A set of glimmering lights and a silent house. It would’ve been a paradise for the ones who love peace but in amidst to that, it was a time for something else.

It was jolly night in the simple yet elegant house. Four female kids were hiding under the table, eating cookie sandwiches, sometimes separating the cookies with filling from the empty ones. And at a time where Christmas night was a time of silence and good night sleeps, the four kids were busy with their sweet antic.

“Be on the lookout,” said the second sibling to the fourth.

The fourth sibling pouted and looked again, shining the flashlight towards the kitchen. “Aish! There’s no one outside, Ssamu-unnie!”

“Still, Hiichan! Just be on the lookout.” The third eldest spoke. “Minguri! Light!”

“Alright, alright! Seriously, my arm is killing me…” The third sibling huffed as she shone the flashlight towards the plate.

Despite eating the cookie sandwiches, the siblings’ main task was to stack the filled cookies into one giant cookie sandwich. The siblings went on with that task, with the fourth sibling still on the lookout.

“Minguri.” The eldest stops her from stacking. “There’s a pattern, remember?” She picked the wrong filled cookies off and stacked new ones. “Butter, chocolate, cream. Butter, chocolate-“

“Kwangbae-unnie~” She shone the flashlight towards the eldest.

Little Kwangbae hissed as Little Minguri grabbed one filled cookie and smeared the filling on her face. Little Hiichan joined in and the three were giggling and having fun despite the mess they made.

“Stop that.” Little Ssamu, who remained herself unbothered, grabbed Little Hiichan’s cookie. “You guys are behaving like kids.”

The fun was disrupted by a loud knock from the door. The siblings stopped and remained quiet. They looked towards the living room and saw two grown-up women fight. The said women were their two mothers.

“You know what?! Maybe it’s best if we divorce!”

“Are you even sure with that?! Do you really want to wreck our family apart?!”

The four may be kids – people who shouldn’t be aware nor think of adult issues yet – but they were smart. They know that despite the wonderful moments their parents spent together and with them, there were instances of backlash and disagreements. Even if they shouldn’t step in, they had to. For their family.

“Oh no…” Little Ssamu spoke. “We need to do this before it’s too late.”

+++

After their sweet antic and some sleep, the siblings went with their mothers to go to church close to their home, still having their pajamas on. And after the mass was over, they got permission to their mothers to wait for them. At first, their paternal mom wondered but Little Kwangbae was smart enough to say a valid reason.

Extra prayers, she said.

Nonetheless, the siblings went back inside the church and got close to an altar. They sang a birthday song, to which Little Minguri got carried away with the singing. Little Kwangbae shushes her and Little Minguri went silent.

“Here, Hananim. This is a delicious treat.” Little Ssamu got their very large cookie sandwich wrapped in a red ribbon and offered it. “Hananim, please give truce for our Mama Eunbi and Papa Chaeyeon, please~?”

“Please grant us that gift. That way, they won’t have to separate, even us.” Little Kwangbae added.

All of them pleaded again and gave thanks. Before they had to go, Little Hiichan stopped them and added. “Hananim, can you grant us another sister? Can we have a baby sister?”

The three looked at her with gleams on their eyes and smiles on their faces. “Good idea, Hiichan!”

They returned to kneel and plead for another offer. Time and probability were never certain of those offers but hopefully, all of those pleas will be granted.

+++

Time passed like it was a snap from the Almighty’s hand. As offered by the siblings, the pleas were turned to reality. There came changes and growth of everyone in the family, a new member of the family, a loss of a member of the family, and successes that each family member had. The four siblings who made the large cookie sandwich grew to become women who made their own paths in life. What made it better was that their maternal mother was still there, new servants came and were treated as family, and the addition of the baby sister, who grew up to have a career of her own.

At the time, the house still stood. There were more frames for memories but less people for company. It was morning and in the house was the maternal mother, the fourth and last siblings, and their servants.

“Myao-san, that’s enough. Now join us or else the dust will eat with us.” The fourth sibling spoke. “Where’s Jjoyul?”

“I already called her a while ago.”

The fourth sibling called for her sister then returned her attention to her mother, settling businesses and arranging medicines. “Eomma, I’ll have to reduce your business fund to repair the brakes for our van. The money Ssamu-unnie sent wasn’t enough since she had to leave some money for herself for a new apartment.”

