8.

Ga Eul huffs at her own hand, frustrated at the ‘paper’ sign that she made a few seconds ago which has led her brother’s victory. Immediately, she lift up her head to shoot a glare at the latter however earning nothing but the small purse that their household use to keep money for groceries. Haneul tilts, presenting a smirk and pats his sister’s shoulder lightly before leaving the lady alone, upset in the living room. “What kind of man shows a scissor instead of rock?”

“Me.” He sticks out his tongue playfully then continues to annoy, “Noona, you lose. Accept it, and go buy the snacks. Faster, faster.”

“You punk, come here!”

Upon hearing the former’s grunts, the boy quickly strides to the kitchen, seeking protection from his mother before Ga Eul could do anything.

Watching her kids’ acts, the half-century lady laughs, then raises her hand to the front to stop her daughter from coming any closer. “Stop it, you two. Why is this even a problem in the first place?”

“That little…Mom…!” Unlike her age, Ga Eul stomps her feet and whines then squints to the boy hiding behind her mother. “Come on, it’s my day off and yet he forces me to go out there and buy snacks for him?”

“But you lose…”

The lady’s eyes widen as she snaps at the owner of the voice that timidly take cover behind his mom all over again, making the scene more chaotic as if the situation is some scenes in war movies. Dizzy, the mother extends her arms to her both sides, in the next second is followed by whiny pleas from both of the siblings as their ears are getting the direct punishment for their unnecessary bickering. And it doesn’t even take any minute longer before Ga Eul and Haneul find themselves right outside of the door, standing next to each other – resenting one another for getting kicked out from the house by that chief.

“Noona, this is all your fault. I could’ve been watching the TV if it weren’t for you.”

“And I could’ve getting some sleep, for God’s sakes,” Ga Eul rolls her eyes, then lets out a heavy sigh once more as she turns and gets a sight of the stairs by them. In mumbles, she fusses of why does her car hasn’t been delivered to home yet by the shipping company.

“The store over there has only walking distance, you know?”

Haneul ignorantly voices out as he caught his sister’s murmurs, again earning a death stare from the other. Not like he cares, anyway.

“Then why can’t you walk down there and get your stuff by yourself, huh?”

“You lose, noona. Remember?”

“Why are we still arguing on this, by the way?”

The boy bobs his head a few times, agreeing then crosses his arms as he turns to the staircase in front of them – copying Ga Eul’s movements. “I know, right? Why would a 30 years old lady bickering with a kid who’s still in middle school? I don’t get it either.”

“Do you have death wish?”

“No.” Haneul purses his lips together, eyeing the elder from the corner of his cookie-brown eyes. “Why don’t we just leave together?” He suggests, expecting comply from Ga Eul. And meeting his desires, the lady agrees with her brother’s wish and quickly leads the steps downstairs – however is too dumb to realize that the boy grabs that chance to escape from the situation and slams the door from inside.

She yells at the sound of the door being locked, but that doesn’t last for another moment as for another door – definitely not hers – is opened wide before the person steps outside. Ga Eul finds herself freezes halfway, eyes pinned on the guy with his casual brown tee and sweatpants, no gel or any sort of that applied on those black raven hair of his.

Just simple. And fresh.

“You are quite a fighter, don’t you?” Jongdae’s head tilts, gazing at the lady who looks as if her mind is not there at the moment.

On the other hand, Ga Eul is flustered by the question yet she believes that she is quick to grasp on the situation and succeeds in pretending to not stare by quickly clears and walks off, ignoring the guy’s teases.

“So, are you going to the store, finally?” The younger does not gives in, as if the lady is not acting like he doesn’t exists there – he’s happily skipping down the road, following Ga Eul from behind meanwhile the other quickens her pace, bothered by Jongdae’s persistence. Ever since she was caught staring from outside the classroom the other day, the guy has been pestering her with constant ‘hellos’ and those Cheshire’s cat smiles.

Jongdae would do it anytime and anywhere as long as their eyes meet; for instance the other day at the yard while Ga Eul was hanging the laundry, the guy shouts a ‘good morning’ from the other side. Or maybe that one time he leaves a sticky notes on her door saying, ‘When will you be my friend?’ Not to forget, every day at the academy, he would peek into my classes from the glass window and waves gleefully like a little kid. And for the record, this is not the first time of him tailing her to the mart or convenient store, or their office.

Which reminds her of Jisoo’s comment a few days ago for that situation;

“You find it annoying yet you don’t do anything about it because subconsciously, you are enjoying his presence. Don’t you?”

Well, not even in anyone’s wildest dreams!

On the other hand, the reason why Jongdae does those kinds of gestures is – no reason at all. Perhaps not