One Month

Taste of Happiness

Minjeong and Jimin strolled down the busy street, the late afternoon sun casting a warm glow over the town. They decided on a quaint little café that was just far enough from school to feel like a small escape. It was the kind of place with cozy booths, soft music playing in the background, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air.

They found a booth near the window, where sunlight poured in, illuminating Jimin’s features in a way that made Minjeong’s heart skip a beat. The two of them sat across from each other, and almost immediately, the conversation started flowing naturally, like a river winding its way through a peaceful valley.

"I can't believe how nice the weather is today," Jimin said, glancing out the window with a content smile.

Minjeong nodded, her gaze fixed on Jimin. "Yeah, it's perfect. But I have to admit, the company is even better."

Jimin rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t hide the small smile that tugged at the corners of her lips. "You’re such a flirt, Minjeong."

"Only with you," Minjeong responded with a playful grin, earning a soft chuckle from Jimin.

They ordered their food—Jimin opted for a light salad while Minjeong went for a sandwich—and as they waited, their conversation continued effortlessly. They talked about everything and nothing, sharing stories about their weekends, discussing the latest school gossip, and even debating over their favorite songs.

At one point, Jimin leaned back in her seat, looking at Minjeong with a curious expression. "You know, I still don’t get how you manage to make everything sound so easy."

Minjeong tilted her head slightly. "What do you mean?"

Jimin shrugged, her gaze drifting to the table for a moment. "Just… you always seem so confident, like nothing fazes you."

Minjeong chuckled softly. "Trust me, I have my moments of doubt too. But when I’m with you, everything just feels… right."

Jimin felt her cheeks warm at the sincerity in Minjeong’s voice. She was starting to realize that being around Minjeong made her feel lighter, happier even. It was something she wasn’t used to, but she didn’t entirely dislike it either.

Their food arrived, and as they ate, the conversation flowed with more laughter and shared smiles. Minjeong told a funny story about one of her friends from middle school, which had Jimin laughing so hard she nearly spilled her drink.

"You’re hilarious, Minjeong," Jimin said, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye as her laughter subsided.

Minjeong beamed. "I’m glad I can make you laugh. Your smile is kind of addictive, you know?"

Jimin rolled her eyes again but couldn’t help the blush that crept up her cheeks. "There you go again with the flirting."

"It’s not flirting if it’s true," Minjeong said with a wink.

As they finished their meal, the atmosphere between them felt lighter than it had before, as if a weight had been lifted. Jimin was beginning to see Minjeong in a new light—not just as the persistent girl who wouldn’t take no for an answer, but as someone who genuinely cared for her, someone who brought out the best in her.

By the time they left the café, the sun was beginning to set, casting a golden hue over everything. They walked side by side, the distance between them smaller than it had been before.

As they reached the school parking lot where they would part ways, Jimin turned to Minjeong. "Thanks for today. I had a really good time."

Minjeong smiled warmly. "I did too. We should do this again sometime."

Jimin nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, I’d like that."

With a wave, Jimin headed towards her car, and Minjeong watched her go, her heart swelling with happiness. The day had gone better than she could have hoped, and as she walked to her own car, she couldn’t help but feel that maybe—just maybe—Jimin was starting to let her guard down.

And that gave Minjeong all the hope she needed.