Today is the day of the mid-year test. Everyone is nervous before opening the papers. Riwon glanced over at Sera who's sitting near her. She didn't get hospitalised because it's nothing serious and since that day, she's been avoiding Riwon. She's finally showing her true colour.

Riwon took a deep breath before taking the pencil to write down the answer. She had studied so this is going to be another easy question for her. She is kinda worried about her boyfriend but she believes he can do it.

The test was going on for 2 hours before recess. Riwon was about to open the door when Jungwon opened it from the outside, startling her and everyone in the classroom.

"Riwon! Mathematics is so easy!" He said excitedly, jumping around.

"Really? Good job," She smiled at him.

They went to the canteen, holding hands. Sunghoon, Maya, and Junho were there waiting for them. All of them talked about the test and how hard it is while eating.

"Are they getting back?" Maya asked when she saw Heeseung and Sera walking together.

"I don't know.. maybe."

"It's better. After this, she won't disturb your relationship with Jungwon." Maya said, rolling back her eyes as she's annoyed with Hwang Sera.

"Oh no! Tomorrow we have a grammar test!" Junho groaned.

"I don't need to worry, I have my personal tutor." Jungwon proudly hugged Riwon, smirking at them.

"Teach me too, Riwon!"

"Su—"

"No! No! You can't! She's too busy for you guys!" Jungwon said.

"Excuse me, she's my best friend!"

"And she's my girlfriend!"

"You— who said you can steal Riwon from me?!" Maya grabbed his collar, shaking him.

"Hey! Hey! Sunghoon! Get your girlfriend!" Jungwon struggled.

Riwon just shook her head, eating her food because of how hungry she was after the test. She looked up at Junho's direction when she could feel him staring at her. He immediately looked away.

"Gosh, your taste is really on another level," Jungwon adjusted his uniform. He thought it almost ripped off because of how strong Maya is.

"Don't disrespect my girlfriend like that" Sunghoon tucked his girlfriend's hair behind the ear and patted her back to calm her down.

"Huh, I'm the only one who is single here." Junho sighed.

"Then go get a girlfriend! Don't act like no girls are drooling over you" Sunghoon sided eyeing him.

"None of them are interesting"

"Whatever"

"Then, I guess my girlfriend was interesting to you?" Jungwon looked at him as he gulped.

"Uh, I need to study for tomorrow! Bye!" Junho gets off from the chair and runs out from the canteen.

"Why did you say that? I thought you guys agreed to forget about the past?" Riwon crossed her arms and turned to look at her boyfriend.

"Well I'm just saying.. sorry"

———

"Be careful!"

"Alright!" Riwon closed the door and walked down the street, heading to the convenience store. She wanted to eat ramen while watching the movies with Jungwon but it's out of stock at home.

She grabbed some snacks and drinks too before paying with the card. Yeah.. her boyfriend's card. She smiled at the cashier before walking out from there when she stopped as soon as she saw her.

Riwon turned around to walk using another direction but she grabbed her wrist, stopping her.

"Riwon! When are you going to come back home?!" Miwon turned her around.

"I'm not planning to go back to that house for now.. sorry but I don't have time to talk to people right now" Riwon pushed her sister before walking away but she sighed when her sister chased her, standing in front of her.

"Mom is missing you, everyone misses you!"

"I bet she missed to scold me since she could never do that to her precious daughter. You guys are the one who made me run away from home. I asked for nothing but you guys understanding. Let me be alone for now"

"Can you at least let me apologize!"

"Go on," Riwon didn't turn to look at her but she's listening.

"I'm sorry for being a bad sister. I'm sorry for being selfish. I know I barely care for you, but it doesn't mean I hate you. I know I don't deserve to be your sister but I'm trying my best to be the best sister. Maybe I never say I love you because I'm scared to express it. I don't know how to express my feelings but I really love you. I realized everything now that I should improve myself to be a better person to you. Please forgive your sister, Riwon.."

"Are you done? Okay" Riwon walked away, leaving her sister there.

Miwon watched her little sister leave her. She looked down, feeling disappointed with herself. Riwon has the right to be mad and not to forgive her.

Riwon kept walking while she tried to hold her tears. Never in her life did she think her sister would say something like that. Miwon may not be the best sister but she cares about Riwon in silence. She didn't show it but she always helped her when their mother scolded Riwon.

Riwon never hated her sister in the first place. She's just jealous of her. She just wanted the same and fair treatment. It should be her parents fault not Miwon.

She entered the house and sat beside Jungwon. They ate the ramen together before falling asleep in the living room. At the end, his mother turned off the television for them and put a warm blanket over them.

