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Chapter 9

Year 2016

“Bambam just messaged me, he is meeting up with us there” Jisuk said through the open door of  Yunhee's and Kimiko's room. Yunhee looked up from her mirror, her chin-lengthened hair in curlers and a few outfits sprawled out on the floor. Kimiko was glancing at her occasionally from behind the history book she  was reading. “Alright” Yunhee replied looking up to Jisuk;  “You haven't changed yet?” she gaped at her. Jisuk forced a laugh and looked down on her outfit. “Actually, I am ready to go”. Yunhee raised an eyebrow and signed Kimiko to give her opinion on this matter. She also eyed up Jisuk who was still confident with her simple outfit. “I don't know about Korea, but in Japan they wouldn't let you in” Kimiko shrugged and let her face disappear behind the book again. “But I don't have anything else” Jisuk said looking down on her outfit. It wasn't that bad, black jeans and a blouse she had lying around. “Any shorts will do – you need to show off your legs!” “Shorts?” Jisuk went through her small wardrobe in her head, “I don't think I have anything like that”. “You don't have shorts? What are you doing during summer – weren't you dying wearing long trousers in the heat?” “I have been working – summer is a busy season. And it's more comfortable with long trousers” Jisuk shrugged. “For you, every season is busy. Here, take these. But give them back after this night” Yunhee grabbed a short pair of jeans that looked like she just cut them herself and threw them towards Jisuk who had to collect them from the floor. “Thanks” Jisuk flashed her a small heart with her crossed thumb and forefinger. “Want to grab a few drinks before meeting up with the others?”

“Sure, I am ready in a minute” Yunhee said  and turned around quickly to decide for an outfit. “No need to hurry, I have to change, too” Jisuk waved with the shorts and left the room. In the meantime, Aejin was hurrying around trying to gather all her things she needed before going to her and her friends' weekly meet-up to play cards. Two shopping bags laid on the table and her husband and son knew without looking that it was mainly Soju and snacks she had in there. The two were sitting on the couch and were originally watching TV, but the excited middle-aged woman was somehow more interesting. Hyunwoo's mobile phone suddenly vibrated and the high schooler hurried to take the phone out of his pocket. “I am leaving with you, mum!” Hyunwoo announced after reading the message and jumped up from his seat. “Huh? Where are you going?” “To Linus' place” Hyunwoo said and put his mobile phone in his back pocket. “This late?” Aejin raised an eyebrow. “Yeah. We want to watch a movie that's only on...” “Pay TV? Just go, boy” Hyunshik sighed and waved him away. “If you are trying to convince us to get pay TV this way then you are doing a terrible job” Aejin said and collected her handbag and the two bags on the table. “Can you drop me off on the way?” Hyunwoo asked hopefully as he saw his mother taking the car keys from the table. “Do I look like a taxi service?” “Please~” Hyunwoo asked acting all cutesy. Aejin sighed, “What do I get in return?” “A very happy son?” Aejin looked at her son not sure if he tried to be cheeky or simply was not able to come up with something better. But nonetheless she nodded; even though she didn't miss the opportunity to let out a big sigh while doing so. She walked past Hyunwoo to her husband and leaned down to place a quick peck on his cheek. “Have fun, Honey!” Hyunshik said and waved his family goodbye before they left behind the door. He took the newspaper from the couch table after muting the TV and flipped through the pages until he came to the fun part: the crossword section.

It was not long after that Yunhee and Jisuk came down the stairs – giggling over some joke. “Ahjussi, we are leaving” Jisuk informed him and casually saluted before disappearing again, making Hyunshik sigh. “That's right. Just leave the old man alone.” He solved a few columns and halted with his pen over the next; debating whether to get himself a cup of coffee or not. But before a decision could be made he heard another person coming down the stairs with careful steps. “Ah~ Kimiko! You are still here” he exclaimed as the young Japanese glanced through the open door. “Good evening” she tilted her head politely and walked up to him, “What are you doing?” “Crosswords” Hyunshik turned the newspaper to show her the riddle page. Kimiko smiled and sat down next to him; carefully placing her hands on her lap. She was a little tensed up and Hyunshik felt nervous just sitting next to her. “Is everything okay?” he asked; putting aside the paper and glanced at the girl. She looked at him startled with big round eyes and he could see that she was searching for words. “Oh, yes. I was... lost in thoughts” she chuckled and scratched the back of her head. Hyunshik eyed her up and nodded, “Alright” he retook the papers and the pen and continued filling it out with ease. Kimiko sat there and stared onto the table. She indeed had something she needed to tell him – but it was not easy. Not for her and probably not for him either when he knew what this was all about. To think that this was the reason she lied to her mother that she was going to the states – and now she didn't even have the guts to get out with it. “Do you know brother powder, 5 letters?” he suddenly asked with deep frowning wrinkles on his forehead.

“Brother powder?” Kimiko thought about it shortly, “Do you already have a letter?” “I can give you an o as the second” he offered. “Try toner” Kimiko said and leaned over to look at the crossword, “Yep, it's toner.” “Why's that?” Hyunshik looked at her impressed. Kimiko looked around to find a printer standing next to the TV table, “Your printer even is a brother product. It's a company. And toner is a powder used in laser printers, if I recall correctly”. “Wow, you are very smart”. Kimiko smiled proudly and laughed again, this time a little more relaxed. “My mother made me read a  lot of non-fiction books. Some of it actually got stuck in my head” she tipped a finger against her temple. Hyunshik looked at her with nostalgia in his eyes: “Now that I look at you, you resemble someone very much”. “Whom?” He chuckled and waved his hand as if to throw this topic away, “An old friend of mine, someone I respected very much”. The two girls, Yunhee and Jisuk, left the subway station and made their way up the stairs to the busy street of downtown Seoul. Small groups of two or three people were scattered in front of the club; waiting for a missing friend. “Wow, this is a little different than what I am used to” Jisuk gaped at the grand entrance to the club in which the freshman party was held – at least a huge banner hanging over the winged door said so. “Then what kind are you used to?” Yunhee raised an eyebrow turning around so she could look at her. “Clubs in dark alleyways or in shady basements... stuff like that. But maybe that's because some time passed since I last went clubbing” Jisuk shrugged and looked out for Bambam who said to be waiting around there. “As if you're so old...” Yunhee mumbled. Suddenly someone appeared next to her and purposely bumped into her shoulder. Jisuk was about to complain until she recognized the young man dressed in an alarming red shirt and black skinny jeans. “What the heck!” Jisuk caught her breath again and glared at the giggling Bambam. Yunhee smirked and pointed towards the entrance, “We are complete then. Let's go!” She nudged Bambam to follow her and Jisuk turned her head one last time; looking out for someone else. “What about Jackson?” she then asked following the two towards the bouncer. “Jackson is already inside.” Yunhee said as if it was basic knowledge and opened her small handbag to get out her ID. “Jackson? Who is that?” Bambam asked looking from Yunhee to Jisuk. Yunhee raised her hand: “My friend”. “Ahh” Bambam nodded and side-eyed Jisuk who purposely acted indifferent. The bouncer glanced at their IDs, then back at their faces and let them through. As soon as they were  behind the thick door the heavy bass and the premonition of the deafening music echoed through the hallway. They walked past the wardrobe and the restrooms straight to the end where a huge staircase led the way down into the basement. Many people were already swinging their dancing legs on the dance floor – but the majority was still busy getting their drinks and sitting at their tables. “Ahhh! There you are!” Someone suddenly came running towards them and as soon as he emerged out of the small dancing mass he jumped around Yunhee's neck. “I waited way too long for you... I had to hang out with complete strangers”. Yunhee struggled to remove his strong arms and raised an eyebrow at him: “I am pretty sure they aren't that strange anymore”. Jackson laughed and he noticed Jisuk and Bambam standing next to them. “Jisuk-ah! You made it!” he pulled her into a welcoming hug and turned to Bambam. “You, too!” Bambam tried to stop the way smaller man from hugging him as well but Jackson was way too strong and pretty determined to show him his love. “He tends to do a lot of skinship when drunk” Yunhee said apologetic and pulled her best friend back. “Let's get some drinks first!”

At the other end of town in the Park's mansion Jinyoung sat in his room and flipped through the pages of his medicine book – taking notes and memorizing them. It was not really exciting, however, as his exams are getting closer with every day he had no other choice to study through the night; since his father expected him to graduate as the best of his class. Or else, he would get the same fate as Jinah when she dropped out of college to pursue a charitable career. His other older sister, Park Hana, was lucky to be born out of marriage with their former in-house maid. She was allowed to do whatever she wanted, as long as she stayed outside of South Korea and nobody else knew who her father was. He was not quite sure what she was doing – the last time they spoke with each other was a year ago or so; and back then she was still trying to get into the University of Los Angeles. And that was enough for their father to not bother her or disinherit her. Jinyoung, however, was the only son. The last hope for his family to take over their legacy – the legacy of a long family line of renowned doctors. He wished he had the guts to just do what he wanted or to study abroad. Or to just take vacation somewhere. When was the last time he had a break?

The monotonous ticking noise of his clock took his mind off the human anatomy and made him stare blankly at his self-written words. His brain refused to take in any more information even though Jinyoung forced his eyes to read it. Some time passed and he still sat there as if he was frozen to ice. His eyes tired and his neck hurting. So it was more than welcomed that his phone started to ring and sought out Jinyoung's attention. A short glance at the caller ID on the display and he answered it quickly. “Wua'ssup, bro!” the other end slurred into the phone, he was very loud to cover the background music and other people's voice that Jinyoung had to mover the speaker a few inches away from his ear and frowned irritated. “What do you want?” he asked and closed the book. “Where ar' ju? Come here, tis pardy is'sik!” “What did you say?” Jinyoung raised an eyebrow but couldn't stop himself from letting out a small chuckle. “Huh? The club's name is Venju something? Come'ere!” Jinyoung listened to his friend and wondered what the hell he was talking about. He wanted to ask him to repeat it again but the connection got already cut off.

“Who were you talking to?” Yunhee asked Jackson as he picked his phone up from the floor. He staggered a little as he rejoined with the group and laid his arm around Yunhee's shoulder so he wouldn't fall over. “Huh? Ah~ someone very handsome” he wiggled his eyebrows and grabbed her wrists to pull her arms up and waved them around to the  music. Luckily Jackson was  not that much taller than her or else she might have to jump to not get her arms rip off. He seemed to be very serious about dancing this time. As Jackson was dancing with her arms she was glancing around and spotted someone coming down the stairs letting his gaze wander over the crowd. She instinctively pulled her wrist out of Jackson's grip and stared into the newcomer's direction. Jackson wanted to complain but as he followed her gaze he noticed the janitor making its way to the bar. “Oh, he actually came?” Jackson gaped bewildered at the chic man. He wore the same clothes as he did on his first day. Ripped jeans, white t-shirt - as if his wardrobe consisted only out of these two things. “Now, go on. Talk to him!” Jackson slightly pushed her towards the bar and encouragingly raised his fist. “Now? I am not ready...” “You won't get more ready. Believe me. Just walk up to him, drink something with him and disappear to the nearest motel”. “What? No, I am...” “...not like that, I know. At least get his number” he hushed her away and watched as she cautiously walked up to the bar. Yunhee looked at the broad white back of Im Jaebum and waited up for him to order a drink before chatting him up. He raised his hand and the barkeeper immediately walked up to him and readied his drink. Yunhee watched sweating nervously. She thought it would take him some more time seeing how many people were waiting for their drinks – thus giving her more time to prepare. She looked back to where she left Jackson and saw him rooting for her. So she took a deep breath and walked the last steps towards him. After coughing quietly she was about to speak to him but at that moment he turned around and took a step back shocked; bumping against the counter. “Um, hi!?” she laughed awkwardly and fiddled with the seam of her top. “Hi” he replied raising an eyebrow. “Em... I was wondering, if... you know, we  could get to know each other?” she asked and could slap herself again for her extraordinary skills in flirting. “Come again?” he asked, lucky for Yunhee that he didn't fetch that. “I was asking, if... I could buy you a drink?” she asked, nodding satisfied with her suave safe. He raised his left hand a little, showing that he already had a drink. “Oh, right. Then...” she thought about another conversation opener – but small talk had never been her forte. He was starting to look around as if he was searching for someone. But Yunhee didn't notice as she was too embarrassed to look up at him. “Then, do you think we could get a few drinks some other time?” she asked and looked up hopefully, but only saw him massaging his temple. “You are the fourth” he sighed. “Excuse me?” “You are already the fourth who asked me out today. I am not interested, so please bother someone else” he sounded annoyed – to the point that Yunhee was afraid to even apologize or else it would make him explode. His eyes were looking for something in the distance again and she could see that what he saw didn't please him. Without another word he stormed off leaving her behind – embarrassed, hurt and suddenly very self-conscious. She watched him disappear in the crowd and turned around to the barkeeper raising her hand to order, “Give me your strongest alcohol!” A white Hyundai drove onto the parking lot near the club. Park Jinyoung turned off the motor and leaned back, sighing. He glanced on his phone, it was already long after midnight and an hour passed since his friend told him to come to a club called “Venju”. He had to do some research to find out that his friend was talking about “Venue 1st” and, much to his own surprise, welcomed the idea to leave his book behind and accompany his obviously drunk friend. He got out of the car and walked up to the entrance. A banner hung over the door: Yonsei Freshmen Party. The bouncer just eyed him up and let him through without checking his ID – he was used to it. Because they either knew who he was or his expensive clothing gave a clue to what kind of person he was. Not that he minded people doing an exception for him – however, he would prefer them to actually do their job right.  

First thing he noticed as he had walked through the door was the heavy bass and with every step he came closer to the dance floor  the more vibration he could feel  through the ground. “JINYOUNG-AH!!!” he heard someone screech somewhere nearby and Jinyoung knew without looking that it was Jackson; who else could it have been? Jinyoung fought his way through to his friend and rolled up his sleeves. “I didn't think you would actually come!” Jackson laid his arm around Jinyoung's shoulder; making Jinyoung roll his eyes. “You said to come.” “But you never listen to me” Jackson said. “Yeah, I wonder why I did today” Jinyoung mumbled under his breath, kind of regretting it already. He never went clubbing, it was always too loud and the people too drunk. But this day it seemed better than to fall asleep over his book again. “What did you say?” “Nothing. I need a drink first”. “Alright” Jackson linked their arms and pulled him along to the bar, “My treat. What do you want?” he asked excited as Jinyoung let his gaze wander over the board advertising some fruity cocktails. However, he did not order one; instead he nodded towards the empty bottles on the counter, “Just give me one of those”. “Are you sure?”  Jackson raised an eyebrow, not sure if he could remember any occasion where Jinyoung had chosen beer over anything else.

“Yeah, can't be that bad if everybody's drinking it” Jinyoung shrugged.

“I don't know if you are just adventurous or too shy to ask for something more expensive”.

“Stop questioning everything I do. I just wanted to try something new” Jinyoung huffed and was met with another raised set of eyebrows.

However, Jackson turned towards the barkeeper as Jinyoung didn't react furthermore and came back with two bottles of beer.

“Shall we sit down for now?” he signed towards an empty table nearby and was about to lead the way; if he hadn't seen his favorite fellow sports major sitting at the bar downing one shot after another, “Why don't you go on without me? I  have to take care of something- someone first”. Jinyoung glanced into the direction Jackson had seen something and nodded, making his way to the empty table on his own. “What are you doing here?” Jackson said as he sat down next to Yunhee and flinched startled as he saw her smudged mascara and reddened eyes. “Did you cry?”

Yunhee looked at him, “No” she tried to sound convincing, however, her watery eyes betrayed her. Jackson sighed and wiped her eyes.  “Did he reject you?” Yunhee could only nod and swallowed the upcoming urge to cry out loud. Jackson glanced at the empty glasses in front of her and grabbed her arm to help her up from the stool. “Come on, I am calling you a taxi”. He pulled her up and luckily he had strong arms or else she would have fallen to the ground.  

Since she was just sitting all the time Yunhee didn't really notice how drunk she really was. Now that she suddenly got up her surroundings were blurry and she couldn't stand straight anymore. Jackson looked at Jinyoung apologetic, he however waved him away and nodded understanding.

Meanwhile Jisuk and Bambam were busy on the dance floor – showing off their craziest dance moves.  Bambam did everything – from the sprinkler move to the diver; making Jisuk laugh amused. They were judged by people around them, this was not how you dance in clubs. However, just stepping from one side to the other seemed too boring for the two drunk computer freaks. “Hey, watch this!” Bambam called out and raised his right hand into the air, his left hand to the side and proceeded to swing them around violently while thrusting his hip back and forth to the beat. “I call this the windmill!” he said, spurred on by Jisuk's uncontrolled laughter. But as any sober person would know swinging your arms around in a crowded place like this was never a good idea and Bambam's arm soon landed on someone's face. “Oh, sorry, bro. Didn't mean to” Bambam said, nearly tripping over his own feet as he turned around to apologize to his victim. “Ah, if that's not the bean sprout with his little bitch...” Bambam's goofy smile disappeared as soon as he saw the Elite Club member in front of him, the same person who wanted to beat him up on his first day. Jisuk stopped laughing at that spiteful remark and glared at the sports major who couldn't stand straight either, but seemed more sober than the two freshmen. “Not so brave anymore without your helmet to throw around now, are ya?” he snickered and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Come on, he apologized and we meant no harm” Jisuk said, pulling Bambam to her side, ready to run away any minute. “What, planning to call the police again?” He noticed them taking a step back, “I am about to teach ya some respect” he raised his fist ready to punch her, however, he only laughed as the two flinched. “This is no fun! I thought you would fight back more” he snickered again and took a step towards them, “I oughta...” he was cut off by someone suddenly putting himself between him and his victims. “You better piss off” Jaebum said with an intimidating deep voice which sent a chill over Jisuk's and Bambam's skin. “Who are you?” the drunk muscle boy asked irritated and started to flex his biceps, as if trying to intimidate the newcomer – who seemed to be well built as well, but wasn't even close to what the other's upper arms suggested. However, Jaebum seemed unaffected. “None of your business. Are you leaving or do we need to take care of it outside?” Jaebum said and took a step towards the offender. The sports major seemed to back off a little, just to land a punch right into the janitor's face. The people around them suddenly stopped dancing and stared at them startled and curious at the same time. Jaebum stumbled back a few steps and wiped over his now torn lip. Looking up from the blood on his hand he launched towards the other with a clenched fist. “What is going on down there?” Jackson came back from putting Yunhee in a taxi and sat down in front of Jinyoung who was sipping from his drink and pointed towards the fight on the dance floor. “Mmh? I don't know. I wasn't watching” Jinyoung shrugged and looked at the commotion. “Isn't that one of our club's members?” Jackson said squinting his eyes trying to recognize the person who had just punched another man. “And isn't that the new janitor?” “You know quite a lot of people” Jinyoung said in fake astonishment, however, looked closely at the situation again. He recognized the club member as well. He always had been way too eager to please him every time they see each other. He sure wasn't one of his favorites, however, he never had a reason to despise him. Up to this day. Looking more closely he also recognized the girl who was trying to stop the fight but was obviously too weak to hold back the janitor, as well as the boy with the flashy red shirt. Jinyoung put down his glass and was about to stand up to go down there and pull his man out of it – causing a scene like this was not good for the image of the Elite club. However, as he looked again at the commotion he saw Jisuk jumping between the two to break off the fight and receiving a hard blow to her face. He gasped in shock as did the people around them. Jaebum slowly let his fist sink down seeing the younger girl covering her left eye in pain and gulped. This was not what he intended to happen by stepping in. Bambam's eyes widened and he didn't hesitate hurrying to her side to check on her, however, she pushed him aside and took a step towards the sports major, “What the hell is your problem, you little ****?” “Jisuk, let's leave” Bambam grabbed her wrist and pulled her away from him and down from the dance floor. “Let me take a look” he offered and removed her hand from her face, “Oh my god...”. Jisuk's left eye was completely swollen and started to turn to a dark shade of blue.

“Does it look that bad?” Jisuk sighed.   “Bad? That's putting it nicely.” She groaned, “Ahjumma is going to kill me”. “Shouldn't we call the police or something?” Bambam asked unsure how to handle such situations – he had not been clubbing that often and in general never had a fight happen in front of him. “Nah, let's just go” Jisuk said knowing that he wouldn't get the justice he deserved. He seemed to be  rich since he was in the Elite Club – he could easily buy himself out. She pulled Bambam along as she walked to the exit; “Are you sure?” “Yeah”.

[yepjugotdatright]

MASTERLIST

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9

[yepjugotdatright]

Chapter 8

Year 2016  “Jisuk, over here!” Yunhee called her housemate over as she saw her approaching. They had agreed to meet at the football field after lunch – since they both had some free time until the next class would start. “Hey” Jisuk greeted her deflated and sank down next to her, sighing hopelessly. “What happened?” Yunhee raised her eyebrow questioningly. “I feel like I have to drop out of college – I just got on the bad side of someone very powerful” Jisuk whined ruffling her hair frustrated. “And who might that be?” “The president of the Elite Club”. “Oh, wow. It was nice knowing you” Yunhee said knowing all too well what influence the rich kids of the Elite Club had over an individuals college life. “What did you do?” Yunhee questioned whispering, however, Jisuk just shook her head. “I’d rather not think about it...”, she grabbed one of Yunhee's soda cans, opened it and raised it as if to pledge a toast. “In hope he won't kick you out!” Yunhee raised her can as well and took the first sip. “He can do that?” Jisuk looked at her shocked. Her friend nodded as if it was the most normal thing on earth, “Of course, the Elite club has a huge influence! Especially the president – his father donated a lot for the well being of this university.” Jisuk ruffled her hair once more and groaned frustrated – she couldn't risk getting kicked out – after all, she wasn't enrolled just to satisfy her hunger for knowledge. “So, this is what a sports major is up to all day?” Jisuk changed the topic and signed towards the students playing football. There was no point in dwelling on the encounter with Jinah's younger brother at the moment. She would deal with it later.   “Basically…” Yunhee laughed, but stopped as suddenly someone held a flyer in front of her face. “Let’s go there” she heard Jackson’s excited voice and pushed his hand aside to look him in the face. “Can’t you say hello like a normal person?” Jackson shook his head and put his bag next to hers as Yunhee sighed. “Ah, Jisuk, that’s my classmate Wang Jackson. Jackson, that’s my housemate Bak Jisuk” Yunhee introduced the two. Jackson waved his hand and smiled kindly. “Uh, hi” Jisuk smiled back and shyly placed her hands on her lap. “Are you also coming to the party?” he asked her and gave her another flyer, which he conjured out of his bag. “Don’t even try, Jisuk is a party pooper…” Yunhee said but was interrupted by Jisuk: “Sure, why not”. “Nice” Jackson shot her a thumbs up making her smile grew wider while Yunhee looked at her in disbelief. “Hey, Jackson-ah! Wanna join?” someone from the field yelled over, making the young man turn around, “I am down there in a minute!” Jackson shouted back. “Just go” Yunhee said before he could say anything. “Alright. See you around then” he winked and hurried over to the group to play football.

