Junhyung’s POV

When I woke up, Haneul wasn’t in my arms anymore. I helped myself sit up and looked around the empty room. I saw a cup of water with a toothbrush with toothpaste on top of it, a small empty container and a warm towel on the table in front of me. There was a note inside the container.

‘Good morning, Love! I don’t want you to be walking around with that terrible back of yours, so brush your teeth in bed and leave the stuff there. I’ll come back soon with your breakfast!^^’

I smiled at her thoughtfulness. I picked up the toothbrush and started brushing my teeth. The water and towel were still warm so I guess she left just awhile ago. As I was brushing my teeth, I heard a knock on the door. Is it Haneul? That’s fast, usually Haneul takes forever to come back.

“Yes, Darling! I’m up!” I shouted while brushing my teeth.

But when the door opened, I got a shock of my life. I choked on the toothpaste and coughed like crazy. What was Haneul’s parents doing here? How did they even know I got admitted? Haneul didn’t tell me anything about them coming!

“Oh my gosh, are you okay? Did we scare you?” Haneul’s mother asked, patting my back lightly.

“Sorry. Sorry.” I mumbled, trying to wipe my mouth clean.

“Take your time. Are we here too early? You just woke up? Ahh~ You should sleep more since you can now.” Her father said.

I wiped my face clean and stared nervously at them. I hid my hands in the blanket because they were shaking badly.

“Sorry about just now. I didn’t know.” I said.

“Skye didn’t tell you? We told her we would be coming by and specifically got her to mention it to you so you wouldn’t get a shock.” Her mother said, clearing my stuff.

“I… I really.. didn’t know. I’m so sorry.” I bowed.

“And no, I’ll do it myself.” I said, taking the stuff from her hand.

“Stay still!” Her mother said in a firm tone. She sounded exactly like Haneul.

I gulped and sat still, not daring to move.

“Good boy.” She smiled, patting my head.

“We should be sorry, we shocked the hell out of you, didn’t we?” Her father laughed.

It’s hard to imagine the person who hit me so angrily the other time is actually laughing in front of me.

“Oh I forgot to greet you. How rude of me.” I mumbled, standing up.

“Annyeonghasae…” Before I could finish, I was pushed back down onto bed by her mother.

“Sit down, boy. You aren’t well. We don’t require formal greetings from a patient. Just a simple hi or just the wave of your hand will do.” She smiled.

I guess Haneul got her smile from her mother.

“Good morning Uncle, Aunty.” I bowed.

“Don’t bow! It’s bad for your back!” Her mother nagged.

“I’m sorry.” I mumbled.

“You’re cute.” She said.

I smiled awkwardly at them, mentally praying that Haneul would walk through the door soon.

“Why do you look so scared?” Her father asked suddenly.

“Huh?” I was taken aback by his question.

“I.. I…” I couldn’t seem to choke those words out.

He suddenly laughed out loud, scaring me even further.

“I’m so sorry about the other time. I was angry and I did stupid stuff. I’m sorry.” He said.

“No no. It’s fine. Really.” I said.

“So does that mean I can slap you?” He asked, raising his hand.

I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the blow.

I felt a light flick on my cheek, followed by his roaring laughter.

“You think I would really hit you? If I do that, Haneul would chop me!” He laughed.

“Stop disturbing the poor boy!” Her mother elbowed her father in his stomach.

“Please don’t be so stiff with us. Are we that intimidating?” Her mother asked.

“No, just that. I.. It’s really inappropriate, my circumstance now. I should be the one going to you, not you coming to me.” I said.

“Silly. You’re our daughter’s boyfriend, you got admitted to the hospital, it’s only normal we come visit you. Well, unless you feel uncomfortable, we can go.” She said.

“Ahh no no! I don’t mean it this way.” I said hurriedly.

“Alright. I was just kidding. Are you hungry?” She asked.

I shook my head, but my stomach betrayed me by growling really loudly.

“Damn it.” I mumbled.

They burst into laughter.

“Come on! Even if you’re a celebrity, you’re still human and still a growing boy. It’s natural to be hungry. Anyway, I cooked you barley porridge. I don’t know if it’ll suit your tasting. It may not be as good as your mother’s, but Haneul love it. Eh wait, do you eat porridge to start with?” She asked.

“I do. I eat anything.” I said.

“Good.” She said.

Her father took out a tumbler from the paper bag and settled it onto the table. Her mother washed the bowl and spoon. I looked at them, feeling really lucky. They weren’t my parents, but their actions made me feel like yelling ‘Appa’, ‘Umma’. If other people could treat me so well, why can’t my own parents?

“Junhyungie~ Are you okay?” Her mother waved her hand at my face.

“Ah yes. I’m fine.” I smiled.

“Can I call you Junhyungie?” She asked.

“Junhyungie?” I asked.

“Oh. You don’t like it? Ah it’s okay. I’m sorry.” She said.

“No no. I’m just surprised. Please call me Junhyungie if you like. I’m perfectly fine with it.” I said.

“Really? Junhyungie~ Hahaha! Feels like as thou I’m calling my son. Your mother must be so proud to have such a talented and handsome son.” She said.

My mother? She isn’t proud at all. Or else she would have come back for me.

I smiled at her.

I watch her mother take a spoonful of the porridge, blowing at it lightly.

“Should be okay now. Ahh~” She said, putting the spoon at my mouth.

“Huh?” I stared at her.

“You hurt your hand, how are you going to eat? Come on, just open your mouth.” She said.

“I can do it. I’m right handed.” I said, trying to take the spoon from her.

She shoved the porridge into my mouth while I was talking.

“Is it hot?” She asked.

