It was the last day for the twelve friends in the village and tomorrow will be their trip back to their homes. It would be a special day for them and a more special day for one of the members.

It was their last day but it was also Chaewon’s birthday.

They were still in Minju’s ancestral home. The Kims welcomed them so much that the friends slept in their home for the recent days, almost abandoning their stay. The ancestral home was huge so there was more room plus Minju’s grandmother wanted their company. For this morning, Chaewon became the earliest bird and decided to make breakfast for everyone. With Minju’s grandparents giving her full permission for their kitchen, Chaewon started working while being very careful not to break anything.

Chaewon whipped up a full course breakfast of chicken and kimchi fried rice with quail eggs, stir-fried kimchi, seaweed paper, and her famous grilled sausages that everyone loved a lot. She was also going to make rice croquettes and decided to let out the cream bread they bought as the dessert.

Chaewon started cooking at a quick and steady pace. She would alternately cook food and place them on the table. She was now making the croquettes when a pair of arms wrapped around her build. Chaewon froze a bit but as she saw the face, she smiled. “Good morning, Min.”

“Good morning, Ssamu.” Minju spoke with her eyes closed. “What are you cooking?”

“Breakfast. I’m almost done cooking.” Chaewon spoke.

Minju’s hug remained intact and Chaewon didn’t mind. She ended up serving the croquettes with a dangling cute frog on her back.

“Why don’t you call everyone?” Chaewon spoke.

Minju whined. Chaewon would persuade while doing her task. Minju would cling onto her, leaving Chaewon to flush as she finished cooking. She faced Minju and froze again when their faces were inches close to each other.

“Aigoo…there’s too much love so early in the morning.” Minju’s grandfather woke up first then gasped. “Who made this delicious breakfast?”

Chaewon raised a hand and he got closer to pinch her cheeks, even his granddaughter’s. “Aigoo…my little Minguri has finally found her partner.”

Minju whined out of embarrassment while Chaewon laughed it out. Although both felt flushed with his words, there was a little truth to it to which they didn’t deny. Nonetheless, the other family members and friends woke up and got to the table, wowing of the food.

“Darling, Chaewon made this.” Minju’s grandfather sat beside his wife. “And you should see her and Minguri close to each other.”

Everyone cooed, even the kids. Minju was embarrassed again. Chaewon assured that it was fine, leaving Minju to calm down.

There was always a way for Chaewon to stir Minju’s feelings and the latter wondered how she did it.

“This is actually a twist for the morning, Halmeoni.” Hyewon spoke.

“Why, Hyewon-ah?”

“That’s because it’s Chaewon’s – “

“Why don’t we eat breakfast now?” Minju interrupted and pulled Chaewon to sit beside her.

The family and friends agreed and thanked Chaewon before they ate. They enjoyed Chaewon’s cooking that Chaewon ate out of embarrassment, almost leading herself to choke but luckily, Minju saved her .

Everyone saw their connection but the two continued to deny. But for whatever it’s worth, time will come that the truth will free itself.

+++

Chaewon scratched her head as she was wandering around the village. She was tasked by Minju to run up many errands that would take her the whole day to finish. What’s worse was that she was doing it all alone.

“How did Min even…” Chaewon huffed and checked her list and map.

Chaewon’s task was to help every worker in the village – from the convenience store owner to the farmers. She wondered how to succeed in this task but who was she to reject it? To reject Minju?

Nonetheless, Chaewon did the tasks. She journeyed every building, talked to every worker, and did every task possible. The people admired Chaewon for her act of service and spared her anything as a token of gratitude – from food to little gifts. Despite the tiredness Chaewon received, she was happy to do a task that brought smiles upon peoples’ faces and created connections with the village itself. It made her conclude that Minju lived in a wonderful place filled with wonderful people.

“Enjoy your meal.” Chaewon grinned as she served soup to the customers.

They thanked her and Chaewon returned to the cashier. She checked her list and checked the final box.

“Chaewon-ssi~” The restaurant owner spoke. “You should return to the Kims. It’s getting late.”

“Is that okay, Mr. Shim?”

“Of course, it is.” He spoke and handed a gift. “It’s for you, Chaewon-ssi. I heard from Minju that it was your birthday today.”