“Good for her, Hiichan.” Their mother spoke. “I’ve already told her to move to another apartment many times. Those Mexican neighbors will only become a distraction to her.”

“Eomma, they’re Spaniards.”

The idea was disregarded by a simple, “Whatever.”

“But I talked to Kwangbae-unnie already. She said to fill in the lacking amount Ssamu-unnie couldn’t send next week. She’s still busy but she said she’ll make up for it.”

Their mother nodded then asked. “By the way, Hiichan, have you sent your MA application already?”

She dodges the question and asked the whereabouts of her other servant to the first servant: Miyazaki Miho.

“Sorry, Hiichan. Miu-chan’s not here yet.”

“Aish, that slow ao Miu…”

“Aish, Hitomi…how can you be more successful when you won’t grab the opportunity by submitting your application?” Their mother asked. “Your Ssamu-unnie managed to immediately become a teacher overseas because she applied, got accepted, and took her masters.”

“Mama Eunbi…” Hitomi sighed. “I’m already contented of being an Economics teacher for secondary education here in South Korea. If I leave for an opportunity overseas, who will take care of you and Jjoyul?”

“You always use that as an excuse.” Eunbi sighed and decided to eat.

Hitomi shrugged and called Miho to join them. She was about to eat when a greeting of a good morning came in. The source was from a woman with bangs, wearing an orange shirt, a denim jumper, and white shoes. The said woman was no other than the baby sister, Jjoyul, taking the name Yuri. She went to the table and gave loving kisses to Hitomi and Eunbi, gave Miho a hug while joining them for breakfast.

“You’re late for work.” Hitomi sighed.

“Jjoyul, are you really wearing a jumper to work?” Eunbi asked.

“I’m not going to work.” Yuri shrugged as she served herself some kimchi rice.

“Why?” Hitomi asked.

“Because my girlfriend and I have some things to do…my fiancée, I mean.”

Yuri continued to eat but Eunbi and Hitomi had their eyes on her. Eunbi was the more confused one and asked. “What do you mean, ‘fiancée’?”

Yuri stopped after a gulp and grinned, holding Eunbi and Hitomi’s hands. “Hiichan-unnie, Mama Eunbi, Myao-san…” She grinned then sang in a tune. “I’m going to get married~~”

Eunbi and Hitomi gasped silently, even Miho. Yuri was so proud of herself for saying those words but she never knew that it could change their family’s lives forever.

+++

The word was spread to the other sisters like wildfire. From Spain and New York to the areas of South Korea where Spaniards and Americans live, the word was discussed through one major phone call.

Chaewon: What? Marriage?

Hyewon: So she and that Na Goeun got back together?

Hitomi: That would’ve been the case but no. *good morning* It’s the new girlfriend, Choi Yena.

Minjoo: Oh, my frogs! Is she the one Jjoyul knew in the Cruiser?! *Eunyoung, take charge of directing, will you?* But she’s an ugly duckling!

Chaewon: What? Who’s that Choi Yena?

Hitomi: Ssamu-unnie, hello? *to your classrooms. now!* Didn’t you read the e-mails and the Facebook posts that I sent to update you about Jjoyul?

Chaewon: Well, I didn’t have time to read stuff like that. I got busy with the seminars and trainings. Anyway, who is she, again?

Minjoo: You know…the said idol who’s so multitalented. She may have such skills but she lacks the finesse, she lacks the charm, and –

Hitomi: –  she lacks the decency. When Jjoyul introduced her to me, she stammered like a whimpering duck and held onto Jjoyul like she was a stuffed hamster.

Chaewon: You know what? I’m starting to despise this girl even if I haven’t seen her in person.

Hyewon: Don’t you think that our baby sister lacked the awareness she needed to have in a situation like that? *i need the receipts by tomorrow* Does Mama Eunbi know? How did she react?

Hitomi: Of course, she isn’t happy. Jjoyul only knew the girl for a short period of time.

Chaewon: How short?

Hitomi: Four months ago. In a Cruiser. Don’t you remember?

Chaewon: Si. Si. I remember that Jjoyul went on a cruise so she can move on from Goeun. So, wait – it was your fault, then?

