Kim Yuli, Hwang Siska, and Go Hera had just stepped out of the campus building after finishing their extra class. As they walked down the corridor, the three of them were busy discussing their plans. They intended to start their winter vacation early this year.
A secret mission to help Hae-Li forget, if only for a while, the heavy burden that had been weighing on her mind lately.
“I have a villa in London. If you don’t mind, let’s go on vacation there,” Go Hera said, snapping her two friends out of their thoughts.
“Ah, what a shame. I really wanted to go to Japan with MJ oppa,” Kim Yuli replied, pouting.
Hwang Siska quickly chimed in, “Actually, I want to visit Thailand instead. Aigoo, just imagine how much fun it would be to meet all the handsome actors there!”
“What other guy are you hoping to meet? Don’t you already have me right here?” a deep voice cut in from behind them.
The three girls turned around in unison. Jinjin and MJ had just arrived to pick up their respective girlfriends.
“Ah, Jinjin oppa! I was only joking,” Hwang Siska teased. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around Jinjin’s and clung to him coquettishly.
Jinjin chuckled softly as he gently stroked the top of his girlfriend’s head. “So, do you really want to go to Thailand?”
“No, I don’t. I only want to go with you,” Siska whispered quickly.
A blush instantly spread to the tips of Jinjin’s ears. Seeing the scene, Kim Yuli stomped her foot jealously.
“Ah, I’m so jealous! Oppa, can’t you act sweet like Jinjin oppa for just a minute?” Yuli tugged on the edge of MJ’s jacket, demanding his attention.
MJ scratched his perfectly unitchy neck, looking innocent. “Yeah, yeah. So what am I supposed to do?”
Without hesitation, Yuli spread both arms wide. It was an unmistakable request for a warm hug. Instead, MJ stood frozen, staring at Jinjin in confusion.
Jinjin immediately understood the situation and gave him a quick wink—a signal to save him. Catching the signal, MJ suddenly crouched down with his back to Yuli.
“Come on, I’ll give you a piggyback ride,” he said innocently.
“Oppa!” Kim Yuli cried, exasperated.
MJ turned around in confusion. “Why? You wanted me to carry you, didn’t you?”
“Forget it. I’m done talking!” Yuli folded her arms across her chest and took long strides away from MJ toward the car.
Jinjin patted MJ on the shoulder, laughing. “Hyung, starting tomorrow, you’ll probably need to take an extra class to learn women’s language.”
“Yeah, yeah,” MJ muttered in resignation.
“Oppa, hurry up and open the car door!” Yuli called from a distance, standing beside the car with a pout.
“Okay, just a second!” MJ jogged over to her.
Just as Yuli was about to open the door and get in, MJ stopped her fingers. From behind, he wrapped both arms around her and hugged her tightly until her back was pressed against his chest.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I love you,” MJ whispered warmly by Yuli’s ear, repeating the words in an incredibly gentle tone.
Yuli’s irritation melted away at once. A blush spread across her cheeks. Unable to hold back her happiness, she turned around and returned MJ’s embrace just as tightly.
“Oppa, I love you!”
“Ugh, I’m so jealous watching you two,” Go Hera muttered, pretending to cover her eyes.
“Hera-ya!”
A familiar call made Hera turn around. Rocky was already standing there, watching their interactions with a faint smile.
“My future husband is here,” Hera whispered happily before jogging over to Rocky.
Rocky wrapped an arm around Hera’s waist, then pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Why be jealous? Isn’t there anything more happiness-inducing than our engagement, hm?”
Hera’s face flushed. “Yeah, I’m not jealous anymore.”
“Good. Come on, let’s go home,” Rocky said, taking Hera’s fingers in a firm clasp.
“Awesome! Everyone, I’m heading home first, okay? Bye-bye!” Hera waved at her friends.
“Be careful on the way!” Hwang Siska called back.
As they walked along the sidewalk, Hera tilted her head up to look at the man beside her. “You didn’t bring the car today?”
“No. Have you eaten?” Rocky asked in return.
Hera shook her head softly.
“Then let’s go eat ramyeon,” Rocky suggested.
Hera’s eyes immediately lit up. “Wow, that sounds delicious! You always know exactly what I’m craving. Thank you,” she whispered sincerely.
Rocky suddenly stopped beneath the glow of a streetlamp. His grip on Hera’s fingers tightened.
“It seems there’s something important about me that you still don’t know,” Rocky said quietly, staring straight into Hera’s eyes.
Hera furrowed her brow in confusion. “Hm? What don’t I know about you?”
Rocky studied Hera’s face for several seconds, as if a heavy burden were caught in his throat. Yet a faint smile was forced onto his lips.
“Nothing. It’s nothing,” Rocky quickly deflected, then gently tugged on Hera’s hand again. “Come on, or our favorite ramyeon place will close.”
Hera smiled, ignoring the brief flicker of doubt in Rocky’s eyes, and continued walking beside him toward their favorite ramyeon shop.