Yoohyeon was about to unlock her car when a loud voice shattered the calm atmosphere. "Kim Yoohyeon!" The sound of hurried footsteps echoed behind her, causing her to turn and face the source of the commotion. It was then she found Gahyeon approaching her with a grin on her face.

Curious, Yoohyeon mustered up a smile despite her exhaustion from a long and tiring day at work. "What's up?" she asked, glancing around to ensure their conversation remained private. She knew all too well how out-of-pocket Gahyeon could be at times, and this is a school, not a place for indecency. At least Yoohyeon thought, and we don't talk about how wild high school students can be.

Without hesitation, Gahyeon playfully draped her arms around Yoohyeon's shoulders, drawing her in close for a confidential exchange. "Let's grab a drink, Miss Kim," she whispered mischievously with a giggle Yoohyeon would define as strange.

Yoohyeon chuckled, gently pushing Gahyeon away while maintaining an amused expression. "Seriously, do you really have to be so weird about it? We can always text, you know."

This made Gahyeon eye her in a dramatic way, crossing her arms instead. "But you always leave me on read."

With a playful roll of her eyes, Yoohyeon defended herself. "You were bombarding me with memes! What am I supposed to say to that?"

Gahyeon simply huffed with a roll of her eyes. "I have a friend I want you to meet. So, you better show up at my house tonight." Leaving Yoohyeon to sigh in exasperation, Gahyeon walked away, leaving her to contemplate the upcoming encounter all by herself.

Yoohyeon stood in front of Gahyeon's house that evening, slightly confused about this mysterious friend she was about to meet. She couldn't help but wonder what Gahyeon was thinking. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door.

The door swung open, revealing a beaming Gahyeon, who eagerly dragged Yoohyeon inside. The house was filled with warmth, and Yoohyeon sensed an air of excitement lingering in the atmosphere.

As they entered the living room, Yoohyeon's eyes landed on a stranger sitting on the couch, watching the TV. It was someone she had never met before. She felt a tinge of nervousness and curiosity, unsure of what to expect.

Gahyeon, noticing Yoohyeon's slight hesitation, grinned mischievously. "Yoohyeon, meet Handong! She's the friend I've been telling you about. I thought you two would get along really well."

Handong stood up and greeted Yoohyeon, extending her hand with a warm smile. "Hi, it's nice to finally meet you, Yoohyeon. Gahyeon has been singing your praises." Yoohyeon was silent for a moment, a little taken aback by how Handong bear similar features as her, causing her to take a quick glance at Gahyeon.

But, in the end, she shook Handong's hand and returned the smile. "Praises alone, I hope."

Gahyeon chuckled, clearly pleased with the outcome. "I'll leave you two to get buddy-buddy. Don't worry; I won't be too far away. I'll only be, like, a room away."

As Gahyeon left them alone, Yoohyeon and Handong settled into a comfortable conversation. In a short time, they discovered shared interests, exchanged stories, and laughed at each other's jokes. 

Shortly enough, their conversation was interrupted by Gahyeon coming back with a few bottles and glasses in her arms, placing them down on the coffee table. "I brought the goods, and I, Lee Gahyeon, vow never to leave your glasses empty," she said, grinning ear to ear.

True to her words, their glasses were never empty indeed. There they were, slightly tipsy and giggly, but a particular someone ended up being a little too out of it. 

And you guessed it; it was Kim Yoohyeon.

Her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, and her usually composed demeanor loosened which made her more candid about her personal life.

"You know, it's funny. I've been single for so long. I mean, really long. I couldn't seem to find anyone who I could truly connect with." This confession made them laugh, with Gahyeon's especially resonating inside her home.

"Feeling lonely, aren't we, Miss Kim?" She teased, causing a frown to emerge on Yoohyeon's face. With a mischievous grin, Gahyeon pulled out her phone and slyly showed Yoohyeon a photo. "Hey, remember that one pretty class rep of yours in high school?" she teased again, wiggling her eyebrows.

Yoohyeon's eyes widened upon seeing the photo, her surprise evident on her face. "Why would you..." She attempted to snatch Gahyeon's phone away, but Gahyeon was quicker, eagerly showing the photo to Handong.

"Pretty, right?" Gahyeon exclaimed with enthusiasm, almost shoving her phone into Handong's face. Handong winced at the sudden proximity but managed to catch a glimpse of the person in the photo.

