"Si-hyun, just get me the usual."

"Got it."

How often had they come to this cafe for Si-hyun to understand her order immediately?

Ye-rin's order, flaunting her closeness to Si-hyun, left Chae-yeon and Sohui wide-eyed.

But only for a moment.

Soon after, Chae-yeon, who had cleared her throat a few times, leaned on her chin and ordered.

"Get me the usual too. You know what it is, right?"

"...I do."

Si-hyun reluctantly acknowledged and added Chae-yeon's order to his phone's memo.

Finally, after jotting down Sohui's drink as well, he brought the ordered desserts and coffee to the table.

For Ye-rin, he handed over a Cappuccino and an Oreo Cake. For Chae-yeon, an Iced Americano and a Cheesecake. And for Sohui, a Grapefruit Ade.

Si-hyun himself held a Caramel Macchiato.

As they began to enjoy their orders, the atmosphere lightened a bit, and Si-hyun took this chance to speak about their assignment.

"Our task is to introduce a recommended tourist spot. So, everyone, find a suitable place and send it to Chae-yeon."

"Okay."

All four people began working on their respective tasks.

While searching for information, Si-hyun took a sip of his coffee, feeling a bit thirsty, and happened to glance in Ye-rin’s direction.

He sighed immediately.

"Hey, how do you manage this every time even here?"

"Huh?"

There was cream from the Oreo Cake on the corner of Ye-rin’s mouth. How could she always manage to do this while eating? Si-hyun pulled out a tissue, intending to hand it to her, but…

‘If I just told her the location, she probably wouldn't find it again, right?’

He reached out and wiped the corner of Ye-rin's mouth himself.

"Pfft.. Thanks."

Ye-rin smiled sweetly at his considerate gesture, but Sohui's expression was one of near shock.

'What kind of relationship do they have to be that close?'

Feeling that Ye-rin might be an obstacle to any chance of rekindling a relationship, Sohui's sense of caution heightened.

Information is power. Leaning in, she asked directly.

"Ye-rin, you seem really close to Si-hyun... What exactly is your relationship?"

Chewing her Oreo Cake, Ye-rin chuckled as she replied.

"Nothing special. We've been friends for about 15 years, since kindergarten."

Fifteen years. That meant they'd spent more than half their lives together.

Even Chae-yeon, who only knew they were old friends, was taken aback by the unexpected length.

"Wow... such a relationship actually exists."

Sohui tried to maintain a nonchalant smile, but cold sweat was forming on her back.

Lately, those two have been really close. If they start dating, she thought it would be a disaster.

"For the record, Si-hyun and I used to bathe together until we were in second grade."

"Hey, why are you bringing up unnecessary stuff!"

"It's all true."

Ye-rin boasted about her relationship with Si-hyun, sharing even the TMI (Too Much Information) he didn't want to hear.

Just as Sohui's sense of caution reached its peak...

"Stop the chit-chat and get back to finding information, will you?"

Chae-yeon cut through the tense atmosphere with an irritated voice.

Upon hearing Chae-yeon's irritated voice, Ye-rin displayed a victorious smile, while Sohui wore an embarrassed expression as they returned to their research.

'This can't go on like this...'

To make an unbiased assessment, Sohui weighed Chae-yeon and Ye-rin against each other.

In terms of looks, both of them were exceptional, making it a tie.

When it came to body figure, Ye-rin had the advantage. Chae-yeon's figure was more pleasing to the eye rather than glamorous.

As for personality, looking at it from Si-hyun's perspective, Chae-yon had a very negative image.

On the other hand, Ye-rin, being an old friend, would naturally be more comfortable for Si-hyun, adding extra points in her favor.

'This is really unfair.'

If there was anything Chae-yeon could compete with, it would be the memories from their time as a couple.

However, to use that card, they would need to reconcile. The problem was that Chae-yeon didn’t seem willing to do that.

'It's strange... I'm sure Chae-yeon likes Si-hyun...'

Sohui knew that whenever she got the chance, Chae-yeon would look at Si-hyun's photos.

Moreover, even when grumbling, Chae-yeon would proudly talk about her experiences with Si-hyun.

Despite clearly having feelings for him, why was Chae-yeon keeping it all inside?

Even as a long-time friend, Sohui couldn't figure it out.

Although she couldn't understand it, she needed to help them reunite for Chae-yeon’s sake.

'I’ll do my best!'

As Sohui resolved to support her friend's love life, Ye-rin showed her smartphone to Si-hyun and said,

"Si-hyun, how about somewhere close like Japan? We can introduce it together during the festival period."

"Sounds good. Since it's summer, let's see if we can find a Fireworks Festival to match."

They matched each other so perfectly.

Although it wasn’t what she wanted, it was hard to deny that the two of them looked great together.

