Summer break had started. The weather was hot, and my body felt sluggish and limp.
Instead of signing up for school’s independent study sessions, I decided to prepare for college entrance exams from home. I considered going to an academy but ended up just paying for online lectures. Going to an academy would’ve just brought more drama—it was obvious. I didn’t want to get ostracized at cram school too, on top of school. Honestly, I wanted to avoid dealing with either my old school or current school classmates as much as possible.
My assumption that I wouldn’t be seeing Park Sion much during break turned out to be totally wrong. Maybe he hadn’t signed up for any self-study programs either, because he came and went from my house like it was his own bedroom. I even gave him the passcode to my place. Sometimes, when I overslept, he’d come in and wake me up. We studied together, ate together, and chatted idly. Just spent ordinary, quiet days. It was peaceful.
Even after Jung Suwon’s revelation, not much changed between us. Like that saying about the ground hardening after rain, maybe it’d be more accurate to say we got even closer because of it.
I stopped overthinking things. I just decided to trust Park Sion—where my heart led, where my body leaned. And once I made that decision, I actually felt relieved. That’s how faith works. At its core, it has to be blind. If you could scientifically prove God’s existence, why would people still believe in Him? Proven facts are for knowledge—not belief.
Sunlight streamed through the living room window. Park Sion, who was studying, squinted subtly from the brightness. Bits of light clung to the cool lines of his eyes. I kept glancing between the laptop screen and his face as I lazily moved my pen. This isn’t studying, but it’s not not studying either.
Just as I finished one lecture video, both my phone and Park Sion’s rang at the same time. Park Sion, the concentration monster, didn’t flinch, but as a mere mortal, I immediately reached for mine.
[Kim Youngjin has invited Yoon Seonwoo, Park Sion, and Shin Jaeyoung.]
Kim Youngjin:
[♡ You are invited to Mongrangie’s Tenth Birthday Bash ♡
<dog photo>
Date: This Saturday
Place: Dogtopia Pet Pension
Bring: Whatever
Ride: My sister
Cost: We’ll split after lol]
A picture of some random dog wearing a party hat came with Youngjin’s crappy invitation. Did I seriously just get invited to a dog’s birthday party?
“Park Sion, we just got invited to a birthday party.”
“What?”
“Check your phone.”
Park Sion glanced at his phone and immediately scowled. Not long after, a new alert popped up in the group chat.
[Park Sion has left the chat.]
Cold bastard. As soon as he left the group chat, Youngjin’s cussing exploded in the feed. Shin Jaeyoung sent some weird emojis, mocking Youngjin for freaking out. As Sion tossed his phone aside and walked over to me, I asked:
“You’re not going?”
“Are you going?”
He sounded incredulous. When I nodded, the guy—who never got fazed by anything—stared at me with wide, baffled eyes.
“You’re seriously going to a dog birthday party?”
“They said it’s at a pension. Sounds kinda fun. Why?”
I seriously doubted Youngjin was throwing a dog birthday bash out of pure sincerity. The dog was just an excuse—he probably wanted an overnight trip. Honestly, it sounded pretty tempting. Besides school trips, I’d never gone on a trip with friends. And it’s hilarious, right? A dog party at a pet pension?
“I’m going. You should come too.”
I sent a message in the group chat while I said it. Judging by Sion’s reaction, I wasn’t expecting much—he looked pretty dead set on not coming.
[Yoon Seonwoo: I’m in]
[Kim Youngjin: That’s my Overwatch Sensei bbb]
[Kim Youngjin: Loyalty loyalty ^^7]
[Shin Jaeyoung: So ㅂㅅㅇ isn’t coming, right?]
[Kim Youngjin: Yup, fuck that guy]
[Shin Jaeyoung: Then I’m in too]
[Yoon Seonwoo: But can we even stay overnight on our own?]
[Kim Youngjin: Hell yeah lol]
[Kim Youngjin: It’s my cousin’s pension lol]
[Yoon Seonwoo: okay okay]
[Yoon Seonwoo: Is this seriously a dog birthday party?]
