It started with a bored text.
[Matthew: hey. you doing anything?]
[AYU: besides arguing with my playlist order? not really. why?]
[Matthew: get dressed. we're bouncing.]
[AYU: ???]
[Matthew: trampoline park. meet you in 15. wear socks. the grippy kind.]
AYU stared at her phone in disbelief. She blinked twice, then let out a short laugh. Only Matthew could send such cryptic-yet-clear instructions. Quickly, she tossed aside her sketchpad, threw on a lavender hoodie, black cargo pants, and her trusty worn-out sneakers, and made sure to grab a pair of fuzzy grippy socks she bought on impulse two months ago.
Downstairs, Matthew was already waiting in the lobby, sunglasses on, sipping a canned peach soda.
"You look like a K-drama heartthrob in a convenience store ad," AYU teased.
He pulled off the sunglasses and flashed a grin. "And you look like someone who just got bullied by their closet."
"Rude! This hoodie is vintage."
"You got it from a kids' section."
"Still vintage."
They hopped into a van that their manager had arranged. The driver smiled, already used to these two and their chaotic sibling energy.
The trampoline park was about twenty minutes outside of the city—a hidden gem Matthew had discovered through a friend. It wasn't too packed, and after checking in and signing waivers, they changed into their socks and entered a world of bounciness.
"Race you to the foam pit!" Matthew shouted, already halfway across the trampoline lanes.
AYU bolted after him, laughing, leaping across platforms. She screamed gleefully as she jumped into the foam pit, sinking into the abyss of squishy blocks.
"I'm stuck!" she yelled.
Matthew stood at the edge, poking her with a foam noodle. "Do you yield, Foam Princess?"
"I will throw this cube at you."
They spent hours bouncing from section to section—dodgeball courts, slam dunk hoops, trampoline lanes, and even a ninja warrior-style obstacle course that AYU totally failed at halfway through.
"How are you still so full of energy?" she panted, laying spread-eagle on a padded bench.
Matthew plopped beside her, chugging a sports drink. "I live for chaos. Also, I had like three bananas before this."
"You and your potassium obsession."
After they cooled down, they changed back into regular shoes and headed out. Before returning to the dorm, they made a detour.
"Convenience store run?" Matthew asked.
AYU nodded. "My soul needs banana milk."
The store's lights buzzed gently above them as they entered. It was quiet, except for the soft hum of the refrigerators. They split up, AYU grabbing banana milk, fish cake skewers, and a couple of onigiris. Matthew returned with a basket of jelly sticks, triangle kimbap, and every flavor of ice cream bar he could fit.
"Are we feeding an army?" AYU asked.
"Nope. Just my regrets and your sweet tooth."
They plopped down at one of the store's outdoor tables, unwrapping snacks, sharing bites, and swapping music recs from each other's phones.
"Remember when we did that late night dance challenge and your slipper flew off mid spin?" Matthew chuckled.
AYU nearly choked on her milk. "DON'T remind me! It almost hit Gyuvin!"
"And then you blamed gravity."
"It betrayed me first."
Their laughter filled the quiet night air. It was simple, but perfect. Two idols, two friends, just existing outside the pressure of cameras, rehearsals, and lights.
Matthew slung an arm around her shoulder, ruffling her hair.
