Chapter 8

Chapter 8 – My Childhood Friend of 15 Years Never Backs Down

* * *

“Si-hyun, just get me my usual.”

“Got it.”

How often must they have come to this café for Si-hyun to know her order by heart? Yerin’s easy familiarity took Chae-yeon and So-hee by surprise, and their eyes widened.

But the moment passed quickly.

After a few awkward coughs, Chae-yeon propped her chin up and spoke.

“I’ll have my usual too. You remember it, right?”

“…Yeah, I remember.”

Looking less than thrilled, Si-hyun added her order to his notes on his phone. After jotting down So-hee’s drink too, he soon returned with everyone’s orders.

He handed Yerin a cappuccino and an Oreo cake, gave Chae-yeon an iced Americano and cheesecake, and placed a grapefruit aid in front of So-hee. Holding his caramel macchiato, he took his seat.

The atmosphere lightened as everyone started eating, and Si-hyun took the opportunity to steer the conversation toward the project.

“This project’s about recommending tourist spots. Let’s each find a good location and send it to Chae-yeon for the slides.”

“Sounds good,” everyone agreed, and they got to work.

While researching, Si-hyun felt thirsty and took a sip of his coffee. Then, glancing in Yerin’s direction, he sighed.

“Geez, how do you manage to do that every single time?”

“Huh?”

Yerin had a smear of Oreo cream at the corner of her mouth. Si-hyun reached for a tissue to hand it to her but stopped.

‘If I just tell her where it is, she’ll never find it.’

Instead, he leaned over and gently wiped her mouth himself.

“Heh… Thanks,” Yerin said with a soft smile.

So-hee, on the other hand, looked almost shocked.

‘What’s their relationship that they’re this close?’

Yerin’s presence seemed like a major obstacle to So-hee’s plans for a reunion, and her wariness ramped up.

Since information could be a powerful weapon, she leaned forward and asked directly.

“Yerin, you two seem really close… What’s the deal between you and Si-hyun?”

Yerin, still nibbling on her Oreo cake, chuckled and replied casually.

“Oh, it’s nothing. We’ve just known each other since kindergarten—15 years now, give or take.”

Fifteen years. That meant they’d been together for more than half their lives.

Even Chae-yeon, who knew they were old friends, was stunned at the length of their history.

“Wow… That kind of friendship actually exists,” So-hee commented, trying to smile despite the cold sweat trickling down her back.

Recently, Yerin and Si-hyun had been spending more time together, and if they started dating, things could turn disastrous for So-hee’s plans.

“By the way, Si-hyun and I used to take baths together until we were in second grade,” Yerin added.

“Hey, why are you bringing that up?” Si-hyun groaned.

“Well, it’s the truth,” Yerin teased, adding a few unnecessary details to flaunt her closeness with him.

So-hee’s eyes narrowed, her wariness reaching its peak.

“Enough chit-chat. Let’s get back to the research, shall we?” Chae-yeon’s irritated voice broke the tension, cutting off the conversation. Yerin flashed a satisfied smile, while So-hee, embarrassed, returned to her research.

‘This can’t go on…’ So-hee thought, glancing back and forth between Chae-yeon and Yerin to weigh her options.

In terms of looks, both women were stunning, putting them at a tie.

As for physique, Yerin had the edge. Chae-yeon had a great figure but leaned more toward a natural, balanced beauty.

And as for personality… Well, from Si-hyun’s perspective, Chae-yeon’s reputation wasn’t the best. Meanwhile, Yerin’s long-standing friendship with him gave her extra points.

‘This isn’t looking good…’

The only advantage So-hee could think of was the memories Chae-yeon shared with him as a past girlfriend.

But for that to mean anything, they’d need to reconcile first—and Chae-yeon showed no signs of wanting that.

‘But it’s strange… I know she still has feelings for Si-hyun.’

So-hee had seen Chae-yeon browsing Si-hyun’s photos when she thought no one was watching. She’d even heard her talk about their shared moments with a hint of pride, despite the complaints.

So why was Chae-yeon keeping her feelings bottled up? Even as her friend, So-hee couldn’t figure it out.

Still, she was determined to help her reconcile with him, even if Chae-yeon couldn’t express herself honestly.

‘Let’s give it our best!’ So-hee resolved, rooting for her friend’s love.

Meanwhile, Yerin turned to Si-hyun, showing him something on her phone.

“Hey, Si-hyun, what do you think about focusing on Japan? We could introduce the tourist spots during the festival season.”

“Not a bad idea. It’s summer, so maybe we could look up a fireworks festival too.”

They seemed to work together seamlessly. As much as she hated to admit it, So-hee couldn’t deny how well they suited each other.

