MICHAENG : FAKE AND TRUE

20 - TEASE

After breakfast, Chaeyoung gently placed his hand on Mina's shoulder and asked, "Mina, would you like to talk about anything? I'm here to listen, you know."

Mina looked up, appreciating Chaeyoung's offer of support. She mustered a smile and replied, "Thank you, Chaeyoung. I'm okay for now, but it means a lot to know that I can confide in you when I'm ready."

With a nod of understanding, Chaeyoung respected her response, knowing that sometimes the best support was simply being present. Chaeyoung then asked Mina to do the morning routine, aiming to incorporate activities that would help Mina overcome her anxiety.

They sat in front of the glass wall on the yoga map comfortably, they faced straight to the morning view of Han River, which is Mina found it so peaceful. First on the list was a mindfulness exercise.

Chaeyoung guided Mina through a deep breathing exercise. "Inhale slowly through your nose, and exhale through your mouth. Let your breath anchor you in the present moment," he instructed.

Mina focused on her breath, but as she exhaled, she couldn't help but let out a small giggle. "Chaeyoung, your exhale sounds like a gentle breeze, while mine is more like a playful gust of wind!"

Chaeyoung chuckled, teasingly responding, "Well, Mina, I guess your gust of wind adds a bit of excitement to our practice. We'll call it the 'Penguin Power Exhale.'"

Mina playfully rolled her eyes, retorting, "Huh don't act like you're any less adorable with your gentle breeze!"

Their banter continued as they moved on to stretching exercises. Chaeyoung demonstrated various poses, but in his enthusiasm, he unintentionally resembled a clumsy cub trying to imitate a graceful swan.

Mina burst into laughter, barely able to contain herself. "Chaeyoung, your posture is more like a cub attempting ballet! You're breaking the laws of physics with those moves!"

Chaeyoung joined in the laughter, playfully conceding, "Well, Mina, I guess I have my own unique style. Let's call it 'Chaeyoung's Quirky Cub Ballet' a surefire way to make you forget your worries!"

As they progressed through the routine, Mina's foot momentarily tangled with Chaeyoung's, causing her to stumble. She blushed, feeling a mix of shyness and embarrassment. "Oops, sorry! Looks like I almost turned you into a human domino, Chaeyoung."

Chaeyoung grinned, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "Well, Mina, if we ever join the circus, we could be the clumsy duo delighting audiences with our unpredictable acrobatics!"

Their playful exchange continued, lightening the mood and easing any lingering tension. As they embarked on their yoga session, Chaeyoung and Mina found themselves side by side, ready to embrace the practice together. The atmosphere was filled with a sense of lightness and humor, which often accompanied their interactions.

"Alright, Mina, let's channel our inner yogis," Chaeyoung said with a playful grin. "Remember, the key is to find balance, both in body and mind."

Mina chuckled, playfully responding, "I'll do my best, but no promises that I won't fall over and create a new yoga pose called 'The Flailing Penguin.'"

Chaeyoung joined in her laughter, saying, "Well, if that happens, we can always create a new trend in yoga. Who knows, 'The Flailing Penguin' might become the next big thing!"

After they settled into the yoga positions, Mina closed her eyes, taking a deep breath and embracing the moment. In that serene state, she felt a sense of peace wash over her. The sound of her own breathing merged with the gentle rhythm of the flowing river visible through the glass wall.

With closed eyes, Mina could envision herself floating on a cloud of peacefulness, her worries momentarily lifted. The view of the Han River, its waters shimmering under the warm sunlight, added a touch of serenity to the scene.