GAME OF SEDUCTION. ~BBANGSAZ~

Chapter 16- Suspicious

NO ONE'S POV

Minji and Hanni went to Newhatx's chicken.
They parked right outside and then got in. They placed their orders, and settled at the corner table, the scent of fried chicken wafting through the air. They started to eat and Hanni couldn't help but complement the food, "Wow. I didn't know their fried chicken tastes this good." Hanni said

"their garlic parmesan chicken is my favorite." Minji said as she took a big bite of her chicken. "I often come here to eat if I crave for fried chicken."

Hanni couldn't help but bring up the events of the last night.

She looked at Minji, her expression a mixture of curiosity and amazement. "You know, Minji," she began, "I didn't recognize you at all last night. The Haerin I saw and encountered was different from the cold and introverted Minji I know."
Minji chuckled, her eyes twinkling
mischievously as she took a bite of her chicken.

"Well, going to the club is my way of unwinding," she confessed. "It's where I let go of my stress and find pleasure."

Hanni couldn't hide her fascination. "Mysterious Minji is very interesting," she mused, sipping her soda. "I want to know more about you."

Minji leaned back, a sly grin Playing on her lips. "Oh, do you now?" she teased. "Did you enjoy last night?"

Hanni blushed slightly, her gaze dropping to her food. "I... I did," she admitted softly.

Minji's smile widened. "Good," she replied. "Because I liked what happened last night too."
Curiosity burning in her eyes, Hanni couldn't help but ask, "Why do you seem to resist showing your true self, Minji?"

Minji's expression shifted, a hint of vulnerability creeping in. "It's not that simple," she sighed.

"I've never been comfortable trusting someone else with who I really am other than Haerin or Nana Rose. I don't know how to socialize and be myself when I have other friends."

Hanni reached across the table, placing her hand on top of Minji's. "It can be simple," she said gently. "I can help you, Minji, if you'd let me."

Minji hesitated, her eyes searching Hanni's for any signs of deception. "I'm just not ready yet," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I grew up alone without anybody other than Nana Rose." She said smiling faintly

Understanding her apprehension, Hanni nodded. "I get it," she said softly. "But can you at least be yourself when you're with me?"

Minji paused, her gaze locked onto Hanni's earnest eyes. After a moment of hesitation, she offered a tentative smile. "I'll try," she finally said, her guard slowly lowering. "But I still have my doubts."

Hanni smiled back, squeezing Minji's hand reassuringly. "That's a start," she said, her voice filled with warmth and understanding. "We'll figure it out together, Minji, one step at a time."

Hanni had this urge to help Minji enjoy her life. Hannj thinks that this can be her way to somewhat ease the guilt she's feeling for trying to distract Minji academically.

As they continued to enjoy their brunch, the bond between them deepened, and Minji couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope that perhaps, with Hanni by her side, she could learn to be herself and let go of the masks she had worn for so long. She wanted to take this chance to change herself for the better.

As they finished their brunch, Hanni couldn't help but smile warmly at Minji. "You know, Minji," she began, "I'd really like it if we could be friends."

Minji paused, a playful glint in her eye as she considered Danielle's request. After a moment, she chuckled, her resistance giving way to a hint of amusement. "Hmm, I'll think about it," she teased, her lips curling into a small grin.

Hanni couldn't help but pout in mock disappointment. "Oh, come on! We've come his far already" she protested then sigh. "At least promise me you'll continue tutoring me for my accounting qualifications exam in two weeks."
Minji leaned in closer, her expression softening. "Alright, alright," she said with a smile. "I'll help you with your exam, Hanni."

Hanni's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Minji," she said sincerely. "I'm really happy that you're not cold and mean towards me anymore. I wish we could be like this even when we're at the university."

Minji nodded, her eyes filled with a newfound warmth. "I'll try, Han," she said

_____________________________________

Hanni walked into the university hallway nervously, knowing that she'd have to face Danielle and Hyein's questions about her absence
yesterday and her mysterious night with Minji at the club. As she settled into her seat, Danielle couldn't resist grinning mischievously.

"Hanni!" Danielle exclaimed, "Why didn't you respond to our texts and calls yesterday? And what on earth happened with you and Minji at the club?"

Hyein, equally curious, joined in, "Yeah, we were worried when you didn't show up for class. I heard Minji also didn't come to class for the first time." She said then smirked "Spill the beans!"

Hannj felt a nervous knot forming in her stomach, but she quickly thought of an excuse. "Oh, well, Minji and I just drank too much at the club," she lied, trying to sound casual. "That's why I couldn't make it to class. I didn't know she was also absent" she said while she pretends to be surprised.

Danielle raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eye. "Just drinking, huh? Are you sure about that?"

Hanni's cheeks flushed, and she stammered, "Y-Yeah, we just had some fun inside the club, that's all."

Danielle and Hyein exchanged knowing glances, their smirks revealing that they saw through Hanni thinly veiled excuses. They knew their friend too well.

Hyein couldn't resist teasing Hannj further. "Oh, come on, Han," she said with a playful grin. "Are you sure nothing else happened between you and Minji? You seemed pretty nervous right now when we asked you what happened between you two at the club."

Hanni's eyes widened in panic, and she quickly shook her head. "No, no, nothing like that!" she protested, her voice trembling. "I'm loyal to Yeonjun, and I'm not interested in girls. It was just a dare, that's all."

Danielle leaned closer, her tone teasing. "Well, you know what they say about dares, Hanni. Sometimes, they lead to unexpected feelings."
Hanni sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and embarrassment. "Trust me, it's not like that," she insisted, though her heart raced at the memory of the night.

As Danielle and Hyein continued to tease and speculate, Hanni couldn't help but wonder if she was in deeper than she thought. The events of the club had left an indelible mark on her, one that she couldn't easily dismiss, even as she clung to her assurances of loyalty to Yeonjun.

"Okay, we trust you, Hanni" Danielle said with a cheeky grin. Then Hanni felt a sense of relief. "You look so pretty though. What's behind that full on makeup of yours?"

Another shot of nervousness came to Hanni. She needed to put on a full makeup to cover her bitemarks and hickeys because there are some left. "U-hmm there's nothing special. I just wanted to look extra pretty today." She said
"You sure? It's not because of Minji?" Hyein teased then she received a hard hit on her arm

"Ouch!"

"Guys please stop teasing me!" Hanni said pouting. Hyein and Danielle laughed at their friend.

"Then don't act and look suspicious!" Danielle said laughing. Hanni whined. "Okay, we'll pass this tea time for now but next time let us know, Hanni"