A Unified Departure

As the sun cast its golden glow over the quiet neighbourhood, the Kang and Kim families stood outside their respective homes, ready to embark on the journey to NexaCorp Korea University. Joon-ho, accompanied by his mother Eun-ji, waited eagerly as Soo-jin's father, Jung-hee, loaded the car with bags and belongings. The air buzzed with anticipation as the families exchanged pleasantries and finalized their plans for the day ahead.

"Thank you so much for offering to drive Joon-ho as well," Eun-ji said gratefully, a warm smile on her face as she addressed Chun-hei, Soo-jin's mother, through the gate separating their properties.

"It's no trouble at all. We were already planning to take Soo-jin, so adding Joon-ho to the mix is no inconvenience," Chun-hei waved off the thanks with a casual gesture.

Meanwhile, Joon-ho diligently carried his bags to the trunk of the car, ensuring that everything was securely packed away for the journey. He glanced over at his mother and Soo-jin's parents, their easy camaraderie evident even from a distance. It was comforting to know that they were all in this together, supporting each other as they embarked on this new chapter of their lives.

As Jung-hee organized the luggage in the trunk, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and responsibility. This moment marked a significant milestone in his daughter's life, and he was determined to make sure everything went smoothly. He exchanged a reassuring glance with Eun-ji, silently acknowledging the unspoken bond between them as parents.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of preparations, the neighbourhood echoed with the sound of laughter and conversation, a testament to the strong sense of community that existed between the Kang and Kim families. Together, they stood on the threshold of a new adventure, united in their shared excitement and optimism for the future.

"Ready to go, everyone?" Jung-hee asked as he finished loading the bags into the trunk.

"Yeah," Joon-ho replied, his voice tinged with both excitement and a hint of sadness.

As Jung-hee announced that they were about to depart, Eun-ji and Chun-hei exchanged a nod of understanding. It was time to say their final goodbyes before the journey to NexaCorp Korea University began.

Joon-ho approached his mother with a reserved smile, his emotions bubbling beneath the surface. Eun-ji enveloped him in a tight hug, her arms lingering a moment longer than usual as if trying to memorize the feel of her son's embrace. She ruffled his hair affectionately, a fond smile playing on her lips as she stood on her tiptoes to reach his tall frame.

Meanwhile, Soo-jin wasted no time in wrapping her arms around her mother, squeezing her tight as if trying to imprint the warmth of their embrace into her memory. Chun-hei held her daughter close, her heart swelling with love and pride for the young woman Soo-jin had become.

"Take care of yourself, Joon-ho. And don't forget to call us once you've settled in," Eun-ji nodded, her gaze shifting to Joon-ho as he approached.

"I will, Mom," Joon-ho replied, his voice tinged with emotion. "Thank you for everything."

"I'm going to miss you, Mom," Soo-jin, meanwhile, clung tightly to her mother, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

"I'll miss you too, sweetheart. But I know you'll do great," Chun-hei hugged her daughter tightly, blinking back her tears.

With their goodbyes exchanged and their hearts filled with mixed emotions, Joon-ho and Soo-jin climbed into the car, their excitement tinged with a hint of sadness at leaving their families behind. As the car pulled away from the familiar streets of their neighbourhood, they rolled down the windows and waved goodbye, their smiles bittersweet as they embarked on the journey ahead.

The ride from Seoul to Gyeonggi Province would typically take around 1 to 2 hours, depending on traffic conditions and the exact location within the province. As they embarked on the journey, Soo-jin and Joon-ho settled into the back seat of the car, their excitement palpable as they anticipated the new chapter awaiting them at NexaCorp Korea University.

"So, Joon-ho, are you excited about starting university?" Jung-hee asked, glancing at his daughter in the rearview mirror before turning his attention to Joon-ho.

"Yeah, definitely. It's a little nerve-wracking, but I'm looking forward to it," Joon-ho replied with a smile, grateful for the distraction from his swirling thoughts.

"I'm sure you'll do great," Jung-hee said reassuringly. "And don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything. We're all here to support you."

"Thanks, Mr. Kim. I appreciate it," Joon-ho said sincerely, feeling a sense of gratitude for Soo-jin's family's unwavering support.