Hitomi: My fault? Why blame me? It was Minguri-unnie’s idea.

Minjoo: And you agreed to it, you bread. *where in the world is Choyeon?* And who even purchased a ticket for Jjoyul? Did I purchase it?

Hyewon: Oh. So, it’s my fault now? If I would’ve known the adversities Jjoyul got herself in the aspect of love and that the certain sister planned this out, I wouldn’t have agreed to that stupid idea.

Hitomi: By the way, the wedding’s happening in two weeks.

Hyewon; Two weeks?

Minjoo: Why? Is that Yena pregnant?

Chaewon: What do you think of our Jjoyul, an instant mommy?

Hitomi: No.

Hyewon: Then what’s with the rush?

Hitomi: And why wait if it’s true love?

Minjoo: Heol…

Hyewon: True love, my .

Chaewon: Mio dios! Que horror! *si, si* That’s cheap as – Ah!

Hitomi: Oh? What was that?

Chaewon: I accidentally spilt my friend’s drink. *lo siento. pardon.*

Hitomi: Anyway, whatever opinions that we have discussed, all of you need to come home for the big event.

Chaewon: Huh? We need to go home? Even me?

Hitomi: Yep. It’s Jjoyul’s request and Eomma’s instruction. We need to be complete.

Minjoo: All of us? Heol…Ssamu-unnie’s coming home?

Chaewon: Hey! I’m not sure with that! I have to check my schedule since I’m busy this month. We have a lot of teacher trainings, seminars – it’s hectic here. Oh, and they’re here now! We need to do our works then party! Okay? Okay! Bye!

Minjoo: Well…what about Kwangbae-unnie?

Hyewon: I’ll check my sched.

Minjoo: Alright. I’ll check my schedule as well. Yoojung’s calling me now. Bye!

And thus, the call ended for the siblings. Their decisions were uncertain but what could they not do for their baby sister?

For Jjoyul?

+++

The aftermath of work would’ve been a time to rest and spend time with family but not for Kwangbae, Hyewon as the employees call her. Despite being a professional manager of a food franchise in New York, she had to take care of the house, her fiancée, and her stepdaughter. She was doing her best to cook a decent meal for the family but she and ranted to herself on how she was a failure at it.

But it all had to rest as a hug and kiss greeted her senses. She looked back, her angry face turning into a happy one. “Chowonie…babe…

“Hey.”

“Hi.” Hyewon said before getting another kiss. “You managed to escape from Erii pretty quickly.”

“Really now?” Chowon chuckled. “Well…because I’m excited to see you since I haven’t seen you in days because of my business trip.” She went to back-hug Hyewon. “And I really missed…your horrible cooking.”

Hyewon looked back with a glare but she knew her girlfriend’s funny side. She chuckled and returned to her cooking. “How was Shanghai?”

“It was lonely without you.” Chowon spoke.

Hyewon would’ve reacted when she burned her fingers and spilt food all over the counter. She tried to clean up and try cooking again when she got frustrated, almost throwing the pan across the room. Chowon went to comfort her but Hyewon stormed off.

“Just cook some instant noodles for yourself. Besides, there’s a lot of it from the package Hiichan sent to us.” Hyewon grabbed a pack and an additional snack. “Here. It’s your daughter’s favorite.”

Hyewon sat like a sulking kid and Chowon went to calm her down. She knelt and checked her fingers, giving them kisses so that they feel better, that Hyewon feels better.

“Your hands are pretty…and it will be prettier with this.” Chowon shows a ring. “Are you sure that you’re still not ready to wear this?”

“Are you sure you really want to marry me?” Hyewon asked back. “I don’t even know how to cook.”

“I’ll cook for you every day.” Chowon added. “Just…just be my wife every day.”

Hyewon couldn’t help her smile, saying. “Erii will not agree to that.”

“Why not?”

“Because she hates me.”

“Babe…Erii doesn’t hate you.” Chowon sighed.

“Yeah, she does.” Hyewon raised. “I had to get a $100 haircut to remove all the bubblegum she stuck on my hair.”

“Okay. Maybe she hates you a little bit.” Chowon had to admit.

“See?” Hyewon shrugged and got up. “So, I suggest giving the Peperos to her. Tell her that it’s from me then maybe, she’ll hate me less.”

