:: My Love ::

 

“Care to explain?,” Mrs. Baek asked in serious tone while looking at the two, back and forth. They were sitting quietly while lowering their heads down at the living room at that time.

 

“We.. we fall in love with each other on the first day we met back, eomma. Please don’t get mad at Hana noona. I.. I was the one who confessed to her first, eomma,” Sejeong nervously explained.

 

“Chincha? Is that true, Hana?,” she asked. Hana slowly nodded her head, still didn’t dare to look at Sejeong’s mother. Mrs. Baek on the other hand eventually smiled while looking at the two.

 

“I don’t mad at you two, though. I was just shocked to see you two were kissing just now. I know there must be something when Sejeong brought you back to our house. He never did like this to any of his girls friends during his school time,” Mrs. Baek said. She was about to head towards the kitchen to drink some water when she suddenly saw the light coming from storeroom. She thought that the kids forgot to switch the lamp off, and when she went there, she was shocked to see her son and Hana were kissing inside the room, in front of her own eyes.

 

“Chincha, eomma? You didn’t mad at us?,” Sejeong asked with his eyes full of hope.

 

“Of course I wouldn’t mad at you two, though. You two didn’t do any crime. Except, can you explain to me about the bruise on your lips?,” Mrs. Baek replied while pointing at the bruise.

 

“Oh, this! A-actually I fell near the riverbank when putting the fishing rod, and the rod was accidentally slipped from my hand and hitting the corner of my lips,” Sejeong lied to her mother. He doesn’t want her mother to know the truth. Hana immediately turned to look at Sejeong, but the latter just smiled at her.

 

“Is that true, Hana ya?,” Mrs. Baek asked while giving her a suspicious look. Hana was startled at first, but then she immediately looked at Mrs. Baek and nodded.

 

“D-dae, auntie,” she replied nervously.

 

“Go treat your lips, Sejeong ah. Hana ya, can you do that for him?,” Mrs. Baek said.

 

“Sure, auntie,” she replied shyly. Mrs. Baek chuckled while looking at the shy girl.

 

“Arasso, go wash up after this, and then sleep. Don’t try to do any inappropriate things after this, arasso? You two are still young, though,” Mrs. Baek reminded them before she got up from the couch. The two then got immediately got up and bid a good night to Mrs. Baek.

 

 

---

 

 

“Why did you lie to your eomma, Sejeong ah?,” Hana asked while applying some ointment on the corner of his lips. Sejeong winced in pain. The were sitting at the dining room while Hana was treating his lips.

 

“Because my parents are so overprotective, noona. I don’t want to trouble them, and I don’t want to drag this matter for a long time. It’s enough for us five including Uncle Song knew about the incident. I will be more careful when it comes towards your safety next time,” Sejeong replied.

 

“I know that you are a sweet guy, Sejeong ah. But, please don’t do that next time. You should worry about your safety too. I don’t want you to get hurt,” Hana said in concern.

 

“Arasso, arasso. I will be careful next time. I will drag noona along wherever I go, so that nobody could harm you,” he said teasingly.

 

“Ya, I’m not a doll, though!,” Hana exclaimed and her hand quickly smacked on Sejeong’s arm. The latter yelped in pain due to the effect of falling down while fighting with the bad guy earlier.

 

“Omo! Mianhae!,” she panically said while caressing his arm.

 

“Gwenchana, noona. I’m sure you didn’t mean to hit me, right?,” Sejeong replied as he .

 

“Of course I won’t hit you, though. I said I love you just now,” she said, but her face suddenly turned into red. Sejeong chuckled as he found her so cute when she act shy.

 

“I love you too, Shin Bora ssi!,” Sejeong replied as he grinned.

 

“Well, well, well! Here comes the hero and heroine of the upcoming romance drama!,” a voice suddenly interrupted, causing the couple startled and immediately distanced themselves from each other. Sejeong and Hana immediately turned to look at the owner of the voice, and the latter just grinned in mischievous.

