A/N: Thank you to everyone who is reading this story. I appreciate the support!
Phantomstimeturner: Thank you for your review. I'm glad you enjoyed Ga Eul's revenge for the camping trip quiz. Lol!
Cataleya2021: Thanks for your review! I am glad you enjoyed the chapter!
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Special thanks to my beta Vnillachamomile for helping out with this chapter. Enjoy, guys!
The next item on Ga Eul's list was to conquer her fear of heights. While skydiving remained the ultimate goal, it seemed better to build up to it.
An amusement park seemed like a good place to start. In theory.
"Don't worry," said Yi Jeong. "It's perfectly safe. The glass stops you from falling."
She looked at the Sky Tilt. It was the parks newest ride. People climbed onto the observation deck, grabbed the handrails, and leaned against the glass as it tilted forward, suspending them over the city.
She sighed. This wasn't the first time her list put her in an uncomfortable position, just the worst. The absolute worst
He squeezed her hand. "Let's start with the Ferris wheel."
Ga Eul took one look at the tall monstrosity that was the Sky Tilt, then back at him. "Yeah, let's do that."
Ga Eul stepped in after him. It was just a stupid Ferris wheel. So what if it climbed higher than the ones she was used to? Five-year-olds went on these. It'd be fine. She took a deep breath. She'd be fine.
They took off. Ga Eul felt the all-too-familiar clench in her stomach as they gained height.
She'd entered buildings taller than this. There wasn't anything to worry about.
Yi Jeong slipped his hand in hers. She squeezed it back, using far more force than intended.
"We're going down. Just a few more seconds," he said.
She took one look at his encouraging smile, then stood up. "Sitting glued to my seat isn't facing my fear."
She rushed to the window, Yi Jeong in tow. The city looked spectacular from here—spectacular and tiny. The trees looked as small as ants.
That's how high up they were. Even the trees looked small. If she fell from here…
"You see that building over there," said Yi Jeong. "It's the oldest building in Korea."
She wouldn't survive the fall.
"Look at that pretty bird."
Her body would splatter on the ground like goo.
"Did I tell you about the time Woo Bin nearly stole a skeleton?"
Woo Bin Sunbae? She peeked at the car below at him and Jae Kyung. They sat huddled together, his arms around her, whispering something to each other.
"You did a good job," said Yi Jeong.
"What?"
"With those two. I've never seen him this happy."
Looping her arm through his, she leaned against him. "I hope it remains that way. Jan Di wasn't kidding about drowning him in the lake if he hurts her."
Yi Jeong said nothing, only returned her smile.
Before Ga Eul knew it, the next five minutes flew by and her car returned to the ground.
Yi Jeong jerked away from her. "I think I hear Woo Bin calling me."
Without bothering to see if she followed, he sprinted away from her.
Woo Bin came up from behind Ga Eul.
"Where did he rush off to?"
Ga Eul didn't answer. Maybe the ride made him queasy.
"I'll go find him," said Woo Bin.
"Meet us at the bumper cars. I need a breather before Sky Tilt."
_oOo_
Twenty minutes later, and there was still no sign of the guys.
"It'll be our turn next," Ga Eul told Jae Kyung Unnie. "Should we go ahead without them?"
"We're here," said Yi Jeong. "Sorry, the guys at the back kept accusing us of trying to cut the line."
Woo Bin Sunbae slid in next to Ga Eul. Unnie and Yi Jeong chose to ride solo.
Ga Eul glanced at Unnie's car. Two minutes passed since the ride started, and Unnie had already bumped half the cars. "Well, she's certainly enjoying it."
"Yeah. It's her third favorite ride." He turned the wheel, bumping straight into Yi Jeong. For the second time.
She shook her head. "So… how is it going with you two? It's been a month, right?"
"It's been fun." He tapped the wheel. "Thanks, by the way—for convincing her."
She took the wheel, maneuvering them away from the pillar right ahead. "I like you, Sunbae. A lot. You're one of my closest friends."
He rubbed his neck. "Thanks."
"But I swear to God, if you hurt her—"
"I've already had this talk with Jan Di. Why does everyone keep saying that? Jae's my best friend. I'd never—"
"Sunbae, you remember that time a few months back when Unnie had drunk dialed you? You know, a few weeks after you introduced her to Ji Ah."
"What are you implying, exactly?"
"I was the one who turned her phone off."
