Chapter 48: Meet The Kims

Saturday | March 2nd, 2024 | 5:22 PM

"I'm a little nervous, you know?" I murmured as my fingers tapped against the armrest of the passenger seat. Chaewon was behind the wheel, her fingers tightly gripping the steering wheel. She looked focused and her eyebrows were furrowed.

"Yeah, me too," She said, the words coming out soft. "But we can't both be nervous," She chuckled, the sound airy.

Today was Chaewon's family gathering, apparently her aunt and uncle were visiting as well as some other relatives. I mean, I've already met Chaewon's parents and her sister before our breakup. But then again, it's been about three years since I've last seen them. Things have changed since then, plus Chaewon and I were back together again.

I wasn’t scared because they hate me. In fact, they actually really liked me. They thought we made a great couple. The thing that's different now is that time has passed, thoughts can change and I was meeting a new branch of her family who has no former opinion of me. I was just really desperate to make a new, good first impression.

"Don't think about it, Minjae, don't worry," She reassured, her voice comforting. "My family is really nice, just, just, you know, they can be a bit overbearing. Especially Uncle Sungho, maybe he can ask a lot of questions and be kind of annoying, but, uhh, you get used to it," She giggled.

I nodded and let the car fall silent. Her words didn't reassure me entirely, but they helped calm my nerves for what it’s worth. I could feel the sweat building up and see the condensation of my palms. I was wearing a blue and black plaid shirt with a pair of grey jeans and a pair of white sneakers. It was simple and basic, but it was also classy.

Chaewon's outfit was simple as well, and it showed off her style. She had on a skirt that cut off at the knees, a plain t-shirt, and a knit sweater that hung past her waist. Her makeup was natural and she wore a modest amount of jewelry. Her hair was tied into a ponytail and the locks were wavy.

I had to admit, she looked absolutely stunning. She always did.

"Ah," She exclaimed, turning her wheel into a neighborhood. The car drove along the curb and passed the row of houses.

"Here we are," Chaewon hummed, pulling into the driveway. Her house was very simple-looking for lack of better words. The paint job was a soft white, the roof was a dark brown, the lawn was a healthy and vibrant green and the grass was freshly mowed. There were a few flowers planted and a couple of bushes trimmed and neatly aligned.

It was a one story home and the exterior was quaint and cute. This was my first time seeing their new house since they moved, and off the record, I kind of missed the old one. The old house was a two story house, with a lot more space. Hmm, I wonder how her family would host a family gathering here.

I stepped out of the vehicle and slammed the door shut. It felt like my heart was in my stomach and it was weighing me down. Taking a deep breath, I exhaled and walked around the car to Chaewon's side. "It's okay," She reassured, placing her hand on mine. "Everything will be fine, you don't have anything to worry about, I'm sure."

"Right," I agreed, the words sounding more like a question than a response. She handed off her car keys to me to hold onto since I was the one with pockets.

"Come on," Chaewon chuckled. I followed the girl, and we made our way to the doorstep. "Ah," She sighed, taking another deep breath. Her hand reached out and opened the unlocked front door. I was introduced to a noisy household and the sound of many voices all at once.

"Hello, I'm home," The brunette announced, her voice carrying throughout the house. I shut the door behind me and took my shoes off.

"Hey," A familiar voice sounded. My head shot up and my eyes widened. Coming from the living room was her older sister, Chaeyoung. She pretty much looked the just about the same, she still had long dark brown hair, she had a slim and tall figure, and her skin was pale. Her face was the same as well, but her hair was styled differently and she looked a bit taller than the last time I saw her.

The two sisters embraced each other and held each other tightly.

"Chaewonnie, hey," Chaeyoung smiled, her eyes twinkling.

"Hey, Chae," The younger responded. Chaeyoung looked over her younger sister's shoulder and looked right at me. Before I could process what type of look she was giving me, she pushed her sister off of her and came towards me.

"Woah! Hwang Minjae!" She exclaimed, throwing her arms around me.

"Whoa, hey, Chaeyoung, hi," I laughed. Her hug was tight and strong, and her arms were wrapped around me.

"It's good to see you, Minjae, how've you been?" She asked, her eyes bright and her smile wide.

"Good, good, you?" I asked.

"Same, same, it's been a while," She hummed. "Ah, so, you two, hmm, how are you, hmm, hm?"

"I guess I never told you, we got back together," Chaewon giggled. Chaeyoung's eyes widened and she looked stunned.

"What? When did that happen? How come no one told me," Chaeyoung whined, her eyes narrowing.

"For a few months now," The brunette shrugged. "I was going to, it just never happened. We don't catch up much anymore," Chaewon explained.

"Ah, you have a point," Chaeyoung reluctantly agreed before looking back at me, "Wow, Minjae, you definitely got, I can't really find the right words for it, but you got good-looking. You've bulked up, huh, how'd that happen, you were super skinny back in the day," The older female praised.

Even after three years, the bluntness from Chaeyoung never went away. She was a no-holds-barred type of girl, and she wasn't afraid to say whatever was on her mind.

"Ah, haha, well, I guess I did get more active," I laughed, my cheeks warming.

"Yeah, well, it suits you," Chaeyoung stated. "Anyways, Mom and Dad are in the kitchen entertaining Auntie and Uncle, they're probably cooking as we speak," The eldest informed. "I don't really know when the cousins are going to arrive but be ready for a packed house."

"Ah, alright," Chaewon acknowledged, her footsteps taking her in the direction of the kitchen. I followed behind her and her sister tagged along.

"Uncle, Aunt, Chaewonnie's here," Chaeyoung announced, stepping into the kitchen. There were four adults inside the small room. I spotted Chaewon's mother and another woman next to her who was similar in looks. Both had similar features and similar eyes. It wasn't hard to assume that this was Chaewon's aunt. At the dining table were two men in conversation, the one on the left I knew as Chaewon's dad.

"Oh, honey, you're finally here," Chaewon's mother gasped, her eyes widening. She rushed towards her youngest daughter and pulled her in for a hug.

"Is that Hwang Minjae?" Chaewon's dad stood up from the dining table. He had a wide smile on his face and a welcoming look. "Wow, it's been a long time," Mr. Kim exclaimed, his arms opening for a hug and throwing them around my body. Well, I'm off to a good start so far.

"It has, Mr. Kim, it's nice to see you," I replied with a nervous chuckle, pulling away from the hug and giving him a firm handshake.

"How've you been?" He asked, clapping my shoulder.

"Good, sir," I nodded. Chaewon's mom noticed and let go of her daughter, jumping to me next.

"Hwang Minjae," The motherly woman cooed, pulling me into a warm embrace. "Welcome, you look well," Mrs. Kim complimented.

