ONE's AFFAIR ; DAERIN

Chapter 21. Love Fountain

MINJI's POV

It's finally the last day of our business trip. Working at a different place is definitely a unique experience and it was fun. The best of all, Hanni is here. Sometimes I don't even need to talk, just listening to her talk about anything and everything can lighten up my day and make me look forward to the next.

"Are you guys ready!?" Hanni yelled excitedly. It would be hard to believe that she was just moody and sad at the beginning of the trip.

8:30
We headed out for breakfast and some coffee. We've made a plan last night and list all the places we want to go visit. I took a peak at the list, the times are very close together with so many places marked down. I have a feeling we won't be able to get to everything.

Eunchae and Shuhua sits across from me and Hanni. The two seem to be very good friends since they're both interns coming from the same school and now working at the same place.

A waitress took our order. For a moment, I couldn't think straight, she has quite an angelic smile. The gummy smile is really similar to Hanni's.

9:23
We've arrived at the museum of arts according to Hanni's suggestion. This place is a lot bigger than I thought, I feel like I might end up getting lost in here! We all decided to stick together to prevent that possibility of getting lost.

"Minji, can you take a photo for me?" I turned my head over in response to Hanni's question. "Sure." I replied, taking my polaroid camera out. She posed and I took a photo. "How was it?" She asked while running to where I am, "Looked great!" I replied enthusiastically, waving the film around for it to set.

I could hear her bursting out laughing once the film was set. I can't help but also laugh, "I LOOK LIKE A DUCK, MAN!" Hanni said in between laughters. "This isn't the first time you look like a duck." I joked while trying to contain my laughter.

9:53
We left the museum and headed to the biggest mall in the area. Shuhua said that she really wants to buy some new stuff so here we are.

I let out a small sigh as I grabbed onto the multiple bags of clothes that the three of them bought. Since I'm the oldest, I guess I'm responsible to holding onto all their stuff while they look around to buy more items.

"Minji ah, what about this one?"

Hanni did a little spin to show off the dress she's trying on. I took a good luck up and down and gave an approval nod. "Looks good!" I said enthusiastically. The dress really gives off summer vibe and it doesn't show too much skin nor hides too much where you get a feeling of suffocation. Plus, she looks adorable and absolutely gorgeous while wearing it.

"I'm not sure if I can trust you. You literally said the same thing before my photo ending up looking like a duck!" The seal exclaimed. I was actually offended at that. "Hey! This is why nice people's photos don't end up looking like a duck."

I rolled my eyes at her before she went back into the dressing room. I didn't know what I was in for. You could say I stood there for a good 20 minutes holding onto heavy bags, waiting for Hanni to try one at least 15 different outfits and accessories.

She finally decided onto a few outfits she liked and is now waiting at the checkout line.

"Are you guys done?" I heard a similar voice coming from a short distance. "Yeah, just waiting for Hanni to checkout." I answered while looking at Eunchae and Shuhua. "Can we eat lunch now? I'm starving!" Eunchae exclaimed, "With the power of the 20s it's best to eat lunch now." Followed by Boss Baby Shuhua.

I took a glance at my wristwatch. 11:08.

We've been at the mall for longer than I thought. I nodded. "Yeah, sounds good. Where should we go to?", "We saw a restaurant with hello kitty themed on the other side of the mall!" Oh I see where this is going to. "Can we go there? Please? Can we?" The two of them said in unison and tried to put up the best puppy eyes they could which made me cringe a bit, but I gave in.

I'm not familiar with this area and if they want to, I don't see why not.

"What are you guys talking about?" Hanni asked while giving me the plastic bag filled with the clothes she just bought. Am I a robot or her personal butler or something!?

——

It's already dark outside. I looked at my wristwatch and it's already eight at night. Everyone is tired and beat out. We spent the whole day going from one tourist place to the next, according to Shuhua's plan.

"We should start heading to the hotel now since the flight is in five hours." I said, looking over at the others. Shuhua and Eunchae are both sleeping while Hanni is looking at the piece of paper where Shuhua had put down her plan for our day. Suddenly, I heard a load gasp coming from Hanni which caught my attention.

"Is something wrong?" I asked worriedly.
"We didn't get to go to where you wanted!"
She exclaimed and showed me the paper.

Every destination on the paper is marked with a checkmark next to it, besides the very last one. Which wrote in bold letters, 'Minji's love fountain' I chuckled at the remark. "It's a bit too late now." I said, a bit disappointed but also happy that we were able to get to every place that they wanted to go.

"No!" I heard Hanni yelled. Before I could realise it, her hand is firmly squeezing my hand and we're running far away from the sleeping nurses. "Where are we going?" I asked, trying to pick up my pace so we're equal. "The place isn't far from here, we can make it!" She yelled back before fixing our hand position; intertwining our fingers together.

We ran and ran and ran. By the time we arrived, I was out of breath and felt like I might as well just collapse. I took a seat on one of the benches while Hanni walked over to the vending machine nearby.

After a few minutes of breathing, I was able to feel better. I could feel a cold and wet sensation as it's pressed onto my cheek. "Why don't you get scared like how I do?" I chuckled, taking the coca cola from her hand. "I'm just simply better."

We take a walk around the park while cooling down with the soda. The cold breeze occasionally passing by feels nice. The ground has lights to indicate the pathway to the fountain, calling it beautiful would be an understatement.

We were mesmerised once we reached the fountain. The photos I saw online were beautiful, but this is different. The fountain is majestic. The clear water flowing through the system with decoration of vines and flowers around. It also gives off a bit of an eerie feeling.

"It's so beautiful," Hanni whispered, gluing her eyes to the fountain. I looked over at her and smiled. "Yeah, it is."

The plane has finally landed and we're back in Seoul. Before I could open my mouth to bid goodbyes, Hanni noticed where Haerin is standing and ran towards her. Haerin immediately wrapped her arms around her wife and they kissed.

I could see how happy Hanni looked. It's like her whole world lit up and her smile is permanent when Haerin is around.

I admire her while her eyes are fixed on another. I smile at her while her smiles belong to another person.

Just like how I was, eight years ago.