?????? ??? , ?im rian (REWRITE)

CHAPTER THREE

trios , new faces, new tensions

THE CHUN GIRL STOOD OUTSIDE HER family's front yard, surrounded by an enchanting maze of vines and flowers. Her father's meticulous care had turned the landscape into a small botanical wonderland, a touch of beauty both she and her mother adored. Ae-ra adjusted the collar of her pristine, white button-up dress, the short red boots adding a flash of color that matched her signature beret. She checked her phone again, a hint of annoyance crossing her face. Where is that garçon?

     Just as a sigh slipped from her, her phone buzzed. The caller ID lifted her spirits instantly. "Salut, Lacey!" she greeted, her tone bright.

     "Bonjour, Amélie!" Lacey's voice chirped through the phone, her English accent endearing as ever. Lacey had been one of Ae-ra's closest friends back in London, and the nickname "Amélie" had stuck with her, a perfect blend of French and Korean. "How are things in the country of South Korea?"

     Ae-ra chuckled. "Everything's fine, Lacey," she said warmly, glancing down the road. "Met a few people at school and—"

     "Was one of them a guy?" Lacey interrupted with a squeal, and Ae-ra could hear another voice, meaning Mia was with her.

     "Lacey!" Ae-ra rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips.

     "Sorry, sorry! But spill—was there a guy, and was he cute?"

     Groaning, Ae-ra shook her head. "There was a guy," she admitted, unable to hide a small smile, "and he was... okay-looking." She thought briefly of Ri-an with his calm, distant demeanor, and then of Woo-jin with his easy charm. They both exuded a certain mystique, but she wasn't about to get swept up in their lives.

     "Aha! So he was hot!" Lacey squealed, joined by Mia's laugh. Ae-ra could only shake her head, never quite understanding her friends' fixation with love and romance. She'd always found the idea of crushes or romantic flings pointless—a distraction she couldn't afford.