{KOREAN-ENGLISH}
"Go!" Hye Sua shouted, cheering loudly from behind.
Joon So Min hunched over the claw machine, eyes narrowed in full concentration. Her fingers hovered over the buttons, trying for the tenth time to snatch the plush elephant she'd been aiming at all evening. Again, it slipped from her grasp, landing with a soft thud just out of reach.
"Almost there!" Hye Sua called.
So Min sighed, brushing a few strands of hair out of her face. Around her, a small crowd had started to form,some cheering, others simply amused at her determination. Several stuffed animals she'd already won were stacked at her feet.
"Let me try," Lee Seo Jun said, stepping beside her.
She blinked at him in disbelief. "You? This isn't your type of game."
He shrugged and smiled. "You never know."
She moved aside with a sigh of mock skepticism. He inserted the coins and adjusted the joystick awkwardly, like someone completely unfamiliar with the controls. And yet by sheer dumb luck or fate,the claw descended... and came back up holding the exact stuffed bunny she had been struggling to win.
"You got it?!" So Min gasped, her eyes lighting up with shock and joy.
The small crowd erupted into cheers. The owner clapped and approached. "That toy's been sitting there for months! No one could get it. Congratulations!"
"Thank you," Seo Jun said. "How much?"
"It's free, sir," the man replied, laughing kindly. "You don't pay for what you win."
Seo Jun nodded and turned to So Min, gently holding the bunny out to her.
She didn't take it immediately. Their eyes met, and the people around them collectively let out a romantic "Awwwwwwn."
"What a beautiful couple," someone said.
Embarrassed, So Min finally took the bunny from his hands and muttered, "Let's go."
She turned quickly, heart fluttering. Why did he have to keep doing things like this?
Behind them, Hye Sua smirked. "These two..."
"What's going on?" Lee Min Jun asked, confused.
"Nothing. Let's go," she replied, hiding her amused smile.
⸻
That night, So Min sat on her bed, staring at the stuffed bunny now nestled between the others she had won. She reached out and gently brushed its ear.
He had insisted she take them all and paid for every single one.
A small smile formed on her lips. He makes me happy, she thought.
⸻
"What do you want to call him?" Seo Jun asked playfully from behind the wheel.
Min Jun and Hye Sua had left in his car, leaving the two of them alone again.
So Min held the bunny on her lap and pondered. "Semin."
Seo Jun blinked. "Semin? What kind of name is that?"
"I made it up," she smiled, "I like it."
She held the bunny close. "My dearest Semin."
Seo Jun stared at her for a beat, then let out a soft chuckle. "You're just... too cute."
She turned away, blushing.
⸻
That night, So Min fell asleep with Semin in her arms, smiling softly at the thought of Seo Jun's face.
⸻
The next few days passed quickly.
She resumed her lessons with Madam Louise at Seo Jun's home. Despite everything, she still hadn't accepted his offer to date. He didn't push but he also didn't give up.
"We're officially dating!" Hye Sua squealed one afternoon.
She and Min Jun were growing stronger as a couple, though they kept their relationship private due to his fanbase. Hye Sua, who worked at a bank, was careful not to draw attention.
"He always makes sure I'm safe," she said, smiling shyly.
"I'm proud of you," So Min said. "Your first love, and it's a top-tier catch."
"Thank you, So Min. I owe it to you for making me meet my prince."
"I have done a lot for you," So Min said, curtsying dramatically.
They both burst into laughter.
⸻
Later that evening, Seo Jun walked So Min home and stayed to stroll with her through the neighborhood.
"I'm glad for Min Jun," he said. "He's dated so many women but never actually cared about any of them. Hye Sua is different."
So Min smiled. Then her phone buzzed.
"A reunion," she muttered after checking the message. "My high school classmates."
"You don't look excited."
"It's fine," she said quickly. "They're just schoolmates."
But Seo Jun could tell. Something about it unsettled her. And he knew Jung Hyun would be there.
His jaw tightened at the thought.
⸻
The reunion was at a popular restaurant. So Min and Hye Sua stood together among a crowd of familiar faces.
"So Min, are you still with Jung Hyun?" a girl asked loudly.
So Min glanced toward Jung Hyun, who was watching her with unreadable eyes.
"No," she replied simply.
"Shame," the girl said. "You were always too poor for him anyway."
It was Su Jin,one of the jealous ones from school, always bitter that So Min had been the one Jung Hyun chose.
Hye Sua's eyes narrowed. "It's okay to feel small,
Su Jin,but don't take it out on other people."
Su Jin scoffed. "Her backbone still follows her around."
Another girl chimed in, "So Min, what do you do now?"
"I work in a fashion store," she answered confidently.
A mocking laugh followed. "You still haven't made it?"
"Alright, girls," Jung Hyun interrupted. "Let's order."
Another guy smirked. "You were always too good for her, Jung Hyun. Look at her now,single and alone."
"Who said she is single?" Hye Sua asked coolly.
Everyone turned to her.
She tucked her hair behind her ear, a knowing smile on her lips. "So Min's actually dating someone huge. Someone you wouldn't dare mess with."
"Prove it," the guy challenged. "Where is this mystery boyfriend?"
So Min turned to Hye Sua, stunned by her bold lie.
And then—
"Someone looking for me?" came a voice like thunder behind them.
Every head turned.
There stood Lee Seo Jun,tall, polished, exuding confidence,and very much real.