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Chapter 20

"Can't you just say that you are going to an amusement park with some friends?" Sunoo asked innocently.

I was typing when I shook my head to continue replying him as well, "No. She would never allow me to go anywhere with strangers. You all are somehow strangers to her and also, when she will ask me to show pictures and which friends...it won't be a normal thing to suddenly drop a bomb 'me with Enhypen' pictures. She will surely get a heart attack and then instead of supporting my fingerling, she will start scolding me." I turned off the screen and fished the phone inside the pocket.

"So, you are lying?" Jungwon asked, tilting his head.

I nodded, chuckling when I found their expressions so innocent and cute, " Yes. A white lie. No one is getting harmed here. She trusts me and I trust you all."

"You are trusting us?" Sunoo pointed at himself.

"Yeah, I am spending another day with my idols, apparently who are my friends. I don't see any harm on trusting them. And, don't worry, I will make sure none of your identity gets leaked." I assured them.

Before Jungwon could say something, Jake called out for us to get closer to them.

The shaded area near the entrance offered a moment of comfort from the heat, and the group instinctively took shelter there, eyes scanning the entry ticket board. I found myself walking up with Sunoo towards the counters. He was swinging his body on tip-toes beside me, animated and playful, humming something under his breath. As we neared the signs overhead—painted with vivid cartoonish fonts and too many exclamation points—my gaze snagged on one specific line.

"Water Coaster & Wave Pool Included!" and beneath it, "Water Slides with Splash Zone!"

I slowed down. I didn't even think—just muttered under my breath, "Oh... I can't ride two of the best ones."

Sunoo paused beside me, blinking. "Hmm? Why not?"

I shook my head too quickly, internally scolding myself.

Damn it, Anvi. That was not meant to be said out loud.

I tried to recover, waving a hand like it was no big deal.

"It's nothing—just don't have any spare clothes. If I get drenched, I'll have to walk around soggy all day."

But of course, Sunoo being Sunoo, didn't let it go. His expression immediately turned into concern and curiosity, mixed with his typical cheeky energy. "You mean... you can't go on water rides at all?"

"Yes. But, it's okay. I'll just buy the package ticket excluding the water slides. I can't ride them at all."

I noticed Jay had wandered a few steps closer, probably overhearing. His head tilted slightly as his brows furrowed in curiosity. "Can't ride the water slides?" he asked, his voice smooth and quiet but clearly catching on.

Jay in black sunglasses is going to be the death of me. I swear!

Where is mask? Why is he only wearing the cap and sunglasses?

Aren't they a bit too confident today?

Sunoo had his mask planted on his chin and his cute smile on display. And others, just pulling down a bit to talk and then again adjusting them back on but one thing was common, the various caps on their heads.

I looked up at Jay, feeling the heat rising to my cheeks because he was looking too handsome up so close. "It's not a big deal," I said quickly, trying to shut it down. "I just didn't plan for this park earlier, right, and I don't want to get soaked and—"