“That’s Jackson?” Jisuk looked at Yunhee baffled. “Yeah” she shrugged, “Why?” “You said he was a very short Chinese…” “He is short”, Yunhee confirmed. “Yeah, but like 10 times buffer than I had imagined”. “He's a sports major... what else would he look like?” Then sudden realization hit her: “Ahh, did his bizeps coax you into coming to the party?” Jisuk shrugged and coughed to avoid any further questions. She had no time to think about having any romantic relationship – even though she just quit one job she knew she had to take on another one sooner or later – all the benefits of the scholarship aside. She couldn't even guarantee that she would be able to uphold the rather high standards for a full scholarship. And her past experience with relationships was rather...  sobering. At the moment having her aunt get the surgery was the only thing that was important – there was no time for her to get distracted with dating. However, despite that strong mindset  she caught herself glancing into Jackson's direction from time to time – hoping to catch his bright smile again. Yunhee didn't really notice Jisuk's quiet fancying since she herself was looking else where – she  noticed the new janitor sitting down on one of the few vacant benches left placing a bought sandwich on his lap. She tried to act oblivious – but she was sure that he was looking towards them from time to time, just like he did in the cafeteria. If he wouldn't stare so intimidatingly she would walk up to him to talk to him as he seemed to have some kind of business with her. And as her casual talk with Jisuk about the canteen food went on she watched the spectacle of a few girls gathering all their courage to approach the dark haired man. He had just took a bite of his sandwich and was now looking up to the girls with hamster cheeks. Yunhee had to chuckle – it was kind of cute to see the always chic and mysterious man like that. But it also made her wonder what they were asking him – the girls were fidgeting around until they finally got to bring out the question. Yunhee was awaiting his answer as if she was the one asking and couldn't help but feel relieved as the young man slowly shook his head. “Okay, Yunhee, I gotta go – see you later” Jisuk said after some time, shouldering her  backpack. “Where are you going?” Yunhee turned her head to look at her surprised. “What do you mean where am I going? Class is starting soon”. “Already?” Yunhee glanced on her phone to read the time, “Alright, see you later!” Jisuk walked back to her faculty running into Bambam along the way. “Hey~ wassup!” He greeted her reaching out for a high five. “I thought you wouldn't come for afternoon classes today – weren't you out with your parents?” Jisuk said giving him a casual high five. “I thought so, too. But it seems the afternoon shopping was supposed to be their date without me – so here I am” Bambam shrugged walking past Jisuk to lead the way into the building. “I've seen some poster hanging around: There's a freshman party coming up” he started and Jisuk nodded being reminded of her previous encounter with the Chinese sports-major. “So... uhm, I was wondering if you wanted to go... with me” he asked walking upstairs backwards to look at Jisuk who was having a weird smile plastered on her face. “Are you okay?” Bambam asked raising a brow pulling her back into reality. “Ah, yes – I'm okay”. “So what do you say?” “Say to what?” Jisuk was looking at him confused – she must have unconsciously blocked Bambam out as soon as the image of Jackson's smile was running around in her head. “Are you going to  the freshman party?” Bambam asked again. “Yeah, I am – I guess” Bambam grinned happily and turned around to walk up the stairs like every other normal person did around them.

Time went by and the most dreaded weekend came into sight. While Hyunshik and Aejin went on a date – a picnic, as the beautiful weather suggested – and Hyunwoo and Youngjae had themselves locked up in their own room being glued to their computers; the rest of the house was out. Jisuk had to work – as every weekend she was at the Starbucks café nearby, her laptop with her since she still had some homework to do before the next week started. And the way she got to know Bambam she knew she couldn't depend on him to come prepared to class. It was still beginners stuff so Jisuk would be able to solve it easily in her lunch break. Yunhee had left the house after having lunch – she had baseball training and after that she planned to do her sports medicine homework in the library. However, the hot weather outside and the doubled cardio training made her too exhausted. She even played with the thought to skip the homework and go straight home to lie down and just sleep. But she knew she had only a week left before she had to hand in her essay – and if she didn't write it that day she wouldn't write it at all. And her sports medicine professor already had an eye on her because he caught her sleeping in one of his readings. So instead of walking to the subway station she made a turn to the universities' library. With all the books ready and her notebook opened she started researching the essay's topic. But as the time went on her eyelids became heavier and the texts harder to read. More than once she had to hinder herself from falling asleep; but it was until her eyes were closed again and her head fell from the hand it was resting on onto the table, that she decided to take a break. After collecting her stuff she went onto the corridor to the soft-drink vending machine. Absentmindedly she inserted the coin into the machine and pressed the three digits she was already used to press every time she was at this machine.   The machine whirred and clicked – making Yunhee look up. “Oh no... come on!” she complained as she looked at her drink being stuck between the glass and the shelf. She tried to get her drink nonetheless, she shook and hit the machine. But it was in vain. Even the frustrated kick at the end didn't change anything. “That was my last change...” she whined and ruffled her hair.   Suddenly a hand gently pushed her aside. She opened her mouth, ready to complain, but as soon as she saw the janitor examining the vending machine she closed it again. With a few proficient hits against certain points of the machine the drink fell down. He bent down to fetch the drink and handed it to her. “Thanks” Yunhee uttered a little perplexed looking at the young man now in janitor 'uniform' – which was only a polo-shirt with the Yonsei-logo and a huge Janitor in white letters on its back, and a pair of jeans which seemed to be his own since they had a few of these fashionable holes in it. “No need, that's what janitors do” he said casually. For a short moment it was silent and Yunhee was fidgeting around with her drink, not really sure what to say. “Nice weather outside, isn't it?” she asked and could slap herself for that genius conversation opener. Jaebum shrugged, let his gaze wander to a window to look at the weather and hummed affirming, “It was about time the rain stopped”. “Ah, that reminds me. Thank you for lending me your umbrella – I will return it to you next time” “Umbrella? Ah, that time... don't worry about it”. However, before they could deepen their conversation a horde of students – probably mainly females judging by the high pitched squealing – rushed past them towards the window. Yunhee and Jaebum looked at each other a little unsure of the situation before he glanced outside the window to see a black van parked on the plaza in front of the building with a crowd circling around it. His phone rang and it seemed he already knew what the call was about; because he already turned around on his heels and walked towards the exit while answering the phone: “Yes, Sir. I'll take care of the parking offender”. He gave Yunhee a short nod as he passed her and disappeared around the corner. “What's going on here?” Yunhee's head turned around to see Kimiko with a blue haired girl in tow. “Oh, it seems some kind of celebrity just arrived here” Yunhee shrugged and looked at Kimiko's friend. “Ah, who is it?” Kimiko asked. “I don't know... until now no one has left the van. I wouldn't either with such an audience to be honest”. “Then why park on the plaza to begin with?” Nari offered with an indifferent shrug. Yunhee nodded affirming and chuckled, “By the way, I am Lee Yunhee”. “Gi Nari, nice to meet you”, Nari smiled flashing her white teeth, which disappeared as soon as she heard her own phone ring, she quickly grabbed it out of her back and the caller ID of Howon appeared. She quickly declined the call and laughed nervously as she looked up at Kimiko and Yunhee again. “Everything alright?” Kimiko asked. “Yeah, shall we go?” Nari pointed towards the exit. Kimiko nodded and gazed at Yunhee, “Want to come with us?” Yunhee looked at the crowd and shrugged, with this tumult going on she wouldn't get to her homework any time soon. “Where are we going?” “We want to grab a coffee before going home” Yunhee looked at the drink in her hand and shrugged before letting it slide into her bag. “Let's go”.

Jisuk was wiping the tables in the café – with just two other customers sitting in the opposite corners of each other completely ignoring their surroundings. There were a few people ordering drinks to go; but surprisingly it was rather empty the whole day. “Ji~suk-ah!” the familiar voice made its way to the counter seeking the attention of the bored part-timer. “What are you doing here?” Jisuk walked behind the counter throwing the rag into the sink before starting to make Jinah's usual order. “I saw the sunny weather and thought I should drop by to rub it into your face that I don't need to work today” Jinah smirked, “Besides, what do you mean? Can't I visit you at work?” Jisuk shook her head, “I don't visit you at work either”. “That's because you don't like children...” Jinah shrugged, “But I like coffee, so you have to bear with me”. Jisuk grinned and placed the iced americano in front of her friend before swiping her own employee card through the reader. “Thanks. So, first week of university – how is it going so far?” She took a sip from her drink and casually leaned against the counter. Jisuk thought about telling her of the awkward meeting with her younger brother; but didn't. Jinah wasn't that close with her family and Jisuk wouldn't want her to start worrying about her getting along with one of them. “Can't complain. I already found someone from my classes to hang out with. I am going to the freshman party...” “Wait.. wait a moment” Jinah interrupted her, “Who are you? Why are you so sociable? I tried to drag you to the club so many times and... ah, I understand. You don't want to be seen with such an old woman?” Jisuk laughed, “You are indeed kinda too old for that...” “Kinda?” Jinah huffed. “No, Jackson asked me and I said yes” Jisuk shrugged as if it was no big deal. “Jackson?” Jinah wriggled her eyebrows, “Is he handsome?” “Ey~ That's not it” Jisuk laughed it off but stopped as Jinah raised an eyebrow at her. “Yeah, he is” she caved in and Jinah nodded satisfied. Fortunately the conversation was cut off as she heard the door being opened and three female students entered. “Oh, hey, Jisuk. I didn't know you had to work today” Yunhee said and greeted Jinah inclining her head. “Yeah, as of now I have...” Jisuk looked at the clock “... about two hours left. So, order some fancy stuff so I have something to do. It's as if there are no students any more...” “They still exist – but they are all in front of the library”. “Why is that? Is someone handing out free stuff?” Jinah asked reminded of her own college days. They shook their head, “Some celebrity parked directly on the plaza”. “Who was it?” “We don't know” Kimiko shrugged and her blue haired friend next to her just nodded with an awkward smile on her lips. “Hm, probably some PR-gag. What do you guys want to drink?” Jisuk asked cracking her knuckles ready to do some work. While Yunhee went on to order her drink Nari noticed her phone vibrating again and looked at the display, however declined the call as soon as she saw it being Howon again. “And you?” Nari looked up surprised as Jisuk spoke to her waiting eagerly for her to order something. “Ehm, an iced chai latte, please”. “Coming up, right away!” Nari smiled and looked on her phone again, seeing that Howon had written her a message: “Why aren't you answering my call?” She quickly typed an answer: “There is nothing to talk about with you. And don't come to my university ever again”. After paying for their drinks the three of them sat down at a nearby table. Nari glanced at her phone, but he hadn't answered yet. But he had read the message. “Everything's okay?” Kimiko asked her, “You seem bothered about something”. “I'm okay, thanks” she smiled and put away her phone. “Why are you staring at them so intently” Jinah asked as she noticed her younger friend's gaze resting on the trio for some time instead of talking to her. “I can't get around the feeling that I have seen her before”. “Who? The blue haired newcomer?” Jinah was now also looking in their direction. “Who else?” Jinah shrugged and turned back to Jisuk. “I guess she kind of has an everyday face.” “So where were we? Ah, right – Jackson~” Jinah wiggled her eyebrows again and took a sip from her coffee. “There's is not much left to tell. I met him just once...” “Yeah, but I bet that's going to change. So when is the party?” “Tomorrow” Jisuk noticed how one of the customers stood up and was about to leave, so she took a tablet and moved towards his table after wishing him a good day. Jinah glanced at her watch and followed her friend. “So, what are you going to wear? I know that your wardrobe is... meh”. “Excuse you!?” Jisuk huffed and threw the rag on the table to cross her arms in front of her chest, “Do you want to borrow something from me?” Jinah ignored her and continued drinking her coffee. Jisuk continued wiping the table and shook her head, “Forget it, I have been to a few parties – I know what to wear” Jisuk said, collecting the trash and walked back to the counter. Jinah shrugged and laughed, “If it's not working out with that Jackson boy I can always put you up with my little brother”. Jisuk coughed and gave her a forced smile. “Why are you looking at me like that? You called him Mister Handsome first”. “That was before I knew he was your brother”. “I was just saying, don't take everything so serious” Jinah laughed.

“Don't you have to go back to  work or something?” “I am going... stop rushing me” Jinah said pouting and waved goodbye before leaving the cafe again. The sunny weather continued throughout the next day inviting many students to spend their breaks or study session outside, so did Yunhee who was dragged along by Jackson who insisted on eating lunch together. “Yunhee, I want to ask you something” Jackson looked up from his phone at his friend sipping her iced tea. “What is it?” She continued scrolling through her SNS. “Do you like the janitor?” Yunhee's head recoiled in shock and looked at him, “No~... pfft, how'd you get that idea?” Jackson shrugged, “I think at this point it's rather obvious. You are always looking at him – no matter where we are”. “It's because he is always staring at me” Yunhee tried to explain but Jackson was looking at someone behind her: “Oh, good afternoon Mister janitor”. With widened eyes Yunhee jumped around just to see... nothing. As she sat down again she saw her friend laughing hitting on the table a few times. “I hate you!” She said with red cheeks. “I think this proves my point” Jackson concludes and continued looking on his phone. “Tch, this proves nothing” she mumbled. “Why don't you ask him out?” he suddenly suggested. “Why would I do that?” “As far as I remember this is the next step after liking someone” Jackson shrugged, “How else do you think you'd start dating”. “Who said anything about dating?” Yunhee whined shaking her head. “Ah, why?” Jackson suddenly turned serious, “You both seem interested in each other – and you are always whining around for having no boyfriend...” Yunhee sipped again on her iced tea, the thought of going out on a date did sound alluring and going out on a date with Im Jaebum wouldn't be so bad either, would it? She wasn't sure – since she knew nothing about him. But maybe that was what made him so interesting. “Okay – you seem to be honestly considering this” he started, making Yunhee wonder if he had been teasing her all along “So here's the plan: You take this drink and give it to him, and then you ask him out” he gave her his can of coke which he had originally bought for himself. “You make it sound so easy” Yunhee huffed, “I don't even know how to do that”. “It's very simple” Jackson leaned a bit forward, “You casually walk up to him, place the drink in front of him and say: 'Do you drink coke? Because you are so-da-licious'” “I am not doing that!” Yunhee complained and shook her head firmly, “That's way too cheesy”. “But it's a great opener, works for me every time” Jackson shrugged. “Jackson, they all didn't say yes because of your great pick-up line, but because it's hard to say no when you approach them wearing your stupid muscle shirts”. He seemed to honestly think about it, “That may be it, so do you want to lend mine? He might be impressed by your muscles as well” Jackson was about to undress the top he was wearing but Yunhee stopped him shaking her head all the more. “Just go up to him confidently, ask him if he's interested in cracking up a few cold ones with you” he let go of his shirt and took her iced tea to take a sip. “Drink your own” she said snatching it back. “I am willing to sacrifice my own for your well being” he raised the soda can and waved it on front of her face, “But you won't give me a sip? Wow...” he crossed his arms. “You can drink your coke yourself, I am not asking him out today”. “Why not?” “Because”. Jackson sighed, “From what I heard he is going to be at the party tonight” “Why?” “Why are you so surprised, he is not much older than us and there are probably some girls who asked him to come...” he moved his hand to his mouth as if he were to stifle a cough and continued: “Or me”. “You did what?” “Stop acting like I am destroying you. I didn't ask him for your sake. I want to become friends with him”. Yunhee raised an eyebrow, “I still don't trust you – but let's keep it at that”. “So you can confess later. You are much more approachable when you are drunk”. “Can't say I am not... we met each other drunk as well”. “And look how long we stuck to each other. If everything's going well tonight you might marry that man one day” he teased her and Yunhee faked a laugh just to stare at him not amused.

[yepjugotdatright]

Chapter 7

Kimiko ended the call and put the phone away sighing heavily. She never felt good lying to her mother. Especially not when she thinks her daughter was on a whole other continent – enrolled on a different university. But she didn’t come to Korea without a reason and she had to stay at least for this semester. Absentmindedly she entered the auditorium and sat down on a seat in the last rows – apart from the noisy chatter that filled the room. She still had around five minutes to spare until the reading would begin so she took out her phone to listen to some music. Time went over fast and Kimiko was brought back to reality as the professor came strutting in – laying his briefcase onto the podium and adjusting the microphone before greeting the assembly. “Good afternoon, my name is Professor Lee Hana and welcome to the Introduction of Asian History” she smiled, folded her hands in front and the presentation was projected on the wall. “But before we start to indulge ourselves into the depths of the ancient times I have to clarify a few things” she said and a new slide of her presentation appeared listing a few things – including many books she had to work with. “First of all, we will work with iGongbu. You can easily register through a link on our facilities homepage. I will upload the presentation and worksheets on iGongbu, so be sure to get yourselves an account”. She took a few steps to the side and marked the name of the online platform with a laser pointer. “The worksheets have to be revised weekly and I would like you to do so in groups of two” she said, and the students started to murmur – probably making sure they secure themselves a partner before everyone was taken. “Please come to me after the lecture and give me the name of your partner. I will upload the worksheets every Monday until 8 pm and your deadline is Sunday midnight” she continued as if she had done this multiple times that day. Kimiko looked around her – not many people sat in her reach and most of them were already sitting with a seatmate, so she guessed they already had a partner. However, a row behind her a few seats to the left sat a blue haired girl with thick glasses on her nose. She seemed to be also looking around for a partner and their eyes met making her eyebrows appear over the rim of her glasses. So Kimiko silently gathered her stuff and moved to sit next to the flashy-colored haired girl – while Professor Lee read aloud the lists of books they needed. “Hi” the girl greeted Kimiko whispering. “Hi, I am Yamamoto Kimiko, nice to meet you” she whispered back; slightly bowing her head while she sat down, “and you?” The girl pushed the glasses back and offered Kimiko a smile showing off her perfect white teeth: “I am Gi Nari”. At the end of the class a young man entered the auditorium with a pile of flyers in hand and moved to the front after Professor Lee signed him she was finished. “So, before you leave I have something to announce. I am Kim Daehyun and I am a member of the student council; we - together with the other majors- organized the upcoming freshmen party, it’s this weekend. So, you are all welcome; even though you may not be a freshman anymore” he ended and handed the pile of flyers to one in the front who passed it down to the other students. “Will you be going to the party?” Kimiko asked her new study-partner; however, she just shook her head. “I am not that into parties and stuff”. Kimiko glanced at her blue hair and shrugged, with that color she had figured that Nari was more of a wild person going out every night. “I am going to give Professor Lee our names” she said flashing a kind smile and hurried down to the woman who was already writing down the names of other students. The flyers reached Kimiko and she took one from the top. She was surprised to see that they rented a club for the party – she had thought that it would take place in one of the many university facilities. Maybe she would go… but only if her housemates would tag along.

She stuffed the flyer into her bag together with her notepad and shouldered her bag as Nari returned. “Uhm…” she started as she got her stuff, “Do you maybe want to hang out? There’s a café nearby and I barely know anyone here…” she rambled on. “Sure.” Kimiko smiled and let Nari lead the way. “Did you hear about Wonho’s scandal? I didn’t think he was that kind of person…” Nari suddenly halted in her movement as the two gossiping girls passed them. “Yeah, I thought he would go for a more… mature woman, you know? Not some child actress”. “You mean someone like you?” They giggled. Nari coughed, flipped her hair over her shoulder and shot Kimiko a smile.   “Are you okay?” Kimiko asked walking beside her. “Of course, shall we?” “I can’t believe people are making such a big deal out of it. It’s not like they broke the law or something”, Kimiko mentioned being reminded to the celebrity couple whose date she had witnessed at the karaoke bar. “What do you mean?” “Those actors who got caught dating” Kimiko motioned in the direction the two Wonho-fangirls disappeared to. “Everybody is talking about them… but everybody dates so why isn’t it okay for them?” Nari’s smile widened as Kimiko rambled on. “Exactly, it’s not like they committed a crime” the blue haired girl mumbled to herself and nodded confidently. As they reached the door they saw the rain pouring down – making them hesitate. “Do you have an umbrella?” Nari asked unsure as she stuck her hand out as if to make sure it was really raining. Kimiko shook her head. Aejin did tell her to take one with her because of the weather forecast but as the sky was cloudless that morning she didn’t bother to do so. “Here…” Nari handed Kimiko one of the many free campus-newspapers laying around and held it over her head, “Let’s just run”. Without waiting for an answer, she dashed forward running through the heavy rain – leaving Kimiko no choice but to follow her.