 

“Ya! Do you want to sleep outside?,” Sejeong asked in annoyed tone. Nayoung immediately raised up his both hands in defeat as he chuckled.

 

“I’m hungry. Palli go wash up and we can eat our dinner together,” Nayoung said.

 

“Arasso, you shikshin! Aigoo..,” Sejeong replied as he got up from his seat, followed by Hana. “Just eat whatever we got here in the kitchen first. I will cook ramyun for us after I finished taking a shower,” Sejeong said.

 

“Aye ,aye, Captain!,” Nayoung replied as he playfully salute him.

 

 

---

 

 

As promised, Sejeong entered the kitchen after he finished taking a shower. Hana still not coming down yet as she’s taking some time to shower and getting ready, according to Mimi. The couple were busy eating while chatting randomly when he entered the kitchen.

 

“Do you want me to help you?,” Mimi asked as she saw Sejeong started rummaging inside the fridge.

 

“Gwenchana, noona. I just want to make a simple ramyun. Thank you for your offer,” Sejeong replied.

 

“Arasso. I will help you to prepare the table,” she said.

 

“Gomawo, noona. Ask your boyfriend to help you if he wants to eat ramyun,” Sejeong thanked her and playfully teasing the couple.

 

“Ya!,” Nayoung exclaimed annoyingly while glaring at Sejeong. He chuckled as he enjoyed teasing his friend. Not long after, Hana entered the kitchen, and she found out Sejeong was busy chopping the leek while checking inside the boiling pot.

 

“Hmm.. I smell something good,” Hana said as she leaned closer to Sejeong’s back, and put her chin on his shoulder. The latter startled, but he immediately stopped his work and turned his head towards her.

 

“Hey, you!,” he greets her, and quickly pecked on her lips. Hana smiled shyly, and was about to lean her face closer to Sejeong when suddenly they heard footsteps entering the kitchen. They quickly distanced themselves and pretended like nothing happened.

 

“The smell is so good,” Nayoung said while walking towards Sejeong.

 

“Hold on your horses, ahjussi. The ramyun is still under making. Here, taste this,” Sejeong said while scooping some soup, and brought the spoon in front of Nayoung’s mouth. “Careful, blow it to cool first,” he said. Nayoung did as per told, and opened his mouth to taste the soup. Sejeong and the rest were waiting for him to give his comment.

 

“Dabong!,” he give his thumbs up, causing the rest laughed at him. Sejeong then asked the three to wait at the dining room first as he just need a few minutes to finish his cooking.

 

“Excuse me, guys! Careful, it’s hot!” Sejeong said while carrying the pot and immediately put it on the pot stand at the table.

 

“Ya, Kim Sejeong! I thought it’s an ordinary ramyun, though. You put so many ingredients in it,” Nayoung said as he felt overwhelmed while looking inside the pot.

 

“You said you are hungry, so, I added some odeng (fish cake) and tteok/ddeok (rice cake) inside the ramyun. Let’s eat it while it is still hot,” Sejeong replied as he smiled.

 

“Let me help you,” Hana said while she took the ladle from Sejeong’s hand and scooped some ramyun and its ingredients inside the bowl.

 

“Thanks, noona,” Sejeong said. He then passed the bowl to Nayoung, and then to Mimi. After Hana finished serving the food for them and for herself, the four started eating the food. The three keep on praising Sejeong on how good he was in cooking, although it’s just a ramyun!

 

 

---

 

 

After the late dinner, Hana and Mimi excused themselves to hit the bed first as they felt tired and sleepy, while the two best friends heading towards the living room to watch the late night programs on the TV.

 

“How’s your bruise? Is it still hurt?,” Nayoung asked while looking at his friend’s face.

 

“Still hurt, but not like before,” he replied. “Nayoung ah,” Sejeong called him.

 

“What’s up?,” he replied, looking at Sejeong rather curious.