———

It's the day of getting the results for the mid-year test. Riwon sat in her seat, waiting patiently for the teacher to announce the results. She might look calm but she's really nervous inside. It's actually not easy to maintain being in 1st place.

"Good morning everyone, today before I start the class, I will be giving out your results. As always and as expected, congrats Kim Riwon for placing in the 1st ranked" The homeroom teacher said, smiling proudly.

Everyone in the classroom clapped their hands and Riwon walked up to the teacher to take the results slip. She thanked her before going back to her seat. It continues with the teacher calling out others too.

After the class ended, Riwon was putting the books in her bag when Sera stood in front of her table with Heeseung behind her. Riwon looked up at her without saying anything. She could hear Heeseung sighing before tapping Sera's shoulder, telling her something.

"Congrats Riwon for getting the 1st place"

"Thanks" She got up and pushed the chair inside, was about to get out from the classroom when Sera said more, "I'm sorry,"

"For what?" She gave her a cold shoulder.

"For everything. Especially about Jungwon.. it's just that I genuinely liked him to the point I couldn't control my feelings and did something stupid. My actions had hurt both of you. Now I realized, there's someone else that's willing to do everything for me and loves me.." Sera said as she looked at Heeseung and he just gave her a small smile.

"Hm.. I will think about it. Since this isn't your first time apologizing," Riwon said before leaving the classroom.

Sera turned around to look at Heeseung. He gave her a small pat at the head, telling her a good job.

"I keep receiving an apology from people" Riwon sighed when she sat down in front of her boyfriend. "And I'm feeling guilty for not forgiving them.. I mean, I'm a human and make mistakes too."

"Are you trying to say you don't deserve the apology?"

"Maybe.." She looked down when Jungwon held her fingers.

"It's a good thing when someone apologizes for their mistakes. It's not your fault and you know that too. You shouldn't feel guilty about it. And it's your decision to forgive them or not but.. are you sure you don't want to forgive them?

Well for me, I tend to forgive people easily because it's no use for not forgiving them. I will just keep having a hatred towards them and it would make me feel uneasy. I should forgive them and continue life. So, how about you?"

Riwon was thinking for a while about what Jungwon said. He's right. Will she get any benefits for choosing to not forgive her sister and Sera? It will just make her feel worse about herself.

"Thanks Jungwon, you're the best boyfriend"

———

They walked together, on their way back home when Riwon stopped Jungwon. "Can we go to my house?"

"Are you sure?" Jungwon asked for confirmation and she nodded.

They used another road to Riwon's house. Riwon could feel her heartbeat fasten since she's nervous to face her family after a long time. What is their reaction going to be? Are they going to scold her for running away?

She took a deep breath, looking at her boyfriend when he smiled at her. "You're going to be okay"

She knocked on the door, waiting for someone to open it when it finally opened, her mother gasped as soon as she saw Riwon.

"Mom—"

"My daughter! Omg, dear! Miwon! Our little daughter is here!" Her mother called for her husband and Miwon as she cried, hugging Riwon.

Riwon couldn't help but to cry too when she heard her mother crying. She hugged her back. "Mom..!"

"Please forgive me, Riwon. Please forgive me.. I promise I will try my best to be a good mother to you as long as you're agreeing to come back home."

"You won't scold me?"

"No, I won't"

"You didn't hate me?"

"I never hate my daughter, I love my children so much and just want the best for them. Mom promised to let you do anything you please from now on. You don't need to break up with your boyfriend anymore. You can ask anything you want, money is nothing. I can search for the money for you, "she said.

"Mom, you don't need to go that far—"

"No, let me. I want to be the best for you. I want to fix everything. A month without you at home made me rethink all my mistakes I had done to you. Please forgive your mom, Riwon."

"Aw, Mom. I will always forgive you. After all, I was born into this world, thanks to you. You took care of me for 18 years. It's nothing to compare with my small whining" Riwon said, wiping her tears and giggled seeing her mother crying.

Jungwon at the side just watched the family's bonding. He noticed something about his girlfriend. She had an angelic heart. She's too kind. Even after what she had been through, all the pain she got from them, at the end the soft spots are always for her family. Her love for them made her forgive them easily. He's indeed lucky to have someone like her in his life.

"Jungwon, come inside. You both must be hungry" Her mother suddenly said.

Jungwon immediately followed them inside and bowed at the father and sister. He always keeps his eyes on Riwon. She's smiling as she looks at the food on the table.