‘Chae-yeon…’ she thought, casting a concerned look at her friend.

Chae-yeon was typing on her laptop, but her screen was filled with typos and random, nonsensical sentences.

‘This is really bothering her…’

Realizing how much Chae-yeon was struggling, So-hee decided to step in.

“Hey, Si-hyun. Speaking of Japan, didn’t you and Chae-yeon go to Hokkaido together not long ago?”

It was during winter, and So-hee vividly remembered Chae-yeon returning from the snow festival, happily bringing back souvenirs.

“…We did.”

Si-hyun’s face took on a slightly strained expression as he wondered why So-hee was bringing up the past.

But undeterred, So-hee continued.

“So how about you use that experience as inspiration? Chae-yeon, you still have photos from that trip, right?”

“Yeah. Just a sec.”

Chae-yeon pulled up some photos and placed her phone on the table.

“Oh, you’re both in swimsuits!” So-hee commented with a clap.

“Yeah, we went to a mixed bath together.”

“Wow… I guess that’s what couples do, huh?”

There must’ve been plenty of photos to choose from, so picking this one was clearly a jab at Yerin.

‘Please, who cares if you took baths together as kids?’

Bathing together as children, especially before puberty, was as meaningful as going to a public bath with family.

But for two adults, even in swimsuits, sharing a bath was something else entirely.

‘Didn’t realize they’d gone that far…’

Yerin, looking annoyed, couldn’t help but respond.

“Hey, Si-hyun, I want to visit a hot spring too. How about we go together next time?”

“Do we even have decent hot springs here?”

Yerin shook her head.

“Not really. Nothing good in the country.”

“So… you’re suggesting we go abroad?”

“Exactly. Let’s take a trip to Japan together.”

With a bright smile, Yerin was the picture of cheerfulness, but the other three looked almost horrified.

Seeing this, Chae-yeon, who had been grinding her straw between her teeth, couldn’t hold back anymore.

“You’re not even a couple. Isn’t it weird for a guy and a girl to go to a hot spring together?”

“Oh, come on… we’ve already seen everything there is to see, so what’s the big deal?”

“Sure, maybe when you were kids, but you’re adults now. You should know how to set boundaries between men and women.”

Yerin, smiling with her eyes, answered with a cool tone.

“Don’t think that’s advice I need from a third party.”

“……….”

Chae-yeon caught the veiled message instantly: *You’re not with Si-hyun anymore, so stay out of it.*

The previously lighthearted atmosphere turned tense again as an icy standoff formed between the two women.

“You sure have a way of twisting helpful advice into something nasty, don’t you?” Chae-yeon said.

“Oh, was that advice? The way you rushed to object, I thought you had other intentions.”

The smiles dropped from both their faces.

Caught between one woman fighting to keep her claim and the other challenging it, So-hee shrank back.

In the end, it was up to Si-hyun to step in.

“Alright, that’s enough from both of you. We’re here to work on the project, not to bicker.”

“Si-hyun, just stay out of it. This is a matter of pride between women,” Yerin replied, serious.

She didn’t get to finish before Si-hyun cut her off by tugging on her cheek.

“Less pride, more research, please.”

“Yes, sir…”

Like a scolded puppy, Yerin rubbed her cheek, subdued, and returned to her research. Chae-yeon sighed with exasperation and focused on her PPT design.

‘Si-hyun, you really are a guy with too much baggage,’ So-hee thought, sensing the rough road ahead if Chae-yeon was ever to get him back.

* * *

With everyone eager to leave, they sped through the group project.

The slides came together quickly, and the research materials filled in the gaps almost instantly.

“I think we’re just about done,” Si-hyun said, nodding in approval at the PPT Chae-yeon had put together.

“Yeah, looks good,” Yerin chimed in, nodding absent-mindedly without glancing at the screen, instead bouncing her feet with excitement.

Si-hyun, noticing her unusual energy, asked curiously.

“Yerin, why are you so fidgety?”

She tugged on his sleeve with a bright grin.

“Hey, Si-hyun, want to go see a movie? It’s been a while.”

“A movie? Out of nowhere?”

“Yeah! There’s a new one I really want to see.”

Si-hyun considered it. With the project nearly done, there wasn’t any harm in spending time with Yerin.

“Sure, let’s go see it.”

“Really?”

Smiling happily, Yerin pulled Si-hyun to his feet and wrapped her arm around his as they headed for the exit. Before leaving, she turned back with a smug grin directed at those left behind.

Chae-yeon’s face twisted in irritation as she watched them walk off.

Stab!

She plunged her fork into her cake with all her might.