“Stupid Eunbi and her stupid emergency meetings.”

Chaewon grumbled under her breath, the said girl ran her fingers in her red locks in annoyance before gripping the stirring wheel tightly, knuckles turning white. 

She remembered the phone call she received ten minutes ago from her cousin, asking for a favor to fetch her daughter for her because she’s caught in an emergency meeting and it seems that it won’t end anytime soon. 

“Be thankful I love your daughter.” She said before hanging up. Huffing as she stomped her feet too heavy than not towards her garage.

You see, Chaewon doesn’t like it when she’s busy being locked up on her room, typing words gone to sentences to paragraphs until it becomes a book and she creates a whole new worlds and breathe her ideal characters to life.

She took a swift turn and parked her car. Chaewon might not be good with dealing with people (because she hates them) but she does at least still try to look presentable at times she has to interact with one.

The red head brushed her bangs to right places and fixed her round glasses, checking her appearance on the rear view mirror before killing the engine.

Chaewon took slow short steps towards the entrance, not sure why is she feeling nervous at a kindergarten. One thing’s for sure though. She hates kids. they’re a handful, they give her headaches and they’re too noisy for her liking. But not her niece.

She loves Yujin to death even if the kid is such a brat that sometimes she wants to throw her to the shallow waters of the oceans and let the sharks eat Yujin.

She stopped her tracks in front of Yujin’s classroom.

The red head took a deep breath before letting her clammy hand open the door, expecting the wild and loud five year olds to greet her but the room’s empty.

Scratch that. The whole place is empty.

Million thoughts ran down inside her mind. Did she arrived too late that everyone had gone home? But where’s Yujin? Did Eunbi’s meeting finished unexpectedly faster that she fetched Yujin herself? But why didn’t her cousin tell her? 

Her thoughts where cut short when she heard a series of distant giggles.

Okay hold up. Is this a horror story? Is there going to be some paranormal ? Wilder thoughts continued to fill her mind.

What can we say, she’s a fiction/fantasy writer. She has an amazingly weird broad imagination.

And like how horror stories are stupid and cliché, she followed the sound. Heavy footsteps echoing in the hallway. 

The giggles grew louder as her heart pounds harder in her chest.

She came face to face with a huge worn out metal double doors. She gulped thinking of the worst outcomes before pushing the doors open.

Unexpectedly the bright glare of the sun filled her vision instead of a face of a ghost. She covered her eyes with her right hand, blinking rapidly.

“Aunt Wonnie!!!!” her head whipped towards the direction of the sound.

Slowly she lowered her hand and saw Yujin running across the grassy field towards her with a soccer ball between her hands. She broke into a wide grin as she crouched and open her arms wide and soon enough her niece came crushing into the hug and giggling uncontrollably.

“You’re here!!!” the six year old squealed so loud she swears her ears are so close in bleeding anytime soon.

“Yep kiddo, aunt Wonnie will be the one picking you up today.” She patted Yujin’s head softly, smiling fondly as the six year old giggle at the gesture.

“Ah!!! Come with me. I’ll introduce you to my favorite person!!!” Yujin tugged her sleeves.

“Wait. I’m not your favorite person?” It might seem childish but Chaewon can’t help but pout at the revelation.

And she’s not gonna lie, she does feel offended.

“No. you’re my favorite person but Miss Hiichan is my other favorite person!!” the kid cheerily said before leaning in and whispering “Please don’t tell mom, she’ll sulk.” Chaewon couldn’t help but burst into a hearty laugh. 

She finally looked up and she couldn’t help but hold her breath.

Warm hazel orbs staring at her, soft sweet smile with her eyes turning into crescent, and her cheeks.
Oh how Chaewon have the strongest urge too pinch it.

“Miss Hiichan!!!” Yujin’s loud voice brought her back to reality and she finally remembered how to breath.

Okay wait, fake news. She doesn’t. 

she completely forgot how to breathe as Miss Hiichan made her way towards them with slow graceful strides. She can see Yujin on her side waving to the woman but she doesn’t give a damn.

The only thing she can focus on is Miss Hiichan.

How her black hair ruffles slightly at the wind, how her peach dress sway and how her smile shines brighter than the sun.

“Hi” Oh my god even her voice is so pretty. 

Chaewon’s too busy ogling at her and how many poems she can write about Miss Hiichan and maybe she’s already planning their wedding.

Her niece must’ve notice how her aunt has been acting strange and how the color of her face turns from deep red to purple. Yujin tugged her sleeves and at last, Chaewon finally breathes.

“Ah- h-hello…” she stuttered which is weird. She never stuttered before, as in never.

She might hate human interaction but she’s really confident in herself.
This is new.

She coughed awkwardly before standing up. Now standing and face to face, Chaewon couldn’t help but notice their height difference. 

Miss Hiichan is shorter than her, perfect fit in her arms and for cuddles.
Cute.

“You must be Yujin’s teacher, Miss Hiichan right?” she extended her hand for a handshake, her confidence finally back.

“Yes I am. My name’s Honda Hitomi. The kids just like calling me hiichan and please, call me Miss Honda. And you must be?” the woman reached for her hand.

“Chaewon. Kim Chaewon. I’m Yujin’s aunt.”

“Nice to meet you Ms. kim.” 

“My pleasure, Ms. Honda.” A small smile playing on her lips as they shake hands. 

Chaewon hurriedly fished her phone on her back pocket as soon as they exited the school and dialed Eunbi’s number.

As soon as her cousin picked up she screamed “PLEASE LET ME PICK YUJIN UP FROM SCHOOL EVERYDAY!” 

……..

Chaewon spent an hour in front of her mirror trying different outfits on before settling in a pair of jeans and a mint green shirt, she even applied light make up.

She’s never been excited and thrilled to meet another person but there’s something with Hitomi that draws her in.

 “Here to fetch Yujin?” she looked to her side and saw Hitomi smiling at her.

“Yeah.”

“I suppose Ms. Kwon is too busy to pick her daughter up?” 

“She is.” Lies. Eunbi’s free like a bird now. 

She smiled fondly at the sight of Hitomi looking extra soft