Chaewon was shocked yet she accepted the gift, placing it in her larger bag of gifts from the other people. 

“You should go home and celebrate your special day.”

“I will, Mr. Shim.” Chaewon spoke. “There’s one thing I want to ask, Mr. Shim.”

“What is it?”

“May I use your landline?” Chaewon asked. “My phone’s dead plus I need to call the Kim residence for something important.”

Mr. Shim was obliged before he returned to work. Chaewon was relieved and typed a number on the phone. She held the receiver close to her ear and waited for an answer.

Hello?

“Is this you, Yen?”

Yeah. What is it?

“Can you let Minju answer the phone, please?”

Yena cooed on the other line but Chaewon shuts her up. After a series of background noises, Chaewon got to hear Minju’s voice. “Min, mind me for calling to this number. My phone’s dead.”

It’s fine. Are you done with your task?

“Yep. Finally.” Chaewon huffed. “I felt like a politician.”

Minju’s laugh rang and Chaewon couldn’t hold a smile. “I’m coming home.”

You can’t yet. You need to do one more task.

“What? Oh, come on!” Chaewon huffed. “I’m tired, Min. Why can’t I go home yet?”

Buy me a hair clip first.

Chaewon chuckled again. “Alright.”

Minju hung up. Chaewon got her bag, bided Mr. Shim farewell, and went out to ride her bike towards a familiar store. She wanted to do the process quick and parked her bike close to a familiar store.

“You’re back again, Chaewon-ssi?”

“I am, Mrs. Baek.” Chaewon spoke. “I’m buying a clip for Minju.”

Mrs. Baek showed the best ones to Chaewon. Chaewon wowed of the designs when one of them caught her eyes. It was white with a little frog on the side.

“It also comes with this.” Mrs. Baek showed its counterpart; a mint clip with a koala on the side. “I’ll give you a discount if you buy the two.”

“I’ll take them.” Chaewon raised a thumb up.

Mrs. Baek placed the clips on different decorated boxes. Chaewon accepted them and got excited to go home, hoping to give the clip to Minju.

“Happy birthday again, Chaewon-ssi.”

“Thank you.” Chaewon bowed as she got to her bike and drove.

“Be careful when you cross the steep hill!” Mrs. Baek yelled as Chaewon rang the bike’s bell.

Chaewon drove within the village’s streets as quick as she could due to her excitement in seeing everyone again, especially Minju. She got to the steep hill and drove down, applying brakes to prevent her from crashing. 

She managed to stop at a junction but she realized too late as light flashed before her eyes.

+++

In the Kim household, everyone was busy preparing the place. Minju’s family got the word of Chaewon’s birthday and worked on a surprise for her; a reason to why Chaewon was sent outside and was doing a lot of work.

“Is she coming home?” Chaeyeon asked.

“I gave her one last errand, hoping it could buy us some time.” Minju added. “Yena-unnie! Are the balloons done?”

“Done!” She and Yuri presented the balloons. 
“The cake? Decorations?”

Chaeyeon and Eunbi showed the cakes: one chocolate and one mint chocolate. Hyewon and Sakura showed the streamers and the Happy Birthday sign as Hyewon was stopped by Sakura from gawking at the cakes.

“Gifts?”

“All arranged.” Wonyoung and Yujin spoke from the living room.

“She’s coming!” Nako yelled as she and Hitomi were right by the door.

Everyone finished their tasks and went to hide. Hitomi did the honors of going outside to meet Chaewon but as she got to the gate, she grew frantic.

Chaewon returned home but she was limping. The bike was damaged, her bag’s left strap broke, and her knees and elbows were bruised.

“Ssamu-unnie – “

“Sh! Don’t say anything…” Chaewon spat. “I got on an accident along the way.”

“W-Why?” Hitomi whispered her distress.

“I got careless. I was almost hit by a car.” Chaewon pointed at the bike’s damages. “I got to drive away but I skidded down the hill and injured myself.”

“Aish! Let’s heal you first!”

“Wait.” Chaewon stopped her again. “I can’t go inside looking like this. Everyone will kill me, especially Min! Just help me clean up. Please?”

