It was another day in Gwanak Village and for this itinerary, the twelve friends were at Minju’s ancestral home. They got to meet Minju’s grandparents and some of Minju’s cousins and nieces. For lunch, all of them helped with the household chores – from cooking to watching over the babies.

“Imo~” Minju’s niece called as she was rocked by Chaeyeon.

“Aigoo, you get along so well with little Kimin, Chaeyeon-ah.” Minju’s grandmother spoke. “Minguri here couldn’t even control her.”

“Halmeoni~” Minju whined as she chopped some onions.

The household was filled with laughter yet everyone got busy. Outside, Minju’s grandfather taught Yujin and Yuri how to wash and debone their freshly caught fish. In the garden, Yena, Hitomi, and Wonyoung were taught by Minju’s eldest female cousin how to pick and plant vegetables. Eunbi, Chaeyeon, and Nako were on babysitting duty whereas Sakura and Hyewon helped Minju’s grandmother in sorting out ingredients. Minju and Chaewon took charge in cooking with Minju’s male cousin, Kyumin.

It would’ve been a different phase of lifestyle for most of the twelve friends but there was a way for it to be relaxing. It was in the countryside, far from the city’s hustle and bustle and free from all distress. Doing household chores without any disturbance was like sleeping in the most comfortable beds.

“Minju-ya, you and your friends should come here often. It gets pretty lonely, you know.” Her grandmother spoke. “We may have had the family reunion but your great-grandfather had to make a fuss.”

“We will, Halmeoni.” Minju spoke while putting the tofu in the boiling stew.

“We could live here, Halmeoni.” Hyewon suggested and Minju’s grandmother was obliged, pinching her cheeks.

“Min, are these the right size?” Chaewon asked about the chopped sausages.

Minju raised a thumb and Chaewon started grilling them. They had time to cook, to taste each other’s food, and prepare the table with their dishes.

“Min, could you run by the store to buy ice cream?” Kyumin asked while getting money from his pocket. “Consider it as a treat for the family, especially for your friends and for the kids.”

“Okay, Oppa.” Minju nodded as she took off her apron.

Chaewon was done with her dish and puts the grilled sausages on the table. Minju’s grandmother wowed of the preparation. “Wonderful, Chaewon-ah~”

“Thank you, Halmeoni.” Chaewon grinned as she bowed. 

“You know, you and my Minguri match. You two are pretty plus you two know how to cook.” Minju’s grandmother pulled Chaewon closer. “You know, Minguri wouldn’t shut up about you when we talked in the reunion.”

“Awesome.” Sakura raised a thumb.

“Minguri must like Chaewon so much.”

“That’s a fact, Halmeoni!” Chaeyeon spoke as the little kids cheered.

“You’re so whipped, Min.” Hyewon added.

Chaewon smiled while her face was red. Minju whined about the teasing that she pulled Chaewon up. “Come with me to buy ice cream.”

“Ice cream~” Little Kimin cheered.

They adored the youngest Kim as Chaewon and Minju went out to do the errand.

“Use the bikes, girls. And be careful when you get to the river.” Minju’s grandmother spoke.

The two nodded and went on their way. They spared to greet Minju’s grandfather and her eldest female cousin before they got their bikes and rode off.

“Where do you think they’re going, Kyulmin-unnie?” Wonyoung asked.

“My brother must’ve tasked Minju again.” She spoke.

“Unnie, are these lettuce enough?” Yena asked.

“They’re good, Yen.” Kyulmin raised a thumb-up then asking. “Did she bring one of your friends along?”

“Yeah. Chaewon-unnie.” Hitomi spoke.

“Minju’s so whipped for her, unnie. The problem is that both of them are chickens.”

“Did someone say chicken?” Yujin cheered as she held a dead chicken.

The trio whined. Yujin didn’t swing it around as Yuri and Minju’s grandfather got closer.

“Good job, Yujin-ah.” He patted her back. “We should hurry now. Lunch will be prepared soon.”

They obeyed the patriarch and resumed their tasks. The two Kims were smiling while working. They heard the talk about Minju liking Chaewon and they smiled because Minju had granted their wish: to get a partner.

For whatever it’s worth, riding bikes towards the errand might be a huge chance for them to be together.

+++

Chaewon and Minju were side by side, riding bikes and feeling Mt. Gwanak’s breeze pass by in a calm manner. Despite having an errand, Minju mostly decided that they should take their time. It was an hour before lunch plus the store wasn’t far so they had all the time. 

They got to the bridge Minju’s grandmother talked about. Chaewon hopped off and decided to walk and drag her bike. Minju followed suit and they got across safely.

“Ssamu, what are your plans for the future?” Minju started conversation.

“That’s a tough one. I still haven’t decided.” Chaewon chuckled, scratching her head. “I haven’t studied, I haven’t decided a university, and I haven’t aspired which course I should take.”

“I see…” Minju nodded. “Maybe I’ll take Tourism. I always wanted to be a flight stewardess.”

“You’d make a gorgeous stewardess that people won’t leave their flights just to see you.” 

“Stop that…” Minju nudged her, leaving Chaewon to hop on her bike and ride again.

Minju rode again and chased her until they got to the store. Minju did the honors of buying ice cream whereas Chaewon waited outside to watch their bikes. 

Inside, Minju decided to buy the ones in cups and picked flavors that each of the members liked. “Ahjusshi, is there mint chocolate flavor here?”

“There’s only one left, Minju-ssi.” He pointed at the farthest freezer. “The flavor doesn’t sell much here so I didn’t restock.”

Minju nodded and got the last cup. She paid for it and went out, seeing Chaewon sit by the bench as their bikes stood next to each other. Minju was frozen like the ice cream as she looked at Chaewon enjoying the breeze.

Minju thought of Chaewon as a vision; her cute feet wiggled like it was a penguin’s, her knees glistening like the shiniest brass doorknobs, her elbows that were fragile yet strong that it could break plywood, and her eyes…they say the eyes were windows to the soul but for Minju, they were safes that it would take her forever to crack the codes.

She wouldn’t usually say it but Chaewon was a girl that she would bring back into this village and be part of her family.

“Come on, Min.” Chaewon got closer and held the pack, making Minju return to reality. “Lunch will start soon and these ice creams might melt.”

Minju nodded and got on her bike. Chaewon placed the pack in the basket and one flavor caught her eye. “You got mint chocolate~”

“Yeah.” Minju chuckled on how cute Chaewon was.
“Only one?”

“Yeah. The store didn’t restock because it didn’t sell well…” Minju spoke. “…but don’t worry. That’s yours.”

“Really?” Chaewon looked back.

Minju was by her side. She ended pinching Chaewon’s cheek lightly. “Really.”

Minju rode ahead and Chaewon followed by her side, making her think about this wonderful vacation, especially about her moments with Minju.

For what it’s worth, it became a boost for her deepest feelings. To Chaewon, Minju was someone she would bring closer to her heart.