"Oh? Minji?" Handong said, her voice tinged with recognition.

Gahyeon stumbled closer to Handong, her excitement palpable. "You know her!?" Gahyeon's loud outburst made Handong wince again, but she nodded in response.

"She's pretty popular on our campus," Handong replied. "Wait, I think your cousin is friends with her."

"Siyeon?" Gahyeon's eyes widened further in disbelief.

"Yes, Siyeon," Handong confirmed.

"And I had no idea? How outrageous!" Gahyeon exclaimed, eyes wide with surprise.

"Why do you care anyway?" Yoohyeon mumbled, her words slightly slurred due to the effects of the alcohol she had consumed. 

"It's because of you, ," Gahyeon replied.

Handong watched their playful interaction with amusement, realizing that Yoohyeon's past crush on Minji was a topic of conversation between them. She couldn't help but be curious about their history.

"Were they exes?" Handong asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Gahyeon pondered for a moment, tapping her chin with a finger. "Crush. Ex-crush," she clarified. "I swear it wasn't one-sided, but Minji never confessed, so who knows at this point?"

Handong leaned back as she processed Gahyeon's words. "I can go undercover and ask her if you want," she suggested, a smirk could be seen on her complexion. "I know where she works."

Gahyeon's eyes widened with a mischievous glimmer. "Oh, you're such a genius!" she whispered eagerly. "Approach her and let me know if it seems like she's still... you know..."

Handong smirked, feeling a sudden surge of confidence. She leaned closer to Gahyeon, their faces almost touching. "I think my face alone can determine that," she whispered back, her voice laced with playfulness.

Gahyeon couldn't resist the opportunity for a playful gesture. With a gasp, she lightly cuffed Handong's face, her eyes widening in mock surprise. "You're right!" she exclaimed. "If you dress like teen Yoohyeon, she would definitely do a double take." In her own words, Gahyeon swung her head to the side twice, making Handong laugh at her antics.

With the master plan they had in mind, Handong walked into the store- where Minji was working. She dressed as planned, a long light blue ripped jeans paired with a black hoodie along with a pair of glasses to top it off. On her way in, she passes by a familiar face, confirming that her target is inside. She entered and approached Minji, halting her steps about a foot away from the counter, putting on her best act as a clueless customer, and making some gestures with her hands. "Do you- uh… do you have?"

"Huh?" Minji replied.

"For injuries?" 

"Band-aids?" Handong made sure to look even slightly relieved and excited before replying with an excited 'yes.' She could see why Gahyeon badly wanted Minji and Yoohyeon together when she saw how Minji smiled, politely pointing at the shelf where the band-aids should be.

And there it is, the first flag. Handong could feel Minji stealing a few glances her way when she was browsing the shelves up to the moment she returned to the counter to pay. She's a little surprised by how easy it was. "You're Kim Minji, right?" Handong decided to ask as she paid for the stuff she bought. 

It caught Minji off guard, but she didn't hesitate to confirm with a nod. This made Handong smile and chuckle before deciding to introduce herself. "I'm Handong; I heard about you from my classmates,"

"Nothing negative, I hope,"

"No way! They…” Handong paused for a moment, scared to give away her fluency in Korean. "…admire you. Well, most of them do," She did remind Gahyeon about how useless and a waste of effort acting like a clueless foreigner would be, but Gahyeon insisted. And Handong wasn't one who could refuse a pouting Gahyeon.

"Really? I'm honored," 

"Hope to see you soon," Now that the first flag has been raised, they can move to the next step in their plan.

A few days passed, and Handong visited Minji at the store again. This time, she decided not to buy anything and just went straight for business.

"Hi," Handong greeted, making sure to smile as brightly as possible.

"Oh! How may I help you?" 

Handong kept silent, acting like she was struggling again. God, I'm getting tired of this… but anything for Gahyeon. Handong thought as she sighed. After a while, she spoke, "I don't have many friends here, and I'm wondering if you want to be my friend,"

"Of course!" She saw the way the corner of Minji's lips twitched, and when she attempted to shamelessly flirt with Handong, Handong's confidence faltered, and she started to hesitate. Did she move on or something? 

Handong sat in her room, her phone pressed to her ear as she spoke to Gahyeon. The concern in her voice was evident as she voiced her doubts. "Gahyeon, let's say... if we were to be wrong about this..." Handong trailed off, her voice laced with uncertainty.