“Then can we get married?” Chowon asked as she hugged Hyewon tight.

Chowon would’ve given another kiss when Hyewon looked back. “Jjoyul comes first.”

“Huh? Yuri?” Chowon reacted.

“Yes. She’s getting married in two weeks.”

+++

The opportunity of a decent show would’ve been the greatest breakout but not for Minguri, Minjoo as her fellow staff call her. Despite being an aspiring assistant director and actress, she had less opportunities to shine. She was broke and only had clothes and a Marauder to keep her living. She may be sullen in physical nature but she was a little rebellious and was a klutz in the little things she does.

She would’ve asked money from her family for a new apartment since she got kicked out of her old one but she was ashamed. On the contrary, she had the decency to ask other people, especially towards her friend and fellow aspiring actress, Lee Yoojung. But such circumstances failed Yoojung for she had gone broke too. Minjoo was left to survive in little bits of food and sleeping inside her car.

Now, she had parked her Marauder close to her girlfriend’s apartment and the next day, she woke from a knock on her window.

“Kkura, looks like your girlfriend has been kicked out of her apartment!”

“Good morning, Aoitan!” Minjoo waved.

Her said girlfriend sighed and hopped inside Minjoo’s car. Minjoo apologized for the mess and was greeted with a hug and kiss. “I missed you, Min.”

Minjoo sighed, saying. “Did you leave you phone again, Miyawaki Sakura?”

Sakura lets go of the hug. “I forgot to charge it. We had a little drink after the gig.”

Minjoo just nodded but the look on her face screamed disappointment. Sakura noticed that and averted the topic. “So…where are you staying now?”

“Back home.” Minjoo spoke. “Well, all of my sisters are coming home since Jjoyul will get married soon.”

“Really?” Sakura reacted. “So, all of them will come home, even-“

“Why? Are you excited?” Minjoo raised.

“To sleep? Yes.” Sakura sighed and got out of the car.

“What the – are you going to walk out again?!” Minjoo snapped.

“Just text me when the insanity and jealousy disappear in that little head of yours.” Sakura snapped back and left.

Minjoo watched her girl go and she hissed, almost throwing a shirt across the street. “! I love my life! Seriously!”

+++

The European life would’ve been nice but not for Ssamu, Chaewon as the Korean-speaking Spaniards call her. Despite being an English teacher in Spain, life wasn’t nice to her and it was then she developed a skeleton in her closet.

“Pst. Wonyoung-ah!”

A rant from a Spaniard woman stopped her from calling the latter who was cutting grass. Chaewon helped the woman put on her robe after a good swim, getting a snide as a token of gratitude. After her errand, she returned to her initial task. “Wonyoung-ah! Come on~!”

Chaewo got closer to the latter. She looked like a conglomerate but here she was, cutting grass for a Spanish home. Nonetheless, Chaewon bugged her again. “Come on, Jang Wonyoung! Lend me some money for a plane ticket so we can go home to Korea together.”

“Aish! What the heck, Chaewon-ah?” Wonyoung whined while scratching her head. “My earnings already have specific places for my goals and incentives. I’ve put importance for it and I have no intention to change it. Sorry.”

Chaewon huffed and got to the other side. “Is it more important than me?”

“Don’t push it there.” Wonyoung averted her and got back to work.

“Come on~, Wonyoungie~. Please~?” Chaewon pleaded with stomps.

“Why can’t you just tell the truth to your family?” Wonyoung spoke, arms crossed. “Maybe they won’t let you be indebted to them anymore plus they can give you fare to return home. Right?”

Wonyoung grinned. Chaewon rolled her eyes and walked away. “Then, nevermind. You don’t what my family’s like.”

Wonyoung sighed as she watched a sulking Chaewon. Despite the plans she had for herself, she can’t help but feel pity towards Chaewon. She ended up joining Chaewon and spoke.

“Why do you have to plead through your cuteness?” Wonyoung asked.

It was silence. Wonyoung wanted Chaewon to change her mind. But with the situation, she had no choice.

“Fine. I’ll lend you my extra money so that we can go home together.”

It was silence and stares for the two until Chaewon squealed and tackled Wonyoung for and hug. Chaewon thanked her a lot and said that she was a good friend, even adding a bargain.