Hitomi understood her plight and told Chaewon to wait so she can grab a wet cloth. Chaewon parked the damaged bike and got her bag. Hitomi returned with a wet cloth and Chaewon wiped herself.

“Did it get to your clothes?” Hitomi asked. “I got some bandages from the shed’s first-aid kit.”

“It did but I’ll try to hide it.” Chaewon spoke as she patched her wounds. “Thanks for this, Hiichan.”

“Sure. Anything for Minju’s beloved.” Hitomi smirked as Chaewon blushed.

Hitomi lets Chaewon follow her inside. The room was dark but Hitomi insisted Chaewon that she should just follow her. Chaewon walked with idle steps through the darkness until she stopped, feeling Hitomi was no longer by her side.

“Hiichan! Where are – “

“SURPRISE!” Everyone came out of their hiding spots.

Chaewon was frozen, hearing them sing the Happy Birthday song and feeling her heart growing soft with every line sang. What made it made the most special moment was that Minju got closer to her, holding a mint chocolate cake with a candle on the middle.

“Happy birthday, Ssamu.”

Chaewon whispered her thanks before blowing the candle. The rest cheered and cooed.

“Was this why I had to go around the village all day?”

Minju nodded and Chaewon couldn’t help but hug her. Minju hugged back as Chaeyeon placed the cake she was holding on the table. Chaewon also got to hug her friends and Minju’s family as a sign of gratitude for the surprise.

“Party time~” Yena cheered and popped the confetti.

“More like dinner time.” Hyewon added and zoomed towards the dining table.

Everyone followed the food lover. Chaewon stayed a bit adoring everything that had happened. Minju was still by her side, noticing a bandage by her elbow. It made her worried that she reached for it…

…until Chaewon noticed her and stopped her hand from grabbing it.

“We’ll settle this later.” Chaewon whispered.

Minju gulped of their distance. Chaewon’s hold became gentle, intertwining her fingers with Minju’s. The two ended up looking at each other’s eyes and out of impulse, their distances grew shorter.

“Save the best for last, Ssamu.” Hyewon cackled while eating cake. “Join us, birthday girl and birthday gift.”

“Hey!” The two broke then snapped before following Hyewon towards the dining room.

+++

The simple celebration was a blast. The family and friends had a great time eating food, doing fun activities, and sharing sentiments of the vacation. Being the birthday girl, Chaewon shared and received sentiments the most.

“Ssamu, we have a gift for you.” Minju’s grandparents addressed.

Everyone got excited. Chaewon drew closer and watched as Minju’s grandparents got their necklaces out. 

“Halmeoni…Harabeoji…your necklaces.” Minju spoke.

“It won’t be ours anymore.” Her grandmother pulled her to sit next to Chaewon. 

The friends witnessed with awe and wonder. Chaewon and Minju ended up looking at each other and wondered as well.

“What do you think about the mudan trees around the village, Ssamu?” Minju’s grandfather asked.

“The blossoms reach for the sunlight above, Harabeoji...” Chaewon spoke. “…yet, unseen, the roots reach for the rainwater below.”

“What do you think it implies, Minguri?” Her grandmother asked next.

“Sun and rain. They’re so different yet only by working together do they create harmony and life.” Minju answered. “Halmeoni, Harabeoji, you used to tell us this; the lesson of Yin and Yang. You usually tell this when…”

“When?” Everyone, including Chaewon, asked.

“…when you find suitable pairs for our family members.” Minju spoke then reacted. “Halmeoni, Harabeoji – “

The grandparents shushed their granddaughter and connected their necklaces. The friends maintained their excitement and interest. For Chaewon, she couldn’t believe what was happening.

“This used to belong to our first ancestors that made our clan possible. It was passed down to the family’s potential partners and now…” Minju’s grandfather puts his on Chaewon’s. “…yours.”

Minju felt her grandmother’s necklace on her and looked at the pendant. “They’re so beautiful, Halmeoni.”

“Thank you, Harabeoji…Halmeoni.” Chaewon bowed.

“But…you’ll be surprised how heavily they can weigh.” He spoke. “To share the burden, you must work together, like the sun and rain.”

The coos returned. Chaewon and Minju looked at each other again, especially at each other’s pendants.

