Chapter eight

⭐ ୧ I hope what your heart wants comes true.ও 💟

The restaurant was quiet, save for the sound of chopsticks clinking against bowls and the occasional sizzle from the kitchen stove. Sanha, Joo-won, and Aera sat together at a table in the middle of the restaurant, bowls of steaming noodles in front of them. The warm, inviting aroma of Jeongjae's cooking filled the air, a comforting mix of soy, garlic, and a hint of spice. It was late evening, the world outside already dark, but the soft glow of the restaurant's lights made the atmosphere cozy and intimate.

The three siblings slurped their noodles, each savoring their father's handiwork. Joo-won, however, slurped the loudest, the sound echoing through the quiet restaurant. Aera and Sanha exchanged amused glances, their lips curling into smiles as they watched her eat with unabashed enthusiasm.

Aera took another bite, the seasoning coated the noodles perfectly, she hummed in contentment. "Mmm," she murmured softly, the rich flavors making her cheeks flush slightly. Sanha caught the sound and turned his head to her, his expression softening as he smiled fondly.

Across the room, Jeongjae worked behind the counter, focused on the large pot simmering on the industrial stove. The rhythmic chop of his knife against the cutting board was a steady beat in the background.

"Dad, what are you making? It doesn't smell like broth," Joo-won asked suddenly, her voice curious as she leaned forward to peer toward the kitchen.

Jeongjae turned slightly, still stirring the pot with a large spoon. "Cartilage," he replied simply, lifting the spoon to show its contents briefly before letting it sink back into the bubbling liquid. "The stove at home isn't strong enough," he added, turning the heat up slightly. "It's tasty if I make it on the restaurant stove."

Joo-won groaned, leaning back in her seat and rolling her eyes dramatically. "It's Kang Hae-Jun's favorite again," she muttered, the childish complaint drawing a soft chuckle from Sanha and a small, knowing smile from Aera.

Jeongjae glanced up from his cutting board, his knife pausing mid-air. "He plays sports! He needs to eat well," he defended, shaking his head before resuming his chopping. After a moment, he looked up again, this time addressing Sanha and Aera. "It isn't just for Hae-Jun. Sanha, Aera, you two should have some too."

"Yes," both of them said in unison, nodding earnestly with matching smiles.

Joo-won, unimpressed, turned toward her siblings with a skeptical expression. "Don't you feel like we're Kang Hae-Jun's parasites sometimes?" she whispered conspiratorially, her voice low but still audible. She glanced between Sanha, who sat across from her, and Aera, who sat at her right.

Aera shook her head firmly, her brows knitting together slightly as she disagreed. Sanha leaned forward, reaching across the table to tap Joo-won gently on the forehead. "Yah," he murmured, the playful reprimand carrying a gentle warmth.

Joo-won crossed her arms, undeterred. "Last time, he let only Kang Hae-Jun drink the spring water," she complained, her voice taking on a mock conspiratorial tone as she tried to sway them.

Sanha, who was mid-sip of water, paused to raise his glass slightly, giving her a look of mild exasperation. "Ah," he said before taking another sip. "We drank some of that too."

Joo-won turned her head toward Aera, her eyes narrowing slightly, searching for validation. Aera nodded once, calmly confirming Sanha's statement, her serene demeanor unshaken by Joo-won's theatrics.

Joo-won's expression turned comically betrayed as she glanced toward her father. Jeongjae, still tending to the stove, didn't turn to face her but sensed her gaze. With perfect oblivion, he gave her a thumbs up and a wide, satisfied grin, his pride in his broth clear as he tasted it straight from the ladle.

Joo-won huffed, her cheeks puffing slightly in indignation as she turned back to her bowl. With a small frown, she jabbed at her noodles with her chopsticks and resumed eating, her slurps now louder and more aggressive. She cast a glare toward her father every few bites, but Jeongjae remained blissfully unaware, engrossed in perfecting the cartilage stew.

