Chapter 21: Truth Or Dare.

"Eun-kyung, your delightful array of donuts is prepared," Ga-ram exclaimed from the kitchen, her voice filled with enthusiasm. Eun-kyung, who had been assisting Mun-hee with the decorations, hurriedly made her way to the kitchen to turn off the microwave. Just as she opened it and reached to retrieve the donuts, Ga-ram swiftly intervened, lightly slapping her hand.

"Do you desire an unfortunate mishap on my dear mother's birthday?" Ga-ram exclaimed, her voice laced with concern. Eun-kyung couldn't help but chuckle at the playful rebuke.

"It's not a laughing matter," Ga-ram uttered, her tone serious, causing Eun-kyung to promptly close her mouth.

"Alright," Eun-kyung acquiesced, gracefully accepting the hand warmer from Ga-ram. She gingerly cradled the tray, bedecked with a vibrant medley of donuts, towards the kitchen's central island, like a skilled conductor guiding her symphony.

In that very moment, they could hear the voices of the men emanating from the living room. "They've arrived," Ga-ram remarked, swiftly departing from the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Eun-kyung opted to remain in the kitchen and meticulously arrange the donuts on a magnificent tower constructed of plates. The tower itself was a splendid exhibition of croissants and cookies. The donuts and cookies enticed with a variety of captivating flavors, adorned with luscious toppings such as chocolate and strawberry sprinkles. Positioned alongside the croissants on the tower were plump strawberries and blueberries, enhancing the visual appeal.

Initially, Ga-ram had been uncertain about what to prepare for her mother's birthday, as her mother did not fancy traditional Korean birthday fare. In the morning, Eun-kyung had paid Ga-ram a visit and upon hearing her dilemma, promptly suggested creating a delightful assortment of snacks. At first, Ga-ram hesitated, but soon relented and agreed to the idea.

Ga-ram had diligently prepared the cake the previous day and applied the final touches in the early morning. In addition to the exquisite two-tiered cheesecake decorated with toppings like chocolate shavings, or whipped cream, and adorned with fresh fruits - luscious strawberries and blueberries, she had also prepared a delectable serving of fried chicken for the birthday celebration.

Eun-kyung, with an earnest curiosity, inquired as to whether the meticulously arranged assortment of fruits on the kitchen counter held a special significance to Ga-ram's mother. Ga-ram, in response, confirmed that indeed these fruits were her mother's favorites. Inspired by this knowledge, Eun-kyung's mind whirled with ingenuity, as she resolved to infuse their culinary creations with the essence of these cherished fruits. In a stroke of creative brilliance, she proposed adorning the house with a delightful blend of pink and dark blue hues. Without delay, Ga-ram promptly relayed this vision to their male companions and Mun-hee, entreating them to procure decorations that had that colours. By chance, Mun-hee found herself already in the pursuit of shopping, readily assuming the responsibility of securing the balloons while relinquishing the remaining decorative efforts to the gentlemen. Consequently, she arrived at their destination ahead of her counterparts.

Meanwhile, Eun-kyung cast her gaze upon her handiwork, filled with admiration and a palpable sense of contentment. As she delicately lifted a luscious strawberry to her eagerly awaiting lips, entranced by the anticipation of its taste, an unexpected maneuver disrupted the serenity of the moment. Inexplicably, her hand was redirected by an unseen force, leading to her astonishment as U-jin swiftly seized the entire strawberry into his mouth, their momentary contact eliciting a tumultuous flutter within Eun-kyung's heart. Flushed cheeks accompanied her cry of surprise, "U-jin, what on earth!"

U-jin, savoring his triumph, narrowed the physical distance between them, drawing near to Eun-kyung, who instinctively recoiled, narrowly avoiding a collision with the towering display of plates. It was in this precarious moment that U-jin enveloped her in a gentle embrace, his voice a tender caress as he softly whispered, "I missed you."

A surge of emotions welled up inside Eun-kyung, a swirling vortex of conflicting thoughts that engulfed her mind. "Then you should have come here early," the impulsive words that escaped her lips, unchecked before she could restrain them, reverberated through the air, leaving her eyes wide with astonishment at her audacity. U-jin, however, basked in the radiant glow of her surprise, his countenance aglow with sheer joy.

"It is quite apparent that you, too, have yearned for my presence," he proclaimed triumphantly, relishing in the tangible longing between them. However, as U-jin reached out toward her, Eun-kyung, with unwavering resolve, firmly pushed him away and stormed out of the kitchen. Yet, U-jin's smile persisted, his determination spurring him to follow her.