"What's wrong with you? Do you've any idea how terrified I was? She sounded completely wasted, and I heard a strange guy in the background. Why the hell would you—"
"Because you hurt her." She held his gaze.
He fell silent for a few seconds. "I didn't mean to. I had no idea Ji Ah would go nuclear like that. In hindsight, I should've seen it coming, but…"
"I know. That's why I told Unnie to give you a chance. I've a lot of faith in you, Sunbae. But prove me wrong, break her heart, and you'll regret it. I'll make sure of it."
The timer went off, announcing the end of the ride.
Ga Eul climbed out of the car. "I might not look as feisty as Jan Di, but between the two of us, I am much more ruthless."
Unnie joined them at the exit. "Wow, that was fun!" She took Woo Bin's arm. "I'd really missed driving."
He returned her smile. "Come on, let's get some lunch. I'm starving."
_oOo_
Yi Jeong balanced two drinks and his food tray. Everything was fine. So what if he held Ga Eul's hand on the Ferris wheel? That was one friend helping out another. Nothing inappropriate about it
"You need some help with that?" asked Jae Kyung.
He handed her a bottle. "Where's Woo Bin?"
"He got a phone call. Where's Ga Eul?"
"Bathroom."
The silence lasted until they reached their table.
"You were right," said Jae Kyung. "About how the best relationships are built on friendships."
He placed their trays down and took the seat across from her. "So it was me who convinced you? Would you mind telling Woo Bin that?" He just refused to give Yi Jeong any credit.
"Ga Eul, actually." She twisted some noodles with her chopsticks. "She asked me how I would feel if he moved on with someone else. If that was a risk I was willing to take."
Her words hit like a bucket of water. Ga Eul wouldn't be single forever.
Jae Kyung regarded him for a second, her eyes contemplative. "I planned to subtly nudge you into action, but subtlety was never my strong suit. I'm just going to come out and say it. You need to tell Ga Eul how you feel before it's too late."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Come on, Yi Jeong. We both know that's bullshit." Her face softened. "Look, I know taking that leap is scary, but it's nothing compared to watching the person you like dating someone else. Trust me, I've been there."
"Ji Ah?"
She nodded. "I saw them kiss once, you know?"
That explained her behavior at the bar that night. "I'm sorry."
"The image played in a loop in my mind for weeks." She forced a smile. "Enough with the sad talk. It all worked out in the end. What was I saying?" She clapped her hands together. "Right, it's about time you stop playing chicken and ask Ga Eul out."
He stirred his soup. "I'll think about it."
She had a point. Since Ga Eul might move to France, he thought not telling her was the best choice, but was it?
"One last thing: please don't tell Woo Bin about any of this. It wasn't his fault."
_oOo_
After lunch, the group finally boarded the Sky Tilt.
"Here goes nothing," said Ga Eul.
Yi Jeong smiled at her. "I'm right behind you."
Ga Eul gripped his hand. "I can do this."
The ride tilted. Ga Eul pressed her face against the glass and dug her nails into his arm. "Almost done. Almost done."
Three minutes later, when the ride stopped, she finally released his hand. Despite the deadly grip, he missed the touch.
"I think that's enough adventure for today," she said.
Jae Kyung put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm proud of you."
"Want to try bumper cars again?" asked Ga Eul.
_oOo_
After another round of bumper cars, the group headed back to Woo Bin's car.
"Jae." He handed her his car keys. "You said you missed driving, right?"
"Yeah, but I didn't mean—it was just an off-hand comment."
He got into the passenger seat. "It's okay, you know, to ask for the things you want. I'd probably give them to you."
The rest of the group shuffled into the car after him.
Jae put on her seat-belt. "You sure? I know this is your favorite car." She averted her gaze. "And I did crash it that one time."
He remembered. It was when she was driving Ga Eul to her surprise birthday party. In her defense, he was the one who insisted she get there quickly.
"It's just a car."
"Just a car!" said Yi Jeong from the backseat. "Just a car? Was it just a car when you nearly pulverized me for getting one teeny-tiny scratch on it?"
While riling Yi Jeong up wasn't his intention this time, it was a welcome by-product.
"Remember that trick I told you about—to make Yi Jeong's head explode? Watch this," he whispered. Turning back to face Yi Jeong, he put on his most pleasant smile and said, "Well, it's not exactly fair to compare the two of you. She is a lot prettier than you, after all."
