30. Why Does the Flower's Fragrance Grow Deeper at Night? (3)

"Hoohee~ Hoohehoong~ Hmm, hmm, mmm!"

Choi Ha-na was in a good mood.

Although she unexpectedly ended up working a night shift at the convenience store, it could actually be considered a gain.

Even though it was a night shift, the location was unique, making the work somewhat easier than the busy daytime shifts with more customers. Plus, with the money she'd earn from this job, she could comfortably prepare enough "ammunition" for the gacha game she'd recently become obsessed with.

And most importantly,

"......Hehe."

Ha-na sneakily glanced at So-jeong, who was quietly reading a book beside her.

'No matter how many times I look, you're just so pretty, unnie.'

She clearly hadn't put in much effort. Her hair wasn't styled, her makeup was just simple, and her clothes were plain enough to be called homewear.

Yet, So-jeong sitting on the convenience store's simple chair reading a book was a picture straight out of a fashion magazine.

'Getting to admire such beauty all night long? At this rate, I should be paying to work here!'

Since childhood, Ha-na had been utterly weak to pretty things. From dolls to small animals, characters, people around her, and even celebrities.

She didn't necessarily want to possess them. She was the type to be satisfied just enjoying their beauty with her own two eyes.

In that sense, this time was nothing short of a reward for Ha-na.

But with no customers around, as she was freely sneaking glances at So-jeong, Ha-na noticed So-jeong's expression had darkened slightly.

Now that she looked, So-jeong had been on the same page for a long time, and her eyes hadn't moved for a while. It was clear her thoughts were elsewhere, not on the book.

"Unnie."

When Ha-na called her, So-jeong jerked her head up as if waking from sleep.

"Huh? What is it, Ha-na?"

"Unnie, are you worried about something by any chance?"

"Ah, is it that obvious......?"

The way she said that confirmed she definitely had something on her mind.

'I can't let dark clouds gather on pretty So-jeong unnie's face.'

She's such a kind unnie who agreed to her nearly unreasonable request without a single complaint. Ha-na thought she should help as much as she could.

"It's super obvious."

Ha-na giggled, "Hehe," and turned her whole body to face So-jeong.

"What is it? If it's okay, you can tell me. I might not be good at much else, but I'm really good at listening and giving reactions, you know?"

"Umm......"

So-jeong seemed to hesitate for a moment.

Knowing So-jeong's timid personality well by now, Ha-na didn't plan to push if she said it was okay even once.

But the words that cautiously escaped So-jeong's lips next instantly blew away the drowsiness of the approaching dawn.

"Th-this isn't my story, it's about my friend......"

Ah.

A light flashed in Ha-na's eyes.

This had potential.

Potential for great fun.

***

"If it's a friend's story, is it Baek-seol unnie?"

"Huh? Ah, no?! A different friend, not Baek-seol......"

"Aha......"

So it's unnie's own story.

"Yes, so? What's troubling your friend?"

"No. It's not some huge deal or anything, I mean, um...... it's about something between the friend and her friend."

Did something happen between So-jeong unnie and Baek-seol unnie? Anyway, So-jeong unnie trying so desperately to hide that it's her own story is too cute.

"Then let's call your friend A, and your friend's friend B. That way we won't get confused, right?"

Unintentionally, (Baek-)seol became 'B', but it might actually make it easier to understand.

"Ah, maybe? Okay, then it's a story about A and B."

"What kind of story is it?"

"Um...... Actually, a few months ago, a bit of a big problem happened to A."

"Huh?!"

Did something big happen to So-jeong unnie? A few months ago would be before she met me, right?

"A big problem? Is A okay? Did it get resolved?"

"Huh? Uhh, yeah. She's fine. It was a big problem, I guess...... but it wasn't like a super critical emergency or anything."

"That's a relief. Phew......"

Oops, I got too excited hearing something big happened to So-jeong unnie. I should steer the conversation back to A and B.

"Anyway, so? A had a bit of a big problem, but?"

"Yeah, but somehow, she ended up getting help from B. Thanks to that, the problem isn't completely solved, but it's gotten a lot better."

"B sounds like a really good friend."

Baek-seol unnie might look super cold, but she's apparently very warm to So-jeong unnie.

"Hoho, right? I also...... ah, no, A thinks so too."

"But if B is helping A with her problem, then there's nothing to worry about, is there?"

"Umm...... That part is a bit complicated to explain."

"You can explain it slowly. We still have a lot of time left in the shift anyway."

"A feels really, um, how should I say it, really comfortable because B is helping her."

"Yeah, yeah."

"So A is really grateful to B, but she also feels really sorry that B is going through trouble because of her."

"Huuu~ I know that feeling. I've been in debt to friends a few times, so I know. You want to repay B somehow, but B just tells you not to worry about it, right?"

"Right! Wow, how did you know, Ha-na?"

"Ehehe, I told you earlier, I'm good at listening to this stuff."

Just from the story, it sounds like Baek-seol unnie nursed So-jeong unnie while she was really sick. Hmm, if that's the case, just tell her to repay her naturally then......

"But that's not all."

"Huh?"