Within the next forty minutes, the laborious task of decorating reached its climax. A car came to a halt in front of Ga-ram's house, prompting everyone to rush to the window with eager anticipation, their curiosity piqued. To their surprise, it was none other than Attorney John and Ji-woo's aunt who emerged from the vehicle.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Eun-kyung inquired, "Pray tell, who might that lovely male be?"

Ga-ram, ever ready to offer an explanation, disclosed, "That is my mother's childhood friend."

A mischievous smile tugged at the corners of Eun-kyung's lips as she scrutinized the man. He seemed to be in his early thirties, a perfect embodiment of her personal preferences. Driven by an insatiable desire for more information, she pressed on with her inquiry, "And may I be enlightened on the name of this intriguing man?"

Ga-ram's response served only to further stoke Eun-kyung's curiosity. "He is none other than Attorney John, the very same person I mentioned earlier," Ga-ram revealed. Eun-kyung's interest was immediately ignited, as she had previously inquired about Ga-ram's father during their earlier kitchen tasks, compelling Ga-ram to share intricate details, including Attorney John's role in defending Ga-ram during her father's trial. U-jin couldn't help but glance at Attorney John with a tinge of envy, sensing that Eun-kyung may be showing a fondness towards him.

As the duo made their way into the house, an enthusiastic chorus of greetings from the teenagers welcomed them. Eager to reconnect, Eun-kyung enveloped Ji-woo's aunt in a warm embrace, voicing her affectionate complaint about missing her. Ji-woo's aunt reciprocated the gesture with laughter, the sound dancing through the air like a joyful melody. With grace, Eun-kyung extended her hand for a handshake with Attorney John, delicately tucking a few stray strands of her hair, which had fallen from her neatly arranged bun, behind her ear. U-jin, along with Ji-woo's aunt, observed her actions keenly, their eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

With everyone settled into their seats, anticipation filled the room as they eagerly awaited the arrival of the guest of honor. The clock struck three in the afternoon, and a car pulled up in front of the house, immediately capturing Ga-ram's attention. Her keen eyes recognized it as her mother's friend's car - Ji-hye. Ga-ram then signaled to everyone to take their positions, the air thick with expectancy.

The room remained dim as Ga-ram's mother and Ji-hye entered, slightly puzzled by the lack of illumination. "Why is it so dark in here?" her mother complained, making a futile attempt to open the curtains. However, before she could do so, a burst of joyous exclamations erupted as everyone leaped out from their hiding spots, their voices blending in delight. "Surprise!"

Ga-ram emerged, presenting the beautiful birthday cake, its vibrant candles flickering with anticipation. With a voice brimming with love and affection, she serenaded her mother with the joyous melody of the "Happy Birthday" song. Her mother was deeply moved, tears streaming down her face as she covered her mouth with her hands.

After concluding her heartfelt song, Ga-ram radiated with pride as she turned her attention to her mother. "Happy birthday, Mom," she said with genuine enthusiasm. "This is, in fact, the first birthday we've celebrated in six years, and I wanted to ensure it would be truly memorable. Please, take a moment to make a wish and blow out the candles." Her mother closed her eyes, fully immersing herself in the significance of the moment, and then gracefully extinguished the flickering flames with a gentle exhale.

The room erupted in exuberant applause, the sound of joyous celebration filling the air. They all gathered intimately around the lavishly set dining table, adorned with an exquisite tower of delectable snacks meticulously arranged by Eun-kyung, with the helpful assistance of U-jin. Ga-ram proudly informed her mother that she herself had crafted the birthday cake, while Eun-kyung had prepared a diverse assortment of tempting snacks. On hearing this, U-jin immediately started devouring the snacks from various sections of the plate tower, surprising everyone with his insatiable appetite. Although initially taken aback by U-jin's astonishinly voracious consumption, they quickly followed suit, joining in the feast and delighting in the flavorsome treats before them.

In the midst of their indulgence, Eun-kyung paused briefly, delicately plucking a single donut from the plate tower. With an affable smile, she extended it towards Attorney John. However, before she could complete the offering, U-jin swiftly snatched it from her grasp and devoured it, leaving Eun-kyung perturbed and perplexed.

"What was that for?" she inquired, a trace of frustration evident in her voice.