 

“Eomma knew about me and Hana noona,” Sejeong said. Nayoung’s eyes widened as he was surprised with his friend’s words.

 

“Chincha? How did she know?,” Nayoung asked in curious. Sejeong scratched his not-so-itchy head as he smiled sheepishly, feeling too shy to tell his friend about the truth. Nayoung just rolled his eyes as he knew his friend well. “Just tell me, you brat! Aishh..,” he exclaimed annoyingly.

 

“You know this children song, right? Sejeong and Hana sitting on a tree.. K-I-S-S-I-N-G..,” he said while singing the song to Nayoung.

 

“Oh my God! Don’t tell me that your eomma caught you two while you were..,” he said while his eyes widened in surprise the moment Sejeong nodded his head. “Sulma! (no way),” he exclaimed. “Ya, Kim Sejeong!,” he said while patting on his shoulder while smiled mischievously. Sejeong just chuckled on his act.

 

“Ya, tell me. How did your eomma caught you while you and Hana noona were kissing, huh?,” Nayoung asked in curious. Sejeong immediately cupped his mouth as the latter’s voice was too loud.

 

“Shhh.. slow down your voice, dude!,” he scolded as he drew his hand from his mouth.

 

“Opss.. sorry! Hehe..,” Nayoung apologized with a chuckle. Sejeong sighed as he leaned his back on the couch.

 

“I was in the storeroom to return the fishing tools when Hana noona suddenly entered inside and hugged me. She just wanted to say thanks for saving her from that unfortunate incident, but after that, you know..,” Sejeong said. “And while we were so into it, suddenly eomma entered the storeroom and bam! You know what happened next,” he continued. Nayoung couldn’t help but to laugh at his poor friend.

 

“So, after that? What did your eomma say?,” he asked.

 

“She was shocked at first, but then she asked when we were started dating each other. I explained to her that I’m the one who started it first on our first encounter. She didn’t mad at all, but she warned us not to do other things more than kissing because we’re still young,” Sejeong replied.

 

“So, your eomma has already gave her blessings on you two. I wonder what will your appa react on this news,” Nayoung said.

 

“Appa will usually agree with eomma, though. Besides, Hana noona is not foreign to us because our family used to be neighbours. Her eomma was my eomma’s friend. But..,” he suddenly halted his words. Nayoung could see there’s a bit anxiety feeling through his best friend’s face.

 

“Her parents?,” he asked. Sejeong nodded.

 

“I don’t know what her parents reaction will be. You know, they would think that I’m too young to become their daughter’s boyfriend,” Sejeong voiced out his worries.

 

“Sejeong ah. Don’t worry, buddy. You have already proved to her that you can be a reliable boyfriend. Just like what you did to protect her from being harm by those bad guys earlier. I’m sure her parents will accept you, dude. Don’t worry. I’m always here to support you,” Nayoung said as he patted on his best friend’s shoulder.

 

“You think so?,” he asked.

 

“Yeah, don’t worry, buddy. I’m sure her eomma will like you too. I have an idea. Why don’t you join your parents whenever her parents meeting yours later? I’m sure they must feel excited to see you again after so many years,” Nayoung replied as he suggests. Sejeong scratched his not-so-itchy chin, but the he winced in pain as he felt there’s a small cut under his chin.

 

“What’s wrong?,” Nayoung asked, looking rather worried.

 

“I don’t know I have a small cut under my chin. It doesn’t bleeding, but it hurts,” he said.

 

“Aishh.. You clumsy guy. Let me see it,” Nayoung replied as he leaned closer and lifted Sejeong’s chin to check on the cut.

 

“Ya! What are you two doing?,” a sudden gruff voice being heard, causing the two friends startled and quickly distanced each other. Nayoung was accidentally pushing Sejeong’s chin too hard, causing the latter yelped in pain.

 

“ARGHH!,”

 

 

---

 

 

Mr. Baek couldn’t stop laughing while watching his son winced in pain as Nayoung was treating the cut under his chin. Sejeong on the other hand, keep on glaring at his father for causing the cut become worse and bleeding.

