Saturday arrived faster than I expected. I wasn't usually the type to spend weekends out—I preferred quiet corners, a book in hand, maybe some music in the background. But when Yura had announced loudly in the cafeteria that we all had to go somewhere together, saying no hadn't been an option.
And so, here I was, standing at the entrance of the arcade with four other girls, clutching my bag like it was a shield.
"Let's go, let's go, let's go!" Yura practically bounced on her toes, dragging Mirae along by the wrist.
"Calm down," Mirae said softly, though she didn't resist. "We haven't even decided what to play first."
"Decided?" Hye-jin scoffed, flipping her hair. "Obviously we're starting with racing. I'll crush all of you."
"Loud as always," Soo-min muttered beside me.
I glanced at her. She wore her usual expression—cool, unreadable, her hands shoved into the pockets of her jacket. She looked so out of place in the neon glow of the arcade, yet she also stood out in a way that made people glance twice as they passed.
And me? I stood quietly at her side, my heart doing its usual flutter.
---
The Race
We ended up at the row of racing games, neon-lit screens flickering with cartoon cars and flashing "INSERT COIN."
"Pairs," Yura announced. "Two people per machine."
Before I could react, she grabbed Mirae's arm. "We're together!"
Mirae gave her a look but smiled.
Hye-jin cracked her knuckles, scanning the rest of us. "Fine, I'll take… Eun—"
"No."
The word cut through, sharp but quiet. Soo-min had already dropped a coin into the machine and slid into the seat. She didn't look at me, but her hand tapped the empty seat beside her.
My breath caught.
Hye-jin blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You're too loud," Soo-min said coolly, adjusting the wheel. "Sit with someone else."
Yura burst into giggles. "Ooooh, territorial much?"
My face burned as I slipped into the seat beside her.
The race began, the roar of digital engines filling the air. I gripped the wheel tightly, trying to focus on the road flashing across the screen.
"You're too stiff," Soo-min murmured. "Relax your hands."
"I—I am relaxed," I whispered back.
She smirked. "Liar."
My car crashed into a barrier.
Hye-jin's laugh echoed from the next machine. "Pathetic!"
But when I dared to glance at Soo-min, her lips twitched, amusement hidden beneath her cool mask.
And when her car crossed the finish line first, she leaned back casually and said, just loud enough for me to hear, "Cute effort."
I nearly melted into the seat.
---
After the games, Yura dragged us toward the claw machines. The arcade had gotten busier, a crowd pressing in on all sides. I tried to keep up, but the tide of people made me stumble.
And then—warm fingers curled around my wrist.
I froze.
Soo-min's hand. Firm, steady.
"Stay close," she said simply, her eyes scanning the crowd.
It was only a moment. Just a grip, a command. But it made my pulse thunder in my ears.
When the crowd thinned, she let go as if nothing had happened.
I wanted to say something—anything—but the words stuck in my throat.
---
The Claw Machine
"Look, look!" Yura squealed, pointing at a claw machine stuffed with plushies. "That bunny is calling me."
"You'll never get it," Hye-jin muttered.
"Watch me."
One failed attempt later, Yura groaned dramatically and shoved a coin into Mirae's hand. "You try."
Mirae, patient as always, actually won a keychain on her first try. Yura hugged her, squealing like she'd just won the lottery.
Then Yura turned her eyes on me. "Eun-ji, your turn!"
"I—I'm not good at these—"
"Tryyy," she whined, tugging me forward.
I gave in, dropping a coin into the slot. My hands fumbled with the controls, the claw wobbling awkwardly before dropping nowhere near the prize.
Yura laughed, hugging me from the side. "You're hopeless! So cute though."
My cheeks burned. And then—
A coin slid into the machine beside mine.
I turned. Soo-min was standing there, one hand casually on the joystick. She didn't even look at the machine, just flicked the controls with precise movements. The claw dropped, grabbed, and lifted a blue plush bear with effortless ease.
I love blue plush bear. Blue is my favorite color.
Pout
The bear dropped into the chute. She picked it up, dusted it off, and held it out toward me.
I blinked. "F-for me?"
"Who else?"
My heart stuttered. I reached out, fingers brushing hers as I took it.
And hug the blue bear tightly.
Hye-jin groaned. "Unfair. Soo-min cheats at life."
Yura pouted. "She totally stole my spotlight."
But all I could think about was the warmth lingering on my fingertips.
---
After the arcade, we stopped by a cafe nearby. It was quiet, dimly lit, filled with the smell of roasted beans and warm pastries.
We claimed a booth, Yura and Mirae on one side, Hye-jin squeezed between them.
Soo-min slid into the seat beside me without a word.
Of course.
When the server came, I fumbled with the menu. "I'll just get—"
"Green tea latte," Soo-min said smoothly, handing the menus back.
I stared. "H-how did you—"
"You always choose that." She didn't look at me, just adjusted the sleeve of her jacket.
The drink arrived. I sipped it in silence, heart fluttering wildly.
The others chattered, their laughter filling the cafe. But all I could focus on was the girl beside me—the girl who pretended not to care, yet noticed everything.
---
Reflection
By the time we left, the sun was dipping low, painting the streets gold. Yura skipped ahead, Mirae walking calmly beside her, Hye-jin trailing behind complaining about her sore feet.
I stayed in the middle, clutching the little plush bear Soo-min had won for me.
Beside me, her steps matched mine perfectly.
She didn't reach for me again. Didn't tease. Didn't speak much at all.
But her presence was steady, unshakable.
And I realized then—maybe it wasn't just the seat beside me that belonged to her.
Maybe it was something more.