Winter, 12 years ago

Jin Ae shivers as she sat on the road, waiting for her mom to arrive their home. It’s been a month since her mom goes out to Seoul to find a job and when she got it, she decided to stay and just coming back to Daegu to meet Jin Ae at weekends. Maybe her mom is busy so she couldn’t come home as often as she promised before. Today, after a month, Jin Ae got a call from her mom, saying that she would arrive before dinner today. Now the dinner time is already passes but Jin Ae’s mom is still didn’t arrived yet. Because of worried, Jin Ae decided to just wait her outside at the junction road. Jin Ae shivers although she wore really thick clothes. Her body couldn’t contain the heat and she feels like dying but her feet won’t move from her place.

“Noona…” It’s Taehyung. He is coming to get Jin Ae because he is worried of her

“Noona, mom is calling you for dinner. I’m too hungry”

“I want to eat with my mom. Just go have your dinner. I’ll wait for my mom here” Jin Ae is shivering. She couldn’t uttering her words properly

“Then, I’ll stay here too. I want to wait her like you do”

“Kyaah, it’s very cold now. Just go home already. You would catch a fever if you stay any longer”

“How about you?”

 “I can still holding on. Taetae, you’re going to school tomorrow. Your mom will get angry. Just go home”

“Shireo. I want to wait ahjumma here with you. See? You’re already blue! Give me your hand. You need my warmth!” Taehyung grabbed Jin Ae’s hand and hold it tight. His hand gave her the warmth that she really need for

“Gommawo Taetae”

“I’m promise you, noona. I’ll always protect you. From now on, I’m your guardian angel. No one but me, araa?”

“Hmm!” Jin Ae shows her smile again, her sweetest smile that melts Taehyung’s heart from the first time they’ve met.

-End of flashback-

“What your plans today after our shift’s over??” Chanyeol pokes on Jin Ae’s shoulder when they are passing each other’s shoulder in doing each works

“Like usual, going home, lie down or maybe bake some cookies or cake or making banchan. Ah, by the way, speaking of banchan, have you finished your banchan? I’ll make for you some later if you want.” Jin Ae cleans the table while Chanyeol helps her picking up the dishes on the table

“There’s some more in the refrigerator but you might need to prepare more because i’m going to finish it up in no time. Hehe, i’m sorry for troubling you again, Jin Ae aah” Chanyeol scratches his non-itch head. Jin Ae’s cooks are the best after his mom’s. No one can beats both of them, especially his mom’s Gejang and Jin Ae’s kimchis. Maybe because of she is from Daegu which famous with their specialty of homemade kimchi and also she lives alone, so Jin Ae is expert in making all type of kimchi. Since his mom is already passed away long time ago, Jin Ae’s homemade food is placed number one

“Okay, i planned to make saeujot and meorangjeot today because my aunt just gave me a stock of fresh Pollack and shrimps from our hometown so i’ll give you these in tomorrow, okay?”

“How about kimchi? I’m craving your baek kimchi” Chanyeol is pouting. His cute act makes Jin Ae snorted a laugh

“Hm, you need to pay me for your orders” That wasn’t really her meaning. Jin Ae knows really well that Chanyeol is living by himself at his apartment and he is a picky eater so she feels responsible as a friend to help him as much as she could. 

“Chan ah, Jin Ae ah, please comes here for a minute. I have something to discuss with your guys” Chanyeol’s sister, the owner of their coffee house calls them to her room

“So, let’s get to our point. You guys should already know that our place is renowned because of you guys. In these years, we could make Gaugh Coffee House became popular with Chanyeol’s special and own recipe of coffees, and Jin Ae’s dishes. You’ve proposed lots of new ideas that attracting customers to our shop. Even our nation idols are looking for your guy’s coffees and dishes. That’s why i’m planning to broaden our business, to make it as franchise”

“Waah, really? I’m happy for you, madam” Jin Ae smiles sincerely. Her hard work in for past years seems to be acknowledged. She accepted a ‘high-five’ from Chanyeol and both of them are smiling widely

