Sweet Date

The spring breeze was crisp and invigorating as Ji-ae and Min-jun planned their first official date. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of emotions, but today was about creating new, joyful memories. Min-jun had insisted on keeping the day's plans a surprise, adding an element of excitement.

"Are you ready for the best day ever?" Min-jun asked, his eyes sparkling with anticipation as he picked Ji-ae up from her dorm.

Ji-ae laughed, nodding enthusiastically. "I'm ready! But you've got to give me a hint. Where are we going?"

Min-jun shook his head with a mischievous grin. "Nope, it's a secret. You'll find out soon enough."

They took the subway to a less bustling part of the city, getting off near a charming neighborhood that Ji-ae didn't recognize. As they walked, Min-jun held her hand, pointing out quirky little shops and cafes.

Finally, they arrived at a quaint little bookstore café. Ji-ae's eyes widened with delight as she saw the charming façade, adorned with ivy and blooming flowers.

"Wow, this place is adorable!" Ji-ae exclaimed.

Min-jun smiled proudly. "I thought you'd like it. It's one of my favorite spots."

Inside, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and old books enveloped them. They found a cozy corner with a view of the garden outside. Ji-ae browsed the bookshelves, pulling out titles and sharing her thoughts with Min-jun. They both ended up picking a book, deciding to read a few chapters while sipping their drinks.

As they settled down with their books, Min-jun suddenly looked up, eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint. "Hey, Ji-ae, want to make this more interesting?"

Ji-ae raised an eyebrow, curious. "Oh? What do you have in mind?"

"How about a bet?" Min-jun suggested. "First one to find a funny passage in their book wins, and the loser has to... hmm, let's see... do a funny dance right here in the café."

Ji-ae giggled. "You're on!"

They dove into their books, flipping pages and trying to stifle their laughter. Ji-ae was the first to burst out laughing.

"Listen to this," she said, barely containing her laughter. "'He was as lost as a tofu in a meat market.'"

Min-jun laughed along with her, shaking his head. "Okay, okay, you win. But I found a good one too! 'She had a face that could curdle milk and a laugh that could shatter glass.'"

Ji-ae couldn't stop giggling. "Alright, you lose! Time for that dance."

Min-jun stood up, dramatically bowing before breaking into a hilariously exaggerated version of a cha-cha. The other patrons looked up, some smiling and others chuckling, as Min-jun twirled and shimmied. Ji-ae laughed so hard she had tears in her eyes.

When Min-jun finished, he took a bow to a smattering of applause from the amused onlookers. He returned to their table, slightly out of breath but grinning widely.

"I hope you enjoyed the show," he said, winking.

Ji-ae was still laughing. "That was amazing. You're a natural performer."

"Anything to make you smile," Min-jun replied, taking her hand and kissing it.

After finishing their books and coffee, they decided to explore the rest of the neighborhood. They wandered through a nearby park, where they stumbled upon a small festival. Stalls selling street food, handmade crafts, and games lined the pathways. 

Min-jun's eyes lit up when he saw a ring toss game. "Want to try our luck?"

Ji-ae nodded eagerly. They approached the booth, and Min-jun handed over some money to the vendor. He picked up a ring, concentrating hard before tossing it. It missed spectacularly, clattering to the ground.

Ji-ae burst into laughter. "Nice try, Min-jun."

He handed her a ring. "Your turn. Show me how it's done."

Ji-ae took a deep breath, aimed, and tossed the ring. It landed perfectly around the bottle. She turned to Min-jun, grinning victoriously.

"Wow, beginner's luck," Min-jun teased, but he was genuinely impressed.

The vendor handed Ji-ae a small, stuffed bear as a prize. She hugged it close, beaming.

They spent the rest of the day wandering through the festival, trying different foods and playing more games. Min-jun won a large, goofy hat at a dart-throwing game and insisted on wearing it for the rest of the day, much to Ji-ae's amusement.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the park, they found a quiet spot to sit and watch the festivities.

"Today was perfect," Ji-ae said softly, leaning her head on Min-jun's shoulder.

Min-jun wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. "I'm glad you had fun. I wanted today to be special for you."

Ji-ae looked up at him, her heart swelling with affection. "You always make everything special, Min-jun."

He smiled, leaning down to kiss her gently. Ji-ae's cheeks turned a deep shade of pink, and she could feel the warmth spreading from her face to her neck. Her heart raced, pounding in her chest as Min-jun's lips met hers in a soft, tender kiss. She closed her eyes, savoring the moment, feeling as though time had stopped.

When they finally pulled away, Ji-ae's face was flushed, and she couldn't help but smile shyly. "I… I don't think I'll ever get used to that."

Min-jun chuckled, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Good, because I plan on kissing you a lot more."

Ji-ae giggled, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and happiness. "You're so cheesy."

"And you love it," Min-jun teased, giving her nose a playful tap.

They stayed there, watching the lights of the festival twinkle as night fell, content in each other's company. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them, wrapped in a moment of pure happiness and love.