Phone, check.
Purse, check.
Vanity kit, check.
Hae-in mentally went through her list one last time as she prepared for her date with Hyun Woo. Satisfied that she had everything, she glanced at her full-length mirror, ensuring her outfit and makeup were just right. After applying a final touch of lip tint, she stepped back, taking in her reflection with a smile.
"Perfect," she whispered to herself before turning on her heel and heading for the stairs.
However, as she descended the grand staircase, she froze mid-step. At the bottom, seated gracefully on the pristine couch in the living room, was...
...her mother.
Sipping her morning tea, Kim Seon-hwa was the picture of elegance as she balanced the delicate porcelain cup effortlessly in her hand. At the sound of her daughter's footsteps, she looked up sharply, her gaze sweeping over Hae-in as though she were assessing her.
"And where are you off to this early on a holiday?" Seon-hwa asked formally.
"I'm heading out..." Hae-in began vaguely as she tried to mask her nerves. "To meet a friend."
"Ah," Seon-hwa said, her expression unreadable as she set her cup down. "You mean with Baek Hyun Woo?"
Hae-in froze, gulping anxiously before she straightened her back, holding her head high and adopting her usual defiant stance.
"It's his birthday today, Eomma," she stated firmly.
Seon-hwa studied her daughter in silence for a long moment before she sighed softly and picked up her teacup again. "I see. Don't come home too late."
Hae-in blinked, caught off guard by the lack of resistance. "Ne," she replied cautiously, frowning slightly.
Her mother's unusually subdued response left her understandably bewildered.
Did something happen between Hyun Woo and her mother during his last visit when he came to check on her?
That was the only logical explanation, right?
Shaking the thought from her mind, Hae-in offered her mother a slight bow before heading out the door. Today wasn't the day to dwell on those mysteries.
She had more important things to focus on – like planning the perfect birthday celebration for Baek Hyun Woo.
‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅
Hyun Woo was already waiting at the entrance of AquaPlanet ILSAN when Hae-in arrived. The moment he spotted her walking toward him, his face lit up with a wide grin, and he waved enthusiastically.
Adorable, Hae-in thought, unable to suppress the smile tugging at her lips.
"Hae-in ah!" Hyun Woo greeted brightly, his voice carrying a mix of excitement and warmth.
"Did I keep you waiting for long?" Hae-in asked.
"Ani, I was early," Hyun Woo admitted, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. "I guess I was a little excited."
Hae-in chuckled, her eyes twinkling. "Aigoo, is this your first time at an aquarium?"
"It's my first time at an aquarium with you," Hyun Woo replied smoothly, his grin widening.
Hae-in felt a blush creep up her cheeks, and she glanced away momentarily to compose herself.
Smooth, Hyun Woo, real smooth, Hyun Woo thought, silently proud of himself.
YOU ARE READING
The Gimbap Project
FanfictionIt's so high school at Hanil Foreign Language High School with a new addition in the middle of the semester. Baek Hyun Woo, a Year 3 transfer student in his final year of high school meets Hong Hae-in, a Year 2 student who is the future heiress of Q...