"Yeah, Joon-ho, we're going to do amazing together. We can explore the campus together," Soo-jin, eager to join the conversation, chimed in.

"Absolutely, you two. You have to make sure you both feel right at home," Jung-hee nodded, his smile warm.

As they continued their journey, the conversation flowed effortlessly, with Jung-hee taking the opportunity to catch up with Joon-ho and learn more about his plans for the future. The miles passed quickly as they shared stories and laughter, the anticipation of what lay ahead overshadowing any nerves or uncertainty.

As they delved deeper into their conversation, the topic shifted to the latest news in NexaRealm, the virtual gaming world that had become a significant part of their lives.

"Have you heard about the new update in NexaRealm?" Soo-jin asked excitedly, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.

"Yeah, I read about it online. They're introducing a new questline and some major character enhancements," Joon-ho replied, his interest piqued by the mention of the popular virtual reality game.

"I can't wait to dive into it. We should team up and explore the new features together," Soo-jin suggested, a grin spreading across her face at the thought of embarking on a new adventure with her friend.

"That sounds like a plan. It'll be fun to see what surprises NexaRealm has in store for us," Joon-ho agreed, feeling a sense of camaraderie as they discussed their shared passion for gaming.

As they chatted animatedly about NexaRealm and their favourite game strategies, the soothing hum of the car and the rhythmic motion of the road gradually lulled them into a state of relaxation. With the gentle sway of the vehicle and the comforting presence of their friends, both Joon-ho and Soo-jin soon found themselves drifting off to sleep, their dreams filled with visions of the adventures that awaited them at NexaCorp Korea University.

As the car journey continued, Joon-ho and Soo-jin gradually succumbed to the gentle lull of the road, their eyelids growing heavy with sleep. Nestled in the back seat, they appeared serene and peaceful, their breathing steady and rhythmic.

Jung-hee stole occasional glances at them through the rearview mirror, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he observed the two friends. In the dim light filtering through the car windows, Joon-ho's features were relaxed, his expression free of the usual worries that often clouded his face. His hands were folded neatly in his lap, his long eyelashes casting delicate shadows on his cheeks as he drifted into slumber.

Beside him, Soo-jin lay curled up on the seat, her head resting against the window as she slept soundly. Her usually vibrant energy seemed to have temporarily faded away, replaced by a sense of tranquillity and contentment. With her tousled hair framing her peaceful face, she looked every bit at the picture of serenity, her lips curved into a faint smile as she dreamed.

For Jung-hee, watching the two teenagers sleeping peacefully in the back seat filled him with a sense of warmth and nostalgia. It seemed like only yesterday that they were just children playing together in the neighbourhood, their laughter echoing through the streets as they chased after each other.

Now, as they embarked on this new chapter of their lives, he couldn't help but feel a surge of pride and affection for the young adults they had become. They had grown up so quickly, and yet, in moments like these, they still seemed so young and innocent, their faces softened by the gentle embrace of sleep.

As the miles passed by and the car continued on its journey, Jung-hee couldn't help but marvel at the bonds of friendship that had formed between Joon-ho and Soo-jin. Despite their differences, they had always been there for each other, supporting and encouraging one another through life's ups and downs.

With a smile of contentment, Jung-hee turned his attention back to the road, his heart filled with gratitude for the opportunity to witness the blossoming friendship between his daughter and her dear friend. As they neared their destination, he knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, united by the unbreakable bonds of friendship and love.

The morning sun cast its golden rays through the car windows, illuminating the interior with a soft glow, Jung-hee stole glances at Joon-ho and Soo-jin in the rearview mirror. Their faces, bathed in the gentle light, bore expressions of serenity as they slept peacefully, their breathing steady and calm. Despite the weariness etched into their features from the journey, there was a sense of innocence and tranquillity that warmed Jung-hee's heart.

At that moment, as the world outside whizzed by in a blur of greenery and asphalt, he couldn't help but feel a surge of paternal pride and affection for the two young souls entrusted to his care. With a tender smile, he silently wished them a future filled with happiness and success, knowing that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them with courage and resilience.