As Mr and Mrs Lee would be staying the night, sleeping arrangements were rearranged. They would take the master bedroom, while Ji Hyo and her daughter would bunk in with Eun Soo in the spare room. Kwang Soo, meanwhile, would continue sleeping in the living room.

Kwang Soo lay in bed, a smile gracing his features as he listened to the ladies giggling in the spare room. He was relieved that his mother seemed open to the idea of Ji Hyo as being more than a friend. She had even gone as far as taking Ji Hyo’s hand and placing it in his. That had surprised him.

However, he was slightly bothered about Ji Hyo’s reticence. Other than the kiss they had shared the previous night, she hadn’t initiated or accepted any steps to further their friendship. Although to be fair, she hadn’t been able to promise him anything. She had made it clear that her priorities lay with her daughter. He had surprised himself with his audacity at kissing her. He had only done so because she had told him that she planned on divorcing her husband. But the fact remained, that before either of them signed the papers, she was still a married woman.

Frowning, he thought about what she had told him earlier in the day. It seemed that she had doubts about herself and viewed herself as damaged goods, and that she wasn’t worthy of his love.

Oh noona. You are perfect just the way you are. All I want... No, all I need is your love. I don’t care if you’re married before or that you have a child. I would love Hyo Joo like she was my own sister.

Shaking his head, he reminded himself not to over think things. Whatever she decided, he had already pledged his friendship to her. He stood by what he had told her when he had given her the Pikorua. That it was enough for him that she was alive. That no matter who she was with, or wherever she went, what mattered most to him was that she was alive and well somewhere in this world.

He heard the stairs creak then Ji Hyo’s soft voice came from the direction of the stairs. “Kwang Soo-ah, are you asleep?” She asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She looked absolutely adorable, squatting and peeking from the top of the stairs, her features arranged in a pretty pout. She wore an oversized button down shirt that was probably two sizes too big for her.

“Hey, noona. No, I’m not. I’m still up.” He answered, glancing at the clock on the wall. It was almost midnight. He had been up for almost an hour, musing about his situation with her.

She came down the stairs, hoping down the steps in that child-like fashion of hers. Walking into the kitchen, she poured herself a glass of water before heading over to the sofa bed. “Your sister snores.” Ji Hyo grumbled, plopping herself down next to Kwang Soo on the sofa bed. “It's a good thing Hyo Joo is already asleep, or she'd wake my daughter.”

Kwang Soo laughed. “Is that why you’re here with me? You can’t sleep because her snores kept you up?”

Ji Hyo stared grouchily at him and he immediately zipped his mouth. “Ya! Don't think I only came here because I couldn't sleep!” She rebuked playfully, rapping his head lightly with her knuckles. “I actually wanted to give you your present before Christmas ended.” She revealed, smiling shyly. “I guess I’m a little late.” She remarked as she glanced at the clock.

She stood and walked to the Christmas tree, rummaging underneath it for the present she had prepared for him before returning to the couch. When she returned, Kwang Soo saw that she held a square package in her hands. Taking a seat next to him, she handed him his gift. Thanking her, he smiled back at her. They shared a quiet moment, content to be sharing the other’s presence and companion. Suddenly, Ji Hyo grinned cheekily. “And your sister is a great big molester! She d my s in her sleep!”

Hyo Joo and Ji Hyo laughed out loudly at Eun Soo’s spot-on imitation of Kwang Soo. The three girls were sharing the spare bedroom, and the vet had been regaling mother and daughter with interesting, albeit embarrassing anecdotes about her brother. Ji Hyo clamped a hand over and her daughter’s, trying to stifle their laughter. It was late, and Mr and Mrs Lee had already retired for the night, so she didn’t wish to wake the elderly couple.

Eun Soo told them a story about how she and Kwang Soo been invited to a Hāngi, a traditional Māori method of cooking food using heated rocks buried in a pit oven, which was used only for special occasions. There had been a series of floods caused by the heavy rains, and her brother had been instrumental in helping the local Māori tribe recover their livestock. His home even became a temporary refuge for a couple of families that had lost their houses in the floods. To celebrate what he had done for the tribe, they had organised the Hāngi in his honour.

It was there, apparently, that the tall Korean had caught the eye of a particularly amorous Māori woman, who wasn’t at all shy in showing her affections for him. “Omo, Unnie! He was soo awkward! The way he was trying to keep her at arm’s length.” Eun Soo smirked as she imitated her brother. “Oh, and when she attempted to kiss him, Kwang Soo tried to get away so quickly that his legs folded under him and he fell flat on his face.” The vet recounted.

Hyo Joo giggled, imaging the scene in her head while Ji Hyo smiled wistfully, remembering a time, when he too, stumbled over his legs when she got too close to him. How he blushed when she kissed him. She could picture the scene. It was quintessentially Kwang Soo. Looking over at Eun Soo, Ji Hyo could see the love and affection the vet had for her brother shining in her eyes. It warmed her heart.

“Eun Soo Unnie, why does Uncle Kwang Soo run away from kisses?” Hyo Joo asked, tilting her head. “Kisses are nice. It shows that people like you. That’s why mummy kisses me! I like them, and I like Uncle Kwang Soo too! So I kiss him. But he doesn’t run away from my kisses.” She added.

“That’s because Uncle Kwang Soo likes you, Hyo Joo-ah.” Eun Soo explained.

“So Uncle Kwang Soo doesn’t like the Māori Unnie?” Hyo Joo asked innocently.

Eun Soo smirked and looked over at Ji Hyo’s direction. “No, he doesn’t. Your Uncle Kwang Soo has had his heart on one very special lady. For many, many years now.” She told the little girl.

“Why doesn’t the girl like Uncle Kwang Soo? He is so nice.” Hyo Joo stated, her brows furrowed, looking puzzled.

“Sometimes, nice just isn’t enough.” Eun Soo said, staring sadly at Ji Hyo.

The little girl scratched her head. “Eun Soo Unnie, I don’t understand.”

Ji Hyo patted her daughter on the head. “You will when you’re older.” She told her. Without warning, she pinned Hyo Joo to the bed and began tickling her. Eun Soo soon joined in, and the two women attacked the little girl. The vet held Hyo Joo's arms down while Ji Hyo blew raspberry kisses on her belly, causing Hyo Joo to squeal and giggle. Finally, they ceased their attack. As the laughter died down, Ji Hyo picked her daughter up, carrying her to the toilet. “Come, let’s get you ready for bed. Time to brush your teeth!”

“Unnie! This is so exciting! It’s like a girl’s night! You, Hyo Joo and I are going to stay up all night and trade girly stories!” Eun Soo exclaimed excitedly as they got ready for bed. Hyo Joo sat on the bed, blinking her eyes blearily. She had had a long day and was exhausted. Yawning, she lay on the bed and was out like a light. Ji Hyo smiled, she planted a kiss on her daughter’s cheeks and gently tucked her under the blanket.

“Well, I guess we can count Hyo Joo out.” Eun Soo said when she saw that the child had fallen asleep. Ji Hyo hopped onto the queen bed, lying next to her daughter and Eun Soo followed suit, taking a spot next to the older lady.

“Unnie,” Eun Soo began tentatively, unsure.

“Hmm?” Ji Hyo hummed, smiling to reassure the vet.

“What do you see in my brother anyway? I can see tha