A loud banging on the door dragged Mi Na out of sleep.
"Ugh…" she groaned, turning in bed.
The knocking didn't stop.
She forced her eyes open, her head pounding badly. "Ah… meoriya… na eolmana mashin geoya…"
(Ah… my head… how much did I drink…)
She sat up slowly, holding her head, her hair a complete mess.
"Jinjja… na wanjeon kkol dwaetne…"
(Damn… I look like a mess…)
The knocking came again.
Louder this time.
"I'm coming!" she snapped, her voice rough as she dragged herself out of bed.
She staggered to the door and pulled it open—
Then froze.
Annie stood there.
Fully dressed.
Calm.
Like it wasn't early morning and like nothing had happened the night before.
Mi Na blinked.
"Yeogiseo mwo haneun geoya…?"
(What are you doing here…?)
Annie didn't answer immediately.
She just looked at her.
Then—
"I'll give you fifteen minutes," Annie said.
Mi Na frowned slightly, still trying to process.
"Get ready," Annie added. "Or I change my mind."
Silence.
Mi Na's eyes widened.
"…Wait."
Her brain finally caught up.
"Oh my God— is that a yes?!"
But Annie had already turned and started walking away.
Mi Na gasped softly, suddenly wide awake. "Oh my God!"
She rushed back into her room, nearly tripping over herself.
Annie walked down the short hallway and stopped in front of the boys' room.
The door was slightly open.
She pushed it gently.
And paused.
Ryan and Do Hwan were both asleep—
And somehow—
half hugging each other.
Annie stared at them.
No reaction.
Then she picked up a shoe from the floor and threw it straight at the table.
Bang!
The sound echoed loudly.
Both of them jolted awake instantly.
"What the—?!" Do Hwan sat up, confused.
Ryan blinked, trying to focus.
Then they both realized—
And quickly moved away from each other.
Awkward.
Annie didn't say anything about it.
She just looked at them.
"You have fifteen minutes."
Ryan straightened slightly. "For what?"
Annie didn't bother explaining. "Be ready."
Then she turned and left.
Just like that.
The door remained open.
Silence.
Do Hwan slowly turned to Ryan.
"…Did that just happen?"
Ryan didn't reply immediately.
Then—
a small smile appeared on his face.
Do Hwan narrowed his eyes.
"Jagiya…" he said playfully.
(Hey babe…)
Ryan's smile disappeared instantly.
"Ne bestie saenggakboda budeureopne."
(Your bestie seems softer than I thought.)
Ryan kicked him immediately.
"Shut up."
Do Hwan groaned. "Yah! Why are you violent?!"
Ryan stood up. "Get ready."
Fifteen minutes later, they were all outside.
Annie was already there.
Waiting.
Mi Na walked up, still fixing her hair slightly.
"Thank you—" she started.
Annie didn't even look at her.
Mi Na paused.
Then slowly dropped her hand.
Ryan noticed.
But said nothing.
Do Hwan stretched. "Finally leaving this peaceful prison."
No one replied.
The driver arrived shortly after.
They all got in.
And just like that—
they left Jeju.
The flight was quiet.
No one really talked.
Even Do Hwan kept it minimal this time.
Mi Na kept glancing at Annie once in a while, like she still couldn't believe it.
Ryan just leaned back, watching everything silently.
And Annie—
she just looked out the window.
Unbothered.
Unreadable.
When they landed in Seoul, the city felt louder than usual.
Do Hwan stepped out first, stretching happily.
"Ahh… I missed this place," he said. "And the food… don't even get me started."
No one replied.
He looked around. "Tough crowd."
They all moved toward the taxis.
One by one.
But just before Annie stepped in—
Mi Na stopped her.
"Eonje… osil geoyeyo?"
(When should we expect you…?)
Annie paused.
Then slowly turned to look at her.
Their eyes met.
For a moment—
Mi Na felt that same pressure again.
Then Annie spoke.
"Eonjedunji."
(Anytime.)
Simple.
Final.
She got into the car.
And the door closed.
As the cars drove off—
everything felt like it was finally starting.