Sanha and Aera tried to stifle their laughter, their shoulders shaking slightly as they watched Joo-won's exaggerated display. The warm, lively moment wrapped the three siblings in a sense of familial comfort, the quiet hum of the restaurant around them a reminder of the home they always carried in their hearts.

The school grounds were alive with the usual midday hustle as students filled the open spaces, laughing, chatting, and enjoying the brief respite from classes. Outside the gym, the air smelled faintly of freshly cut grass, mingled with the metallic tang of the gym's equipment that wafted through the open doors. Aera, Joo-won, and Dal stood near the gym's entrance. They were clearly interested in the scene unfolding inside than going for lunch.

From their vantage point, they could see Hae-Jun sitting on the bleachers, his basketball jersey slightly damp from practice. He leaned back, taking a long sip from his water bottle as the rest of his team huddled near the court, talking strategy. The familiar figure of Hui Joo approached him, her steps quick and calculated, her pristine white sneakers making barely a sound on the polished floor. She clutched a neatly folded cloth towel in her hands, her expression painted with sweetness, though her intent was anything but innocent.

The three girls watched closely, their eyes narrowing in unison as Hui Joo stopped a few feet from Hae-Jun. She held the towel out to him, her polished nails catching the gym's overhead lights. Her body language screamed intent. She tilted her head slightly, her lips curling into a small, coy smile.

Hae-Jun barely looked at her. He took one glance at the towel, his face impassive, and stood up without a word. Grabbing his water bottle, he walked right past her, his tall figure cutting a sharp line across the gym floor. Hui Joo was left standing there, towel still extended, her confident smile slipping into disbelief.

Outside, Aera's lips twitched upward in satisfaction, her arms crossing over her chest as she leaned back against the open doorframe. "Serves her right," she murmured, a smug tone lacing her voice. Hui Joo's behavior over the past months had been nothing short of audacious. First, secretly dating Hae-Jun, then dumping him to chase after Sanha. When Sanha rejected her, she had the nerve to circle back to Hae-Jun. What is wrong with her? Aera thought, shaking her head slightly.

Joo-won grinned, a glint of mischief in her eyes as she pushed herself off the doorframe. "See? They're done," she said, nodding toward the scene with a self-assured tilt of her head. She crossed her arms as she addressed Dal.

Dal, standing slightly to the side, blushed faintly but didn't say anything. Aera glanced her way knowingly. She hadn't missed the way Dal had reacted the other day when she found out Hae-Jun didn't currently have a girlfriend. It was clear Dal had feelings for him, even if she tried to hide it. Aera and Joo-won had silently agreed: they were going to help her.

"Just wait. Let us set something up soon," Aera said, narrowing her eyes with determination as if she were already planning the next move.

Joo-won turned to her best friend, her brows furrowing slightly, though her expression held no malice. "I don't understand it, but..." She shrugged lightly before adding, "Class President, if it's what you want." She clicked her tongue as if conceding a point in a debate. Then, with a soft smile, she added, "I hope what your heart wants comes true." She started walking away, her steps light and carefree.

Dal smiled softly, her heart fluttering at her friends' support. She followed behind Joo-won with Aera beside her. "Let's go. Lunch is almost over," Dal said, her tone gentle but tinged with urgency.

Joo-won, ever the affectionate one, looped her arms through both Aera's and Dal's, pulling them close as she walked between them. They moved as a unit, their camaraderie palpable, their laughter filling the quiet hallway as they made their way back to the main school building.

As they passed a man standing near the entrance, none of them paid him much attention. He was dressed oddly for the school—wearing a vibrant, colorful jacket that seemed out of place amidst the uniformed students and staff. Large sunglasses obscured much of his face, and he kept his head low, his steps purposeful as he headed into the gym.