"Thank you, Mrs. Kim," I thanked, my hands behind my back.

"Wait, are you and Chaewon, you know," Chaewon's mom questioned with a mouth covering her shocked expression.

"Ah, yes, we're back together," I clarified, looking to Chaewon who gave me a nod and a smile.

"Ah, I knew it, you two were always meant for each other, how exciting, welcome back," Mrs. Kim exclaimed, pulling her daughter in for a group hug. "How have you never mentioned this before?" The mother asked.

"Well, you know," Chaewon chuckled, though it didn’t sound entirely amused. "We never get to it."

"Yes, that's true, you never have enough time. I'm just glad that you've found each other again," The mother cooed. Chaewon's aunt and uncle, who were outside the conversation, eventually joined in.

"Aunt Yubin, Uncle Sungho, this is Hwang Minjae. Minjae, these are my aunt and uncle," Chaewon introduced.

"Nice to meet you," I smiled, bowing to the two.

"You too, sweetheart," Mrs. Kim greeted. She was a bit older, her hair was starting to grey and she had a couple of wrinkles on her face. However, she was still pretty and her appearance was nice. Chaewon's uncle looked like a nice man, he was tall, thin and had a warm smile. He simply bounced his head at me and went back to sitting down at the table with Mr. Kim.

"Minjae," I turned to look at Chaeyoung, who had called my name.

"Hm?"

"I know there's a little someone who'd be very excited to see you," The oldest hinted. "You remember, right?" Oh boy, did I ever. How could I forget?

"Oh, yeah, of course, I do," I grinned, the memories flooding back. "Where is he!" I exclaimed. Chaewon squeezed my hand, a small giggle escaping her.

"In my room," Chaeyoung answered. "Come, we'll hang out until the cousins arrive."

Before Chaewon could drag me, I politely bowed my head to the adults and followed Chaeyoung to her room. The walls were painted a light pink, and there was a single bed, a dresser, and a desk in the room. The room was neat and clean and everything was put in its proper place.

As I entered, I saw him, the cutest white Pomeranian, laying down on Chaeyoung's bed. His little head raised up and he looked at me. His tail wagged and he quickly stood up.

"Shiro!" I shouted, a smile breaking on my face. The little guy came running towards me, his paws scratching the floor and his barking filling the room. He bounced past Chaewon and jumped onto my leg.

"Hi," I cooed, leaning down and picking him up. "Remember me? You remember me, right?" The dog barked and licked my face, his tail wagging rapidly. Shiro was Chaewon's pet. I remember she had him ever since high school, and he was the cutest thing. "Hey, buddy, yeah, I'm back, missed me?" I smiled, bringing the dog into a hug.

"He definitely remembers you," Chaewon chuckled, her hand gently scratching Shiro's head. "A little mad he didn't run into my arms first," She laughed.

"Aww, come on, who could forget me," I joked. The dog had calmed down and his tongue was sticking out. Chaeyoung laughed and moved towards her bed before sitting down comfortably, "I haven't, but tell me, how did you two get back together?"

"Ah," Chaewon hesitated.

"C'mon, you can't just bring Minjae out of the blue and not expect questions. You already know, Mom and Dad are going to ask."

"Hmm, it's nothing much, we ran into each other, started talking again, and now, here we are," Chaewon stated for me. For the most part, it really was all that happened. In my head, it felt much more complex but that was probably due to my excessive overthinking.

"I see, I see," Chaeyoung smirked, a glint in her eyes. "I'm glad, I've always liked seeing you two together." The oldest commented.

"Awww, thanks," I beamed, bouncing Shiro in my arms. "What have you been up to though? I don't really know much about your life," I admitted, turning the spotlight on the other sister.

"Me?" Chaeyoung asked, pointing at herself. "I've just been working, really. Nothing interesting has been happening in my life, nothing to write home about," She stated, crossing her arms and smirking.

My eyebrow raised, "Woah, working? You finished school?"

The older woman smiled and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of mature elegance. She seemed much more sophisticated, "I did. Graduated from medical a bit earlier too. I'm working at a clinic right now, doing some stuff, and getting paid a lot more than I ever expected."

I looked at Chaewon with awe on my face, spotting her small smile at her older sister.

"Wow, wow, congratulations. I'm proud of you," I praised, squeezing the dog in my arms tightly before setting him onto the ground. He trotted off and came to Chaewon, sniffing at her ankles.

"Thank you," Chaeyoung giggled, the sound genuine and pure. "And what about you, what have you been doing, Minjae? Anything exciting?"

"Hmm, well, not really," I replied. "Just school and stuff."

"Sounds boring," Chaeyoung commented with a grin, "What major?"

"Computer Science," I responded, "Nothing special, I know, but hey, it's a job," I added.

"Ah, don't say that, at least you know what-," Chaeyoung froze up and her mouth closed. Her eyes had flickered forward before looking down, "Nevermind, you know."

For a moment, I thought she had looked at Chaewon, who was quietly petting Shiro on her own, the little dog enjoying the affection. I brushed off the odd interaction and decided to keep the conversation flowing, "Hey, so, who else is coming over?"

Chaeyoung snapped her eyes up and smiled, her mood visibly perking up.

"Not a lot of people, don't worry. It's just our cousins, Taehyun, Mina and Hyunseo," Chaeyoung recalled, her index finger tapping her chin. "Don't worry, they're really nice."

"Ah, I'm not too worried about that," I replied.

Chaewon laughed, "Yeah, he's not bad at meeting new people, or being the center of attention."

"Really? Huh," Chaeyoung hummed, her eyes squinting and her lips pursing. "I wouldn't have thought so. I guess people change, or grow. You hated making eye contact with me whenever you first started dating Chaewon back then."

My ears turned red, a bit embarrassed, "It wasn't that bad," I muttered.

"Wasn't that bad, my ass," She mocked, rolling her eyes.

"You used to wait in the car until I came out rather than wait inside the house," Chaewon laughed, recalling the distant memory. "Dad was strict on relationships. It took you a while to build up confidence."

"I guess I'm more confident now," I chuckled, though I was a bit hurt by the words.

"That's a good thing," Chaeyoung noted. "It's a good trait to have." Her eyes scanned me for a second, the look in her eyes changing from teasing to something more thoughtful. "Hmm, you seem like a whole different person though. More mature."

"Well, three years will do that to you," I said, trying to sound casual. Chaeyoung laughed and nodded with a tiny little crinkle of the nose, similar to what Chaewon does. It was a subtle family trait that I didn't notice until now.

"I guess so," Chaeyoung said. As if on cue, the doorbell rang, a clear, piercing sound that cut through the low murmur of the house. The three of us looked at each other, and I could feel my stomach clench again. It was showtime.

