Despite the familiar faces of a circle of friends and their moving mouths of incoherent words, Chaewon was separated from it. All her senses were focused on one of the friends that was cleaning the blackboard and she had no reason to return to reality and avert her attention away from her.

“Earth to Chaewon!!”

Chaewon yelped as a duck was in front of her. Nonetheless, she was forced to return. “What is it, Yena?”

“Aigoo…we were discussing about the holidays. It’s our friendship tradition, remember?” Yena added. “Even if we’re graduating high school soon, the custom must be followed. It’s just around the corner and we haven’t decided our destination yet.”

“Last time, we had a field trip in Daegu, courtesy of Yujin here.”

“Ahaha…and you all had the guts to leave me and Yena travel in the woods to get berries, to which we almost got lost, Hitomi.” Yujin added.

“Chaeyeon and I had to save your asses.”

“You were right about that, Eunbi,” said Chaeyeon.

“Anyway, let’s return to deciding the destination.” Eunbi spoke. “Who had the chance to get picked already?”

Yujin and Yena raised their arms quickly. Hitomi raised hers and everyone was reminded of their first and only overseas trip.

“That was quite the expenditure, Hiichan.” Yujin shared then draped an arm around a similarly taller friend. “Lucky, Wonyoung sponsored for the trip.”

“Sakura and Chaeyeon did too, even Hyewon donated food and only shared a few.” Wonyoung chuckled. “Back to the next trip, guys. Any ideas?”

“Can we go to Brazil?” 

“Too expensive, Nako.” Chaeyeon spoke. “The place is filled with festivities and football but we are settling a low budget travel.”

“How about the countryside here in our own country?” 

“Nice idea, Yuri.” Yena raised a thumb up.

Everyone thought it was a good idea. It was then that Chaewon finally talked, raising her hand. “Let’s have a vacation at Minju’s hometown.”

The same girl who erased the blackboard finally joined them, just in time for Chaewon’s suggestions. The circle of friends looked at Minju, leaving her to mumble. “I don’t know…”

“What do you mean, Min?” Yena asked, causing Yujin to laugh because of a pun.

“Family reunion.” Minju spoke. “All of my family will be at our ancestral home. My great grandfather is very strict that he doesn’t allow us to invite friends or be in another event with friends during a reunion.”

“Then we can just stay at a hotel or homestay. We can even schedule it after your family reunion.” Chaeyeon spoke. “Ready to sponsor extras, Kkura?”

“Only if Wonyoung will join in.”

Wonyoung was shocked yet most of the members pleaded. Wonyoung crossed her arms, saying. “I’ll only do so if Minju agrees that we’ll have it in her hometown.”

Most eyes were on the shocked Minju. The aces were persuading her, her fellow 01 trio pleaded, and the leaders of their circle reprimanded Hyewon and Wonyoung not to force her.

For Chaewon, she was neutral, all the while her conscience face-palmed herself because of the suggestion. For whatever it’s worth, she was going with whatever decision Minju imposed.

“Fine…” Minju sighed and everyone cheered.

“Are you sure about that, Min?” Chaewon asked.

“Killjoy.” Yena mumbled under her breath. “Says the one who suggested it.”

“I heard you, you duck.” Chaewon hissed and Yena laughed while doing a peace sign. “It’s just that what if Minju got pressured thanks to you guys insisting?”

Minju smiled lightly. Of their circle, Chaewon was always the one to have her back, the one who assured her feelings, and the one who would always do anything she requested. She may have been shocked of her suggestion but all was forgiven immediately.

Oh, how Chaewon was her angel…

“Min?”

No time for her inner thoughts. She returned to Chaewon’s attention, saying. “It’s okay…but you have to give me time to make the itinerary.”

“Approved.” Eunbi raised a thumb. “Alright. All of us must prepare our expenses. Rich trio will handle extras just in case. We’ll decide the final date after Minju finishes the itinerary.”

The twelve cheered and Eunbi adjourns their meeting. They finally got out of the classroom and decided to eat at their favorite ddeokbokki place. The idea caused Hyewon and Yujin to run quickly. The rest would catch up but in the case of Chaewon and Minju, they walked calmly side by side.

“Are you really okay about the vacation in Gwanak-gu?” Chaewon asked. 

“Says the one who suggested it.” Minju spoke, leaving them to chuckle. “We’re off to Mt. Gwanak where the hidden village is, anyway.”

“There’s a hidden village in that mountain?!” Chaewon wowed.

“Yeah. That’s actually where our family root is. We won’t be staying at a hotel or stay because there are none of those there.” Minju said then sighed. “I’ll have to ask my friends there to help me.”

“I’ll also help, Min.” Chaewon spoke. “You can talk to me about it. We’ll make the itinerary together with your friends so you won’t have a hard time.”

“Really?” Minju asked, eyes gleaming.

Chaewon took a while to reply. The gleam in Minju’s eyes caught her own, making her heart pound of the little ounces of love.

“I mean it, Min.” Chaewon assured her.

“Okay. Thank you, Ssamu.”

Chaewon raised a thumb and they smiled at each other, just in time for Yena and Yuri to catch up. 

“I feel a bit of tension,” said Yuri.

“Jokes on you, Yul. You and Yena have tension too.” Minju bickered.

Yena and Yuri denied while blushing. Chaewon chuckled silently.

“Are you two coming with us or what?” Yena asked.

“Coming.” Chaewon walked ahead as Minju followed behind.

Yena and Yuri ran ahead. Chaewon waited for Minju to catch up and they walked side by side again.

+++

It was the middle of the night. Minju was sitting by her desk, encoding the itinerary and chatting with her village friends and Chaewon through a virtual meeting. They were talking about the vacation and Minju’s friends suggested many activities to do and areas to visit. Minju took note of everything whereas Chaewon took note the ones that their circle would like.

That went on with an additional of jokes that they ended their meeting laughing. However, Chaewon and Minju were still online as they continued to laugh.

Your friends are a rowdy bunch, Min.

“They really are, Ssamu.” Minju spoke. “Thanks so much for helping with this.”

No sweat. See you this weekend.

“See you.” Minju spoke, feeling excited about discussing the final itinerary with her. “You should sleep now, Ssamu.”

You too. I’ll go ahead.

“Okay. Goodnight.”

Goodnight, Min.

Chaewon left the meeting and Minju closed the tab. She arranged her workstation and shuts her unit. She got to her bed and squealed, looking at the ceiling.

Minju didn’t understand as to how Chaewon stirred her emotions. She didn’t feel anything towards the latter yet her heart begged to differ.

“Aish, what am I thinking…” Minju mumbled and slept.