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AS THE SUN dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow through the windows of Hanni's cottage, I settled into a cozy corner of the living room, sipping on herbal tea while trying to distract myself from the whirlwind of thoughts about Jungwon and Minji. Hanni had been great company, chatting about everything and nothing, but the weight of the day still lingered in the air.
"Can I sleep here with you?" I asked, glancing over at Hanni, who was busy arranging some pillows on the couch. Her smile was warm and inviting as she nodded.
"Of course," she replied, her voice reassuring. "It'll be fun! We can binge-watch that series you love."
As we prepared for the night, I couldn't help but notice the two beds in Hanni's cottage. It struck me as odd, considering my own cottage only had one bed. "Hey, Hanni, why do you have two beds here for you and Danielle, but my cottage only has one bed for me and Jungwon?" I queried, confusion creeping into my voice.
Hanni burst into laughter, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "It's all part of fate's plan!" she teased, clearly enjoying my bewilderment. 
I playfully slapped her shoulder, feeling a mix of annoyance and confusion, the tension about Jungwon still thick in the air. "Very funny, Hanni. It's not really helping my case here!" 
Just then, the door creaked open, and Danielle walked in, looking utterly exhausted. Her hair was slightly tousled, and dark circles under her eyes hinted at a long day. "Danielle, are you okay?" I asked, concern creeping into my voice.
She nodded but let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through her hair. That's when I noticed a piece of confetti stuck in her dark curls. I reached out instinctively to grab it, but Hanni was quicker, snatching it away before I could.
"Weird, was there a secret party we weren't invited to?" Hanni remarked, annoyance lacing her tone.
Danielle shook her head, a weary smile creeping onto her lips. "Not exactly. I had to help decorate the photo booth for when we all leave. We're going to take a class photo together." 
"Oh, that sounds fun!" I said, trying to lighten the mood. "I hope they have a ton of snacks!"
Danielle chuckled softly, the tension in her shoulders easing a bit. "There will be! But I swear, I'm going to need a mountain of caffeine before tomorrow. I didn't think decorating would be so tiring."
As we settled into the cozy atmosphere of the cottage, Hanni and I exchanged glances, the earlier sense of confusion about Jungwon momentarily forgotten. It was nice to be surrounded by friends, even if my thoughts lingered on the uncertainty of my feelings. I hoped that by morning, when Hanni talked to Minji, I would find some clarity amidst the chaos.
We all settled onto the bed, ready to dive into my favorite series. The familiar theme song filled the room, and for a while, we were lost in the world of our favorite characters, laughter and excitement mingling with the story unfolding on the screen.
As the episode reached a particularly touching moment, Hanni reached over and paused the show. The room fell silent, the vibrant energy of the series fading into the background. 
"Can you believe the trip is almost over?" Hanni said softly, breaking the quiet. 
I glanced at Danielle, who was looking thoughtfully at the screen. "I know. It feels like we just arrived. I'm not ready for it to end," I admitted, a bittersweet feeling settling in my chest.
Danielle sighed, her gaze distant. "It's been such a great time, though. I'll always remember those late-night talks and all the silly things we did together." 
Hanni nodded, her expression a mix of happiness and sadness. "We've made some amazing memories. I'll cherish this trip forever. It's like... we've all grown closer."
I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through me despite the melancholy. "Yeah, I never expected to feel this way. It's like we're a little family now, especially with the other group of boys too, I couldn't have imagined we would be friends with them."
There was a moment of quiet reflection as we all thought about the experiences we had shared—the laughter, the adventures, and even the challenges. It felt like we had created a little bubble of joy, and the thought of it popping was hard to bear.
"I guess we'll just have to make more memories when we get back," Hanni suggested, trying to lighten the mood with a hopeful smile. 
"Definitely," I agreed, my heart feeling a bit lighter. "We can plan get-togethers and movie nights. This isn't the end; it's just the beginning of more fun times."
Danielle smiled, and I could see the same determination in her eyes. "We'll make it happen, I promise."
With that, we resumed the show, but the mood had shifted. It was a mix of happiness and sadness, a reminder of the bittersweet nature of goodbyes and the importance of the bonds we had formed. As we watched the characters on screen navigate their own challenges, I felt grateful for the friendships that had blossomed during this trip—ones that I knew would last well beyond our time together.
As the evening wore on, the cozy glow of the cottage enveloped us, and the soft sounds of the night surrounded us like a comforting blanket. Danielle had settled into one of the beds, quickly falling asleep, her tiredness evident in the gentle rise and fall of her breathing.
Hanni and I made our way to the other bed, and I instinctively moved closer as we nestled under the covers. Hanni wrapped her arm around me in a friendly embrace, and the warmth radiating from her felt soothing. 
The quiet of the cottage settled around us, and I felt a sense of comfort wash over me. With Hanni by my side, the worries of the day began to fade. As I closed my eyes, I let the rhythm of the night lull me into a peaceful sleep, the uncertainty of tomorrow momentarily forgotten.
 *___________* 
A\N
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