Days went by, and it became a routine: after Minjin's secret deeds in the music club room, she, Lee Deji, Choi Ye-joon, and Bang Eun-kyung would walk together to the BBQ house owned by Heo Yeong-hwan's mother. Each time they arrived, Mrs. Jeong greeted them, and they returned her respectful greeting.
Kim Aecha would always be there, diligently preparing meals for them.
On some days, Mun Sara would join a bit later, having just finished her study sessions. As soon as the food was served, Minjin would dig in enthusiastically, eating with gusto as if she hadn't eaten all day. Mrs. Jeong couldn't help but smile each time, delighted by Minjin's appetite, and often served her extra portions of meat.
Conversations flowed easily around the table. They began with the typical complaints about their demanding academic schedules and soon meandered into lighter, random topics. Laughter occasionally erupted as they shared stories, jokes, and thoughts.
Minjin, usually quiet, watched her friends as they talked and joked with one another. She found herself feeling a sense of warmth she hadn't noticed before. As she looked around the table at their smiling faces, it dawned on her that she had made new friends—something she hadn't expected. This realization filled her with an unexpected happiness, a quiet joy from the inside out.
As they continued their lively banter, Minjin smiled softly to herself. She hadn't known she needed this—these moments of connection, these evenings of simple pleasures—until now.
###
Minjun repeatedly invited Bang Eun-kyung to study together as days passed, but Eun-kyung always had an excuse. Minjun observed his friend's odd behavior and became more intrigued.
One day, after their classes, Minjun asked Bang Eun-kyung again. "Ya, want to come study with me?"
Bang Eun-kyung quickly replied, "I have scheduled training for soccer."
Minjun didn't question him further and let him go.
Meanwhile, in the music club room, Minjin was busy answering several questions from her peers when she received a text from Mun Sara: Where are you? Minjin paused momentarily and texted back, I'm in the music club room.
A few minutes later, Mun Sara walked into the room, surprised by the number of students gathered around. "Boya? Where's Minjin-ah?" she asked, scanning the room.
"I am here," Minjin replied.
The students made way for Mun Sara to approach Minjin. As she got closer, she noticed a box filled with money beside Minjin. Her eyes widened. "Daebak, you're rich!" she exclaimed.
Meanwhile, at the study academy, Minjun couldn't concentrate. His mind kept drifting back to the thought that something was going on. As the sky darkened into night, he decided to return to the school. He headed straight to the soccer field, where he saw a group of players training. He searched for Bang Eun-kyung among them but couldn't find him.
He approached one of his teammates and asked, "Hey, where's Eun Kyung-ah?"
The boy shrugged. "He's busy studying."
"Studying? Where?" Minjun asked, confused.
The boy blinked in surprise. "Aren't you with him?"
This only made Minjun more convinced that something was fishy.
###
As Minjun left the school grounds, he spotted Mun Sara in the distance, heading toward the exit.
He quickened his pace and called out. "Sara-ah!"
Mun Sara stopped abruptly, startled by the familiar voice. "Minjun?" she replied, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Why are you still here?" Minjun asked, curious.
"I-I... I forgot something," Mun Sara stammered, nervously trying to find an excuse.
Minjun raised an eyebrow but didn't press further.
"Why are you still here?" Mun Sara asked, attempting to shift the focus.
"I'm looking for Bang Eun-kyung. Did you see him?" Minjun asked.
"A-ani!" Mun Sara replied quickly, perhaps too quickly. "Come on, let's go home!"
They walked out of the school together. As they made their way down the sidewalk, Mun Sara smiled, pleased to spend time with Minjun.
She then spotted a convenience store up ahead and paused. "Minjun-ah! Let's eat some ice cream first!" she suggested.
Minjun nodded, agreeing.
Inside the store, they headed straight for the freezer. Mun Sara, recalling a conversation with Minjin about Minjun's favorite ice cream flavor, searched for it. She picked her own flavor and then grabbed Minjun's preferred flavor.
"It's my treat!" she said cheerfully, heading to the cashier.
But Mijun couldn't help but notice how she seemed to know exactly what he liked.
After paying, Mun Sara handed the ice cream to Minjun. He took it, staring at the treat momentarily before speaking up. "Sara-ah."
"Mmh?" Mun Sara responded while she was struggling to open her own ice cream.
"I never told anyone what kind of food I like. How did you know everything?"
Mun Sara froze for a moment, caught off guard. "Huh?" she muttered, trying to buy time.
"How did you know what I like?" Minjun repeated as he steadied his gaze.
"Bang Eun-kyung told me," Mun Sara lied quickly, forcing a smile.
Minjun watched her carefully and discovered she wasn't telling the truth. Her answer only deepened his suspicion that something was going on between Bang Eun-kyung and her. But he decided not to press further for now. He was determined to find out the truth on his own.