"Cousins are here!" Chaeyoung announced, jumping up from the bed with a newfound energy. She smoothed down her clothes, a bright, infectious grin on her face. "Come on, let's go greet them."

Chaewon followed suit, letting Shiro onto the floor who trotted out after Chaeyoung. She came to my side, grabbing my arm and looking up at me with a grin, "C'mon, ease up, remember what I told you."

I took a deep breath, the air feeling thin and insufficient in my lungs. "Right," I nodded. "No pressure." The words felt hollow, a flimsy shield against the onslaught of new faces and new judgments.

We walked down the short hallway, which suddenly felt like a mile-long gauntlet to me. The low hum of conversation from the kitchen grew louder with each step. I could hear Mrs. Kim's high-pitched greeting, a chorus of welcoming voices.

The three of us emerged into the kitchen, and the scene before me was a whirlwind of activity. A tall, lanky guy with a friendly, open face was hugging Mr. Kim. A pretty girl with long, dark hair, similar to the sisters' but softer features, was embracing Mrs. Kim. And another girl, younger, with a mischievous glint in her eyes and a bright smile, was already examining the food spread out on the counter.

"Taehyunnie! Mina! Hyunseo!" Chaeyoung called out, her voice full of genuine affection. She launched herself into a group hug with the three newcomers. I stood awkwardly by the hallway entrance, my hands shoved in my pockets, feeling like an outsider looking in. Chaewon left my side and came over to greet them as well.

"Hey guys," she smiled, hugging them one by one. "It's been a while!"

After they had all exchanged their greetings, Chaewon turned to me, a triumphant look on her face. "Guys," she said, her voice warm and proud. "This is my boyfriend, Hwang Minjae," she said, her hand reaching out for mine and pulling me forward. "Minjae, this is my cousin Taehyun," she gestured to the tall guy, "and his sister Mina," she gestured to the girl with the soft features, "and Hyunseo." she pointed to the youngest of the trio.

"Hi," I said, my voice a little shaky. I gave them a small, polite bow, my hands still in my pockets.

"Minjae," Taehyun said, his voice deep and friendly. He stepped forward and offered me his hand. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," I replied, shaking his hand. His grip was firm and confident, and I felt a sense of relief. He seemed easygoing.

"Hi, nice to meet you," Mina said, her voice soft and gentle. She gave me a small, shy smile.

"It's good to meet you," I smiled back.

"Minjae," Hyunseo said, her voice full of curiosity. She was looking at me with an intense, analytical gaze, her head tilted to the side. "Hello, good to meet you."

"Hello," I said, a little thrown off by her intensity. The cousins turned towards each other and Chaeyoung, a conversation brewing up about what to do, and the food being ready. I looked at Chaewon and she smiled at me, a small, reassuring smile. I wasn't so sure where I stood, it was sort of a dull first meeting but hopefully dinner would help me open up.

"Ah, food's almost done, just wait for a bit, kids," Mrs. Kim announced, her voice filled with warmth. 

"Go, catch up with each other. Let us set up the table," Aunt Yubin chimed in.

Chaeyoung took the lead, "Let's go to the living room. The adults need to work in here." As everyone turned to exit, Chaewon stayed with me. Her hand found mine again, her fingers intertwining with mine. "See? That wasn't so bad, right?" she whispered, her breath warm against my ear.

I shook my head. "It was okay," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "I'm just a little... you know."

"I know," she said, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. "But you're doing great. They like you."

Her words were a balm to my frayed nerves, a small anchor in the sea of social anxiety. "You think so?"

"Well, there's no reason to hate you," She laughed. We walked behind the group and into the living room. The six of us took places on the couches and chairs that were scattered around the room. The cousins all took one sofa while Chaewon and I took the other.

Chaeyoung opted to sit on the armchair next to us.

"How was the drive?" Chaeyoung asked, looking at her cousins.

"It was good, thankful we left early since we saw an accident on the way," Mina answered. "Traffic would've been a nightmare."

I zoned out as the conversation drifted from one topic to another. I felt a little out of place, a silent observer in a sea of shared memories and inside jokes. I would nod and smile occasionally, but I was mostly in my own head. Chaewon would occasionally nudge me or give me a look, a silent question if I was doing alright. I would give her a weak smile in return.

Chaeyoung and the cousins were doing fine, and as I found out, they were closer in age with Chaeyoung than with Chaewon. This explained the dynamic and why they seemed to have a better bond. Taehyun was the oldest amongst all of them, while Hyunseo was the youngest.

"So, Chaewonnie," Mina started, turning her attention to my girlfriend. "When were you going to tell us you had a boyfriend? Were you just going to keep him a secret forever?"

Chaewon let out a little laugh, "Of course not," She said. "We just got back together, it's been a few months now. It just never came up."

"Don't bother, I found out today as well and I'm her sister," Chaeyoung added.

Taehyun laughed and then his eyes landed on me. "So, Minjae," He started, his voice full of curiosity. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but you look like you play sports." He noted, looking at my build.

I looked down at myself and then back at him, "You got me, uh, yeah. I play volleyball," I answered. At least this was a topic I could talk about with some confidence.

"Oh, that's cool," He said. "I play soccer, casually though, I'm not that good enough to be on a team." I chuckled, a bit of the tension in my shoulders easing up.

Hyunseo shifted in place, "Wow, volleyball? I've just started playing, how long have you?" She asked, her voice filled with genuine excitement.

"Um, two years? Something like that," I estimated. "I only started playing because my school hosts volleyball intramurals and I thought it'd be fun."

"Minjae's team was actually this year's intramural champions," Chaewon chimed in, her voice proud.

"Really? That's so cool!" Mina exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with admiration. I could feel a blush creeping up my neck.

"You must be really good, then," Taehyun said, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Oh, nah, dedicated maybe, I'm not that good," I deflected. "Our team just got lucky."

"Ugh, he's trying to be humble, don't let him fool you," Chaewon gushed, her voice affectionate.

"Do you have any clips or videos of you playing? I'd like to see," Hyunseo requested, her voice eager.

"Ah, yeah, I think, let me find it," I murmured, fishing out my phone from my pocket. My thumb swiped across the screen, my eyes squinting as I tried to locate the video. I felt a wave of self-consciousness wash over me. I hated showing off, but I knew it was the polite thing to do. I found the video and handed my phone over to Hyunseo. She leaned in closer to her brother and sister, and the three of them huddled around the small screen.

It was nothing much, just videos of our intramural games. I sat back down next to Chaewon and listened to the sound of me playing volleyball fill the room.

"Whoa," Hyunseo breathed, her eyes glued to the screen. "You're kidding, you are good!"

