The park was alive with chatter, kids chasing bubbles, the smell of roasted corn drifting through the air. Min-jae sat quietly on the bench, scrolling through his phone, while Ga-young adjusted her bag strap, sneaking a glance at him from the corner of her eye.
Then came the squeal.
"Pretty Samchon!"
Ha-eun barreled toward them, little arms spread wide. Min-jae barely had time to react before she collided into him, hugging him tightly.
"I finally got to meet you! Are you as excited to see me?" she demanded with big, round eyes.
"Hm." Ga-young folded her arms dramatically. "I feel like I'm invisible right now. Ji-hye, can you see me?"
Ha-eun giggled and looked up at her. "Unnie! Don't say that—you're still my favorite person." She darted from Min-jae's arms and hugged Ga-young tightly.
Ga-young softened, ruffling her hair. "How are you doing, Ha-eun?"
"Very well." The little girl stood back and stomped her foot proudly. "As you can see, I'm no longer on crutches. I can walk on my own again!"
"That was two years ago, honey," Ji-hye said with a chuckle, handing over Ha-eun's bag. "She's all yours. Good luck."
"Mom, you aren't staying?" Ha-eun asked, disappointment flickering in her eyes.
Ji-hye crouched down to her level. "Mommy needs to go somewhere, okay? Be a good girl for uncle and unnie."
Ha-eun's pout melted into a nod. "When will you be back?"
"Soon."
"Then let's get ice cream after!"
"Okay, anything you want," Ji-hye said, kissing her forehead before standing. "She's yours now. Bye."
"Bye," Ga-young said.
"Bye…" Ha-eun waved cutely until Ji-hye disappeared into the crowd.
The little girl spun back, full of excitement. "Unnie, pretty Samchon, what do you want to do first?"
Min-jae crouched down to her level. "Anything you wish. I'll be your genie for today."
Ha-eun gasped, then hugged her teddy closer. "No, no, I'm the genie! You're Aladdin, and unnie is Jasmine, and Mr. Teddy is Abu the monkey."
Ga-young laughed, bending down beside her. "Is that so?"
Ha-eun nodded vigorously, then seized their hands and squished them together. "Aladdin and Jasmine must hold hands and stay together!"
Ga-young froze, ready to pull away, but Min-jae's grip tightened—protective, grounding. He didn't even glance at her, just kept talking to Ha-eun as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Let's get cotton candy then," Ga-young blurted, looking for an excuse to let go.
"Unnie…" Ha-eun's face fell. "Did you forget I had my teeth pulled out? The dentist said no sugar!"
"Oh—sorry, it slipped my mind." Ga-young released Min-jae's hand quickly, ruffling Ha-eun's hair.
Ha-eun only smirked mischievously, then shoved their hands back together. "Aladdin and Jasmine must hold hands always!" She giggled and dashed off toward a group of kids.
Ga-young exhaled in relief, trying to pull away again—but Min-jae's fingers remained steady around hers, unyielding. Her brows knit, but he just watched Ha-eun from afar, as if unaware of what he was doing.
The park bustled, but for a moment, Ga-young's world shrank to that small warmth between their palms.
Then Ha-eun's voice rang out again. "Aladdin! Jasmine! Come here!"
She came skipping back, cheeks flushed with excitement, tugging them both toward the rides. "No more sitting! Aladdin and Jasmine have to ride the magic carpet!"
Ga-young followed her finger and nearly choked. The tall ship ride loomed ahead, swinging violently as riders screamed.
"No way," Ga-young said instantly. "Absolutely not."
"Unnieee~," Ha-eun whined, tugging her sleeve. "Jasmine has to be brave with Aladdin. It's in the story!"
"That's not in any version of Aladdin," Ga-young muttered, but Ha-eun was already skipping toward the line.
"Pretty Samchon, tell her!" Ha-eun called. "Jasmine can't be a scaredy-cat!"
Min-jae's lips twitched faintly.
Ga-young shot him a glare, but somehow ended up strapped beside him anyway, the safety bar locking into place.
Ha-eun waved from outside the ride, grinning like the devil. "I'll be over there with my friends! Have fun, Aladdin and Jasmine!"
"Ha-eun!" Ga-young called, but the ship groaned, cutting her off as it lurched into motion.
By the third arc, Ga-young's hand shot out, clutching Min-jae's arm.
