, his voice echoing through the cozy restaurant.

"Cheong-san!" his mom greeted him with a warm smile, placing his backpack on the chair despite his protests. "It's so nice to see you brought your friends!" Her eyes sparkled with joy as they landed on Na-hee, and she smiled at her warmly.

"Are you friends with my son too?" she asked, her voice filled with enthusiasm. Na-hee nodded, glancing at Cheong-san for reassurance.

"Yes, I'm his friend! My name is Kim Na-hee!" she replied, her tone cheerful and bright.

Mrs. Lee's eyes widened in delight. "Ya- the Na-hee?" she exclaimed, turning to tease her son.

"Mom!" Cheong-san stuttered, his cheeks flushing a deep shade of red.

"Cheong-san has said so many wonderful things about you!" Mrs. Lee continued, winking playfully at Na-hee. Na-hee tilted her head, glancing back at Cheong-san, who was now hiding behind his mother, clearly embarrassed by the attention.

Mrs. Lee chuckled, gently patting Cheong-san's head. "Yah! Why are you so tense?" she teased, her laughter filling the room with warmth.

"Sit down, everyone! I'll get the chickens ready!" she announced, bustling off to the kitchen. The group settled into a cheerful atmosphere, their laughter and chatter blending together as they enjoyed the comfort. The smell of delicious food began to waft through the air, promising a delightful meal ahead.

Once they reached their table, Gyeong-su called out, "Na-hee, sit close to me!" He seemed eager to have her by his side.

But I-sak playfully slapped Gyeong-su's shoulder and said, "Yah! Why should she?" with a teasing smile.

Na-hee blinked at the two of them, amused by their friendly argument. "Yah, you two, stop! Na-hee, come sit here! Don't mind them!" Cheong-san said, waving her over to sit next to him.

With a light laugh, Na-hee took her seat beside Cheong-san, enjoying the fun back and forth between her friends. The lively atmosphere of the restaurant and the warmth of their friendship made her feel really happy.

A few minutes passed, and Na-hee could see the food being prepared. She could hardly contain her excitement at the thought of devouring all the delicious chicken. An evil laugh echoed in her mind as she thought.

"I'm so ready to eat!" She turned to her friend, I-sak, with a bright smile.

"You really love eating, don't you, Na-hee?" I-sak asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Na-hee nodded vigorously, her enthusiasm evident. Her excitement made her friends giggle, and Na-hee couldn't help but feel a little shy at being the center of attention.

As the the chicken wafted through the air, Na-hee's eyes widened, fixated on the food. "She really does! Just look at her staring at the chickens" Cheong-san teased, a playful grin on his face. Na-hee pouted, clearly caught in the act of daydreaming about the meal.

"It's not her fault, Na-hee is probably just really hungry" On-jo chimed in, her smile warm and understanding as she looked at Na-hee.

Just then, Mrs. Lee entered the room, carrying two plates piled high with golden brown, crispy chicken. The excitement in the room was palpable as she set the plates down.

"Here you go!" Mrs. Lee said cheerfully, her eyes twinkling with joy as she placed the plates on the table. Na-hee eagerly helped her, her heart racing at the sight of so much food.

"This is so much!" Gyeong-su exclaimed, clapping his hands in delight.

"Thank you!" On-jo added, her voice filled with gratitude as she looked at Mrs. Lee.

"Thank you, Mrs. Lee! We'll eat a lot!" Na-hee said, her smile wide enough to show all her teeth, radiating pure happiness.

"That's good! Make sure to eat well, Na-hee" Mrs. Lee replied, gently patting the girl's head. Na-hee closed her eyes in bliss, savoring the moment of affection from Mrs. Lee.

Watching their interactions, Cheong-san felt his lips curve into a smile, appreciating warmth among friends and his crush. The room buzzed with laughter and joy as they prepared to enjoy their feast.

"Na-hee will eat a lot!" Gyeong-su teased her with a mischievous grin.

"Yah! You eat a lot too, Gyeong-su!" Na-hee retorted, playfully sticking her tongue out at him. Both of them shared a love for food, and the friendly banter only added to the fun of the meal.

"It looks so good!" Gyeong-su exclaimed as he dove into his food. Both he and Na-hee took their first bites and their eyes widened in surprise at the delicious flavor.