“Argh, tell me again why I decided to major in sports” Yunhee whined as she left the lecture hall together with Jackson who followed her with easy steps. “It’s just sports theory – no need to contemplate about life” he replied shrugging, after waving some friends goodbye. “Just sports theory he said” Yunhee huffed and looked at the other students passing her who had no problem with what they just heard during the lecture. Jackson moved next to her and laid his arm around her shoulders, “What will you do during the exams when you are already whining at the beginning?” “Probably die?” Jackson chuckled and pulled her along. “Do you still have any classes today?” Yunhee shook her head, “That makes this day bearable at least… I only have one morning and one afternoon  class. Man, I hate theory – especially Professor Han, the time he starts speaking I can’t listen anymore”. “Then you never had Mrs. Jae in dietetics”. “Oh, I’ve heard that she is a pain in the ass”. “Nicely said, yes. Do you want to come to my training by any chance?” “No, not today.” “Why?” Jackson pouted, there were many times where Yunhee would wait for her friend and watch his training – just so they could go fetch a few drinks afterwards. “I have late training today, so I want to enjoy my free time before that”. Jackson removed his arm pouting and crossed them in front of his chest letting his gaze wander to the windows. He grinned as he noticed the horrible weather outside. “I see. Then have fun getting home during that rain” “Oh man…” Yunhee sighed, „Why is life like that? “ „See you then “Jackson laughed as he parted from her to get to the sports complex. “Yeah, ‘til tomorrow” she halfheartedly waved him goodbye before turning to the exit. She saw a few student’s rushing through the rain to the next bus station – holding up whatever they could find over their heads. She should have listened to Aejin that morning. Suddenly a pink umbrella appeared in her sight and she looked up to see the owner of the umbrella being offered to her – just to find the young janitor looking at her through his chic eyes. As she didn’t react he pushed the umbrella into her hands and pulled the hood of his jacket deeper into his face hurrying through the door into the rain. Yunhee looked at his retreating figure a little dumbfounded. What was that about? Why wouldn’t he use the umbrella himself? However, she didn’t think much of it – at least not enough to keep being frozen on the spot. So, she opened the umbrella and walked relaxed to the bus station – ignoring the others running past her.

  Jisuk arrived at home, closing the front door behind and slipped out of her shoes. “I am home!” she announced herself – leaving her wet jacket behind and walked straight into the kitchen in search for something to eat. Much to her disdain nothing of the delivered food was left – and Aejin hadn’t started making dinner yet. There was nothing to eat. “Oh, Jisuk – how was your day?” Hyunshik came into the kitchen – his clothes stained with paint and a pencil still being tucked behind his ear. “It was quite alright. It seems like you started a new painting?” She motioned to his dirty sweater. He chuckled and nodded while opening the fridge to get himself a water bottle. “Aejin is out shopping groceries; just in case you are looking for something to eat.” “I am always looking for something to eat… it’s like a quest for life” Jisuk sighed. Hyunshik laughed and conjured a candy bar out of his pocket, “Here, take this”. She offered him a thankful smile and unwrapped the candy. Suddenly the doorbell rang making the two look at each other. “Are we expecting someone?” Jisuk asked him hesitating to eat her candy. “Not that I know of – do you mind getting the door? I am a little…” he motioned to his dirty clothes and Jisuk gave him the ok-sign before shoving the whole candy bar in her mouth and walked to the door. “Who is it?” she asked while opening the door just to see a delivery man with a very long packet in his hands. “I have a parcel for…” he glanced on the address written on the parcel, “Yamamoto Kimiko. Is this the right place?” “Ah, yes.” He handed her the packet and got the device out of his pocket for her to sign. “Thank you, have a nice afternoon” he said bowing his head and walked back to his transporter. She leaned the packet against the wall and closed the door again. “What did she even order? VIPcel? I never heard of that delivery service before” Jisuk noticed. “Kimiko! A package came for you!” Hyunshik called out for her and a few moments later the young Japanese came down the stairs. “Oh, it’s finally here” she exclaimed excitedly and took the packet into the living room to open it. “What is finally here?” Jisuk followed her and looked over her shoulder curiously as Kimiko cut open the packet to reveal… “Is that a sword?” Jisuk gasped as Kimiko took the katana out of the packaging tossing the carton on the floor. Kimiko just nodded. “For what would you need a sword for?” “For Iaido” Kimiko explained as if it was the only logical answer. “For what?” “Iaido – a form of martial arts” Kimiko made sure the sword survived the delivery without any scratches and was about to throw out the packaging as she noticed Jisuk staring at her with wide eyes. “What is it?” “Nothing… I just would’ve never thought that you’d martial arts. Anything else you are hiding up your sleeves?” Kimiko coughed and shook her head, “What else would there be?” Jisuk laughed and shrugged. “Ah, by the way…” she started. “Yes?” Kimiko raised her eyebrows expectantly. “I have to quit my job at the convenience store – are you interested in a part time job?” Jisuk casually put her hands into her pockets. Kimiko looked at her unsure, “No, not really. My mother gives me enough allowance”. “Too bad. The manager will pull my head off for leaving without a substitute” Jisuk laughed nervously. “Uhm… can I ask you something?” Kimiko asked hesitantly. “Sure.” “Why doesn’t Ahjumma pay you allowance?” “Why would she?” “Isn’t she your mother?” Jisuk shook her head bursting into laughter. “What made you think that?” “I thought because she was acting so motherly around you and… stuff”. “No, she and Ahjussi” she motioned upstairs to where Hyunshik was, “were friends of my parents”. “Then what about your parents?” Kimiko asked curiously. “Huh? My parents?” Jisuk coughed, “They are dead”. Kimiko choked on her own saliva – she didn’t expect that. “Oh, I am sorry. I didn’t know”. “It’s okay – they died some time ago” Jisuk pulled the corners of her mouth to the side and looked down on her hands. It was easier for her to tell people they just died – because normally people would stop asking questions after that. Suddenly they heard the front door open and close again – a few moments later Yunhee came into the living room with cheerful steps greeting her roommates with a casual handwave, but abruptly stopped as she saw the sword laying on the table. “What’s that?” “A katana”. “I know... I meant why is there a sword on the table?” “Our Kimiko is a fierce martial artist” Jisuk said glad for the change of topic. “Oh, really? You didn’t tell me”. Kimiko shrugged, there wasn’t really a moment for her to blurt out that she was good with swords. “Do you two remember the janitor I told you about at lunch?” Yunhee turned away from the swords ready to tell them about the weird encounter she had with the new heartthrob of the female sport students. “The one staring at our table?” Kimiko guessed. Yunhee nodded, “He just gave me an umbrella as I was about to go home…”. “So, what?” Jisuk asked while Kimiko and Yunhee looked at her blankly. “You said so yourself… that he is a janitor. He must have plenty of umbrellas lying around in the lost and found. I believe you weren’t the only one he gave one” Jisuk explained. “Wow, you do know how to destroy the moment” Yunhee huffed. “I should have told Jackson about it…” she murmured under her breath.

It was the next day around lunch time as Jisuk left the hall of her first class for the day; Bambam following her quietly. They just had finished their first class of computer systems and his head was fuming and too tired to function for the rest of the day. “How can you be so happy after 91 minutes of pure headache?” Bambam groaned as they had left the building. “It wasn’t that bad” she shrugged, “But probably because I already know that stuff” she offered a smug smile. “Did you have informatics at school?” “Kind of…” Jisuk laughed and changed the topic: “You wanna eat lunch with me?” Bambam shook his head, “Thanks, but my parents want to eat with me.” Jisuk was a little disappointed – she didn’t want to eat lunch by herself – but shrugged it off anyways, “Then, see you later!” Bambam waved her goodbye before walking to the parking lots where a middle-aged woman in an expensive looking trench coat and fashionable short hair was already waiting for him, opening the car door as soon as he saw the young man approaching. “So, how was your day, Sweetie?” she asked after giving her son a short hug. “It was alright. I thought dad would be coming, too” he said as he saw the car empty otherwise. “Yes, there had been some changes in his schedules” his mother signed him to get into the car. “So, he won’t be eating with us?” Bambam asked a little disappointed. His mother started laughing as she opened the door and took her seat, “What do you take him for? Get in the car, he will be a little late, but he told me what to order.” Bambam sat down and buckled up. She reached out to pat his head, “Did you worry he would forget your important day?” Bambam shook his head but his mother knew better, “Your father might be very busy, but there is nothing in this world that he loves more than you. Not even me” she chuckled and drove from the parking lot onto the street. Bambam removed the thick-rimmed glasses and put them in a case. “Since when did you start wearing your glasses again by the way? I thought you didn’t like them” she noticed. Bambam grinned and joked: “I guess I just wanted to look smart.” She chuckled. “You are the same as your father – he doesn’t have that bad eyes, but he is always wearing those stupid glasses; hiding his handsome face…” “Come on…” Bambam groaned, “You two are way too lovey-dovey for your age”. “Why? I am still young” she protested and laughed, “Do you want us to fight instead?” “That would be a refreshing sight” Bambam joked. Shortly after, they arrived at the restaurant where they wanted to celebrate this small milestone in Bambam’s life. It certainly wasn’t his idea; his parents just liked to over-dramatize things – looking for any small reason to celebrate nearly every day. Not that he disliked that, however, this was the third time they went out to eat to celebrate him starting the college life. “I have a reservation on the name Bhuwakul” his mother said to the waiter, who was eager to help her and Bambam out of their coats. “Of course, Madam, this way, please” he politely bowed and motioned downwards the hall. As the two followed the waiter past several tables Bambam couldn’t help but notice the faces of the one’s they passed. “Couldn’t we eat at home?” he asked as the waiter had showed them the table. “Why? This place is close to your father’s office…” she said oblivious to the attention she got from the others and sat down at their designated table. He knew that she knew what people thought of her. She could do whatever she wanted – people would never believe her she was actually in love with his father. “I am going to go to the bathroom” he said to her, before even looking at the menu and walked all the way back to the sanitary facilities. “Did you see who just walked in here?” Bambam overheard two other costumers talking as he was exiting the men’s bathroom. “Yes, who does she think she is coming here as if she owns the place? Making me lose my appetite”. “She really is something – well, I guess I would be the same if I married that much money”. Bambam’s hands formed unconsciously into fists as he heard their gossip. He couldn’t stand people talking trash about his family. “She thinks she is all that – but she couldn’t even produce an heir of her own. Seriously, such a gold-digger”. Bambam was about to storm towards them making them apologize, but a hand suddenly squeezed his shoulder gaining his attention. “Dad!” Bambam exclaimed as he saw the rather old man looking at him. “Let them be; you making a scene here won’t change their minds” his father said in Thai and signed him to follow him back to their table. “But dad!” Bambam wanted to protest. He didn’t want them to continue badmouthing his stepmother. However, he had no other choice but to follow his father and trying to ignore what he just heard. “Son, you have a lot to learn before you are ready to take over my company” his father suddenly started. “Why are you suddenly talking about that?” “Because if it weren’t for me you would have rushed into a fight without thinking. Rumors are just rumors – until you are giving them attention.” He patted Bambam’s back as they arrived at the table and walked over to his wife to give her quick peck on her cheek. “Did you order already?” he sat down next to her. “No, we also arrived just a moment ago” she smiled at him and turned back to Bambam handing him the menu, “Here, what do you want to eat? The fish is really good here”. Bambam flipped through the first pages and glanced at his parents. Sure, she wasn’t blood related to him – but she was still the best mother he could have wished for.

 In the meantime, Jisuk had arrived at the canteen. As Yunhee and Kimiko both were still in class she kind of just accepted her fate to lunch alone. Carrying the tray with her lunch she let her gaze wander over the canteen for an empty seat.  However, most of the tables were occupied and even though there was occasionally one seat empty, it had to be one between groups of students – Jisuk couldn’t imagine a spot more uncomfortable than sitting between two friendly conversations while herself having no one to talk to.   However, while walking further into the dining hall she spotted one table in the further back with only one person sitting at it. She could handle one, he would be probably busy with his phone anyway. As she was on her way to said table she wondered why so many students avoided that table. It’s not like there were many free seats left but there were quite some students who passed on that table and squeezed themselves between others. “Is that seat empty?” she asked the young man sitting alone his head fixated on a book while one of his hand provided him with food. His head slowly turned around to look at her – as if the book was so thrilling that he feared he would miss something if he stopped reading for a second. “Oh…!” Jisuk exclaimed at the familiar face. “Who…?” he started, but Jisuk quickly sat down with the words: “I am Bak Jisuk, a friend of Jinah’s – we met a few times in Daegu” she said grabbing her chopsticks. “Ah, right. The one who splashed the champagne in my father’s face.” Jisuk chuckled embarrassed, “In retrospect not one of my wisest moves”. He nodded offering a light chuckle. Jisuk glanced over to the book he was so immersed into and was a little disappointed to see it was just about anatomy. “I wouldn’t have taken you for a medicine-major.” “And I wouldn’t have taken you for a student.” He commented and Jisuk nodded, sighing: “Yeah, me neither.” She shrugged and saw a few students approaching them but turning around again after seeing who sat at the table. It went silent for some time at their table as Jisuk started to eat and Jinyoung occasionally glanced at his book. She wondered why people were avoiding him this much. He didn’t seem like such a bad guy. But maybe it was just kind of a family thing – Jinah wasn’t well received either in her college days. Suddenly the Elite Club came into her mind – how she saw a few members bully Bambam on their first day. The way they avoided Jinyoung and how big of a deal this club seemed to be... Jisuk couldn’t get around the thought that College may not be that different from High School. It was possible that the Elite Club had already victimized many students – and Jinyoung seemed to be one of them. “I hope I don’t cross a line here, but I want to help you…” Jisuk started making Jinyoung raise his eyebrows questioningly and took a sip from his glass of water, “The Elite Club… do they bully you?” she nearly whispered to not raise any attention towards their table. Jinyoung choked over his drink in surprise and quickly put the glass back down. “How…?” he was cut off by her reaching over to grab his hands, pressing them lightly in a supportive manner and her eyes full of determination, “I can protect you”. Jinyoung slowly pulled his hands back and smiled, unsure of what to reply. “Hello, Park Jinyoung-sunbaenim, enjoy your meal!” Three students came walking by and inclined their head as Jinyoung turned his head towards them. Jisuk looked at them and recognized them as the sport students who had bullied Bambam the other day. “Oh, what a sight” the one in the middle exclaimed as he had also recognized her. She noticed them wearing a badge on their jackets, a golden E, not much bigger than a simple button. She was about to send them away as she heard Jinyoung collecting his stuff and standing up. “What are you…” she stopped midst sentence as he took his jacket hanging over the chair and wore it. A golden E was flaunting on his right chest as he shot Jisuk a polite smile, “Have a nice day”, he said as he turned towards his club-mates who were happy to carry his tray and bag. “President, was she bothering you?” one of them asked, ready to teach Jisuk a lesson. But Jinyoung shook his head and signed them to go.

[yepjugotdatright]

Chapter 6

Im Jaebum walked down the streets of downtown Daegu. His bare knees showing through his ripped jeans with every step he took and his eyes glanced through his disheveled bangs over the store signs – he was looking for a car repair shop called Sangshik’s. But until now he had only found several convenience stores and a gas station on his way. He wasn’t even sure if he should be doing this – well, it was a debt he had to repay but it didn’t feel right. It had been two years since Jaebum had walked through Daegu like this – too long for his taste. He could barely recognize the town. Back then he knew downtown Daegu like his back pocket and now he couldn’t even find the right way to this small car repair shop. He took out his phone and put on the navigator to lead him the way. It appeared that he wasn’t that far away – only a few minutes later and he stood in front of the shop with the huge orange, scripted Sangshik’s hanging over the entrance. He pushed the door open and a bell hanging directly over the door resonated through the room. It wasn’t long and a middle aged man left the staff room with a bright smile plastered on his face. The man wiped his hands on his blue overall and offered a loud: “Welcome at Sangshik’s!” while he closed the door and the loud laughing inside the staff room was silenced. Jaebum raised his hand in a greeting manner and took out a picture from his back pocket and put it on the counter in front of the shop owner. “I am looking for a girl. Around 20-something; her name’s Bak Jisuk. I was told she had been here often” his voice was low and laid back. “Bak Jisuk?” the shop owner took the picture and looked at it carefully with a raised eyebrow. “No, never heard of her”. Jaebum took the picture back and offered a polite smile. “It was worth a try – but thank you nonetheless.” He said, but couldn’t help noticing the older man glancing nervously at the door he came from. He knew the shop owner was lying. Of course he had to know Bak Jisuk – she had been working here at her late Uncle’s workshop during her high school years. Jaebum nodded and left the shop without another word – there were always other ways to find the person of interest. So he took a few steps down the road and leaned against a wall – waiting for Bak Jisuk to leave the workshop. With the shop owner’s nervous hands and his response he was sure that she was in there – she had to be. And he was right, not even half an hour had passed and the same girl as on the picture left the shop taking a few glances over the road and hurried towards the subway station. It was so much easier than he had thought to find her. Even though she had moved away; she had too many emotional bonds to this place that’s why she wouldn’t be able to escape the world she was brought up into. He waited a few moments before he strutted after her – into the subway station, into the same line; all the way back to Seoul. He halted a few houses away from the one Jisuk was about to enter. She had taken out her keys and unlocked the door. Before entering she looked over her shoulder one last time – right into the direction of the young man watching her from afar. But he was quick to act like a random passenger. He was sure that Jisuk wouldn’t suspect anything – she may be good with mathematics and stuff – but this kind of work was his expertise. He walked on the pavement and casually passed the boarding house – Jisuk’s gaze was resting on him for a little bit before she shrugged it off and closed the door from inside. His eyes wandered over the neighborhood and reached the house next door – a huge sign was put onto the front garden: FOR SALE. A sly smirk wandered over his face; this was making it way too easy for him. A few days later and he was still moving around Jisuk as her shadow. It wasn’t easy following around her crazy delivering style – but in the end he managed to find out all the places she worked at. He was a little bored – he thought the life of the Bak Jisuk he had to hear so much about was a little more than just working part time. But he wasn’t one to complain. This was a lot better than what he had done before – even though his conscience wasn’t feeling any better now either. He was on his way to the convenience store where Jisuk had to be working at right now. It was more like a check-up. She seemed to be handling herself well – he just had to make sure that no one else was doing any surveillance – except for him of course.

At the convenience store he saw Jisuk talking with another young girl and handing her a few papers. She must be one of the boarders. His phone in his pocket vibrated signaling an incoming message. He was reluctant to look at it – there weren’t many people who had his number and he wasn’t very thrilled at the thought of the few knowing ones contacting him. With a heavy sigh he took out his phone and looked at the message: Kid, you better watch out. They know you are out! “Ouch!”  Someone ran against him falling backwards. He looked up barely keeping his balance and saw a young woman on her knees to gather the scattered papers. He joined her and collected a few noticing the Yonsei emblem on the upper corner of the documents. She stared at him to which he offered a smile and handed her the papers back: “Here, I’m sorry”. “Thanks – no, I mean I am sorry” she stammered back and counted through the papers. He chuckled and stood up again putting his hands back into the pockets of his pants. He casually leaned his head back a little and glanced inside the convenience store making sure Jisuk was still there. Upon hearing a light chuckle he turned his attention back to the girl and saw her grinning foolishly at him. She wiggled knowingly with her eyebrows and bowed her head a little before saying: “Have a nice day!”She walked past him heading towards the nearest subway station. His glance followed the girl with the weak foreign accent but readjusted itself onto the window of the convenience store again – searching for the young female employee, however, was met directly with a pair of eyes staring at him. Jaebum coughed and slowly made his way inside hoping she wouldn’t be suspicious. For a short moment he thought he was busted – the way her eyes were following him as he came through the door and kept watching him while he was casually walking through the aisles looking for something random to buy. He came up with a cup of ramyun so he had an excuse sitting in the store – and a bottle of water. She occasionally glanced at him while scanning the plastic cup and bottle. “4,300 Won, please” she reached out her hand and Jaebum gave her his credit card. While swiping the card through the reader she caught a glimpse of his name and looked back at his face – she couldn’t say he didn’t look somewhat familiar. “Then, have a nice day” she said returning the card with the receipt. He nodded and left. Jisuk watched him leave – walking away from the store casually. She had seen him more often in this neighborhood; he must have moved here recently.

  “Your table is ready” the waitress invitingly reached out her arm and guided the three headed Park-family into one of their few VIP room’s. “It is an honor to have you as our guests” she said with a pleasant customer smile on her face. The older married couple gave her a court nod before sitting down at the set table. Three plates with cutlery were placed neatly onto the white tablecloth. The room was moderately decorated with just a few paintings of temples and Mediterranean architecture and a statue depicting a Greek goddess. While the woman looked around carefully to get engulfed into the ambience her husband was more eager to study the menu. Their son followed shortly after them, he looked exactly like the younger version of his parents – his dark hair styled the same as the grey of his father and his suit had the same grey as his mother’s costume. “Jinyoung-ah, what were you waiting for? Come on, sit down” his mother called him to sit in front of her. “Wasn’t this supposed to be a family dinner?” Jinyoung asked her disappointed side eying his father. His mother laughed awkwardly, but before she could explain the absence of his sisters his father took over with a strict tone: “Hana is still in Los Angeles – did you expect her to fly over just for some…” he scrutinized his eyes to read the next best dish: “Seafood Pasta?” “What about Jinah-Noona?” he looked questioningly to his mother who had looked down on her hands feeling guilty. “Jinah is not my daughter” his father’s deep voice made the room totally quiet. Jinyoung was about to go against it – defending his oldest sister. However, her mother held his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. It wasn’t the right moment to talk about that – to be honest it never was.