"Dude, you jump so high, Jesus," Taehyun complimented in awe.

"Impressive," Mina said, her voice soft.

I felt a surge of pride, a warm feeling spreading through my chest. It was a small victory, but it felt like a monumental one. They liked me. They genuinely seemed to like me. The knot in my stomach loosened a little more.

Only for it to tighten right back up.

"That was so good," Haerin quietly mumbled. "He's so good at volleyball." My eyes locked onto my phone as Haerin's voice came out from my speakers. That's right, those videos came from Haerin. She was the one who took them. The others didn't seem to react, but to me, it was as if a bomb had gone off.

I remember how I felt when Haerin had sent me those videos. It was before Chaewon, and back when I had a little thing for her. The pure joy and warmth I felt when I first watched those videos, I vividly remember it. Replaying that part, just because of the way she sounded. But now, those feelings are gone.

I looked over at Chaewon. She didn't seem to notice the voice. Her focus was on her cousins' reactions. I don't know, I guess I was just reminiscing on the times even if it was months ago.

"Yeah, that was me," I said, trying to change the subject as Hyunseo handed me my phone back.

"Wow, I'm so jealous," Hyunseo said, her voice full of admiration.

I just smiled and gave a small nod. The conversation moved on to other things, but I was barely listening. I was lost in my thoughts now, a whirlwind of memories and emotions. Thankfully, I wasn't in there for long because I heard Chaewon's mom yelling from the kitchen.

Dinner was ready.

"Alright, kids, time to eat!" Mrs. Kim announced, her voice cheerful.

The six of us got up and made our way to the dining table. The adults were already there, and the table was laden with an impressive spread of food. There was kimchi, japchae, bulgogi, grilled fish, and a variety of side dishes. It was a feast, a testament to Mrs. Kim's and Aunt Yubin's culinary skills.

"Minjae, dear, go ahead and sit next to Chaewon," Mrs. Kim said, gesturing to the empty seat next to her daughter as Chaewon took her seat at the table. I nodded and sat down, the chair creaking under my weight. The table was a tight squeeze, with ten people around it. The noise level was high as we were all settling in at the table.

I looked around at the faces, the warm lights of the dining room casting a golden glow on everyone. For a moment there, I felt some sort of acceptance. I was here, at a family dinner, with Chaewon. The girl I thought I'd never get back with. Eating dinner with her extended family. This was something I pretty much dreamed of for years and now here it was.

Though, I wished I was seated at the other end of the table as I watched the cousins and Chaeyoung start their own conversation on their side. I was with the older generation and even though I had known Chaewon's parents for a long time, I was still a bit nervous around her aunt and uncle.

But then, I looked at Chaewon who was already looking at me. She gave me a small smile and a nod. I smiled back, a genuine smile this time. My earlier anxieties had all vanished. I could do this. I could be a part of her life again.

"Alright, everyone, dig in!" Mr. Kim boomed, clapping his hands together.

And just like that, the noise level escalated again. The sound of chopsticks clinking against bowls, the slurping of noodles, and the lively conversation filled the air. "It's really good, Mom," Chaewon said, her mouth full of japchae.

"I'm glad you like it, honey," Mrs. Kim beamed, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Yeah, really good," I added, stuffing a scoop of rice and bulgogi into my mouth at the same time. The savory flavors exploded in my mouth.

"It is," Taehyun agreed from down the table. "Auntie, you're the best."

"Oh, stop it, you," Mrs. Kim giggled, waving her hand dismissively. The table went quiet for a few moments as everyone focused on their food. I was grateful for the lull, it gave me a chance to eat and gather my thoughts. I was still a tiny bit on edge, but I was starting to feel more comfortable.

"So, Minjae," Uncle Sungho started, breaking the silence. His voice was deep and calm. "You look like you play sports, you play?"

I let out a short chuckle, recognizing that this was indeed Taehyun's father. "Taehyun asked the same thing earlier, but I play volleyball."

"Oh, that's a good one," He nodded, taking a sip of his water. "Sports build character, they really do."

"Ah, Minjae has a fine character already, Sungho," Mr. Kim butted in, my ears perking up. He looked over at me, a smile on his face. "Back when Chaewon and him went to school together, he used to come over all the time, a good kid. A bit shy, but a good kid. He always helped out around the house, never complained."

My ears were starting to burn from the kind view her father had of me. Mrs. Kim hopped in, "Ah, Chaewon, remember that time your dad made Minjae help cut the grass before you two went on a date?"

"Dad, how could you make him do that?" Chaewon whined, but her eyes were sparkling with amusement.

"He's a strong boy, I figured he could handle it," Mr. Kim laughed, a hearty, booming laugh that filled the room. I laughed along, the memory of that day coming back to me in a rush. I had been so nervous, my hands sweating, but I had done it anyway because I wanted to make a good impression.

Months later, I learned that it was a test and now a fun memory that I was now sharing with a table of people.

"Ah, Chaewon, it makes me happy to see you so happy," Aunt Yubin commented, her gaze soft. "You were so moody after you moved, it's nice to see you with a smile on your face again."

Chaewon's smile faltered for a second, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes before she recovered. "I'm just glad to be back with everyone," She said, her voice soft.

"Ah, Minjae, how's your family? Do you have siblings? What about your parents?" Uncle Sungho asked, the focus of the table shifting to me again.

For a moment, I clammed up, my mind going blank as the mention of my family surfaced. I couldn't tell them that I didn't talk to my parents, not anymore. I mean I never even told Chaewon, always avoiding the subject if it ever came up.

I simply replied, "Ah, no, I'm an only child and my parents live in another city while I go to school."

"Oh, what do your parents do?" Uncle Sungho continued, his eyes curious. I hesitated for a moment before answering, but thankfully Mrs. Kim cut in.

"Enough, let the poor boy eat," she said, her tone scolding her brother-in-law. I softly chuckled and shoved a piece of radish into my mouth, silently thanking her for saving me. Although, I was given a brief moment of peace before another question was thrown at me.

"How's school, Minjae? Do you like it?" Aunt Yubin asked, her voice warm and motherly.

I chewed on my food slowly, contemplating my answer. "School's good, I got a full scholarship and everything, so that's a big load off my shoulders. Just trying my best to graduate," I replied, trying to sound cheerful.

"Oh, really? That's great! What's your major?" Aunt Yubin pressed, her eyes curious.

"Computer Science," I said, giving her a polite smile.

"Wow, computer science," Mr. Kim whistled, impressed. "That's a good one."

"Ah, I knew he was a smart boy," Mrs. Kim said, a proud look in her eyes. "What made you think about computer science? I always thought you were going to be a doctor like Chaeyoung." Mrs. Kim added, causing the table to chuckle.

