Day Twenty-Four. 11:30 AM.
The apartment was silent.
Not post-argument silent. Not stalker-hiding silent.
Peaceful.
Min-Jae stretched across the couch like a starfish. Bokki lay on his stomach like a furry paperweight.
Soo-Min stood in the kitchen, holding a spoon of peanut butter like it was a life decision.
"We have nothing to do today."
"It's suspicious."
"It's dangerous."
"It's a trap."
---
Scene 1: The Lazy Day
They committed.
No alarms. No pants. No responsibilities.
Movie marathon: check.
Naps with Bokki: check.
Arguing over pizza toppings: check.
("Pineapple belongs!" "So does exile for people who think that!")
At one point, they took synchronized naps.
When they woke up, Da-Eun had left a note on the fridge:
> You two are the definition of elderly 23-year-olds. Also Bokki snored louder than both of you.
Min-Jae glanced at Soo-Min. "Do you think we're... boring now?"
"No. I think we earned the right to be still."
Bokki sneezed in agreement.
---
Scene 2: The First Official Date
"You know what we never actually did?" Soo-Min asked that night, brushing her hair in the mirror.
"Pay our gas bill?"
"No — go on a proper first date."
Min-Jae blinked. "We live together."
"And we skipped the entire romantic pacing of a normal relationship."
He stood. Put on his nicest shirt (that she didn't pick). And extended a hand.
"Miss Yoo Soo-Min, would you do me the honor of going out with me tonight?"
"Only if there's dessert."
"There will be molten chocolate and exactly two kisses."
"Deal."
---
Scene 3: Date Night Chaos
They ended up at a cozy rooftop restaurant.
String lights. Quiet jazz. Intimate tables.
"This is... weird," Min-Jae said. "You're not in sweatpants."
"You're not quoting weird action movies."
"What if we're only good at not dating properly?"
"Then we redefine proper."
The waiter brought them mocktails in ridiculous glasses shaped like ducks.
They clinked beaks.
Mid-dinner, it started raining.
They ran through the streets like kids.
Bokki watched them return — soaked, giggling, holding hands and a half-melted dessert box.
---
Scene 4: Bokki's Birthday Begins
Next morning.
Soo-Min stood over the calendar.
"Two weeks till his birthday."
Min-Jae looked up from his cereal. "We're doing something?"
"We're throwing Seoul's most unhinged feline his first birthday bash."
"He's a cat."
"He has more fans than you."
"Fair."
She pulled out a notebook titled Operation Bokki Bash.
Bullet points included:
Ice sculpture of Bokki
Cat-friendly buffet
Red carpet photo area
Custom guest invitations for humans and pets
Min-Jae: "This is terrifying."
Soo-Min: "This is art."
Bokki, in his birthday hat prototype, approved silently.
---
Scene 5: Final Moments
That night, they curled up with Bokki.
"You think we're too extra?" Soo-Min asked.
"Yes. But so is he."
"You mean our lives are permanently insane."
"And perfectly so."
They watched the city lights blink.
Peaceful again. But not quiet.
Because somewhere in the distance… Bokki was already planning a guest list.
---
End of Chapter 25