“Uh- Yes, is this the orphanage?” Chorong nervously inquired over the phone.

“Oh. Chorong-unnie?” The girl on the other line clearly recognized her voice. She felt bad that she couldn’t say the same.

“Ah. Y-yes. I was won-“

“How have you been? It’s so nice for you to call. It’s been a few days since you left us. I thought you’d forgotten about us already.” The excitement and disappointment is crisp and clear. “But it’s okay, unnie! We know you must be busy with your new life. We’re so happy for you!”

She felt guilty that she couldn’t recognize the person on the other line, and it’s too late to ask now. “Ah. Yes, it’s been… quite eventful.” And a whole lot weird. “Uhm. I hope you’re all doing well there.” What was she thinking? She couldn’t even remember them.

“Ahh. That’s our unnie! We’re all okay here. But I have to go now, the kids are having a sugar rush. You know how they are. Come visit us soon! -  Aish! I told you not to eat that!” The line went dead.

For a moment, Chorong felt grateful; it seems that a lot of people cared about her. She may not have relatives, but something inside her told her that she had a family. A family she that couldn’t even remember now. Feeling her stomach drop, she felt the loneliness filling her up again.

You’re better than this. There’s a lot to be thankful for. She thought to herself. Clearly, you left that place to start a life on your own. So do it. “Alright, fighting!”

After her own pep talk, she looked around Bomi’s house. It wasn’t grand, but it surely was more than enough. Although, upon taking a closer look, it seemed lonely for some reason. Taking a positive perspective on her new life, she decided to do something nice for Bomi. The woman did do a lot for her. It’s only right to give something back. After contemplating on what to do, she decided to thoroughly tidy up the house. She got to her feet and started on the kitchen.

As she continued to the living room, she noticed a lot of frame-shaped stains on the walls, and there were a lot of them. It’s as if the house itself is getting rid of memories, only to be left with scars. She then realized why the place felt lonely, it was too plain. Why would she remove them? Without spending much thought on it, she shrugged and went on with her work. It’s none of my business anyway.

“Bomi-unnie, I have a recording this afternoon. Will you be fine without me?” The cheeky girl said teasingly.

“Aish! Namjoo-ah! Of course I will. Why do you and Hayoung always make it a big deal?” Bomi ruffled the younger one’s hair. “You’re the dongsaeng here, aren’t you?”

“We know unnie. We just like to tease you.”

But Bomi knew better than that. The maknaes have always been the ones taking care of their unnies lately, even with Eunji and Naeun. Sometimes she still couldn’t believe how mature they’ve grown. “Arasseo. I’ll be fine here. You go run along now before I tell Hayoung you’ve been hiding her games one by one.”

“Unnie! She’s a grown woman for crying out loud!” Namjoo exclaimed as she went for the door and Bomi was left shaking her head.

To be perfectly honest, Namjoo has been an immense help to her. She’s a singer and co-owner of the dance studio. She’s been running it in between her recordings when Bomi couldn’t even make it out of bed. More than that, the young one never failed to cheer them up. It was her lively self who makes the air lighter. She’s also the one who can lift up the tension when Eunji and Naeun are in the same room with them. Everyone knows it’s such a burden to the poor girl, but she always managed to stay positive and just be grateful to be there for her unnies.

Checking her phone, Bomi wondered why Chorong hasn’t called her yet, or at least dropped by if she’d figure out her situation already. She was worried, but what can she do? If Chorong decided to leave without a trace, she doesn’t really have a say on that, does she? Who was she to stop her anyway? She was pulled back from her reverie when her dance students came in. Finally. She thought. After all, dancing has always been her most effective weapon in her arsenal. It’s both her offense and defense against life. When she starts to dance, she loses herself in her own world, her momentary solitude.

“Babe? I’m home!” Namjoo called out in their house. They’re aren’t really married yet but they do consider themselves a m