THERE'S no definite way to explain Richard's week. It started with his daughter, Ahn Yujin, going back to training. He was really happy to hear from the girl herself that she went back to her uncle's gym to train. Yujin was an athlete before. She even became the representative of her high school when it came to Taekwondo but she suddenly quit the sport for no reason at all.

"It's not fun."

That's the only thing she told her father when he asked her about quitting.

He thought Yujin was just a bit burnt out but she didn't get back to the sport and even started doing vices. So, he was really happy when she went back to training. Even his brother was rejoicing.

But then, that same week Yujin's actions were so strange that there were incidents that its creepiness gave him goosebumps.

On Monday, she gave him a morning call and even wished him a good day (even though she called him 'silly old man'.) In the afternoon he received another call saying that she would be the one to bring Minjoo home and he should just relax and not worry about the girl. When he reached home, they shared a lively dinner table with the two acting like Tom and Jerry when they were awkward during breakfast.

It didn’t end there. The next morning he woke up with Yujin already exercising. She gave him a bright snicker before continuing with her routine. When he walked to the kitchen to get some sandwiches, Minjoo was already there preparing a kimbap roll for him.

“Breakfast is ready, Uncle~” was Minjoo’s greeting to him.

He was about to thank the girl when Yujin came running to the kitchen and the coffee machine. “Huh! I’ll be the one to make Dad’s coffee then!”

When he was about to go to work, Yujin pointed at him before flashing a smile. “Have a good day today, Best Professor!” And she’ll run around the house for another lap.

And that didn’t happen just once. It happened the next day, the day after it and so on. And now that it’s already the weekend again, he found himself watching Yujin and Minjoo prepare for a trip to the beach in which he isn’t invited.

‘Am I imagining things or what?’ he asked himself while watching the two. ‘I wasn’t even expecting to see this bright side of Yujin but she’s acting like the happiest girl in town since Minjoo arrived.’

Richard kept observing the two. He watched how Yujin opened the trunk and helped Minjoo to load the snacks and drinks that they were tasked to bring. Yujin was even cheerfully asking Minjoo if she had forgotten something. The girl was obviously excited.

‘Hm…’ He then nodded to himself. ‘I guess Yujin’s personality could’ve come out more if she had a sibling… If only my jagiya didn’t leave us so early we could’ve brought more happy smiles like Yujin’s in this world.’

And as if he had realised something, the Professor furiously shook his head. ‘No, no… Yujin has been much of a headache growing up. If I had like two more Yujins then it would be too much for me to handle.’

He then looked back at the two who seemed like they had already finished the preparation. It seemed like Yujin cracked a joke that Minjoo didn’t like which rewarded her a slap on the shoulder. Right then, the Professor couldn’t help but to smile.

Even though Yujin’s actions are a bit weird, he didn’t really find it really bad. In fact, he was really happy to see that her child could smile like that. He knows so well the dark past Yujin had in growing up in an environment where she didn’t seem to fit in.

He saw how Yujin changed through the years. From the cheerful little girl who suddenly closed herself from the world after being bullied to a student who had to transfer schools several times because her fists learned to talk for her. She then transitioned into an athlete and became one of the not so cool kids with vices.

And now, seeing her flashing a sincere, happy smile would be something that he would really treasure.

‘All thanks to Minjoo.’

“Alright.” Yujin gave Minjoo a wink. “I think we are ready to go.”

Minjoo just shook her head. “But did you really have to wink, though?”

“Well, of course--”

“Minjoo?”

The two’s attention turned to Richard who was sitting by the porch. “Yes, Uncle?” Minjoo responded.

“Well, I am just curious.” The Professor started. “But are you really going on a trip with this brat? I mean, she’s addicted to parties--”

“Dad!” Yujin whined. “Why are you suddenly defaming me when we are ready to go? Also, we’re not going to a party! We are just gonna hang out with the other Korean kids.”

Minjoo didn’t stop herself from laughing which made Yujin whine even more. “Why are you laughing like that? I know I was into parties but please just think of it as a phase of my colourful youth.”

“Shut up, colourful youth!” Richard scoffed. “I know what kind of youth you are talking about. I am just worried that you might have a bad influence on Minjoo.”

“Dad!” Yujin pouted while Minjoo laughed even more.

“It’s okay, Uncle.” Minjoo finally answered while drying her eyes. Nothing beats the good roasting of Richard especially when it comes to Yujin. “I’ve met the people that we will be going to the beach with. They are all nice people. Also, a friend of mine will also come with us so rest assured that Yujin won’t feed me to the waves.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Yujin then gave her a meaningful smile. “I will feed you to something else.”

Minjoo looked disgusted and slapped Yujin at the shoulder once more.

“For real, Dad! You should be worried about me!” Yujin started pointing to her shoulder that was just hit. “I might lose a shoulder with this girl around.”

“Shut up, colourful youth!” Minjoo and Richard said in chorus which didn’t amaze Yujin at all. She just went to her car while mumbling to herself.

“Give me a call in case something happens, alright?” The Professor told Minjoo which made Yujin monotonously shout, “I am your daughter though.”

“Don’t worry, Uncle. I believe everything will be fine.” Minjoo reassured the said guy.

“Alright then, have fun with your little escapades.”

Minjoo thanked the patriarch before riding Yujin’s car. Richard watched how Yujin even helped Minjoo with her seatbelt. He was even surprised when her daughter turned to him.