 

“Aigoo.. That’s what friends are for, right?,” he said to them.

 

“I hate you, appa!,” Sejeong replied while pouting.

 

“Aiguu.. Just stop making that face. You looked so ugly, you know,” Nayoung said in annoyed tone. Sejeong hissed at his friend for making fun of him.

 

“Said the one who asked me to buy a car for him. Now that you hate me, so, there’s no car for you,” he said teasingly. Nayoung chuckled on his words.

 

“He just joking, uncle. He didn’t mean that. I know him well,” Nayoung said. Mr. Baek just chuckled on his words.

 

“I know that too, son. Mian, for making your cut turned worse than before,” he apologized. He was about to go to the kitchen to drink some water when he saw Nayoung was leaning his face closer to Sejeong while lifting his chin. He thought that the two will do something inappropriate, and that’s why he quickly snapped at them. But then, he was totally thought it wrong.

 

“Gwenchana, appa,” Sejeong replied.

 

“But, speaking of that, where did you get the cut on your chin, and bruise on your lips, huh? Don’t tell me you two were fighting with each other while catching the fish?,” he asked while teasing them.

 

“I fell on the riverbank while tried to put the fishing rod on its holder, appa. The fishing rod hits my lips, but I’m not sure about this cut. Probably I got it when I fell down earlier,” Sejeong lied. “Mianhae, appa,” he thought.

 

“Chincha?,” Aigoo.. Why are you so clumsy, Sejeong ah? Glad that the rod only hit your lips. What if it hit your eyes? Be careful next time, arasso?,” Mr. Baek said as he advised him.

 

“Dae, appa. Mianhae,” Sejeong apologized. Mr. Baek just smiled and patted his shoulder before he got up from the couch.

 

“Just go to bed, kids. It’s already late at night,” he said.

 

“Dae, appa,” Sejeong replied.

 

“Dae, uncle,” Nayoung replied as he put the first aid kit on the table. After the two bid Mr. Baek a good night, Sejeong switched off the TV, and the two best friends heading towards their room.

 

 

---

 

 

The next morning

 

“Good morning, auntie!,” Hana and Mimi greeted Mrs. Baek who was busy preparing breakfast at the kitchen since early in the morning.

 

“Good morning, girls! How’s your sleep last night?,” Mrs. Baek asked while wiping her hands with the kitchen towel.

 

“We sleep well, auntie. Can we help you?,” Hana replied.

 

“Ah, it’s okay, girls. It’s almost finished. Just go and take a walk at the backyard garden over there. I will call you two once the breakfast is ready,” Mrs. Baek said.

 

“Dae, auntie,” the girls replied in unison and slowly heading out of the kitchen.

 

“Wow! The garden is so beautiful,” Mimi said as the two were walking towards the gazebo located in the centre of the small garden. It has a variety of flowers and small green plants planted around the garden, just like a mini nursery.

 

“As I remembered, auntie likes to plant flowers at their old house back then. Me and Sejeong used to play at his house backyard garden,” Hana said as she smiled, reminiscing the child memory of her and Sejeong. The two then took their respective seats, and enjoying the fresh morning air and the view of the garden.

 

“You’re so lucky, you know that?,” Mimi said.

 

“What do you mean?,” Hana replied, furrowing her brows.

 

“You met your childhood friend, and then turned out to be your lover now,” she said.

 

“Aren’t you lucky too?,” she replied.

 

“And, why is that?,” Mimi asked as she didn’t get of what she means.

 

“Meeting my lover’s best friend, and then turned out to be your lover now,” she replied with a smirk.

 

“Aishh.. That’s a coincident, though. What I mean is, you are lucky to meet him back, and now that his eomma knows about your relationship, and she accepted you well. That’s what I meant on how lucky you are, you know,” Mimi said.