Someone knocked onto the door which was opened shortly after. The waitress came back in and bowed slightly towards the family. “Are you ready to order?” “Yes” Jinyoung’s father closed the menu even though Jinyoung wasn’t able to even think about the menu yet. “One bottle of Chardonnay and the stuffed Calamari for three” he handed the menu back to the waitress who nodded with her smile still being plastered on her face. “Father, mum can’t drink wine - she’s still on medicine” Jinyoung spoke up seeing that her mother wouldn’t. His father looked at him, then eyed up his wife and turned back to the waitress. “Make the wine for two and a glass of water”. Jinyoung folded his hands and placed them on his lap – family dinners with his father were always a pain in the ass. The waitress nodded and left the room – but not without a deep bow before closing the door. “So, how are your studies?” his father asked as soon as the waitress had left the room again. “They are okay”. “Just okay?” “What your son meant is that everything is going well – there is nothing we need to worry about” his mother explained quickly before her husband could misunderstand. “I don’t want you to take your medicine studies lightly. You are the only one to take over the hospital after all” he folded his hands and looked at his youngest child. It sounded as if there had never been his first born daughter – also studying medicine in Daegu. However, after she had decided to go on a different path than her father had set for her – she suddenly had never existed on the family register. Their father was easy to disappoint, very quick to anger and it wasn’t hard to say that he never got a ‘best dad’-cup for his birthday. “I understand” Jinyoung just nodded and glanced to his mother. She smiled giving him a supporting nod. Suddenly his father’s phone started ringing; Jinyoung saw the name flashing on his mobile’s display. It was no one of the hospital’s staff – he knew his father never saved their numbers with their actual names. Mister Park put the napkin back on the table and coughed before saying: “I have to take this call”. And with the mobile moving to his ear he left the room and left his wife and son alone. Jinyoung looked at his mother and noticed her looking down on the table – he wasn’t sure if she had seen the contact or if she already knew what his father was doing behind her back. Jinyoung wanted to say something consoling to her but before his mouth could even open his father came back in. “I am sorry, but I have to go. An important appointment came up. I will see you two at home”, he said and was about to leave again. “Don’t take too long” his wife said with a fake smile forming on her lips and looked Mister Park in the eye. He nodded, took his briefcase and left the room for good. “Do you want to go, too?” she noticed her son eying her up. Jinyoung shook his head and took one of the bread sticks standing on the table as appetizers.

In the boarding house Aejin had set the table with lots of pizzas and fried chicken freshly delivered. It wasn’t long until the other inhabitants of the house came to sit down on the table with the lovely looking unhealthy food. “What is going on here?” Hyunwoo asked astonished – his mother, the one prone to cook everything herself made a dinner completely out of fast food. Hyunshik patted his shoulder while passing him to sit down on his usual seat. “Tomorrow is Jisuk’s first day going to college. Your mother thought a little celebration wouldn’t hurt”. “Wow” he huffed, “Do I also get this if I graduate?” Aejin turned to him and smiled: “If…” Youngjae, Kimiko and Jisuk sat down looking into the round. “Where’s Yunhee?” Youngjae asked seeing the empty seat next to him. “Her training started again – she is coming back home late”. “Training?” Kimiko asked curious. “Didn’t she tell you?” “Tell me what?” “She’s a sports major” Hyunwoo smacked. “I know that” Kimiko waved that off, “I meant, what is she training?” “Why are you already eating?” Aejin caught her son helping himself with the chicken. He put the drumstick back onto his plate and waited for the discussion to finish – before Aejin could say anything more. “She is in the university’s women’s baseball team.” Hyunshik explained. Kimiko nodded. “A pretty big deal if you ask baseball fanatics such as my father” Hyunwoo remarked.  ”Really?” ”Yeah, we have kind of a celebrity of amateur sports living with us” Youngjae laughed. “Let’s start eating before Hyunwoo dies of hunger” Jisuk chuckled as she noticed him growing impatient next to her. “Thank you, noona. I really appreciate your benevolence”. “Wow, you’d say everything if food is involved. Please, eat!” He gave her two thumbs-up before taking the drumstick back in his hands and started eating. Aejin raised her glass of water and toasted towards Jisuk: “Jisuk, I am so proud you are finally going to college” Aejin said smiling to both eyes. “So, enjoy your little party – and, Kimiko, you as well. Tomorrow is also your first day – so dig in!” Kimiko smiled and diligently filled her plate; and so did the others at the table. After the meal they moved into the living room with some beer to catch the Sunday evening drama’s last episode. “So what do you think? Are they finally gonna kiss?” Hyunwoo wriggled his eyebrows at Youngjae and Kimiko. “It sounds so dirty when you do this” Youngjae signed towards his eyebrows. “Of course they will – we are talking about an average Korean weekend drama” Jisuk butted in. “But this drama already broke the golden rule… so I am not that sure anymore” Hyunwoo crossed his arms. “Golden rule?” Kimiko raised her eyebrows. “The main couple must kiss in the 6th or 7th episode.” Youngjae explained. “Sageuks are an exception” he added after opening a beer can. “But I also think they won’t kiss – because I believe she will go back to her first boyfriend”. “What made you think so? There was some serious action going on between him and his new secretary.” “I don’t know – a gut feeling?” Youngjae shrugged. “I am not sure; but I guess she will end up with no one” Kimiko suggested. “Don’t break my heart” Hyunwoo whined. “I am not watching 44 episodes to see her end up with no one!” “Shh! It’s starting” They were half through the episode as someone suddenly came barging through the door. “You won’t believe what is happening right now!” Yunhee stood in front of them breathing heavily and took the remote control to change the channel. They wanted to protest but the gossip magazine made them lose their words. “Wonho and Ji Areum are reported to be dating. We are still waiting for a statement from the two – but netizens send us many obvious pictures of the two meeting up” “Isn’t that unbelievable?” Yunhee was still a little bit out of breath. “Yeah, I mean – you caught the exact moment she started that sentence” Jisuk remarked and gave her a thumbs-up. Kimiko smiled awkwardly. If they knew that she actually already knew of this since they went to the karaoke… “This seems wildly interesting – but the last episode is over soon.” Youngjae reached out for the remote, but Yunhee didn’t care and looked at the gossip news. “This. Is. Huge!” “Are they even going to shoot their new drama?” Jisuk uttered her worries. “Hopefully they will just recast”. “Guys! The other drama?” Youngjae reminded them again of their original mission. This dating scandal couldn’t be more interesting. “Oh right” Yunhee changed the channel quickly back to the drama – just to see the heroine saying goodbye to her love interest and leaving the café. “One shocking thing after another” Hyunwoo gaped at the TV, “I just wasted 44  hours of my life and lost Areum to a damn actor”.

   First day of university after spring break and every student had to get used to getting up early again to fill the subways on their way to their universities; something Jisuk has get used to. The traffic was bad around the campus and it was way too early for her. But nonetheless she managed to arrive at Yonsei and dismounted her motorbike. She had parked her motorbike right next to the bike racks and nodded towards the bike-riders who eyed her up judgingly. With helmet in hand and bag shouldered on her back she followed the mass of students to one of the bigger buildings – heading for the faculty of engineering. It was actually a pretty campus. The pavements were flagged with red stone slabs and surrounded by green hedges and a few flowers. It was quite visible that this was one of the best universities of the town – a lot of taxes must flow in here. “Hey – why are you looking so scared? Don’t you want to help out your Hyung?” Jisuk’s ears twitched upon hearing the hypocritical voice resonate from behind the hedge. “All I am asking of you is for you to lend me some pocket money… so I can eat some lunch. Is that too much to ask, huh?” She got out of the mass movement and peeped behind the hedge just to see three well-built - if not too massively – cornering a boy looking like a bean sprout. “I am talking to you! Why aren’t you answering?” he grabbed the sprout’s chin and made him look into his own eyes. She recognized the sprout as her glassed friend from the preparation course and didn’t hesitate to throw her helmet at the one grabbing Bambam’s chin. “What the…!?” He turned towards her after the helmet had hit his shoulder and rolled on the ground. “Let him be!” Jisuk said and moved in front of Bambam staring at the bully. She thought that students wouldn’t have time for such childish things – but she had been wrong a lot of times before. The bully turned to his two friends and started snickering. “Says who?” “Me! I tell you to go away or I will call the police!” she threatened him. “The police?” he laughed out loud, “Why to go to such length? We just asked a fellow student for a favor – the last time I checked this wasn’t against the law” he said trying to sound intimidating. But Jisuk just looked at him unfazed. “Well, the last time I checked it was illegal to ask for favors while threatening them with violence.” He growled and seemingly played with the thought to beat Jisuk up as well – but his friends pulled at his arm. “Let’s just go”. “Missy, you’ll regret this!” he said and let off them to follow his friends back into the mass of other students going to their respective rooms. “Are you okay?” she turned back to Bambam who pushed the black framed glasses back on his nose bridge. “Yeah – I guess. Thanks” he tried to smile at her. “How did that happen?” Jisuk asked curiously as she handed him his bag which lay on the ground. “I am used to it by now” he shrugged it off, however, Jisuk gritted her teeth: “Do you know them?” “They are guys from the Elite Club. They tend to abuse their status for lunch money” he said as if it was the normalest thing on earth. “Elite Club?” Jisuk raised her eyebrows at him. “A club of this university – the top ranked students get to join this club.” “They didn’t seem like top ranked students to me”. “Sport students…” Bambam said, “You don’t have to be graced with intelligence to get good grades.” Jisuk chuckled, “Don’t say this too loud. My friend is one - and if she starts pulling you behind hedges i won’t interfere”.  “Thanks for the head up” Bambam laughed. 

Yunhee walked down the corridor of the huge auditorium on her way to lecture hall number 3 for sports theory. She was now in her third semester – she couldn’t believe it has already been a year she survived at this institution of constant make-believe studying. It was more of a daily gathering of hungover adolescent people – especially in the sports major. Yunhee reached the open door titled ‘Hall #3’ and walked inside seeing the big lecture hall filled to its half. Students sitting here and there in groups with the obligatory two seats distance to others. “Yunhee!! Over here!” she heard someone call her and saw a hand emerging from a group in the back of the hall. With a sigh leaving her mouth she walked up the stairs to the young man who had called her sitting in the middle of other students –who Yunhee liked to call his fangirls; no matter the gender. “I reserved you a seat” he grinned at her and removed his bag from the seat next to him. Yunhee eyed up his fandom circling around him and sat down reluctantly, whispering “Thank you, Jackson, I can’t wait sharing this lecture with all of your…” she looked at the many faces to count, “thirty friends”. “I’ll see you at lunch” he said to the others with a brightly smiling face while they slowly dispersed to their own seats. “Wow. Charming as always.” He huffed and looked to the front. “Isn’t that the new prof?” Jackson said as he saw a young man coming through the door and moving to the podium. Yunhee followed Jackson’s gaze and looked at a rather young man getting a laptop out of his bag. “They did say the new prof is pretty young for a professor. But he is our age – when did he graduate?” “But isn’t he handsome?” Jackson whispered back not even really listening to Yunhee. She chuckled. “So chic…” Jackson mumbled. “Are you crushing on him? Should I remove all the giggling rivals in this hall?” Yunhee offered upon hearing the female fraction squealing as the young man looked up from the computer into the audience. He had a fierce pair of eyes and a set of broad shoulders to add to his intimidating bearing. Jackson turned his head to look at Yunhee “What kind of bloodbath are you imagining?” “I just want to help out a friend willing to come out of the closet”. He raised his eyebrows, “You don’t think he is handsome?” Yunhee snorted and looked back to the front, “Of course I do – but he is a professor. There is no way I am going to get into a relationship with a docent”. “Strong ethics for someone who cheats during drinking games” Jackson shrugged and looked back to the young professor. “I have a feeling that this semester will be very exciting – sports theory never sounded better”. “Wow, calm down, fanboy”. The door opened once again and a man in suit, with a briefcase and in early thirties entered the hall. He walked over to the new professor and shook his hand. They exchanged a few words before the suited man turned to the students and spoke through the microphone. “Good morning. I am Professor Han Jungpyo, your new docent for sports theory” he introduced himself and the younger and handsome man stood in the back. “Ah, and this is Im Jaebum. The new janitor for our and the informatics facility. We will be seeing him more often this semester” the professor introduced him. “Janitor?” Jackson gaped. “Yeah, shocking” a girl from the front row turned to Jackson, “No one with such a face becomes a janitor”.

 Jisuk and Bambam walked through the huge dining hall with tablets in hand looking for an empty table. “Wow, this is worse than rush hour” she let her gaze wander over the huge mass of hungry students. “Imagine a zombie breakout right here” Bambam offered and chuckled upon seeing Jisuk’s not amused face. “Why am I hanging out with you?” “Jisuk, over here!” someone called her out making her turn around to see Yunhee and Kimiko sitting near the wall. “Let’s go over there” she signed him to follow her. They made their way through the other tables until they finally sat down next to Jisuk’s roommates. “Bambam, that’s Yunhee and Kimiko – we live in the same boarding house” she introduced them and took spoon and chopsticks to hand. “Bambam? Is that your real name?” Yunhee asked pitying. He laughed. “No~ my real name is a little… long.” “He refuses to tell saying I’d make fun of him” Jisuk huffed. “But you’d make fun of him”. “Probably” Jisuk laughed and started eating. Kimiko and Yunhee were long finished with eating. So they just kind of watched them eat. “Okay. Don’t turn around – but the new janitor just entered and he is staring right at our table…” Yunhee suddenly said freaked out. “What do you mean? The new janitor?” Jisuk was about to turn around, but Yunhee stopped her. “I just said don’t turn around…”. “What you are doing here is very suspicious behavior.” Jisuk turned around nonetheless but didn’t see anyone that looked like a janitor. “If you want to see him you can just check on Yonsei’s homepage. They always have every staff people introduced” Yunhee offered and emptied her glass of water.  “This makes stalking a person a lot easier.” Jisuk said as she pulled out her phone and looked for the website.  “Oh what? That can’t be” Jisuk whined.  “What is it?”  “My mobile data ran out just now... I will just check him at home”. “We all know you won’t” Kimiko said smiling while she checked the time. She started putting her stuff back on the tray and wore her jacket. “I gotta go. See you around” she waved at her friends, took her tray and left.

Kimiko was on her way to her lecture as her phone started ringing. It was an internet call via skype – she had installed the app especially for her mother, international calls were too expensive. “Hi, mama” she answered the call and got the attention of everyone in the corridor as she suddenly started speaking Japanese. “Hey, sweetie. I am just calling to see how your first day as a student is going” “It’s okay – I guess. Just the way I always had imagine college life” Kimiko said and halted in front of the site map of this building to find the right hall. “And how’s the weather? Are you getting used to it? My colleagues say New Haven has a lot of rain…”. Kimiko coughed and looked down to her feet, “Yeah, it’s actually very sunny right now”. “And your English, are they making fun of you?” “No, why would they? We are not in High School anymore. Everybody is very nice here and patient” Kimiko chuckled – she had never thought it would be so easy to lie to her mother. “I can’t believe it, my only child going to college in America – I am very proud of you”. “Thanks mom, but don’t be. I haven’t even graduated yet. Ehm, I have to go. My reading starts any moment” Kimiko said while she made her way up the staircase. “Alright, sweetie, have fun”.

[yepjugotdatright]

Chapter 5

“How could you do this to me?” Jisuk nearly yelled into her phone as she left the building on the university campus and walked to her motorbike. “What do you mean?” Jinah’s voice was a little tired. “You sent me to the fucking exam for the scholarship-program. You enrolled me into a university without telling me”. “Why are you complaining? This way you will have to pay like half of the surgery expenses…”. “Yeah, and can only earn half of the money I’ve earned before” Jisuk shot back and leaned against her bike. “There are some student associate jobs that pay you a lot more – stop worrying about money already. I mean, hello? Seoyun-stockholder speaking?” “Very funny – but I don’t want to use your money”. “Then go and sell your damn kidney!” Jinah said annoyed, “You go to Yonsei – Period!” “Then you go and find me one of these well-paid associates job!” Jisuk was about to hang up but moved the phone up to her mouth again just to bicker back: “Period!” She hit the red phone-button and put her mobile phone into her bag before mounting her bike to head home. It wasn’t even twenty minutes and Jisuk had her bike parked in the garage and walked inside the house. The shoes next to the door revealed everyone to be home and as she came into the living room she saw everyone sitting on the couch staring at a canvas put in front of the TV. Hyunshik stood next to it, proudly laying his hand on the top of the wooden frame as if he took a photo with his graduating son. “So, what do you think?” he asked the others who were still looking on trying to figure out what the painting portrayed. Jisuk walked through the living room and halted as she saw the artwork being left speechless. Kimiko was the first to speak: “I think it is very lovely”. “Lovely?” Hyunwoo snorted and raised his eyebrow, “I don’t think that’s the best word to describe this…” he tilted his head a little, “…this strong message!” “I don’t know what’s your problem – it is clear what the artist meant to portray” Kimiko shot back having everyone turn their back towards her. She coughed and continued: “The choice of color – the strong brush strokes between all the soft ones; it’s clearly about a young and passionate love”. “Woah~” they murmured admiringly. “I didn’t know you have an interest in art”, Hyunshik said feeling more than excited to finally have someone civlized in the house. Kimiko smiled shyly, “My mother is an art dealer… so she made sure I had some knowledge on how to appreciate paintings the right way”. Hyunshik nodded with a small melancholy look on his eyes and sighed, “Yeah, it seems that all art dealers are like that”. “That’s amazing! Why don’t you introduce your paintings to Kimiko’s mother? You might be able to set foot on the Japanese market” Aejin jumped up excitedly and laid her hands on Hyunshik’s shoulder while smiling widely at Kimiko. Kimiko was about o answer, however Hyunshik shook his head. “It’s okay the way it is” he gave his wife a genuinely happy smile and moved his arm around her waist. “Oho” Aejin chuckled, kissed him on the cheek and walked past Jisuk to the kitchen. Kimiko tried to smile; however, she looked awkward and stared at the painting. She knew the painting style – it was the same as the abstract hanging over the chimney in her living room in Japan. But there was no way she would tell Hyunshik that a painting of his was one of the most treasured belongings of her mother.

Jisuk walked up to her room and lay down on her bed. It was not long until her night shift delivering chicken would start, so she should get some rest. Actually it wouldn’t be that bad to start going to college. She would learn more about computer and stuff – which was more in her interest than working in the convenience store. But that would also mean cutting back a lot in her income. With three part time jobs she had a monthly allowance she could live with – after taking out the money for the rent, her aunt’s expenses and the columbarium fee for her uncle. Going to college she would have to at least resign from the convenience store – the one job with the most income. However, when the surgery on her aunt would be successful she wouldn’t have to pay for the Hyungwong Residence anymore – and she could have a proper job after graduating. But before that were at least three years she had to survive… without enough money and time. Her phone alarm went off two hours later and pulled Jisuk out of her dozing state. She washed up quickly, changed into the red polo-shirt with the logo of a chicken with burning eyes printed on her chest. Next was the incredibly ugly jacket – a loud red with the black lining showing at the collar and at the end of the sleeves. She looked at herself in the mirror. She wouldn’t mind giving up this uniform – red absolutely wasn’t her color. After tying her hair into somewhat a ponytail she walked down the stairs, slipped into her shoes and yelled her goodbyes before leaving through the front door.

  Almost a week had passed and Jisuk had continued her part-timing as usual – even almost forgetting that the whole college-business was even a topic. At some points she had even forgotten that the college was mainly the idea to finance her aunt’s surgery. But then she would see the pamphlet from Hyungwong and have a guilty conscience again. It was an up and down. So she returned from her café-waitressing on that Sunday late afternoon and lazily exchanged her fake Converses with a pair of slippers. The house was loud as always. She could hear Hyunwoo in the living room playing some game again and Aejin was busy in the kitchen preparing dinner for seven people. Jisuk walked to the kitchen and peeked inside. “I’m home!” she announced and Aejin turned her attention away from stirring the pot. “Oh, Jisuk! Your friend called – she’ll come over this evening after dinner”. Her voice didn’t sound that excited as she would normally do when guests came over. But that might be due to her disliking towards Jinah. Jinah was way too wild for Aejin’s taste and even though she did something worthwhile with her job Aejin couldn’t get around the impression she got from her in Daegu. “Alright – why didn’t she call me first?” Jisuk asked curious. “How would I know” she tried to sound indifferent and proceeded cooking the stew. Jisuk would have loved to hear the conversation between Jinah and Aejin; both very stubborn personalities and not afraid to utter their disliking for the other. “What are you making for dinner today?” Jisuk changed the topic and peeked over her shoulder. “Sundubu Jigae”, she said and offered Jisuk to taste it. Jisuk took the spoon and fished out a piece of tofu together with pork belly and little bit of the broth and ate it; “Mmh, delicious!”   “Don’t tell Hyunwoo though, he loves soft tofu stew…”. “Why? Is he going somewhere?” “He is going to his friend’s place today – probably watching today’s football game” Aejin offered Jisuk a tired smile. “First Hyunshik and Yunhee are going crazy because of the baseball game beginning in…” she looked at her watch “… about one hour. And then comes the youngest and whines why we don’t have Pay TV so he could watch this American Channel. Be glad you weren’t home today”. Jisuk nodded understanding, “Who’s playing today?” “I am not sure – I think the Baltimore Orioles against Arizona Diamond-something…” “The Diamondbacks?” It was more a rhetorical question. It would explain Yunhee and Hyunshik going crazy over the day. While Hyunshik was a huge advocate of the Arizona baseball team; Yunhee was a huge fan of the Orioles. “But how come an American Baseball game is broadcasted in normal TV?” Jisuk filched another spoon with the boiling stew and let it disappear quickly in her mouth. Upon Aejin’s reprimanding look she just grinned innocently. “There is this one Korean in one of the teams... the baseball idol of South Korea – that’s why” Aejin sighed and pushed Jisuk away from the pot before she would snack on the whole stew. “Ahhh – Yunhee’s Mister number 50” Jisuk grinned knowingly and left for the living room where she found Yunhee and Hyunshik in a heated discussion to which team was the better one. The smaller girl seemed totally prepared for the upcoming game with the well-known Doosan Bears tricot – a huge 50 covering the back. Jisuk walked just past them without bothering to greet them. They wouldn’t hear her anyways and she had no intention to join this discussion whatsoever. “Heyo, bro~” Jisuk sat down on the couch next to Hyunwoo who lazed about on the couch. He glanced at her shortly before continuing to hit the buttons on the controller in his hands and stared on the screen again. “What’s up?” “I heard you are going to stay out late tonight?” she raised an eyebrow at him. Hyunwoo nodded. “Are you sure it’s with a friend?” Jisuk wriggled her eyebrows thinking back how he had a crush on that class president girl. “Yep – with Linus… why?” “Ah, it’s nothing… I just thought that your sudden interest in football was a good excuse for you to date a girl without Aejin saying anything.” “I wouldn’t plan a date on a Sunday evening” he chuckled – which died out quickly and was replaced with a quiet: “Chaerin has a boyfriend anyways…”. “Oh” was all Jisuk could utter. “It’s better this way… looking at her boyfriend I could have never offered her the same”. “That’s bullshit – what does he have what you don’t have?” “A modeling contract with Codes Combine” he said without hesitating. Jisuk snorted, “So he is just handsome? Then Chaerin might not be the best for you… she is way too superficial”. “Don’t say that about her – she is not like that!” “If you say so…” Jisuk shrugged and leaned back to watch him play his video game. “Then is Linus your next love interest? Or why are you pretending to be interested in football?” Jisuk continued to grill him on that topic. He vehemently shook his head. “No, he is the new transfer student – the girls dig him so I thought becoming close with him would…” Jisuk’s hand met the back of his head. “What is that for?” he complained, “I died because of you!”. “Serves you right! You shouldn’t take advantage of people like that!” “Who are you? My mom?” “wHo ArE yOu? My mOm?” she parroted him and crossed her arms, “You either become friends with  him because he is an okay person or you don’t… with your lack of charms he wouldn’t be able to help you anyways” she stuck out her tongue at him. “Stop trying to play the moralizer – you kind of scare me” he shuddered. “Then don’t make me…” she was interrupted by the doorbell. “That must be him!” he jumped up from the couch and left Jisuk in midst her now harmless threat. Jisuk followed him curiously to the door where Aejin was already about to open it. A young boy with fawn  disheveled hair and a chic aura stood in the doorframe, “Oh my”, Aejin smiled at him and offered to come in. “Thank you” he bowed slightly and took a few steps inside casually waving at Hyunwoo. “I am Jung Linus, a friend of Hyunwoo” he introduced himself to Aejin and Jisuk. “What a nice name” Aejin clasped her hands together, “Are you a Korean American?” “Mom!” Hyunwoo complained impatiently – he wanted to just leave. Linus shook his head, “I am from Germany…” “Mom, do you smell that?” Hyunwoo asked fanning air towards his nostrils. Aejin let go of Linus and smelled the air – “Oh no! The dinner” she hurried into the kitchen. “Go quickly before she comes back!” Jisuk urged the two boys and waved them goodbye. Linus and Hyunwoo walked from the door to a beige scooter and Linus coolly threw a helmet towards his friend who caught it casually. “There is a slight change of plans” Linus began before starting the motor, “My parents decided to watch something else – we will be going to my sister’s place”. Hyunwoo shrugged – he didn’t really care. “Alright”.

