My volleyball season was perfectly wrapped up with our school's victory for the third year in a row, as well as in a perfect samgyeopsal that Minghao was now making for Vernon and me. Volleyball enthusiast Seungkwan was so insistent on breaking down the crucial points of the last match to us that Vernon just dragged him to our mini celebration. His overwhelming presence was a great replacement for the missing Minyoung couple, who were now somewhere else catching the last night of a couple discount offered at some restaurant.  

The BBQ place was where Minghao had been spending his non-school hours recently. Jun and Minghao were easily the most studious people I've seen around - my dear Chinese friend had been working hours straight, to the extent that I've been smelling meat off him when he turned up in class (if he turned up at all). It was fortunate that his store manager gave him an hour off today to spend time with us today, even giving us all a special discount (he was a volleyball fan too and Seungkwan was now his next best friend).  While Seungkwan abandoned Vernon again to engage in a debate about the best Korean volleyball team, Minghao was grilling meat for us at the dining table. 

"So how's work here?" Being the only one without a job at the moment, I supposed the least I could do was to ask about their work. Vernon's job was steady - he's so familiar with the supermarket anyway that memorising the prices and discounts was barely a challenge for him. The old manager was so happy that he got someone bilingual, because Vernon was now a favourite among foreign students who came by for any enquiry; him with his wonderful New York accent. Meanwhile, Minghao was adjusting gradually. Jun had been helping him a lot, knowing that he was a hard worker. 

"Aren't you working a bit too much though? I barely met you over the weekend and I literally stay with you," Vernon whined a little before placing a piece of mushroom he's grilled to perfection for his Chinese friend. 

"I have to. Things are a bit hard back home at the moment." He chewed moodily on the mushroom that his roommate had given him, before reciprocating with a piece of beef. I just helped myself to whatever was on the grill, waiting for Minghao to tell us more. Neither Vernon nor I were the kind to probe against the comfort of others. 

"Well I'm not the only kid, and even though I'm on a scholarship, there's still daily expenses to take care of. Korean living is a lot more expensive than back home...my sister Mingya is starting middle school next year, and she's trying to pursue dance. Well, we all know arts is for those with the luxury to do so..." He helped himself to a sip of juice, before putting more meat on the grill again. It was clear that Jun had snuck in a couple more slices than we actually ordered. He's even put the drinks on his tab. Minghao was lucky to have a friend like this from his hometown. 

"I just want to supp