"Oh no," I laughed, "I guess I saw how much money most software developers made, and I knew I was good with computers, so it was just a good choice for me to make."

"Well, it's a smart choice," Mr. Kim nodded. "A very smart choice."

"Is it hard though?" Taehyun asked, joining the conversation from the other end of the table. "I heard computer science is a tough field."

I looked at him, a small smile playing on my lips. "It can be. It's a lot of work, but it's worth it in the end." I paused for a beat before adding. "It takes a lot of time management, you know?"

"Ah, but I know you're a diligent boy," Mr. Kim murmured, nodding his head in approval.

"Wow, I'm still in awe of you Minjae. Gone for three years, and you've come back doing great, I'm thankful you're with our Chaewon," Mrs. Kim praised. I felt a warmth spread through my chest, a feeling of acceptance and belonging. "Chaewon, you have to make sure you treat him right, alright?" She teased, her voice playful.

Chaewon simply nodded, her eyes glued to her plate. "Of course, mom." I took a small peek at Chaewon and saw a look of concentration on her face. A flash of worry washed over me. Had I said something wrong? Did I say the wrong thing?

"What about you, Chaewon? What are you studying?" Uncle Sungho asked, pulling the focus of the table to his niece. I clammed up for the second time. The topic of Chaewon's career had been a source of tension for her, and I wasn't so sure how she'd respond. It wasn't her who responded however, when Mr. Kim threw in his input.

"Ah, well, she's still deciding, you know, taking her time," he said, his voice a little hesitant. "She's only a sophomore."

I felt the air shift, the tension becoming thicker by the second. Chaewon's jaw clenched, and she didn't respond, the table falling into an awkward silence. I didn't know what to do, but the silence was too much for me.

"She's doing great," I blurted, the words leaving my mouth before I could stop them.

"Oh?" Mrs. Kim said, surprised.

"Ah, yeah," I stumbled, the sudden attention on me. "She's working really hard, I'm proud of her," I finished, a bit more confident this time.

"I'm sure she is," Mrs. Kim said, although in a tone that I didn't see as believing. Chaewon didn't react, just kept eating.

"Well, Taehyun and Mina are planning on working at the local hospital next year, so that'll be fun," Uncle Sungho said, his voice casual. "Maybe they could pull some strings for Chaewon to work there?"

"Oh, yes! That would be wonderful, wouldn't it?" Mrs. Kim gushed, her voice hopeful. "I think Chaewon as a nurse sounds lovely."

"Yes, yes," Mrs. Kim continued. "Chaewon would look so cute in those pink scrubs they wear, wouldn't she, Minjae?"

"Yeah, uh, she would," I mumbled, feeling very much out of my depth. The topic was too sensitive for me to be a part of. I looked over at Chaewon, who was still quiet. Her chopsticks were frozen in the air as they hovered over her plate.

"Chaewon, honey, what do you think?" Mrs. Kim asked, her voice full of hope. Chaewon looked up, her eyes empty and devoid of any emotion. It was a stark contrast to the bright, cheerful girl I had been with earlier.

"I'm fine where I am," Chaewon said, her voice flat and monotone. The way mom and daughter stared at each other, I knew that they'd had this conversation before. The table was silent again, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. I could feel the awkwardness radiating from everyone else.

"Really, dear, it's something to think about," Aunt Yubin added, trying to be helpful but only adding to the pressure.

"Something that should've been thought about a long time ago, but hasn't," Mrs. Kim said, a hint of disappointment in her voice. "You're going to fall behind if you don't figure out what you want to do soon."

"I know," Chaewon said, her voice still flat.

"Doctor is always an option, look at your sister! She's doing so well!" Mr. Kim exclaimed, trying to brighten the mood.

"I know," Chaewon repeated, her jaw set. Her grip on her chopsticks tightened, her knuckles turning white. She picked up a piece of kimchi and put it in her mouth, chewing slowly and deliberately.

"Well, what about you, Minjae?" Mr. Kim asked, turning the spotlight back on me. "What are your plans after you graduate?"

The sudden shift in conversation was a welcome relief, but I was still reeling from the awkwardness of the previous one. I swallowed my food and took a sip of water before answering. "Well, I'm not really sure yet," I said, a bit flustered. "I'm just focused on getting my degree right now. I might go for my masters, but we'll see."

"Wow, masters! Very ambitious," Mrs. Kim said.

"Ah, just keeping my options open," I replied with a small smile.

"Still, it's good to have a plan," Uncle Sungho said, nodding his head. When I saw Mrs. Kim's eyes look over at me, I felt something bad coming.

"Look at Minjae," Mrs. Kim said, gesturing towards me. "Even though he isn't too sure about his future, he still has a plan. He's going for his masters. See Chaewon? You should learn from him."

The words hit me like a physical blow. My blood ran cold. I was being used as an example. A pawn in their parental game. My mind raced. I had to say something, anything, to diffuse the situation. But before I could even form a coherent thought, Chaewon spoke up. Her voice was cold, hard, and sharp like a shard of ice.

"I told you, I'm fine where I am."

Mrs. Kim's smile faltered, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face. "I'm just saying, dear, it's good to have goals. To have something to strive for."

"I have goals," Chaewon shot back, her eyes flashing with defiance. "I just, I just don't have to tell you about them."

I looked over at Mr. Kim, hoping for some support, but he was just staring at his daughter, a pained expression on his face. The tension was so thick it was suffocating. My mind was screaming at me to run, to get out of there, but I was rooted to my seat. Trapped. A bystander in a family feud that I had no business being a part of.

"Chaewon, that's enough," Mr. Kim said, his voice low and firm. "Just listen."

Chaewon let out a sigh, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

Mrs. Kim continued. "I just want what's best for you, dear. I want you to be happy and successful. I want you to have a good life."

"Then let me go at my own pace," Chaewon said, her voice barely a whisper.

"And I will. I just think it's something to think about, okay?" Mrs. Kim said.

I just sat there, my heart pounding in my chest. I felt like I was intruding on a private moment, a raw, emotional display that I wasn't meant to see. My gaze met Chaewon's, and for a second, I saw the vulnerability in her eyes, the deep-seated insecurity that she hid so well. But then she looked away, her mask of indifference firmly back in place.

"Minjae, dear," Mrs. Kim said, her attention shifting back to me. "Tell me, did you always want to do computer science?"

Why was I being brought back into this?

"Uh, I guess," I said, my mind still reeling. "I always liked computers."

"See, Chaewon? He found something he liked and he went for it," Mrs. Kim said, her tone smug.

I couldn't take it anymore. "Mrs. Kim, with all due respect," I started, my voice a little shaky. "I'm not really the best example. I mean, I only picked computer science because of the money, I have no idea if I'll even like it after I graduate."