Yi Jeong crossed his arms. "You take that back, Song Woo Bin. I'm very pretty! People's magazine voted me the second hottest prodigy. I topped Shinwa Weekly's list three times. And—" He looked at Ga Eul's alarmed face. "I mean, whatever. Let's just go."
Jae chuckled. "You were right. That was fun." With that said, she started the car.
_oOo_
Yi Jeong fixed his tie. Today was the day. He was finally going to do it. Jae Kyung was right. He'd spent far too long stuck in his own head. It was about time he did something about his feelings.
Taking one last look at his reflection, he stepped out of the elevator and headed towards Ga Eul's apartment.
Taking a deep breath, he rang the doorbell.
There was no need to get nervous. He had it all worked out. He'd take her out for a candlelight dinner at that new Ethiopian restaurant that opened up. She'd mentioned wanting to try it out before. He specifically requested a table on their private balcony overlooking the lake. The view was spectacular from there.
After some pleasant conversation and drinking some of their exquisite whisky for courage, he'd tell her.
The door opened. Ga Eul stood before him dressed in a floral sundress and white sandals.
"I thought you didn't have any plans tonight?" he asked.
She shut the door behind her. "I didn't until a few hours ago, but then Jan Di called me."
"You're meeting up with Jan Di? Want a lift?"
"Not exactly." She fiddled with her bracelet. "You know how the next item on my list is blind date? So, I asked Jan Di to set me up."
Yi Jeong swallowed. "You're going on a date?"
"More of a friendly lunch."
He forced a smile. "Well, have fun."
_oOo_
Jun Pyo looked up from the menu. "I'm so glad you invited me out, Yi Jeong. It's been ages since we've talked."
Yi Jeong nodded noncommittally. He craned his neck to get a better look at the table in front of him where Ga Eul sat with her date: Joshua, the guy she used to crush on in middle school.
He tapped the table. This was the second time that list led her straight to Joshua. Six months back, right before Yi Jeong left for the Sweden Project, she'd tracked Joshua down to confess her old feelings.
It's for the next item on my list: confess to an old crush.
Who even puts that on their bucket list? He paused. That was unfair. None of this was Ga Eul's fault; it was Jan Di's.
He needed to get her a dictionary. She clearly didn't know what a blind date meant, or she would've set Ga Eul up with a stranger, like a normal person.
"What should I get? I heard the filet mignon here is excellent," said Jun Pyo.
Joshua leaned closer, whispering something to Ga Eul. She laughed softly, clearly amused by whatever tale he was spinning.
"But maybe I should get the Santa Fe Chicken instead? Jan Di keeps insisting I cut down on the red meat. Apparently, it doubles my chances of heart disease."
What did Ga Eul see in that bastard? His smile seemed innocent, but it was all a facade. Deep inside, he was a player. Yi Jeong could tell.
"Yi Jeong, are you listening?"
"Yes, that all sounds lovely."
"Heart disease sounds lovely to you?" Jun Pyo paused. "Oh, you probably meant Jan Di."
Yi Jeong chuckled. "Yep. Geum Jan Di, ever so lovely."
_oOo_
Ga Eul returned from her date to find her apartment spotless. Unnie was a good roommate.
The woman in question lounged on the sofa, surfing through T.V. channels. "How did it go? Did you make a new friend?" she asked.
Ga Eul sat beside her. "No. It was Joshua."
"I see."
"But I had fun."
Unnie nodded.
"Thanks for helping me get ready and for finishing the deep cleaning by yourself."
Unnie regarded her for a second. "Ga Eul, did you achieve what you were hoping for?"
"I know you don't approve, but—"
"I'm not against the concept of blind dates, especially blind friendship dates, but that's not what this was." She turned to face Ga Eul, her expression pensive. "Running from your feelings won't make them go away. No matter how much you wish it would."
"We've talked about this. I can't afford to take such a risk, especially since I don't know what's in his heart."
"I think you do."
"We can't be sure. It's not like he's asked me out."
"Stop going on dates with Joshua, and maybe he will."
"You know, being in a happy, loving relationship has really made you pushy."
"I don't know what you're talking about. I was always a devoted matchmaker. If anything, being in a relationship has distracted me from my duties."
A/N I know it has been a while. I had writer's block, but now I am back. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter! What was your favorite part? Did you enjoy the SoEul Ferris wheel scene? Tell me in the reviews!