INK AND SHADOWS [???]

For once, Jay wasn't on his bike.

Instead, he was driving his car, one hand casually resting on the wheel while the other tapped lightly on the dashboard to the beat of the music.

Hara sat beside him, her arms crossed as she narrowed her eyes at him.

"Where are we going?"

Jay didn't answer.

She leaned closer. "What's the plan for today?"

Still, no answer.

Hara pouted, tapping her fingers on her lap impatiently.

"Jay—"

"If you ask me that question one more time," Jay suddenly spoke, his voice calm yet dangerously teasing.

"I'll kiss you to shut you up."

Hara's words died in her throat.

Her face flushed instantly, and she quickly turned away, staring at the passing scenery outside the window.

Jay smirked. "That's what I thought."

She swallowed, mumbling, "Sorry..."

Jay reached out with one hand and patted her head affectionately.

"Good girl," he murmured, his voice dripping with amusement.

Hara covered her face, too embarrassed to say anything.

After a while, the car slowed down, and Hara finally looked up.

Her eyes widened.

The massive entrance sign read—

LOTTE WORLD.

She blinked in disbelief before turning to Jay.

"...Why are we at a theme park?"

Jay smirked. "Because I want to experience being a normal couple."

Hara scoffed. "You're ridiculous."

Jay pointed at the couples walking by.

"Look at them," he said.

"They're even wearing matching outfits. Just like us."

Hara's eyes followed his gesture. True enough, several couples walked hand in hand, all dressed in coordinated outfits, laughing and taking pictures together.

She hesitated.

"...I've never done something like this before."

Jay grabbed her hand, intertwining their fingers.

"Then let's make it your first time."

Without another word, he led her inside.

Their first stop was the souvenir store.

Jay immediately spotted a display of headbands.

"Hey, pick one," he called out.

Hara stared at them for a moment before reaching for a pair—one with an angel halo and another with devil horns.

She placed the angel halo on her head and handed Jay the devil horns.

Jay glanced at their reflection in a nearby mirror and chuckled.

"Figures you'd be the angel."

Hara smirked. "And you? The devil suits you."

Jay only grinned before pulling out his phone.

"Come here."

Hara stepped closer, and in the mirror's reflection, Jay raised his phone and snapped a picture of the two of them side by side.

Looking at the photo, he grinned. "Perfect."

—

Jay was way too excited about doing "normal couple" things.

He dragged her onto almost every ride—starting with a roller coaster that nearly had Hara screaming her lungs out.

Next came a haunted house, where she totally did not grab onto his arm (okay, maybe she did).

By the time they reached the food court, they were both exhausted.

Jay disappeared for a moment and returned with a tall drink—complete with two straws.

Hara raised an eyebrow. "A couple drink? Seriously?"

Jay smirked. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

She chuckled but leaned in to take a sip.

Jay did the same.

Their faces were way too close.

Hara could feel his breath against her skin.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Then—

She choked.

Jay immediately reached for her. "Whoa—are you okay?"

Hara coughed, covering her mouth.

Jay tilted his head. "Wait... did you choke because you saw my handsome face up close?"

Hara, still recovering, shot him a look before weakly smacking his arm.

"You're insane."

Jay only grinned before leaning in and pressing a quick kiss to her cheek.

"Maybe."

He winked. "Crazy for you."

Hara's heart did a weird little flip.

She hated how effortlessly he made her blush...

Jay's next idea?

The photo booth.

"Couples always take pictures here," he said, pointing at the example photos on the booth's door.

Hara stared at them.

She wasn't the type to do something this... cheesy.

But—

She glanced at Jay.

This was the only time they had before she left.

She sighed and smiled. "Okay. Let's do it."

Jay grinned and pulled her into the booth.

The screen lit up.

First pose, they both threw up peace signs.

Snap.

Second pose, a mini love heart pose.

Snap.

Third pose, a funny face.

Snap.

Last pose,

Hara turned to Jay just as the camera clicked—

And suddenly, he leaned in and kissed her cheek.

Snap.

Hara's eyes widened in shock.

"JAY!!"

She smacked his chest, face burning.

Jay just laughed, looking way too proud of himself.

"Look at the pictures," he said, pointing at the printed strip.

Hara hesitated before grabbing the photos.

Her eyes ran over the first few shots—cute, playful, fun—

Then she reached the last one.

Jay kissing her cheek.

Her heart clenched.

Time was running out.

They only had so many moments left together before she left for university.

She held the picture close and made a silent promise to herself.

She would spend every second she could with him.

Before it was too late...