“You know what, because you’re a good friend, I’ll do anything you ask.”

Wonyoung thought about it, adding. “Anything?”

“Anything.” Chaewon nodded.

“Let me be your date to your little sister’s wedding.”

“No.” Chaewon pointed Wonyoung’s finger away. “People might think you’re my girlfriend.”

“Where did your promise go?” Wonyoung pouted. “Anyway, I have a better idea.”

“What?”

“You have to introduce me to your family as your girlfriend.”

Money or dignity? That was Chaewon’s biggest question to life. Her dignity must be protected but it was a thing she was willing to toss aside for her little sister.

For Jjoyul.

+++

It was the reunion day for the Lee family will be complete once again. The members in the household made preparations whereas the members abroad were already in their trips back to Korea.

An elegant woman had a very good look, walking towards the aisle of the arrival area like a model. She stopped by the exit and raised her arms, smiling.

“안녕하세요. 대한 민국!”

“Chaewon, my love! This is specifically Incheon.” Wonyoung was by her back, pushing their cart of luggage. “Yah. Why did you leave me behind?”

“I am not your love and you don’t love me.” Chaewon corrected.

“Correction. YOU don’t love ME…” Wonyoung added. “…but I love you.”

Wonyoung grinned but Chaewon sighed and called for a taxi. They got their luggage in and hopped in the back seat. As they go on their journey to Seoul, they decided to have a review, mostly Wonyoung.

“Okay. Family.” Wonyoung huffed. “Your late paternal mother, Mrs. Lee Chaeyeon, was a former district superintendent. Your maternal mother, Mrs. Lee Eunbi, is a secondary school principal. The first sibling, Lee Hyewon, is a food franchise manager. The third sibling, Lee Minjoo, is an aspiring assistant director and actress. The fourth sibling, Lee Hitomi, is an Economics teacher for secondary education. And the fifth sibling, Lee Yuri, is a professional vocal instructor.”

“Correct. Anything to add?” Chaewon asked.

“It was Hitomi who snatched Hyewon’s girlfriend.”

“Wrong. That was Minjoo.” Chaewon corrected.

“Oh-right! Minjoo!”

“Next. Relationship.” Chaewon spoke.

“We’ve been together for two years.”

“Correction. We’ve been together for two weeks.”  Chaewon sighed. “Next. Occupation.”

“Okay. You’re not a waitress. You’re not a housekeeper. You’re the second sibling, Lee Chaewon, who is an English teacher in Spain, in which you have a student who’s the cousin of the king’s son.” Wonyoung spoke.

“A student who’s the son of the king’s cousin.” Chaewon corrected again.

“Right.” Wonyoung nodded. “Did I do great?”

“Fair enough.” was all Chaewon said and concluded the review from there.

+++

In another part of the story, if Chaewon and Wonyoung got home through Incheon Airport, Hyewon was the same through Gimpo Airport. She was hitching a taxi and what made it merrier was that Chowon and Erii came with her. Once they got a taxi, their luggage was put inside the back contraption and the three were ready to hop in.

“Daddy.” Erii grabbed the hem of Chowon’s shirt as the other held her stuffed bunny.

“Erii, follow your Aunt Hyewon.” Chowon instructed.

Hyewon called Erii to get in the car but Erii didn’t budge. It went on many times and Hyewon was almost losing her patience. It was then that Chowon stepped in and instructed Erii again, to which the little one obeyed. She got inside and Hyewon would’ve closed the door when Erii slammed it. Such action would’ve stuck Hyewon’s arm in between.

Nonetheless, Hyewon was relived as she and Chowon hopped in and drove to Seoul. The drive was quiet but Chowon got a call from international clients, releasing the tension inside the taxi. Despite the call, Chowon noticed that Hyewon was a little fidgety that she had to hold that call.

“Babe.” Chowon nudged Hyewon from the back seat. “Babe, are you okay?”

“Yeah.” Hyewon nodded. “Do you need something?”

“I had a call from one of my clients. I need to fly out to Singapore to meet them. Will you be okay with that?”

“It’s fine, babe. Go do your thing.” Hyewon agreed, adding a cute pinch to Chowon’s cheek.