[Kim Youngjin: Not a dog—Mongrangie]
[Yoon Seonwoo: So it is a dog birthday party, right?]
[Kim Youngjin: Not dog ❌ Mongrangie ✅]
[Yoon Seonwoo: Whatever;; So we’re really celebrating Mongrangie’s birthday?]
[Kim Youngjin: Yup yup yup]
Should I buy a birthday gift or something? Like dog chews? I’ve never been to a dog party before, so I wasn’t sure.
“You’re really going?”
While I was chatting with Youngjin and Jaeyoung, Park Sion slid up next to me. He leaned his chin on my shoulder and peeked at the chat window. If you’re that curious, why’d you leave?
“Yeah. It’s not like I’ve got anything else to do.”
“I thought you were studying for college entrance exams.”
“Come on, who just studies and does nothing else?”
Every single day of break, I’d been holed up at home, staring at either Park Sion’s face or online lectures. The injustice of it all made me raise my voice a little. Sion, his expression suddenly cold, clung to me.
“If you wanted to go on a trip, you could’ve just gone with me.”
“What fun is it with just the two of us? It’s only fun if everyone goes.”
“You don’t think it’d be fun with just me?”
“It’s not that. I’m just saying—the more, the merrier.”
“Haah…”
“I’m saying, come with us.”
“……”
“A dog birthday party. Kinda wild, right?”
Sion immediately pouted. What now? Was he sulking ‘cause I was going without him? I steeled myself and gave it one more shot.
“Come on. We’ll swim, check out the dogs, grill some meat. It'll be fun.”
“I hate swimming. I hate dogs. I’ll buy you meat instead.”
“Whatever. If you don’t wanna go, then don’t.”
“Hey, Yoon Seonwoo.”
I ignored his whining and kept typing. No matter how close we were, it didn’t mean we were tied at the hip. Just because he didn’t want to go didn’t mean I had to skip it too.
[Yoon Seonwoo: Should I bring a gift? Like dog chews or something]
[Shin Jaeyoung: LMAO birthday gift wtf]
[Shin Jaeyoung: Dog chews omg LOL]
[Kim Youngjin: Nah, Mongrangie doesn’t eat that stuff. Just bring yourself lol]
[Yoon Seonwoo: ok]
[Shin Jaeyoung: hahahahaha]
While I was debating whether to block Jaeyoung for laughing at me, Sion poked me with a gloomy look on his face. I glanced up—his pale face was twitching at the lips as he muttered irritably.
“I’m going too.”
I burst out laughing. The moment I did, Sion’s face hardened even more. In the past, I would’ve immediately backed down at that icy look, but now it just made me laugh. Kind of cute, honestly. Playing hard to get when he was gonna come anyway. Before he changed his mind again, I quickly re-invited him to the group chat.
[Yoon Seonwoo has invited Park Sion to the chat.]
[Yoon Seonwoo: Park Sion’s coming too]
[Shin Jaeyoung: Hahahaha I knew it hahaha]
[Shin Jaeyoung: Park Sion <-- no balls mf]
[Kim Youngjin: Facts~]
[Kim Youngjin: No swag Park Sion lol]
[Kim Youngjin: Why you act like you weren’t coming bro lol]
As Youngjin and Jaeyoung went all-in clowning on Sion, his face darkened more and more with every message he read. Okay yeah—that face was still kinda scary. I wiped the smile off and lightly tapped his arm.
“Seriously, why’d you act like you weren’t coming?”
“I didn’t think you’d actually go without me.”
“Why not? If I wanna go alone, I’ll go. But doesn’t it sound fun?”
“Not even a little.”
Park Sion answered firmly. His words dragged a long sigh behind them. But then, with a stiff expression, he reached out and gently fixed my messy hair. His hand was soft, even though his eyes were full of irritation.
“Say thank you.”
“For what?”
“For going. Say thank you for that.”
