Soo Emi

"Is that the house?" My jaw drops.

Hoseok stands behind me, resting his hands on my shoulders. "It sure is. You think your family is going to like it? It's small and close to other families. Do you think they'll be fine with all the windows?"

I stay marveling at the house. "It's perfect."

"Want to go inside?" He leans near my ear. "I want you to check it out."

I nod.

He gently pushes me forward and leads me to the front door.

He opens the door for me and I walk in.

"It's so clean!" I exclaim in excitement and went to go feel the marble countertops. "It's smoother than my face!"

"Is it suitable for your family?" Hoseok asks from afar. "I'd hate for them to be uncomfortable."

"Let's go figure it out!"

°

"I would die if I had to live like this." Hoseok comments as we walked into the alleyway where Joon and his mother are. "Oh, my gosh. Is that a dead rat?"

"Would you be polite?" I pull on his hand, scolding him. "And it is not dead. It's just sleeping."

I knock on the wooden door and it almost falls over.

"Didn't know you were so strong." Hoseok quietly chuckles.

I shush him.

Joon opens the door and yelps when he sees Hoseok and I.

"Emi, you're back!" He shouts and brings me in for a hug. "It's nice to see you again!"

"Nice to see you again too." Hoseok crosses his arms.

"Joon, I have wonderful news! Is your mother awake? It's for both of you."

Hoseok stands still in his spot, obviously uncomfortable with his surroundings.

Joon notices and awkwardly rubs the back of his head. "Uh, mom's taking a nap right now. She just recovered from her recent cold."

"Oh, that's fine! I want to show you- I mean, Hoseok and I have a special surprise for you and your mother, but you can see it first." I grab his hands.

"What is it?"

"Come with us." I lead him outside and towards Hoseok's car. "You're going to love it!"

Hoseok follows behind us with a petty expression.

°

I cover Joon's eyes with my hands and carefully led him towards his new home.

"I'll be honest, Emi, this is scaring me." He forces a chuckle. "I trust you, but your squealing is going to pierce my eardrums."

"Ah, sorry!"

I stop him and looked behind me for Hoseok.

He was waiting in the car with his arms crossed.

"Ok, are you ready?" I ask Joon, almost dying for his reaction. "I'll countdown!"

"O-Ok?"

"3...2...1!" I uncover his eyes and ran in front of him to see his face. "Tada!"

His eyes widen. "What is this?"

My shoulders slumped. "You don't like it?"

"No, it's a nice house."

"It's yours!" I hold up my arms. "There's a heater and everything!"

"THIS IS FOR ME!?" He screams, his jaw dropping to the floor.

That's the reaction I wanted.

"Oh, I didn't tell you..." I mentally slap myself.

"HAHA!" Hoseok laughs from the car.

I glare at him, but smile at Joon.

"I'll explain more. Come on." I take his hand and pull him inside.

His eyes sparkled brightly as he scanned around. "This is insane."

"Look at the kitchen! Look at the counters!" I creepily stroke the surface. "It's marble."

"I can't believe this." He cups his face.

I take his hands in mine and beamed. "You like it, right?"

"Of course I do! It's amazing! But, why are you doing this?"

"Well," I look away with a sour expression. "I made a deal with Hoseok during the weekend. Big surprise, I ended up working for his friend. Um, long story. Anyway, if I go back to live with Hoseok, then you and your mother will get to live here!"

His eyes narrow as I mention Hoseok.

"You're going to live with Hoseok now?" He asks.

I nod.

"But...you hate Hoseok."

"My father wants me to stay with Hoseok until he gets back from Japan. It's both of our responsibility, Joon."

He sighs, looking sadly down at me. "I'm still not ok with this, Emi."

Hoseok enters the house with a loud presence.

"Hoseok-" I drop Joon's hands.

"Isn't the house amazing? It's better than that home you had before." Hoseok flashes a bitter grin. "Wouldn't your mother love it also?"

I notice Joon's jawline tighten.

"Joon, let me talk to you outside." I grab his elbow and dragged him past Hoseok.

"Seriously, that guy...." He grips the railings of the stairs. "I can't believe him."

"Joon, I offered you a home. Why can't you accept it?" I lower my head. "Don't you like it?"

"You remember how much you hated that guy? He kicked you out of a house! He left you alone when your father was out of the country!"

"I said I will be fine living with him. We made up." I come closer to him and placed a hand on his back. "Please think about your mother, Joon."

He looks away.

"Please." I lay a hand over his.

He lets out an angry grunt.

"I learned somewhere that it's rude to not accept a gift given to you." I nudge his arm. "Joon, please allow me to do this. It's because of what you and your mother gave me that I want to do this."

"Will you visit?"

My smile grows. "As often as I could."

"Thank you, Emi." He lifts me up for a tight hug.

°

"Oh!" Joon's mother covers her mouth.

"Do you like it?" I ask.

Her eyes become watery as she falls down on her knees.

"Mom?" Joon rushes to her side.

"We won't be living in that stinky alleyway anymore." She laughs through her tears.

"Heard that." Hoseok mumbles and I smack his arm.

She stands back up and runs over to Hoseok and I for an enormous hug.

"You two are lifesavers."