Jisuk closed the door after seeing the back lights of the scooter disappearing on the street and returned to Aejin bringing the stew on the table. Hyunshik and Yunhee had postponed their discussions to some later time and set the table. “Where are Kimiko and Youngjae by the way?” “The last time I have seen Kimiko was when I left her reading in our room.” Yunhee shrugged. “She surely is still there – she had a huge chunk in her hands.” “Will you get her? Oh, and check if Youngjae is in his room”. Yunhee nodded and slowly went up the stairs. “What is he doing in his room all day long? He isn’t only playing games , is he?” Jisuk asked Aejin and Hyunshik who just shrugged, “You weren’t any better – if I remember correctly you were behind your computer screen all the time back in Daegu” Aejin replied dryly. “Yeah, but I didn’t just play games…” Jisuk murmured back and sat down on her usual seat. Yunhee came back with Youngjae and Kimiko following her. After everyone had eaten until their stomachs were about to burst they moved to the living room turning on the baseball game. It hadn’t started yet – there were some interviews with trainers and last but not least the interview with the star of the whole broadcasting – Kim Hyun Soo. “That’s your Mister number 50?” Jisuk asked a little disappointed - “I imagined him to be… a little bit more handsome”. Hyunshik laughed out loud. “You can say what you want – but that doesn’t change a thing. He is still part of the reason why I started playing baseball seriously!”. “Him? How is that?” “That is a very long story…” Yunhee smiled reminiscing about her middle school days, “The game is starting!” The door bell rang suddenly and Aejin looked at Jisuk and signed her to get the door. “Are we expecting someone?” Hyunshik put down his beer and looked at the young boarders. “My friend is coming by – don’t mind us” Jisuk got up from the couch and walked out of the room towards the front door already seeing Jinah’s silhouette behind the frosted glass of the door. “How you doin’?” Jisuk grinned at her best friend and let her in. “Work was hell today - everything was a mess and you know, kids aren’t very helpful when they want to play with you non-stop”, Jinah sighed and slipped out of her high heels making her tall appearance shrink  down up to Jisuk’s nose. “Yeah - I have the problem all the time” Jisuk rolled her eyes at Jinah as if she was stating the obvious. “However, the mailman brought something very pleasant”, she opened her handbag and fished out an envelope handing it over to Jisuk. While examining it she walked into dining room hearing the rest of the house cheering for the game. Aejin sat quietly at the side knitting and occasionally looking on the TV while Youngjae didn’t mind the game at all – he was too immersed in his phone. Kimiko walked past the two bowing slightly to the unknown woman and decided to go upstairs. “Good evening” Jinah bowed at them – everyone except Aejin gave her a polite greeting. “Who’s playing?” Jinah ignored Aejin and took a few steps towards them looking at the screen. “Ah, the Orioles are playing…” Jinah nodded and stood there for some time watching the game. Jisuk was way too occupied with the mail Jinah had handed her that she didn’t mind her friend. The insignia of Yonsei University was printed on the upper left corner with Jinah’s address in the lower right one. “It’s already opened…” Jisuk noticed and Jinah looked at her. “Duh, it’s my mail – of course I opened it”. “Why does my result gets send to you anyways?” Jisuk raised an eyebrow. “Hey, I was the one who registered you – so I have the right to be the first one to know”. Jisuk glanced at her friend one last time before she took out the letter and tossed the envelope aside. Without saying a word or even changing her expression in any way she read the letter and in the end looked into the glistening eyes of Jinah – who clasped her hands together. “Amazing – isn’t it?” “What is amazing?” the others sitting on the couch turned their attentions towards the two woman standing in the dining room. “Jisuk got accepted at Yonsei as a scholarship student!” Jinah squealed excited. Aejin was quick to jump on her feet and abandon her knitting-tools just so she could snatch the letter out of Jisuk’s hands. “Why didn’t you tell me you applied for college?” Aejin hit her shoulder – but didn’t even give her time to answer before pulling her into a tight embrace. “And on top of that: Yonsei! I am so proud of you!” Aejin’s excitement was way bigger than Jisuk who just shrugged it off – it was a pleasant feeling knowing she was cut out for one of the SKY-Universities in South Korea; but college had never been her goal so her happiness was limited. Hyunshik also joined them in celebration and left the game behind with Yunhee being the only one left actually watching it. “What made you suddenly change your mind?” Aejin asked remembering how Jisuk had always reacted annoyed every time she had tried to get her into college. And now she suddenly had a scholarship. “You didn’t tell them?” Jinah asked nudging Jisuk’s arm. Jisuk shook her head and smiled innocently –“There’s nothing to tell them… “ An awkward laugh left her mouth and Jinah huffed. “We’ll talk about that later”, Jinah whispered. “Of course, we will” Jisuk mumbled. Sudden yelling from the couch interrupted them and they saw Yunhee talking insistently with the TV ending with a dramatic drop on her knees. “Yaaas!” she victoriously put her hands up and Youngjae looked at her shocked from the back. “What is happening?” he laughed at the situation. “Homerun!” Yunhee imitated the batting and raised her hand to give the confused boy a high five. “Is that good?” he confirmed before letting their hands meet in the air. “You betcha!”   “No, no, no!” Hyunshik walked in front of the TV and tore his hair, “That can’t be!” “Who’s the better team now?” Yunhee sneered and crossed her arms satisfied. Hyunshik gave her a glare and sat down back on the couch again. “Okay – let’s forget about this for a moment!” Aejin grabbed the remote control and turned the TV off even though Yunhee and her husband were complaining. “Because we have something which a lot more worth celebrating for” Aejin pulled Jisuk to her side. “My only child who is going to college” she praised her. “What about Hyunwoo?” “I gave up hope long ago…” Aejin mumbled back. “Welcome in the club of Yonsei Students!” Yunhee said, pointing from her to Youngjae and then to the upper floor. Jisuk chuckled, “Yeah, sounds like a really cool club”. Jinah parked her car on the parking lot in front of the faculty of engineering and turned off the motor before looking expectant at her co-driver. “I am going to be honest with you – I am not very thrilled going in there” Jisuk said not even thinking about unbuckling herself yet. “You don’t have to be thrilled about a boring preparatory course… you just have to attend it”. “Ha ha” Jisuk replied dryly and removed the seatbelt. “It’s the best time to find some friends…” Jinah started but was interrupted by Jisuk: “Yeah, and we both know that I am very good in seizing this opportunity”. “Don’t worry about that, you are studying computer engineering as an average pretty girl – you won’t have any problems finding friends”, Jinah smirked mischievously. “Alright – I don’t think me being a girl would be an issue” Jisuk clarified making Jinah chuckle, “If you think so, just go in already – there are some people whose lunch break isn’t the whole day long” Jinah said impatiently. “You are your own boss… you can extend your break as much as you like” Jisuk opened the door, grabbed her bag laying in the leg room and got out of the car. “See you!” She shut the door again and walked up to the building with no motivation whatsoever. The room she had to go to was the same she had the surprise exam in and the docent giving this preparatory course was the one supervising the exam as well. As soon as Jisuk had opened the door she instantly knew what Jinah had meant with her being a girl would help her a lot – and that it was an issue. The room was filled with freshly graduated boys who one by one had sensed the other sex setting foot into the room and turned their head towards the door. Jisuk was a little overwhelmed – she wasn’t used to so many people giving her attention. They started murmuring and talking with each other while they occasionally but excitedly glanced at her. This definitely wasn’t helping in making the idea of going to college tempting for her. “Okay, everybody sit down!” the professor came into the  room – again wearing a knitted sweater. Jisuk hurried to the next empty seat in her reach and watched the professor writing his name on the blackboard. “I am Professor Ji Gongyoo. I am happy to see some familiar faces here” his gaze shifted over the crowd of students and Jisuk swore that he was also looking at her. “What I am going to tell you in this course might be nothing new to the majority here – but I’ll start with basic knowledge and vocabulary nonetheless. At the end of the week I’ll concentrate on organization of your schedule and the different study-portals we are working with” he summarized and Jisuk sighed leaning back. That sounded like a very exciting course. She noticed some of the students hurrying to get paper and a pen ready – rushing off to take notes of every word the professor said as if their life depended on it. Her neighbor however also leaned back relaxed and watched something on his mobile phone – giving the professor not even the slightest bit of attention. Not even ten minutes had passed and Jisuk was bored – so she curiously leaned her upper body to the side so she could look unnoticed on the phone of her neighbor. It was a foreign show, however, with Korean subtitles so Jisuk was able to follow even without the sound of the video. Totally immersed into the show she chuckled at the jokes and called her neighbor’s attention to herself. He raised his gaze to look at her through his thick black glasses with a dry expression. Jisuk noticed him looking at her and apologized quietly before turning her head towards the front again. “You want?” he reached out to offer her the other part of the earphones. Jisuk wasn’t sure if she should take it – she didn’t want to seem rude. But on the other hand, she saw no prominent reason why she should not to. “What’s your name?” he asked whispering. “Jisuk”, she replied putting the earphone in her ear and instantly heard the typical sitcom background laugh. “Nice to meet you, Jisuk. My name’s Bam Bam.” He reached out his hand for her to shake. “For real?” she took his hand staring at him unbelieving. There were no such parents cruel enough to give their own child such a name. “No, of course not. It’s just a nickname…” “You two seem to discuss a very important topic!” the professor suddenly called them out making them pull out the earphones quickly before he could notice them. “Mind to share it with us?” he inquired making everyone turn their heads towards Jisuk once again. The two slowly shook their heads. “Hm, didn’t think so. Then please postpone your conversation to after this course!” he said with a warning tone resonating with it. “So where was I? Oh, right – programming…” Jisuk blocked the professor out again and put the earphone back in exchanging an impish grin with BamBam. Maybe going to college wasn’t that boring as she had thought.

[yepjugotdatright]

Chapter 4

“Okay – so here is the deal…” Jisuk laid the papers out in front of Jinah in her office. “You explain what all this means – and… I don’t know, I buy you lunch” she offered shrugging and urged the woman in front of her to read the information papers. Jinah turned in her giant office chair and put on a pair of glasses as she sighing took the first paper. “I thought you were smart” She let her eyes fly over the text and continued on the next page. “Yeah, I am. But I can numbers and stuff – not bio and, you know, stuff” Jisuk crossed her arms. Jinah chuckled, “Yeah, more than half of Korea probably already knows how good you are with numbers”. “Can we please forget that? You know I fixed that and I stopped doing that”.

“Well, you probably should have waited a little before stopping” Jinah had finished reading the second page. “What do you mean?” “This surgery is going to cost you a fortune! You little computer games back then brought you more money than your part-time is doing right now…” she pushed the papers back to Jisuk. “And I am no doctor… you know I only went to medical school for like what – 4 semesters?” “Come to the point…” “This surgery is hella complicated and risky – it’s not certain that your aunt… survives it”.

Jisuk looked down onto her hands – “So are they asking me to decide for her life?” “Well – you are her only guardian… ” “Ugh – what a pain in the…”Jisuk was cut off by Jinah sending a glare at her. “Don’t swear in this house!” Jisuk nodded apologizing and leaned forward massaging her temples. “Have you talked with Ahjumma about it?” “With Aejin? No… not yet”. “Why not?” “I don’t know… I mean… okay, maybe I am scared she might say I should not do it” Jisuk sighed, “I mean… she might be able to talk again!” Jisuk’s eyes started to glint. “She might be able to tell me how she feels, what she thinks… she might be able to live on her own one day!” Jinah patted Jisuk’s shoulder knowing that Gaeul was the only family left for her and that the fee wouldn’t stop her from making this possible – it didn’t even stop her from relocating her aunt to Hyungwong. She always had found a way and Jinah was positive she would find one this time, too. But she was still worried - worried that her friend forgets herself in all this moving-mountains-around for other people. “Okay, maybe you should sleep over this a few nights… it is still a huge sum you have to pay that you don’t have – not even I have that much money”. Jisuk could just nod. “So what is it for lunch?” Jinah collected the papers and put it back into the folder before grabbing her jacket to leave work for a hearty meal. “I have got…” Jisuk looked into her wallet, “around 12.720 Won… how about we go for – something cheap?” Jisuk shot her a persuading smile. Jinah huffed disbelieving, but in the end signed her to lead the way.

Meanwhile in the Shincheon Boarding House Kimiko sat over a pile of documents tearing her hair. “Ugh~ what is this bullshit?” Kimiko swore in Japanese as she flipped through the different formulas again and leaned back filling the room with a long sigh. “What is it?” Youngjae shuffled into the room and let himself sink onto the chair in front of her eying the pile of paperwork. She glanced at him and back to the papers. “Say, you are a student, too, aren’t you?” she asked. He nodded. “Then you must have done this as well – right?” Her eyes widened with desperate hope. Youngjae took one of the papers and read it. “No. My mother did that for me.” “Ah – you are a Yonsei student, too?” he pointed at the logo at the upper right corner of the documents. She nodded eying him up unsurely. “So – I guess you are… as well?” He shrugged, “Yeah, but I didn’t go to any classes for half a year now”. He said nonchalantly. “Wh-what?” she huffed in disbelief. “Yeah, he kind of is… stupid?” Yunhee came into the room with a pack of banana milk in hand. “The video games he plays must dull his senses” she sat down at the table as well and saw Kimiko’s pile of worries laid out on the table. Suddenly Kimiko looked at Youngjae with narrowed eyes. “Is everything okay?” “Yeah – I just kind of get a feeling I have seen you before. You look very familiar” she said moving her face closer to Youngjae’s who backed away a little intimidated. “Mmh, probably because he has an everyday face?” Yunhee offered tilting her head trying to see what Kimiko was seeing. Youngjae responded with an unimpressed gaze and changed the topic to the papers again. “Yunhee – can you help me?” Kimiko looked at her with puppy eyes. “Ehm… I have an athlete’s scholarship – I never had to do this money stuff” she excused herself. „But you might want to ask Jisuk later“Youngjae offered. “Jisuk? Why is that? I thought she isn’t going to college” “Oh – she isn’t. However, she is also doing the tax declaration for Ahjumma and Ahjussi. She might be able to help” “Why would someone do that on her own free will?” Kimiko raised her brows at the two. “Beats me…” Yunhee mumbled and sipped at her banana milk. “She’s good with numbers” Youngjae shrugged. Kimiko nodded and thankfully put the paperwork aside. 

“Here you are!” Jisuk handed Kimiko the declaration form for her application and clicked her ball-pen a few times before laying it back down on the table. “Oh my god! You are…” “Incredible? A goddess? What else is new?” Jisuk shrugged and walked around the counter with a smug smile. “I was about to say really cool because my vocabulary is not that big – but let’s just say I said that” Kimiko chuckled and Jisuk nodded generously. "Sorry, you had to come over - I am hardly at home these days..." Jisuk apologized straightening her store-uniform. "Don't be - I was the one needing help anyways. I didn't even know you work here as well - I thought you work at that coffee house – ehm, Starbucks, wasn’t it?” “Yeah, that, too. But only on weekends”. “And the Chinese food deliveries?” “Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings” Jisuk gun pointed at her. “Wow!” Kimiko gaped. “How do you do that?” Jisuk shrugged and started sorting the chewing gum packs on the desk – “Unemployed people have a lot of time for part-times. Ah, if you want to order Jajjangmyun or stuff like that just call me directly, I can get you some discounts”. “I can really do that?” “Yeah, the others do it all the time so don’t worry about it”, Jisuk chuckled. “I will keep it in mind” Kimiko grinned, "See you then" she waved with the papers and went for the door.  She took a sharp right turn and turned her head to Jisuk waving one last time. "Ouch!" She ran into someone falling backwards and dropping the papers. She instantly kneeled down trying to grab every paper seeing two additional hands reaching out to help her making her raise her head to look at him. She nearly dropped back down on her butt seeing his dimples smiling at her. "Here, I'm sorry" he handed her the remaining pieces of her applications. "Thanks - no, I mean I am sorry" Kimiko stammered back and counted the papers. He chuckled and stood up again putting his hands back into the pockets of his sweat pants. Kimiko rose to his eye level and saw him casually leaning his head back and glancing inside the convenience store. As Kimiko followed his glance she saw Jisuk next to the counter. She grinned a little foolishly from him to her and coughed a little before saying: "Have a nice day!" She bowed her head and walked past him towards the next subway station.

Jisuk unlocked the door, pushed it open and pulled the key out before stepping inside. “I’m home!” she slipped out of her shoes and shuffled through the dining into the living room. Three heads turned around looking at her shortly, giving her a short nod acknowledging her presence. Youngjae was sprawled over the couch having his legs pointing to different directions; his one foot dangerously close to Yunhee’s face since she was sitting on the carpet leaning against the couch. “What are you watching?” she pushed Youngjae’s legs from the backrest and climbed over the armrest letting herself sink into the soft cushions. “Ending of Knowing Brothers” Hyunwoo let his hand sink into a bowl full of chips and moved this hand to his mouth like an excavator. Jisuk reached out her hand towards him without even looking and waited for him to pass on the bowl. The four of them chuckled in unison as the show members pulled out another running gag. Jisuk received the bowl and started shoveling the chips into her mouth. “Do you want to eat something? Ahjumma made some Dakjuk” Yunhee turned her head towards Jisuk sitting behind her and was met with a shrug. "Hyunwoo-yah!" she said into the youngest boy's direction that was outreaching his hand to claim the snack-bowl back. "No, I am not thirsty. I don't need to go to the toilet - so you can get up yourself to get some" he replied dryly. Youngjae laughed and took a few snacks for himself. "Youngjae~?" Jisuk asked trying to act cute, he however just laughed and took the bowl out of her hands totally ignoring Hyunwoo's hand and kept for himself. "Yunhee?" Jisuk sounded more desperate, but the short haired girl just shook her head continuing to watch the show. So it ended with Jisuk crossing her arms in front of her chest and looked at the big TV screen with a grumbling stomach. Right before Jisuk had accepted her misery and let the laziness decide her fate Kimiko came through the door - changed into comfortable clothes. "Kimiko~ can you get me some Dakjuk, ple~ase?" Jisuk leaned her head back to look at the newcomer who shrugged and came back a few seconds later with a plate in her hand. "No~"Hyunwoo said. "Why?" she stood in the middle of the room with the plate in her hand looking at her roommates as if she had done something wrong. "They just don't want to see me happy" Jisuk said and offered Kimiko an angelic smile. Kimiko chuckled and handed the plate over to her and took the seat next to Yunhee on the floor. "What kind of show is that?" "You don't know Knowing Brothers?" Hyunwoo sat himself up and looked at her with shocked eyes. "Dude..." Kimiko looked at him with a straight face. "Oh right, I forgot... you're Japanese". "Why are there grown men wearing school uniforms?" she turned her head around seeking an answer from either Youngjae, Jisuk or Yunhee. "It's their concept, I guess?" Jisuk said still unsure of the real purposes. "Don't you have those kind of shows in Japan as well?" Kimiko started laughing - "Of course, but they are not this weird". "Excuse me?" Hyunwoo snickered, "Name me one show that isn't weirder than middle aged people wearing school uniforms?" Kimiko was eager to respond and prove him wrong, but the more she thought about it there was none she could name. So she sat there for a moment with open mouth and wandering eyes. "Okay, you know what? Let's forget it..." Kimiko said looking back at the Korean show. Hyunwoo let a victorious chuckle be heard and leaned back satisfied.