Park Sion pulled my arm gently as he spoke, acting like he was doing me this huge favor. I let out a snort.
“I’m the one who should be thankful?”
“Yeah.”
“Your ego is something else.”
“Hurry up.”
“Fine. Thanks. Thank you. I’m so thankful I might cry from the honor.”
This time, I reached out and touched Park Sion’s hair. For some reason, he was glaring at me like he was about to bite my head off. What are you gonna do staring at me like that? Still, I figured I should at least humor him, so I brushed his hair gently to the side. Then I pressed on the frown lines between his brows with my fingers. As if moved by my effort, Park Sion let out a small, deflated chuckle.
After a moment, my hand dropped from his face. Our eyes met. He was looking at me with a strange expression.
****
On the day of the trip—or the birthday party, whatever—we gathered outside Kim Youngjin’s apartment. His building was in one of those neighborhoods that people around here considered “upper-class.” The whole apartment complex looked polished, like it had been designed with some kind of urban planning award in mind. I looked around, quietly impressed by the power of money. Well, I guess that’s why he fits in with someone like Park Sion.
Before long, Kim Youngjin came toward us, dressed in a black sports outfit from head to toe, hugging a massive box. Behind him came a white dog and his older sister, carrying a big bag. Just one glance and you could tell they were siblings. They had the same bold features and that healthy, cheerful aura.
It looked like the two of them had already hit the supermarket. Youngjin was already sweating buckets and looked miserable, so I rushed over to help. Shin Jaeyoung brightly greeted Youngjin’s sister, and when I moved to take the box, Park Sion stepped in and took it instead.
“What’s gotten into you?”
“Just open the trunk.”
While Sion and Youngjin were loading the car, his sister came over and greeted me with a nod. I straightened up and bowed politely.
“Hello.”
“You’re Seonwoo, right? You’re very pretty—handsome.”
“Thank you.”
I bowed again at the polite compliment, and she gave me a warm smile. I pointed to the white dog in her arms.
“Is this Mongrangie?”
“Yep. Doesn’t look ten, right?”
“Oh, no.”
“She takes after me—doesn’t age.”
“I can see that.”
She must’ve liked that answer because she patted me on the shoulder a few times. Her nose crinkled when she smiled, and for a second, I could see Youngjin’s grin in hers. They really did look alike. Although she was at least a thousand times better-looking.
“Alright, stop dawdling. Let’s get going. Park Sion, you’re the tallest—sit in the front.”
She clapped her hands as she spoke. Sion pulled me up next to him and responded with his usual rude tone.
“No thanks. Let Youngjin sit there.”
“You’ve got long legs, what gives?”
“Just don’t want to.”
“It’s gonna be cramped in the back.”
“Still want to sit in the back.”
Youngjin squeezed in between them.
“Alright, alright, I’ll sit in the front.”
“Geez, try to be nice and he throws a fit. Then you, baby brother, hold Mongrangie and sit up front.”
“Ugh, don’t call me that!”
Yikes. Baby brother? That was a nickname I never wanted to know. I shivered. We all piled into the white SUV, chuckling at Youngjin’s mortified face. I took the window seat, and Park Sion and Shin Jaeyoung climbed in beside me.
As his sister predicted, Sion looked uncomfortable squished between us. See? Should’ve just listened. There’s no downside to taking advice from your elders. I scooted even closer to the window to give him more space. From the side, I could hear Jaeyoung grumbling at Sion to move his shoulders over a bit.
Once we left the city, a lush green landscape filled the view outside the window. The sky looked especially clear today. Some hip-hop song played, the lyrics too mumbled to make out. Youngjin hummed along happily, skipping over the English parts like they didn’t exist. I bobbed my head to the beat, staring out the window. A giddy excitement bubbled in my chest. It felt like just yesterday that I was Kim Shinju’s personal punching bag, and now… I was going on a trip with friends.
