There's nothing better than spending New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with the most wonderful people in a beautiful hotel surrounded by mountains covered in fluffy snow.
The friends split into two cars. Wonyoung was the driver, taking Sunghoon and the sisters with her, while Niki and Jake drove separately, having a serious conversation about their romantic problems.
Sitting in the back of the car, the sisters smiled the whole way, enjoying Wonyoung and Sunghoon's happiness. Now that they are officially together, everyone feels relieved because they are made for each other. It's just a shame they can't say the same about themselves, as they wrestle with their own feelings.
Booking two suites on the top floor was the best decision, allowing the group to split into boys and girls. Initially, Wonyoung wanted to take a separate room with Sunghoon, but the others objected, saying they've been together too briefly and needed to keep an eye on them.
Yuna sets down her suitcase and throws herself onto the giant bed, while Sullyoon walks to the large window with a balcony, admiring the fairy-tale view. Wonyoung explores the entire suite, particularly enchanted by the Jacuzzi bathtub.
"My dear sisters! Tomorrow, when we wake up after all this drinking, we will all sit in this tub, relax, and cure our hangovers," she announces.
"I have a feeling everything is going to get complicated after tonight. I wouldn't be surprised if I end up sitting in a stranger's bathtub just to erase the image of that cursed Jake from my mind," Yuna says, staring at the ceiling. "I want someone wonderful to come into my life, someone who will lose his mind for me just as I have for him. That's going to be my New Year's wish."
"Unnie, you're a incredible girl. You'll definitely fall for someone who will knock Jake out. You'll see, you'll laugh at your silly infatuation," Wonyoung replies.
"I agree." Sullyoon turns to the girls. "Practically, every guy is after you. You could have any guy with a snap of your fingers, and Jake would just lick his lips. As much as I love my friend, he's terrible as a potential partner. He'll never change."
"Exactly. I think tonight, you should find a single guy and have a good time, away from Jake."
"So why did you bring him with us? It would be easier for me if I didn't have to see him," Yuna responds, grumpily sitting up. "Why is he my curse when we had nothing to do with each other in a past life?"
"Exactly... nothing connected you, so your fate is probably elsewhere. It's just a matter of time before you meet that guy, unnie," Sullyoon says, sitting next to her and taking her hand. Wonyoung sits on the other side and grabs her other hand.
"I agree. It could be someone you'd never expect. Just consider that Sullyoon's destiny is Niki. Would you have believed it if a fortune-teller had predicted our future five years ago?"
"If I could go back in time, I would have prevented the love between me and Sullyoon."
The youngest sister furrows her brow.
"Don't talk about me. Niki is really a wonderful guy. I want to love him. I want him to love me," she says shyly, blushing.
The sisters let out a pleased murmur, pouncing on Sullyoon and tickling her to death.
Meanwhile, in the adjacent suite, the guys are desperately trying to figure out what's happening with the girls. Jake sits with a glass by his ear, trying to eavesdrop, but the walls are soundproof, so there's no chance. Niki sits beside him, hoping his friend might catch something, while Sunghoon, standing behind them, crosses his arms, looking at them with a tolerant expression.
"Oh!" Jake suddenly exclaims, and Niki looks at him with interest in his eyes. "I think Sullyoon is laughing like she's possessed, probably because of you. She thinks you're a clown."
Niki furrows his brow.
"Maybe they're laughing at you, idiot. It's more likely, considering Yuna hates you right now."
"Do you guys seriously have nothing to do?" Sunghoon asks, drawing their attention. "Shouldn't we drink our first cocktail before we go to the New Year's party? I'm going to stress out sober."
"My little brother, I remind you that you have a fragile head, and I would rather not spend the whole night taking care of you. You would rather not mess up Wonyoung's night, do you?"
"I've been practicing. I have a higher alcohol tolerance now, after we drank the entire holidays," Sunghoon responds.
At some point, Niki looks proud.
"That's true. An older brother is always helpful when it comes to learning how to drink."
"Nice to be proud of yourself. I'm afraid you'll quickly turn Sunghoon into an alcoholic," Jake comments.
"Shut up if you are keen to join the party. I can make Yuna happy by making sure you're out of her sight."
"I can make Sullyoon happy by making sure you're out of her sight. I don't know what the little one sees in a barbarian like you. She'd be happier with me if there was something more between us."
"Yeah, just like she was happy with you in the past life. You're her karmic connection."
"Talk about yourself. You're the one who tore her apart and left her in the trash. I don't know how she can still love you after seeing those memories."
Sunghoon grabs his head, trying to figure out if there's a chance he can get a separate room.
"Your friendship is fascinating. I'll keep saying it ever since I first saw you on the field."
*
All three guys looked like a million bucks, catching everyone's attention with their handsome looks. Well-groomed and dressed in suits, they entered the girls' apartment, where they were in the bathroom, making final touches on their hairstyles and makeup.
Each of them was stunned when the sisters appeared in the living room. Wonyoung, dressed in a pink, form-fitting dress that reached her ankles, looked like a living doll. Standing next to her, Sullyoon wore a light blue, flared gown that was the same length as her older sister's. She looked like a Disney princess. Meanwhile, Yuna wore a black, sparkling, short dress that showcased her long legs, which seemed to reach the sky, especially considering she wore high heels.
Jake started to choke, trying to hide the impression the oldest sister had made on him. Ever since he heard her confession, he couldn't behave normally around her. He just couldn't get it right.
