As the autumn night gently unfolded, Minjin completed all the assignments for everyone. As usual, Choi Ye-joon and Lee Deji lingered in the classroom. However, that evening felt slightly different when they noticed Bang Eun-kyung still present.
Lee Deji looked at him and inquired, "What are you still doing here?"
"Geunyang," Bang Eun-kyung replied quietly, averting her eyes.
Minjin gathered her things and said, "I'm a bit hungry. Shall we go? Kim Aecha is waiting for us at Heo Yeong-hwan BBQ house."
Choi Ye-joon turned to Bang Eun-kyung with a friendly smile. "Would you like to join us?"
Bang Eun-kyung's face lit up with excitement. "Really, can I come?"
Lee Deji chuckled and said, "Alright, let's go."
The four friends walked together toward the school exit. As they strolled down the street, Bang Eun-kyung glanced at Minjin and playfully remarked, "Minjin-ah, you're so incredibly smart. You could easily outshine Minjun and secure that top spot in class."
Minjin chuckled softly, "I appreciate it, but I don't need recognition."
Lee Deji glanced over at Bang Eun-kyung with a curious smile. "I've noticed you've been spending a lot of time with us lately, but it seems like you're just admiring her from a distance."
Bang Eun-kyung nodded. "Like I mentioned, she could definitely outshine Minjun any day."
They strolled down the sidewalk, the warm glow of the streetlights casting gentle shadows around them. When they arrived at the BBQ house, Minjin first greeted Heo Yeong-hwan's mother. Mrs. Jeong welcomed her with a smile and kindly invited them to sit, promising to bring out a delicious spread of food.
The rest of the group settled in with cheerful anticipation, while Kim Aecha and Mun Sara were already at the table.
"Mun Sara?" Bang Eun-kyung said.
Mun Sara was taken aback to find Bang Eun-kyung with Minjin. She felt a rush of panic but managed to speak calmly. "Bang Eun-kyung? What brings you here as well?"
"Boya? Do you know Park Minjin?" Bang Eun-kyung asked with curiosity.
"Yes, she's my friend," Mun Sara said with a forced smile. Then she leaned over to Minjin and asked, "How are you, Minjin-ah? Aren't you tired?"
Minjin sighed softly, "I am tired and hungry. How's studying?"
"I study with Minjun all the time, and we always head home together," Mun Sara said cheerfully, subtly revealing her intention by indicating their closeness.
Mrs. Jeong quickly served plates filled with meat and rice, prompting everyone to express gratitude. Kim Aecha grilled the meat, and once it was cooked, she offered the first pieces to Minjin.
"Minjin, enjoy your meal," Kim Aecha said kindly.
Lee Deji playfully chided, "Ya, we want to eat also!"
Kim Aecha chuckled and offered her some meat. "I understand, unnie. Here you go!"
At that moment, Heo Yeong-hwan walked in with a helmet in his hand. "Eomma, I'm back."
Mrs. Jeong beamed at him. "I see, thank you, dear. Your friends are here; be sure to eat with them."
Heo Yeong-hwan joined the lively group at the table, his eyes immediately finding Minjin happily enjoying her food. A small smile spread across his face, but it faded when he spotted Bang Eun-kyung sitting there.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, raising his brow.
Bang Eun-kyung, mid-chew, replied, "Can't you see I'm eating?"
Heo Yeong-hwan raised an eyebrow. "I know! I'm not blind!" he retorted.
Meanwhile, the rest of the group enjoyed their meal and engaging conversations. The enticing aroma of grilled meat wafted through the air. The table overflowed with shared stories, providing an escape from the stresses of everyday life.
###
After finishing their meal, everyone expressed their gratitude to Mrs. Jeong. She welcomed them to visit her eatery whenever they liked.
As everyone departed, Minjin was the last to approach Mrs. Jeong. She bowed her head, thanking her personally for her generosity. Mrs. Jeong smiled sincerely and took Minjin's hand, saying she was even more appreciative of her friendship with Heo Yeong-Hwan. Meanwhile, Heo Yeong-Hwan was busy cleaning the table they had used when he noticed Minjin speaking with his mother. He couldn't help but smile before returning to his task.
Minjin stepped outside, and everyone eagerly awaited her so they could walk together on the pavement. Lee Deji, Choi Ye-joon, and Minjin were happily strolling along. Noticing that the other three were deep in conversation, Mun Sara gently took hold of Bang Eun-kyung's arm and stopped him.
Bang Eun-Kyung turned to her. "Eun-kyung-ah, could you do me a favor?" Mun Sara suddenly asked him.
"What's that?" he inquired.
"Please keep this from Minjun. We shouldn't let him know what Minjin has been up to," Mun Sara said, attempting to sound concerned.
Bang Eun-Kyung chuckled. "If Minjun discovers someone is smarter than him, he will react badly."
Mun Sara forced a laugh. "Exactly, so please don't mention it to him, okay?"
Bang Eun-Kyung smiled and nodded. "Of course," he replied before continuing to follow the others.