"Oh, anybody up for Karaoke?" Jisuk asked as the show's ending credits moved over the screen. "Call" Yunhee said slowly standing up and dusting off her sweat pants. Youngjae groaned, however raised his hand into the air for a thumps up. "Don't you have work tomorrow?" "I have a day off tomorrow" Jisuk smiled, "It had been some time since we all went... and I couldn't attend Kimiko's welcoming party". Hyunwoo stood up majestically and cracked his knuckles, "Let's go!" "Oh, wait I want to see this drama trailer - we can go after that", Yunhee sat down on the couch for the thirty seconds time being. And with glinting eyes she turned around to her friends. "Okay, guess what I'll be watching every Friday and Saturday evening?" "Scarlet Deart: Gyeo?" Jisuk offered and Yunhee nodded excited. "It's perfect, time travel, Shilla Era, Ji Areum AND... Get this, Wonho!" "Won-Who?" Hyunwoo and Youngjae looked at questioning. "Wonho, the model-turned-actor, Lee.Ho.Seok!" The boys nodded as if they knew who Lee Hoseok was to move on to the karaoke bar. "But I will watch with you, just for Ji Areum" Hyunwoo's fanboy mode was activated and started falling into an excited squealing with Yunhee.

After the comfortable clothed changed into something acceptable for going outside the group moved outside to the nearest karaoke bar and smuggled the underage Hyunwoo inside. The sat down onto the bench and flipped through the pages of the book. "We need some snacks and drinks" Yunhee announced and shared a knowing grin with the rest of the group. "I will take care of that - just got my paycheck yesterday" Youngjae said, taking out his wallet and waving with it before leaving the room again. "I thought he doesn't work" Kimiko uttered. "Oh, yes, he doesn't - his mother is giving him monthly allowance", Hyunwoo said nonchalantly as he found the first song to start with. "Come to think of it - his family must be well off if they are wasting so much money on their son and his university - have you seen his parents before?" Yunhee asked Jisuk and Hyunwoo who shrugged. "I can't remember - they probably came around when he first came to us, but I would remember if they drove a foreign car or something", Jisuk said. "Here we are!" Youngjae came back into the room and placed the tray with several beer cans and several drinking snacks. "Why are you so quiet suddenly? Were you talking about me?" "Yes" they answered in unison. "At least you are honest" Youngjae huffed and took the first can and opened it without waiting for the others.

"Okay guys, let's start!" Hyunwoo was the first one to enter a number and soon the familiar sounds of Korean trot filled the room. Hyunwoo grabbed the mike and started singing, "Chara chara cha cha chan!" He turned around, "Chara chara cha cha chan; "What song is that?" Kimiko leaned to the side to ask Youngjae discretely. "Park Sang Cheol's Unconditional", "But if it is you who call me," Hyunwoo twirled around, "I will run to you unconditionally". "Cha chara chara chara chan chan chan" the others chimed in as if it was a cheer for a sports team. "My love toward you is unconditional, unconditional." Jisuk grabbed the tambourine and hit her hand against it trying to match the rythm. "My love toward you is ultra-express love. Cha chara chara chara cha cha chan!"

"Here, Kimiko, choose the next song", without even getting the chance to decline the book was already in front of her and Yunhee and Jisuk got up to the sing a soundtrack of a popular drama - T Max's Paradise.

Seeing that everyone was enjoying themselves and thus not looking at Hyunwoo he thought of this as his chance and tried to sneak around the table to get himself some of that for him forbidden alcoholic beverage. Hearing the horrible singing of the girls continue and seeing Youngjae and Kimiko being busy about flipping through the song book he slid his hand over the table and he could already feel the cold aluminum. But suddenly black converse knock-offs landed on his hand and looking up to the owner of the shoes Hyunwoo wasn't in the least surprised to see Jisuk yelling into the microphone from the bottom of her heart: "ALMOST PA~RADISE!" With her other free hand she took the can for herself and removed her feet giving him a reprimanding look. "Oh come on! Just a sip, I know you did..." he halted in mid sentence as she raised an eyebrow at him. "I did what?" "No, nothing", Hyunwoo scratched the back of his head and was saved by Yunhee who reached out her arm to lay it around Jisuk's shoulders and started swaying to the music.

"You still can't man up to her?" Youngjae hit Hyunwoo's shoulder playfully and he had his head hung low. "You try and dare her". "No, thank you" Youngjae declined laughing. Kimiko chuckled and took the remote after the song ended and entered the number for her personally chosen song. "Oh, oh, oh! Yaas!" As soon as they had seen the track's title everyone jumped and started clapping their hands over their head as the music started. They started imitating the dance jumping around excited while Kimiko sang Big Bang's Bang Bang Bang.

The more beer they drank the more excited they grew and the more excited the grew the louder they became and at one point Kimiko excused herself to go to the toilet. Not just because her bladder was right before exploding but also because her poor ears needed a break from the constant loud singing. Especially Hyunwoo couldn't be stopped when it came to singing. He wasn't bad - no question - and entertaining with his small dancing stunts in between, but he was also very hyper as soon as he got to have microphone in his hands. As if he was a total different person.

The sound of the toilet flushing still resonated through the bathroom as she walked to the sink and splashed cold water into her face. She was no heavy drinker and the beer already had the usual effect on her as alcoholic drinks normally do. With a slightly woozy sight she left the bathroom and walked the corridor back to their room. She slided the door open and froze on the spot. There sat a couple, a pretty woman and a handsome man - looking very familiar. With blushing cheeks Kimiko bowed mumbling an apologize and hurried out to close the door again. She was sure of who she saw there - whole Asia knew who they were and it was kind of shocking seeing those two snogging while the karaoke versions of slow and romantic songs were playing in the background - like an alibi. She had taken the wrong door, one too early and now she felt very uncomfortable and shocked.

She entered the right room and sat down on the bench. "Everything's alright? You look like you have seen a ghost in the toilet". "No, everything's okay. I think I should stop drinking" Kimiko offered a smile. How was she supposed to tell a fanboy of Ji Areum and two fangirls of Wonho that both of their idols were practically merging into one in the room right next to them?

The next day Jisuk lay on the couch fighting her hangover with a big mug of coffee and some kind of hangover soup Aejin managed to fix her before heading out for grocery shopping. Some kind of breakfast TV was turned on and Jisuk planned on spending the day not moving from this comfortable spot under the soft blanket and between all those pillows. Not even to take the remote to change the channel because the show she was currently watching was boring as shit. “I am heading out” Hyunwoo showed his head through the crack of the door and gave her a half-meant wave. “Where you going?” “Meeting some friends”. “I swear if I get a call from a certain officer later on I am not gonna save your ass this time!” she yelled after him, knowing that his parents weren’t home. “Thank you, you have a nice day, too!” he shouted back nonchalantly and shortly after she heard the front door being closed. Jisuk turned her attention back to the run-of-the-mill show host talking about the best recipes to eat vegetarian – quoting popular actress Ji Areum. “Suddenly she is everywhere”, Jisuk sighed rolling onto the side snuggling deeper into the blanket. “And I think, Ji Areum is a great woman knowing that she has great responsibility toward our environment. She is a vegetarian herself and this recipe I actually got from her…” The host proceeded to tell the ways of how to prepare the Chinese stuffed peppers. “As if…” Jisuk huffed and before she could fall into a much more comfortable position – if that was even possible – she saw the display of her mobile phone flashing on with Jinah’s caller ID. She reached out her hand to grab the phone and had to do some acrobatical stunts just so she didn’t have to leave the couch. “Yeah?” she answered after she had swiped the green phone symbol over the screen. “Hey, girl! How are you?” she asked easygoing but still with a bit of genuine worry resonating with her words. “Depends – but in overall I’m good. And you?” “Depends – but it’s just stuff with my father so I am the usual me”. “I’m glad to hear that, I guess”, Jisuk chuckled and placed the telephone on her other ear to block out the TV-noises. “Okay, I found some stuff that may interest you” Jinah said and stirred her sugared tea. “Alright~ I’m listening”. “Are you really sure you want to do the surgery?” Jisuk was quiet for a short moment. “Yes. But I can’t manage to make the numbers add up and I don’t want to go back to how I used to earn my money in my high school days. “ “No, you don’t need to become a gangster again”. “I wasn’t a gangster” Jisuk parroted and continued. “Did you even look into the mirror back then? If I had been your classmate I would have been terrified of you…” Jisuk sighed, “Forget it.” “Okay, so… In Korea the only hospital which is able to do this kind of complex surgery is…” Jinah paused, “Seoyun-Hospital”. Jisuk took a sip from her big coffee mug. “Which belongs to my father”, Jinah concluded by the way. Jisuk choked on the hot liquid and started coughing, “Excuse me?” she asked with a hoarse voice. “My father – the one you threw the prosecco at. Which by the way was hilarious!” Jisuk offered only half of a snicker and looked regretting into her coffee. “And even though I hate him; I know the doctors there are top notch – so we can be sure that your aunt will get the best of the best”. “But still, how am I going to pay all that? The transfer, hospital and surgery expenses” Jisuk’s brain dissolved into a mass of a lot of red numbers. “That leads me to good and bad news. Which one first?” “The good one.” “Since I have a few shares on the hospital I get to sit in the welfare committee which established a financing aid for soldiers, elderly people and~ students of partnering Universities of Seoyun Hospital!” “That’s the good news? You do realize that I am not enrolled, don’t you?" “Yeah, I know that. But why don't you just enroll? The deadline is not ever yet". Jisuk let out a hysterical laugh. "Okay, what kind of impression did I give you back in Busan? Do you really think my GED grades are up for any college?" "You just didn't give your everything in school back then. You can just take the college exams and show them what kind of genius you are." "Okay, let's say I am going to enroll. First of all - what are the partner universities of Seoyun hospital? If it's -  though very unlikely - a noname university in the rural outskirts of South Korea, then yeah, I might manage their fees" "Would you please stop ignoring the fact that I have a lot of money?" "Are you my daddy-long-legs, or what? I don't want you to pay me through college." "I want to help you and your aunts. And I know that you and your computer stuff should are better off in a secure, scientific environment before anything dangerous happens again". "Oh, I had everything under control" Jisuk huffed back. "Sure you had... The partner universities of Seoyun are Seoul National, Yonsei, Kyungpook and Sungkyunkwan University. That gets me right to the bad news – going to a partner University of Seoyun Hospital costs you 6,000,000 Won per semester”. Jisuk let her head fall backwards into the sea of pillows and groaned, “I think I should enlist myself - seems cheaper, a regular income, guys in uniform... what do you think?” "Are you serious?" "Are you serious, Private Park!" Jisuk corrected her. Jinah groaned frustrated. "Okay, you know what? Do what you want - but in exchange for my effort I want you to do me a favor and help out a friend of mine next Monday. I will send you the address" Jisuk got a message from Jinah and looked at the address. "Alright. I can manage that... what kind of help?" "Ehm... Computer stuff...?" Jinah chuckled.

It was the next Monday and Jisuk dismounted her motorbike right in front of the address Jinah had given her - right in the middle of the campus of Yonsei University. She put the helmelt into the trunk in the back of her bike and put her phone in her trouser's pocket before heading into the huge building she was standing right in front of. She didn't know that Jinah had a friend in the engineering faculty - but she also didn't knew until recently that her father was the owner of Seoyun Group. Jinah had alot up her sleeve that it wouldn't surprise Jisuk anymore if her best friend would suddenly tell her she was an alien or some sort. Everything was possible with that girl. So Jisuk walked up the stairs passing a few students on her way who were talking about programming stuff. It reminded her of herself back then when she used to tinker around with her computer and tell her friends about it with the same passion. But now her computer stood under her bed attracting every kind of dust. She got to the first floor and knocked on the room Jinah had told her to find her friend in. What she didn't see was the sign next to it: Keep Quiet! EXAMS! She slowly opened the door and peeked inside seeing a huge room with one computer right next to the other. She saw a few head of hairs looking out over the screens. They were all chattering nonchalantly. In front of the whiteboard sat an older man with glasses and a white receding hairline. He sat there in a knitten sweater and looked up from the newspaper he was reading. "May I help you?" he asked with a low voice making every student turn their head to the newcomer. "Ehm..." Jisuk quickly closed the door from the inside and took a few steps forward. "I..." "Oh, are you Park Jisuk?" he interrupted her. She nodded. "Finally - then we can begin!" he signed her to sit down somewhere behind a vacant PC and stood up folding his hands in front of his massive stomach. "No, I am supposed..." she was interrupted once again by the older man in front who wrote his name on the whiteboard. 

"I am Professor Ji Gongyoo, I will be supervising the last scholarship exam today!"

[yepjugotdatright]

Chapter 3

“Ahjumma! Another bottle over here, please” Jinah had raised her arm as Jisuk sat down next to her in the small restaurant. The air was filled with the scent of grilled meat and spilled liquor and the loud chattering over tuned the TV playing random music videos somewhere in the corner.  “So – my dear friend – how was your day?” she nudged Jisuk’s shoulder and offered her a Soju shot. “Adventurous?” Jisuk gulped down the clear liquid and offered a suggestive smile. Jinah chuckled and signed her to continue while she proceeded with laying new pieces of meat on the grill. “I got picked up by a handsome man” she simply said and got Jinah’s full attention as she turned her head and started coughing.   “You?!” Jisuk shot her a glare and continued: “Yeah – me! Actually a very funny story. I was waiting for my bus to come and he walked past me offering me a ride out of the blue… well, not really out of the blue – we kind of knew each other?”    Jisuk told her about the handsome Mister Park while the forty-something waitress came to place a new bottle on the table and an additional plate of pork belly. Jinah continued to listen only with half an ear as she was fixated on the food in front of her and Jisuk watched her hand move over the table while she finished her story. “Did you even listen?” “Yes, of course!” Jinah turned her head back to Jisuk chewing on a lettuce wrap. Jisuk cocked an eyebrow and refilled her glass. “Some handsome guy has the room next to yours and followed you to the columbarium”.  “You make it sound kind of creepy”. “Isn’t it though?” Jinah laughed while Jisuk struggled to eat her own meat-stuffed lettuce-ball. “Maybe he is one of those of your high school?” Jisuk’s eyes widened as she thought about it – but then slowly shook her head. “No~… I would at least remember the face”. “Then did you get his number?” Jisuk shook her head again nonchalantly and continued to fill her stomach with the deliciously grilled pork. “You are so hopeless!” Jinah complained. “Says the one still living alone in her thirties”. Jisuk filled Jinah’s glass with some Soju, “How was your day?” “Ugh, don’t get me started… Family is always so exhausting” Jinah sighed; “I met some welfare guys today and ate lunch with them – nearly ran into my father there… You know, there is this huge benefit ball tomorrow night and I inevitably have to deal with my father – who is a real pain in the ass to put it in a nutshell – didn’t need that today”. “Sounds like a whole lot of fun” Jisuk joined in her sigh. “So I am going to booze up during the event and see how it ends…” “Don’t people like you have to watch out for the reporters and stuff?” “Girl, I am a measly orphanage director who has some luck in stocks and managing her shares… no one will care for me – and the event is off-press. So no one of the guests will have to wake up with their face printed on the billboards”, she said snickering. Jisuk shrugged, “Call me if you need someone to pick up your car” “What about me?” “If you happen to sit in that car I wouldn’t mind either”, Jisuk laughed and emptied the green bottle just to order a new one. Jisuk awoke in her bed – her head aching from the drinking session last night and her light make up smudged all over her face. She groaned as her alarm clock went off the fourth time and wouldn’t let her turn around to have just one more minute. The bed was way too comfy to just leave it behind again. But as always, Jisuk wasn’t here for vacation – so in the end she got herself up after the fifth and last alarm went off and she grumpily walked into the bathroom to wake her up with a quick shower and a thorough face wash. A few messages appeared on her mobile screen and she read them while brushing her teeth. ‘When that handsome fella comes across you again it will be the third time coincidentally meeting him’ ‘you know what that means don’t you?’ ‘Just get his number!’ Jisuk spit out the toothpaste and answered with a simple ok-sign-emoji. She probably wouldn’t ask him – no matter how many times he would pass her. Her hair tied into a loose bun and dressed up in a white shirt with her only black dress pants she left the hotel and – even though a taxi halted right next to her and winded down his window for her – she took out the pamphlet and followed the instructions for the arrival by public transportation. Her money was better spent somewhere else than in the hands of those cheap chauffeurs. It wasn’t more than 30 minutes until she passed the gate of the Hyungwong Residential Care Residence and was on her way down a corridor to knock on the last door with the name Kim Gaeul written on a tag. She opened to see a nurse dressing a middle aged woman staring blankly at the wall in front. “Ah – good morning. You are here early”, the nurse smiled at her and closed the woman’s jacket and gently leaned her back against the upright cushion. Jisuk offered a smile and bowed slightly. “Good morning. How is she doing?” “Better than ever – I will leave you two alone” the nurse left the room and carefully closed the door. Jisuk took a seat next to the bed and saw a pile of letters laying on the night table. She recognized her handwriting and was glad that they seemed to have met their recipient. “I didn’t get you any flowers – I know you didn’t like the last I gave to you” Jisuk chuckled remembering the call of a nurse saying that she had thrown the flowers she gave her away as soon as she left. “You could have told me if you didn’t like them – I could have saved a lot of money. Those bouquets are pretty expensive, you know”. Gaeul kept staring at her hands. “Bu~t, I got a new book for us to read. I think you will like this – it’s a very dramatic romance” she wriggled her eyebrows and saw a slight smile flash over Gaeul’s lips. The conversations were always one-sided. Jisuk did the talking and she hoped she would listen. It took some time to figure out how she could make the visits fun for both sides. Jisuk spent the whole day with Gaeul – reading the 578 pages pure drama to the end. The only interruptions were the lunch, dinner, and the hourly checks on the catheter. Gaeul had a peaceful expression and Jisuk left past the visiting hours until Gaeul had fallen asleep. She walked to the counter with another nurse checking up on the paperwork. “Ah, Miss Bak - I have some documents concerning your aunt. Please read through them and sent the signed copy back to us” She handed Jisuk a black map with the logo of Hyungwong in front and she knew from the weight of it that there was a lot of information material inside. “Ah, yes. I also would like to pay the fee for the coming year” She gave the nurse her card who procceeded the transaction. 

“Good evening, Miss” a man in a green jacket with the Hotel’s Logo printed on his chest opened the door of her car and bowed respectfully as Jinah slowly came out of her car handing the keys over to him. While the hotel’s employee drove her car away to park it underground she smoothed down her grey dress pants and arranged her rosé blouse again before strutting through the entrance. She handed the invitation to another staff member and before she entered the huge festive hall she checked her appearance in the mirror. Her shining silver almond-pointed pumps made her taller and her legs longer than they actually were – her hair was still resting in the high pony tail she made just because she was too lazy to actually do something with her hair. “Miss Park – what a pleasure to welcome you back to Daegu” an older man greeted her with wide-spread arms laughing out loud. “Good evening, Director Lee. You did a nice job with choosing the right hotel again” she said letting her gaze wander over the luxury decorated room. Chandeliers hung from the high ceiling that was adorned with stucco. The tables had white tablecloths and flowers painted in gold looked out between the buffet dishes. He let out another deep laugh; his stomach vibrating in unison with his vocal chords. “Direct as always. I hope you enjoy yourself” he said moving to the side raising his arm invitingly towards the buffet. “You know me very well” she flashed him a smile and walked past him to the buffet smoothly snatching a glass prosecco from one of the wandering trays. She halted in her steps as she saw three figures standing around one of the bar tables and emptied her glass in one shot. There stood her parents all dressed up in dark colors. She hoped they hadn’t seen her and hurried to the buffet filling up her plate with lots of those high class nibbles. “Long time no see, Noona” someone appeared right next to her loading his plate. She slowly turned her head to the slightly taller man next to her who offered an innocent eye-whisker smile. Jinah chuckled and turned back to the food. “What are doing here? Isn’t this party only for grown-ups?” He pouted. “Just kidding. Tell me, Jinyoung, on a scale from one to ten – how much is our father eager to rub my bad decisions on life in my face today?” “You should better avoid him as best as you can… he didn’t sound very happy as he heard you were invited as well.” “Oh – how lovely” she took her plate to the next empty table and got herself another glass. Jinyoung followed her and ate the nibbles with her. “And our lovely step-mother?” “Grins and bears it”. “And what about you? You alright?” She asked remembering that the day before was the death day of his mother. “Couldn’t be any better” he said sarcastically raising his glass in a toasty manner. The two chattered away over their nibbles until the host raised his deep voice again welcoming the honored guests into the round. “The Bhuwakuls! What a pleasant sight” his laugh resonated through the hall again and everyone turned their heads to the famous IT family. Mister Bhuwakul – a fifty something Thai considered handsome for his age – guided his ten years younger wife into the hall with his hand on her back. Their son Kunpimook strutted behind them coming to a halt in front of Mister Lee and shook his head with a very loud smile. They were the celebrities during this event and it took them some time to greet everyone important. Jinah didn’t make that effort – she knew that no one was in any way interested of doing business with her since they all stood behind the back of her father. Kunpimook glanced towards Jinah and Jinyoung, excused himself from the elderly company his father was about to introduce him to and made his way over to the two siblings. “Good evening, Miss” he bowed slightly towards Jinah and then towards Jinyoung, “Sunbae.” “You two know each other?” Jinah sipped from her glass while Jinyoung was about to shake his head – but the younger boy was way too eagerly nodding his head. “We went to the same high school” Jinyoung said unimpressed. “Ah~ so you are Kunpimook… Bhuwakul?” Jinah nudged her head towards his parents. The boy nodded excitedly again. “I’m Park Jinah.” “Nice to meet you” Kunpimook inclined his head and took a glass champagne from a passing waiter.  “So are you also a doctor - just like your father?” he asked her out of innocent curiosity.  Jinah pressed her lips to a thin line and shook her head.  “She is the founder and head of the Little Friends Orphanage” Jinyoung intervened and patted Jinah’s back.  “Really? I had no idea. That’s very cool” Kunpimook said and gave her a thumps up. Jinah looked at him a little taken aback by his rather comfortable way of expressing himself.  “I have to head back - our father is looking at us” Jinyoung said under his breath so only Jinah could hear him and politely inclined his head to the younger boy before walking back to his old man.  Jisuk had returned from the Residential Care Residence and sat down in front of a 24/7 convenience store somewhere in central Daegu. She had bought herself some cup ramen and was nibbling at an energy drink while she flipped through the pages of the information material. It was about a new form of surgery that would give her the ability to speak again. But that kind of medical procedure was very risky and expensive… and the font was printed way too small and the line pitch was literally nonexistent making it nearly impossible reading this at the moment. She closed the folder again deciding to do this some other time with more concentration to understand all that medical bafflegab.

