"Mother!" Gyeoul called out in a playful voice as she ran towards Woon-su's mother, Jung Soo-rin. Behind her, Woon-su struggled, dragging not just Gyeoul's suitcase but also his own, carrying two large bags.
Mi-mo stood beside Jae-su, watching the two of them approach.
*If they hadn't told me this was all fake, I'd believe they were a real couple.*
With a scowl, Mi-mo watched them until Jae-su tapped her on the shoulder.
"What! ...yo?" Mi-mo's voice involuntarily rose, but she quickly added a polite "yo" at the end, remembering the family was nearby.
"Mom's calling you."
"Oh... yes, Mother."
Soo-rin glanced at Mi-mo's single backpack and asked, "Is that all your luggage?"
Mi-mo nodded. "Yes, I don't have much."
Gyeoul, who had just arrived, looked at Mi-mo in surprise.
"Unni, is this really all you brought? Not summer, but it looks like two outfits would barely fit in there."
"Haha. That's more than enough for me."
"Wow... Unni..."
Gyeoul looked at Mi-mo, shaking her head in disbelief. Soo-rin watched the exchange with amusement.
"You two seem close; you're calling her 'Unni' now?"
Both Mi-mo and Gyeoul stared at Soo-rin, startled, before Gyeoul quickly explained.
"Aigoo, Mother, we've just been crossing paths since the last gathering. After that, we got a bit closer. Now we're like sisters!"
"Oh, I see. That's wonderful."
With the final arrival of Cheon-su and Tae-yeon, the entire group boarded the plane bound for Jeju Island.
---
**A Few Days Earlier**
Mi-mo and Gyeoul sat with Jae-su in a café, having been summoned by Woon-su.
*Why is he here again?* Mi-mo glared at Jae-su across the table.
"I called you both because I need to ask for one more favor," Woon-su said.
"Is it to be your girlfriend again?" Gyeoul quickly guessed.
"That's right."
"Well, that's no problem," Gyeoul answered easily, but Mi-mo remained silent, her face clouded.
*Again with this guy? I don't even want to talk to him, let alone pretend to be his girlfriend.*
"I..."
But before Mi-mo could voice her reluctance, Woon-su interrupted, "And there's one more thing. This Saturday, we have to go to Jeju for a 2-night, 3-day trip. Mom said she'll approve Cheon-su's marriage after the trip if we all attend."
"Jeju Island?!" Gyeoul exclaimed. "I can't do that. I have to take care of my son, so a weekend trip isn't possible."
Seizing the moment, Mi-mo finally found her voice. "I don't think I can go either. Pretending to be someone's girlfriend for a few hours at a dinner is one thing, but for three days... it'll be obvious I'm lying."
Jae-su nodded in agreement. "Yeah, what's the point if I act perfectly but she blows it?"
"You don't have to be so harsh about it..." Mi-mo muttered but stopped short when she saw Woon-su's pleading face.
"Please, both of you. I know it's a lot to ask, but I'm really counting on you."
Jae-su, unfazed, stood up from the table. "Don't bother begging. If they can't go, there's no point."
After Jae-su left, Gyeoul and Mi-mo promised Woon-su they would think about it. The two women stood at the entrance of the shopping complex, hesitant to part.
"Unni, are you heading back to work?"
"Yeah, I still have a few more things to finish."
"Well, you don't have anything else planned, right? So, why not go?"
"Without you? I'd stick out like a sore thumb."
"I see... Okay, I understand. I'll see you tomorrow!"
With a wave, Gyeoul disappeared into a nearby alley while Mi-mo made her way down to the basement.
---
**Later, at Mi-mo's office...**
*Knock, knock, knock!*
"Unni! Are you in there?"
Mi-mo was working on her laptop when she heard Gyeoul's voice and went to open the door.
"What's up?"
Gyeoul, still in her yoga outfit, grinned widely as she walked in.
"Free time, I see?"
"Yeah, but I only have a few minutes, so let's make this quick."
"You look so happy. What's going on?"
Gyeoul sat down, still smiling as Mi-mo returned to her laptop. "I came straight here to tell you... I can go to Jeju! So, let's go together!"
"What?!" Mi-mo froze, her hand slipping off the mouse.
"I got everything sorted. My neighbor said she'd watch my son, I took Monday off, and now I can go! Isn't it great?"
"But... you said two days ago you couldn't."
"That was two days ago! You said you'd go if I went, so I made sure I could! I already told Woon-su oppa we're both going."
"You *told* him?"
"Yep! As soon as my time off was approved, I called him, and then I even ran up to the 5th floor to tell Jae-su oppa. He's taking Monday off too. His clinic's going to be closed, and the nurses were so excited! I ran straight here after that."
Gyeoul beamed, practically glowing with excitement.
"I wish you'd asked me first..."
"What's there to ask? You were going to go with me anyway, so I made sure it would happen. Now, get ready for the trip!"
With a bright smile, Gyeoul dashed off to her yoga class, leaving Mi-mo sitting dumbfounded in her office.
"Jeju Island? Am I really going?" Mi-mo murmured, staring blankly at the door. She slumped into her chair. "I thought I was off the hook..."
---
**Evening, that same day...**
Cheon-su was driving Tae-yeon home after she finished her modeling gig.
"Jeju Island?" Tae-yeon asked.
"Yeah. My mom wants us to go on a family trip."
"I don't have any plans that day, but... spending time with your mom makes me a little nervous."
"Well, we'll be seeing her often after we get married. This is a chance to get closer."
Tae-yeon's voice softened, her words contemplative. "Some couples go on trips before marriage, only to realize they aren't right for each other..."
"That won't happen," Cheon-su replied firmly.
Tae-yeon gazed out the window at the sparkling city lights, deep in thought. The glow of the tall buildings reflected in her eyes.
"Oppa."
"Yeah?"
"I'll go to Jeju."
"Alright."
"Maybe... I'll find an answer there."
"Answer? What answer?"
"Don't worry about it, Oppa. It's something I need to figure out myself."
Cheon-su didn't pry further. He pulled up in front of Tae-yeon's apartment.
"Goodnight."
"You too. Sleep well."
As his car drove off, Tae-yeon stood on the sidewalk, watching until it disappeared.
"I just don't know... what your heart feels. This trip might be the last for us."
Tae-yeon sighed softly as she made her way inside.
---
**At Jeju Airport...**
The group gathered at the luggage carousel to collect their bags. With only her backpack, Mi-mo stood off to the side, watching the other passengers bustle around.
Just then, she noticed a balloon rising in the air.
"A balloon?" She moved to get a better look when—
*Thud!*
A large suitcase toppled over, and Mi-mo tripped, falling hard onto the floor.
"Ouch!"
A hand reached down to help her up.
"Are you okay?"