 

“Yeah, I know. I was so nervous and scared after we got caught on last night. But Sejeong, he defended me in front of his eomma. He bravely admitted to his eomma that he’s the one who initiated it first. I felt so overwhelmed and admire with his courage despite of his age. He’s so mature when it comes to taking care of the people he loved,” Hana said as she smiled.

 

“I agree with that. Just look at on how he handled the situation when those scumbags tried to harm us last night. He would do anything he could to protect his friends without thinking about his safety first. He’s really one of a kind, Hana ya,” Mimi replied.

 

“I’m sure Nayoung loves you as much as Sejeong loves me. Look on how he listened to Sejeong, and helped him to protect us when he fought with those bad guys. I’m glad that they two are best friends. We fell in love with the right guy, am I right?,” Hana said.

 

“Yeah, you are right,” Mimi replied as she chuckled.

 

“Hana ya, Mimi ya! Come inside and let’s have a breakfast!,” Mrs. Baek shouted from the kitchen.

 

“Dae!,” the two friends replied in unison as the immediately got up from their seats, and heading back to the house.

 

 

---

 

 

“Sejeong ah,” Mr. Baek called his son. They just had their breakfast and the others were busy helping Mrs. Baek cleaning the table and washing the dishes.

 

“Dae, appa,” he replied.

 

“I want you to come with me this afternoon,” he said in serious tone.

 

“Huh? Where to?,” he asked in curious.

 

“Somewhere,” he replied nonchalant. Sejeong furrowed his brows as he didn’t even have a slightest idea on what his father has said.

 

“What about the others?,” he asked, referring to his friend, Nayoung and their girlfriend.

 

“Eomma will bring them to the market later to buy the ingredients for today’s lunch. She asked them to help her to prepare the lunch,” Mr. Baek replied.

 

“Arasso, appa,” Sejeong just replied obediently.

 

“We'll go out after your mom and the others went out first,” Mr. Baek said.

 

“Alright,” Sejeong replied. He then saw his mother walking towards them.

 

“Yeobo, I will be going to the market with the kids right now. Do you want me to buy anything from there?,” Mrs. Baek asked.

 

“Ah, it’s okay. Be careful and have fun with the kids,” Mr. Baek replied.

 

“Sejeong? Do you want anything?,” his mother asked.

 

“It’s okay, eomma. Just come back safely with them,” he said as he smiled.

 

“Aigoo.. I know that, though! Don’t worry. Besides, your Uncle Song will drive us there,” Mrs. Baek replied with a sly smile, causing Sejeong chuckled on her act. Mr. Baek looking at the mother and son weirdly.

 

“Err.. did I miss on something?,” he asked.

 

“Nothing!,” the mother and son said in unison, causing the father looked at them rather suspiciously.

 

“Ah, ne!,” Mrs. Baek suddenly said. “I heard Song called me. Alright, I will go now. Drive safely, arasso?,” she said as she hurriedly heading back to the kitchen to call the kids. Mr. Baek watching his wife heading towards the kitchen with a weird look.

 

“Err.. what’s wrong with your eomma?,” Mr. Baek asked. Sejeong just shrugged off his shoulders. He then heard an incoming text message sound, and immediately fished his phone from the pants pocket. He smiled while reading the text message.

 

From: Hana noona

 

Why are you not following us? :(

 

He then quickly typed the reply.

 

From: Sejeongie

 

Appa asked me to accompany him to somewhere. I don’t know where yet..

 

Hana replied to his text message.

 

From: Hana noona

 

Arasso. Be careful. I’m going to miss you.. :(

 

Sejeong couldn’t help but to smile on her words. He then typed a reply

 

From: Sejeongie

 

I’m going to miss you too. Be careful and have fun! I love you.. :-*

 

From: Hana noona

 

I love you too! :-*

 

“Aigoo.. Look at this kid. Smiling from ear to ear while texting someone in front of his appa. Can appa know who’s that?,” Mr. Baek said, causing Sejeong startled and immediately put his phone back inside his pants pocket.