"Wanting to repay her is true, but more precisely...... should ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I say A wants to do the same for B?"

......Huh?

Ha-na stopped her train of thought there and tilted her head.

'Wants to do the same for Baek-seol unnie?'

Does that mean she wants to return the nursing care she received?

But she definitely wouldn't want Baek-seol unnie to get sick.

Seeing Ha-na resting her chin on her hand, tilting her head, and frowning, So-jeong laughed weakly.

"Ahaha, it's a bit weird, right? I, no, A says she doesn't even know what her own feelings are."

At So-jeong's words, Ha-na's ears perked up.

'Not even knowing your own feelings, that's totally......'

A line dripping with girlishness.

With that one line, Ha-na's superhuman affinity and woman's intuition led her to one compelling hypothesis.

And to test that hypothesis, Ha-na casually tossed a question to So-jeong.

"Unnie, by any chance, that thing about A feeling so incredibly comfortable thanks to B's help...... does B know about that?"

At Ha-na's question, So-jeong seemed to think for a moment before opening her mouth.

"Umm...... She knows she's making things easier, but the part about A's heart feeling more comfortable? Feeling better? I don't think she knows about that."

She was already 90% sure at this point.

Ha-na opened her mouth again to drive the point home.

"How does A feel about B not knowing that, then?"

"A is......"

As if recalling the feeling from that time, So-jeong stared into the empty space of the convenience store for a moment.

"A little...... frustrated, I guess?"

"Kyahuhuhuaaa!"

As Ha-na trembled and let out a strange sound, So-jeong jumped in surprise and looked at her.

"Ha-na? What's wrong?"

"Ah, hhuuh, it's nothing."

Ha-na waved her hands frantically, desperately trying to control her expression.

Got it.

Ha-na was now 100% sure.

This wasn't just potential for great fun; it was even giving off a scent.

The fresh scent of love.

That line, that tone, and even the expression that flashed across her face when she said it.

Every little detail of So-jeong's demeanor pointed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to one single fact.

'Ggeueuu~ I had my suspicions, but I never thought it was really true!'

She had vaguely noticed that the relationship between So-jeong and Baek-seol was sometimes a bit mysterious. But until now, Ha-na had just assumed it was because Baek-seol cherished So-jeong especially and moved on.

'Even if Baek-seol unnie really likes So-jeong unnie in that way, I thought it was just a one-sided crush.'

But looking at So-jeong now, it seemed she wasn't completely without those feelings either.

She didn't know exactly what caused those feelings to develop, but listening to So-jeong's story, it seemed that every time So-jeong was in difficulty, Baek-seol helped her, and during that process, So-jeong developed feelings for Baek-seol that went beyond friendship.

And the fact that she herself ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hadn't realized it yet was utterly adorable.

'Looks like this underclassman needs to help out again here.'

The most important thing to Ha-na was always beauty.

And the sight of So-jeong, the prettiest person she'd seen lately, and Baek-seol, who was just as pretty, getting along together...

To Ha-na, that was nothing short of paradise.

"Unnie!"

Ha-na's eyes sparkled as she leaned in close to So-jeong.

Now that she knew about their relationship, there was no time to hesitate.

"Huh, huh?"

"I think I've thought of some good advice to give A."

At Ha-na's words, color returned to So-jeong's face.

"What? Really?"

"Yes. Ah, but since I don't know all the exact circumstances, tell her to just use it as a reference. Okay?"

"Okay. I will."

"A wants to return the favor to B for what she received, right?"

"Yeah."

"But B says she's fine and doesn't want to accept it, right?"

"I haven't asked directly yet but...... she probably would."

"Then in that case, you have to gather courage and ask directly!"

Ha-na clenched her fist and shouted passionately.

"A, ask directly?"

"Unnie, no no, what A wants to do isn't something bad or anything, is it?"

"It's not bad, but it might be a bit embarrassing......"

"That's exactly why you should ask directly."

Ha-na said in a firm voice.

"Be honest. Just lay it all out. Say you're so grateful for their help that you want to do the same for them, and ask if it's okay."

"......"

"It might be a little embarrassing, but isn't that better than living with this awkward feeling stuck in your heart?"

"That is......"

"Someone as kind as B will understand A's feelings of wanting to repay her. So don't think that bringing it up will make things awkward, just gather your courage and ask once."

"Ha-na......"

"That's it! Make sure to tell A that next time you see her. Okay?"

Ha-na winked and returned to her bright, light-hearted voice.

So-jeong looked at Ha-na and seemed to want to say something, fumbling with her mouth, but in the end, she just nodded and said briefly.

"Yeah. Okay. Thanks, Ha-na."

"Hihi, does this count as me repaying you for helping me today?"

Feeling proud of having solved one thing, Ha-na left the counter to check the expiration dates of the products one more time.

"Hmm hmm hmm~"

But even someone as perceptive as her failed to notice.

'So-jeong unnie, really, what is she trying to do that makes her so embarrassed? Feed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her instead of a meal? Give her a piggyback ride? Uuu~ Too cute.'

The fact that the "repayment" the cute and pure So-jeong was thinking of was something far beyond Ha-na's imagination.