"Your hands appeared somewhat soiled," U-jin responded matter-of-factly.

"Then why did you proceed to consume it if it was supposedly tainted?" Eun-kyung countered.

"I am immune to the effects of dirt," U-jin retorted playfully, prompting a bemused click of Eun-kyung's tongue as she resumed enjoying her own meal.

With evening descending upon the gathering, Ga-ram reemerged, presenting an enticing platter of crispy fried chicken, artfully accompanied by bottles of soju, offering a gratifying culinary climax to the celebratory feast.

Fortunately, Eun-kyung had prepared only a limited number of snacks; otherwise, there wouldn't have been sufficient room in their stomachs for the fried chicken. Additionally, someone had taken more snacks than everyone else, preventing them from feeling fully satisfied. The presumed culprit, with his head resting on the dining table and clutching his stomach, elicited laughter from Eun-kyung.

"Shall we engage in a game?" Eun-woo proposed after they had finished the fried chicken.

"For once, I concur," Ga-ram affirmed.

Diego and Si-woo were then tasked with gathering more soju. Ga-ram proceeded to clear the table and placed a bottle at its centre. "The game is truth or dare," she explained. "The rules are simple: if you don't wish to answer the truth or perform the dare, then you must drink two glasses of soju. Each player can only answer two truths and one dare before starting again."

"But consuming two glasses of soju seems excessive," Mun-hee complained, though Ga-ram merely smiled mischievously.

"I, for one, bow out," Attorney John declared as he rose from his seat.

"You're backing out so quickly," Eun-kyung commented, but Ji-woo's aunt informed Eun-kyung of his work obligations for the following day.

"I shall be leaving now, Chae-young," Attorney John said, kissing Ji-woo's aunt's hand as she blushed.

"Let's depart together. I believe I may embarrass myself in front of the youngsters," Chae-young shyly expressed.

"Then, allow me to escort you home," Attorney John smiled.

"Goodbye, kids, and don't venture too far into the game," she advised as she rose from her seat.

"I must also take my leave," Ji-hye announced as she stood up.

"Before you all go, let me give you some cake," Ga-ram's mother intercepted, heading to the kitchen momentarily. Upon her return, she presented three brown bags to Ji-hye and the others before accompanying them outside.

Once she returned, Ga-ram's mother informed the remaining kids that she was retiring for the evening. They all wished her a good night before she retreated to her room.

"I'll go first," Ga-ram confidently declared, only to be interrupted by Eun-kyung, who asked, "Wait, are Attorney John and my aunt dating?"

U-jin chuckled as he said, "Now that you know, does it hurt?" U-jin, who had been lying on the table, finally spoke after keeping quiet after a long time.

"Nope, since it's my aunt, I'll let him go," she replied, her chin held high. Even though U-jin couldn't see her expression, he still chuckled.

Ga-ram twirled the bottle, and it landed on Eun-woo. "Truth or dare?" she inquired.

"Truth," Eun-woo promptly answered.

"Did you fall in love with someone else, and is that why you want to break up with Ae-ra?" Ga-ram asked.

"No," he firmly replied.

"Thank goodness." Ga-ram let out a sigh of relief, her hand clutching her chest.

"Why do you ask?" Eun-woo inquired.

"I just wanted to confirm something," Ga-ram stated.

"More like you thought he might have fallen for you and wants to pursue you," Eun-kyung chimed in.

Eun-woo looked at Ga-ram, bewildered. "You..."

"It's your turn to play," Ga-ram said, turning away. Laughter erupted among the group.

"How on earth did you know?" U-jin asked from Eun-kyung's side.

"Experience, kid," Eun-kyung smirked, and he looked at her with wonder.

Eun-woo spun the bottle, and it landed on U-jin. Eun-kyung smiled, her eyes fixed on him. "The bottle has chosen you."

"Ask away," U-jin raised his head.

"Truth or dare?" Eun-woo asked, and U-jin turned his gaze towards Eun-kyung. She noticed his stare and smirked mockingly.

"Truth," U-jin answered.

"Alright, who do you have in mind to date in the future?" Eun-woo asked, a mischievous smirk on his face.

U-jin smiled. "The answer is actually obvious."

"Who?" Eun-woo asked, even though he already knew the answer.

"Eun-kyung." U-jin smiled as he rested his head on Eun-kyung's shoulder. Everyone, except for Eun-woo, looked at him with wide eyes and gaping mouths.