"Good morning, sunshine!" Dahyun was greeted by her Mom who just finished cooking their breakfast and Dahyun couldn't help but smile as soon a she sat down.

 

"Good morning, Ma" she took a piece of sausage, but her Mom playfully slapped her hand.


 

"Goodness, Dahyun. Wash your hands" she firmly stated, but her eyes were playfully glaring and Dahyun could only chuckle and obey her.













 

"You look like you're in a good mood, Ma. What's up?" Dahyun asked her Mom who joined her for breakfast.



 

And she noticed how her Mom stopped for a second, but then flashed a smile Dahyun recognizes and looked up.




 

"Hyunie, I received a message from your Father…." And just with that, Dahyun stopped eating as she stared at her Mother for a second. "He…He's inviting us for a dinner gathering…"




 

Dahyun looked away, clenching her jaw. Funny how her mood automatically dropped after hearing her Father. So that's why her Mother's trying to set her in a good mood. For this man. "You know I don't want to" she stated firmly.



 

Her Mother sighed, "But it's a celebration for your Brother's success. They opened another branch that he's going to manage, let's at least be there for your Brother" Her Mother softlt stated, she knows that Dahyun doesn't wanna talk about them, not even hearing about them.

 

"And then what? Let them embarrass you again? No, Ma. I'm sorry but I don't want to be there, and I don't want you to be there" she stood up, she lost her appetite. "Aren't you tired about this, Ma? Aren't you tired of their mistreatment towards you? Because I'm already sick of it. I can't let them do that to you, never again" She knows that she's been out of control now, and yes she felt guilty because she let out her anger to her Mother.




 

Her Mother was just sitting there looking down as she can't face Dahyun, because her Daughter was right, they should've been avoiding them since they left the house.






 

And Dahyun must've noticed how it did affect her Mother, and so she sighed, shut her eyes for a moment, and walked throwards her. "I'm….. I'm sorry, Ma. It's just... I can't…..I won't let that happen again.." and her Mother stood up, flashing a faint smile of the bitter truth.



 

"No, it's fine. We should've learned since then. I should've learned" and Dahyun felt a pang on her chest, she wanted to hug her Mother who never did anything wrong but to love, to be understanding, and be kind…



 

But her Mother averted her gaze and took the empty plates.



 

"If you're done eating, you should go now or you'll get late."



 

And Dahyun just watched her Mother walk through the Kitchen.




 

She pressed her lips together to calm herself, her lips were trembling, eyes on heat. She stood at the kitchen door. "I'm sorry…" she spoke again, and her Mother looked behind her, flashing a smile that didn't reach her eyes.




 

"Honey, you didn't do anything wrong. Don't worry, okay? Just go now or you'll get late, and take care" She lovingly stated at her Daughter.




 

"Can't I at least ask for a hug? I wanna make sure that you're okay.." Dahyun softly mumbled, guilt written on her face,



 

And her Mother couldn't help but chuckle at her silliness, suddenly, the heavy feeling on their chest lightened, and Mrs. Kim walk through her and gave her a tight hug.





 

"Don't worry. You were right" and her Mother let go of the hug and pat Dahyun's head. "I'm glad that you told me that, I should've thought of what you would feel"




 

"I just want to protect us, Mom. And you, they don't deserve you...not even him" and Her Mother could only smile at how protective her Daughter is. 



 

"Look at you, all grown up" Dahyun chuckled at that. "Now you're the one who is taking care of me. Do you think I'm that old now, huh?" Her Mother raised her eyebrows playfully and Dahyun smiled.




 

"You are old. An Old Lady who bakes delicious bread and pastries" Dahyun playfully stuck out her tongue and left the Kitchen before her Mother could even smack her.




 

"You better run before I chase you, little bean!" Mrs. Kim playfully stated and watched Dahyun walking fast away from her.







 

And before Dahyun could fully left their house, she faced her Mother with a big smile. "I love you, Ma"


 

"And I love you, little bean" Her Mother muttered.


 

"Stop calling me that" a light frown on Dahyun's face, but she immediately left when her Mother attempted to chase her with a used spoon on hand.













 

As soon as Dahyun reached where her bike was, she sighed.

 

She stole one last glance at their house.


 

They're better without them…

 

They're better without their help…

 

They don't need them…

 

-------------------------


 

A box of cookies were placed on top of Dahyun's desk.

She looked up to see who it came from, and it was a total surprise to see Gahyeon in front of her, a shy smile on her face.



 

They're in the Music room, where members of the Music and Arts Club meets, practices, and discusses. They're sharing a room for this school year. It's the biggest room after all.




 

"Hey, what is this for?" Dahyun looked a little surprised as her eyes would look at the box of cookies and then to Gahyeon's eyes.




 

Gahyeon tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's a gift. Thank you for looking after me….us, and letting me be partnered with you for the program" she stated shyly,




 

And Dahyun finally understood, nodding her head and smiled.

 

They'll be having a Talent Show next week for the JYPU's Anniversary and every Club chooses a representative, and everyone in their Club chose Gahyeon to sing as she's the newest member, and the latter asked her to be the one who plays the piano, and Dahyun accepted it, after all, she's the President of the Club, and she loves to help her members.





 

"Thank you for this, but you don't really need to" Dahyun lightly chuckled but Gahyeon shook her head in protest.



 

"You...deserve that" and averted her gaze away from Dahyun. "I'll probably leave now, I don't wanna disturb you" she bowed at Dahyun, who was actually writing some notes seconds ago,



 

"See you later for practice, Gahyeon" Dahyun stated. "And thank you" Gahyeon just widely smiled before leaving her, and walk through the other members.










 

"Will you accept these brushes, Dahyun-sunbaenim? This is a gift----"

 

"Shut up or I'm kicking you out of this room, Chaeng" Dahyun grumbled and glared at her friend who was actually sitting a foot away from her, doing some painting for her project.



 

Chaeyoung chuckled. "Look at the difference how you responded at her and to me. Rude , and we share this room, you can't kick me out." She sassily stated, but then grinned. "I just want to thank your for existing, Dahyun-sunbaenim" she mockingly stated, but she was just actually teasing Dahyun. She heard everything. Eavesdropping.



 

Dahyun rolled her eyes, but none the less chuckled. "Well, I'm not thankful to see your existing."



 

Chaeyoung only laughed and lightly kicked the side of Dahyun's left foot. "I told you, she likes you----"



 

"Stop making assumptions, Chaengcasso" she glared again.



 

"Bruh, I'm not. Who the hell gives cookies to someone who just---"



 

"She's just thankful. She said that" Dahyun stated between ger gritted teeth, she's probably going to kick this mushroom's . "And can you lower your voice?"


 

"Well, I've been helping a lot of students for their artworks and no one gave me a cookie!" Chaeyoung whisper-shouted at Dahyun, trying to point out something.




 

"No one's giving you because you're already taken, Son Chaeyoung" Dahyun stated in a matter of fact.



 

"Exactly!" Chaeyoung exaggeratedly stated at her naive Best Friend. "You're single and free, well, not really free since your is stuck on some messy situation where---"



 

"I swear to God I'm going to kick you out, Chaeyoung"


 

"Fine" Chaeyoung pouted. "God, you're so naive. No wonder……." she mumbled.




 

And Dahyun didn't hear the last words she spoke, she looked back at Chaeyoung again. "Th