Two days remained until the New Year.
During this time, Park Nuri had stopped talking to Ho Su Min. Her plans with Kim Sohi had failed since her friend was now living in Jeong Tae Ho's apartment. On top of that, she was on Jeju Island, not in Seoul. And with the New Year just two days away, her plans with Kim Sohi had fallen apart because of her "mom."
Kim Sohi and Jeong Tae Ho decided to go out. They went to a shopping mall, where there were stores, cafes, a movie theater, and even an ice rink.
The first thing they did was go to a cafe. Naturally, at Jeong Tae Ho's expense.
At the cafe
"Sohi-i."
Jeong Tae Ho called out.
"Hm?"
"Let's go shopping. I'll buy you some clothes. Or whatever you want."
Kim Sohi lifted her head from her bubble tea.
"No."
"Oh, come on, Sohi-i! Let's go!"
"I said no."
"Why? Why don't you want to?"
"Just... I don't need anything. Got it?"
Jeong Tae Ho smirked mischievously. He leaned forward over the table toward Kim Sohi.
"Or do you just like walking around my apartment in my clothes so much that you don't want to buy new ones?"
For all this time, Kim Sohi had been wearing Jeong Tae Ho's clothes. And whenever his school friends came over (yes, he had friends besides Kim Sohi), they would always see one of two things: either Tae Ho opening the door while Sohi walked around in his clothes in the background, or Sohi opening the door herself—still wearing his clothes.
"And what if I do? Is that not allowed?"
Kim Sohi leaned toward him as well, smirking playfully.
Jeong Tae Ho instantly turned red and jerked back.
"It's not that it's not allowed... it's just..."
"Sohi, how can you say that?! Not only is it allowed, IT'S A REQUIREMENT!!!"
He thought to himself.
Kim Sohi straightened up.
"Ugh... Fine. Let's go."
She stood up.
"But only if you pay for everything."
Jeong Tae Ho immediately brightened up, smiling.
"Deal! I'll pay for anything you want."
Kim Sohi walked ahead, and Jeong Tae Ho followed right behind her like a puppy.
As they shopped, Jeong Tae Ho kept his word, buying everything Kim Sohi wanted. He even carried all the shopping bags himself.
Now, his hands were full of bags, and they were getting ready to head home.
"All set? Nothing else you want?"
Jeong Tae Ho asked.
"Oh, what's wrong? Is it getting too heavy? Or are you afraid I'll spend all your money?"
Kim Sohi stepped closer to him.
"Not at all. It's not heavy. I can carry even more. And I don't care about the money—I have plenty. You can spend as much as you want."
Kim Sohi grinned.
"Well then, be ready, because I will."
"I'm all for it."
At that moment, a girl approached them with her friends.
"Ho Su Min?"
Jeong Tae Ho noticed him.
"Do you need something?"
"No, nothing. I see you haven't been missing me at all."
"Yeah, so you'd better go."
"I wasn't expecting to see you here, too, Kim Sohi."
Said the girl holding Ho Su Min's hand.
"Lee Sol A?"
"Yep."
"Jeong Tae Ho, do you really like fussing over her that much?"
Lee Sol A asked, looking him up and down.
"Isn't it obvious?"
He answered confidently.
Ho Su Min laughed.
"You've changed a lot. Girls used to chase after you. Now you're running after Kim Sohi like a loyal puppy."
His friends all laughed.
Jeong Tae Ho was about to say something, but Kim Sohi cut him off.
She stepped closer to him and reached for his face, placing her hands on his cheeks. Then, she kissed him on the cheek.
Jeong Tae Ho's face turned completely red, his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, and he just froze in place.
Kim Sohi turned her head toward Ho Su Min, who stood there in shock, unable to say a word. The smug smile had vanished from his face.
"But he's MY puppy."
Kim Sohi turned back to Jeong Tae Ho, who still hadn't recovered from what had just happened.
"Tae Ho, let's go home. OUR home."
She said confidently and walked away.
Jeong Tae Ho stood there for a few more seconds before snapping out of it and running after her.
"Sohi! Wait for me!"
He called out, a huge smile on his face.
And just like that, they headed home.