Chowon thanked her with a kiss and resumed the call. Hyewon went back to her space as Erii watched them, feeling bored and feeling jealous.

Erii looked at Hyewon’s seat and devised a cheeky plan.

+++

Minjoo was in a public comfort room, clean and fresh and preparing herself for the reunion. Just as she was putting makeup, her phone rang. She grabbed it and answered. “Yes, Hiichan?”

Where are you, unnie?

“Still parked close to a gas station. I’ve already taken a bath.” Minjoo spoke as she thanked the gas guy for filling her car’s tank. “Why do I feel that I need to rush?”

Who knows? Maybe the overseas siblings come first before you. *Myao-san, those are Minguri-unnie’s. Take them to my bedroom.*

“Here I am, okay? I’m starting the car now!” Minjoo huffed and once the engine started, she hastily drove home.

+++

And in the Lee household, it was busy. Yuri was changing the curtains, Hitomi was busy preparing food with Miho, and Eunbi and Miu helped them with the final preparations.

“Jjoyul, you’re still there! There’s still barbecue!” Hitomi spoke as arrived from the market. “Miu-chan! Are the vegetables minced?”

“Here!” Miu presented various plates full of them. “Center’s for kimchi rice, left’s for oxtail soup, and right’s for seafood stew.”

“Very good. Now please clean the chicken and beef.” Hitomi placed the basket and got to the fridge. “Jjoyul! Would you please whip up the grill?!”

“Hiichan, are the rooms ready?” Eunbi asked as got to the kitchen.

“Eomma, I’ve already let Myao-san do that.”

“You should be the one doing that.”

“Yes.” Hitomi huffed as she gave the marinated pork to Yuri.

Of everyone in the household, Hitomi was the most busy with the preparations. She went to the market to buy ingredients, she made the sleeping arrangements with Miho, and even prepared the table with Miu and Miho, giving instructions to who gets to sit on which chair and who gets to have what set of utensils.

“Myao-san, Ssamu-unnie sits there now. I return to my old spot.”

“Yes!” Myao-san moved the set and got another. “What about Kwangbae’s?”

“Myao-san, that’s Ssamu-unnie’s set.”

She nodded again and did the arrangement. Miu got Hyewon’s set and puts it on her spot when Hitomi stopped her. “Not there, Miu-chan. Kwangbae-unnie has two extra guests.”

“Wait. We lack one chair-“

“Why not this?” Eunbi pointed to the last vacant chair. “Who sits here?”

“That seat is for Ssamu-unnie’s girlfriend, Eomma.” Hitomi answered.

“What?” Eunbi was shocked. “When did you Ssamu-unnie get a girlfriend?”

“Two weeks ago.” Hitomi sighed.

“Anyway, why don’t you three fix yourselves up?” Miu grinned, patting the backs of the three family members. “They’ll arrive shortly so it’s best to prepare.”

“We’ll finish the arrangements. No worries,” said Miho.

Eunbi, Hitomi, and Yuri agreed. They went to their respective rooms and changed to decent clothes. As soon as they finished, the doorbell rang right on cue. Eunbi and Hitomi down from the second floor as Yuri ran like Flash, heading towards the gate. “I’ll go and greet them!”

As Yuri got outside, Miu caught up, all prepared as well. The two raced and spat at each other to who will greet the guests first but then, the two bumped on the gate, exhausting themselves. Yuri opened their gate and she was greeted by Chowon.

“Good day. You must be Yuri.” Chowon lent a hand. “Nice to finally meet you.”

“Yes. Nice to meet you too.” Yuri grinned and shook back.

Eunbi and Hitomi got outside and saw their baby girl shaking hands with a dashing woman.

“She’s charming. Your Ssamu-unnie’s good in picking a girl like her.” Eunbi commented.

“Eomma…” Hitomi face-palmed. “…that’s Kwangbae-unnie’s.”

Eunbi would’ve questioned about it but they can never let a guest wait. They saw Chowon and Yuri having a little talk when Chowon asked. “By the way, I need scissors.”

“Scissors? I’ll get it.” Miu cheered and ran off.

“Hi. Hitomi.” Hitomi went to greet Chowon. “Finally. In the flesh.”