Gahyeon, on the other end of the line, could sense Handong's unease. "What?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

Handong took a deep breath before continuing. "She flirted with me," she admitted, her voice tinged with concern. "That's not a good sign."

Gahyeon's voice turned more serious as she processed Handong's words. "Minji did? Wait, hold on a second," Gahyeon's voice trailed off as some noise could be heard in the background. Maybe something was dropping to the ground; Handong couldn't really tell. "Can we meet in person and talk about this later? I'm a bit busy right now."

Handong, despite being slightly confused, agreed. "Of course," she replied, her voice soothing and reassuring. "I'll make time for you. Let's meet up as soon as you're free."

With that, Gahyeon hung up the call.

The bustling café was filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of lively conversations. Handong sat at a corner table, calmly awaiting Gahyeon's arrival. Her mind was occupied with the thoughts of Minji's flirtation and how it will change their plan, but she hoped that meeting Gahyeon in person would provide some clarity. Gahyeon is quite the mastermind, after all.

Just as Handong was lost in her thoughts, she heard a familiar voice call out, "Handong!" Looking up, she spotted Gahyeon walking towards her, accompanied by another person. It was none other than Siyeon.

Handong's eyes widened in surprise and delight. "Hi, Siyeon," she greeted, rising from her seat. Siyeon reciprocated the excitement, and the two embraced in a warm hug.

Gahyeon grinned mischievously. "I didn't know you two are cozy enough for hugs," she said, amused by the coincidence.

Handong laughed, feeling a sense of relief and comfort seeing a familiar face in this situation. "We're actually from the same book club," she explained to Gahyeon. "Siyeon and I have spent countless hours discussing our favorite novels and sharing book recommendations."

Siyeon nodded enthusiastically. "It's true! Handong has impeccable taste in literature."

Gahyeon interjected playfully, "And now, she needs your impeccable sleuthing skills to uncover the truth about Minji's feelings."

Siyeon's face lightens up. "You like Minji? Like- like, like her?"

"What? No! That would be a disaster." Handong replied, her eyes wide.

Gahyeon shrugged nonchalantly. "We're actually doing this for Yoohyeon. Well- Minji and Yoohyeon, if we're sure it's not one-sided."

Siyeon grinned. "I have some good news for you," Siyeon leaned closer to the other two. "Minji never moved on."

This resulted in Gahyeon celebrating with a loud laugh and some hand-clapping. 

Handong sipped her coffee, intrigued by the unfolding revelation and rather amused with how excited this made Gahyeon.

"So, Siyeon, you and Minji are close friends?" Handong asked, despite having an inkling about it. Though, she'd never heard it from said people themselves.

Siyeon nodded, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, absolutely! Minji and I actually met at a music festival a few years ago. We were both fans of the same indie band and instantly clicked like magnets."

Gahyeon chimed in, a mischievous grin on her face. "Are you sure it wasn't because of her hot friend, Bora?" 

Siyeon completely ignored her, much to Gahyeon's dismay.

"How can we make it feel natural?" Gahyeon pondered aloud, looking at Siyeon and Handong for ideas.

Siyeon chimed in, pointing at Gahyeon. "I can ask Minji to meet up, and you can reach out to Yoohyeon. Then, we'll both stand them up and lock them in together."

Handong raised an eyebrow, considering the outrageous plan. "And where should this 'lock-in' happen, exactly?" she asked.

Siyeon smirked mischievously. "The campus toilet?"

Handong shook her head in disagreement. "Disgusting."

"But what if Yoohyeon refuses, thinking I have ulterior motives?" Gahyeon voiced her concern. Oh, wow, great minds think alike, huh? Handong thought sarcastically, seeing how easily Gahyeon accepted the ridiculous plan with an even more ridiculous meet-up spot.

Siyeon shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, she's not entirely wrong. You do have ulterior motives," she teased playfully, earning a playful swat from Gahyeon.

Handong interjected with another suggestion. "I have a different idea. Our club's annual dinner is coming up soon. What if we persuade Dohwa, our club president, to organize a night where everyone invites their friends for drinks and good company?"

Siyeon's eyes lit up with excitement. "So, you want me to invite Minji to the dinner, and you'll invite Yoohyeon," she summarized.

Handong nodded. "Exactly."

Gahyeon pouted, feeling a bit left out. "But what about me? Yoohyeon might grow suspicious if she sees Minji there and I'm around. Does that mean I have to skip out on this?" 