For a brief moment, Aera's brow furrowed. There was something about him, a familiarity that tugged at the edge of her memory. She turned her head slightly as they walked away, glancing back to see the man enter the gym where Hae-Jun and his team were still practicing. Who was he, and why was he going there?

The thought lingered only briefly before Aera shrugged it off, turning her attention back to her friends. She laughed at something Joo-won said, her curiosity about the man fading as the warmth of their friendship took over. The three of them continued their light-hearted chatter, the mysterious figure forgotten—for now.

The late afternoon sun bathed the school football field in a golden glow, casting long shadows across the neatly trimmed grass. The air was crisp but gentle, carrying the faint laughter of students lingering after school. Aera, Joo-won, and Dal sat together on a wooden bench near the field, their bags propped up beside them, enjoying the peaceful end to their day.

Aera's hands cradled a small stack of love letters—her daily collection delivered by Joo-won, who always delighted in playing mail courier for her popular sister. Aera glanced at the pile, her expression a mix of amusement and mild disinterest. She received letters regularly, but most were shallow declarations of admiration, fixated on her looks rather than who she truly was.

Beside her, Joo-won beamed with excitement, clutching a single love letter of her own. She had received her very first one today, and her enthusiasm was palpable. "My name!" she exclaimed, pointing at the elegant script on the letter, her eyes wide with delight as she looked at Aera and Dal.

"So it is written to you," Dal said with a soft smile, happy for her friend.

"What does it say?" Aera leaned forward, her curiosity piqued.

"Hold on." Joo-won grinned, savoring the moment as she carefully unfolded the letter and began reading silently, her eyes darting across the page with growing excitement.

Meanwhile, Aera's attention shifted to the pile of letters in her hands. One envelope stood out—a simple yet elegant design adorned with a small BTS sticker. Her heart skipped a beat. It was her favorite band, and they'd only debuted three months ago. How did this person know she liked them? Intrigued, she carefully opened the letter, her fingers slightly trembling as she unfolded the neatly written note.

Her eyes scanned the words, her heartbeat quickening with each line:

"Dear Aera,

I hope this letter doesn't catch you off guard. I've been meaning to share something on my mind, so here it goes:

I first noticed you at the basketball game, cheering for your brother. You stood out in a way I can't quite explain — your smile lit up the room, and your energy felt extraordinary. Since then, I've come to admire not just your beauty, but the kindness and warmth you radiate.

I recently learned we share a love for BTS, and I often daydream about us talking music or dancing to "No More Dream." The thought of getting to know you better fills me with both hope and nerves.

I know you're busy, and I'm just one face in the crowd, but I wanted you to know there's someone who admires you deeply. If you'd ever like to chat or grab coffee, I'd be thrilled. No pressure at all — just know I'll be cheering for you, just like that day at the game.

Take care, Aera. I hope to hear from you.

With all my heart,
X"

A soft smile graced Aera's lips as she read the heartfelt words, her cheeks warming. They like BTS too? she thought, her heart fluttering. Unlike the other letters she received, this one felt genuine, as if the writer truly saw her as more than just a pretty face.

Joo-won's sudden voice broke her trance. "What is BPM?" she asked aloud, her brows furrowed in confusion. "He said it was 200." She glanced at Aera, expecting an answer, but her sister was far too engrossed in her own letter.

Dal chimed in instead, her expression puzzled. "What? He should be dead if it's 200" she said, shaking her head.

Joo-won giggled, her shy smile breaking through. "So that means his heart was beating so fast he could die," she said with a mischievous glint in her eye.

Moments later, she closed her letter with a triumphant smile, holding it close to her chest.

"What is it?" Dal asked eagerly. "What does it say?"

"He said he devoted his body and soul," Joo-won revealed dramatically, her smile widening.

"To you?" Dal's eyes widened in surprise.

"No." Joo-won shook her head, looking down at the letter again, her voice full of awe. "To an unfamiliar emotion."

"Really?" Dal asked, frowning slightly. "What about his name? Is it written there?"

