Chapter two

⭐ ୧ It was about the bond
they shared ও 🏡

June 2004

It had been a year since Aera's mother had abandoned her, leaving her on that lonely road in the rain. In that time, the small apartment had become her home, and the other children—Joo-won, Sanha, and Hae-jun—had become her family. The sadness that had once weighed on her heart had lightened, and Aera found herself smiling more easily, laughing freely with the others.

The late afternoon light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the small living room. The sound of rustling papers could be heard as Sanha sat at the table, focused on his homework, his pencil moving steadily across the page. Nearby, Joo-won, full of her usual energy, darted around with a toy sword in hand, her laughter filling the room.

"Take my sword. Oppa, let's play, let's play!" Joo-won called out excitedly, waving her plastic sword as she ran in circles around Sanha. Her voice was persistent, but Sanha barely looked up from his textbook, trying his best to ignore her antics.

Aera followed close behind Joo-won, holding her own toy sword, a smile spreading across her face. She had grown used to Joo-won's playful spirit, and though she was quieter than the younger girl, she couldn't help but join in the fun.

"Let's play. Play with us! Let's play!" Joo-won continued, her footsteps quick as she circled Sanha's chair, her giggles infectious.

Sanha, always the more serious one, sighed softly. With a calm, patient gesture, he gently pushed Joo-won's sword away, his eyes never leaving his book.

Both girls pouted in unison, their playful energy briefly deflating. Joo-won gave an exaggerated sigh of disappointment, and Aera, though not as dramatic, lowered her sword in defeat.

"If you don't play with us... take this!" Joo-won declared, holding out her toy sword again, this time placing it directly in front of Sanha's face, clearly determined to get his attention. Sanha simply leaned back and pushed the sword aside, his expression calm but resigned to their persistence.

Seeing that they were not going to convince him, Joo-won and Aera exchanged glances, their pouts deepening. They turned to walk away, ready to give up on their quest for a playmate.

But before they could take more than a few steps, a figure burst into their path. Hae-jun, who had been sitting quietly on the side of the room, watching them with a small pout, suddenly leapt to his feet, his face lighting up with excitement. He ran toward the girls, his arms outstretched, blocking their way with a wide grin.

"Wait! I'll play!" he shouted, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

Aera and Joo-won blinked in surprise, momentarily confused by his sudden entrance. Hae-jun, grinning proudly, puffed out his chest and stood tall, his expression daring them to challenge him.

He stuffed out his stomach dramatically, gesturing for them to attack. "Come on, take this!" he said, grinning as if he were the ultimate villain, ready to take on their swords.

Aera laughed, the sound bright and clear. "Take this!" she said, moving forward and tapping his belly lightly with her sword. Hae-jun let out an exaggerated groan, clutching his stomach and falling to the ground with a dramatic flair, pretending to be defeated.

Joo-won, giggling uncontrollably, joined in. "Take our sword, you villain!" she shouted, poking him repeatedly with her plastic sword as he lay on the floor, groaning and rolling around as if they had mortally wounded him.

Hae-jun played along, his face twisted in mock pain. But, with a sudden burst of energy, he jumped back to his feet, his grin wide. "I'm not done yet!" he shouted, and before the girls could react, he took off running across the room.

Joo-won shrieked with laughter, immediately giving chase. Aera followed, her feet quick as they raced around the room. Hae-jun weaved between the furniture, dodging their attacks with playful skill, his laughter filling the space.

The girls chased him relentlessly, their giggles and shouts echoing off the walls. They ran in circles around Sanha, who sat at the center of the chaos, still trying to focus on his homework. His brow furrowed as he tried to block out the noise.

"Hey!" Sanha finally called out, his voice tinged with frustration as they zoomed past him for the fourth time. "Can you guys do this somewhere else?" His plea fell on deaf ears, as the trio was too caught up in their game to listen.

Hae-jun zigzagged around the room, barely dodging the girls' playful attacks. Joo-won lunged at him with her sword, missing by inches as he ducked behind the couch. Aera, her heart pounding with excitement, joined in, her sword raised high as she and Joo-won cornered him.

