Chae Rin hummed to herself as she helped her aunt chop up the vegetables. Though slowly, she was surely learning how to cook. She had always wanted to, what with her love for food and all. But also because since she couldn't quite figure out what to get her oppa as a birthday gift, she decided she was just going to cook him his favorite foods. And what better way to learn it from his mom?

A  pensive look fell on her face as she thought: when was the last time she actually talked with her oppa without running away or feeling awkward? Or worse, blushing and looking like a total psycho? Today signalled many changes in her life, starting with giving an old nuance a change at friendship. Truth be told, she was feeling like she could handle one more.

She knew it was her own fault, that she had created something of an awkward barrier between them ever since she realized he made her heart beat faster. Any person with eyes could see her infatuation with the older man. But at fourteen years of age, you were allowed to have that type of childish idiocy. It was cute. It symbolized your innocence. It was supposed to be awkward. These were all the words her mom had taught her. And Chae Rin realized, that her dear mother was right. But that would all change today. Well, not all. But baby steps.

She promised to herself that she wouldn't act as crazy, or run away at the slightest provocation. She would hold her ground and show him! And even though he and her might never happen, his importance to her life was something no words will be able to express. And so, trying to regain a semblance of their closeness was worth all the future heart failures she might experience. And by heart failures, meaning palpitations. She couldn't help it, just being near him, the way her heart would beat loudly. And just thinking of him being happy made her giddy.

A sigh escaped the princess' lips, making her aunt turn her head towards her. "What's wrong, Chae-Chae?"

"Nothing, Imo," she mumbled, but the older woman was quick to catch on.

"Boy trouble, huh?" Jihyo smiled knowingly.

Yeah, your son. Chae Rin simply nodded and give her a smile. "When you're done with the scallions, I want you to crush and cut some garlic. It's for the sauce."

The girl simply nodded and followed her instructions. What was she even thinking. Might never happen? More like will never happen. Their parents had raised all three of them together. There was no way someone who grew up like your sister could be your girlfriend. Or wife. And to think she had a mental breakdown just thinking about how she saw him half .

A blush crept to Chae Rin's cheeks making her aunt smile. "Aigo. Is our daughter finally in love?"

"A-ani! I'm not. You know I only have eyes for oppa~" she half-joked, her voice sounding weak, even towards her.

"And of course, your oppa loves you, but you know, my Jiyong doesn't deserve such a beautiful girl like you. Where else is there in the world that an old woman like me can find a daughter who wants to learn how to cook? Plus you really should not like him. He's practically ancient!"

"Beautiful? Imo, no one likes fat girls like me. You know  that's true. And Jiyong oppa's not that old."

"True, you two did grow up together."

"Hmm-mm," Chae Rin nodded. She couldn't help but wonder.... what if the two families never raised their children like siblings, would she have had a chance? Would her love have been more believable to him?

Her train of thought was interrupted with the sound of the door opening.

"Ah, Jiyong must be home," Jihyo-imo's piped up, a smile upon her lips. The Ogre Princess' heart immediately started to pound.

He's home! Ah... Should I say hi? I'll just say hi if he comes to the kitchen. Aigo, he'll probably be surprised~ She thought excitedly. He had always looked at her and his brother as kids, out of habit, she guessed. But cooking was definitely a step into adulthood.  Even though she told her heart to stop hoping, she couldn't help it.

"Chae Rin-ah, take out the shrimp and give some to Jiyong. It should be done now."

The Princess happily followed her auntie's orders despite the splashes of oil hurting her skin. She still was not very used to frying things, and was therefore prone to wincing easily. Yet she couldn't help but be glad and proud as she carried the food towards the living room where her friend and prince stood.

Yet what they were talking about stopped her dead in her tracks.

"I met a girl.. Well, a noona."

As if taking a punch to her heart, Chae Rin gasped a little, the excitement in his voice evident to her.

"She's older?!! Is she pretty? But no one is prettier than Bom noona~" Is she pretty? Is she really?

"Probably even more so..." ......

"Jinjja?!!"

Barely breathing, she walked into the living room and gave the two boys a smile. "Here~ Imo cooked some shrimp for you oppa. And for Seunghyun, only if he's studying," Chae Rin glanced at Seungri's book, now laying forgotten in the middle of the coffee table while the young man eyed his older brother curiously.

"So, oppa, tell us more about this girl~ Is she nice?" With her happiest voice, Chae Rin turned to Jiyong, a smile on her lips before sitting beside Seungri.

AUTHORS NOTES:

Gotta be damn honest. I was writing this while at work (i do security) and my heart broke a little because I've done this so many times..