“Wait, I’m not finished yet. I’ve chooses the director to manage our new franchise. It will be both of you” Chanmi smiles proudly

Both Jin Ae and Chanyeol dropped their jaws with the news they just heard

“U....us?” Jin Ae stuttered

“Yup. Initially, both of you will manage our business at the New York City but since Chanyeol need to manage our family business so i’m giving this opportunity to you, Choi Jin Ae. I know you can do it better than me” Chanmi handed the letters of her proposal to Jin Ae   

“New York?!!” Both of them are shocked. They are in state of silence for a minute

“But, why..” Jin Ae is trying to ask more but she was cut by her boss

“NYC?” Chanmi smiles when she reads Jin Ae’s facial. Of course, this kid must be really shocked but she already made a decision and everyone is positive about it

“Our cafe’ concepts are by serving a unique, own coffee made and also desserts and more westernized snacks. Not many of our people can accept this in their tongue. Besides, there is the best culinary academy that placed in NYC that i wanted you to enrol and study more. So, instead of only having a bachelor of business study, you can also enhance more of your cooking style. Does it answering your question?”

“The best culinary academy... You mean, ICE?” Jin Ae got more shocked when she saw nods from her boss

“’Look, I’m not forcing you. For now, go back home and think about it. But seriously, i really look forward to your positive answer, Jin Ae aah” Chanmi took a grips on Jin Ae’s hand, to show how much she hopes for her answer

Chanyeol and Jin Ae going out from the director room with mixed feeling. Both of them are still taken aback about the news they heard just now. Suddenly Chanyeol pulls Jin Ae’s shoulder to him

“Jin Ae aah, let’s have fun today” Chanyeol shows his trademark smiles

“Huh? I need to go home. I want to make banchan for us, remember?” Jin Ae’s forehead is wrinkled

 “Ah, forget about banchan. Let’s play, huh?”

“Sorry but I’m not in the mood to play with you. Next time, okay?” Jin Ae walked off from Chanyeol without hearing any more explanation from him.

“Kyaah, when are you going to have that mood? Stop thinking about whatever problems you had. Come on! Today, i’m not going to hear any more excuses from you. Khajaa!!” Chanyeol holds Jin Ae’s left hand and tightens it before he ran with her.

“Today, i’m going to kidnap you” Chanyeol is happy. Having his lone time with Jin Ae is one of the moments that he long for. Though they are meeting for almost every day, he kept missing that round eyes of Jin Ae, the line smile of her, the reddish cheeks of her and the long, silky hair of Choi Jin Ae. Literally, he just love single thing about her. Love is blind, wasn’t it?

This is the first time after 6 months, Jin Ae shows her truly, joyful laugh. Being with Chanyeol, she really felt like all her problems are all gone for awhile. Sometimes, Jin Ae felt like Chanyeol is a given from God to her to vanish all her misery. For their date today, the first place they go is at department store. Chanyeol was insisted to change their outfit of the day, to make them look cooler. After almost an hour of window shopping, Chanyeol picks out a white nerd t shirt, black jeans, with Nike sneakers and his fashion for today completed by a black supreme snapback and black sunglass. Not only for him, Chanyeol also responsible to Jin Ae’s outfit. He chose a cap-sleeve top with A–line skirt and also a pair of Nike sneakers. Jin Ae is also been brought to the salon and a total transformation has been done to her. For about 5 minutes, Chanyeol is freeze at his place by looking at Jin Ae

“Come on, let’s play now” Chanyeol took Jin Ae’s hands and bring her out from the salon

Starts from watching a movie and eating then they are going for arcade games until dinner time. Not enough with two serving of full set of jajjamyung and jambong, Jin Ae asked for a second round. This time, they are going a round trip to night market and eating lots of street foods. After that, they are playing again with neighbourhood kids and street performers.

“Gommawo, Chanyeol aah. You make me happy today. I’m already forgotten when is the last time i really smiles” At that time they are having a rest at the playground of Jin Ae’s neighbourhood.