"Got you!" Joo-won laughed, tapping his shoulder with her sword.

Hae-jun groaned dramatically once more, pretending to be defeated. He stumbled backward, clutching his chest. "Okay, okay, you win!" he said breathlessly, a grin still plastered on his face.

Joo-won and Aera, their faces flushed and glowing from the thrill of the game, lowered their swords in triumph. Joo-won stuck out her tongue playfully at Hae-jun, then turned to Aera, her eyes gleaming with pride.

"Eonnie, we make a great team, don't we?" Joo-won asked, her voice filled with excitement.

Aera, catching her breath, smiled warmly at her little sister. "Yeah, we do," she replied, feeling the warmth of their bond deep in her heart.

In that moment, amidst the laughter and play, Aera felt a peace she hadn't known in a long time. She had almost forgotten the pain of her past, the sorrow of being left behind. Here, in this small apartment with her new family, she was happy. She was loved.

The afternoon sun hung low in the sky as the four children wandered down the street toward the small convenience store. The air was filled with the crisp scent of autumn, and their footsteps echoed softly on the pavement. Aera, Joo-won, Sanha, and Hae-jun moved as a familiar unit, their bond strengthened over months of shared laughter and play. Today, they were on a simple but important mission: to buy candy.

Once inside the store, their eyes were drawn to the brightly colored packages lining the shelves. Aera and Joo-won's gazes immediately landed on a small bag of gummy worms that Sanha was holding up in front of them, as if presenting a treasure. The bag was vibrant and bold, with the words "Super Stretchy" printed in large letters. The image of the gummy worms stretching across the package made both girls' mouths water.

"It looks yummy," Joo-won said in a serious tone, her eyes fixed on the bag in Sanha's hand. She licked her lips absentmindedly, clearly imagining the sweet, chewy worms.

Sanha, noticing the eager looks on both their faces, grinned playfully. He held the bag up higher, teasing them just a little. "You want to eat it quickly, right?" His voice was light, his eyes twinkling as he looked from Joo-won to Aera, knowing full well how much they loved candy.

"Yes!" Joo-won answered almost immediately, her seriousness replaced with a bright, happy smile. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, and even Aera, though quieter, nodded with a small smile of her own, her gaze never leaving the bag of sweets.

Sanha chuckled at their enthusiasm and turned toward the counter, ready to pay. He took out the coins he had saved up, counting them carefully in his hand. But before he handed them over, his eyes shifted to Hae-jun, who stood a little farther back, watching them. Hae-jun wasn't sulking, but there was a faint shadow of being left out that Sanha could see in his eyes.

Sanha quickly glanced at the candy aisle again, mentally calculating if he had enough. He smiled to himself and picked up another small bag. It wasn't just for the three of them—it was for all of them, as always.

He placed the bags on the counter, the coins clinking softly as he handed them to the cashier. "Four, please," he said with a smile, glancing back at Hae-jun.

A few moments later, the four of them emerged from the store, each clutching a bag of gummy worms. The sea was just a short walk away, and they settled on a quiet spot by the shore, the sound of waves lapping gently at the sand behind them. The sky above was a soft mix of orange and pink as the sun began to set.

The four of them sat together, quietly enjoying their candy. Aera held her bag tightly, her eyes lighting up with every bite she took. The gummy worms were as stretchy and sweet as promised, and the simple pleasure of the moment—sitting by the sea with her siblings—made her heart swell with warmth.

"I scared you, right?" Joo-won's voice broke the quiet as she grinned mischievously. She had just playfully dangled a gummy worm in front of Sanha's face, watching him jump slightly in surprise.

Sanha blinked, still chewing, and shot her a half-hearted glare. "Yes," he said with a resigned sigh, but his smile betrayed his amusement.

Joo-won giggled, clearly proud of herself, while Aera quietly smiled beside her, watching the playful exchange.

Hae-jun, who had been quietly nibbling on his candy, suddenly leaned forward, holding out one of his gummy worms as if ready to join in on the teasing. "Let me try!" he said, a grin spreading across his face as he waved the worm in front of Sanha.