“Have a good rest day, Dad! Don’t worry, I have Minjoo with me so I won’t drive home drunk. Also, don’t be such a busy bee even on your day off. Just relax, oldie~”

He was about to get back at her but he was taken away by the moment.

“See you later, Dad~” Yujin waved at her, he could see Minjoo waving too.

He then raised his hand and smiled at the two. “Take care, kids!”

Yujin then gave him a salute before stepping on the gas. Richard then heaved out a sigh when the two were out of sight. He went for a stretch before going back inside the house. In the kitchen, he found out that Minjoo already left food for him to eat while Yujin gave him two cans of beer.

“These kids…” He breathed out as he took his mug to make another cup of coffee. It is true that his house became bright and lively since Minjoo arrived and now that the two went somewhere, he thought he would be finally able to relax from the noise but he started missing the two right away.

“This household will be in a mess once Minjoo returns home.”

Richard went to his study room. He was waiting for his computer to boot up when an idea entered her mind.

“Maybe I should personally update Minjoo’s parents about her stay here.”

When his computer was ready, he looked for Minjoo’s profile the school sent him before the program started. He didn’t waste more time and typed a mail to the person labelled as Minjoo’s guardian. And, did his eyes sparkled when that guardian’s name pulled a heartstring?

THE TWO arrived at the beach house where the four other girls were already fooling around. Yujin entrusted the key to Sakura. The girl went around with Yena to pick Irene and Chaeyeon up.

"Eugene! Minjoo!" Irene cheerfully greeted the two while Sakura and Yena just gave the younger girl a salute.

"What's up with these two?" Eugene asked as if she had seen two dried squids on the floor. "Won't you guys help in carrying these things?"

Yena tried to raise her hand but it limped back to the ground. "Did you bring even more food? Are you guys really thinking of staying here for good?"

Yujin looked even more confused. Chaeyeon then stood up to help them but it was obvious that her legs were shaking.

"What happened?" Minjoo asked.

Chaeyeon let out a deep sigh. "Before coming here, Irene-unnie thought of stopping at a food mart and she ended up driving us all mad in getting all those groceries."

The girl then pointed at the kitchen with her thumb. "We bought a lot of fruits and ingredients for the barbeque party tonight. Be careful when you open the fridge or the watermelon will slide out."

Minjoo turned to Irene who was sitting beside Sakura. She was laughing so cheerfully while pulling Sakura’s arm while the latter looked like she had already ran out of stamina. She then turned to Yena and the other girl reacted the same.

"Bae looks extra cheerful today." Yujin murmured as she passed by her. Minjoo then told Chaeyeon to just rest for a bit and they will take care of their load. She then followed the other girl to the kitchen while carrying the other stuff.

They didn’t dare to open the fridge. Thankfully they bought drinks through a cooler and they didn't bring snacks that needed to be refrigerated.

While organising, Minjoo noticed a different look on Yujin. For that very moment, she thought that the said girl looked a bit serious as if she was in deep thought.

"Are you okay?"

Yujin froze for a moment after hearing that question from Minjoo. It was really rare of her to start a conversation. Yujin turned to her with a poker face. She didn’t even answer, making Minjoo awkward.

“W-What’s wrong with you?” Minjoo stammered and then finally looked away. She tried to make herself busy but she could feel Yujin still looking at her. “What?”

Yujin’s eyebrows were both up. “I am okay though. What made you ask that?”

Minjoo was also curious as to why. She just knew she kind of felt something was off with Yujin. “I don’t know. You kind of looked troubled when we arrived here.”

“Troubled?” Yujin just gave her a mischievous smile. “Are you worried about me, baby?”

And there goes Minjoo’s eyes rolling. She went back to organising and pretended that Yujin didn't exist. Yujin, on the other hand, leaned back on the sink with her arms crossed. “Well you know? I am actually being troubled by something.”

Minjoo’s interest was piqued but she chose to act as if she’s not even listening. Yujin let out a vexed sigh. “Lately I couldn’t even sleep well because of that.”

Again, Minjoo didn’t show any sign of interest which somehow frustrated Yujin. She then took steps near Minjoo and softly blew air towards her. Minjoo looked at her as if she’s some annoying kid in the park then went on with her task but Yujin kept on blowing her way.

‘What’s wrong with this weirdo?’ Minjoo asked herself. But she couldn’t help but ask herself more. ‘Why is my heart racing just because of her childish actions, though?’

“Minjoo~~” Yujin called, already sounding annoyed that she’s not giving her attention. She leaned towards her and blew straight to her face.

“Ya, what are you--”

“Don’t you smell it?” Yujin asked in a low register. “I don’t smell like cigarettes now, right?”

Minjoo’s eyes widened. She wanted to look back to Yujin but she’s well aware of how fast her face turned red. She’s right, her breath smells minty yet sweet at the same time and Minjoo knows exactly what she is inferring.

“Good for you then.” Minjoo tried to move away from Yujin which made the other girl more frustrated. She took a deep breath and just said what she had been wanting to say.

“I am just really wondering when I can ever kiss you again.”

“Yujin!”

That’s it, Minjoo couldn’t help it anymore and turned to Yujin with that blushing face of hers. She thought she would see the usual playful smile on the girl’s face but what she saw was eyes filled with longing.

“I am serious though.” Yujin was looking at her straight to the eye. “You may say that