When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

(S02) Chapter 4

Seok Kyung smirked. “Speaking of which, we need to get you out of this depressing state. You look like you’ve been living in a hospital closet for years.”

“I have,” I deadpanned.

Ha-ya clapped her hands together. “Perfect! That means we’re going out. Shopping, food, fun, and whatever else we feel like doing today.”

I groaned. “I don’t think I have the energy.”

Seok Kyung crossed her arms. “Did we ask?”

Ha-ya grabbed my wrist dramatically. “We are your best friends. And best friends don’t let best friends sulk all day.”

Before I could protest, they had already dragged me off the couch. Seok Kyung pushed a shopping bag into my arms. “Wear this. We’re making you hot again.”

I peeked inside and sighed. “This better not be another one of your tight, sparkly dresses.”

“Relax,” Ha-ya said. “It’s just something cute. Trust us.”

And that’s how I found myself being pulled through the streets of Seoul, dressed in an outfit that was apparently ‘cute’ by their standards.
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The mall was lively, with people bustling around, music playing from every store, and sales signs plastered on windows. Ha-ya immediately dragged me into a boutique, picking out clothes before I could even process what was happening.

“What about this?” Seok Kyung held up a ridiculously bright pink coat.

“No.”

Ha-ya shoved a hat on my head. “Adorable.

I took it off. “I look like a lost child.”

“You are a lost child,” Seok Kyung teased.

After going through what felt like a hundred outfits, we finally left the store and wandered around, grabbing snacks from a food stall. Ha-ya fed me a bite of tteokbokki. “Good, right?”

I nodded, chewing. “Spicy, but good.”

Seok Kyung turned to Ha-ya. “See? She’s starting to enjoy life again.”

Ha-ya gasped. “Wait, should we go karaoke?”

Seok Kyung’s eyes lit up. “Yes! It’s been forever since we last went.”

I shook my head immediately. “No way. You two can go, I’ll just sit and watch.”

Ha-ya pouted. “You are absolutely not just sitting and watching. What’s the point of karaoke if we’re not all embarrassing ourselves together?”

Before I could argue, they had already grabbed my wrist and started marching toward the nearest karaoke place.
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The room was small but cozy, neon lights glowing softly along the walls. A huge screen displayed the karaoke menu, and a couple of microphones rested on the table. Ha-ya and Seok Kyung wasted no time flipping through the song list, already debating which song to start with.

“Oh! We have to start with a classic.” Ha-ya selected a high-energy K-pop song before turning to me. “And no, you don’t get to escape. We’re all singing.”

I sighed dramatically. “You two are terrible friends.”

Seok Kyung grinned. “The worst.”

The music started blasting through the speakers, and Ha-ya immediately jumped up, grabbing the microphone and dancing like she was in a music video. Seok Kyung joined in, dramatically belting out the lyrics, completely off-key.