When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

(S02) Chapter 12

Ha-Ya barely glances at it. "That you got lost on your way to a New Year's Eve party."

I sigh.

Eventually, my arms are full of dresses.

"Alright, try them on," Seok Kyung orders, practically shoving me toward the fitting rooms.

I shoot them a look. "Do I get a say in this?"

"No," they say in unison.

Inside the fitting room, I slip into the first dress-deep blue, silky, clings in all the right places. I step out.

Ha-Ya gasps. "Oh, this is it."

Seok Kyung tilts her head. "Hmm. Turn around."

I spin.

"Hmm," she repeats.

"What does 'hmm' mean?" I ask suspiciously.

"It means it's close but not perfect. Next!"

I groan and go back in.

The next dress is black with a low back. Ha-Ya smacks Seok Kyung's arm. "This is it."

"Wait," Seok Kyung says. "Let's see the last one first."

I try on the last dress-soft beige, delicate, and almost too pretty to wear casually.

Seok Kyung taps her chin. "You know what? You're getting both."

"Both?" I repeat.

Ha-Ya nods. "Duh. One for looking deadly, and one for looking effortlessly angelic. Balance."

I sigh. "I hate that you guys make sense."

They beam.

Bags in hand, we walk out of the store, triumphant.

"I'm so proud of you," Ha-Ya says, wiping a fake tear.

Seok Kyung nods. "We should celebrate. Bubble tea?"

I laugh. "Fine. My treat."

After an exhausting but successful shopping trip, we make our way to a cozy little bubble tea shop nestled in the corner of the mall. The place smells like freshly brewed tea and warm tapioca pearls, a perfect end to our spree.

Seok Kyung pushes open the door, and the tiny chime above rings softly. "I need something with extra sugar. I think I burned too many calories carrying Ye Na's bags."

I scoff. "Excuse me? You were the ones shoving dresses at me like it was a life-or-death situation."

Ha-Ya hums as she scans the menu. "No regrets. You look hot, and that's all that matters."

I roll my eyes but secretly smile.

We step up to the counter and place our orders-Ha-Ya gets a matcha latte, Seok Kyung goes for taro milk tea, and I settle on classic brown sugar boba. Once our drinks are in hand, we settle into a corner booth near the window, the city lights glowing outside.