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21

as alice awoke to the gentle touch of sunlight filtering through the curtains, she greeted the day with a soft flutter of excitement in her heart. march 6th—a date echoed with significance in her world. her birthday!

with a serene smile gracing her lips, she turned towards her bedside table, her fingers reaching out to grasp the familiar weight of her phone. in the modern rhythm of life, it had become a ritual for her to seek out messages that awaited her.

sure enough, her anticipation was met with the warmth of a message from mark, a steadfast presence in her life. his words, simple yet heartfelt, conveyed a birthday message that carried the echo of their shared moments and inside jokes, a gesture that nestled comfortably during her morning routine.

alice opened her eyes with the sun shining through her curtains. 

march sixth, her birthday. she was nineteen today. 

she smiled to herself and turned to her side to reach for her phone. like everyone, the first thing she checked her phone for messages. sure enough, mark had sent her one. 

your birthday adventure, a treasure hunt's call,
follow clues i've left, for a surprise overall,
think back, stop, rewind, our first meeting's find,
in that moment, our story entwined.

her thoughts traced the paths of memory, seeking the elusive answer to mark's riddle. the cafe briefly flickered in her mind's eye, a cozy haven where they'd shared coffee-fueled conversations, but a lingering intuition nudged her toward another possibility.

with a switch from her imessage tab to the realm of instagram, the vibrant mosaic of images greeted her. amidst the curated snapshots of moments captured in pixels, a direct message from mark snatched her attention. like a hidden treasure unveiled, her thumb brushed the screen, revealing his message waiting in the digital ether.

here paths did meet, a digital spark so neat,
now recall our first embrace, where face to face we greet.
from screens to real-life, the transition's prime,
remember that spot, where out worlds did chime.

that was easy, it was the cafe. 

alice showered quickly in excitement. she chose her outfit carefully because she wanted to look good for obvious reasons. before she knew it, she'd reached the cafe. 

once she stepped inside, it had slipped her mind for a moment that she'd have to look around for the clue. but before doing anything else, she ordered herself a coffee. 

"good morning! alice greeted the cashier with an infectious grin, the excitement in her voice reverberating through the bustling cafe. "could i please have a large black iced coffee with 2 espresso shots. also, have you seen a black-haired boy wandering in?"

the cashier, a knowing smile playing at the corners of their lips, punched in alice's order, a glint of secrecy shimmering in their eyes. "sorry, he told me not to say anything."

"oh, that's okay then," alice replied, accepting the playful mystery with a nod before receiving her eagerly awaited coffee. 

with the aromatic brew cradled in her hands, she began her hunt, eyes scanning the familiar corners of the cafe. each step carried her past the tables, a visual journey through memories woven within the cafe's tapestry. she circled around the spot where they'd first exchanged glances, the air still tingling with the resonance of their initial conversation.

then, a moment of realization swept over her like a gentle breeze—returning to the very chair where their story had begun. as she pulled it out, her gaze traced the floor, and there, nestled beneath the seat, she spotted a folded piece of paper peeking out, mark's handwriting teasingly visible.

i'll bet $20 that you're holding a large black iced coffee with 2 espresso shots. anyway...
nighttime whispered secrets sweet, a venture we couldn't shelve,
where stars above witnessed our mirth, a memory we did delve.
in the moon's soft glow, our laughter chimed nonstop,
remember the place we explored, where the cold made our hearts pop.

The night at the ice cream shop had etched itself into Alice's memory—a moment when Mark's genuine care and warmth had shone through, leaving an indelible mark on her heart. It was a glimpse into his character that made her certain he was someone special.

as she arrived at the familiar ice cream shop, the air tingled with anticipation, her eyes darting around the space, seeking out the next clue. her entrance drew the attention of yuta, a friendly figure behind the counter engrossed in a book.

"hey there, birthday girl!" yuta's welcoming greeting filled the space as alice practically danced through the door, her eagerness palpable.

"looking for your next clue?" yuta raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes.

alice, scanning the surroundings, quipped with a hopeful tone, "care to give me a hint this time?"

with an impish smile, yuta leaned back, observing alice's determined search that drew curious glances from other customers. "sorry, but this one's a breeze. you've got this."

chairs shuffled and were pushed back in place as alice meticulously combed through the shop, her persistence unwavering. eventually, her gaze lingered on the back of yuta's shirt, a sly grin painting her lips.

"hey, could you do me a favor and turn around?" alice's voice held a hint of playful insistence.

yuta, with a knowing chuckle, obliged, turning around to reveal the back of his shirt, where the elusive clue lay hidden in plain sight, taped discreetly.

their playful exchange culminated in a shared smile, a moment of camaraderie in the quest, before alice gently retrieved the clue that had been tucked away on yuta's shirt.

last one!
in a space where movement spoke, where rhythms found their tune,
where friendships took their flight, beneath the moon.
remember our gathering place, where steps began to glide,
where your laughter echoed bright, and our bonds were bona fide.

this one was also easy. she thanked yuta on her way out and drove to the dance studio. 

the studio cloaked in darkness welcomed alice's arrival, a silent canvas waiting to unfold an unexpected spectacle. in a flicker of sudden illumination, lights burst to life, revealing the surprise within—17 jubilant figures, their voices in unison thundering the joyous chorus of "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

caught off guard by the boisterous eruption, alice's initial shock gave way to a spontaneous exclamation that echoed through the room, swiftly followed by a composed realization of the heartwarming assembly of friends—her girls, mark's main friend group, and his entire dance crew—coming together to celebrate her.

the room buzzed with the seamless harmony of camaraderie, the diverse ensemble instantly falling into sync, sparking the ignition of a jubilant celebration. laughter mingled with the rhythm, toes tapping and spirits soaring as the festivities kicked off.

amidst the lively dance floor, amidst the swirling vortex of joyous movements, haechan appeared by her side, guiding her toward a quiet moment amid the jubilation.

"you know that mark planned everything? go thank him!" haechan grinned, nudging her gently.

alice nodded, her eyes scanning the room until they settled on mark, lost in a passionate rendition of karaoke. with a wave, she beckoned him over, causing mark to hand off the microphone to renjun before descending from the platform.

"thank you for everything," alice expressed her gratitude, enveloping mark in a heartfelt embrace.

mark reciprocated the hug, cherishing the moment as their friendship wove through the fabric of shared memories. "of course. i knew nothing would mean more than this—being surrounded by the ones you love."