“Nice to finally meet you, Hiichan.” Chowon smiled then shook hands with Eunbi. “Mrs. Lee. Nice to finally meet you. I’m Han Chowon.”

“Nice to meet you too, Chowon.” Eunbi shook back.

“By the way, why do you need scissors?” Hitomi asked.

“It’s Kwangbae.”

As a concerned mother, fiancée, and sisters, they went back to the taxi where Hyewon was struggling to remove her tangled hair from the car’s seat.

“Unnie!” Hitomi went to help. “What happened to this?!”

“Kwangbae, why is your hair tangled in there?!” Eunbi was also worried.

“Who did this?” Hitomi asked then stopped to look up front.

“What?” Erii raised.

Hitomi wanted to glare since nasty kids were a trigger to her. But with Hyewon pulling her head out and Eunbi telling her to be gentle, Hitomi had to rush in getting the hair out.

“Hey! I got the scissors!” Miu returned with the large tool.

Miu got to the commotion and Hitomi grabbed the tool. She slowly cuts Hyewon’s tangled strands despite the latter being so frisky. Little did they know, another sibling arrived.

“What is the meaning of this~?”

“Ssamu!” “Ssamu-unnie!!”

Eunbi was the most excited and tackled Chaewon for a hug. Chaewon hugged back even tighter and also shared the same hug to Yuri.

“I missed you, our baby Jjoyul~” Chaewon pinched her cheeks.

“Unnie~ I’m no baby.” Yuri huffed. “I missed you too.”

“Miu-chan!” Chaewon hugged her next. “You’ve grown an inch!”

“And you’ve been more beautiful, Ssamu!”

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Lee.” Wonyoung joined in the greetings.

“Good afternoon.” Eunbi greeted then faced Chaewon. “Oh, Ssamu! Where’s your girlfriend?”

Wonyoung coughed and greeted again. “Mrs. Lee. I’m so thankful that we finally meet. I’m your daughter’s love, Jang Wonyoung.”

The rest of the family gasped, not because Wonyoung was ugly but because Wonyoung looked like a child. Eunbi thought that Wonyoung was actually beautiful but she only thought of her as Chaewon’s junior. She never thought that Wonyoung was THE girlfriend of Chaewon.

“Ah. Yuri, by the way.” Yuri lent a hand.

“Wonyoung, my friend. By the way, congratulations!” Wonyoung shook back.

Wonyoung also greeted Miu and Chaewon got to hug Eunbi again, saying that she missed her. Miho managed to go outside and greeted Hyewon first.

“Heol! Kwangbae?”

“Ssamu!” Hyewon went to hug Chaewon.

“I missed you!” Chaewon hugged her still.

“Me too.” Hyewon added before she went to hug Eunbi.

The greetings continued. Chaewon got to greet Miho whereas Hyewon greeted Yuri.

“Thanks for coming home, unnie.” Yuri grinned.

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, Jjoyul.” Hyewon pinches her cheeks.

“Wait-what happened to your hair?” Chaewon pointed at a cut, even Miho reached to check on it.

“Everyone…” Chowon called. “…this is my daughter, Erii.”

“Hi.” Erii greeted, looking uninterested.

The adults greeted her and Hyewon spared to introduce Chowon to her family as much as introducing her family to Chowon, with the addition of getting to know Wonyoung. The greetings were halted again as the last of the siblings finally arrived.

She didn’t hop off her car at first. Sure it was nice to see her family reunited but there’s was one sibling that triggered to just stay in the car.

“Minguri-unnie!” Yuri called, stopping her from that idea.

Yuri ran to greet her. Wonyoung figured Minjoo out from the reviews, causing Chaewon to shut her up. Hitomi caught up and she and Yuri greeted Minjoo first, with Minjoo finally responding to them.

“Thank goodness you came. The overseas siblings managed to come home first before you, just like I told you.” Hitomi spoke.

“Sorry. I got stuck on traffic.” Minjoo huffed.

“But the important thing is that all of us are finally here.” Yuri grinned.

“Hey, Eomma!” Minju went to Eunbi for a hug.

“Good that you’ve finally arrived.” Eunbi hugged back, adding a kiss on the head.

“Of course! The things I do for Jjoyul! Ssamu~!” Minjoo added then punched Chaewon’s arm lightly and hugged her tight. “I missed you!”

