Love in the Halls [Lee Donghyuck]

Chapter 78: Summer Breeze

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Narae's mom leaned against the kitchen counter, stirring her tea as she watched her daughter fidget with her phone. "So, going on another date with Haechan today?" she teased lightly, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

Narae sighed, shooting her mom an exasperated look. "It's not a date. And no, I'm going out with Jaemin, Jeno, and Renjun today."

Her mom chuckled softly, clearly not buying it. "Mm-hmm, sure, sweetie."

Rolling her eyes, Narae stuffed her phone into her bag and grabbed her shoes. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"Just saying! You're all smiles whenever you talk about him."

"I regret bringing it up." Narae groaned, and she shot her a pointed glare before heading out the door. "I'll be back later."

As the door shut behind her, Narae let out a sigh of relief. Her mom always founda way to poke fun at her, but she was grateful it wasn't serious. She made her way down the street to where Jaemin, Jeno, and Renjun were waiting by the curb.

"You're late," Jaemin quipped, leaning against the side of the Uber with a grin. His sunglasses perched on the bridge of his nose gave him a laid-back look.

"Yeah, yeah, blame my mom. She thinks I'm going out with Haechan," Narae muttered as she slid into the backseat beside Renjun.

"Can't blame her for thinking that," Renjun teased, his voice light as he nudged her playfully.

"Whatever." She brushed it off, annoyed by the constant mention of his name. Jeno, sitting in the front seat, glanced back with a knowing grin.

The ride to the Lotte Department Store was filled with casual conversation, Jeno recounting some bizarre dream about getting lost in a maze made of ice cream, while Jaemin kept interrupting to demand more ridiculous details. Narae sat in the back seat, her eyes drifting toward the window as she cracked it open, letting the warm summer breeze sweep in.

She leaned back, letting their voices fade into the background as the cityscape unfolded before her. Tall buildings, vibrant signs, and the soft glow of sunlight reflecting off glass windows filled her view. The streets were busy, but in a way that felt alive and full of promise—like the city itself was a part of the conversation.

The breeze felt nice on her skin, and Narae closed her eyes for a moment, letting the mix of warm air and distant sounds wash over her. There was something peaceful about being in motion, the feeling of the car gliding smoothly through the streets while life buzzed on the sidewalks. She glanced up, noticing the blue sky dotted with fluffy clouds, the kind that made you dream of lazy afternoons and endless summers.

Opening her eyes again, she took in the familiar streets of the city that had always been her home but felt different today. It wasn't often that she let herself slow down enough to admire the little things—the way the sunlight hit the tops of the trees lining the road, how the people outside seemed to move with purpose, or the colorful umbrellas shading street vendors selling summer snacks. Everything felt light, fresh, and full of possibility.

Narae took a deep breath, savoring the simple beauty of it all. The breeze, the city, the carefree energy of her friends—all of it swirling together to create a moment she wouldn't forget anytime soon.

Once they arrived at the mall, the energy between them shifted. The cool air-conditioning of the store greeted them as they stepped inside, and Jaemin instantly perked up. "Alright, summer shopping. First stop—bathing suits!"