“Halmeoni, Harabeoji.” Nako raised. “What if fate won’t let them be together?”

Everyone had a look towards her. The grandparents didn’t mind and answered her.

“That will only happen if they’re not meant for each other.” Minju’s grandfather spoke. “No matter the lapses are, if two are destined, fate will play its way for them to reunite.”

Nako wowed and understood his answer and they cooed at the susceptible duo. Chaewon and Minju thanked the grandparents before returning to their spots since most of them were eager to listen to the grandparents’ stories.

Chaewon and Minju felt something towards each other. Their intimate friendship was a factor but this vacation alone made them draw closer. The grandparents giving them their sentimental necklaces became the rising point; a sign that the two had the highest potential to be together.

However, both couldn’t help but feel that there was a thin yet strong wall between them, avoiding them to truly profess their feelings.

+++

Later that evening, the friends had a sentimental goodbye to the Kim family. They had to return to their stay to prepare in returning back to the city proper. It was a moment of long hugs and kisses, especially for Minju. 

“Thank you for the wonderful times we had, Halmeoni. Harabeoji.” Eunbi spoke as the 12 of them bowed.

“Our pleasure, children. You can always come again.” Minju’s grandfather spoke after giving them hugs.

“Always take care of yourselves, okay?” Minju’s grandmother added then pointed at Chaewon and Minju. “Especially you two.”

They all nodded. They gave one last hugs to the family before going to their bikes and riding back to their stay. Chaewon checked the bike and managed to ride it but with its damage, she had to grip on the handlebars to avoid wobbling. Within minutes, they got to their stay. Everyone raced to park their bikes and zoomed towards the showers. Chaewon was at the last of the race and went to the bedroom instead. 

“Ssamu?” Minju managed to follow her. “Can we talk?”

Chaewon nodded as Minju closed the door behind her. She sat on her own bed, facing Chaewon. Her eyes had an intense look at the latter, especially with her ruined bag filled with gifts and the bandages on her knees.

“I reckoned you got hurt.” Minju began as her lips quivered out of worry.

“It’s nothing, Min.” Chaewon spoke as she got the gifts out of the bag.

Minju watched the various stuff Chaewon got from the villagers. What caught her eyes was cute white box with a ribbon on top.

“You like this one, huh?” Chaewon got the box and handed it to her. “It’s for you.”

Minju held the box like it was the most precious thing in the world. She slowly opened it saw the clip. 

She knew it was just a distraction for her surprise but with Chaewon being serious, she couldn’t hold her happiness. “Ssamu…”

“It even has a match.” Chaewon spoke and puts on an identical clip.

Chaewon got up to put the clip on Minju. She lets Minju face the mirror and the white clip matched her brown hair. “Lovely, isn’t it?”

“Very.” Minju turned to look at her then hugged her. “Thank you.”

“Thank you, Min…for the surprise.” Chaewon replied before hugging back.

It took time for them to let go. In fact, none of them wanted to. It was then that Chaewon hummed a tune and they did a slow dance inside the room, letting a night lamp’s glow fill the area. Minju hugged Chaewon closer and just indulged in her embrace, shutting her eyes and letting this moment become everything.

After all, Chaewon was slowly becoming her everything.

“The clip and necklace look really good on you, Min.” Chaewon stopped humming yet her hug was still intact. “You should wear them.”

“I am wearing them, silly.” Minju chuckled.

“Sorry. I’m trying to give compliments.” Chaewon chuckled.

“Nice try, Ssamu. I hope it doesn’t sugarcoat your accident. How did you get hurt, anyway?”

Chaewon broke and gulped, facing an angry yet worried Minju. She regretted hiding it on the party but she was willing to tell Minju now.

“I rode recklessly and almost got hit by a car. I ended up skidding and hurt my knees and elbows.” Chaewon spoke, holding Minju’s hands. “I’m sorry if I hid it. I just didn’t want to ruin the happiness. I’m also sorry for the bike.”

“The bike can be fixed but what if you got broken?” Minju spoke, still worried.

“Hey…if the Almighty gave me another year, then I’ll live long.” Chaewon hugged her again. “I’m fine. I’m right here.”

Minju sighed and hugged back again. Chaewon broke after a few minutes to hold her hands but Minju was quicker, cupping Chaewon’s cheek. 

