***
Min Soo and Hanni walked side by side down the quiet street, the golden hues of the setting sun casting long shadows across the ground. They chatted idly about school, with Hanni doing most of the talking as usual.
Behind them, Min Soo couldn't help but notice Minji walking a short distance behind. At first, he ignored it, assuming it was just a coincidence. But as the minutes passed and she continued to follow their route, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease.
Finally, he stopped abruptly and turned to face her. "Hey, Minji," he called out, his voice firm but not harsh. "Why are you following us?"
Minji blinked, startled by the sudden confrontation. "Following?" she echoed, her brows furrowing. She pointed to a house just a few steps ahead. "My home is over there."
Min Soo froze, his eyes widening in surprise. The house she pointed to was right next door to his. He felt his face heat up with embarrassment.
"Oh…" he mumbled, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. "I'm sorry. I thought… I thought you were following us."
Minji smiled faintly, waving off his concern. "It's okay. Honestly, I'd probably think the same if someone was walking behind me the whole way."
Hanni burst into laughter, clapping her hands. "This is perfect!" she said, grinning at both of them. "Minji, you're our neighbor! That means we can hang out all the time!"
Minji's cheeks turned a light shade of pink. "Oh, um… I guess so," she said softly, her introverted nature showing.
Hanni, undeterred by Minji's shyness, grabbed both of their arms enthusiastically. "Come on! Since we're all here, let's play something together. It'll be fun!"
***
At Min Soo's House
Hanni led the way into Min Soo's house, her energy contagious. "Let's hang out at your place, Min Soo," she declared. "You've got the best snacks."
"Wait, what?" Min Soo said, bewildered. "Why my place?"
Hanni grinned cheekily. "Because I said so. Don't worry, Minji—we'll make sure you feel at home."
Min Soo sighed but didn't argue further. "Fine. Come in."
As they entered the house, his mother peeked out from the kitchen, surprised to see the group. "Oh, Min Soo! You brought friends over?"
"Yes, Mom," he said, his tone resigned.
His mother smiled warmly. "That's wonderful! Make yourselves comfortable. Let me know if you need anything."
***
In Min Soo's Room
The three of them gathered in Min Soo's room, which still felt slightly foreign to him despite the time he'd spent there. Hanni immediately made herself at home, flopping onto the floor and grabbing a gaming controller.
"Let's play something!" she said, waving a second controller toward Minji.
Minji hesitated, glancing around the room. Her eyes lingered on a stack of books and a poster on the wall. "Your room is nice," she said softly.
Min Soo, feeling slightly self-conscious, shrugged. "Thanks."
Hanni handed Minji the controller, pulling her into the game. "Don't worry, Minji. I'll teach you how to play!"
Min Soo watched the two girls as they dove into the game, Hanni's laughter filling the room as Minji slowly got the hang of it. He found himself smiling, the weight of the day easing as the simple joy of the moment took over.
After an hour or so, they decided to take a break. Hanni excused herself to grab some snacks from the kitchen, leaving Min Soo and Minji alone for the first time.
Min Soo glanced at Minji, who was quietly looking out the window. The golden light of the setting sun highlighted her soft features, and for a moment, he felt a pang of nostalgia.
"So," he said, breaking the silence, "it's kind of funny that you moved in right next door."
Minji turned to him, her expression thoughtful. "Yeah. It's a small world, I guess."
He hesitated, then asked, "Are you settling in okay?"
She nodded. "It's been a little overwhelming, but… everyone's been really nice. Especially you and Hanni."
Her words caught him off guard, and he felt a flicker of guilt for having doubted her earlier. "Thanks," he said quietly.
Before he could say more, Hanni burst back into the room, balancing a tray of snacks. "Alright, let's keep playing!" she declared, plopping back onto the floor.
The three of them spent the rest of the evening laughing and enjoying each other's company. For Min Soo, it was a moment of unexpected peace, one that made him wonder if this new life might be more meaningful than he ever imagined.
***