Morning in Seoul arrived softer than expected, sunlight slipping through the hotel curtains in pale gold streaks as the city slowly came alive below.
Ana woke earlier than the others, her eyes opening to silence for once—not the heavy kind, but calm.
Beside her, Yeon was still half-asleep, her hair slightly messy, her expression relaxed in a way Ana rarely saw during school.
For a moment, Ana just watched her… then shook her lightly.
“Get up,” she said, not harshly, but firm enough.
Yeon groaned, pulled the blanket over her face, then peeked out with a small smile.
“Morning already?” Not long after, the group gathered outside—Ed stretching like he hadn’t slept at all, Kel quiet but alert, and Jeon Park standing slightly behind Yeon as usual, not saying much but present.
The plan was simple—explore the marketplace before the day got crowded.
But the moment they stepped into the streets, simplicity disappeared.
The marketplace was overflowing with life—vendors calling out, food stalls sending warm smells into the air, colors everywhere from clothes to street decorations.
Yeon immediately got excited, pulling Ana from one stall to another, pointing at small accessories, fabrics, and designs with bright eyes.
“Look at this!
This is the kind of work I was telling you about,” she said, holding up a piece of fabric, her voice filled with passion.
Ana didn’t say much, but she watched Yeon more than the stalls—there was something genuine there.
Something she didn’t want to interrupt.
Meanwhile, Ed was already causing trouble—trying random street food without asking what it was, making exaggerated reactions just to get a laugh.
“This is amazing—wait no, I take it back—what is this?” he said, coughing slightly, making Yeon laugh uncontrollably.
Kel watched them quietly at first… but when Ana reached for something, he stepped in without thinking, paying before she could react.
“You don’t have to—” she started.
“I know,” he said simply.
No argument.
Just certainty.
Jeon, on the other hand, stayed near Yeon, quietly observing her excitement.
At one point, she reached for something but hesitated, checking the price.
Before she could put it back, Jeon picked it up and handed it to her.
“You liked it,” he said.
Yeon blinked, surprised.
“I didn’t say that.” “You didn’t need to,” he replied.
Simple.
Direct.
Yeon looked away, slightly flustered, but she didn’t refuse it either.
By the time they left the marketplace, they were louder, lighter—something about being outside school had loosened the distance between them.
The amusement park was even more chaotic—rides, music, people everywhere.
Yeon almost dragged Ana toward the entrance, her excitement impossible to hide.
Even Ana couldn’t completely ignore it.
Not here.
Not today.
At first, they all stayed together—trying smaller rides, laughing more than expected.
But slowly, naturally, they split.
Ana and Kel ended up on a quieter ride—a slow-moving one that lifted them above the park, giving a full view of the city.
For once, there was no noise around them.
Just wind.
And space.
Kel didn’t speak immediately.
He rarely did when it mattered.
“You’ve changed,” he said finally.
Ana glanced at him.
“So have you.” A pause.
Then, softer—”Not in a bad way.” The ride moved higher, the city stretching below them.
Without thinking, Ana shifted slightly when the seat tilted—and Kel’s hand moved instinctively, steadying her at her waist.
Neither of them reacted immediately.
But neither pulled away either.
The moment stayed… quiet, but full.
Later— Ed found her near one of the faster rides, holding two tickets.
“Come with me,” he said, already pulling her before she could refuse.
The ride was intense—fast, loud, chaotic—and when it stopped, Ana was slightly unsteady.
Ed laughed, holding her arm.
“You okay?” “I’m fine,” she replied—but her balance said otherwise.
Without asking, he pulled her closer, steadying her properly this time.
Their faces were closer than expected.
For a second, neither moved.
Ed’s expression softened—less playful, more real.
“You don’t always have to act strong,” he said quietly.
Ana didn’t answer.
But she didn’t push him away either.
On the other side of the park— Yeon and Jeon stood near a quieter area, watching others play.
Yeon was still smiling, but calmer now.
“Today was fun,” she said.
Jeon nodded.
Then, after a pause, he reached out—hesitated for half a second—then gently held her hand.
Not tight.
Not forcing.
Just… there.
Yeon looked at their hands, then at him.
“You don’t talk much,” she said softly.
“I don’t need to,” he replied.
Yeon smiled again—this time smaller, but warmer.
She didn’t pull her hand away.
By evening, they all came back together again—tired, a little quieter, but closer than before.
Ana stood beside Yeon, watching the others argue over what ride was the best.
For a moment— She wasn’t thinking about the past.
Or the truth.
Or the lies.
Just this.
This moment.
And strangely— it felt… enough