Sunghoon approached Wonyoung, extending his hands to take hers.
"You look breathtaking. I'm speechless," he said, gazing into her eyes.
"You look wonderful too. I'm really impressed," she replied, smiling brightly at him.
Niki flashed Sullyoon a mesmerizing smile as he passed by her and stood before Yuna. They had previously agreed that the four of them would spend time together as friends, mixing into pairs.
"Well, witch, you look pretty good. You almost match my appearance, although I won't hide the fact that Sullyoon should be holding my arm," he said jokingly to the brunette. "She's made for me."
Yuna gave him a sour smile.
"Throw one more of those comments my way, buddy, and I'll find Sullyoon a fine-looking guy at the party and make sure she forgets about you fast."
"You should find yourself a handsome guy to quickly forget about Jake," he whispered in her ear.
"I hate you, jerk. I don't want you to be my brother-in-law, especially not my partner at the party."
"Too late." Niki stuck his tongue out at her. It was clear they had already been drinking. All three of them weren't sober anymore.
Sullyoon spun around like a princess, letting Jake catch her at the waist.
"And how do I look?" she asked him.
"Now I know why something connected us in the past life. Our little one is a true princess."
Niki shot him a warning look, signaling him to stop with the comments. Otherwise, he'd kill him.
*
That night, Wonyoung and Sunghoon couldn't seem to tear themselves away from each other. Even though their friends repeatedly pulled them into dances, they were practically inseparable. They gazed deeply into each other's eyes, finally feeling how strong the connection between them truly was.
"I'm sure that next year will be my best year, because tonight I have you by my side. I still can't believe we're together, that you're mine," Sunghoon declared, holding her at the waist.
She smiled brightly, feeling the pleasant warmth spreading through her heart.
"You're my dream, Sunghoon. Now, I need nothing more to be happy. All I require is you. For you to be always by my side."
While they danced, they nestled into each other, while the remaining four were caught in chaos. Jake tipped the glasses to his lips, watching Yuna, who had been spending time with a newly met guy, for a while. He never left her side. Jake even ignored the girls approaching him, fully focused on his friend.
"You don't like her. Not romantically, Jake," Sullyoon said, standing next to him and sipping her drink. "She sparked your interest because she confessed her feelings to you. Don't take pity on her, please. She's your friend. You've known each other since childhood. Let her feelings for you pass. You should spend this night apart. She's doing the right thing, having fun with that guy. Focus on another girl and have fun too."
"Do you think I'm jealous because I heard she's interested in me?" Jake asked, looking at Sullyoon with curiosity. "Maybe I also have hidden feelings for her that I haven't allowed myself to acknowledge until now?"
"Yuna's always been the girl who was out of your reach because you were friends. There's no love between you. She just got infatuated with you after you spent that night together. When someone else enters her life, she'll quickly erase you from it. Honestly, I want you two to remain good friends."
"I guess you're right, babe. And what about you and Niki?"
She wasn't able to respond because he appeared next to her like a ghost and, throwing an angry glance at his friend, pulled her onto the dance floor.
"Stupid savage," Jake muttered, his gaze drawn to a petite blonde girl who was spending time with her friend. He confidently walked up to her and handed her a drink. Her face reminded him of Somi, making his interest in her grow deeper.
She was the one he planned to focus on that night.
Sullyoon lifted her face and shyly locked eyes with Niki as the person grabbed her chin.
"I hope you've really thought about how you feel about me, because you have until midnight to decide what will happen between us."
The eighteen-year-old turned her gaze to the large clock on the wall. There were fifteen minutes left until midnight, as announced by the DJ, encouraging the partygoers to put on something and head outside.
People seemed excited. Wonyoung walked, snuggled up to Sunghoon, while Sullyoon was led by Niki by the hand. A satisfied Yuna proudly walked with the handsome guy she had just met, and Jake flirted with the blonde girl resembling Somi.
The night was cold, but the alcohol was bubbling in everyone's bodies, so they didn't feel the chill. There were two minutes left until midnight when, standing on the balcony, Sullyoon turned her face toward Niki.
"It's rare for a dream to become reality, so I thank fate for letting me experience this. I'm happy that you return my feelings, and that's why I need to tell you something..."
Niki gazed deeply into her eyes, feeling his heart pounding. Sullyoon was so serious at that moment that he didn't know what to expect.
Would she turn him down, or maybe...
"I want to share my future with you. You're my first hidden love, and I'm proud of it. I fell in love with the right person," she declared just as midnight struck and fireworks lit up the sky. "I would like to be with you, Niki."
"I dream of nothing else, Sull," he replied immediately, cupping her face in his hands. He kissed her, feeling overwhelming happiness.
Nearby, Wonyoung threw her arms around her beloved's shoulders, while he grabbed her at the waist and pulled her close, pressing a romantic kiss to her lips.
"I feel like none of this is real. It feels like I'm in a dream. Before, my life was full of suffering and worries, so it's difficult to believe that all of that is gone, and I'm starting the year in love, with a peaceful heart," Sunghoon said, gently stroking her cheek. "I have you, Wonnie, I have a complete family. I'm happy."
"I'm happy too, Sunghoon. From now on, it'll only get better. In this life, we'll make up for all the pain from the last one. I won't let you suffer. I'll never let that happen again..." she replied, looking deeply into his eyes. "Remember... you're trapped in my dreams, and I'll never let you disappear from them."