"He wrote 'X,'" Joo-won said, flipping the paper over to search for more. Her smile faltered slightly. "Is he in our grade?"

"Is there no name?" Aera asked, her own curiosity piqued. "Mine doesn't have a name either."

Joo-won's curiosity shifted to her sister. "What does yours say?" she asked, wiggling her brows playfully.

Aera's cheeks flushed as she smiled shyly, holding the letter close. "Well, it's clearly not like the ones I usually get. This one seems...genuine. They like BTS too," she admitted softly.

Dal's eyes lit up with delight. "Is this the first time you've smiled over a love letter? This person must be special if they share the same taste in music as you."

Joo-won nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Eonnie! We both finally found true love!" she declared dramatically, clasping her hands over her heart.

The three girls burst into laughter, their voices ringing out across the empty field.

Out of the corner of her eye, Aera spotted a familiar figure in the distance. "Oh, it's Kim Sanha," she pointed out as their older brother walked across the field, his backpack slung casually over one shoulder.

"Let's go brag about our letters!" Joo-won said excitedly, grabbing her backpack and standing up. "We'll get going"

"Okay"

"Sanha!"

Aera followed suit, tucking her letter into her bag with a shy smile, her heart still fluttering. "Oppa!" she called, running after Joo-won, her giddiness spilling into her every step.

Sanha turned just as his sisters reached him, their excitement evident. Whatever came next, Aera couldn't shake the warmth blooming in her chest. For the first time, a love letter had made her feel truly seen.

Sanha and Aera walked closely together while Joo-won trailed ahead of them, her steps unusually light and cheerful. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows on the pavement as they made their way to the bus stop near the school's entrance. Other students milled about, chatting and laughing as they left campus, the air buzzing with the usual after-school energy.

Aera, however, was in her own world, her gaze fixed downward, the straps of her purple backpack held tightly in her hands. A shy smile played on her lips, a rare, quiet kind of happiness filling her chest. That letter—it had done something to her.

Sanha's sharp eyes darted between his two sisters. Joo-won's bubbly demeanor and Aera's quiet smile weren't lost on him. His curiosity grew with every step. Something was up, and he didn't like being left out.

"Do you two want to eat tteokbokki?" Joo-won suddenly chirped, stopping abruptly and spinning around to face them. Her grin was wide and contagious.

"I need to watch a video lecture before dinner," Sanha replied flatly, his gaze narrowing at her. Joo-won's smile faltered momentarily, but she recovered quickly, nodding before continuing to walk ahead. "Did something good happen?" Sanha pressed, his tone curious but skeptical.

"Are you curious?" Joo-won teased, looking over her shoulder with a knowing smile.

"Sure," Sanha replied, his interest piqued.

"Actually..." Joo-won stopped again, turning to face him fully. She flipped her hair dramatically over her shoulder, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I have something to brag about."

Sanha scoffed, crossing his arms. "Is it brag-worthy?"

Joo-won tilted her head, her smile faltering. "Do you know what it's about?"

"I do," Sanha said matter-of-factly, his gaze steady on her.

"How?" Joo-won asked, her brow furrowing in genuine surprise.

Sanha extended a hand toward her, his tone dry. "Report cards came out today."

Joo-won's smile evaporated as quickly as it had appeared. Without a word, she turned on her heel and began walking ahead again, her posture stiff.

Behind her, Aera scoffed under her breath. Of course, that's all he cared about. Rolling her eyes, she hurried to catch up with Joo-won, leaving Sanha standing alone for a moment, scratching his head in confusion.

The three of them now sat in the back row of the bus, the rumble of the engine and muted conversations of other passengers filling the air. Sanha sat in the middle, sandwiched between Aera and Joo-won, holding the latter's report card. Aera leaned closer, trying to read over his shoulder, while Joo-won stared out the window, her arms crossed.