"Chae-yeon..."

Sohui looked worriedly in Chae-yeon's direction.

She was typing on her laptop, but her screen was filled with nonsensical sentences and typos.

'She must be really bothered.'

Determined to help her candid but troubled friend, Sohui decided to take action.

"Si-hyun, speaking of Japan, didn't you and Chae-yeon visit Hokkaido together before?"

It was during the winter season. Sohui vividly remembered Chae-yeon's satisfied face when she brought back souvenirs from the snow festival in Hokkaido.

"..Yeah, we did."

‘Why bring up the past now?’

Si-hyun's expression showed discomfort.

However, Sohui, who had decided to tough it out, continued speaking bravely.

"Then how about writing based on that experience? Chae-yeon, do you still have the photos?"

"I do. Just a moment."

Chae-yeon pulled up the photos on her phone and placed it on the table.

Seeing this, Sohui clapped her hands together and asked, "Both of you were wearing swimsuits?"

"Yeah, we went to the hot spring together."

"Wow, was it because you were a couple?"

‘Why specifically choose that photo when there were plenty of others?’

It was a silent challenge directed at Ye-rin.

'How can you compete with just childhood bath memories?'

Bathing together before they'd even hit puberty.

It was as meaningless as going to a bathhouse with your family.

On the other hand, mixed bathing as adults? Even if they were wearing swimsuits, it was still a bold move.

'No way... they actually bathed together?'

Ye-rin looked at Si-hyun, now realizing how close they had gotten, with a mix of repulsion and envy.

"Si-hyun, I want to go to a hot spring too. Shall we go together next time?"

"Are there any good hot spring facilities in Korea?"

‘Why was he being so clueless today?’

Shaking her head, Ye-rin continued.

"No, there aren't any good ones in Korea."

"So, are you suggesting we go abroad?"

"Exactly. Let's go to Japan together."

She beamed brightly.

While Ye-rin wore a broad smile, the other three had expressions close to shock.

Finally, Chae-yeon, who had been grinding her straw between her teeth, couldn't hold back and spoke up.

"Isn't it a bit inappropriate for a man and a woman to visit a hot spring together if they're not a couple?"

"Come on... What's the big deal if they've already seen everything?"

"It might have been acceptable when they were kids, but now that they're adults, they should respect boundaries."

As Chae-yeon continued her interference, Ye-rin responded with a smirk.

"Well, it’s not something a third party should comment on."

".........."

Ye-rin's implicit message, 'You're not even in any relationship with Si-hyun anymore. Why don't you just stay quiet now that you've broken up?' was perfectly understood by Chae-yeon.

As a result, the bright atmosphere that had been precariously maintained turned heavy once again.

A silent battle of nerves was unfolding between the two women.

"When someone offers advice, there's no need to respond so nastily."

"Oh, that was advice? I thought you had some ulterior motive since you were so desperate to stop us."

The smiles disappeared from both women's faces.

Caught in a struggle between one wanting to protect a man and the other to claim him, Sohui shrank into herself.

In the end, it fell on Si-hyun to mediate.

"Both of you, just stop. We're here to work on the project, not to fight."

"Si-hyun, stay out of it. This is a matter of female pride..."

Si-hyun stopped Ye-rin's serious response by pinching her cheek.

"Leave your trivial pride aside and focus on doing the research."

"Okay..."

The fierce wolf had turned into a gentle lamb.

Ye-rin, rubbing her cheek tearfully, returned to her research. Chae-yeon, with a sigh that seemed to express disdain, started working on the PPT design.

Watching this, Sohui sensed that the path to reconciling them would be long and arduous.

Maybe the urge to leave their seats quickly gave extra momentum to the group project.

In no time, the framework of the PPT was set, and the gathered data began filling in.

"Seems like it's just about done, right?"

Si-hyun nodded in satisfaction at the PPT Chae-yeon had created.

"Yeah, it seems so."

However, Ye-rin, who agreed without even looking at the PPT, was impatiently hopping with anticipation.

Just as Si-hyun wondered about her actions, Ye-rin tugged at his sleeve and spoke.

"Si-hyun, how about we go see a movie? It's been a while."

"A movie? All of a sudden?"

"Yes. There’s a new one that I really want to see."

Si-hyun pondered for a moment.

Since the group project was nearing completion, spending some time with Ye-rin after a long while didn't seem like a bad idea.

"Sure. Why not? Let's go see it."

"Really?"

Ye-rin beamed and pulled Si-hyun up. Then, hugging his arm, she walked towards the exit and looked back.

With a big grin.

An unmistakable sneer directed at the woman left behind.

Thunk!

Seeing this, Chae-yeon forcefully stabbed her cake with her fork.