It was the kind of afternoon that felt like a soft exhale, the sun warm but not overbearing, clouds drifting just enough to make the sky look painted. Time moved a little slower, like it knew we needed room to breathe.

Sarang and Isa were already halfway through the dessert menu, pointing at the tallest cake like it held the secret to eternal happiness. "We need sugar, ntyyyy” they said, very seriously, like two girls on a delicious mission. Yujin settled into her seat like she'd just stepped out of a novel, all grace and ease, stirring her tea as if it were poetry. And my dear Minju, sat across from me, waiting so sweetly for her food, like patience had always been her superpower.

And mee, I'm Gaeun, their aunty, I didn't plan this day. I just said, "Come on, it's girls out time!" And now, laughter echoing between sips and bites, sun spilling through the windows like it was in on the moment. Nothing about it was extraordinary.