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the soft chatter of the shopping district filled the air, a gentle hum that mixed with the sound of footsteps and laughter. the sunlight filtered down between tall buildings, casting a warm glow on the streets lined with boutiques and cafés. yuwon, rina, and saeri strolled side by side, their bags already filled with clothes and accessories they'd picked out for their upcoming trip to japan.
"can you believe we're actually going?" saeri exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement as she held up a new pair of earrings she'd just bought. "i feel like i've been waiting for this trip forever."
yuwon smiled, adjusting the strap of her tote bag. "you've been planning this trip like it's your wedding day."
"well, it kinda is," saeri replied, dramatically flipping her hair over her shoulder. "this is japan we're talking about. i've already got a list of all the cafés and cute places i want to hit up." rina snickered, tossing her friend a teasing glance. "you'd better hope jungwon's not on that list. or is he?"
saeri's cheeks flushed immediately at the mention of jungwon, and she quickly busied herself with adjusting her bag. "what's that supposed to mean?"
"oh, come on, don't play dumb," rina smirked. "you and jungwon have been circling each other for months" saeri's heart skipped a beat, her fingers fiddling with the strap of her bag as if it would somehow distract her from the surge of heat rising to her cheeks. "you two are basically a couple" yuwon added with a giggle, her eyes glinting with mischief. "why not just make it official?"
saeri let out an exaggerated sigh, though the corners of her lips twitched upward. "you guys are reading way too much into it, we are friends"
yuwon and rina exchanged amused looks, both clearly enjoying their friend's flustered state. "oh, sure just friends," yuwon teased. "that's why he looks at you like you're the only person in the room every time we all hang out."
saeri bit her lip, trying to suppress the giddiness bubbling up inside her. jungwon did have a certain way of looking at her, a softness in his gaze that made her feel like the rest of the world faded away. but she wasn't about to admit that to the girls. not yet, at least.
"he does not" saeri protested, though her voice wavered slightly. "and even if he did, it doesn't mean anything. we've known each other forever." rina raised an eyebrow, giving saeri a knowing look. "exactly. and now that you've known him forever, maybe it's time you two stop pretending you're just friends and, i don't know, actually talk about your feelings?"
"you guys are so annoying," saeri groaned, though she couldn't help but smile. "there's nothing to talk about."
"yeah, okay," yuwon said, rolling her eyes playfully. "and jungwon's just walking you home every day and texting you goodnight for fun, right?" saeri's face heated up even more, and she let out a dramatic sigh. "you're impossible. can we please change the subject?"