I shook my head and smiled. The porridge tasted so good. It has been so long since I ate something like this. But unfortunately, it wasn’t cooked by my mother.

Umma, if you know I am admitted, would you come and pay me a visit?

“Are you okay? Does it taste bad?” Her mother asked worriedly.

“It’s really nice.” I said.

“Then why are you crying?” She asked, wiping my tears away with her thumb.

I didn’t even know my tears were flowing.

“I’m sorry.” I said, wiping my tears away.

“You miss your family huh?” Her father asked.

“Ah? Yea.” I smiled.

“I’m sure they miss you too.” He said, ruffling my hair.

They miss me? I don’t know.

“Come on. Eat up.” Her mother said as she continued to feed me.

The door opened, revealing Haneul.

“Oh! Mommy! Daddy! Annyeong!” She said in a really cute voice.

“You feed him.” Her mother said, handing the bowl of porridge to her father.

“I can eat on my own.” I said.

“Ahh~” He said.

I opened my mouth and let him feed me.

“YOU! I thought I told you to tell Junhyungie we are coming over!?” Her mother yelled.

Haneul shrugged her shoulders and smiled.

“How can you be so forgetful!” Her mother smacked her head lightly.

I gasped at the sudden action. Her father just laughed.

“Ignore them. Just eat.” He said.

“But he’s fine with you guys! You’re calling him Junhyungie now! And oh my god, even feeding him!” Haneul said.

“But it’s so rude of you to not let him know we’re coming over! He got so shocked!” Her mother scolded.

“I’m fine..” I mumbled.

“He said he’s fine.” Haneul said.

“But still!” Her mother frowned.

“Ahh come on! Mommy, don’t be angwee~ Pwease~” She pouted, giving her mother puppy eyes.

Aigoo, so cute. I smiled unconsciously at her action.

“Eat.” Her dad said, smiling slightly.

“Sorry.” I mumbled, but unable to suppress my smile.

“It doesn’t work!” Her mother said, but smiling also.

“I’ll do it.” Haneul said, taking the bowl from her dad.

She fed me while talking to her parents.

“This is really nice, right?” She asked me.

I nodded.

“I love this too. Just that she doesn’t have the time to make it for me now.” Haneul said, making a face.

“Yah~” Her mom smacked Haneul’s arm lightly.

“I’m stating the truth, no?” Haneul said.

“Yes, yes. You’re always right. Since you’re so unhappy with me, I’m pretty sure you don’t want this?” Her mother said, taking out another paper bag.

“What’s that?” She asked, trying to take the bag.

“No. You don’t want it.” Her mom said, pulling the bag away from Haneul.

“Eat on your own huh.” Haneul said, shoving the bowl in my hand.

Her dad and I watch the two of them fool around. Haneul, as usual, managed to grab the bag in no time.

“I got fast reflexes.” She smiled as she opened the bag.

“WAH!” She beamed.

“We purposely we out early to get this okay! Don’t say we don’t love you.” Her mother said.

Haneul smiled widely at the plate of sashimi.

“Do you like it?” Her dad asked.

“Love it! Thank you!” She smiled.

“Alright, we have to get back to work.” Her mom said.

Haneul’s smile dropped instantly.

“Don’t sulk, my girl.” Her mom said, kissing Haneul on her cheek.

“But I just got here!” Haneul whined.

“Be a good girl, alright. Don’t throw a tantrum in front of your boyfriend. How old are you?” Her mom frowned.

Haneul kept quiet, but she was still frowning.

“You can meet us for lunch.” Her dad said.

“I don’t want!” Haneul frowned.

“Just go!” She shouted, sitting on the bed, pouting.

I shook her arm lightly. She turned to me, still looking pissed.

“Don’t do that.” I mouthed to her.

She sighed and looked up at her parents.

“Can’t you stay for awhile more?” She asked.

“Darling, we have a meeting.” Her dad said.

“Fine. Goodbye.” She said.

“We can’t leave if our baby girl isn’t smiling.” Her mom said.

“I’m not smiling!” She pouted.

“Really?” Her dad said.

He started tickling her and Haneul kept struggling, yelling and laughing.

“Yah yah! Be careful of Junhyungie!” Her mother said, laughing as well.

“Are you going to smile or not?” Her dad asked, still tickling her.

“No!!” Haneul shouted, laughing like a crazy person.

I held onto her to prevent her from sliding off the bed. Her family is really unique.

“Really not going to?” Her dad asked as he stopped tickling her.

“I’ll smile when I see you again.” Haneul said, catching her breath.

“You promise huh?” Her dad said, kissing her on her forehead.

“Bye. Junhyungie, rest well okay.” Her mom said, giving the both of us kisses on our forehead. I didn’t expect that.

After they left, Haneul smiled at me. Her cheeks were red and she was perspiring. I wiped her sweat off and pouted at her.

“What?” She asked.

“Why didn’t you tell me your parents were coming?” I asked.

“Why? Did it shock you?” She asked.

“Of course! They just appeared and I thought it was you! I even shouted Darling!” I said.

“Good.” She smiled.

“How is it good!?” I asked.

“Oh~ You can shock me, but I can’t shock you? I’m just letting you have a taste of your own medicine, Mr Yong. This is not the end.” She smirked.

How evil and scary, her smirk.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“You’ll know. Besides, you got along with my parents, didn’t you? Junhyungie~” She said as she ate.

Did she deliberately not tell me her parents were coming so I can get a shock? Is this her form of torture? Why is she like this!? But then again, this shock was worth it. I felt family warmth for the first time in a long time. It felt different from the feeling the families of the boys give me. This was just, different.