The structure itself was a testament to beautiful colonial architecture. Delicate, intricately carved wooden latticework adorned every corner. Each window and door was symmetrically positioned, lending the building an air of order and grandeur. Yet, this beauty was subtly infused with the venerable aura of a long-standing, aging home.

The perimeter was cloaked in the shadows of ancient trees that spread their massive branches to offer deep shade. The late afternoon sunlight filtered down in delicate streaks, making the exterior atmosphere cool and serene, as though it were a private sanctuary completely cut off from the chaos outside.

Yet, stepping inside, the sound of laughter and conversation from the gathering of young women echoed throughout the house, creating a sensation that sharply contradicted the tranquil stillness visible from the outside.

May and Gunny appeared amidst the other three girlfriends, all currently absorbed in the snacks and treats in their hands.

“Everyone, we’re here!” May’s greeting rang out, followed closely by Gunny, who hobbled in with difficulty.

The moment the two women stepped inside, the lively atmosphere immediately hushed. Every eye turned to Gunny, focusing on her injury with concern.

“Gunny! What happened? Why are you limping like that?” Ae, a chic, fair-skinned woman in overalls, rushed toward her friend, visibly worried.

Gunny cautiously tiptoed forward before finally sinking into a chair. Meanwhile, Ploy-Sai, a sweet and neatly dressed woman in a pristine white dress, quickly brought over a cushion to prop up Gunny’s back, making her sit more comfortably.

“When I went to pick Gunny up at work, some maniac I don’t even know who slammed directly into her and sent her flying down onto the floor!” May recounted, her voice rising and falling with palpable indignation.

“That man is truly awful! Instead of even trying to help Gunny, he just walked away,” Ploy-Sai complained with a furrowed brow, immediately getting up from her seat to gently examine her friend’s swollen ankle with concern.

“I’ve never encountered anyone this rude before, either. It’s absolutely infuriating,” Gunny said, her voice heavy with resentment.

“And that jerk didn’t even bother to apologize after crashing into you? He must be utterly devoid of manners,” Tonn-Aor, a confident woman in a sexy, sleeveless dress, quickly pressed.

Gunny tightly crossed her arms, a sour look on her face, and shook her head emphatically.

“He barely even saw me! He was rushing off to God knows where—he didn’t even glance back!” Gunny snapped irritably.

“Just take it as a bad omen passing, and hopefully, you won’t run into that jerk again,” Ae said, patting her shoulder gently. She then picked up a small slice of cake and held it out as a consolation. “Here! Have this. Maybe it will cheer you up.”

“Thanks, Ae.” Gunny took the cake and began to eat, aware of the lingering, unwavering gazes of Tonn-Aor and Ploy-Sai.

“Are you two staring at me?” Gunny lifted her head to look at them.

Ploy-Sai and Tonn-Aor immediately shifted their eyes away, looking suspicious.

“Oh, I was just curious,” Tonn-Aor said, smiling lightly as she covered her mouth, a knowing smirk lingering in her eyes.

“What’s with you, Tonn-Aor?” Gunny furrowed her brow in confusion.

But before she could demand an explanation, Ae quickly jumped in to change the subject.

“Anyway! Did you two finish clearing up your work? I heard today was absolutely hectic.”

Ae’s question prompted an immediate and rapid outburst from May, as if something had been stuck in her mind and a slight nudge was all it took for it to spill out completely.

“Talk about work and my brain starts throbbing instantly!” May burst out. “Why is it always me? Just because they see I’m better than everyone else, they figure they don’t need to use anyone else, is that it? Let’s see what they’ll do if I’m missing for once! Do they not think a person deserves time to relax and unwind? The only reason I’m even out of there is because I literally ran away!”

May vented her emotions fully, her face, gestures, and voice all conveying pent-up, sharp frustration.

“You left before quitting time? Won’t your boss be furious?” Ae asked, tilting her head slightly in surprise.

May offered a sly, knowing smile.

“Who cares? Who can tolerate working for a neurotic boss all the time? He even tries to dump work on us during the weekend! Doesn’t he realize other people need time to rest?” The woman with the bangs lashed out fiercely, breathing heavily with agitation.

Gunny quickly intervened to cool her friends down before the atmosphere could become any more strained. She turned and squeezed Ploy-Sai’s hand, her face now softened with a genuine smile.

“But we do have something good today—Ploy-Sai is finally back! We’re a complete team again,” Gunny said, looking at each of her friends with genuine affection.

The history of the five friends was not complicated.

It began with Ploy-Sai, Tonn-Aor, and Ae, who had been inseparable since primary school and remained tightly bonded into young adulthood. Though they pursued different faculties at the same university, their solid relationship endured.

Ploy-Sai studied Humanities, majoring in Linguistics, where she met and became close with May woman in Business Administration, who was sharp-witted and highly skilled at on-the-spot problem-solving.

Tonn-Aor, studying Accounting, found her match in Gunny, a woman with a tough exterior but a gentle heart. The two instantly hit it off during the faculty's orientation day.

As for Ae, the most chic, yet clumsy, firecracker of the group, she studied Food Science, a path that led to her current career as a baker.

These five women rapidly became the closest of friends, sharing their joys and hardships together throughout their four years of university and continuing their bond even after entering the working world.

Ploy-Sai was a sweet, amiable woman, immaculate in every detail. She had long, flowing hair and a flawlessly fair complexion. Her round, puffy cheeks gave her a youthful look, and her eyes sparkled with captivating charm. She is currently a Master’s student, working on her final thesis.

May, was petite and tiny. She had shoulder-length hair and a distinctive cropped fringe (blunt bangs) that was her trademark. She was often seen in elegant, knee-length dresses and high heels, making her appear poised and embodying the perfect working woman ready to tackle any situation. She is currently a Negotiator and Coordinator for Logistics Company.

Gunny She was a dedicated and goal-oriented worker, always ready to face problems on her own. She is currently an Accountant at Wonder Package Co., Ltd.

Tonn-Aor was a confident woman with softly permed hair. Her style was very self-assured; she often wore dresses above the knee to showcase her beautiful legs and eye-catching, well-proportioned figure. She had healthy honey-colored skin and wore natural yet striking makeup. She is currently a Business System Planner.

Ae She usually wore T-shirts and jeans for a practical, casual look, She loved baking, and despite the fact that her treats were not always to her friends' liking, she persistently served them with dedication. She is currently a bakery owner.

“I’m happy to be reunited with all of you too. Being with my friends is when I feel the least amount of stress,” Ploy-Sai said, smiling widely with joy. She was the only one who had pursued her Master’s degree and was meeting her friends again after a two-year hiatus.

Tonn-Aor came and sat beside her, then spun around excitedly.

“Hey! Should we go grab dinner at a nice, relaxed place tonight? We can take some great photos and show everyone that the whole gang is finally back together!”

“Yes, that’s perfect!” Ploy-Sai nodded eagerly in agreement.

The remaining four women turned to smile at each other with delight. Today was the day they were complete again. The cheerful vitality of each friend remained unchanged. Not once did any of them feel alone when they had each other, because their friendship had never faded. Whether in joy or sorrow, the word “us” was always there