"Twenty-third out of twenty-five?" Sanha's voice was flat, almost disbelieving as he squinted at the report card.

Aera leaned in further, narrowing her eyes at the small print. "I had to double-check to make sure I wasn't reading it wrong," she said, shaking her head.

"Were you going to brag about this?" Sanha asked, his expression a mix of confusion and exasperation as he turned to Joo-won.

"This is someone's official document. You can't look at it so freely, don't you think?" Joo-won replied, her voice defensive but calm as she tried to mask her embarrassment.

"If it's out of five choices, shouldn't you at least get twenty percent correct?" Sanha jabbed, pointing at the paper in his hand.

Joo-won turned toward them, finally breaking her gaze from the window. "If there's a first place, there's also a last place," she said, her voice laced with mock wisdom. "In this harsh, competitive society, not everyone can be first." She raised two fingers in the air, her expression triumphant. "I still did better than two people."

"Put it away." Sanha handed the report card back with a sigh, his face a picture of disappointment.

Joo-won snatched it and shoved it into her bag with a huff, but before she could zip it up, she pulled out a stack of colorful envelopes and handed them to Sanha. "The girls asked me to give you this."

Sanha accepted the letters lazily, stuffing them into his own bag without even glancing at them. "Instead of delivering this—"

Before he could finish, Joo-won clamped her hands over her ears and screamed dramatically, cutting him off.

"If you reviewed the textbook even once instead of delivering this," Sanha raised his voice to compete with her wailing, "you'd be in the middle!"

Aera shook her head in disbelief, watching her younger sister's antics. Immature, as always.

"When people develop feelings, they want to express them," Joo-won declared, lowering her hands and ignoring Sanha's lecture. "They're that earnest. How could I reject that? Am I psycho?" She looked at both her siblings with a teasing grin. "How does it feel to receive letters? Is it nothing special because you get so many?"

"It feels nice to read them," Aera said with a small nod. "But only when there are nice things in them."

"Eonnie, if I were them, I would've given you love letters too," Joo-won said with a cheeky smile, grabbing Aera's hand. "You're so pretty! Can you be my girlfriend?"

"Yes," Aera replied, playing along, her laughter bubbling out as she held Joo-won's hand tightly.

Sanha clicked his tongue in annoyance. His sisters were weird—and cringe. He scratched the back of his neck before crossing his arms. "It's readable as long as they spell the words correctly," he muttered.

The laughter stopped abruptly. Both sisters turned to glare at him, their expressions deadly serious.

"You're too cruel," Joo-won said, her smile disappearing. "You're so cold-hearted. Do you have the nerve to check spelling while reading a heartfelt letter?"

"Why are you getting angry?" Sanha asked, leaning back in disbelief. "Did you receive a letter or something?"

"Someone might write me a letter, too," Joo-won said shyly, her gaze drifting back out the window.

At that moment, Aera's hand instinctively went to her bag, where her own letter was tucked away. A smile spread across her lips again, unbidden.

"Who would?" Sanha scoffed, his teasing tone breaking the tension and earning laughter from both sisters.

But behind his humor, Sanha couldn't shake the subtle sense that something was shifting between them—something he wasn't quite ready to name.

Joo-won, still seated beside Sanha, smiled confidently as she pulled her backpack onto her lap. "I told you I had something to brag about," she said with a smirk, her fingers deftly unzipping the bag. But as she rummaged through it, her expression slowly turned from smug to puzzled. "Where is it?" she murmured under her breath, her brow furrowing as she dug deeper into the clutter of books, papers, and snacks.

Sanha, noticing her struggle, leaned slightly to peek into her open backpack. "I'm surprised you can get sidetracked with those grades," he remarked with a snide tone, his curiosity mingled with disbelief.

Joo-won froze, her head snapping up to glare at him. "Am I not allowed to do anything if I can't get good grades?" she retorted, her voice laced with indignation. "Kang Hae Jun didn't get good grades and still had a girlfriend!"