Siyeon paused for a moment, then a mischievous smile spread across her face. "What if you sneak in for a quick glimpse? You can take me home afterward. If Minji gets a bit tipsy, she might end up leaving in Yoohyeon's car."

Handong raised a concern. "But we need to be careful. Some guys can get a bit flirtatious and persistent around pretty girls. Especially with alcohol around…."

Gahyeon smirked, matching Siyeon's mischievousness. "Well, Yoohyeon can be just as protective when it comes to Minji," she retorted. "Maybe we'll witness a knight in shining armor saving the drunk damsel in distress."

Handong chuckled, realizing the small truth in Gahyeon's statement. "Alright, let's coordinate our plan and ensure everything falls into place."

As they continued to discuss the details, an air of excitement filled the room. Their plan was taking shape, and they couldn't help but feel over-excited playing Cupid.

The club dinner was in full swing, with lively conversations, laughter, and the sound of clinking glasses filling the air. Handong glanced around, making sure everything was going smoothly while keeping an eye out for Yoohyeon's arrival. Siyeon and Minji arrived earlier, and she decided to make her entry.

"Hi," She greeted Minji.

"Handong!" 

Siyeon made an 'O' with before asking, "You two knew each other?"

"Yeah, we met at my workplace," Minji replied, and Siyeon eyed her, but Minji ignored her and started chatting with Handong instead. While Minji was busy talking, Siyeon raised an eyebrow at Handong as if saying, 'You never told us about this' before she looked away, deciding to take in the room.

Though, something else caught her attention when she turned around to face the entryway. "Oh?" Their second target had arrived, but she couldn't be too sure just yet.

Then, Siyeon heard the Yoohyeon-looking woman greet someone standing right beside Siyeon, who replied with words enough to confirm her identity. There's no mistaking it now. "Nice seeing you here, Yoohyeon."

Siyeon let out a little gasp, and her eyes widened. She looked at Minji briefly, whose tongue some cat definitely got.

As the night progressed, the music played, and the drinks flowed freely; Siyeon discreetly slipped away from the crowded area, finding Gahyeon standing by the entrance.

Gahyeon glanced at Siyeon, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Had enough of the chaos?"

Siyeon nodded, her eyes glancing back at Minji, who was now engaged in accepting guys filling up her empty glass with beer. "I think it's time we make our exit, soldier."

Gahyeon chuckled. "Leave tipsy Minji behind for Yoohyeon to handle? I'm on."

Handong observed the scene unfolding before her as they settled at the table, dishes and drinks being served one by one. Minji was clearly speechless to see Yoohyeon, and the longing in her eyes was evident. Before eating, Yoohyeon tied her hair, and Handong couldn't help but notice Minji's eyes were glued on Yoohyeon the whole time. Good gracious. 

As the guys at the table inched forward, offering Minji a bottle of beer and the opportunity to pour her a glass, Handong observed the scene with caution. She recognized the subtle competition for Minji's attention, each man looking for an opportunity to impress her. Minji accepted the first glass poured for her, giving a polite smile and bowing her head briefly to show respect. The situation escalated as more glasses were offered, and Minji found herself unable to refuse, ending up with two more glasses in front of her.

It was at this moment that Yoohyeon unintentionally spilled the supposed third glass, chuckling in a cheery tone. Handong felt her eye twitching as it seemed like the guy thought this was a competition for his attention between the two women. Seeking to diffuse the tension, he turned to Yoohyeon and offered, "Would you like me to pour for you instead?"

Uncomfortable at the scene, Handong let out a loud scoff as she tried to pick up a piece of chicken with her chopsticks. Handong could feel their eyes on her and felt the weight of their stares.

Thankfully, Dohwa jokingly asked if Handong had chicken bones stuck in , and Handong maintained her composure. She kept her eyes fixed on the chicken piece in front of her, muttering to herself, "The audacity of this chicken." She knew that her actions were being scrutinized, but she remained steadfast.

"I think that's about enough drinks for you, Dongie," Dohwa remarked, and Handong was grateful for his ability to shift the attention away from her sober state. Inside, she's amazed by the seamless redirection, especially now, knowing that she had created a space for Minji and Yoohyeon to reconnect, even if it was just for a moment.

As Minji stood up and excused herself to the bathroom, Handong couldn't help but notice the guy from earlier attempting to stand up and accompany her, insisting that it was dangerous for a lady to be alone outside while tipsy. Handong felt a surge of protectiveness for Minji, knowing that she was more than capable of taking care of herself. She watched as Minji ignored the guy's offer and left, seemingly unfazed by his presence.

