—— Seori

Sitting in the kitchen, I happily nibbled on my breakfast, the warmth of the morning sun casting a gentle glow. The small journal lay open next to me, revealing the inked desires Jungwon and I had shared under the stars. As I traced his words with a smile, my mom, who was bustling around the kitchen, noticed the journal.

"What's that, Seori?" she asked, curiosity lining her voice.

I hesitated for a moment, deciding not to divulge the details of the journal's contents. "Oh, it's just a personal journal, Mom. Just writing down thoughts and ideas."

She nodded, seemingly satisfied with the vague explanation. "Alright, as long as it's helping you express yourself. You know you can always talk to me if there's anything on your mind, right?"

I nodded, grateful for my mom's understanding. "Of course, Mom. Thanks."

As I continued to enjoy my breakfast, I couldn't shake the thrill of the shared wishes hidden within the pages of the journal. The connection Jungwon and I were building felt like a delicate secret, one that I wanted to savor and protect.

As I continued enjoying my breakfast, a message notification lit up my phone. It was from Jungwon, a simple yet intriguing invitation. He suggested meeting at the racing house at 2 pm and even sent the address. A smile tugged at my lips as I considered the prospect of spending more time with him.

Texting back, I replied, "Sure, I'll be there at 2 pm. Should I bring Yeji with me? I heard Jake and her might be officially dating. Did he say anything to you about it?"

While waiting for his response, I pondered the possibilities. The racing house held a unique charm, a place where the rhythms of engines and the camaraderie of friends blended seamlessly. The idea of sharing the space with Jungwon, exploring the intricacies of our budding connection, filled me with a mix of excitement and anticipation.

Jungwon's reply soon arrived, his words appearing on my screen. "Yeah, bring Yeji along. And as for Jake and Yeji, I heard they're giving it a shot. You know how those two are."

A playful smile crossed my face at the thought of Jake and Yeji navigating the twists of their own relationship. With newfound information in hand, I quickly texted Yeji, sharing the plan and inviting her to join me at the racing house.

In a matter of minutes, Yeji responded, "Sounds fun! Let's go together."

The morning carried an air of anticipation, the hours ticking away until the designated meeting time. The journal, tucked away in my bag, held the secrets of shared wishes between Jungwon and me, a tangible reminder of the unspoken bond we were nurturing.

ﾟ.+:｡Time skip .+:｡

Later that day, with the sun beginning its descent, I walked downstairs, finding my parents in the living room. A quick announcement escaped my lips, "I'm going out with Yeji for a bit."

They exchanged glances, offering a nod of acknowledgment. My parents, aware of Yeji's role as my close friend, trusted the camaraderie we shared.

I strolled to Yeji's house, the excitement building with each step. Upon reaching her door, I rang the doorbell, a signal that our adventure was about to unfold. Soon, the door creaked open, and Yeji stepped out, a grin spreading across her face.

"Ready for some racing house fun?" she asked, her eyes reflecting the same anticipation I felt.

I nodded, mirroring her enthusiasm. "Absolutely. Let's head to the bus stop. It's a bit of a ride, but who wants to walk that far?"

Yeji chuckled, her laughter resonating with a carefree spirit. "You got that right. Bus it is!"

Together, we made our way to the nearest bus stop, the animated chatter between us filling the air. The day held the promise of shared laughter, the hum of engines, and the warmth of friendship. As we waited for the bus, the prospect of the racing house, where Jungwon and the thrill of the street racing world awaited, stirred a sense of adventure within us.

As we arrived at the racing house, our eyes traced the exterior, taking in the sights of a place that held tales of adrenaline and camaraderie. Approaching the door, Yeji and I exchanged excited glances before ringing the doorbell, waiting for the door to swing open.

Heeseung, the oldest of the group, greeted us, ushering us into the main room where the lively atmosphere of the racing house unfolded. Scanning the room, I sought out Jungwon, who was deeply engrossed in a racing game with Sunghoon.

Quietly approaching him, I decided to playfully surprise him. I covered his eyes from behind, relishing the chance to catch him off guard. However, my plan seemed to backfire as he scolded the mystery person for making him lose the game.

"Who dares interrupt my game?" he grumbled.

But as he heard my voice, a soft smile replaced the scowl on his face. He turned around, gently placing my petite hands down from his eyes. In an unexpectedly tender gesture, he wrapped his arms around my waist and nestled his head against my belly.

Caught off guard by the affectionate move, I blushed slightly but couldn't resist ruffling his hair. Sunghoon, witnessing our exchange, smiled at our apparent cuteness.

"Seori, you're already getting him attached before official dating. Brace yourself, because once it's official, it's gonna get worse," Sunghoon warned playfully.

Jungwon, still holding me close, shot Sunghoon a mock glare. "Mind your own business, Sunghoon."

Yeji, standing nearby, chuckled at the playful banter. The racing house, usually a realm of intense competitions and roaring engines, was now witness to the quieter moments, the subtle dance of connection between Jungwon and me.

With Jungwon's arms still wrapped around my waist and his head nestled against my belly, Niki, the youngest of the group, approached us. He casually asked if I wanted to join him for a bowl of ramen. My eyes widened at the mention of ramen, a tempting proposition that sparked both surprise and delight. Without hesitation, I agreed, but Jungwon, still holding me close, seemed unwilling to let me go.

As Niki waited for my response, Sunghoon chimed in with a playful remark, "See, Seori, this is what I meant by Jungwon's attachment. Once he latches on, it's hard to escape."

I playfully whined to Jungwon, adopting a childlike tone, "Come on, Jungwon, let me go. I really want to eat the ramen with Niki."

Jungwon, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, tightened his hold, teasingly reluctant to release me. "But I like having you right here."

Niki, watching the amusing exchange, chuckled and joined in the banter. "Jungwon, you can't hog Seori all the time. Let the girl eat some ramen."

With a theatrical sigh, Jungwon finally relented, releasing his hold on my waist. I shot Niki a grateful smile, excited about the prospect of indulging in a bowl of ramen. As I stepped away, Sunghoon couldn't resist another playful comment.

"Seori, just wait until you're officially dating. You'll be dealing with this kind of clinginess all the time," he warned with a grin.

The thought lingered in the air, a hint of what might come.

—— Jungwon

As I let Seori go to enjoy a bowl of ramen with Niki, I attempted to regain my cool composure, embracing the bad boy racer persona that often defined my presence. However, any illusion of suave demeanor was promptly shattered when Jake, accompanied by Yeji, decided to poke fun at me.

"You know, Jungwon, you're worse than I thought. Don't forget, she's still in her childlike self, needing her ramen fix," Jake teased, a smirk playing on his lips.

Yeji, ever the playful spirit, smacked Jake's shoulder. "Seori is childish, but not that much."

I couldn't resist firing back, a playful glint in my eyes. "She's my kid, Jake. You should focus on your kid, Yeji."

Yeji, not one to back down, shot me a look. "Don't call us kids. We're not that young."

I chuckled, enjoying the banter. "You two are still kids until you turn 18. Embrace it."

Jake, always ready for a comeback, grinned. "Well, at least I'm not the only one dealing with a kid. Good luck, Jungwon."

As the playful exchange continued, the racing house echoed with laughter and camaraderie.

To be continued...