C H A P T E R T W E N T Y -  E I G H T :
"Because nothing stays the same forever."
Flashback
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    The summer heat clung to the air, thick and warm, as the train rumbled along the countryside tracks. Yi-Seo, Sang-woo, and Gi-hun sat in a quiet corner of the carriage, the rhythmic clatter of the train blending with the distant hum of cicadas outside. The sun, high in the sky, cast golden rays through the window, illuminating the dust particles that floated lazily in the air.

"I still can't believe we actually did this," Yi-Seo said, leaning against the seat and stretching her arms above her head. "When was the last time we went on a trip together?"

"Too long," Gi-hun replied, popping a piece of gum into his mouth. "And honestly, I'm honored to be the third wheel on your romantic getaway."

Yi-Seo rolled her eyes, nudging him with her foot. "You are not a third wheel."

"She's just saying that to be nice," Sang-woo remarked, not even looking up from the book he was flipping through. "You definitely are."

Gi-hun gasped dramatically. "Wow. Betrayed by my own best friend."

Yi-Seo laughed, but Sang-woo merely smirked, turning a page.

Their destination was a small coastal town, tucked away from the city's noise and heat. A perfect place to escape, even if just for a day. The moment they stepped off the train, they were greeted by the scent of salt and the distant cries of seagulls. The sky stretched vast and endless above them, a brilliant blue unmarred by clouds.

Gi-hun took a deep breath, exhaling loudly. "Now this is what I'm talking about. Fresh air, the sound of the ocean—freedom."

Yi-Seo raised an eyebrow. "You make it sound like you just got released from prison."

"That's exactly how I feel," Gi-hun admitted. "You know, being around you two all the time makes me feel like I'm constantly under surveillance. Every time I even think about flirting with a girl, I feel like Sang-woo's judging me."

Sang-woo didn't even look up. "I am."

Gi-hun groaned. "See? This is what I mean."

Yi-Seo grinned. "That's just his face, Gi-hun. It's permanently judging."

Sang-woo finally closed his book, sighing. "I don't judge you for flirting. I judge you for failing at it."

Gi-hun clutched his chest as if physically wounded. "I can't believe you'd attack me like this in broad daylight."

Ignoring him, Yi-Seo took Sang-woo's hand and pulled him toward the small street lined with food stalls and local shops. The warm pavement radiated heat beneath their sandals, and the scent of grilled seafood filled the air.

"Are you going to hold his hand the whole day?" Gi-hun teased, following behind them.

"Yes," Yi-Seo said without hesitation, giving Sang-woo a playful squeeze.

Gi-hun groaned. "Disgusting. I should've brought sunglasses to shield myself from the brightness of your love."

Sang-woo smirked but said nothing, instead gently tugging Yi-Seo toward a small fruit stand. Without asking, he picked up a cold slice of watermelon from a vendor's icebox and handed it to her. "You always crave fruit when it's hot."

Yi-Seo blinked in surprise before smiling. "You remember that?"

"You make it obvious," Sang-woo said casually, but his ears turned the slightest shade of pink.

Gi-hun, watching them with narrowed eyes, suddenly burst out laughing. "Oh my god. That was so smooth I almost choked on my own spit."

Sang-woo shot him a look. "Do you have to comment on everything?"

"Absolutely," Gi-hun said with a grin. "It's my life's purpose."

After wandering through the town for a while, they found themselves at the beach. The golden sand was hot under their feet, and the waves lapped rhythmically against the shore. Small children ran along the water, their laughter mixing with the crash of the waves.

Yi-Seo kicked off her sandals and let the water wash over her toes. "This is perfect."

Sang-woo rolled up his pant legs, stepping into the water beside her. "It's nice."

Gi-hun, however, was already halfway into the ocean, splashing around like a child. "You two are so boring," he called out. "Come on, live a little!"

Yi-Seo laughed, but before she could respond, Gi-hun scooped up a handful of water and flung it in their direction.

Sang-woo sidestepped it effortlessly, but Yi-Seo wasn't as lucky. The cold water hit her legs, and she gasped. "Gi-hun!"

Gi-hun cackled. "That's what you get for being so disgustingly in love!"

Yi-Seo narrowed her eyes before suddenly running straight at him, sending a wave of water splashing over him in retaliation.

Gi-hun sputtered. "Oh, it's on now."

What started as a playful splash fight quickly turned into a full-blown war, with all three of them drenched within minutes. Even Sang-woo, who had initially avoided the chaos, ended up with his sleeves soaked.

"You're both ridiculous," he muttered, but there was the faintest hint of amusement in his voice.

Yi-Seo, still laughing, turned to Sang-woo. "Oh, come on, just admit you're having fun."

Sang-woo sighed but then, in one swift movement, flicked water toward her with his fingers.

Yi-Seo gasped. "You traitor!"

Gi-hun, witnessing this, nearly doubled over laughing. "Sang-woo, you might actually be human after all."

They eventually retreated to the shore, dripping wet but grinning like kids. The sun was beginning to set, casting hues of pink and orange across the sky. The air was cooler now, and a gentle breeze rustled through their hair.

As they sat on a nearby rock, letting the evening air dry them, Gi-hun suddenly turned to Yi-Seo. "You know," he started, grinning, "back in the day, I had a little crush on you."

Yi-Seo, caught off guard, laughed. "What?"

Sang-woo, silent beside her, only nodded. His expression didn't change.

Gi-hun smirked. "Yeah, but then I saw how obsessed this guy—" he jabbed a thumb toward Sang-woo "—was with you, and I figured I didn't stand a chance."

Yi-Seo shook her head, still laughing. "I can't believe you never told me."

"Because I knew it was hopeless!" Gi-hun exclaimed. "You two are like, disgustingly perfect for each other. It's sickening."