Na-hee felt her eyes flutter closed as she savored the taste, the juicy chicken melting in her mouth. *I'm really, really hungry* she thought to herself, eagerly taking another bite.

Cheong-san watched the na-hee with a smile, his heart warming at her enthusiasm. He then turned to his mom, curiosity shining in his eyes.

"Mom, why so much food?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.

"Oh, it's because On-jo eats a lot!" Mrs. Lee replied with a chuckle, her eyes sparkling with affection.

"I don't eat a lot, I eat well" On-jo interjected, her tone light but defensive, causing everyone to laugh.

Mrs. Lee nodded in agreement, her smile unwavering. "Yes, that's what I like best!" she added, her gaze shifting to Gyeong-su.

"Eat up, Gyeong-su!" she encouraged, her voice filled with warmth.

"Thank you!" Gyeong-su replied, his mouth full as he continued to enjoy the meal.

Mrs. Lee then turned her attention to I-sak, who was sitting nearby. "You too, A-sak!" she called out cheerfully.

I-sak looked up at Mrs. Lee with a bright smile. "It's I-sak, not A-sak" she corrected playfully, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Did you change your name?" Mrs. Lee asked, feigning confusion, which made I-sak laugh heartily.

The room was filled with laughter and the delightful sounds of friends enjoying a meal together, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that made everyone feel at home. The delicious food, the playful teasing, and the among the friends made it a moment to cherish.

"Mom" Cheong-san called out, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and humor. "Don't change someone else's name, change the restaurant's name!" he continued, his brow furrowing. "Why are you using my name?"

Mrs. Lee, unfazed, replied with a chuckle, "It was called that long before you were born."

"Exactly! You named me after the restaurant!" Cheong-san shot back, crossing his arms defiantly.

Gyeong-su, sitting nearby, nudged Cheong-san playfully. "Hey, quiet down. I like it. It has authenticity." he interjected, a grin spreading across his face.

"Right?" Mrs. Lee echoed, looking around the table. All heads nodded in agreement, except for Cheong-san, who remained stubbornly silent.

"He's right" Na-hee chimed in, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Cheong-san felt his cheeks flush as he avoided her gaze, feeling a mix of embarrassment and warmth.

Mrs. Lee, eager to shift the focus, announced, "So, this is a new recipe that we made." She gestured toward the two plates set in front of them. "This one is slightly hot, and this one is very hot" she explained, her enthusiasm palpable.

"What do you think?" she asked the group, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "You have to be honest" she added, her voice cheerful.

"It's super crazy-mad good! It's delicious!" Gyeong-su exclaimed, his mouth full as he chewed enthusiastically. Na-hee couldn't help but giggle at his exaggerated reaction, her laughter bubbling up as she savored her own bite.

Clearing her throat after swallowing, Na-hee added, "Gyeong-su is right, Mrs. Lee! I love it!" She danced in her seat, her joy infectious. Mrs. Lee laughed heartily at her exuberance.

"You do? That's wonderful! I'll cook you chicken from now on!" Mrs. Lee promised, her smile widening.

"Really?!" Na-hee replied, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

"Right! And if you need a delivery boy, I'll do it for cheap!" Gyeong-su chimed in, his playful tone making everyone chuckle.

Mrs. Lee, however, shifted her focus back to the task at hand. "You guys need to study" she reminded them gently, her motherly instincts kicking in. Turning to On-jo, she asked, "On-jo, is it too hot?"

On-jo took a moment to taste the dish before responding, "It's salty."

"Salty?" Mrs. Lee repeated, her smile slowly fading as she scratched her head in confusion. She then pointed at the other plate. "What about this one? Is it very hot?"

On-jo shook her head, her expression serious. "No, it's salty" she reiterated, her tone firm.

"Why is it salty? That's not good" Mrs. Lee said, concern creeping into her voice. She turned and walked back to the kitchen, calling out, "Honey! She says it's salty!"

The group exchanged glances, the atmosphere shifting from lightheartedness to a shared worry for Mrs. Lee's culinary efforts.

"That can't be" i-sak said, taking another bite of the dish. "It's really good" she added, savoring the flavors.

"Yes, it is" On-jo stated, her mouth full as she joined in on the feast.

"It tastes amazing, though!" Gyeong-su chimed in, also taking a hearty bite.

Na-hee glanced at On-jo, noticing her cheeks stuffed with food. "Do you need a drink?" she asked, concern lacing her voice.

