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This is their favorite birthday tradition. On the night of their birthday, they always have a sleepover. Movies, candy, and conversations about the future. It’s not that they don’t have other friends—but this is special. This is theirs. Just Joohyun and Seungwan. Forever! They'll celebrate with everyone else later. These nights are only for them.
Three years ago, they sat facing each other on Joohyun’s bed, waiting for the older girl’s soulmate tattoo to appear. Midnight crept closer. When the clock finally struck twelve, a single word formed on Joohyun’s wrist.
Yes.
“That’s it?” Joohyun frowned, rubbing her finger over the tattoo.
“Seems so,” Seungwan said with a grin. “I guess you’re talking first.”
“Me? The first one to talk?” Joohyun chuckled.
“Yes!” Seungwan said, pointing at the tattoo. “They answered your question.”
Seungwan’s bedroom — February 20th — 11:59:55
56…
57…
58…
59…
Seungwan winced as three words appeared on her wrist.
“What the fuck?”
Joohyun grabbed her wrist. “What does it say?”
Wanna play slide?
Seungwan groaned and buried her face in her hands. “You’re kidding me. Is my soulmate a child? Absolutely not. I refuse. I’m not dating a kid.”
“Yah, calm down,” Joohyun said, thumb brushing over the younger girl’s tattoo. “There has to be an explanation.”
“Like what?”
“College, maybe. One of those stress-relief events?”
Seungwan didn’t answer. She just watched the way Joohyun held her hand. The way her voice calmed her nerves. It's always been like this. They always know the right words to say to each other...
“Oh.”
She gasped, hands flying to Joohyun’s face. “It’s you.” Her eyes filled instantly. “Oh my God. Joohyun—it’s you.”
Twelve years ago — a park/playground somewhere in Seoul
“Joohyun-ah, go! I brought you here so you can make some friends,” Mrs. Bae said worriedly.
“Eomma…” Seven-year-old Joohyun whined.
“Look, there’s a bunch of children playing tag over there. Go talk to them and ask if you can play.”
Joohyun shook her head, tears threatening to fall. “They’re already playing. How do I talk to them?”
“Joohyun-ah!” Mrs. Bae exclaimed, but she didn’t force her daughter. Instead, she looked around, searching for a smaller group of children. That’s when she spotted a woman arriving with a girl who bounced at her side, talking nonstop. Without hesitation, Mrs.Bae gently pulled Joohyun toward them.
“Excuse me. My name is Bae Jihyo, and this is my daughter, Joohyun,” she said. “Joohyun is very shy, and she’s having a little trouble engaging with the other children. I saw that you just arrived with your daughter, so I thought it might be nice to introduce them.”
“Hi, I’m Son Mi-young,” the smiling woman said, extending her hand. Then she turned to Joohyun. “Hello, Joohyun. Oh my, you’re really pretty!”
“Joohyun, this is Seungwan,” Mrs. Son said, gesturing to the smiley girl holding her hand.
The girls waved at each other and then simply stared for a few seconds. Joohyun felt her mother gently squeeze her hand, and with all the courage she could gather, she blurted out—
“Wanna play slide?”
“Yes,” Seungwan answered with a nod.
Back to the present
Joohyun pulled Seungwan into a tight hug.
“I can’t believe it. You’re my soulmate, Wannie. I’m so happy. I love you!”
“I love you too, Hyun.” Seungwan laughed through her tears. “Everyone says it’s someone you’ll meet someday. I never thought it could be someone I already knew.”
She squeezed her closer. “I’m really glad it’s you, though.”
“Me too, Wannie. Me too!”
They stayed like that, breathing each other in. Then Joohyun pulled back, smiling shyly.
“Can I kiss you?”
Seungwan grinned—and just like she did years ago, she answered,
“Yes.”