"But still, at the very least, it's a plan," Mrs. Kim said, not even looking at me. "You're not going through life blind and stupid."

She wasn't listening. She was just using my words to fuel her own argument. I was just a prop in her little play. I looked at Chaewon, her jaw was clenched, her eyes staring at her plate. I could see the hurt in her eyes, the deep-seated pain that her mother's words had caused.

The table was silent, the only sound was the clinking of chopsticks against bowls. The food, once so appetizing, now tasted like ash in my mouth. I just wanted to go home. I wanted to be anywhere but here.

"Okay, okay, that's enough," Mr. Kim said, his voice a little louder this time. "Let's just enjoy dinner, okay?"

Everyone went back to eating, but the mood was ruined. The easy, lighthearted atmosphere was gone, replaced by a heavy, oppressive silence. I could feel the weight of everyone's unspoken thoughts, the judgment in their eyes.

I glanced at Chaewon. She was still quiet, her shoulders slumped. I reached under the table and put my hand on her knee, a silent gesture of support. She didn't react, her body stiff and unresponsive.

I looked around the table. The cousins were trying their best to make small talk, their voices strained and awkward. Chaeyoung was looking at her sister, a concerned expression on her face. Aunt Yubin and Uncle Sungho were whispering to each other, their heads close together. Mr. Kim was staring at his plate, a deep furrow in his brow.

I felt like a stranger in a strange land. I didn't belong here. I was just an outsider who had stumbled into a family's private drama. I took a deep breath and tried to focus on my food, but it was no use. My appetite was gone.

The rest of the dinner was a blur of forced smiles and stilted conversation. I just wanted it to be over. I wanted to escape. I counted down the minutes until we could leave. My mind was racing, a torrent of thoughts and emotions swirling around in my head.

I was angry at Mrs. Kim for putting Chaewon on the spot like that. I was angry at myself for not saying more, for not defending her better. I was worried about Chaewon, about how she was feeling. I was also, shamefully, worried about how this reflected on me. I was her boyfriend, after all. I was supposed to be the supportive one.

The dinner finally ended. Mrs. Kim and Aunt Yubin started clearing the table, the clatter of dishes a welcome distraction. The cousins and Chaeyoung helped, their movements a little too quick, a little too eager. Chaewon was quick to dismiss herself, standing up from her seat. I got up and went after her, Chaeyoung spotting me and giving me a look of both pity and concern.

I followed her out of the dining room, my footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway. Chaewon went straight to the front door and started putting her shoes on. Her movements were quick, jerky, full of pent-up energy. I went to get my shoes as well. "Chaewon," I called out to her. "Wait."

She opened the door and walked outside, having me come after her. The night air was cool, a welcome relief from the stuffy, tense atmosphere of the house. I wish I could've enjoyed it before I had to put my focus on her. She walked over to her car, and stood at the driver's door.

"Give me the keys," She asked, holding out her hand.

"No, Chaewon, c'mon," I said, my voice gentle. "Just calm down."

She let out a sigh of frustration and turned away from the car, stomping down to the sidewalk. "I'm calm," she said, but her clipped tone told me otherwise. I jogged around the car and went after her as she walked down the sidewalk, away from the house. "Chaewon."

"I'm fine, Minjae," she said, still walking. I stayed a couple steps behind her, just to allow her space, but close enough to show her I wasn't leaving.

"We both know you're not fine," I said softly. She didn't respond, only walking straight. The streetlights cast long, distorted shadows, the darkness of the night a stark contrast to the bright lights of the house we had just left.

After a few moments of silence, I spoke again, my voice barely a whisper. "Are you okay?" I asked, the words feeling inadequate, but it was all I could think of to say. She didn't respond, but she slowed her pace. Eventually, she stopped in front of a random house and sat down at the end of their driveway with her feet in the street.

I stopped and stood behind her for a moment, watching her silhouette against the darkness, a lone figure hunched over in her own misery.

"C'mon, if you're going to sit and sulk, at least sit under the light. I want to make sure you're alright," I commented, pointing at the house's porch light, illuminating the cement. For a moment, nothing happened until Chaewon scooted over to get underneath the light.

I walked over and sat down next to her, my body tense, my mind racing. I didn't know what to say, what to do. I was just there. The concrete was cold and rough against my jeans. We sat there in silence for what felt like an eternity. I didn't dare to speak again, not wanting to break the fragile peace.

The neighborhood was quiet, the only sound was the distant hum of traffic and the chirping of crickets. I looked up at the sky, the stars were hidden by the city lights, but the moon was a bright crescent in the inky blackness. It was a beautiful night, a stark contrast to the ugliness of the situation.

"Are you okay," I asked again, my voice softer this time, more gentle.

"What do you think, Minjae?" she finally said, her voice laced with sarcasm, her eyes staring blankly at the street. She sighed and shook her head, "It's nothing, I'm fine." Her left eye did that little twitch that tells me she's lying, something I've noticed spending so much time with her.

"Are you really?" I asked, my eyes searching for hers. She turned to face me, her expression unreadable. "C'mon, Chae, look at me." I could see the tears welling up in her eyes, the pain etched on her face. My heart ached for her. I wanted to reach out and hold her, to tell her everything was going to be okay, but I didn't. I just sat there, my hands clenched into fists at my sides.

"You don't have to pretend to be strong around me, you know," I said, my voice barely audible. "You can be sad. You can be angry. You can be whatever you want to be. I'm not going to judge you."

"You don't have to chase after me every time," She murmured, her voice small.

"It's fine. I don't mind," I said, my voice soft. "But you're right, I don't have to, but I want to. You're my girlfriend, I care about you."

She let out a shaky breath, and a single tear rolled down her cheek. I watched as it traced a path down her skin, a glistening trail in the dim light. It felt like a victory, a small crack in the wall she had built around herself. I reached out and gently wiped it away with my thumb, my touch feather-light. She flinched at my touch, but didn't pull away.

"They always do this," She groaned, throwing her head and burying it into her knees. "They always compare me to Chaeyoung. To you. To everyone."

I stayed quiet, letting her words hang in the air.

"She's a doctor. You're a computer science major with a plan. Taehyun and Mina are working at the hospital," she listed off, her voice filled with bitterness. "And then there's me. Just Chaewon. The one with no plan." She looked at me then, her eyes filled with a raw, unfiltered pain that I hadn't seen before. "I'm a disappointment to them."

Her words were like a punch to the gut. I could hear the pain in her voice, the deep-seated insecurity that she tried so hard to hide. I wanted to say something, to reassure her, but I knew that my words would be useless. This was her battle to fight.

