Ara's jaw dropped slightly, caught off guard. She quickly snapped back again.
> "Who said I was taking offers?!"
Her voice cracked just the tiniest bit—betraying the fact that his teasing was starting to slip past her walls.
Before Taehyun could answer, Mina leaned across the table, resting her chin on her hands with a sly grin.
> "Oooohhh, Araaaa~ Did I just hear a date proposal?"
Ara's eyes widened in horror.
> "Mina!! Stop it!"
Mina pretended to zip her lips, but her shoulders shook with suppressed laughter.
> "I mean, come on. You two look like a scene straight out of a K-drama right now. Sparks, witty banter, the handsome lead—ahhh, chef's kiss."
Taehyun smirked, clearly enjoying Mina's support.
> "See? Even your friend agrees with me."
Ara buried her face in her hands with a groan.
> "I'm surrounded by traitors."
Mina giggled, nudging Ara's arm playfully.
> "No, babe. You're surrounded by people who just want you to admit when a hot guy is flirting with you."
Mina's phone buzzed in her hand. She blinked down, then gasped so loudly that Ara flinched.
> "Oh. My. God!!" Mina squealed, clutching her phone like it was a winning lottery ticket.
Ara gave her a confused look. "What? Did you just win the Nobel Prize or something?"
Mina shook her head furiously, her cheeks glowing pink.
> "No, no, no—it's even better!! He texted me back—he—"
Ara raised a brow. "Don't tell me it's that sports guy you've been stalking—"
"Excuse me? Admiring," Mina corrected, her voice going dreamy. "Not only did he reply, he just asked me to see the fireworks with him! Araaa, can you believe this?!"
She grabbed Ara's arm and shook her dramatically until Ara groaned.
> "Stop shaking me! You're going to ruin my hair," Ara hissed, swatting her away.
But Mina was too lost in her lovesick daze. She clutched her phone to her chest, eyes shining. Then she looked up and noticed Taehyun standing right there, clearly having overheard everything with a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Oh—perfect timing!" Mina said, eyes sparkling mischievously. She shoved Ara slightly toward Taehyun.
> "You take care of her, Taehyun. Don't let her sulk alone when the fireworks start, okay?"
Ara's eyes widened. "Wait—what? Mina, no—"
But Mina was already bouncing on her heels, waving her phone like a trophy. "Sorry Araaa, my destiny is calling!"
And just like that, she ran off through the crowd, practically glowing like a lovesick schoolgirl.
Ara stood frozen, speechless, her lips pressed tight as she stared after Mina's retreating figure.
Taehyun chuckled, leaning slightly closer, his voice warm with mischief.
> "Well… looks like it's just the two of us now, Ara."