The tumultuous age of fourteen starts off with a timid knock at the door.

“Aigoo, our cute little Seungwannie!”

The lively greeting lights up Seungwan’s face. Mrs. Kang is strict (she knows this from all the times Seulgi has gotten herself grounded) but there’s still a nurturing love to her tone that makes an odd warmth bubble in her heart. She loves spending time at Seulgi’s house.

Stubby fingers nervously twiddle with the hem of her school skirt. “Um, eomeoni, is Seulgi okay?”

Harassed, Mrs. Kang lets out an exasperated sigh as she wipes her hands on her apron. “Aish, that troublemaker is in her room. You know, she shouldn’t be having visitors when she’s been so naughty…” she leans in to whisper, “but I know she really misses you.”

With a courteous bow, Seungwan’s socked feet pad up the staircase, ears ringing with guilt.

“Seungwannie-yah!” Seulgi’s mum calls out just as she reaches the doorknob. “Hammer some sense into that girl! I told her she can’t live life like a reckless hoodlum, starting stupid fights for no reason, but of course she won’t listen to her own mother!”

“Okay eomeoni!”

As a budding teenager, Seungwan thinks there’s no better feeling than to be able to call your best friend’s mother like your own.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

That night after Seungwan leaves, Mrs. Kang frustratedly sets down a plate of sizzling bulgogi on the dining table.

“Aish, why can’t you be more lik