Sanha groaned and shook his head, but the smile on his face grew. "Why is it always me?" he muttered, unable to keep from laughing as Hae-jun and Joo-won continued their playful antics.

Aera, sitting between them, felt a soft contentment settle over her. With the taste of sweet gummy worms on her tongue, the sound of the sea behind her, and her siblings laughing beside her, the world felt whole. In this small, simple moment, Aera knew she wasn't alone. She was part of something beautiful, something that had healed the pain of her past.

As the sun sank lower on the horizon, painting the sky in brilliant hues, the four of them continued eating their candy, happy and carefree, their laughter blending with the gentle rhythm of the waves.

The summer of 2004 was hot, but the small apartment where Aera, Joo-won, Hae-jun, and Sanha lived buzzed with energy and laughter, keeping the heat at bay. The air inside was filled with the soft hum of a fan and the occasional squeak of floorboards as three pairs of feet raced around the living room.

Aera, Joo-won, and Hae-jun dashed in circles, laughing breathlessly as they blew bubbles that floated in the air, their shimmering surfaces reflecting the light from the window. Sanha sat at the table, hunched over his books, trying—unsuccessfully—to concentrate on his studies amid the chaos swirling around him.

Bubbles danced in the air, popping against the walls and floor, leaving little damp spots in their wake. The three kids laughed as they chased the bubbles, their giggles filling the room until finally, exhaustion got the better of them. They collapsed onto the floor in a heap, breathless and flushed from their play, the bubbles still lazily drifting around them.

"I'm thirsty," Aera panted, leaning back against the table where Sanha was studying, her chest rising and falling as she tried to catch her breath.

Sanha's eyes shifted from his book to her, and then to the other two who quickly chimed in.

"Me too," Hae-jun added, stretching his legs out on the floor.

"Me three!" Joo-won exclaimed, flopping dramatically onto her back, arms spread wide as if the heat had finally defeated her.

Sanha, ever the caretaker, let out a quiet sigh. He set down his pencil and got up from his chair, heading to the kitchen. A moment later, he returned with a box of milk and poured them each a cup. The three kids drank the milk almost instantly, gulping it down like it was the most refreshing thing they'd ever tasted.

Aera wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "I want snacks," she declared, her voice filled with determination, though it was Joo-won who followed up with a more serious, almost demanding tone.

"I want snacks," Joo-won said, her face serious, as if this were the most important issue at hand.

Sanha couldn't help but smile at his younger siblings. He walked back to the kitchen and soon returned with an armful of snacks. He placed several bags on the table—Totos, Cone Chips, Twisties, and the rare Peach King Choc. The colorful packaging immediately caught the attention of Aera and Joo-won, who reached out excitedly to grab one.

But before they could tear into the bags, Sanha placed his hand gently over theirs, stopping them with a soft, teasing smile. "Make sure to brush your teeth after," he reminded them.

Both girls looked up at him with wide, eager eyes and nodded in unison, their excitement undiminished. "We will!" they promised, practically bouncing in place.

Hae-jun, always looking for a chance to be helpful, took the bag of snacks that both girls were eyeing and opened it for them with a smile. He handed the opened bag to Joo-won, who grinned at him in gratitude before the four of them began eating, happily sharing the contents.

As they munched, Aera turned to Sanha, her curiosity piqued. "Why did you buy so many snacks?" she asked, tilting her head.

Before Sanha could answer, Hae-jun chimed in, always eager to share his thoughts. "Girls always carry around a bag of snacks and give it to him," he said, matter-of-factly.

Sanha let out a small, exasperated chuckle as Hae-jun continued, "I have lots of snacks, too. You can take some later," he offered generously.

Aera's eyes widened in excitement at the thought. "Really?" she asked, her voice filled with enthusiasm. The three siblings exchanged knowing smiles at her childlike excitement, and it was impossible not to be charmed by her joy.