"I'm sorry," I said, my voice barely a whisper.

"Why are you sorry?" she asked, turning to look at me. "You have your whole future planned out. You're doing everything right. I'm the fuck up."

"You're not a fuck up, Chaewon," I said, my voice firm. "You're just... you're just figuring things out. That's okay. There's no rush in life."

"Tell that to them," she said, gesturing in the general direction of her house. "They think I'm wasting my life." She leaned her head down onto her knees, "I pretty much am."

"You're not," I said, my voice soft. "You're in school. You're trying. That's more than a lot of people can say."

"Trying isn't good enough for them," she mumbled into her knees. "They still fucking love you though, if that's a good takeaway from today’s argument." She let out a bitter laugh. "They'd probably trade me for you in a heartbeat."

My mind flashed back to Mrs. Kim's words, the way she had used me as a weapon against her own daughter. A pang of guilt washed over me. "I'm sorry," I said again. "I didn't mean for that to happen. I feel like I made it worse."

"No," she said, her head still buried in her knees. "It's not your fault. You were just there. It's always like this. They'd find something to compare me to no matter what. Even if you weren't here, it would've just been Chaeyoung, or Taehyun, or Mina, or themselves."

"Still," I said. "I should've said something. I should've defended you better."

"You did," she said, her voice muffled. "You said you weren't a good example. I heard you. You're wrong though, you're a great example." Her head rose and turned to me, her eyes red-rimmed, a single tear tracing a path down her cheek.

Her eyes scanned me for a long moment. "You're so good, Minjae. You have a scholarship, a great major, a future. You have a plan. You even have a great personality. You're... you're perfect." Her words were laced with a venom that I couldn't quite place. Was it admiration? Envy? Or something else entirely?

"I'm not perfect, Chaewon," I said, my voice quiet. I wanted to tell her everything. The dark thoughts, the twisted desires, the secret life that I lived. I wanted to show her that I wasn't the golden boy her parents thought I was. But I didn't. I couldn't.

"I'm so lucky," She whispered, the words meant for herself. I watched as she wiped a tear from her cheek with the back of her hand. The motion was quick, almost angry. "I'm so lucky to have you."

I wasn't sure what to say to that. So I just sat there, a silent witness to her pain. The silence stretched on, the only sound was the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze.

"You're not," I said, the words tasting like a lie. "You're not a fuck up. You're just... going through something. We all are."

"Yeah, well," she said, her voice hardening. "My something is a little more permanent than most people's. It's called 'no direction'." She leaned her head back against the cool concrete of the curb, looking up at the sliver of moon. "It's pathetic."

"Stop saying stuff like that," I said, a hint of frustration creeping into my voice. "It's not pathetic. You're not pathetic. You just haven't found your thing yet. That doesn't make you a failure. It makes you... human."

She stared at me, teary eyes and all. Her arms were wrapped around her knees as they held tightly to her chest. The streetlight cast a harsh glow on her face, highlighting the tracks of her tears.

"Human," she repeated, the word tasting like ash in her mouth. "That's a nice way to put it. A nice, gentle way to say 'lost'." She sniffled, a small, pathetic sound that broke my heart. "My mom looks at Chaeyoung and she sees success. She looks at you and she sees potential. She looks at me and she sees... a disappointment."

"Chaewon, no," I said, my voice urgent. "You're not listening to me. I'm not perfect. You're not a disappointment. This is all just... noise. Family dinner noise. It doesn't mean anything."

"It does mean something, it means everything. You need someone who knows what they’re doing with their life," She retaliated, her voice cracking. "You always had your shit together. You always knew what you were doing."

I let out a bitter laugh, a harsh, humorless sound that was foreign even to my own ears. "Do you hear yourself?" I asked, my eyes locked on hers. "Don't decide how I should live my life, I choose you, Chae. So stop talking about us like we're not here." My chest heaved with a breath I didn't know I was holding. The heft in my voice surprised us both.

I saw the flash of hurt in her eyes, and I immediately regretted my outburst. "I'm sorry," I said, my voice softer now. "I didn't mean to snap." I ran a hand through my hair, a nervous habit I couldn't seem to shake. "It's just... I'm not as together as you think I am."

"I don't," I said, my voice low. "I don't know what I'm doing. Not really."

"Bullshit," she whispered, shaking her head.

"I'm serious," I insisted, "I'm just as lost as you are."

"How?" she asked, her skepticism palpable. "You have a scholarship. A major. A plan."

"It's a plan on paper," I said, looking down at my lap. "It doesn't mean anything. It's just... a list of things I'm supposed to do. A checklist. Get into a good program. Get a good job. Make a lot of money. Be successful." I paused, my mind racing. A deep groan left my chest as my head dropped.

It felt right, the moment I mean. To finally open up to her. We spent two years together, plus the past few months. I wanted to share a part of myself with Chaewon tonight, the way that she let me be a part of hers, just for a little bit. To relieve this stress. She wouldn't understand. But I needed to tell someone.

"I don't like talking about my family, Chaewon," I began, my gaze fixed on the cracked pavement. The streetlight hummed above us, a lonely drone in the stillness of the night.

"I know, I'm sorry they brought that up earlier," She murmured. I looked at her, "You knew?"

"I noticed how much you change the subject whenever I brought them up," she said, her eyes searching my face. I shook my head, "No, it's okay, you're not... It's fine."

Chaewon was quiet, waiting. I could feel her eyes on me, her attention fully on me.

"I haven't talked to my parents in 2 years, Chae." I said. "Ever since I started college."

Her breath hitched, and I saw her shift in her peripheral vision.

"What?" she asked, her voice a choked whisper.

"I mean, every once in a while, for important things, I'd go and visit, but even then, it's surface-level. I'm not a part of their lives. They're not a part of mine," I confessed, the words feeling like a heavy weight being lifted off my shoulders. As I started to collect the pieces for this story, the hurting started to sink in.

I bit the inside of my cheek before I started, "It started around middle school, before I met you. My dad, he, uh, started bringing home women. Different women. All the time." I said, my voice flat as I started picturing the face of my father walking past me, arm in arm with a random lady as they walked into his bedroom and shut the door.

Chaewon's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with shock.

"He wasn't even secretive about it. He would just... bring them home. He knew I wouldn't say anything because he pulled me aside one day and said straight to my face that I could never tell my mom." I paused. "I was just a kid."

"Minjae," she breathed.

"I hated him for it, but I was also terrified. I didn't want to be the one to break our family apart. So I kept quiet. I watched. I learned to be invisible in my own home," I continued, my voice starting to waver just slightly. "I would lock myself in my room and put on my headphones, trying to drown out the sounds."