At that moment, Handong exchanged a knowing glance with Yoohyeon, who took it upon herself to firmly drag the guy back down into his seat. Handong admired Yoohyeon's unspoken support for Minji, recognizing the unspoken bond they shared. It was clear that Yoohyeon had Minji's back, no matter what. All while they were unaware of each other's feelings.

Handong couldn't help but feel a small pang of envy toward them. It wasn't that she resented them or wished ill upon them. On the contrary, she cared for them both dearly, despite only knowing them for a while. 

Feeling the need for some fresh air, Handong excused herself from the table and made her way outside. The cool night breeze caressed her face, momentarily soothing her thoughts. As she leaned against a nearby wall, Handong pulled out her phone and typed a message to Yoohyeon.

"Hey, I'm going to head back home with someone else. You're free to leave too if you want. Let's catch up later." Handong pressed send, hoping that their plan was enough, and now it was time for Yoohyeon and Minji to figure things out themselves.

Handong couldn't help but smile at Gahyeon's description of their predicament as "mutual pining." Perhaps, in time, things would become clearer, and they would all find the happiness and understanding they sought.

It went well, good for them. That's what Handong thought, along with everyone else.

Months after the club dinner, Minji took the initiative to organize the get-together, extending an invitation to Siyeon and Bora. Siyeon, always up for a good time, readily accepted the invitation, her mischievous smile lighting up the room. Bora, known for her caring nature, was thrilled to be a part of the celebration and eagerly agreed to join. Meanwhile, Yoohyeon reached out to Gahyeon and Handong, who were both thrilled to attend. Gahyeon, feeling a connection with someone new, decided to bring her friend Yubin along.

Handong sat amidst the laughter and celebration, her gaze occasionally flickering towards Gahyeon and Yubin. Confusion swirled within her as she observed their interactions. There was no denying the connection between them, an undeniable spark that seemed to dance in their eyes. Handong would be crazy to deny it.

As she watched Gahyeon's smile grow wider in Yubin's presence, a pang of longing tugged at her heart. She couldn't help but question her own feelings, unsure of the nature of her emotions. It was as if a storm raged within her, mixing admiration, friendship, and something deeper she couldn't quite decipher. Is this what Yoohyeon and Minji were dealing with? She couldn't help but laugh inwardly, it was almost as if it was some kind of infectious disease, and now she'd been infected.

Gahyeon, her dear friend, had always been a source of comfort for Handong. They shared countless conversations, moments of laughter, and a bond that had grown over time. But now, as Gahyeon's attention seemed to gravitate towards Yubin, Handong couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy. She longed for that special connection, someone who would look at her with the same adoration and affection.

With a heavy sigh, Handong turned her attention back to the group, forcing a smile to mask her internal turmoil. She tried to remind herself that love and relationships were complex and everyone's journey was unique. It was natural for Gahyeon to find someone who stirred her heart, just as Yubin did.

Yet, Handong couldn't shake off the ache of longing deep within her. She yearned for a love that would sweep her off her feet, a connection that would leave her breathless. As much as she cherished her friendship with Gahyeon, a part of her desire to experience that romantic bliss she saw unfolding before her eyes. With Gahyeon.

The evening continued with laughter and camaraderie, but Handong found herself lost in her thoughts, wrestling with her conflicting emotions. She couldn't deny the joy she felt for Gahyeon and Yubin, but at the same time, a tinge of sadness washed over her.

In a quiet moment, Handong stole a glance at Yoohyeon and Minji, their love radiating from their smiles and the way their fingers intertwined. She couldn't help but envy the depth of their connection, the way they found solace and happiness in each other. It was a reminder of what she longed for, what she yearned to experience.

As the night drew to a close, Handong gathered her strength and approached Gahyeon, a bittersweet smile playing on her lips.

"Goodnight, and good luck with your girl," Handong wished, masking her own longing behind words of support and happiness. When she saw how Gahyeon became flustered at her words, Handong almost felt guilty for her selfish thoughts and emotions.

After they all parted ways, Handong took a moment to reflect on her emotions. As Handong walked into the night, her heart a mix of conflicting emotions, she knew that her own love story was waiting to unfold, just as beautiful and unique as the ones she had witnessed that evening. Hopefully.