The apartment door flew open with a frustrated thud.
"Don't even ask, Jennie!" Yuki announced before her best friend could say a word.
Jennie, lounging by the doorframe with a snack in hand, raised an eyebrow. "That bad, huh?"
"Worse!" Yuki kicked off her shoes like they were the problem. "I was only twenty minutes late—twenty!—and he acted like I burned the whole restaurant down. Gave me triple the work too! My arms still hurt from chopping vegetables I didn't even eat!"
Jennie chuckled softly. "Tough love from the marketing field, huh?"
Yuki groaned, dragging herself into her room. Jennie followed, settling into the desk chair, feet propped up on the edge.
Yuki plopped face-first onto the bed, arms stretched over her head, staring at the ceiling. For ten whole minutes, she didn't move.
Then came the inevitable scream. "Ahhhhh! All I wanted was to observe their strategy, not become part of their labor force! I just wanted real skills, not real suffering!"
Jennie smirked. "So... another bad day, huh?"
Yuki rolled over, cheeks puffed out in a pout. "Why does he hate me, Jennie? And I missed hanging out with you guys."
Jennie sighed playfully, crossing her arms. "Come here, drama queen. You need a huggie."
Yuki sat up, eyes lighting up. "Finally!" She crawled over, burying her face into Jennie's shoulder.
Jennie laughed, patting her head. "Next time, maybe try showing up on time before blaming fate?"
"Ugh, no wisdom right now," Yuki mumbled. For a moment, the stress melted away.
Jennie pulled away from the hug first, grinning. "Okay, enough moping. Lucky for you, I brought backup."
Yuki blinked. "Backup?"
Jennie reached for a paper bag sitting on the desk. "From the school friends' meetup. There were a lot of people, so I snagged some extra. Your favorite spicy chicken rice and that weird lemonade you love."
Yuki's eyes widened. "You didn't—"
"Oh, I totally did." Jennie handed her the box with a proud smile. "Someone had to make sure you didn't starve after your grand battlefield shift."
Yuki laughed, the exhaustion on her face softening. "You're actually the best. You know that, right?"
"I do," Jennie replied with a playful smirk, sitting back in the chair, feet propped up again. "Now, tell me, Miss Future CEO—was today's 'marketing observation' worth the pain and suffering?"
Yuki groaned dramatically, opening the food box. "Nooo. I just wanted to learn their strategy, not become part of it!"
Jennie chuckled, resting her chin on her hand. "You'll get there. You always do."
For a moment, the room went quiet—just Yuki's soft chewing and the faint city sounds outside.
"Thanks, Jen," Yuki murmured, looking up. "I really needed this."
Jennie smiled, warm and teasing all at once. "Always, partner in chaos."
Just two best friends—one exhausted, one understanding—sharing quiet laughter in the soft glow of their apartment.
A few days later, Yuki lingered after class, talking quietly with her assignment partner, Momo. Their conversation was light, filled with notes and reminders for tomorrow's work.
But then, across the classroom, a new couple caught her attention. Just for a moment, they were being lovey-dovey, leaning close, whispering, laughing—a little show-off, as if the whole class needed to witness their happiness.
Yuki froze. Her chest tightened, daggers piercing through her heart. Her eyes blurred, and for a fleeting moment, the words on the paper before her didn't exist.
"Yuki..." Momo's gentle voice shook her shoulder. "Let's finish our work tomorrow. I'll study my part today, okay?"
Yuki blinked, trying to focus, forcing herself to look down at the notes. "Yeah... you're right. I'm... I'm not feeling good either," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Momo gave her a small, understanding smile. "Then let's leave."
Before Yuki could protest, Momo was gently guiding her out of the classroom. Her feet felt numb, heavy as lead, as she followed.
"Bye, everyone," Yuki whispered to her classmates, a fragile smile on her lips.
Jihyo and the others exchanged quiet looks. "Poor girl... he didn't even notice her love," one said softly.
"Why does his friend group always judge her from the outside? Never trying to understand..." another murmured.
Yuki barely heard them. The moment she stepped outside, the dam broke. Tears slid down her cheeks as she leaned against the cold wall, clutching her chest. "It hurts... so bad," she whispered to herself.
