The snow was falling gently outside as Snow got up to check the door. Chalee, sensing her movement, stopped her with a warm smile. "I'll go and look," she said, stepping lightly across the room.
Chalee opened the door, and there stood Kavin, his mischievous grin lighting up his face. Without warning, he popped a balloon, making a loud bang that echoed through the hall.
"Hey bro, do you know what happened?" Kavin asked, his excitement barely contained.
"What happened?" Chalee replied, her curiosity piqued.
"If you let me in, I'll tell you everything," he teased.
Chalee chuckled and gestured for him to come inside. As they exchanged greetings, Snow, who had heard the commotion, peeked around the corner. "Who is it?" she called out.
"It's Kavin," Chalee answered, leading him into the living room. They all settled down, the warmth of the room contrasting with the cold outside.
"So, what happened?" Chalee asked, leaning forward.
"Actually, I have some important news to share," Kavin began, his tone suddenly serious.
Before he could continue, Snow interrupted, "By the way, where's Minju? Didn't she come with you? I haven't seen her for so long."
"She's at home," Kavin replied. "But we'll meet at dinner this Sunday at 7:30 PM. I've booked us a table at 'Happy Food.'"
---
A week later, Chalee and Snow arrived together at the restaurant, the inviting smells wafting out the door greeting them. They spotted Minju waving energetically and waved back with smiles.
As they all sat down, Chalee and Snow exchanged silent glances, their thoughts dancing in their eyes.
"What does this sudden meeting mean?" Chalee wondered inwardly. "Do you think it's about a trip?"
Snow's inner voice responded, "I have no idea, senior. Maybe it is a trip."
Meanwhile, Kavin and Minju watched them with amusement. "Are we invisible to them?" Minju whispered.
"Guys, we're here. Can you both stop the mind-talking?" Minju finally said, breaking the silence.
Kavin followed up, "We have good news to share."
Chalee's curiosity was palpable. "What is it?"
Kavin and Minju exchanged excited glances before announcing in unison, "We got our visas and scholarships to go abroad! Yay!"
"Congratulations, guys! That's huge!" Snow exclaimed, genuinely happy for them.
"Yeah, so we won't have two idiots disturbing us for a while," Chalee said with a wink at Snow.
Snow playfully nudged him, "Senior!" she scolded in a mock-irritated tone.
Minju and Kavin choked on their drinks, laughing. Chalee, still chuckling, reached for Snow's hand under the table, their fingers entwining.
"Cheers to new adventures!" Chalee declared, raising his glass.
"Cheers!" they all echoed, clinking glasses.
Snow's thoughts drifted as she felt Chalee's warm, comforting hand in hers. "His hands are always so warm, even in this cold weather," she mused.
Kavin, noticing their tender moment, thought, "These lovebirds forget we're in public."
---
After the joyful dinner, Minju hugged Snow tightly. As their embrace lingered, the realization of the upcoming distance hit them both.
"You've become my best friend," Snow whispered, feeling a pang of sadness. "Who will I hang out with?"
Minju hugged her even tighter. "I'll come back soon, Snowie. Don't miss me too much! And I left a gift for you. Open it when I'm gone."
"Okay," Snow replied, her voice tinged with emotion.
Chalee and Snow returned home, their spirits still uplifted by the evening. Chalee ordered pizza from "Fly Now Pizza Delivery."
Later, as Chalee opened the door for the pizza delivery, Snow took a quick shower. When she emerged, she found the pizza waiting and Chalee preparing for their meal in his usual playful manner—rubbing his nose to hers cutely before heading to his shower.
As Chalee showered, Snow chatted with a friend on the phone, absentmindedly picking up a slice of pizza.
"Yum, yum, yum," she muttered between bites.
Chalee returned, drying his hair with a towel. Snow, lost in her thoughts, dropped the phone as she gazed at his handsome, freshly washed face.
"Ah, is he really my senior?" Snow thought, her heart fluttering. "He looks so damn hot."
She felt a sudden rush of emotions. "Why didn't I feel this since the wedding? I want to embrace him and tell him I love him."
"Seonbae, I..." she started, her voice filled with emotion.
Chalee, sensing her feelings, smiled softly. "Don't say it now, Snowie. I know what you're about to say."
Snow pouted adorably, like a cute rabbit.
"Seonbae, I just want to eat with you," she said, bringing the moment back to their cozy dinner.
---
To be continued...