 

“A friend.. Hehe..,” he replied with a grin and chuckled awkwardly. Mr. Baek looked at him suspiciously.

 

“What’s wrong with you and your eomma today, huh? Did you two hide something from appa?,” Mr. Baek asked. Sejeong just shook his head.

 

“Nothing, appa. Come, let’s go. Eomma and the rest already left the house,” Sejeong said.

 

“Arasso. Kaja,” Mr. Baek said as he got up from his seat, and heading towards the key cabinet where he kept the car keys inside.

 

 

---

 

 

“Why are we here, appa?,” Sejeong asked right after his father parked the car at the parking space in front of the cars showroom.

“I can’t tell you yet. Let’s go,” Mr. Baek replied as he unbuckle his seatbelt, and opened the car’s door. Sejeong did the same without asking further. After the two went off the car, Mr. Baek straight away heading towards the showroom, and Sejeong just tailed him from behind.

 

“Mr. Baek! Welcome!,” greets a man, probably the salesman or the owner of the showroom. The man who looked like in his thirties extended his hand to Mr. Baek.

 

“Mr. An! It’s good to see you again,” he said while grabbing the latter’s hand to shake hands. Mr. An then shifted his gaze towards Sejeong.

 

“And, this must be Sejeong, right?,” Mr. An guessed while extended his hand to Sejeong.

 

“D-dae,” Sejeong replied as he smiled awkwardly, and shook his hand with the latter.

 

“Do you want to see the car now?,” Mr. An asked.

 

“Yeah, sure,” Mr. Baek replied.

 

“Alright. Follow me,” the latter said as he lead the father and son to the space where lots of new cars being displayed there. “This is the sports cars section. You can take a look on which model you like,” Mr. An said.

 

“Appa, do you want to buy another car for you?,” Sejeong asked. Mr. Baek and Mr. An chuckled on his innocent question.

 

“It’s for you, silly. Don’t you remember? You called me last time, asking my permission to buy a car for you?,” he said. Sejeong’s eyes grew wider as he never thought that his father will granted his wish at that fast.

 

“Chincha, appa?,” Sejeong asked for assurance this time.

 

“Yes, son. Just choose which model you want,” Mr. Baek replied. Sejeong looked rather perplexed.

 

“But, all these models are expensive, appa. I can’t..,” Sejeong was about to continue his words when his father cut him off.

 

“Aigoo.. Expensive or not, appa still can afford to buy you one. Go and choose whichever you like. Palli!,” Mr. Baek said as he ordered.

 

“Gomawo, appa!,” Sejeong dashed forward to hug his father and thanked him.

 

“Don’t mention. Just assume that this is an advance birthday present for you,” Mr. Baek said as he patted on Sejeong’s back. After the two halted the hug, Sejeong then began to look at the car which suits him better.

 

“You really want this one?,” Mr. Baek asked.

 

“Yup. It’s not too small, and not too big. Just nice, and it can fit four persons,” Sejeong replied.

 

“You mean, it can fit you, Nayoung, Hana and Mimi?,” Mr. Baek asked with a smirk. Sejeong was surprised with his father’s words.

 

“Ya, appa! How did you know that?,” Sejeong asked. Mr. Baek laughed while showing off his phone to Sejeong.

 

“Appa forced your eomma to tell about what’s going on between the four of you. Then your mother explained that you and Hana, Nayoung and Mimi were couples,” he replied. Sejeong sighed while smacking on his own forehead. “Damn!,” he thought.

 

“Eomma really can’t keep a secret,” he said. Mr. Baek burst out laughing after hearing his words.

 

“Alright, let’s ask Mr. An to prepare the document, and then we can test drive this car,” Mr. Baek said as he patted on Sejeong’s shoulder. The father and son informed Mr. An about the model they had choose, and then Mr. An invited them to the showroom’s office to discuss further about the purchasing process, documentation and so on.