Sunggyu found himself driving on a familiar route headed for Woohyun’s stall, except that today he had two minors in his backseat. Janelle and Howon were a seat apart from each other, both staring out of the windows silently. The girl was biting her nail mindlessly, hoping furiously that her classmate wouldn’t confront her about volunteering his dance centre’s address. Her other hand, as usual, was embracing her sketchbook tightly. It was her source of comfort. Howon had his arms folded across his chest and did not intend to initiate a conversation with anyone in the car.

Kids.

The three arrived at the place without a single word. As soon as Sunggyu parked his car, Howon jumped off and headed towards the stall almost with a spring in his steps. Janelle did not seem surprised by this, neither did she bother explaining the sight to the befuddled Sunggyu.

From a distance, the teacher could see Woohyun putting aside his chores momentarily to do a bro handshake routine with Howon that ended off with a chest bump, forcing Woohyun a step back despite him being the older one. Myungsoo and Sungjong abandoned their homework to greet their brother’s friend, waiting for their respective pats on the head.

“What brings you here?” Sunggyu could hear Woohyun asking as the latter returned to his stove.

Sunggyu and Janelle’s appearance answered the question before Howon could reply.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Woohyun turned to his friend, ignoring Sunggyu’s presence entirely.

“I got caught for my part-time pal, just take it for me this once.” He gave Woohyun a light punch on the shoulder. The boy opened his mouth to protest but his youngest brother beat him to it again.

“Ahjusshi! You’re back! Are you back for dobbokki?” The sweet boy ran over to hold Sunggyu’s hand, dragging him to an empty seat beside his own. Sunggyu mouthed a silent “Ah!” to Woohyun and gave him a victory sign as he sat with the boy. Sungjong busied himself with serving dobbokki to Sunggyu. Nobody had any inkling why the kid had taken such a liking to this man, but he looked satisfied as Sunggyu started chewing on the food like a squirrel with puffed cheeks. Sunggyu didn’t say it, but he had to admit Woohyun’s cooking was godly.

Meanwhile, Myungsoo noticed the sketchbook in Janelle’s hand, and quietly pointed to it. Janelle wasn’t very sure how to deal with kids, but she let Myungsoo take her to another seat so that she could share her art with the boy. He wasn’t speaking up much, but it was obvious that he was deeply engrossed in her sketches, tracing his little fingers along the lines.

Howon just helped Woohyun