"Where are they?" Ho Soo-min asked while sitting on a bench next to Kim So-hee.
"Somewhere," Kim So-hee replied.
"Let's wait. When they arrive, we'll make Jeong Tae-ho pay for the food," Kim So-hee said proudly, waiting for Ho Soo-min's reaction.
Ho Soo-min laughed and turned to face Kim So-hee.
"From what I understand, you two don't really like each other."
For a moment, Kim So-hee went silent, caught off guard by Ho Soo-min's question. It wasn't a hard question, and everyone knew the answer, but Jeong Tae-ho was Ho Soo-min's best friend.
"Well... a little," she said awkwardly.
"I see. But don't be disappointed. Jeong Tae-ho may not be the kindest, but he's still great. As a friend and as a person," Ho Soo-min said.
Kim So-hee blushed at his words.
The way Ho Soo-min spoke about Jeong Tae-ho, with such a pleasant expression, made Kim So-hee realize that Ho Soo-min could be even more attractive than he already was.
Ho Soo-min noticed Kim So-hee's flushed face.
"Aren't you cold? Your face is red."
Kim So-hee was startled.
"Oh no! What if he figures it out? My face feels like it's on fire!"
"No, I'm fine. It's just... because of the wind, that's all," Ho Soo-min sighed.
"Right. It's getting dark... If you get cold, let me know."
Kim So-hee nodded.
After that, they sat in silence. No one said anything. Only the sound of the wind and the rustling of the leaves in the tree above them could be heard.
Meanwhile, Jeong Tae-ho and Park Nuri were running at lightning speed.
Well, mostly because they didn't want to get scolded by Kim So-hee.
"So?"
"So what?"
"Do you see the tree anywhere?"
"Can't you see it yourself?"
Jeong Tae-ho said angrily and kept running.
"Forget you!" Park Nuri shouted at him.
Breathing heavily, they were running, and in the distance, a tall tree became visible.
"Oh! Look!"
"Where?"
Jeong Tae-ho stopped right in front of Park Nuri, and she bumped into him.
"Are you blind? Over there!" he pointed at the tall tree he spotted in the distance.
"Then why are you standing still? Let's go!" Park Nuri grinned mischievously and shoved Jeong Tae-ho with her shoulder.
"Hey!"
An angry Jeong Tae-ho shouted, then ran after her toward the tree.
Kim So-hee was sitting and saw two people running, nearly falling to the ground.
"Oh! Hey, Ho Soo-min!" Kim So-hee nudged Ho Soo-min. He turned toward her.
"Huh?"
"Look over there."
Kim So-hee gestured toward Jeong Tae-ho and Park Nuri.
"Is that them?"
"Yeah."
Kim So-hee crossed her arms and placed one leg over the other. Then she leaned a little toward Ho Soo-min.
"Who do you think will get here first?"
"Park Nuri."
Kim So-hee was surprised. "She? Why?"
"Well, she's in front right now, isn't she?"
"No, it's Jeong Tae-ho... That's what I think."
Jeong Tae-ho and Park Nuri finally reached Kim So-hee and Ho Soo-min.
Jeong Tae-ho was out of breath, leaning on his knees. Park Nuri sat on the bench next to Kim So-hee.
"Well, who came first?" Kim So-hee asked with a smile.
Ho Soo-min kept watching them, waiting for their response.
"Who cares?!" Jeong Tae-ho and Park Nuri shouted in sync.
Kim So-hee and Ho Soo-min both burst out laughing.
"Ah! Let's go already!" Jeong Tae-ho said, irritated and exhausted, and started walking toward the exit.
"Hey! Where are you going?"
"Where do you think I'm going?!" Jeong Tae-ho replied.
"Are you going to eat?" Kim So-hee asked.
Jeong Tae-ho stopped in his tracks and calmed down a little.
"Yeah..."
Kim So-hee quickly stood up.
"Then I'm going too."
Kim So-hee started walking ahead.
"Are you coming or not?"
"Yeah," Ho Soo-min replied.
"Catch up."
Kim So-hee said, and they all started walking. Jeong Tae-ho was still standing, deep in thought.
"Was I thinking the same thing as she was?
"Well, no."
He muttered to himself.
"Jeong Tae-ho! The last one has to pay for everyone. Got it?" Kim So-hee shouted at him.
And they all took off.
Kim So-hee was first, Ho Soo-min was second, Park Nuri was third, and Jeong Tae-ho was last.
Kim So-hee ran and laughed along with Ho Soo-min, while Park Nuri tried to avoid being the last one. As for Jeong Tae-ho, he had the worst luck—angry, running, and coming last.