Mun Sara let out a deep, nervous sigh as she pondered whether Bang Eun-Kyung would hide Minjin's identity from Minjun. From a distance, she watched their leisurely walk along the roadside.
She felt guilty realizing that her group of friends had grown, unlike in middle school when she felt like an outcast because she was smarter and more competitive than the other girls. Although she had only a few true friends back then, people often praised her intelligence and beauty.
She looked at Minjin, wondering if she could do well in her studies and earn Minjun's admiration.
###
Days passed, and it became a routine: after Minjin's secret deeds in the music club room, she, Lee Deji, Choi Joon, and Bang Kyung would walk together to the BBQ house owned by Heo Yeong-hwan's mother. Each time they arrived, Mrs. Jeong greeted them, and they returned her respectful greeting.
Kim Aecha would always be there, diligently preparing meals for them.
On some days, Mun Sara would join a bit later, having just finished her study sessions. As soon as the food was served, Minjin would dig in enthusiastically, eating with gusto as if she hadn't eaten all day. Mrs. Jeong couldn't help but smile each time, delighted by Minjin's appetite, and often served her extra portions of meat.
Conversations flowed easily around the table. They began with the typical complaints about their demanding academic schedules and soon meandered into lighter, random topics. Laughter occasionally erupted as they shared stories, jokes, and thoughts.
Minjin noticed her friends chatting and joking with each other. She felt a warmth she hadn't recognized before. Glancing around the table at their smiling faces, she realized she had formed new friendships—something she hadn't anticipated. She hadn't known she needed this—these moments of connection, these evenings of simple pleasures—until now.
###
As days passed, Minjun kept inviting Bang Eun-kyung to study together, but Bang Eun-kyung always had an excuse. Watching his friend's odd behavior, Minjun grew more and more intrigued.
One day, after their classes, Minjun asked Bang Eun-kyung again, "Hey, do you want to come study with me?"
Bang Eun-kyung quickly replied, "I have scheduled training for soccer."
Minjun didn't question him further and let him go.
Meanwhile, in the music club room, Minjin was busy answering several questions from her peers when she received a text from Mun Sara: "Where are you?"
Minjin paused momentarily and texted back, "I'm in the music club room."
A few minutes later, Mun Sara walked into the room, surprised by the number of students gathered around.
"Boya? Where's Minjin-ah?" she asked, scanning the room.
"I am here," Minjin replied.
The students made way for Mun Sara to approach Minjin. As she got closer, she noticed a box filled with money beside Minjin.
Her eyes widened. "Daebak, you're rich!" she exclaimed.
Meanwhile, at the academy, Minjun couldn't focus. His thoughts kept drifting back to the feeling that something was happening. As the sky turned dark, he decided to head back to school. He went straight to the soccer field, where he spotted a group of players practicing. He looked for Bang Eun-kyung among them but couldn't find him.
He approached one of his teammates and asked, "Hey, where's Eun Kyung-ah?"
The boy shrugged. "He's busy studying."
"Studying? Where?" Minjun asked, confused.
The boy blinked in surprise. "Aren't you with him?"
This only made Minjun more convinced that something was fishy.
###
As Minjun exited the school grounds, he saw Mun Sara in the distance, approaching the exit.
He quickened his pace and called out. "Sara-ah!"
Mun Sara stopped abruptly, "Minjun-ah?" she replied, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Why are you still here?" Minjun asked, curious.
"I-I... I forgot something," Mun Sara stammered, nervously trying to find an excuse.
Minjun raised an eyebrow but didn't press further.
"Why are you still here?" Mun Sara asked, attempting to shift the focus.
"I'm looking for Bang Eun-kyung. Did you see him?" Minjun asked.
"A-ani!" Mun Sara replied quickly, perhaps too quickly. "Come on, let's go home!"
They left the school together. As they strolled down the sidewalk, Mun Sara smiled, happy to be spending time with Minjun again. She spotted a convenience store ahead and paused. "Minjun-ah! Let's get some ice cream first!" she suggested.
Minjun nodded in agreement.
Inside the store, they headed straight to the freezer. She remembered a conversation with Minjin about Minjun's favorite ice cream flavor. She searched for it before she picked her own flavor. But Mijun couldn't help but notice how she seemed to know exactly what he liked.
"It's my treat!" she said cheerfully, heading to the cashier.
After paying, Mun Sara handed the ice cream to Minjun. He took it, staring at the treat for a moment before speaking up. "Sara-ah."
"Mmh?" Mun Sara responded while she was struggling to open her own ice cream.
"I never told anyone what kind of food I like. How did you know everything?"
Mun Sara froze for a moment, "Huh?" she muttered, trying to buy time.
"How did you know what I like?" Minjun repeated as he steadied his gaze.
"Bang Eun-kyung told me," Mun Sara lied quickly, forcing a smile.
Minjun watched her carefully and discovered she wasn't telling the truth. Her answer only deepened his suspicion that something was going on between Bang Eun-kyung and her. But he decided not to press further for now. He was determined to find out the truth on his own.