As the conversation lulled, Aera's gaze fell on the bright packaging of the Peach King Choc that still sat on the table. Curious, she picked it up, her eyes scanning the bold letters. But then something caught her eye—Peach King Choc - Limited Summer Edition. Her eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, she simply stared at the bag in her hands.

The other three noticed her pause and looked at her curiously. "Why aren't you eating any?" Hae-jun asked, frowning slightly as he tried to figure out what was going through her mind.

Aera smiled softly, holding the limited-edition bag against her chest as if it were something precious. Without a word, she handed the bag to Joo-won, her smile warm and sincere.

Joo-won's eyes lit up as she read the words on the package, her excitement growing. "Thanks, Eonnie!" she exclaimed, hugging the bag close. "I'll eat them with a friend tomorrow," she added happily, already planning how to share the special treat.

The next day, however, things didn't go as smoothly as Joo-won had hoped. She and another girl at school ended up fighting over the small bag of chips. The girl, with a pout, insisted that she had bought the same limited-edition snack to give to Sanha, not for Joo-won or Aera. The argument grew, fueled by the prized snack, but in the end, it was the connection and loyalty between Joo-won and her family that mattered most. Aera had given her something special, and that made it priceless.

Christmas had quietly settled into their small apartment, the twinkling lights on their modest tree casting a warm, flickering glow across the living room. The night was still, save for the occasional soft creak of the floorboards or the distant hum of the wind outside. The faint scent of pine and freshly baked cookies lingered in the air, remnants of the evening's festivities.

The four of them—Aera, Joo-won, Sanha, and Hae-jun—had spent the day together, laughing, playing, and enjoying the simple joy of being a family. Now, as the clock inched past midnight, the living room had grown quiet, and the soft sounds of breathing filled the space. They had fallen asleep where they were, exhausted from the day's excitement.

Joo-won and Aera lay on the couch, curled up close to each other, their small bodies nestled into the cushions. Joo-won had her arm draped over Aera, her tiny hand clutching the edge of the blanket that covered them both. Their faces were peaceful, the faint glow of the Christmas tree reflecting off their cheeks, and the warmth of their closeness evident even in their sleep.

On the floor just below the couch, Hae-jun had sprawled out on his back, his head resting on the edge of the couch where Aera and Joo-won slept. One of his arms was stretched out, his fingers brushing the fabric of the couch above, as if seeking the warmth of his siblings even in sleep. His legs were tangled in the blanket that had fallen from the couch earlier, but he seemed content, his face calm and still.

At the table, Sanha had drifted off while studying, his head resting on the open book before him. One hand still loosely held a pen as if he'd tried to stay awake just a little longer. The soft glow of the lamp illuminated his face, casting gentle shadows across the pages. His breath was slow and steady, the stresses of his studies forgotten for the moment as sleep took over.

The room itself was a picture of quiet togetherness—scattered books, wrappers from the candy they'd shared, and half-finished Christmas cards lay on the floor, evidence of a day well spent. The air was thick with warmth and comfort, a contrast to the cold winter night just outside the window. And in that peaceful stillness, with the lights of the tree gently twinkling, the four children slept soundly, cocooned in the love and safety of their makeshift family.

Christmas had brought them not only the joy of gifts and treats but also the simple, irreplaceable comfort of being together, even in sleep.

Aera and Joo-won strolled down the school building's stairs, their footsteps light as they chatted cheerfully. Their conversation flitted between topics—what they'd do after school, a funny moment from class—typical for two girls so close they almost shared the same thoughts. The sun filtered through the stairwell windows, casting soft beams across their path. It felt like any other day, except they both knew what was likely coming next.

And they were right.

"Yoon Joo-won, Moon Aera!" a girl called out, her voice chipper and cheerful. As Aera and Joo-won turned around, they saw the familiar sight: a bright smile and a delicate envelope, undoubtedly a love letter, clutched in the girl's hand.

Aera sighed internally, already bracing herself for what she knew was coming. This had become a regular occurrence—girls at school only approached them for one reason. Not for friendship, not for conversation, but to use them as messengers. They'd hand off love letters or small gifts, hoping that Aera and Joo-won would deliver them to their brothers, Sanha or Hae-jun. And Aera, now 14, had grown tired of it. The excitement these girls had when approaching them had become predictable, almost robotic.