Sanha raised an eyebrow at her weak defense, but before he could reply, Aera spoke up, her tone calm yet firm. "Not everything is about grades. She can have a boyfriend even if her grades are bad," she said, shooting Sanha a pointed look.

Joo-won's lips curved into a satisfied smile as she nodded in agreement. "See? Even Eonnie agrees with me."

Sanha scoffed, leaning back against his seat as he crossed his arms. He turned to Aera with a smirk. "Fine. But what is she good at? You're good with art and music. Kang Hae Jun is good at basketball." He gestured toward Joo-won with a casual wave of his hand. "But her? She's only good at eating."

Joo-won's face turned red with anger. She abandoned her search and leaned her head out the window of the bus, glaring dramatically at the passing scenery. "Good for you, know-it-all!" she yelled at no one in particular, her voice echoing through the bus.

Aera's eyes widened in horror. "Yah! Are you crazy?" she exclaimed, reaching out to grab Joo-won and pull her back inside.

Sanha acted faster, his hand darting out to grip Joo-won's head while his other hand braced her shoulder. He tugged her back into her seat with a sharp motion, causing her to yelp in surprise.

"Student! You'll split your skull open!" the bus driver yelled, his angry eyes glaring at her through the rearview mirror.

"I'm sorry!" Joo-won stammered, bowing her head as the other passengers turned to stare. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"Are you out of your mind?" Aera scolded, her voice low but stern as she glared at her sister.

Sanha let go of Joo-won, his expression suddenly unreadable. He leaned back, his jaw tightening as a wave of unease washed over him.

"I only stuck it out a bit," Joo-won mumbled defensively, her voice small as she glanced between her siblings. "Just a tiny bit."

"Be more careful," Sanha said, his tone serious but noticeably softer than before.

"Next time, you're not sitting next to the window," Aera added, her voice firm with authority.

"But Eonnie..." Joo-won whined, her pout deepening as she slumped back into her seat. However, one glance at Aera's sharp glare was enough to silence her.

Joo-won turned away, sulking quietly, while Sanha clenched the straps of his backpack, his knuckles turning white. His mind had wandered elsewhere, back to a memory he had buried long ago. The image of his younger sister's lifeless body on the floor of his house flashed vividly in his mind. The sirens, the panicked voices of the paramedics—everything came rushing back at once.

Aera noticed his sudden shift. Her expression softened as she gently placed her hand over his, her touch warm and grounding. Sanha looked up at her, startled.

The weight of the memory lifted slightly under her steady gaze. Her concerned eyes, her soft touch—it all quieted the noise in his head. Yet, at the same time, something unexpected stirred within him.

His heart began to race, thumping erratically in his chest. He couldn't make sense of it. Aera's hand hadn't moved, but the simple gesture sent an odd, unfamiliar warmth coursing through him.

Her face filled his mind, pushing out the haunting images. Her touch, her presence—it was all he could focus on now.

What the hell was happening to him?

Sanha tore his gaze away, staring out the window instead. His grip on his bag loosened slightly, but the rapid beat of his heart refused to settle. Whatever this feeling was, it unnerved him, leaving him more confused than ever.

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

Sorry for my late update. I've been kinda busy, and I also had to watch the rest of the episodes of "Family by choice" in order to update this book, so I hope you understand.

If I don't update regularly is because I'm ether busy or perhaps currently writing a chapter. Please don't pressure me with typical comments like "Please update" or "When are you going to update?" It's quite important to know that writing chapters take time, and as a writer I take my time when writing them.

Please have patience, I know you're all loving this book so far, and I thank you for that. But please don't pressure me, maybe you don't do it with the intention to pressure me but I feels like that to me.

I'm asking this kindly cause I know some of you don't do it on purpose. But please refrain from doing those comments. Thank you.

Good thing thanksgiving break is coming soon, so please wait a little longer.

See y'all in the next chapter! 💗