The time is already past 12 am but Chanyeol felt really heavy to let her go.  That’s why until now, he is still doesn’t want to let her go. He is suggesting hanging out at the park

“What i’m saying. You should know how to enjoy this world. We are only young once. Oh wait, nowadays you can stay young even though you’re 90y/o! Ah, forget about what i said”

Jin Ae is laughing again. Chanyeol is always making her laugh and smile. He knows her too much

“By the way Jin Ae aah, what are you going to do about your offer? It’s a great chance for you; it’s like killing birds with a stone!”

“I don’t know. I’d love to but..” Jin Ae stopped talking. She sweeps the sand on her feet.         

“It’s okay. Take your time to think” Chanyeol pats on Jin Ae shoulder, to give her strength

“Thank you again, Chanyeollie. I think, i should go up by now. Let’s talk again, tomorrow. Anyway, today, i realize that i’ve given a very handsome, ani, a super handsome namja chingu. Now, all my questions of why so many girls and also a boy are falling in love with you” Jin Ae smiles, their eyes are meet

“Nan, khaa” Jin Ae gave a soft pinch to Chanyeol’s dimple and she turned her body to her way to the apartment building

“Jin Ae, wait!” Suddenly, Jin Ae feels warm hands are curling below her shoulder. Her back feels so warm with a hug from the owner of the voice

“Chanyeol aah, wae guh rae?” She sat still for two minutes but then she loosing herself from his embrace

“Do you remember our first meet?”

“Aah, you mean, 4 years ago? Of course i do remember. Are you trying to test me out right in this early morning? It’s already 12, Chanyeollie” Jin Ae yawns. She is tired from walking all day

“Come, follow me!” Chanyeol pulled Jin Ae’s hand and he brought her out from the park.

“Kyah, where are we going? I want to go home” Jin Ae tried to resist but Chanyeol’s look is kind of different from his usual. At last, she is just follows him around.

‘He is not going to harm me, right?’

Jin Ae and Chanyeol have arrived at the swimming pool.

“Come in” Chanyeol is already put his legs into water. He’s play with it by shaking his legs.

“Shireo, I hate cold things” Jin Ae is standing firm. Her shook shows that she really didn’t want to even go near to the water.

“That’s so you, Jin Ae” Chanyeol smiles again like nothing happened before.

“So, Park Chanyeol ssi, please remind me why are we here?” Jin Ae sat down near him but of course, she made sure that not even drop of water is touching her skin

“When i was 5, my mom brought me here to play. From that moment, i’ve fall in love in swimming. Being in the water is like being in another world. It’s totally different from our reality. You’re problems is vanished as your head is into water. That’s why, I persuade my parents to allow me to learn how to swimmer and in deep, i’m dreaming to be a swimmer. I’ve worked really hard to win the tournaments and i’ve make it. I’ve made my mom’s proud with me but my dad. I don’t even know that my dad is against me to swim but when i do, i’m rebelling. My dad wanted me to study business to replace him later but i don’t want to. I hate him so much then. When i was 17, my mom fall sick and she said that she couldn’t protect me anymore. She wanted me to always be with my father because no matter what, he is still my own father. Without him, i wouldn’t come into this world. After she died, there’s left him and me alone, in that big house. My sister has already going to USA to study. When i saw my dad, i’ve made decision, i’m giving up my dream and followed my dad’s wish. I can create lots of dream but i can’t create my dad. He is the only one. That’s why, you meet me at our class” Chanyeol’s eyes are lost into the water deep and he is still showing his smile.

Jin Ae knows Chanyeol wasn’t really smiled. She could see tears in his corner of eyes. Chanyeol who is perfect in everyone’s eyes are showing his weakness to her. Of course, people are not perfect, that’s why you’re called as human. Jin Ae is slowly approaching his back and giving him a convincing hug.

“You must be confused why i’m telling all this to you, right Jin Ae? I’m never told anyone about this but you” Chanyeol is alre