“The best memories rarely begin with a perfect plan.”
Sunday morning.
For the first time in weeks…
Nobody had to wear a school uniform.
Jiwoo stretched happily.
“I can finally breathe.”
Jisoo looked at her.
“You’ve been awake for five minutes.”
“And I’m already happier.”
The group met at the small park near the convenience store.
Heosok clapped his hands together.
“Today’s mission.”
“We decide where we’re going.”
Jiwoo immediately raised her hand.
“Amusement park!”
Heosok raised his.
“Arcade!”
Jisoo sighed.
“Somewhere peaceful.”
“I’d like one conversation without you shouting.”
“I speak passionately.”
“You speak loudly.”
“They’re the same thing.”
“They’re absolutely not.”
Jeheon laughed quietly.
Everyone turned toward Yongi.
“What about you?”
Yongi thought seriously.
“…The library.”
Silence.
Complete silence.
Even the birds seemed to stop singing.
Heosok blinked.
“…You want our day off…”
“…to become another school day?”
“It’s quieter.”
Jiwoo slowly covered her face.
“I forgot who I was asking.”
Yongi looked genuinely confused.
“…Libraries are enjoyable.”
Heosok placed a hand on his shoulder.
“My friend…”
“…we’re going to fix you.”
Zaizai smiled softly.
“I don’t mind where we go.”
“As long as everyone enjoys it.”
Jiwoo immediately hugged her arm.
“See?”
“My sister understands life.”
Jisoo smiled.
“She understands people.”
Finally…
Everyone looked at Jeheon.
“You haven’t voted.”
Heosok said.
Jeheon scratched the back of his neck.
“…I’ve never really gone anywhere before.”
“What do you mean?”
Jiwoo asked.
Jeheon looked down.
“…I’ve never been to an amusement park.”
The conversation stopped.
Nobody laughed.
Nobody pitied him.
There was only a quiet silence.
Then—
Heosok suddenly pointed at Jiwoo.
“Congratulations.”
“You win.”
Jiwoo blinked.
“…Me?”
“We’re going to the amusement park.”
Jisoo smiled.
“I agree.”
Yongi closed his book.
“…I suppose I can read another day.”
Jiwoo looked at him dramatically.
“…Did the library just lose?”
“…Apparently.”
Everyone laughed.
jiwoo looked at Jeheon.
A gentle smile appeared on her face.
“Then…”
“I hope tomorrow becomes your favorite memory.”
Jeheon smiled.
“…I hope so too.”
Heosok pulled out his phone.
“I’ll buy the tickets.”
Jisoo looked suspicious.
“Since when are you responsible?”
“I’m always responsible.”
“You once forgot your own birthday.”
“I remembered eventually.”
As everyone started talking about rides…
Food…
Games…
And who would scream the loudest…
Jeheon quietly stood still for a moment.
He looked at his friends.
They weren’t choosing the amusement park because it was exciting.
They were choosing it…
Because he’d never had the chance to go.
No one said it aloud.
No one tried to make him feel different.
They simply changed the plan.
Without making it a big deal.
For some reason…
That kindness stayed with him more than anything else.
As the group walked away together…
A small smile appeared on Jeheon’s face.
He didn’t know it yet…
But tomorrow….
Would become the photograph he would keep for years