"You alright?" His voice was low, steady, but his smirk gave him away.
"Do I look alright?" she shot back, eyes wide.
The ship soared higher, tilting them against gravity. She squeezed her eyes shut, burying her face against his shoulder before she could stop herself.
Min-jae stiffened, then adjusted slightly, angling himself so her head rested more securely. "It's fine. I've got you," he murmured, barely audible beneath the screams.
By the time the ride slowed, Ga-young sat up abruptly, cheeks flaming as she pretended to fix her hair.
Ha-eun bounced in place, clapping her hands. "See? Jasmine survived because Aladdin protected her!"
Ga-young groaned, legs wobbly as she stumbled off. "Are you sure you're not a witch instead of a genie?"
Min-jae chuckled, steadying her with a hand at her elbow until she found her balance.
"I think I'm done," she muttered, pressing a hand to her temple. "Too old for this."
"But we just started!" Ha-eun pouted, bubbling with energy.
"Who's we? You two can go," Ga-young said, sinking onto a nearby bench.
Min-jae crouched slightly, his tone softer now. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'll be fine. I'm just… not good with heights."
From the swirl of children's giggles at the park, Ji-hye appeared—her smile wide and knowing, as if she had seen everything even when she wasn't there.
"Mother!" Ha-eun squealed, running into her arms. Ji-hye bent down, hugging her tightly, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
"Did you miss me?" she teased.
"Of course—but we had so much fun though," Ha-eun said with a grin.
"I wouldn't call it fun," Ga-young muttered under her breath.
Ji-hye arched a brow. "Are you alright? You look like someone who just survived death."
"Because I did," Ga-young groaned, leaning back dramatically. "I've lost all the breath in my body. I need a doctor—or maybe an oxygen tank."
Ha-eun giggled.
"Unnie's still scared of heights!" Ji-hye teased.
"And I can't believe you're still terrified of getting old," Ga-young fired back, her lips twitching.
Ji-hye smirked, conceding with a small shrug. "Fair enough." She reached for Ha-eun's bag, swinging it casually over her shoulder.
"Leaving already?" Min-jae asked, his voice calm, almost lazy, but his sharp eyes followed her every move.
"Yes. Ha-eun has mountains of incomplete assignments waiting for her."
Min-jae tilted his head, lips curling slightly. "I still can't believe you're a mother."
Ji-hye's smile faltered, her eyes narrowing. "And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"
Before the tension could deepen, Ga-young glanced at her watch and stood. "I'm heading out too—I have something important to take care of. Can you drop me off, Ji-hye?"
"No." The answer came so fast it was suspicious, the word snapping in the air like a whip.
Ga-young blinked, taken aback, but before she could ask, Min-jae spoke smoothly, "I'll take you."
"You really don't have to," Ga-young replied, but her voice was soft, uncertain.
"Okay, bye!" Ji-hye cut in hurriedly, almost dragging Ha-eun by the wrist as they headed for the car.
Ga-young frowned, eyes narrowing. "Strange," she muttered under her breath, watching their retreating figures before turning back to Min-jae. "Don't bother, I'll just get a taxi." And without giving him a chance to argue, she walked off.
---
Meanwhile, in Ji-hye's car, the atmosphere was entirely different.
"How did it go?" Ji-hye asked, glancing at her daughter through the rearview mirror.
Ha-eun crossed her arms with an exaggerated pout. "Don't you trust me? I told you—I'm the love fairy."
Ji-hye chuckled. "So… mission accomplished?"
"Of course!" Ha-eun's face lit up. "I made them hold hands the whole time. And I even got them to ride the scary attraction—just like you said!"
Ji-hye's lips curved into a satisfied smile. "Ah, my brilliant daughter." She reached into the back seat and pulled out a pink box tied with ribbons. "Here—your reward."
Ha-eun's little scream nearly shook the car. "No way! It's the Barbie Princess set! With the house and everything!"
"A princess for my princess," Ji-hye said warmly, handing it over.
Ha-eun hugged the box like treasure, her small hands trembling with excitement. "I can't believe it… I can't wait to open it!"
"Then let's drive faster—before my princess bursts from anticipation," Ji-hye teased, stepping on the accelerator.
"I love you, Mother," Ha-eun whispered, her voice full of joy.
Ji-hye's smile softened as she reached out, brushing her daughter's cheek with her fingertips. "I love you more, honey."