“Ssamu…I…”

“What is it?”

Everything went slow and steady. They were glued to each other’s gazes, falling in the spiral of love…

…and falling to its kiss.

But no. The wall was between them again.

“You’re doing fine.” They both spoke at the same time.

They apologized for their simultaneous words until it broke out on little laughs. Chaewon lets Minju shower first and sat on her bed to continue sorting her things. As Minju got her towel and went to the bathroom, Chaewon lets out a sigh.

The vacation was over yet she didn’t muster her courage to tell how she truly felt about Minju. She felt like she disgraced her grandparents’ hopes of them to be paired up.

+++

The next morning came and the 12 friends got to the village’s entrance to say their farewells to their families and friends. Minju shared the sentiments the most as she hugged her family and friends.

“Visit us again, okay?” Kyumin spoke and the girls nodded.

The girls hopped in the cart and Mr. Tiu slowly drove off. The girls waved at the people until they were far enough. 

“Thank you for this vacation, Min.” Eunbi voiced out. “It might be within the city but being in Mt. Gwanak was the greatest.”

“Approved.” Hyewon raised her thumbs up as everyone followed.

“No sweat, guys. Glad you loved the vacation.” Minju nodded then spared a look at Chaewon.

Chaewon was expressive yet silent throughout the trip. Minju knew why she was like that but she was just a coward too. She didn’t portray her feeling for Chaewon and if her ancestors were alive, they would scold her for not sticking to tradition; that her grandparents’ efforts would be all for nothing.

It became that way until they returned to the mountain’s entrance. The girls got down and thanked the Tius, even Minju tackled Kreisha for a hug.

“See you at university soon.” Kreisha spoke.

Minju nodded throughout the hug as the rest also thanked Kreisha and her dad for the . As the Tius spoke their goodbyes and rode back, the 12 girls went to the bus station and boarded a bus back home. The buddy system remained, leaving Chaewon and Minju to sit in silence.

The 12 girls bid farewell one by one as they got down to their destinations. Chaewon and Minju would remain last as they lived in neighboring districts and would go  down at the last stop. As they arrived, they stepped out of the bus and remained at the stop, even when the bus drove off.

Both were frozen thinking about yesterday. Both were torn between expressing and hiding. Most importantly, both realized that forcing it wasn’t going to make everything well.

“Shall I take you home, Min?” Chaewon asked.

Minju nodded lightly and the two went east. They stopped by a set of stairs and Minju faces Chaewon. Chaewon felt time growing slow just by looking at her, even her dense self joined in.

“What are you looking at, Min?” 

“You. I just want to because who knows…” Minju spoke. “…it might take forever to see you again.”

“Jeez…too cheesy…” Chaewon commented. “...but I’ll buy that.”

Chaewon tried to laugh it off but Minju grew serious. She shuts herself and froze when Minju cupped her cheeks. 

“We should hang out today.” Minju spoke.

“I’d love to…but I have other stuff to do.” Chaewon answered. “And I think you’d go to cram school starting today.”

Minju frowned. Chaewon held her hands down and comforted through a hug. “Hey. Don’t be like that. There’s still school, your birthday, and our graduation so we still have time to meet.”

“The rest of out friends will come, even my family.”

“Then we’ll have our own day together.” Chaewon added. “You’re meeting someone near here for that moment, right?”

“You better show me a smile on that day.”

Chaewon chuckled. Minju couldn’t help but cup her cheeks again. “Just like this one.”

“Roger that.” Chaewon nodded. “You should go. It’s about to rain.”

“You better get home safely.” Minju turned her around and pushed her lightly.

“Back to you.” Chaewon pointed out before walking away.

Chaewon continued to walk as the torn heart returned. She shook her head off of those thoughts and continued to walk.

“Ssamu-ya~”

Chaewon stopped to look back but Minju was out of sight. For some reason, her confusion left a smile.

“Ssamu-ya~”

Chaewon shook her head lightly and went on, her smile still intact. Despite being torn, she was cherishing a captured moment in Mt. Gwanak with her friends…

With Minju…

They shared emotions, they vow to meet on the special days…

…but who knew it was the last time they’ll ever sense each other?