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The evening sun cast a warm, golden glow over the city as Moonji moved through her apartment, the anticipation of the spring festival palpable in the air. “My friends and I wanted to go to the spring festival today. Do you want to come?” It had been a spontaneous invitation from Kai, and she found herself navigating the realm between excitement and anxiety.

As Kai continued to immerse himself in his X-Box game, Moonji's voice rose with an undercurrent of exasperation. "What? Why didn't you mention it earlier? At this rate, I should be starting my makeup." Her tone carried a hint of playfulness, though her desire to make a good impression at the festival was unmistakable.

Kai's patience began to wear thin, his concentration on the game faltering. "Are you kidding? You're wearing makeup right now. Why do you need to apply a new layer?" He grumbled, the frustration evident in his voice.

With determination, Moonji departed from the kitchen, retreating to her room. There, she embarked on her transformation, her fingers expertly applying a fresh layer of makeup. A striking light brown wig adorned her head, secured by an array of hairpins. Her meticulous preparations spoke to her longing for acceptance and the need to conceal the insecurities that often plagued her.

Having grown accustomed to her quirks, Kai merely shook his head at the sight of Moonji meticulously arranging herself. "Are you done?" he asked curtly as he moved toward the front door.

Moonji, ever the performer, couldn't resist seeking validation. "Hey, at least compliment me and say that I look pretty before we go," she implored, her voice adopting a soft, almost childlike tone.

Kai, his trademark arrogance on display, offered a sarcastic response. "What makes you think you're pretty?" His smirk was evident, the comment designed to tease.

Unperturbed, Moonji retorted, "I am pretty. Don't you know? I am the hottest girl in my school." She chuckled with feigned self-assuredness, her self-deprecating humour a shield against her inner doubts.

Kai responded with an amused laugh. "Heh, hot? That's setting a pretty low standard." With that, he exited the apartment, making his way to the elevator, Moonji following closely behind.

Their journey took them to the Han River, where the spring festival was in full swing. The atmosphere was alive with the joyous sounds of laughter, music, and chatter. Couples strolled hand in hand, groups of friends revelled in each other's company, and families shared in the festivities.

As Moonji and Kai joined the gathering of EXO members and their girlfriends, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The sight of the other girlfriends, who appeared effortlessly confident and at ease, heightened her self-doubt. The gap between their social standing and her own humble background seemed insurmountable.

Kai, ever the astute observer, noticed her unease, his thoughts flashing back to the time he had as the "ugly duck." He questioned whether Moonji's behaviour was merely eccentric or if there were deeper layers to her complexities.

Moonji's momentary silence did not go unnoticed by Kai, who couldn't resist a teasing comment. "How nice that you're mute; my ears won't be in trouble if you stay this way." He leaned in closer, feigning the role of her stylist and adjusting her hair. His whispered words were intended to tease, yet they masked a certain warmth. Despite the subtle warmth, Moonji appreciated it as she gazed at Kai's charming face. She likes it when Kai show slight warmth at her when he can tell that she is uncomfortable. 

Moonji made an unusual request, breaking her momentary silence, and her voice tinged with vulnerability. "Kai, can we hold hands?" Her tone was gentle, a departure from her usual playful demeanour.

Kai's smirk returned as he upheld his customary boundaries. "Touching is not allowed," he replied with a sly grin.

Moonji attempted another angle, her eyes big and round as she made puppy-dog gestures. "Or maybe at least let me hold your sleeve?" she implored.

Kai, unruffled by her charms, maintained his composure. "You always know that trick will not work on me." With that, he pressed forward, rejoining his friends, leaving Moonji alone on the fringes of the group.

With each step, Moonji felt her isolation grow. Even Lee Dasom, typically friendly, refrained from initiating conversation. Moonji tried to engage with the others, her smile bright and welcoming, but the conversation remained superficial.

Chanyeol, a member of EXO, approached her with genuine curiosity. "Hey, Moonji, have you been here before?" he asked, extending a warm invitation to connect.

Moonji, who had never experienced such a festival, responded with genuine enthusiasm. "Never," she replied with a smile, eager to embrace the new experience. "You're going to love it," Sehun chimed in, reinforcing the anticipation in the air.

As the group began to move along the Han River, Moonji's excitement became palpable. She couldn't contain her awe and joy, exclaiming over the sights and sounds of the festival. Her laughter and animated reactions drew amused glances from the EXO members, who found her candid expressions endearing.

Kai, on the other hand, began to grow agitated by her exuberance. He whispered to Moonji in an attempt to rein in her enthusiasm, his irritation thinly veiled. "Can you stop it?" he urged, urging her to tone down her excitement. He shook his head in dismissal as he continued walking forward with his friends. 

Moonji was immersed in the beautiful scenery of the festival, walking at her own pace as she looked around the new sight. However, the pinnacle of Moonji's joy was short-lived. Amid the festival's vibrant chaos, she suddenly realized that she had lost sight of Kai and the rest of the group. Panic set in as she frantically scanned the crowd for familiar faces, her voice rising in desperation.

"Kim Jongin!"

"Kai! Kim Jongin!" she cried out, her high-pitched calls seeking to pierce through the bustling festival atmosphere. She took out her phone and dialled Kai's number a few times, but none of the call was answered. The sea of people made her frantic search seem futile, each passing moment intensifying her separation anxiety.

With the festival's vibrant ambience surrounding her, Moonji reluctantly decided to relinquish her quest to reunite with the group. She found solace on a bench beneath one of the trees lining the Han River bank. Exhaustion and sadness welled up within her, and her thoughts turned to the uncertainty that seemed to constantly shadow her life. What is going to happen next? Moonji thought as she knew someone like her would be easily abandoned. 

Meanwhile, Kai had been engaged in conversation with Chanyeol, oblivious to the fact that Moonji was no longer by his side. It took him a few silent minutes to realize her absence, and when he finally turned to look for her, his heart raced with panic. The realization that Moonji was missing sent a jolt of fear coursing through him, leaving him short of breath. The spring festival, once a source of excitement and celebration, had suddenly become a backdrop for a crisis in Kai's mind.