The soft sunlight of a late autumn morning filtered through the windows, casting a warm golden hue across the quiet houses of Haneul-dong. It was a Saturday, the first official day of the short school holiday. For most students, that meant sleeping in or catching up on dramas. But for Kang Daewon, it meant something else entirely.
He was going to the animal park.
Not just with his little sister and mom - but somehow, Yoo Aera would be there too.
His mom had casually mentioned the night before, "Oh, and Aera's family is coming too. I bumped into her mom at the market. Isn't that nice?"
Nice?
Daewon had nearly dropped his spoon into his rice bowl. He hadn't even replied, only nodded stiffly, cheeks turning pink under the warm kitchen light.
Now, as he stood in front of the bathroom mirror brushing his hair for the fourth time, he realized just how nervous he was. His shirt felt too plain. His jacket felt too formal. His reflection looked too obvious.
"Oppa, are you going on a date or something?" his little sister, Sumin, teased, poking her head in from the hallway.
"It's not a date," he muttered, trying to fix his bangs.
"But Aera noona's going, right?" she smirked. "You look like you're trying to impress someone~"
Daewon tossed a towel at her, which she easily dodged with a giggle and ran away. His heart, however, was already skipping.
The animal park was located just outside of Seoul, surrounded by gentle hills and framed with tall maple trees whose red and yellow leaves fluttered like confetti in the breeze. The entrance was bustling with families, couples, and children holding animal-themed balloons.
Daewon arrived with his mom and Sumin, trying to appear nonchalant even though his eyes immediately scanned the crowd.
And then - there she was.
Yoo Aera, standing near the ticket booth with her older brother, Yoo Hajun, and their mom. She wore a soft beige hoodie under a denim jacket, her hair tucked behind her ear, holding a small paper cup of hot chocolate. When her eyes met his, her face brightened.
She waved gently. "Daewon-ah."
The moment felt slow, like in one of those dreamy movie scenes. Leaves drifted past. A child laughed in the distance. The warmth that spread through his chest was quiet but overwhelming.
He walked up, suddenly self-conscious.
"Hey," he said.
"Hi," she replied softly, smiling.
They both looked away at the same time, like their hearts had gotten shy.
The families decided to tour the park together.
The first stop was the petting zoo, where little kids were feeding alpacas and goats. Sumin was already excitedly dragging their mom toward the rabbits, while Hajun laughed, teasing Aera with a piece of lettuce.
Daewon hesitated, unsure whether to follow the adults or -
"Want to go see the parrots?" Aera asked, nudging him slightly with her elbow.
"Yeah," he said, voice steadier than he felt.
They walked ahead toward the parrot section, where several colorful birds sat on perches, mimicking sounds and greetings. A bright green parrot tilted its head as they approached.
"Hello!" it squawked.
Aera giggled. "They're so clever."
"Yeah," Daewon said, watching her instead of the bird.
Another parrot, smaller and red-feathered, suddenly chirped loud and clear:
"I like you!"
"I like you! I like you!"
Aera blinked. Daewon froze.
She slowly turned toward him, cheeks flushed pink. "Was… was that bird talking to you?"
"Wh-what? No! I -" Daewon sputtered, flustered. "I mean - it's just a bird - it doesn't even know -"
Aera covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, eyes shining.
The parrot repeated again, louder:
"I like yooouuuu~"
And now Hajun and Sumin were watching from behind, completely amused.
Daewon looked like he wanted to sink into the earth. But Aera's soft laughter made everything worth it.
"Guess it has good taste," she murmured, glancing at him sideways.
Later, the group stopped for lunch at a small café inside the park. The families chatted over sandwiches and soup. Sumin was excitedly telling Hajun about her favorite animal so far (the raccoons), while their moms discussed recipes.
Daewon and Aera sat at the edge of the outdoor seating, sipping warm drinks.
"Do you come here often?" Aera asked, stirring her tea.
"Not really," he said. "But it's kinda nice. Peaceful."
She nodded. "It is."
Then, quietly, she added, "It's nice… being here with you."
He turned to her, surprised.
Her eyes were still on her drink, but her cheeks were pink. There was something honest in her voice, like the words had been waiting.
"I… like this too," he said quietly. "Being with you."
Their eyes met for a long, silent second - and Daewon knew his heart would remember this moment.
After lunch, they wandered into the butterfly garden. Inside, delicate wings fluttered through the air, brushing against their hair and arms. Aera reached out gently, and one landed on her finger.
"Wow…" she breathed.
Daewon stood beside her, watching the soft way she smiled.
"You really like animals, huh?" he said.
"I like soft things," she replied. "And quiet places."
He nodded slowly. "Yeah. Me too."
She glanced at him then, and something settled between them. A kind of quiet understanding.
The day passed with laughter, shared photos, a funny squirrel that stole Sumin's snack, and a surprise animal show that made everyone cheer. But as the sun began to dip behind the hills, the families gathered near the exit.
Their moms chatted while Sumin and Hajun went to buy souvenirs.
That left Daewon and Aera standing just outside the park gates, golden light casting long shadows on the pavement.
"Thanks for today," she said softly. "It was fun."
"Yeah," he said. "Really fun."
A breeze passed between them, carrying the scent of caramel popcorn and autumn leaves. Neither of them wanted to leave yet.
"I think this'll be one of those days I won't forget," she said, hugging her scarf tighter.
Daewon looked at her. The way her hair swayed slightly. The gentle light in her eyes.
"Same," he said. "Definitely."
And then - very gently - Aera reached out, tugged on his sleeve.
He blinked. "What is it?"
She didn't speak right away. Just stood there, fingers brushing the fabric.
"…Nothing," she whispered. "Just… don't forget today, okay?"
"I won't," he said.
His voice was quiet, but certain.
That night, after returning home, Aera sat by her window with a sketchpad. She had drawn a little parrot saying "I like you!" and beside it, two tiny figures under falling leaves. Her cheeks flushed just remembering.
She pressed her pencil to the page, adding soft strokes.
Her heart felt light.
In his room across town, Daewon lay on his bed staring at the ceiling. A single photo was open on his phone - Aera smiling beside the butterfly garden, hair glowing in the sun.
He grinned to himself and rolled over, hugging his pillow.
"Parrot betrayed me," he muttered.
But deep down, he wasn't mad at all.