On-jo slowly smiled at Na-hee, warmth spreading through her heart. "No, it's okay" she replied, shaking her head as she continued to enjoy the meal.

Cheong-san let out a joking smirk. "Na-hee, On-jo can get her own drink, she's old enough!" Cheong-san said playfully. Observing the scene, he shook his head. In return, On-jo gave Cheong-san an annoyed look.

"Stop eating! You said it's salty" he told On-jo, trying to look serious but failing to hide a smile.

"But it tastes so good!" On-jo protested, her eyes sparkling with delight.

Na-hee sensed the rising tension in the air and decided to lighten the mood. Cheong-san, trying to be helpful, poured a glass of Coke and handed it to Na-hee. She blinked in surprise before realizing what he was doing.

"Thank you" she said, her voice soft as she took the cup and gulped down the refreshing drink.

Cheong-san nodded, a shy smile spreading across his lips as he watched her.

On-jo, curious, glanced between the two, her eyes narrowing as she tried to piece together the unspoken connection.

Meanwhile, Na-hee caught Gyeong-su staring at his empty cup, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. She grabbed another Coke and poured it into his cup, her smile brightening the room.

"Drink up, Gyeong-su!" she encouraged, her voice cheerful and inviting.

"Thank you, Na-hee!" he exclaimed, his face lighting up with joy as he took a sip. Na-hee returned his smile, feeling happy.

I-sak cleared her throat as she looked at everyone. "Did you hear about the science teacher, Mr. Lee?" she started, gathering all their attention.

"What about him?" Cheong-san asked.

"He smells like a rotting corpse" I-sak answered.

"Jeez, Na-yeon spread that rumor, right?" Cheong-san replied. Na-hee then chewed her chicken and gulped it down.

"She did? Why?" Na-hee felt her eyebrows furrow. She knew about that rumor, but she didn't know it was Na-yeon who had started it. She really needed to talk to Na-yeon about it.

"It's true. He didn't come to school for a few days after his son went missing" On-jo added. Na-hee could only listen as her mind wandered.

"He smelled like a rotting corpse" On-jo added.

"How would she know what that smells like?" Cheong-san said.

"She knows every smell except that one" On-jo replied. "Since she never smelled it before, that must be it" she finished. Na-hee quieted down as they chatted.

"His son was an outcast. I heard he got bullied badly" I-sak said as she chewed.

Na-hee zoned out, having a conversation in her mind. *It's always Gwi-nam. I told him he and his gang should stop bullying the others.* Na-hee felt her fists clench, feeling bad for Mr. Lee.

"Yes, I feel very bad for Mr. Lee. " Na-hee mumbled to herself.

"They say he was a genius, and geniuses often go crazy" Cheong-san then looked at On-jo. "I guess you never have to worry about going crazy" he said, Gyeong-su then laughed as he ate. While, I-sak held her laughter.

"Hey, are you looking down on me, Gopher?" On-jo said to him, her irritation bubbling up. Na-hee looked at the two in disbelief but also laughing at their bickering.

After a long meal, the group finally finished eating, their stomachs pleasantly full. Mrs. Lee approached them, her motherly smile still bright on her face. She gently placed her hands on Na-hee's shoulders as she looked at the group.

"Are you all full already?" she asked with a cheerful laugh. All of them nodded in agreement, their expressions content.

"Mom! I told you it was too much" Cheong-san said, scratching his head sheepishly. His mother shook her head at him, a playful glint in her eyes.

"Hey, it's okay! I can pack up the leftovers so that nothing goes to waste" she suggested warmly.

Na-hee's eyes lit up at the idea. "That's a great idea, Mrs. Lee!" she exclaimed, her face breaking into a wide smile. "I can enjoy it at home when I get hungry!"

Mrs. Lee beamed at Na-hee, gently patting her hair. "See? Na-hee loves the leftovers!" she said, turning to Cheong-san with a teasing grin.

"I do too, Mrs. Lee!" Gyeong-su chimed in, raising his hand enthusiastically.

"Of course you do!" Mrs. Lee replied, her smile growing even wider. "Let me pack these delicious leftovers for you kids!"

She quickly gathered small containers filled with the remaining chickens, carefully portioning them out and putting it inside the plastics. As she handed the foods to each of the kids, they expressed their gratitude with bright smiles.