While watching the traffic her mind started to circle around her dead Uncle, her disabled aunt and what she was even doing – working her ass off to pay for the medical bills and that one spot in the columbarium – which was more expensive than one might think.  What did she even want to do with her own life? What was her dream? Absentmindedly her eyes followed the passing cars and – it came sooner than she actually expected – but a phone call brought her back into the realm of the living. She saw Jinah’s profile picture flashing up on her screen and answered the call while playing with the opening of her can. “Is your party already over?” Jisuk asked casually. “Yeah – you gotta stop when you have the best time” Jinah said sarcastically. “So did you get drunk?” Jisuk started to collect her stuff. Jinah chuckled and continued: “Yeah, right –the plan failed… When are you here?” “Depends on where you are.” “Grand Hotel” “Give me ten minutes”.

She arrived at the hotel – if she thought her hotel was fancy she hadn’t seen this yet. It was pretty much like a modern castle between all the skyscrapers adorning Daegu’s skyline. The bellhop at the entrance eyed her up and down, however, didn’t stop her from going inside. Golden ornaments and flashy crystals welcomed her immediately and wouldn’t allow her eyes to rest with all the luxury furniture and wide stucco on the ceiling. She walked below the huge chandelier to the lounge seeing her best friend outside of the event hall – a younger man accompanying her. So she didn’t booze up – but manned up. Jisuk walked over to her and halted right next to her – bowing in front of her friend. “Miss Park – you called for me?” she said politely playing the part of Jinah’s chauffeur. Jinah’s face brightened up and playfully hit Jisuk’s shoulder as she straightened herself and started laughing. “You don’t know how good it is to see you…” Jinah said and readjusted her ponytail. “I think I can imagine it” Jisuk smirked. Her gaze went from Jinah to her male company and nearly coughed upon seeing her hotel acquaintance standing there. “It’s you again” she managed to bring forth before her voice cracked. “So you were her driver?” he asked a little weirded out. “I guess” “Wait a minute – is he your Mister Handsome?” Jinah blurted out. Jinyoung was quick to hide his smug smile behind taking a sip from the champagne in hand; Jisuk, however, stepped on Jinah’s foot and even though the embarrassment was written on her face she played it off coolly. “Yeah, he is the man I told you about”. “The world is so small” Jinah realized, “That’s my brother!” “You had a brother?” Jisuk stared at her wide eyed and pouted: “You never told me about that!” “You never asked!” “So you two are…” Jinyoung looked from one woman to the other. “...best friends” Jinah said at the same time as Jisuk: “...friends” “Yah! …” Jinah wanted to complain but halted as she saw her parents leave the event hall as well. Jisuk looked up as Jinah’s complaint was cut off and followed her gaze to the elderly couple getting their coats handed from another hotel employee. “Are those your parents?” Jisuk asked through gritted teeth. Jinah nodded. “Do you want me to cause a scene?” the younger woman asked her eyes glowing with malicious intent. Jinah eyed her questioningly but didn’t say anything to stop her as she shot Jinyoung one of her customer-pleasing smile and asked: “May I borrow this for a minute?” She pointed to his half-empty glass in hand and he – even though confused – gave it to her shrugging. Jisuk strutted over to the two parents of Jinah and Jinyoung, however, tripped over her own foot and threw the alcoholic drink into the man’s face. It ran down his freshly shaved faced and dripped off his chin onto his expensive suit. “Oh no – I am so sorry” Jisuk bowed towards them and offered them an apologetic look. The elderly woman called for one of the hotel employees and side eyed the young and way too underdressed woman in front of her. “Did she just intentionally splash champagne in our father’s face?” Jinyoung asked shocked. “I guess” Jisuk bowed one more time and turned around to leave the scene quickly again signing Jinah to go to the exit. She probably would have easily won the athletic walking – championship at her pace. As she passed Jinyoung she quickly returned the now empty glass to him and as soon as she had left the hotel the bellhop gave her Jinah’s car keys making the escape of the two easier.

It was Sunday – the last day of Jisuk’s short trip to her hometown Daegu. Jinah had offered her to take her to Seoul in her car – but since Jisuk still had someone left to visit she declined with the promise to call when she arrived back home. Some time later Jisuk arrived at a small car workshop. Outside a huge board hung over the entrance with the shop’s name taking most of the space. Sangshik’s was painted on it in orange, script letters. A quiet smile hushed over Jisuk’s lips before she walked through the entrance. In an instant she was welcomed with the smell of grease and the familiar sounds of people tinkering around on cars. “I think I am going off my rocker! Is that really you?” Jisuk’s head shot around to where the voice came from and met the face of Lee Daewon – owner of this workshop. “Ahjussi!” she said happily and put her bag on the bench next to her. “Guys! We got a guest!” Daewon shouted into the hall he just came from and one after one men in overalls came into the foyer. “Jisuk-ah!” They exclaimed excitedly and it ended up in a huge group hug. “How come you are all still working here?” Jisuk recognized every face – even though she wasn’t one to come here frequently. “Hyung pays us well” “Oh really?” Jisuk shifted her gaze back to the owner. “More or less than you have been paying me?” Daewon offered a cramped smile, “You left anyways so where’s the point?” “Fair enough…” The door opened once again and a young man entered. He wore ripped jeans and a simple white t-shirt. Sharp eyes glanced over the interior through the bangs of his dark brown hair. “Welcome at Sangshik’s!” Daewon left the employee’s room. The loud voices from inside were silenced as soon as he had pulled the door shut. The man greeted him wordless and walked to the counter putting a picture on the table: “I am looking for a girl. Around 20-something old – her name’s Bak Jisuk. I was told she had been here often back then” he said with a low, laid back voice. “Bak Jisuk?” Daewon looked at the picture with a raised eyebrow, “No, never heard of her”. He returned the picture and hid his nervously sweating hands under the counter. The man however caught Daewon’s eyes glancing over to the door he just came from and offered him a polite smile. “It was worth a try – but thank you nonetheless” Without another word he left the shop again and Daewon hurried back into the room seeing Jisuk fooling around with the others while eating ordered food. “I think you should go back to Seoul now” he said dryly. “Why? She just came here not long time ago…” one of them complained but shut up upon seeing Daewon’s serious face. “What is going on?” Jisuk said grabbing her bag. “Someone came by just now looking for you. I lied – but I don’t think he gave up just yet”. Jisuk sighed and strapped the back pack over her shoulders. “Did he say what he wanted?” Daewon shook his head causing Jisuk to sigh. “Why can’t I just live my life quietly?” “Are you really going now?” the men slowly stood up. “Yeah, but I will come back soon – see you around” she waved them and hurried outside – not seeing the man waiting a few doors away following her every step.

[yepjugotdatright]

Chapter 2

Kimiko shouldered her duffle bag and pulled the handle out of her suitcase up until the stop. The cab behind her drove off with squeaking tires and she was left alone in Daehyeon-dong. With the address written on a small piece of paper in her hand she made her way through the passageway. 

People passed her busily staring onto their phone and did not care about the heavily loaded girl walking slowly checking the house numbers of the buildings she passed. She had not to walk far until she found the number 90 being displayed at the gate of the fence enclosing the small front garden. A gravel path went to the front door adorned by a few flowers. A few steps to the left was the driveway to a garage. She noticed the wooden sign hanging next to the door: Shincheon Boarding House.

She pulled the strap of her bag back on her shoulder and opened the gate to walk to the door. It wasn’t even a few seconds after her index finger had left the doorbell and the door was opened energetically. A wide smiling face of a woman in her forties showed itself to the slightly taken aback Kimiko whose grip around the handle tightened. “Ah~ you must be our new boarder. Come on in”, she invited her in with big gestures to make sure the Japanese girl understood her. Kimiko nodded and carried her luggage inside putting it next to the stairs. She slipped out of her shoes and politely bowed to the older woman. “Hello, my name is Yamamoto Kimiko”. She smiled delighted and said: “I am Son Aejin. Your Korean is very good”. “Thanks” Kimiko wiped her nervously sweating hands on her trousers and flinched a little as Aejin yelled for Hyunwoo to come down and help her carry the luggage. Shortly after a young high schooler came down the stairs eying up the new roommate. Aejin excused herself saying that there were a few things left on the stove in the kitchen and Hyunwoo took over the responsibility to show Kimiko around. “Konnichiwa” Hyunwoo bowed to her seeing her mirroring the movement. “Konnichiwa”, she smiled. He took a small paper out of his pocket and read: “Watashitachi… no geshuku e… yōkoso”. Kimiko chuckled “Thank you”. “Oh” he looked from his paper hearing her answering in Korean. “You speak Korean?” “I am still learning – but I can understand it most of the time” she nodded. He thankfully put the paper back into his pocket and took her luggage – both pieces at once – and easily carried them upstairs. “You share your room with Lee Yunhee.” He signed towards the door in the right corner with his elbow. “The bathroom is over there” he signed to the opposite direction. “Choi Youngjae’s room and my room are next to yours. And over there is Jisuk’s room. You shouldn’t go in there except you have a death wish” he explained. Kimiko just nodded – she knew she would need some time until she got all the names. He knocked at the door to her new room with his foot – or also known as ungently kicking against it. A twenty something woman opened the door, her short hair still wet from showering and a towel adorned her shoulders. Her oversized Baseball-Tricot reached almost to the midst of her thighs and her sweatpants were unevenly rolled up. She glared at Hyunwoo, but her face eased up again after seeing all the luggage in his hands and the unknown Japanese standing awkwardly in the middle of the room. “Hey” Yunhee casually waved her, not sure how she will communicate with a foreigner when she herself was not very proficient in English, and let Hyunwoo carry the luggage inside. Kimiko offered a smile and went into the room past the smaller Yunhee. The room was not necessarily spacious. It was used to its full capabilities – a bunk bed in the corner, next to it a desk with a folding chair, a wardrobe rod hanging from the ceiling next to a full-length mirror and a bookshelf stood next to the door. Yunhee kicked the bean bag chair while passing it to sit down on the lower bed. “So~” Yunhee was desperately looking for any signs of English vocabulary in her head and how to form them into an apt sentence. “You…” she pointed at Kimiko, “sleep here” her hand moved to the upper bed of the bunk sleeper. Kimiko nodded chuckling, “You can talk to me in Korean”. Yunhee was a little taken aback by her sudden Korean words, but took that invitation thankfully carrying on as if she had done so from the start. “You can have half of the rod” she signed to the hanging long metal bar on which one half was empty and the other overflowed, “The empty space in the shelf is all yours and in the bathroom you need to see where you can squeeze your stuff in – but I recommend taking things you don’t want to share back into your room. They are ruthless here” she chuckled and watched Kimiko carefully looking around the small room. “Which University are you attending?” Yunhee asked. “Yonsei University, I am studying Asian History and Archeology – and you?” “Oh really? Me, too” she turned around so Kimiko could see the huge Yonsei written in bold letters on her tricot. “I am a sports-major. Nice to meet you” she leaned forward to shake Kimiko’s hand. Silence. Kimiko sat between her luggage on the floor, looking around awkwardly. Kimiko wasn’t really a small-talker and she needed a lot of time to get to know someone.  So the two girls sat there, staring around until Kimiko decided she still needed to unpack and that moment was the right one to do so.

  Jisuk arrived at the Daegu Bus Terminal, taking down the few steps out of the bus raising her hand to throw shade on her eyes. She had slept the whole ride and the early afternoon sun was strong on this day. She felt the warmth spreading on her skin and just stood there for a while breathing in the air of her hometown. “Jiiisuk-ah!” she heard someone yell from the parking lot and as she turned her head to look at the person she rolled her eyes. There stood Jinah, waving her hand while leaning against her black car. Jisuk thought she could avoid her by not telling her when she is arriving – but it seems like she can’t fool her friend. Jisuk shouldered her backpack and walked towards her. “How long did you wait?” Jisuk asked instead of a greeting. “About an hour?” Jinah tipped against her chin while thinking about it. “What? You stalker” Jisuk gaped. Jinah shrugged, “Get in. I’ll drive you”. “You get more brazen everyday…” Jisuk huffed and walked around the car to get in nonetheless. The doors were pulled shut and Jisuk connected her phone with the car’s speakers to turn on some music. As Jinah started the motor the soft sounds of an e-guitar combined with drums resounded through the quality speakers in the car. “I haven’t heard this song for a long time – reminds me of our old days…” Jinah said, “Where are you staying by the way?” “Daegu Prince Hotel” Jisuk said jamming her head slightly to the music and looked out of the window. “You sure know how to spend lavishly”. “I told ya that I saved up for this one… It’s going to be depressing enough being back here – I didn’t want to stay in a ruin of a hostel as well”, Jisuk said casually. “Why are you staying in Daegu by the way?” “Family business… just like you” Jinah hummed and Jisuk nodded – she noticed that she didn’t really know anything about Jinah’s family. She sometimes mentioned stress with her father but nothing else; and Jisuk never asked. She knew that if Jinah would want to talk about it she would tell her – the same was the other way around as well. Jinah halted the car in front of the four-star hotel and let Jisuk fetch her things from the back seat. “Call me when you get back from your uncle. We can catch a few shots” Jinah offered. “Girl, you should cut back your alcoholism… your body can’t handle your college habits anymore” Jisuk chuckled leaning forward so she could see her friend while still standing between car and door. “I won’t get younger anyway. So let’s just make it a good life not a long life” “I will probably be back around ten” she gave her the ok-sign and shut the door. Jinah drove off with squeaking tires and let the younger woman alone in front of the huge winged door. A man in red uniforms approached her and offered to carry her backpack, opening and holding the door for her. “I can get used to that” she mumbled to herself as she walked to the reception to check in. “Welcome at Daegu Prince Hotel. How may I help you” the male receptionist asked after turning on his customer-pleasing smile. “I have a room reserved” “May I ask for your name?” “Bak Jisuk”. She gave him her mobile phone with the booking confirmation and a QR-code for a faster check-in. He typed something into his computer and after a few clicks his attention turned back to Jisuk. “Here are the keys to your room; number 412. Fourth floor, second last room on the right side” he gave her a card and the bill from the online booking, together with her phone. “Thanks” Jisuk took her things and turned around walking to the elevator, pushing absent mindedly the button to the fourth floor. This weekend wouldn’t be easy on her – it never was. It made it easier knowing Jinah was somewhere in this town as well – even though she had her own troubles she wouldn’t leave Jisuk standing in the rain - the more so after she helped her leaving all this mess in Daegu behind.  The doors were about to close as a hand suddenly intervened making them stop and open again. Jisuk raised her eyes to glance at the additional person in the elevator who was about to push a button but halted upon seeing the red light already circling around the ‘4’. He nodded at her acknowledging her presence and turned his back to her staring at the closing doors. Jisuk gulped and stared awkwardly at the prompt displaying the floor. She had noticed him being probably some rich chaebol son – if it was not because of the expensive suit; then it would be by his arrogant and fancy aura. Kind of funny to think that normally people like him stay in this kind of hotel and now she, just a measly part-timer, was able to grant herself a weekend in this hotel. The door made way for the corridor on the fourth flour and Jisuk reacted instantly walking away to her room. “Excuse me”, the young man suddenly said making her halt in her steps and turn around cautiously. “Me?” He looked around and then back at her – they were the only ones in the corridor. “Yes, you. You dropped something”, he squatted down to pick up a pamphlet and reaches out to hand it to her. She saw his eyes wandering over the cover picture and took the folded paper out of his hand. “Thank you”, she slightly bowed her head and was about to retreat. He smiled politely; “Don’t mention it”. At an easy pace he passed her and swiped his keycard over the doorknob to disappear in his room. Jisuk eyes fell on the pamphlet – Hyungwong Residential Care Residence. She sighed looking at the happy patients smiling on the cover pictures. The thought of going there the next day was uncomfortable – yet something she wanted to do since she had been there a year ago. She didn’t stay long in her room, just to wash up and change into formal and dark clothes. It was not long until she left the hotel to take the next bus and ride away from downtown. Even though she would visit her Uncle not that often she knew the way by heart – taking the bus three stations, then changing to the underground into the third line and get off at the last stop before the suburbs and then followed some stops with another bus. It was quite a long journey – about an hour or so. In the end she arrrived in front of the marble framed entrance to a columbarium. It was totally quiet inside – only a few footsteps making their way over the sparkling white tiles and someone coughing here or there. Jisuk walked through the hall towards the stairs – on the second floor she went straight to the last smaller hall knowing her uncle was lying there. The silence was overbearing – she never liked that about this place. A graveyard would have at least some birds chirping or wind running through the treetops - but she didn’t had the money to pay for a burial.  She kneeled down in front of the black urn and looked at the framed picture of a middle aged man with  laughter lines strewing his face – brown, short curly hair parted and combed down at the top of his head, and he was wearing a checkered shirt; he always did.  He would be 46 now – if he hadn’t died 14 years ago. She sank down to the floor completely and sat there cross legged looking for something in her bag. She didn’t talk – even though many people did that when visiting a grave; but Jisuk was none to talk to herself just to soothe her own emotions.   Instead she got out a pen and paper; wrote one short sentence and proceeded to fold the piece of paper into an origami crane. Totally concentrated on her folding-game she did not notice another person entering the room – formal clothed even carrying a small flower-bouquet in his hand. He halted right next to her; his dress shoes right next to each other. The sudden scent of gillyflowers made Jisuk look up to the man and nearly choked on her own saliva seeing the handsome young man from the elevator at the hotel standing right next to her and about to open one of the compartments. Her gaze wandered from his striking profile to the urn the bouquet was laid next to. A picture of another smiling face of a woman rather young for people normally laying cremated here. She read the name – Park Yeohwa. It seemed he hadn’t noticed her yet. He was totally in his own world – probably with his thoughts by this woman. Jisuk had finished her crane and placed it next to Uncle Sangshik’s picture in between all the other cranes she had folded in those many years before, quietly collected her stuff and left him alone – she thought he deserved at least some privacy. Her visit was over anyways.

 She stood in front of the columbarium right next to the bus-station. She tried watching the street – the people walking down on it – but as there was nothing really happening her gaze always found its way back to her phone, just to realize that only one minute had passed. 56 still to go! In these moments she missed her motorbike the most. She never had to wait for any public transportation. Since she had her own two wheels. However, every time she was leaving Seoul she had to leave it behind and was stuck waiting somewhere without even a bus shelter. Jisuk needed a car! A nice, sleek and fast car. A dream she was looking forward to for a long time now - or at least since she got her driver’s license. But no matter how many part-time jobs she took she was still too far away of ever realizing that dream. 

The young man from earlier left the columbarium, his black head of hair flew with the wind as he was about to walk past her with car keys jingling in his hand. Coincidentally, he saw the twenty-something girl standing there and remembered her as the one from the hotel losing her stuff in the corridor. “Ah, hello” he bowed his head and she mirrored his movement a little surprised. He glanced at his watch and pointed casually at the bus-sign, “The next one is coming in an hour”. “Ah, I already know. Thank you” she smiled back awkwardly and took out her mobile to avoid him – why was he suddenly talking to her making this situation into an uneasy one. He pulled his mouth corners to the side and nodded making a move to walk to the parking lot. However, halted again upon seeing dark clouds starting to cover the sun and looked back to the woman now fixated on her phone. “Are you going back to your hotel?” he asked her out of the blue catching Jisuk off-guard. “What?” “Are you – by chance – going back to the hotel”? “No-no, I heard you the first time… why would you want to know” she stressed the appellation hoping he would get the memo that staying in the same hotel wouldn’t make them friends or allowing him to do some small talk or stuff. He signed upwards to the sky. “I am going back to the hotel and it looks like rain is coming, and you got no bus shelter and…” he motioned with his hand holding the keys to a white Hyundai i40. Jisuk’s eyes followed his arm to the four-wheeler. “Are you offering me a ride?” He hesitated – then nodded. “Basically, yes.” His hands disappeared in his pockets as he shifted from one foot to the other. “I don’t go into stranger’s cars – but thanks anyways” she offered a smile. He shrugged, walked over to his car and sat down behind the steering wheel. Jisuk impatiently looked at the time again and saw the lights of the white car being turned on – should she just go? Or stay 50 minutes? Just to drive another hour? Without a second question she jumped up and ran over to the car, opening the door to the passenger seat. The man stared at her with shocked round eyes as she sat down next to him anyways. “I’m Bak Jisuk, and you are?” she reached out her hand for him to shake it slightly taken aback. “My name’s Park Jinyoung.” “Pleased to meet you”, she forced a laugh and retracted her hand to stare out of the window while he pulled out of the lot onto the street.