“Me too!” Chaewon squealed as she hugged Minjoo like a plushie. “How are you?”

“Good! You look prettier!” Minjoo added then greeted Miu, Miho, then Wonyoung. “Wait-who are you?”

“Jang Wonyoung. Chaewon’s girlfriend.”

“Seriously?” Minjoo chuckled, getting a little punch back from Chaewon.

For Hyewon, she was still, eyes looking at her family, especially at Minjoo. But then, she froze as Minjoo finished greeting the others and stopped in front of herself. It was palpable but as the eldest, Hyewon had to greet first. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Minjoo greeted.

The two shared a short hug but everyone knew that it was awkward. After the hug, it went still and silent…

…until Miho coughed and Eunbi decided that they should get inside.

Yuri, Miu, and Miho got their luggage as all of them went inside the Lee household. The overseas siblings missed their family and their home, even Minjoo, and a mix of contentment, fulfilled longing, and a filled void made the family whole again. It was all fun and sightseeing until Wonyoung nudged Chaewon. “Where’s your room?”

“Uhmm…Wonyoung dear, you’ll stay in the guest room with Chowon and Erii.” Eunbi spoke.

“Well, Wonyoung can actually stay in Yuri’s room so that Chowon and Erii can have their quality family time.” Hitomi spoke. “Ssamu-unnie and Kwangbae-unnie, you share a room.”

“What?” The two reacted.

“Or if you want, we can share the old room with Hiichan.” Minjoo suggested to Hyewon.

“No, it’s fine.” Hyewon spoke. “I’m okay with Ssamu.”

Minjoo sighed and Hitomi settled their room arrangements.

“Wow, love!” Wonyoung nudged Chaewon as she looked at a part of the wall. “I didn’t know that your house was a pharmacy of gold.”

The said wall was a display of the siblings’ educational achievements. It was a display of medals, diplomas, and their graduation pictures from kindergarten to college. They were arranged by the siblings’ age hierarchy, with Hyewon having the largest amount of achievements.

“Well, that’s still lacking, Wonyoung dear. There’s still Ssamu’s MA degree.” Eunbi shared then asked Chaewon. “Did you bring it?”

Chaewon froze for a bit then said, “Sorry, Eomma. I forgot to bring it. But don’t worry, I’ll send it to you soon.”

“Babe…what about your MA degree from Columbia?” Chowon asked Hyewon.

“Have you finished it?” Eunbi asked Hyewon too.

“I already did, Eomma. You forgot again.” She sighed. “I forgot to bring it as well.”

“Right. I almost forgot that you already told me that. Anyway, send it to me so that we can frame it.” Eunbi said. “Same to you, Ssamu.”

Hyewon shrugs it off and decided to help Miho with her luggage. Yuri and Miu also helped with the other luggage and went.

“Hey.” Erii voiced out towards Minjoo. “Why are you the only one with no medals?”

The statement silenced everyone. Chowon scolded her daughter for being rude but Minjoo answered calmly. “Because we ran out of gold. Do you even understand that?”

“I’m sorry for Erii.” Chowon spoke.

The family was a bit offended, especially Hitomi. Her fuse was about to blow up with Hyewon’s hair situation and this had to add.

“Why did you even let that naughty kid come?” Hitomi whispered through gritted teeth.

“Because Chowon said that this was the chance for Erii and I to bond. Made sense.” Hyewon shrugged.

Nonetheless, the others members went with their own businesses. For Eunbi, she was still talking to Chaewon and Wonyoung.

“Wonyoung dear, what do you do?”

“I’m a gardener, ma’am.” Wonyoung answered.

Eunbi would’ve questioned when Chaewon playfully nudged Wonyoung. “Don’t mind Wonyoung’s joke. She can get funny and humble sometimes. What she meant was that she’s a landscape architect.”

“Right! You feel like a gardener when you do landscaping. You scape the land, yes.” Wonyoung added, causing Eunbi to laugh.

“Who wants some snacks?” Miho called out from the kitchen after putting the luggage to Hyewon and Chaewon’s room.

Erii raised and dashed towards the kitchen, with Chowon following her. The rest of the family decided to join in as a start of their bond as a family.