The next day at work, Mira was buried in files, her eyes stinging slightly from staring at the screen too long. She wore her usual oversized sweatshirt and loose trousers, hair tied up loosely. Comfort always won over style especially when survival was the goal.
Her phone buzzed.
So Ri: Coming to your office. Don't panic.
Mira blinked. What? Before she could type a reply, another message popped in.
So Ri: Get ready. We're going out. You need fresh air. And maybe a life.
Mira sighed, rubbing her temples. Five minutes later, So Ri walked in like she owned the place which, judging by the way heads turned, wasn't far off.
She was dressed in a sleek beige coat, stylish jeans, and boots that clicked across the office floor like a threat. Her hair was blown out, her makeup soft and expensive-looking. She looked like she belonged on a fashion magazine cover.
And next to her, Mira looked like a student during finals week.
"You look like a cozy ghost," So Ri muttered, eyeing Mira's outfit. "Come on. Half-day. We're escaping."
"I can't just leave," Mira whispered back. "I have work."
So Ri pouted dramatically. "Boo. You're no fun. Just ask for a half-day. You need one. Please?"
Before Mira could fully refuse, So Ri was already waving at one of the passing staff and making herself comfortable in the lobby couch like a queen waiting for her carriage.
Reluctantly, Mira gave in.
On her way out of her department, she passed Jae Min, who looked up from his phone and blinked in surprise.
"Mira? Leaving early?"
She nodded. "My friend's back. She wants to go out. Dragged me out of the office, basically."
He glanced at the glass entrance where So Ri was now spinning in slow circles, inspecting a painting on the wall. "That her?"
"Unfortunately."
"You want a ride?"
Before Mira could answer, a sleek car pulled up just outside the glass doors. Jae Min checked his phone and said, "I'm heading to the same mall to meet a friend anyway. Hop in."
So Ri immediately linked arms with Mira and whispered, "He's cute. You never told me he was this cute."
"Please behave," Mira muttered under her breath.
They arrived at the mall, and after a brief goodbye to Jae Min, Mira and So Ri strolled through shops, grabbed iced drinks, and even browsed a bookstore where So Ri forced Mira to buy a poetry collection "for soul-healing."
They were laughing about something near the escalators when Mira's phone buzzed again only, it was in So Ri's hand.
"Oop," So Ri said. "Someone's popular. It's from Ares."
Mira turned sharply. "Wait, don't !"
Too late. So Ri was already reading the message.
Ares:Jae Min told me you're at the mall. Want to grab dinner together?
So Ri grinned mischievously.
"I like this one."
"What are you So Ri, give me the phone"
But she had already typed out a reply.
So Ri (as Mira):Yes. Where should we meet? Mira and I are hungry.
A moment later, Ares replied with the name of a rooftop restaurant nearby.
So Ri pocketed the phone like a smug little devil. "Come on. Dinner plans made."
Mira groaned. "You didn't even ask"
"You need food. And face time with handsome men. It's therapy."
By the time they reached the restaurant, Mira had resigned herself to the chaos. She walked in, expecting anything except for the sight of Ares and Jae Min already seated at a table near the balcony, looking very much like two halves of a high-fashion ad.
Ares stood as soon as he saw her. His expression was unreadable calm, but eyes sharp. "What happened?" he asked.
Mira opened her mouth to explain, but So Ri beat her to it.
"She gave me her phone while we were shopping," she said sweetly. "So technically, I said yes."
Ares turned to Mira. "So you were kidnapped."
"Basically," Mira mumbled.
Jae Min laughed. "At least it's a stylish kidnapping."
So Ri pulled out a chair. "Well, since we're here, let's make it worth it."
The meal passed in a strange but comforting blur light teasing, quiet glances, and enough warm food to loosen Mira's tension. Somewhere in the middle of it all, Mira caught Ares looking at her not amused, not guarded. Just watching. As if making sure she was okay.
And she was.
For now, she really was.