She stayed like that for a minute, letting herself feel the pain, letting it pour out. Then, taking a deep, shuddering breath, she wiped her tears away.
With her heart heavy but resolve gathering, she straightened her back. "I... I need to do this," she muttered, her voice steadier now.
And with that, Yuki lifted her head, squared her shoulders, and walked toward her workplace, carrying her heartache quietly along with her determination. The restaurant buzzed with its usual evening chaos—clattering pans, sizzling oil, and the hum of tired chatter. Yuki tied her apron tighter, trying to lose herself in the rhythm of work.
For a while, everything went fine. Orders came in, dishes went out, and she even managed a small laugh with the others.
"Seriously," one of her coworkers said, wiping the counter, "why doesn't the boss ever let us have a small party here? Not even a toast on New Year's."
Another worker snorted. "Because he can't handle liquor. Remember that story?"
Everyone leaned in.
"Oh, you didn't hear?" he grinned. "Last time, someone made him drink, and he spilled all his secrets. Then he—get this—started dancing. Full-on performance. They recorded it and posted it in the staff group. Since then, no parties, no drinks—just trauma."
A burst of laughter erupted. Yuki couldn't help but giggle too.
But the moment was short-lived.
"Why are you all laughing?!" The boss's voice cut through the air like a knife. Everyone scrambled back to work, their laughter dying instantly.
Yuki lowered her head and went back to serving. Minutes passed, maybe an hour—until it happened again. A harsh voice behind her.
"Yuki! Can't you even do one thing properly?!"
Something inside her snapped. She turned, her eyes sharp and tired. "With all due respect, I've been working hard every day. But if that's still not enough for you—fine. I'm done."
She pulled off her apron, slammed it onto the counter, and walked out before her courage could waver.
Outside, the cold air hit her face. She took a shaky breath and grabbed her phone.
"Jennie," she said, her voice trembling. "Gather all the school friends you can. I need a change—or I swear, I'll go crazy. I'm sitting somewhere near the corner café. Come pick me up."
Minutes later, Jennie arrived with Yumi, Jihyo, and a few others. They rushed to her side.
"What happened?" Jennie asked, eyes wide.
"I left my job," Yuki sighed, slumping into her seat.
Jennie's jaw dropped. "You what?! I thought you'd never quit that obsession of yours!"
"Yeah, well," Yuki muttered, "even I have limits."
As the group started gossiping, laughter and concern mixed together, Yuki's spark returned.
"Okay, listen," she said suddenly. "I overheard the boss saying he's going out drinking with his close friends tomorrow. We can use that."
Yumi frowned. "Use it? How?"
"We'll get him to spill his marketing strategies. But," she paused dramatically, "we need to make sure he's not lying."
The group exchanged looks.
Yuki's eyes landed on one person—Park Minjae, their tech-savvy friend. "And that's where you come in."
He raised both hands instantly. "Yah, Yuki, not again! I can't help with whatever chaos you're planning. And why would I? I'm getting married to Arin soon—you want to kill me before the wedding?"
Yuki rolled her eyes. "Dummy, your wedding is at least five years away! Relax. I'm not asking you to ruin your life—just build a simple lie detector. You can do that, can't you?"
He groaned. "Still no. I'm out."
Yuki leaned closer, smirking. "Really? Should I remind you of the time you accidentally set off the fire alarm during the school festival and I had to pretend I tripped over a table to save your face?"
Minjae froze. "Wait... you did that?!"
"Yep," Yuki said, tilting her head innocently. "Or the time you spilled juice all over the principal's new carpet and I convinced everyone it was part of a 'modern art performance'? So unless you want me to tell the whole school how you actually tried to blame the janitor..."
Minjae groaned so loudly it echoed down the street. "Ughhh... fine! You're insane, Yuki, but okay! I'll do it!"
Yuki leaned back, triumphant. "Good. Desperate times call for chaotic teamwork."
Momo snorted. "Yuki, you're unbelievable."
Jennie sighed but couldn't help smiling. "Always, partner in chaos."
The group burst into laughter again—because when it came to Yuki, trouble wasn't just nearby—it was her signature move.
can her mischief and gadgets finally get her what she wants?" Or she falls into bigger problem with her friends included ?