“Let’s not think about it too much Jin Ae, now hurry up and go to bed, you still have school tomorrow.” Pushing those thoughts away, she opened her eyes and stuck her tongue out at Jinsang who just pushed her forehead and walked off into the kitchen.

The next morning, Jin Ae had woken up on her on to Jinsang’s surprise.

“Wow, this is quite impressive.” He said while leaning on the doorframe while Jin Ae was already tying her hair up in a pony tail. She just glared at him and grabbed her bag while rushing past him and down the stairs.

“Breakfast is on the table, I have a short day at work today so why don’t I pick you up from school and we can have an early family night, yeah?” She couldn’t help but to grin widely at her brother, a somewhat comical sight because she had stuffed a large piece of kimbap inside . Jinsang just chuckled lightly and shook his head while grabbing a glass and the orange juice from the fridge. It was then that the doorbell rang and Jin Ae looked at her brother curiously.

“Go get it.” Jin Ae frowned and aimed a kick at her brother under the table.

“Ow!” He jumped, rubbing his now sore shin. Jin Ae swallowed the kimbap that was in and walked to the front of the house, opening the door.

“Who is – Byunghun?!” She exclaimed in surprise. At the sight of her shocked face, Byunghun laughed and put his hands in his pockets.

“Why hello there.” He said while cocking his head to the side.

“Jin Ae who is – oh, you.” Jinsang came up behind Jin Ae and instinctively placed a protective hand on her shoulder. Byunghun’s once cocky expression immediately disappeared and was replaced by a very sheepish one. He pulled his hands out of his pockets and made a ninety degree bow.

“Uh h-hyung –”

“Who said you can call me hyung?” Jinsang cut him off and glared at him. Byunghun flinched slightly and stiffened under the older boy’s intense gaze.

“I-I mean Jinsang-ssi.” Jin Ae, who had still been in a small state of shock seeing Byunghun at her door, finally snapped out of it and removed Jinsang’s hand from her shoulder.

“What brings you here?” She asked but Byunghun wasn’t looking at her while he responded. Instead, he kept his eyes focused on her brother, as if using his eyes to ask for some sort of permission about his words.

“I was h-hoping to walk to with you to school…b-because uh…” Jinsang’s eyes narrowed and Byunghun gulped. Jin Ae could feel the tension growing and she sighed and turned to face Jinsang.

“Oh come on, you always complain about me walking by myself, so chill. I’ll see you after school alright?” She said while pushing him back inside and grabbing her bag. Just as she was about to step back outside with Byunghun, Jinsang pulled her back in and wagged a finger in front of her face.

“He steps one toe out of line, whether it’s leaving your side for a second or backstabbing you, again, you call me and I’ll kick his .” Jin Ae rolled her eyes and slapped his hand away from her face.

“You’ll probably kick his regardless, I’ll see you later okay? I’ll be fine.” She repeated and she quickly walked out the door, pulling Byunghun along with her so that Jinsang wouldn’t strangle him. When the two of them turned the corner and the house was out of view, Byunghun blew out hard and clutched his chest.

“He looked like he was going eat me back there…” He muttered and Jin Ae chuckled.

“Oh, he was going to do more than that.” Byunghun’s eyes widened but Jin Ae paid no mind to it and steered the conversation away from her brother. Walking together like that was what they always used to do and it seemed that they were being graced with the pleasure of walking side by side as friends once again. It felt like they had been doing this forever and never spent a day apart, that is, not until the stepped inside their classroom, still deep in conversation.

Neither of them noticed the change of expression on some students’ faces as the pair walked passed them and to their seats. It wasn’t until Jin Ae felt a tap on her shoulder did they stop conversing.

“Uh Jin Ae? Can I talk to you for a sec?” Before Jin Ae could reject her, Eun Hee pulled her up and bowed slightly towards Byunghun and dragged Jin Ae out in the hallway.

“Yah Eunnie, what was that for?!” Eun Hee looked at her friend with wide eyes and then poked her forehead.

“You, little missy, are in no position to be asking me questions. Now would you kindly tell me what the hell is going on.” She raised her eyebrows expectantly. Jin Ae tilted her head to the side and leaned against the wall, looking confused.

“What are you talking about Eunnie?” Eun He sighed and crossed her arms.

“Oh I don’t know, I’m just wondering why on earth you’d be talking to Lee Byunghun AKA the that hates you and more importantly, the you hate back?!”

“Ohhh…well, funny story really…”

“I’ve got all day.” Jin Ae rolled her eyes.

“You know, you and Jinsang are seriously starting to sound alike, it’s kind of creepy.”

“Don’t change the topic!” Eun Hee snapped and Jin Ae looked up at her friend. Just as she was about to open , Ms. Kim walked by and paused to give the girls a small bow and a smile.

“Come on girls, you can chit chat later – class is about to start.” Feeling resigned, Eun Hee reluctantly followed Ms. Kim inside with Jin Ae close behind. Just as the two were about to separate, Eun Hee briefly grasped Jin Ae’s wrist.

“Lunch. You’re going to tell me everything.”With that, Eun Hee sat at her seat while Jin Ae continued her walk to the back of the room where she was greeted by a confused looking Byunghun. With a shake of her head, he knew not to ask her anything and she sat down, her arm propped up on the desk, her head resting on the palm of her hand. She could feel Byunghun’s eyes on her but she just looked intently at her desk, drawing imaginary shapes with her fingers.

Ms. Kim had done a brief explanation of a small project they each had to do, all the while Jin Ae was still looking rather distracted.

“Okay, you still have about twenty minutes left, I’ll give you a work period. I just have to run quickly to the office…” With that, Ms. Kim left the room and people began talking quietly amongst themselves. Jin Ae glanced up at the front and noticed Eun Hee looking at her before she turned to talk to her seatmate. Sighing Jin Ae dropped her head on the desk, a dull thud sounding as her forehead made contact with the wood.

“Ow.” She said dully. Byunghun poked the side of her head and she turned her head slightly and looked at him.

“What?” Her voice remained monotone and he raised an eyebrow.

“What’s wrong with you?” He asked. Jin Ae only sighed again as she straightened up in her seat and slouched over slightly.

“Eun Hee wants me to explain why I’m talking to an , as she calls you.” Byunghun’s eyebrows furrowed and he frowned.

“Yah, what right does she have in calling me an ?!” Jin Ae rolled her eyes.

“I told her about our wonderful past, including the part where you said you hated me.” Byunghun’s expression turned into a hurt one.

“I said I was sorry!” He almost yelled and a few people turned to stare. Jin Ae covered his mouth and muttered apologies to the students close by.

“Yah, I already forgave you but now I have to retell the whole damn story to Eun Hee. Honestly, it’s like having another Jinsang at school…”

“But she’s your friend right?” Byunghun questioned and Jin Ae nodded.

“Well I guess you should tell her, it’s not like you have to make a speech to the whole school.”

“I know, it’s just a little frustrating having to repeat the story over again.” Jin Ae mumbled. To that, Byunghun laughed lightly and playfully punched her arm.