[yepjugotdatright]

Chapter 1

“Jisuk-ah, put the drinks into the fridge after you are finished with the cigarettes” the manager called out through the half opened door while she was busy sorting in the different sorts of cigarettes into the displayer behind the counter. “Yep, will do!” she replied simply and pushed the last pack of Marlboros into their row. This was the life she was living: part timing the hell out of it. At that moment she was even willing to sell her soul for money. Money was the key to a comfortable life – something Jisuk was not necessarily lacking but what she wanted to have nonetheless. She moved the empty boxes to the small stock room and got out another few with the labels of famous soft and beer drinks companies. A TV was running in the back; as always MBC was turned on and as the current music show came to an end the news started. “Good evening. My name is Bae Hyun Jin and here are the news from today” Jisuk listened only with half of her ear as she cut open the box and got out a few drinks to refill the cooler. “Titanic IT reaches a much higher share value with its new program ruling the market of intelligent technology…” The door opened and two customers walked in. “Good evening”, Jisuk said as she moved behind the counter and waited for them to check their things out. They came back with a few things and placed them in front of her. They turned away from her and watched the news. “No wonder… Titanic is everywhere.” “I heard their son is so stupid they had to pay a huge sum so he could graduate from Jeguk High.” “Oh really? I thought he was one of the best to graduate” “Just shows how much money Titanic’s Chairman has” he shrugged and snorted as the pictures of the family were shown as they happily boarded a plane. “They are treated like royalty here – I guess that’s why they are leaving Thailand…” Jisuk didn’t really listen to them as she scanned their things – she caught a few phrases but most of the time she didn’t really care for gossip. However, she was all ears for any kind of drama her costumers talk about. It was better than any television series she had ever watched. “24,600 Won, please”, Jisuk said and got their attention. “What do you think about those Kumatis or whatever their name was…?” one of them asked as his friend got out his wallet. Jisuk just shrugged receiving the money and got the change together in the blink of an eye. They were just about to pull an answer out of her as luckily her cell phone started ringing. She slightly lowered her head saying her quiet goodbyes before answering the phone. The number wasn’t saved – but she knew it all so well. “Hello? Bak Jisuk speaking”, she turned around until the two exited the store and listened to the other side of the call. “Yes, I am. Yes… No, I’ll be right there. Yes, thank you for the call… Ye- Goodbye”, she hung up again and sighed. “Jo-Manager, something urgent came up. I have to leave” she came into his office and took of the apron she was wearing. “What is going on? Then who is going to do your work?” “I am sorry. But there is a situation…” He was hesitating, “F- fine. But you’ll have to come earlier next weekend.” “Of course. Thank you” she bowed quickly and hurried outside throwing on her jacket over the store’s uniform. Her motorbike was standing just outside and after wearing her helmet she was on riding her bike on the street.

Jisuk arrived at the police station, hurried through the corridor and arrived at the huge office room where quite a lot of desks were lined next to each other. She saw some officers interviewing middle aged men in terrible patterned shirts, a few drunkards lying in some cells in the back and a few high scholars sat at a desk on the end of the room. She recognized the terrible brown school uniform and walked towards them determined. “Hello, are you Bak Jisuk-ssi?” the officer stood up and looked a little surprised seeing that Jisuk was not much older than Hyun Woo. “Yes, what happened?” she asked and looked at the three high scholars next to her. Her gaze wandered to Hyunwoo, saw his right black eye and him having a nosebleed while the other two were completely unharmed. “Noona!” Hyun Woo whined as he saw her and the other two chuckled spiteful. “These three were fighting near the school. Son Hyunwoo claims being attacked while these two are claiming to have been unnecessarily provoked which resulted in a fight.” The officer explained the situation and handed Jisuk a piece of paper which was a form for a written apology. “Officer, this can’t be. My brother is clearly the one who suffered from the attack! Why does he need to apologize?” Jisuk pleaded. “Didn’t you listen, Noona? Your whiny brother provoked us!” one of the attackers said brazenly and Jisuk glared at him. “Call me Noona one more time... Wait till I get my hands on you, you ****” Jisuk hissed back and the boys eyes widened in shock. “Miss Bak, please watch your language. You are still at the police station…” the officer reminded her but had to suppress his chuckle seeing the boy being shocked from that curse word. “All three have to fill out this form. This is just to avoid this matter getting bigger than it already is. It is just a simple boys fight”, the officer explained, “Except you want to sue for physical injury”. In Jisuk heads the sums of the lawyers wage and the legal costs were aggregated and put into the relation with the most likely compensation sum… She shook her head and pushed the piece of paper together with a pen into Hyunwoo’s hands and urged him to write the apology. At first his face looked betrayed and hurt, but then it eased up again as Jisuk squeezed his shoulder and motioned him that it was okay. The two left the police station and two women rushed past them into the building mumbling something about their poor sons. Jisuk guided Hyunwoo to the motorbike and made him lean against it so she could examine his eye. “Oh, Father will kill you…” she smiled in malicious glee and proceeded to wear her helmet again which she had just left at the bike in her hurry. “Please, Noona! Save me!” Hyunwoo rubbed his hands together begging for mercy. She halted as she was about to answer and pulled out her vibrating phone.   After reading the message she sighed; “Seems like we have to stop somewhere on our way back…” She mounted the bike and turned the key into the ignition. “What about me?” “I think I still have one in the trunk” she offers and watched amused as Hyunwoo opened it to find a pink helmet. Jisuk snickered as Hyunwoo wore the –for his taste too feminine – helmet. They arrived at a Soju tent, moved the curtain out of the way and stepped inside. Hot, humid air hit him straight into the face and the smell of alcohol and grilled fish filled every inch of this closed tent. It was raining like hell outside and while Jisuk patted the remaining drops from her coat she spotted a woman sitting alone at a table. “Yah~ I am still underage. You know that, right?” Hyunwoo hissed towards the older girl and only got a smirk in return. “Don’t worry – you look like a delinquent anyway” She motioned around her own eye and walked to her acquaintance. Hyunwoo sighed and followed her, hiding his black eye with his one hand. “Aren’t you busy?” Jisuk sat down stealing one of the shrimp snacks the woman was eating. “Speak for yourself” she raised her eyebrow as she looked at the young boy following Jisuk and poured herself one glass just to gulp it down in one shot. “I’m unemployed…” Jisuk shot back unimpressed and continued: “You shouldn’t drink during the weekdays”. Hyunwoo sat down as well and looked awkwardly from the one to the other woman. “What did you call me here for?” Jisuk moved the plate with the snacks in Hyunwoo’s reach. The woman flipped her long dark hair over her shoulders and after side eying Hyunwoo once again she said: “Drinking solo makes me sad… and people started looking weirdly at me.” She waved her hand around unnoticeably pointing at the other people in the tent. She offered Jisuk a spare glass, but she shook her head: “Still need to drive”. “And your friend here?” She moved the glass to the boy sitting there, his head resting on his hand to cover the dark shadow around his eye. “He’s a high schooler” Jisuk stated. “Didn’t stop you, though”, the woman chuckled. Hyunwoo gaped at the two raising his head. “You did what?” he stifled his laugh, “Does mum know?” Jisuk regretted even getting him out of the police station. “Don’t forget that you aren’t that innocent either”. Hyunwoo’s grin disappeared and he rested his head on his hand again. “By the way… it seems like I’ll be accompanying you to Daegu. Let me share the room with you”, she said casually emptying the bottle. “What? No – get your own room” Jisuk complained, shoving another shrimp snack into her mouth. “Ah, come on~ I even got you a present” she grabbed a black plastic bag from the ground and raised it to their eye level. “What’s that? Did you empty a convenience store?” She took the bag and dared to peek inside.  “What’s this?” she grabbed a few of the samples and read: “Tony Moly? Changing Magic Foot?” “I collected a lot of free samples. There are even two or three luxury brands as well. I really had to lower my pride for this. You better appreciate this” Jisuk looked from all the concealer, perfume and lipstick samples back to her and huffed. “Yeah, thanks. I’ll try them”, she said dryly and placed the bag on her lap. The woman looked at her empty bottle and shrugged. “I’ve finished my drink. I’m gonna go now. See you at the weekend”, she took her handbag, left an adequate high bill on the table and walked away after patting Jisuk’s shoulder. “Well, that was worthwhile…” Jisuk sighed and grabbed the plastic bag on her lap signing the bored Hyunwoo to leave as well. “Noona~” he whined as they had reached her bike. “Mum will kill me if she sees me like this”, he realized as he examined his black eye in one of the motorbike’s rear mirror. It looked worse than it hurt. Jisuk chuckled. “And why would that concern me?” she raised an eyebrow at him and snickered at his suffering grimace. However, shortly after his eyes lit up in hope and a mischievous smile spread over his lips. “Because maybe Mum would interest your underage activities very much”. He stared him dead in the eye only the sound of the passing cars resonating between them. “Okay, fine. Get over here” Jisuk got the plastic bag out of her bag and searched through the samples. Hyunwoo looked at the collection astonished. “Who was she?” He grabbed a random sample and ended up looking at a mud-facemask in his hand. “She’s Jinah - a good friend of mine”, Jisuk smiled. Hyunwoo looked at her strangely: “You don’t have any friends”. Jisuk sighed and looked at her brother with a dry expression. “You want my help now, or not?” “Do you even know how to apply makeup?” She raised her fist and threatened to hit him. “How hard can it be…” she found a sample of concealer and applied it on his black eye. He flinched in pain as she started spreading the beige-colored paste. She finished the cover up and looked at her achievement. “Not bad!” Hyunwoo took his phone and looked at himself through the face-cam. He sighed at the bad work and started to fix it. “I should have done it myself from the start…” “Then why ask for help?” Jisuk snapped back donning the helmet on her head.

Some time later they reached home. Jisuk parked the bike in the garage and walked the few steps to the door. Hyunwoo unlocked the door into their house – a two story building with a little wooden sign next to the door swinging in the wind saying: Shincheon Boarding House.

As Hyunwoo entered through the door Jisuk expected him to hold the door until she also passed through – however, Hyunwoo let the door slip through his fingers and cascade towards Jisuk. She growled annoyed as she caught the door right before it thudded closed and chased after him.

“How can you be such a brat at home and such a weakling at school at the same time?” she threw one of the slippers lying around in the small foyer after him and it hit his face as he turned around to laugh at her face.

“I was not beaten up because I am weak”, he defended himself. “You are a weakling… crying for Noona at the station”, she teased him.

“Yah!” he threw the slipper back at her but she caught it easily. “Then I want to see you fight against two martial arts experienced people while being unsporty yourself”, he pouted. “Martial arts experienced? You make it sound as if they have the black belt or something”.

“I don’t know about their belts but they are in the Taekwondo – Club”.

“Why were they beating you up anyways?” she asked while the two slowly make their way into the living room. Hyunwoo hesitated telling her. “I will find it out anyways”, she shrugged.

“Fine, it was because of Chaerin”.

“Chaerin?”

Jisuk wiggled her eyebrows and halted in her steps to look at him excitedly.

“Yes, Ahn Chaerin, the class president. She is very popular at my school” Hyunwoo explained and walked past Jisuk to end the conversation.

Jisuk’s smile grew wider as she realized the situation. “Aww, my dongsaeng is in love!” she teased him and ruffled through his hair as she passed him.

“Ah, Jisuk. Where have you been the whole afternoon?”

Aejin appeared in the doorframe, spatula in hand and an apron wrapped around her body spelling in pink, crooked letters: BeST MoM.  

It was no secret that this was the bad work of Hyunwoo who in Elementary School had took part in the handcraft lessons instead of choosing the soccer team – as all the other boys in his class had done back then. Jisuk still teased him with that – though he had a lot of female friends back then because of that; probably more than he might ever have again.

“I was out working… fetching up Hyunwoo on my way back”, Jisuk casually nudged towards the younger boy who shuffled through the dining room into the living room.

Aejin crossed her arms and looked after her son shaking her head. “This boy… did he ask you again? Too lazy to take the bus home.”

Jisuk chuckled and scratched the back of her head before heading up the stairs into her room to change into something comfortable.

The stairs ended in another room, empty except for a few flowerpots and a carpet spread generously on the parquet. She walked straight to her room and closed the door behind her.

She fetched her most beloved sweat pants and a random shirt and changed.

Downstairs Aejin was stirring the stew one last time before moving to the stairs and yelling: “Dinner is ready! Get down before it gets cold!” She heard something moving upstairs and walked back into the kitchen to finish setting the table. Her feet moved over the stone floor through the opened wooden door and stopped at the cook top to take the pot with two embroidered pot holder from the heat. With hasty steps she brought the stew into the dining room next door on the long table.

Six plates and sets of cutlery were set at every chair and a tablet with enough glasses and a water bottle was put right next to the pot.

“Hyunwoo-ya, come and eat!” she said to the teenager who was watching the end of a music show. He reluctantly got up and was about to turn off the TV, but Aejin stopped him upon hearing the announcement of the beginning of the news.

“Aigoo, what a sight”, Aejin commented spiteful at the sight of the Chairman of Titanic IT appearing on an official event with his younger wife and son. “

Chairman Khunchati Bhuwakul announced the relocation of the Titanic Headquarters to Seoul confirming the enrollment of his son Kunpimook Bhuwakul into Yonsei University. His Wife Deok Seo Hwa showed herself delightful and looked forward to being back in her hometown”.

“Tch, Deok Seo Hwa knows how to lie in public”, Aejin turned away from the TV back to the dinner table. “What do you mean by that? She isn’t from Seoul…?” Hyunwoo said and sat down at his usual seat. Aejin looked like she wanted to deepen this topic, however, on second thought she just nodded. “No... I just thought she looked like a Daegu – person.”

“Who looks like a Daegu – person?” Jisuk came into the room and looked from Aejin over Hyunwoo to the TV playing in the back.

“You do!” Hyunwoo said teasingly.

“Screw this accent…” Jisuk groaned and sank into the chair next to him. “Does it still show?”

“Yes – most of the time I can’t understand you…” he gestured around his ear.

“You don’t listen anyway” Jisuk shot back and Aejin sighed.

With confident steps the next inhabitant of the boarding house came into the room and sat down in front of Hyunwoo. Her short hair was hold back by a black headband and a bandage covered her nasal bridge. She wore an oversize and visibly often worn baseball tricot of the Doosan Bears with a huge 50 on the back.

She yawned extensive and glanced into the pot pulling her eyebrows together skeptical.

“What’s that?” she pointed at the yellow, thick soup with a few meat and vegetable pieces swimming in it.

“That is Creamy Stew – a Japanese recipe” Aejin explained and nodded satisfied with her work. Hyunwoo pulled his mouth to a flat line and glanced not really happy at Jisuk next to him who dared a short look into the small kettle.

Even though Aejin was an average good cook she was too fixated on trying out new exotic recipes she found on the internet – and without exception she always fails these. She seemed to be only made for simple Korean cuisine.

“Ahhh, what is this delightful scent?” a man in his beginning fifties entered the room. His black adidas-pants were rolled up to three quarters of its length revealing his white tennis socks in his slippers. He, too, risked a glance into the pot and furrowed his forehead.

“Honey, I thought you’d make Kimchi Stew today” he sat down at the head of the table and looked shortly over his shoulder at the TV still broadcasting the news.

“Did the young Mister Choi still not come out of his cave?”

The short-haired girl snickered.

“Yunhee, you aren’t one to talk” Aejin noticed making Yunhee shrug.

“It’s semester break. Training starts not until next week…” she defended herself.

They heard upstairs a door being opened and closed again followed by heavy footsteps shuffling down the stairs ending with the appearance of a young man in the doorframe. He wore his sleeping shirt and sweat pants; dark circles underlined his brown eyes and his light brown, nearly blonde dyed hair strands pointed wildly into different directions. He ran his hand through the mess on his head and blinked tired into the round before sitting down on the last empty chair.

Ignoring the half-asleep addition to the table Aejin took the ladle and started sharing the stew with everyone. She was visibly exited to taste her new creation and gave everyone a generous portion.

With round eyes she signed them to dig in and took her own spoon to start eating. A little unsure of the situation the younger generation looked at each other and then glanced hardly seeable at the man of the house who had already took one spoonful of the questionable dish. His frown was answer enough.

“So?” Aejin was impatiently waiting for their reaction. “You… cooked something very extraordinary, Honey”, Hyunshik raised his eyes to meet hers and sugar coated his words with a wink. Yunhee nodded supportive and offered a cramped smile.

“Youngjae, do you like it?” Aejin asked the half-sleeping half-awake boy who stared at the food with a blank expression and slowly moves the spoon to his mouth not realizing what he was even eating. “Mmh?” he raised his gaze and let the spoon sink back to the plate. Yunhee stepped on his foot to make him look at her and carefully shook her head.

“Is it bad?”

Youngjae’s reaction was delayed because of his fatigue. Then he suddenly raised his hand and waved it denying synchronal to his head shaking while laughing awkwardly.

“That’s called Creamy Stew”, Hyunwoo mentioned to save his Hyung from saying something stupid, making Aejin grin satisfied. “If you all seem to like it I can cook this more often”.

Their faces froze and turned slowly to her.

“Again?” Hyunshik laughed sweating nervously. She normally would cast them aside because the normal rice dishes were easier to make and not as complicated as the ones she was always trying out.

“Yes, because Creamy Stew is the favorite dish of our new boarder” she announced proudly.

“I never got my favorite dish cooked” Yunhee pouted and Jisuk nodded supportive. “That’s because you aren’t our first international student” Aejin raised her chin and saw her husband with mixed expressions.

“Really? From where? America? France?” Hyunwoo laid his spoon out of his hand excitedly.

“Or… Africa?” Jisuk chimed in the country quiz but their excitement was soon cut off by Aejin who said: “She is from Japan”.

“Oh…” Jisuk sighed.

“Why so disappointed?”

“An Englishman could have helped with his poor English grades” she ruffled through his hair. “Look who is talking!” he shot back.

“But you said she… so we get another girl. Is she pretty?” Hyunwoo looked at his mother excited, “Since the other females here are not that much…” he waved in front of his face.

“Yah!” Yunhee and Jisuk yelled simultaneously.

Hyunshik gave his son a dismissing look and turned his attention back to his wife: “Honey, maybe we should discuss this later…”.

“What is there to discuss? It’s all set and ready.” She shot him her brightest smile she had to offer, which she knew was his weakness. At the time he had confessed to her he already said he wasn’t in love with her – but with her smile.

He averted his gaze and coughed – he saw the other four people at the table watching the married couple with raised eyebrows. They didn’t dare to move during their very short controversy; Yunhee’s spoon was still hovering over her portion of Stew and Hyunwoo furrowed his brows grossed out by his parents’ romantic moment.

“By the way, how was school today?” Hyunshik looked at him and noticed the weird shadow around his right eye. “What is with your eye?” he tried to touch his son’s face but he backed away quickly and Jisuk coughed seeking Hyunshik’s attention.

“It is probably just the bad lightning in this room”, Jisuk explains with a hoarse voice after drinking some water. “You think so? Maybe I should exchange the light bulbs in this room”, he thought out aloud. “You don’t need to do that” Hyunwoo said quickly, “They still work – so I guess it’s okay”.

They continued eating with only the TV talking in the background. They all listened to it from time to time and Aejin could not refrain from commenting on the newest gossip.

“Hallyu Star Ji Areum is confirmed to play the leading role in tvn’s new time-travel drama. The male lead is still unknown but her fans are already anticipating the drama coming out this year’s winter. Ji Areum said: …”

The gossip show broadcasted a short clip of a young woman in her early twenties talking about the role. She had hazelnut brown hair and beautiful shining caramel eyes. She was on an official event – thus wearing heavy makeup and a beautiful long red dress.

“This poor girl – they should let her rest. She is still a child” Aejin said and moved her glass to her lips.

“Have you seen her last drama? She was amazing in it!” Hyunwoo fanboyed and waved about with his spoon making Jisuk evade his sweeping gestures.

“She is indeed very talented… but it is like the media only talks about her the whole day. Isn’t she tired?”

Yunhee leaned back and rocked her chair backwards to glance at the smiling white face of the young actress.

While women in their thirties aspired to look like Kim Taehee the younger generation all set Ji Areum as the standard for beauty. Her face was printed on nearly everything – from Make-Up advertisements to big billboards in Myeongdeong.

And she was one of the actresses who played a few of her favorite dramas. Between Korea’s Nation’s little Sisters IU and Suzy, Areum was the Nation’s cute girl next door kind of celebrity.

“So, have you packed your things already?” Aejin asked Jisuk who just shrugged. “I am about to”.

“You are going the day after tomorrow…”

“Where are you going?” Yunhee asked. “She is going back to where she came from – leaving us in our misery and living her life as though she was never part of ours” Hyunwoo closed his eyes looking as sorrowful as possible.

Jisuk eyed him up with scrutinized brows and explained: “I am visiting family”.

“You are taking your bike with you?”

Jisuk shook her head and shot a sharp glare at Aejin. “I was forbidden to drive the bike on the fast ways.”

“I can’t blame Ahjumma”, Yunhee snickered. “With your racing skills you are going to get yourself killed in an accident”. Jisuk nodded absentmindedly.

Aejin and Hyunshik exchanged glances and coughed; “Yeah, but we don’t want to call that upon ourselves… so let’s not talk about that” Hyunshik called out.

“Oh, you are going to miss the welcoming party for her”, Aejin said regretful.

“Ugh… another party”, Yunhee said exhausted. “I don’t think my liver will survive this”.

“I don’t think you have any liver left to worry about”, Hyunwoo chuckled. “I remember Hyung’s whole stock of liquor being emptied by you”.

Youngjae looked up upon hearing him being mentioned – but was too tired to engage into the conversation.

“Youngjae, if you have finished eating you can go back into your room and rest. You look terribly tired”, Hyunshik nudged his head to the stairs and the bright haired man nodded thankful as he pushed the chair back shuffled out of the room after wishing everyone a good night.

“The youth of today and their video games. I wonder how he got accepted at Yonsei when all he does is playing games” Aejin sighed and side eyed Jisuk. “While others at this table don’t seem to even think about trying it out”.

Jisuk sighed and emptied her glass of water; however, didn’t give any reaction except for a simple nod.

Hyunshik coughed and Hyunwoo leaned back glancing at his noona - there was this topic again... Jisuk glanced at her watch - trying to act oblivious to the needle-dropping-atmosphere - and got up lazily running a hand through her hair.  “Where you going?” “From the wind starts any minute - and i won’t miss the intro again” she moved to the TV next room and lazed about on the huge couch changing the chanel - that had always proved to be the best way to escape any unnecessary talk about future plans.