"To whom?" Aera asked, her voice flat, her expression blank. She didn't need to ask, really. She already knew it would be for one of her brothers.

The girl's smile grew even wider, oblivious to Aera's disinterest. "Kim Sanha," she beamed, practically thrusting the love letter into Aera's hands.

Aera exchanged a knowing glance with Joo-won, who offered a small, resigned shrug. They had no choice. They always accepted the letters.

On another occasion, Aera found herself standing behind the school, the wind tugging gently at her uniform. A girl had asked to meet her here, away from prying eyes. It was obvious what she wanted. The girl approached with a serious expression, stepping much too close into Aera's personal space. Aera shifted uncomfortably, her back pressing against the wall behind her.

"To whom?" Aera asked, her tone edged with discomfort, already anticipating the response.

"Kang Hae-jun," the girl said flatly, extending another love letter. There was no joy in this exchange, only a cold efficiency. The girl handed over the letter as if it were a business transaction, her face emotionless.

Aera took it, offering a quick nod before walking away. She had long stopped trying to understand why girls were so fixated on her brothers.

And it continued.

"Give this to Sanha oppa," another girl said, this time in the middle of the campus, handing over a neatly folded letter with her cheeks flushed.

"Sanha oppa," repeated yet another, her voice sweet, as she handed over yet another love letter, her fingers brushing Aera's briefly in the handoff.

"Kang Hae-jun," came a third, a bag extended toward them. It was always the same—gifts and letters, eager smiles, hopeful eyes.

But it didn't end there.

"Did he read it?" A girl asked, eyes wide with anticipation, cornering Aera behind the school once more. The same girl from before, her expression now more intense, almost desperate.

"I don't know," Aera answered, trying to keep her voice steady, though the tension in the air made her uncomfortable.

"Did he reply?" the girl pressed, her voice growing harder, more accusatory.

"I don't know... ma'am," Aera responded, forcing herself to add the respectful address, her discomfort growing. The girl's intensity had escalated, and Aera knew she had to tread carefully.

The girl's face twisted in frustration, and before Aera could react, the girl slapped her, the sting sharp against her cheek. Aera's hand instinctively rose to her face, but she stayed quiet. This was what happened when the girls didn't get what they wanted—a love letter ignored, a gift unappreciated, and suddenly it was Aera's fault.

The next day, it escalated further.

"Do you like Kang Hae-jun?" the same girl spat, cornering Aera yet again. This time, she was furious, her hand slamming against the wall beside Aera's head, the sound of her palm against the concrete startlingly loud. "Is that why he hasn't read it?" Her eyes narrowed, and her voice was thick with accusation, as though Aera herself had stood between the girl and her brother.

"No way... ma'am," Aera managed, her voice tinged with disbelief. She could hardly fathom what was happening, but before she could say anything else, another sharp slap landed across her face.

These confrontations had become common, but each one stung in more ways than one. Aera wasn't just delivering letters—she was a buffer for every unrequited crush, every ignored confession. If Sanha or Hae-jun didn't respond, the anger inevitably fell on her and Joo-won.

It was exhausting.

And to make things worse, no one at school believed the four of them were even related. The different surnames were enough for classmates to dismiss the idea that they were siblings. It didn't matter how close they were, how much they acted like family. People always questioned it, as though family could only be defined by blood.

But Aera, Joo-won, Sanha, and Hae-jun knew better. Family wasn't always about blood ties or surnames. It was about the bond they shared, the way they cared for each other, the way they had grown up together under the same roof.

࿁ • 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘰𝘬 . . . 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝒚𝒐𝒖
ྀིྀི 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝒎𝒆 𐙚 ~ @ 𝑾𝒐𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈 • ࿁

Longer chapter. Come to think of it, I spent the whole day writing this cause I was way too excited. I watched the first two episodes yesterday and I've been planning this since the morning so please show some support!

See y'all in the next chapter! <33