doesn't follow canon chapters

best read in black or white for this chapter only.

Ae-ri moved to her window, limping. She awoke when midnight struck, but no fireworks were on display. It was as if a wave of disappointment hit her, but she was in Korea.

She turned away from the spotless window, grabbing her cost and moving to exit her apartment. She reached for the doorknob, a long moment of silence. She turned the key twice, the door knob shaking violently before she pulled the door open.

"Happy Chinese New Year!"

There stood Mangi, Rumi, Gaeul, Snapper and Hobin. Even Taehoon was here. She bit her lower lip, seeing them all grinning dumbly except for Taehoon. She was half-Chinese, more Chinese educated than Korean... And they remembered.

In their hands was a plastic bag and a poorly folded red envelope, a choke leaving Ae-ri's lips as she covered her face with the back of her hand, turning her back on them to hide her tears.

She turned the lights on in her apartment, her apartment nearer than usual. Although the moonlight didn't shine through her window and fireworks didn't light up the sky, the kids she got involved with were more than enough to lighten her sky.

"Hey, are you really crying?" Rumi teased, rubbing her back as they invited themselves in, considerate and polite towards her belongings. Except for Taehoon who snooped around. "I didn't think you guys would even know." She mustered out, a fleeting moment of warmth in her stomach.

Hobin grinned, "What would the boss of the Hobin Yu company not know?" He raised his chin higher with pride, his employees - no, his friends - all agreeing with him in unison. "Yeah!"

Ae-ri pursed her lips, nodding as she wiped her tears. "Taehoon, come here." She heaved, trying to stop her tears, her voice shaky. Taehoon clicked his tongue, coming over with much annoyance before plopping down beside Hobin.

Mangi grinned, "I brought cake." He placed the plastic bag down, opening a plastic lid which had a round and red cake. The whole thing had no design, purely red. Ae-ri choked, her lips trembling. "What's this?" She asked, her voice barely audible.

"I bought it so we can have good fortune." Mangi looked very happy, so Ae-ri held back her laugh and nodded. "C-cut it..." She just spoke.

She couldn't help her running tears, but she was so glad to have them, her stomach churning with warmth and comfort. Mangi took the plastic knife by the side, slicing through the cake smoothly.

"Happy Chinese New Year you guys..."
Ae-ri spoke hesitantly, knowing none of them were Chinese, but they accepted it gleefully with a smile, returning her wishes.

(ART BY ME.)

Happy Chinese New Year! It's the year of the Snake 😉

bonus: Ae-ri's hair is actually short and currently black, but her hair was originally chest length and she's a brunette.

To those who read the first book: She cut it and dyed it after she betrayed Charles Choi.