Sang-woo, still watching the waves, finally spoke. "Smart decision."

The mood shifted slightly, the air growing thick with something unspoken. Yi-Seo glanced at Sang-woo, noticing how he hadn't reacted much.

Gi-hun, sensing the awkwardness, quickly added, "But don't worry, I moved on fast. These days, my one true love is food. And food never disappoints me."

Yi-Seo laughed, and even Sang-woo let out a small chuckle, shaking his head.

They stayed there a while longer, watching as the sky darkened and the first stars began to appear. The sounds of the waves, the warmth of the sand beneath them, and the laughter they shared made it a moment none of them would forget.

Even years later, when things had changed, they would look back on this day—the summer where everything felt light, where their friendship felt unbreakable, and where love, in all its forms, surrounded them.

Gi-hun stretched his arms behind his head, sighing in satisfaction. "I think this might be the best day of my life."

Yi-Seo raised an eyebrow. "Just because of the beach?"

"Not just the beach," Gi-hun said. "The food, the company, the fact that I got to witness the great Cho Sang-woo actually enjoy himself for once. I mean, I'll be telling people about this for years."

Sang-woo rolled his eyes, standing up and dusting the sand off his pants. "You act like I don't have fun."

Gi-hun smirked. "You don't. But it's okay, I still love you, man."

Sang-woo ignored him, turning to Yi-Seo. "Come on, let's go eat."

—

The trio their way back into town, following the winding streets until they reached a small seafood restaurant tucked between two buildings. The place was cozy, with wooden tables, lanterns hanging from the ceiling, and the hum of soft music playing from an old radio in the corner. The owner, a kind elderly man, greeted them warmly and led them to a table near the open window, where they could still hear the distant waves.

"I'm starving," Gi-hun declared, grabbing the menu. "I'm ordering everything."

Yi-Seo shook her head, amused. "You say that every time."

"And every time, I regret nothing," Gi-hun replied.

Sang-woo took the menu from him, scanning it quickly. "We'll get grilled mackerel, kimchi jjigae, and a plate of sashimi."

Gi-hun frowned. "That's not everything."

"You don't need everything."

Gi-hun groaned but relented. "Fine, but I'm getting soju."

Yi-Seo laughed. "I think you just wanted an excuse to drink."

The food arrived quickly, steaming plates placed in the center of the table. They dug in immediately, the warm flavors of the meal melting away the exhaustion of the day.

Yi-Seo glanced at Sang-woo between bites, watching as he carefully picked out the pieces of fish with fewer bones before placing them on her plate. He did it absentmindedly, without a word, but she noticed.

"You always do that," she said softly.

Sang-woo looked up. "Do what?"

Yi-Seo smiled. "You always make sure I don't get any bones in my food."

Gi-hun, chewing on a piece of fish, pointed his chopsticks at them. "See? This is what I mean. You guys are so sickeningly perfect that I'm going to get diabetes just from sitting here."

Yi-Seo chuckled. "You're just jealous."

"I am," Gi-hun admitted without shame, pouring himself a shot of soju. "But I also want a love like this one day."

Sang-woo took a sip of water, his expression unreadable. "Then maybe stop flirting like an idiot and take something seriously for once."

Gi-hun gasped dramatically. "Sang-woo, are you giving me life advice? The world must be ending."

Yi-Seo laughed. "I think he's right, though."

Gi-hun sighed. "You both gang up on me too much."

"It's not that we gang up on you too much." Yi-Seo took a sip of water. "You take things too lightly."

"Hm. Maybe you're right." Gi-hun sighed in defeat. "I guess I'll take your word for it. But only this time!"

—

The meal stretched on with easy conversation, the kind that only happened between old friends who knew each other better than anyone else. They talked about everything—their childhood, their ridiculous high school days, and their dreams for the future.

Eventually, after they were full and slightly tipsy from the soju, they wandered back toward the beach. The moon was high now, casting a silver glow over the water. Fireflies flickered in the distance, their tiny lights glowing and vanishing like stars in the grass.

Yi-Seo stretched her arms above her head, letting the night breeze cool her skin. "This was a perfect day."

Gi-hun threw an arm around her shoulder. "We should do this more often."

Sang-woo, walking slightly ahead, glanced back at them. "Trips like this don't happen all the time."

Yi-Seo tilted her head. "Why not?"

Sang-woo was quiet for a moment before responding, "Because nothing stays the same forever."

Gi-hun clicked his tongue. "Ugh, way to kill the mood."

Yi-Seo, watching Sang-woo carefully, could tell there was something deeper in his words. Something unspoken. She reached for his hand, lacing their fingers together. "Even if things change, we'll still have moments like this."

Sang-woo squeezed her hand slightly, saying nothing, but the small smile tugging at his lips was enough.

They sat on the sand again, listening to the waves. Gi-hun, always unable to sit still, started drawing shapes in the sand with a stick.

Yi-Seo leaned her head against Sang-woo's shoulder. "Gi-hun, what are you drawing?"

He squinted at his masterpiece. "I was trying to draw a heart, but it kind of looks like a weird potato."

Yi-Seo laughed. "That's actually kind of impressive."

Sang-woo shook his head. "You have the artistic skills of a five-year-old."

Gi-hun sighed dramatically. "You're both bullies."

The three of them sat there for a long time, watching the waves, enjoying the night. There was something timeless about it—something that felt like it would last forever, even if they knew it wouldn't.

But in that moment, none of them thought about the future. They just existed, together, on a warm summer night, with laughter in the air and the ocean stretching endlessly before them.

words from the author :

Watching Summer Strike inspired me to write this chapter . 🥲

Cute little chapter before all the drama begins !! 🤗