The soft sound of the sliding door was heard, and Theo emerged from the bathroom enveloped in a cloud of warm, fragrant steam.
Wearing only a pair of thin black shorts and a tank top that clung to his body, leaving his defined arms on display, he ran a hand through his still-damp hair, pushing it back. Wanting a drink of water, he went straight to the kitchen.
But the scene he found there made him stop. He leaned against the doorframe, a discreet smile forming on his lips as he watched the debate unfold.
"...No, we're not going to Jungsik, the movies are better."
Yeonha insisted, her arms crossed with a determination only she possessed. Even dressed in a casual black sweatsuit, her relentless aura didn't diminish.
"The movies? What for? We can watch movies at home."
Nayun countered, gesturing with her hands. For her, the best option was still the 5-star restaurant, an experience she considered much more valuable.
"I still think a water park is better."
Cappie intervened, her voice a lighter, more dreamy tone. Leaning against the refrigerator, she seemed to be mentally on a water slide already, wearing comfortable shorts and an oversized t-shirt that made her look adorable.
The three of them seemed not to have noticed him yet, completely immersed in their fervent discussion.
Yeonha rolled her eyes.
"It's about the experience, Nayun!... As for eating, we can do that at home."
"Noise, people talking, and unparalleled boredom."
Nayun listed each point with a challenging raise of her eyebrow.
"At home, we control the volume, pause to go to the bathroom, and the popcorn is free, not there."
Yeonha insisted, tapping her foot lightly on the floor, her frustration beginning to show.
"And the water park?"
Cappie prodded, swimming against the current of the discussion.
"You can scream, get all wet, and play on the countless rides..."
She smiled, lost in her aquatic daydreams.
Nayun and Yeonha turned to her almost in unison, a momentary alliance forged in mutual rejection.
Cappie blinked, astonished by the swift and united refusal; they didn't even reconsider her proposal.
Said Nayun, turning on her smartwatch while showing her the time.
"It's almost four in the afternoon, and the weather is cold, so no."
Yeonha added, adjusting her sweatshirt.
"If it were in the morning, it might have been a good idea."
The discussion seemed to have reached a stalemate. Theo, finding the scene amusing, decided not to intervene yet.
He walked calmly to the coffee and chocolate machine on the kitchen counter. The soft hum of the machine filling a mug with the dark, steaming liquid was the first sound to break the tension of the debate.
The three finally noticed him, watching as he picked up the mug, blew on the steam, and took a long, appreciative sip of the hot chocolate.
He closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the warmth.
Only then did he turn to them, leaning against the counter with the mug in his hand.
He asked, his voice calm and with a touch of mockery, as if he were watching an entertainment show.
The effect was immediate. The three looked at each other, and a silent agreement was made.
Yeonha replied, speaking for all of them. Her voice was firm, as if she were delegating an important task.
"Choose one of the options. Jungsik, the movies, or the water park tomorrow. Whatever you choose, we'll do."
Nayun and Cappie nodded in agreement, looking at him with expectation. The power of the final decision was in his hands.
Theo took another sip of his hot chocolate, his thoughtful gaze sweeping over each of their faces. He pondered for a moment, the silence in the kitchen growing thick with anticipation. He could choose the movies and please Yeonha, the restaurant to satisfy Nayun, or the park to cheer up Cappie.
But today, after the events at the training field, he felt the need for something different, even though he was the cause of them all being in this discussion now.
He placed the mug on the counter with a soft thud, breaking everyone's expectation.
He said, his answer taking the three by surprise.
Nayun blinked, confused.
"What do you mean, none of them?"
Theo stared into space.
"Umn, how about we go camping?"
The proposal hung in the air, so unexpected that the three were momentarily speechless.
Cappie repeated, the first to find her voice.
"Like, with tents and a campfire and everything?"
Theo confirmed, a small smile appearing on his lips.
"We can get the gear, set up camp, make a fire, roast marshmallows, look at the stars, and tell lots of fun stories."
The idea began to settle in their minds. It wasn't a five-star restaurant, nor a cinema blockbuster, nor a park full of adrenaline. It was something completely different from what they were discussing.
The image of a crackling campfire under a starry sky began to seem surprisingly appealing.
Yeonha frowned. "We don't have any gear. And it's already getting late to organize everything."
"I'll take care of it."
Theo said with quiet confidence.
"I can get all the necessary equipment in less than a minute. And the weather is perfect for it. Clear night, no rain forecast."
He looked at them, his gaze conveying the calm he felt.
"What do you say? A night away from it all, just us and the stars."
The image he painted was powerful. After a tense day, with Djinn attacks and canceled classes, the simplicity and peace of a camping trip sounded like the perfect antidote.
Cappie was the first to give in, her eyes shining with a new excitement.
"I'm in! That sounds like a good choice."
Nayun looked at Theo, then at the others, and a genuine smile blossomed on her face.
"Okay, you've convinced me. But... next time, we're going to the restaurant."
All eyes turned to Yeonha, the last fortress of practicality. She sighed, a long, theatrical sigh, but the corner of her lips curved upwards.
"Assuming it's 3 against 1, then it's my loss."
She said, finding a justification for something she clearly wanted to do.
"Alright. Let's go camping. However, let's make a note to go to the movies in the future."
"No problem, I have plenty of time, so whenever you want, just let me know. Including going to the park too, Cappie."