The Perplexed Fate

Mondays were universally hated-but for Eishi, this one was oddly tolerable. Maybe it was the cool breeze that teased her hair on the way to school. Maybe it was the way the cherry blossoms were still barely clinging to the trees, fluttering down like confetti. Or maybe it was the faint buzz of excitement in her chest that she didn't want to examine too closely.

She slipped into her seat beside Jungwon, who was already doodling tiny stick figures battling on his notebook.

"You're gonna fail math if you keep doing that," she said, poking his arm.

"I already accepted my fate," he grinned.

Behind them, Sunoo thumped down into his seat. "Okay, listen up, children. I have news."

Chaewon raised an eyebrow. "You always say that and then tell us you found a new lip balm."

"This is bigger," Sunoo said dramatically. "I found discount tickets. For Everland."

That got everyone's attention.

"The amusement park?" Jungwon asked, sitting up.

Sunoo beamed. "Yes, and the best part-it's for this weekend."

Eishi blinked. "Wait, you want to go this Saturday?"

"Yes. Yes, I do. Because guess what? We haven't done anything like this in forever, and we are all slowly rotting in this classroom."

"I'm in," Sunghoon said from across the row, surprising them all. "As long as someone else books the tickets."

"I can help with that," Chaewon offered. "Group trip sounds fun."

Jungwon clapped his hands once. "Alright, it's settled. Group trip this weekend. Mandatory attendance."

"What if someone doesn't want to come?" Eishi teased.

"Then they'll be gently dragged there," he said, grinning wide.

From behind his textbook, Heeseung looked up. "I'll come."

They all turned toward him in surprise. It wasn't often he volunteered for anything.

Eishi's eyes met his for just a second-but it was enough to make her heart skip. She looked away quickly, unsure of what she'd even been expecting.

-

The rest of the week passed in a blur of planning.

Group chats exploded with chaotic messages:

Sunoo: "Matching outfits???"
Jungwon: "Absolutely not. We are not becoming a K-drama trope."
Chaewon: "I say we coordinate colors."
Sunghoon: "I will block this chat if anyone makes me wear pink."
Eishi: "I second that."
Heeseung: "...fine with black."

By Friday, everything was set: transportation, tickets, snacks (thanks to Sunoo, of course), and even playlists. The group was buzzing with energy, the kind that made it hard to focus in class.

Jungwon kept tapping his foot under the desk.

"You're more excited than a kid on Christmas," Eishi whispered.

He smiled sideways at her. "Well, it's not every day you get to see your friends scream on rollercoasters."

"You just want to laugh at us."

"Guilty."

In the back row, Heeseung sat with his head tilted against the window, eyes closed. From the outside, he looked peaceful. But Eishi caught him smiling faintly once-like he, too, was looking forward to it in his own quiet way.

-

That night, Eishi lay in bed, her phone lighting up every few seconds with more group messages.

She stared at her screen long after the group chat fell silent.

Another message popped up, separate from the others.

Heeseung: "You like roller coasters?"

She hesitated, then typed:

Eishi: "Hate them."

Heeseung: "Good. Then I'm not the only one screaming tomorrow."

She laughed, softly.

And for a moment, the world felt a little lighter.

Note: God...Eishi..she's so lucky.. though it's a fanfiction but writing this..gosh...even I want to be like this with Heeseung :(