Prim stood at the airport, heart pounding, eyes scanning the crowd—but her mind was somewhere else. She had just returned to the city, and her chest ached with one regret:
She missed Tu's birthday.
"I miss her," Prim mumbled to herself, hugging her arms. "I miss all of them… but I miss her the most."
Her heart clenched. It had taken her a long time to admit it, but now, standing here, she knew.
She was in love with Tu.
And today—she was going to confess.
Her face was already burning when Ajin spotted her and came running over to help with her luggage.
"You're blushing so hard," Ajin teased. "Hide that face or people will think we're a couple."
"I'm not blushing because of you!" Prim snapped—and immediately froze.
Ajin grinned. "Oh? Then who are you blushing for? I thought you had a crush on me."
"I-I don't blush for anyone!" Prim stammered, snatching her bag from him.
"Sure you don't," he said, effortlessly taking her luggage anyway and leading her to his car.
"I said I'm not blushing," she repeated firmly.
"Keep lying," he smirked as they both got into the car.
The ride was quiet for a moment—until Ajin casually said, "I know it's Tu."
Prim's breath caught. She stared at him, too stunned to speak.
"You can talk, you know," he said lightly.
"...How did you know?" she finally whispered.
"It wasn't hard. Your face says everything." He gave her a knowing look.
Prim quickly touched her cheeks, trying to hide her expression, and the rest of the drive passed in shy, charged silence.
When they arrived outside Tu's café, Ajin pulled the handbrake.
"Here we go."
"You're not coming in?" Prim asked.
"Nope. I'm not ruining your moment," he said with a wink.
"You're just... ugh, too much." Prim shook her head, smiling despite herself.
She grabbed the gift and stepped out of the car. "Thanks for the ride."
Ajin gave her a thumbs up and drove off.
—
Inside the café, Tu was at the sink, cleaning dishes. The place was quiet—only one boy sat in a corner, typing on a laptop.
Prim didn't wait. She ran toward her and hugged her tightly from behind.
"Phi, I missed you!" she said, her voice a bit shaky.
Tu turned around in surprise but immediately hugged her back, just as tightly. "I missed you too."
They pulled apart, and Prim quickly said, "I'm really sorry I missed your birthday."
"It's okay, Prim," Tu smiled. "I understand."
"But I made something for you," she said, reaching into her bag and carefully pulling out the gift.
Tu unwrapped it—and gasped.
Inside were two adorable plushie dolls. One was clearly Tu. The other... was Prim.
"These are us?" Tu said, wide-eyed. "They're so cute! Khop khun na kha, Nong Prim. I love it!"
She hugged Prim again, so tight that Prim had to squeak out, "Phi—I can't breathe!"
"Oh! Sorry!" Tu laughed and let go, both of them giggling.
Then Prim got quiet.
"Phi... can you… do something for me?"
"What is it?"
"Um… could you squeeze the plushie that looks like me?" she asked, shyly looking at the floor.
"Huh? Why?"
"Please? Just do it, na Phi..." Prim pleaded, her cheeks on fire.
Tu, already feeling flustered, nodded and gently squeezed the plushie's tummy.
A little voice came out from the toy:
"I love you."
Prim immediately turned around to face the wall, hiding her face.
Tu froze, eyes wide, completely speechless.
She looked at the plushie. Then at Prim.
Without a second thought, she stepped forward, grabbed Prim's hand, turned her around—and kissed her.
It was soft, passionate, overwhelming. Prim's eyes widened in surprise at first, but slowly fluttered closed. Her heart was racing. Butterflies erupted in her stomach.
They kissed for what felt like forever.
When they finally broke apart to catch their breath, neither of them could meet the other's eyes. Their cheeks were burning. Their hands still linked.
"I…" Tu started to say something—but just laughed nervously instead.
Prim looked up at her through her lashes and whispered, "Happy late birthday, Phi."
Tu bit her lip, still flushed. "Best. Gift. Ever."