Best friends forever?

"M-me?" Eunsu stammered.

"Eunsu, don't you think it's about time?" Ae Rin asked.

Eunsu removed her arms wrapped around him so he could see turn around and see her face.

"About time for what?" Eunsu asked.

"About time for you to go to my house," Ae Rin said.

"Why? Umm . . . what's in your house?" Eunsu asked, trying not to reveal any emotions on his face.

"It's a surprise!" Ae Rin said cheerfully.

*

*

*

Eunsu ended up driving her to her house. If you could even call it a house. It was a mansion that was as long as ten townhouses or maybe even more because he couldn't see where the house ended.

"Are you sure you want to invite me in?" Eunsu asked nervously.

"Of course. I can't do this without you," Ae Rin said.

Ugh. Why did she have to talk in that way? All his fatigue had been replaced with . . . thoughts that he shouldn't have. He should research of a mantra he could use or recite the multiplication table backwards in his head.

A guard opened up the gate for them and he drove to the entrance.

"You can leave the car here. Someone else will park it. Let's go in," Ae Rin said.

Ae Rin took his hand and guided him towards . . . the kitchen.

"Happy birthday, Eunsu!" Ae Rin said cheerfully.

In the middle of the kitchen was a large white cake with several lighted candles on top.

"Happy birthday, Eunsu. Happy birthday, Eunsu. Happy birthday happy birthdaaay . . . Happy birthday, Eunsu!" Ae Rin sang while clapping her hands.

His birthday.

He had forgotten it was today.

"Blow the candles and make your wish!" Ae Rin urged him.

No one had ever celebrated his birthday before. His father had left his mother when he was just seven years old. His mother became depressed and started resenting Eunsu because he resemebled his father. When he was twelve years old, his mother started dating a wealthy man twice her age. She didn't tell him that she had a son and in less than a year, she married him.

Eunsu was left all alone.

His mother would send him money for his daily expenses and she paid for his tuition too. Eunsu never saw his mother ever again. When he graduated college, she stopped sending money to him. She didn't leave any contact details either.

Ae Rin was the warmest person he had ever met in his life. She made him feel that he was needed and she actually liked being with him.

Eunsu's wish was for Ae Rin's dreams to come true.

He blew on the candles.

It was harder than he thought.

She must have used one candle for each year of his existence on Earth.

He blew again.

Ae Rin laughed and clapped her hands.

Eunsu coughed from the candles' smoke.

"What did you wish for?" Ae Rin asked.

"It's a secret," Eunsu said.

Ae Rin sucked air in her cheeks.

"Thank you. No one has ever done this for me before. How did you even know it's my birthday today?" Eunsu asked.

"As your best friend, it's my duty to know your birthday," Ae Rin said.

Best friend.

She said best friend.

"We're best friends?" Eunsu asked.

Ae Rin cocked her head to the side.

"Aren't we?" Ae Rin asked then her eyes widened.

"I'm so sorry! I just assumed that we are! I must have made you so uncomfortable!" Ae Rin said in a panic.

"N-no! It's just that I uhh . . ." Eunsu said.

Crap.

He couldn't exactly tell her now that he thought she had feelings for him and that was why she was so clingy to him. That was his fault for assuming on his own.

"I like it. We're best friends," Eunsu lied trying to bury any non-best friend feelings he had in his heart.

"I really really like you," Ae Rin said and hugged him, burying her head on his chest.

Crap. He was not feeling like a best friend at all. Be still, my heart.

"Thank you for being my best friend, Eunsu," Ae Rin said grinning at him widely.

Eunsu nodded at her and she happily bounded off to the kitchen drawers to find the plates and utensils for them.

He didn't want to be her best friend. He wanted to be her boyfriend but she was so adorable and innocent! How could he even tell her that he didn't want to be in the best friend zone?!

"I baked this cake. I hope it tastes fine," Ae Rin said while slicing.

"I'm sure it's perfect," Eunsu said.

Ae Rin gave him a slice.

"Be honest, okay?" Ae Rin said.

Eunsu took a bite.

Wow.

"White chocolate?" Eunsu asked in surprise.

"Yes, is it okay?" Ae Rin asked

Eunsu nodded as he devoured the slice enthusiastically. He thought that it was just the usual white cake frosting but she actually used melted white chocolate ganache. The inside of the cake was chiffon with cranberries.

"It's delicious, Ae Rin!" Eunsu exclaimed.

"I'm glad you like it," Ae Rin said.

Not just it.

You.

I like you.

"Thank you, Ae Rin. You've made me really happy," Eunsu said.

She smiled at him.

But I can't tell you.

Well, not yet.

*

*

*

Back to the present . . .

"Eunsu, we don't really have to eat there. It's too expensive," Ae Rin said obviously worrying if Eunsu could afford such an expensive restaurant.

"Don't worry. I can pay it for twelve months," Eunsu said.

Ae Rin's eyes widened.

"I'm joking, of course. Don't worry about it," Eunsu said.

It wasn't twelve months. He was surely going to pay for their bill for more than twelve months.

It was going to be worth it anyway.

"Shall we?" Eunsu asked offering his hand so they could enter the restaurant together.

"Yes," Ae Rin said.

Yes. He liked that word. It sounded nice to hear it from her lips. He wanted to hear it again later.

He was going to ask Song Ae Rin to be his girlfriend.