"Wow! Thank you so much, Mrs. Lee!" they said in unison, their voices filled with excitement. The atmosphere was warm and cheerful, a perfect ending to their delightful meal together.

"Make sure to get home safely, kids!" Mrs. Lee called out, waving her hand at the group with a warm smile.

"We will!" they shouted back happily, their voices echoing with excitement.

"Cheong-san! Please walk them outside safely!" Mrs. Lee suggested, her tone both caring and authoritative.

Na-hee turned to Mrs. Lee, her eyes sparkling with gratitude. "Thank you so much for everything, Mrs. Lee!" she said, giving her a heartfelt hug. They shared a small, tender moment, filled with warmth and appreciation, before the group made their way out of the restaurant.

As they stepped outside, the cool evening air greeted them, and they instinctively began to run together, carefully holding their containers of food. Laughter filled the air as they playfully ran with each other, their spirits high from the delightful meal and the fun they had shared.

"See you, Na-hee!" Gyeong-su and I-sak called out as they hurriedly made their way upstairs.

Na-hee waved at them with a bright smile, feeling a sense of warmth from their cheerful farewell. Just as she was about to walk away, she was stopped by On-jo.

"Na-hee! Wait!" On-jo called out, stepping in front of her with a slightly flustered expression. Na-hee furrowed her eyebrows playfully, her smile still there.

"What is it, On-jo?" she asked, genuinely curious.

Cheong-san stood awkwardly to the side, sensing the tension in the air. On-jo took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts.

"I just need to ask you about something" she replied, her voice a bit shaky.

Na-hee nodded encouragingly. "Oh, what is it?" she prompted, her eyes sparkling with interest.

However, On-jo felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her, making her hesitate. "N-nothing," she stammered, her cheeks flushing.

Na-hee couldn't help but laugh at her friend's shyness. "What is it? It's okay" she reassured On-jo, her tone light and teasing.

Cheong-san, who had been eavesdropping, chimed in, "What is it?" His curiosity was piqued, and he leaned in closer, eager to hear the question.

On-jo let out an exasperated scoff, clearly annoyed by Cheong-san's interruption. She turned on her heel and walked ahead, dismissing the question. "Nothing." she stated firmly.

But Na-hee wasn't ready to let it go. She quickly stepped in front of On-jo, a small smile playing on her lips. "What is it? Just ignore Cheong-san" she said with a playful sarcasm, tilting her head towards him.

On-jo then pulled out the hair tie from her hair, letting her locks fall freely around her shoulders. She quickly began to fix it, trying to style it in a way that she felt would look best. Na-hee watched her with an amused smile, still waiting for the question that had been on On-jo's mind.

"Is my hair better like this?" On-jo asked, sweeping her hair to the left side. She then flipped it over to the other side, asking, "Or like this?"

Na-hee tilted her head, taking a closer look at her friend's hair. She brought her hand up to her own hair, adjusting it slightly. After a moment, she smiled brightly at On-jo.

"I think this way suits you better!" Na-hee exclaimed, humming happily afterward.

"Really?" On-jo replied shyly, her heart racing at the compliment and the close contact with Na-hee.

Na-hee nodded enthusiastically, humming in agreement. On-jo stepped back slightly, causing Na-hee to feel a little startled.

"Thanks!" On-jo said, her cheeks flushing with gratitude.

"No problem!" Na-hee replied cheerfully.

On-jo then glanced over at Cheong-san, her expression turning bitter. "What?" she asked, her tone sharp.

Cheong-san returned her glare with an equally unimpressed expression. "Get lost" he told her, turning away dismissively.

In a moment, On-jo kicked the back of his leg, causing him to groan in pain as he clutched his leg. Without waiting for a response, she hurried upstairs as fast as she could, a satisfied grin on her face.

Na-hee couldn't help but laugh at the scene unfolding before her. It was a typical moment of their friendship, filled with lighthearted teasing. As she started to walk away, she called out

"Goodnight, Cheong-san!" Her laughter still lingered in the air as she glanced back at his annoyed expression.

"Hey, wait!" Cheong-san called out, irritation evident in his voice, but Na-hee just giggled and ran off, leaving him behind with a playful scowl.

Unbeknownst to them, this was one of the final moments before everything would take a turn for the worse.

⊹܀☙❦☙܀