The sun had begun to lower slowly over the beach, painting the sky with soft shades of gold and orange. After hours of shooting, everyone was finally taking a break.
Some people sat under umbrellas, others walked along the shore, and a few simply lay on the sand enjoying the sea breeze.
Naturally, small gossip circles began forming.
Everyone had someone to talk to.
So Hee, Jiyeon, and Min Ah
Near a large beach umbrella, So Hee, Jiyeon, and Min Ah sat together on foldable chairs, sipping cold drinks.
The conversation started casually.
Work.
Photoshoot concepts.
Random jokes.
But Jiyeon suddenly leaned forward with a mischievous smile.
"So Min Ah…"
Min Ah looked at her.
"Yes?"
"Are you in a relationship?"
Min Ah nearly choked on her drink.
"No."
Jiyeon grinned.
"Really?"
"Yes."
So Hee watched the interaction quietly, amused.
Jiyeon rested her chin on her hand.
"Then… is there anyone you like?"
Min Ah froze for a moment.
Her fingers tightened slightly around her drink bottle.
She didn't answer immediately.
Jiyeon raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? That silence is suspicious."
Min Ah looked down at the sand, clearly hesitating.
So Hee noticed it immediately.
"You do like someone," she said calmly.
Min Ah sighed softly.
"…Maybe."
Jiyeon's eyes lit up.
"Who?"
Min Ah glanced around instinctively, making sure no one else was nearby.
Then she spoke quietly.
"…Yu Na."
For a second, both Jiyeon and So Hee stared at her.
Then Jiyeon smiled.
"Oh."
So Hee nodded thoughtfully.
"That makes sense."
Min Ah looked nervous.
"You think so?"
Jiyeon leaned closer.
"Of course. Then you should go for her."
Min Ah blinked.
"What?"
"Tell her," Jiyeon said casually.
Min Ah immediately shook her head.
"No way."
So Hee smiled slightly.
"You don't have to confess immediately."
Min Ah looked at her.
"Then what should I do?"
So Hee began explaining calmly.
"First, spend more time with her."
Min Ah nodded slowly.
"Second," So Hee continued, "make small gestures. Show interest without making it too obvious."
Jiyeon added with a grin,
"Compliment her sometimes."
Min Ah sighed.
"That sounds terrifying."
"You'll survive," Jiyeon laughed.
So Hee gave her one final piece of advice.
"And most importantly… make her aware of your presence."
Min Ah sat there quietly, thinking about their words.
Yerin and Eunseo
Not too far away, Yerin and Eunseo were sitting directly on the sand near the water.
Their conversation had started casually but quickly turned into teasing.
Yerin narrowed her eyes at her friend.
"You betrayed me."
Eunseo blinked.
"What?"
"You didn't choose my room."
Eunseo laughed.
"You're still thinking about that?"
"Yes."
Yerin crossed her arms dramatically.
"You abandoned me."
Eunseo shook her head, still smiling.
"You're ridiculous."
Yerin leaned closer.
"You chose that room because someone you like is there."
Eunseo froze slightly.
"What are you talking about?"
Yerin smirked.
"Room one."
Eunseo avoided her eyes.
"You're imagining things."
Yerin poked her shoulder.
"Confess."
"There's nothing to confess."
"Who do you like?"
Eunseo shook her head again.
"No one."
Yerin stared at her for a long moment.
Then she said quietly,
"Min Ah?"
Eunseo's eyes widened slightly.
Yerin laughed.
"I knew it."
Eunseo sighed and covered her face briefly.
"It's not like that."
"Oh?"
"I just… maybe… slightly…"
Yerin leaned closer.
"Slightly what?"
Eunseo finally admitted quietly,
"…I might have a small crush on her."
Yerin burst out laughing.
"I knew it!"
"But I'm not sure yet," Eunseo added quickly.
Yerin smiled.
"Sure."
Dahye, Yu Na, and Nari
Meanwhile, a little further away, Dahye, Yu Na, and Nari were sitting together near the snack table.
Their conversation was surprisingly calm.
Dahye stretched her arms behind her head.
"So Yu Na."
Yu Na looked at her.
"Yes?"
"How is your progress with Jiyeon?"
Yu Na sighed softly.
"I don't think she likes me."
Dahye tilted her head.
"Why?"
Yu Na shrugged.
"Maybe she likes Min Ah."
Nari glanced at her.
"Really?"
Yu Na continued quietly.
"They seem close."
"And I think Min Ah likes her too."
"So I don't want to interfere."
Dahye thought for a moment.
"I don't think that's true."
Yu Na looked at her.
"What do you mean?"
Dahye smiled.
"I remember Jiyeon once talking about her ideal type."
"And?"
"It looked exactly like Yerin."
Yu Na blinked.
"What?"
Dahye nodded.
"Min Ah doesn't look anything like Yerin."
Yu Na stayed quiet.
Dahye continued casually,
"If anything…"
She looked directly at Yu Na.
"You and Yerin are more similar."
Nari laughed.
"That's actually true."
Dahye nodded.
"You two could pass as twins sometimes."
Yu Na frowned slightly.
"I don't think so."
Dahye shrugged.
"I'm just saying… if Jiyeon likes that type, she might consider getting to know you."
Yu Na shook her head.
"I don't think it will happen."
Her voice sounded calm.
But she clearly wasn't convinced.
"I think I'll just give up."
Dahye sighed dramatically.
"You're too pessimistic."
Then she turned toward Nari.
"What about you?"
Nari smirked slightly.
"My situation is worse."
"Oh?"
"The girl I like doesn't even notice me."
Yu Na raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
Nari replied casually,
"She likes someone else."
"Who?" Dahye asked.
"Min Ah."
Yu Na blinked in surprise.
Why do you think so? Yu Na asked
Because I noticed the way she looks at her and always try to crave for her attention.
"That's why she kept looking at her earlier."
Dahye laughed.
"Oh… that explains something."
Yu Na suddenly remembered something.
"Oh! That's why she chose room one!"
Nari nodded.
"Exactly."
Dahye smirked.
"And you keep following her around like a bodyguard."
Nari didn't deny it.
Instead, she smiled confidently.
"I'll make her fall for me."
Dahye laughed.
"You sound very confident."
Nari crossed her arms proudly.
"You know me."
Yu Na smirked.
"Miss playgirl."
Dahye nodded.
"You make every girl fall for you."
Nari grinned.
"I never lose."
Yu Na shook her head with a small smile.
"Well…"
"Good luck."
"Keep trying."