"But, uh, eventually, my, uh, mom, she found out. She found some other woman's underwear and she confronted my dad," The argument loud and clear in my head. The yelling, the screaming, the things they threw at each other. I remember standing at the top of the stairs, my heart pounding in my chest, my hands shaking. I had never seen my mom so angry, so hurt. So broken.

"It was a huge fight, a mess. It lasted for days, and days, until one day, during an argument, my dad fucking roped me in. He called me a traitor. A liar. A disappointment. He told my mom that I knew all along."

"After that, everything just changed. The house was always so quiet. So tense. My mom wouldn't even look at me. She blamed me. She blamed me for not telling her, for not being strong enough to stand up to him. She looked at me and she saw a reflection of him. Of the lies. Of the betrayal." I looked up at the sky, at the indifferent stars.

"She blamed me for protecting her feelings." I said. "She told me that if I had told her, she wouldn't have looked like such a fool. That I was just as bad as him."

"Oh my god, Minjae," she said, her voice cracking with unshed tears.

"I tried to talk to her. I tried to explain. But she wouldn't listen. She was right, I should've said something. It was like I was only delaying the inevitable."

"And then my dad, he just started shunning me. Like I was a walking reminder of my mom, too afraid to tell me anything or talk to me about anything. He had his new life, and I wasn't a part of it. I was just... there."

"By the time I graduated high school, I couldn't wait to get out of there. I studied hard so I could apply for colleges as far away as possible. I got a scholarship, and I left. I never looked back."

"That's why I don't talk about them. That's why I'm never home. Because home isn't home anymore. It's just a house with memories that I'm trying to forget. And my parents... they're just strangers that I used to know." I took a deep breath, the night air filling my lungs.

"So when I say I don't know what I'm doing, Chaewon," I said, my voice quiet, my eyes finding hers. "I mean it. I'm just as lost as you are. Everything I've done up to this point was all so I could get away from them. This whole 'plan' you say I have is just me running away."

I looked at her, her face pale in the harsh glare of the streetlight, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and pain. For a moment, she just stared at me, her mind trying to process the weight of my words.

"I..." she started, her voice a choked whisper. "I had no idea."

Chaewon stared at me, her eyes wide with a mixture of horror, pity, and something else. Something that looked a lot like understanding. A tear slipped down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away.

"I'm so sorry, Minjae," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

"Stop, don't be," I said, shaking my head. "I'm not telling you this so you can feel sorry for me. I'm telling you this so you understand. So you see that I'm not perfect. That I'm not the golden boy your parents think I am. I'm just a guy who's trying to survive. Just like you."

"Way better job than I am," Chaewon murmured, followed by a short laugh. I couldn't help but laugh too. A real laugh this time, not the forced, polite ones from dinner. It was a laugh that came from a place of shared pain, of a bond forged in the fires of our respective miseries.

"You see?" I said, my smile fading as I looked at her. "We're both just trying to figure it out. We're both just trying to find our way."

Chaewon was quiet for a long moment, her gaze fixed on the street ahead. I watched her eyes come to me, taking in a shaky breath. Her gaze was so intense, so full of emotion, that I felt like she was looking right through me, into the deepest, darkest parts of my soul.

"You're so strong, Minjae," she said, her voice filled with a reverence that made me uncomfortable for some reason. Maybe it was the way she said it, or the way her mood shifted so quickly to cover up her own issues. I didn't like it. But before I could call her out on it, she turned away.

"I don't want to go back in there," she said, her voice flat. "I don't want to see them again."

"Then we won't," I said, my decision made. "We'll just stay here. I'll be here with you."

A small, sad smile touched her lips. "You'd just sit on a random person's driveway with me in the middle of the night?"

"Of course," I said, without a moment's hesitation. "Why not?" I leaned my head back, looking up at the sliver of moon peeking through the glow of the streetlight. "I've done worse."

She let out a small, watery laugh. "I bet," she said, her voice a little lighter. She leaned her head on my shoulder, the weight of it a familiar comfort. I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her closer. We sat there for a while, just holding each other, a small island of peace in the middle of a chaotic world.

"You're a good boyfriend, Minjae," she murmured into my shoulder. "The best even."

I stiffened at her words, there it was again. That subtle shift in her voice and tone. The way she was turning my confession into something that highlighted my own virtues, even as she wallowed in her perceived inadequacies. It was a defense mechanism, I knew, something passed down by her own mother. A way to deflect from her own pain. But it felt... wrong.

She felt stiff underneath my touch, like she wasn't fully letting me in. I could see the tears in her eyes, the vulnerability that she was trying so hard to hide. But I could also see something else. A flicker of something that looked a bit like resentment.

The time passed and I just sat there with her, my arm around her, her head on my shoulder. I didn't say anything. I didn't know what to say. I just let her be a silent presence in the darkness. I could feel the tension in her body, the unspoken thoughts that were swirling and forming around in her head. I wanted to ask her what she was thinking, but I was afraid of the answer.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she pulled away, her eyes downcast. "I think we can go back now," she said, her voice quiet. "I'm okay now." That twitch in her left eye told me again she wasn't.

"You sure?" I asked, searching her face for any sign of hesitation. I didn’t mind sitting there for longer, until her head was clear but I didn't want to press it.

She nodded. "Yeah. Let's just... go." She stood up, and brushed off the dirt from her skirt. I followed suit, my body feeling stiff and sore from sitting on the hard concrete for so long.

"Alright," I reached out for her hand, wrapping my fingers around hers. Her grip was weak, but she didn't pull away. I could feel the tension in her hand, a silent reflection of the turmoil within.

"You know if anything's wrong, tell me," I reminded quietly, "Don't just shut me out. I'm always here for you." What was she thinking of in there? Did my story push something else into her? It was hard to tell. It seemed like the words I confessed to her didn't land how I intended them to, but I couldn't be sure.

It worried me.

She gave me a tight-lipped smile, but her eyes held a flicker of something I couldn't quite decipher. "I know you are," she said, her voice barely a whisper. She gave my hand a gentle squeeze, a silent acknowledgment of my words. "Let's go."

Phew, this was an emotion-packed chapter. Lots of building on Minjae's and Chaewon's characters, Fleshing out the nuances of their relationship has always been on my mind, but smut came first. I was glad to be able to finally explore their dynamics as well as Chaewon's dynamic as I didn't want her to be written solely as "love interest". I wanted Chaewon to have a role that was meaningful to Minjae, something that'll continue to add to his story and such. Nakyung, Haerin, even his mother all build to Minjae's story, albeit each in their own way. Hopefully what I've done in this chapter will be able to come together at some point the story, I pray that I was able to do enough and I won't regret not making it any longer! Anyways, best wishes to all of you and appreciate the love I've been getting! - PI