Seul-ki reaches for a pair of chopsticks, picking them up. She selects a piece of freshly steamed fish from a nearby platter, bringing it to her lips.
The flavors of the dish, a delicate balance of savory and sweet, fill her mouth as she takes a bite. She chews slowly, appreciating the quality of the ingredients and the skill with which the meal has been prepared.
Ji-hoon, his mouth half-full of food, suddenly sets down his chopsticks and looks around the table with an excited grin.
"Hey, everyone," he announces, his voice cutting through the quiet murmur of the breakfast conversation. "After we're done here, let's head out for a picnic. The weather's great, and I know a perfect spot by the lake."
Ji-hoon's announcement hangs in the air, his words sparking a wave of reactions around the table. Srey-na, who had been delicately nibbling on a piece of fruit, pauses and looks up, her expression one of mild interest.
"A picnic?" she echoes, her perfectly manicured eyebrows arching in surprise. "That sounds... quaint."
The other friends at the table exchange glances, their expressions ranging from curiosity to mild amusement.
One of Ji-hoon's friends, a tall young man with a mischievous smile, breaks the silence. "A picnic, huh? Sounds like a plan, Ji-hoon," he says, giving a nod of approval. "I'm in."
The dining room fills with the sound of agreement as the other friends voice their enthusiasm for the impromptu picnic. Glasses clink against the table as they set down their drinks, and the scrape of chair legs against the floor signals their readiness to move on to the next activity.
Seul-ki finishes her bite of food, her gaze shifting from Ji-hoon to the others at the table.
Ji-hoon turns his attention to Seul-ki, his eyes bright with anticipation. "Seul-ki, you should come with us," he declares, his voice carrying a note of command.
His words hang in the air, prompting a wave of surprised glances from the others around the table.
Seul-ki pauses for a moment, a faint crease of contemplation appearing between her brows before she responds.
"Alright, I'll join you," she affirms, her voice steady and clear. She sets down her chopsticks, her decision made, and pushes back her chair slightly as she rises from the table.
A subtle shift in the room's atmosphere follows her announcement, as the others absorb the unexpected development.
Srey-na, her expression unreadable, brings a hand to her chin, her fingers lightly tapping her lips as she murmurs under her breath.
"I'm so sick of this country bumpkin," she mutters, her voice barely loud enough for those close by to hear. "We go everywhere with her, we even ate together... but what can I do? I have to stick to their plan.
"Her eyes flicker briefly towards Seul-ki, a hint of irritation flashing across her face before she composes herself once more.
Seul-ki rises from her chair, her movements smooth and composed. She bows slightly at the waist, her hands clasped in front of her.
"Thank you for the meal," she says, her voice carrying a genuine note of gratitude. She turns, her footsteps quiet against the polished wooden floor as she exits the dining room and makes her way back to her room.
A knock echoes through Seul-ki's room, prompting her to look up from her preparations. "It's picnic time," Jun-ho's voice calls out from the other side of the door. "Are you ready, Seul-ki?"
Seul-ki quickly finishes tying her shoelaces and stands up, smoothing out her clothes. "Give me one minute, I will be there," she replies, her voice carrying a sense of readiness. She takes a moment to ensure everything is in order in her room before moving towards the door.
Seul-ki opens the door to find Jun-ho standing in the hallway, a friendly smile on his face. "Perfect timing," he says, his eyes briefly scanning her attire, ensuring it's suitable for the outdoors. He offers a nod of approval before turning to lead the way towards the front of the house.