It’s ridiculous, but I almost felt grateful to Kim Shinju. If she hadn’t pulled that shit on me—if I’d stayed at that school—I’d probably still be lonely and miserable.
I felt a familiar weight lean against my shoulder. The seat was tight, so I shifted my butt, but Sion grabbed my arm to hold me in place. I turned to check the space between him and Jaeyoung. Tons of room on that side. He clearly didn’t want to even brush against Jaeyoung, so he pressed all his weight into me.
“Hey, I’ve got no space. Scoot over that way.”
I pointed to the empty spot. As expected, Sion didn’t budge. Instead, he rested his forehead on my shoulder.
“Car sick.”
“Car sick? How bad? Should we stop at a rest area?”
“Shut up.”
Jaeyoung’s snide voice cut in between our conversation. I glanced at him, and Sion immediately turned my face back to him. I tried to shake off the hand holding my chin—let me go, I need to glare at that bastard.
His sister checked the mirror and glanced back.
“Sion, are you carsick?”
“I’m fine.”
His voice was suddenly smooth. Guess he didn’t want to look weak in front of her. Because of course.
“If you are, sit by the window. I’ll switch with you.”
Jaeyoung offered out of nowhere. He sounded nice, but there was this crooked smile on his face. Whatever his motive was, it clearly wasn’t concern. Shady bastard. Sion must’ve thought the same—he shot Jaeyoung a death glare without saying a word. Damn. That was intense. I looked back out the window to avoid catching any stray sparks.
“What? You said you were sick. Try to be nice and I get attitude.”
Sion answered by kicking Jaeyoung hard with one of his long legs. A second later, Jaeyoung groaned.
Serves you right. I covered my mouth and laughed quietly.
“Sion, will you be okay? We can stop at a rest area if it gets too much. We’re almost there.”
“No, I can handle it.”
“Come on! Let’s stop just for a sec! I want sausage and spiral potatoes!”
“You bought five pounds of meat, and now you want street food?! Just eat meat when we get there!”
Completely ignoring Youngjin’s whining, his sister hit the gas. He kept going on and on about sausage and spiral fries. While they bickered, I glanced at Sion, still leaning on me. I wondered—does he act like a brat in front of his sister too? Does he ever whine or sulk like a kid? I couldn’t picture it.
Sion clung to me even more tightly and groaned again. Must really be carsick. I checked his face in a panic. Please don’t throw up on me. Where the hell is a plastic bag? I stayed tense, until finally, we saw a white building in the distance with big letters spelling out Dogtopia.
“Yo, this place is straight-up dog city.”
The moment we stepped out, Jaeyoung said that, watching the dogs run across the bright green turf. What a punk. I followed behind and took in the view. “Dogtopia” was a name it definitely lived up to. The yard looked like an open field, complete with colorful play equipment and a clean outdoor pool.
Mongrangie, of course, bolted straight toward the other dogs the moment her leash came off. Her white tail wagged excitedly as she sniffed her new friends. Youngjin’s sister, after greeting the pension owner—Youngjin’s cousin—came over to us.
“Hey, Youngjin. Mongrangie already had her antioxidants and probiotics this morning, so just give her those again with breakfast tomorrow. The joint meds are for before dinner. Oh right—don’t forget the Omega-3. Sprinkle it over her food. Got it?”
“Yeah, yeah, just go already.”
“If you call me later ‘cause you forgot, I’ll kill you.”
“I’m not gonna forget. What, you think I’m dumb? Antioxidants and probiotics in the morning, joint meds at night. Happy?”
The fatigue in her expression deepened.
Youngjin… you forgot the Omega-3 again.
“Idiot, you forgot the Omega-3.”
“Oh, right. That’s the one you sprinkle on the food. I just spaced for a second.”
“Sigh. And Mongrangie’s birthday cake goes straight into the fridge, got it?”
“Got it. Check, check.”
“I’ll come pick you guys up tomorrow right before checkout, so behave. If you cause trouble, I’m dragging you back immediately.”
“Yeah, yeah. Just go already.”