"I didn't know you're going to come home today but I actually made your favourite food, kimchi stew" Her mother said, telling Jungwon to take a seat and the boy nodded.

While eating, her mother asked Riwon where she lives, how's her life and the test, is she happy without them. Of course Riwon said she's sad without her family. They talked a lot like it's something they never did before and Jungwon could feel the good atmosphere between them.

After that, they sat in the living room together. Riwon was very happy to see how nice her mother was towards Jungwon and towards her. If only she's been like this since the beginning, this wouldn't happen. After all, humans make mistakes. Who is she to judge and punish them? Let the bad memories be in the past and create more good memories.

"You're going to live with us again right?"

"Of course Mom but let me go to Jungwon's house to take my things and thank his parents for everything." Riwon replied to her mother's question. She's going to miss Jungwon's mother but she loves her own mother more.

"Riwon, it's your birthday soon. What do you want for your birthday?" Her father suddenly asked. His eyes were always on the newspaper but now he's looking at her, softly smiling.

"Um.. I don't know. A new book?"

"Please! Can you ask for something more expensive like a handbag, dress or jewellery. Book? All you could think is study?" Miwon eyed her up and down, shaking her head in disagreement.

"Is it okay? You really don't need to.." Riwon used to be jealous since she barely got something on her birthday but now when they asked, she didn't know what to say. She really didn't mind it. Did she finally become mature?

"How about we throw a party for Riwon? You can invite all your friends" Her mother suggested and the others just nodded including Jungwon.

"Thank you for that, but I really don't know what I want. So.. just buy me anything, I don't mind."

———

"I'm going to buy you something," Jungwon said as they walked together, on their way to his house.

"Don't ever think to buy something expensive for me. Don't use all your money on me" She reminded him again.

"But I didn't use all my money, I still have more"

"Whatever, just don't. I'm really okay with something simple"

"I will think about that later"

They walked but suddenly stopped when they saw Sera's walking alone. She's probably on her way back home too. Riwon walked up faster to walk beside Sera.

"Hey, why are you walking alone at night? Where's Heeseung?" She asked, startling the girl a little bit.

"He's busy. Are you with Jungwon? Oh.." Sera turned around and saw Jungwon right behind them. "It must be fun to walk together with your boyfriend"

"It is.. why do you sound sad?"

"Nothing. I'm just tired. You should walk with your boyfriend, I gotta go now." Sera said, walking away but she stopped to talk to Riwon for the last time. "When are you free?"

"This Sunday.. why?"

"Let's drink at the cafe together. I want to repay all my mistakes. It's on me," Sera waited for Riwon to answer.

Riwon nodded, "Sure"

Sera walked away and Jungwon finally walked beside his girlfriend again. He didn't want to disturb their conversations that's why he distanced himself from them a while ago. It's between them.

"What did she say?"

"She wants to treat me to a drink at the cafe. She wants to apologize. Human's hearts can change, right? Some people deserve a second chance.."

"Yeah, I'm sure Sera isn't a really bad person. It's just jealousy and I'm sure she's happy with Heeseung now." Jungwon patted Riwon's head.

———

They looked around the classroom before entering it and saw Jungwon sitting alone on one of the empty seats. They walked up to him and sat around him.

"What are we doing here?" Junho asked. He got a message from Jungwon to meet in the abandoned classroom in their school.

"I want to plan a surprise for Riwon. It's her birthday soon and I want to buy her something."

"Buy her a necklace" Sunghoon suggested but Jungwon immediately shook his head.

"No, I want to give her something meaningful but it can't be expensive. I know she won't mind and will still accept it but I also know she will feel guilty over the present. I don't want her to feel that way"

"Aw, how considerate you are~" Junho said in a teasing tone.

"Maybe we can ask Maya about this? She's her best friend." Sunghoon pulled out his phone to text his girlfriend.

"She's not with Riwon right?" Jungwon asked and Junho answered, "Wait! She is! Tell her to meet us later or else Riwon might find out about our plans"

"Oh okay"

Just like how they planned, they met Maya after class. Riwon didn't walk together with Jungwon today because she said she wanted to help the teacher with something before going back to her own house. Maya crossed her arms, sitting beside Jungwon with a serious face.

"So, what kind of present will Riwon like? She likes books—" Maya's sentences got cut off by Jungwon. "Please not a book. Why would I give her more books? Is she obsessed with studying or something?"

"No, no let me finish this. Riwon is someone who really likes and appreciates every compliment or words you say to her. She loves reading letters and writing a journal. From what I heard before, she once said she wanted a journal written by her boyfriend.

She wants to read everything you wrote about her, what you like about her, what you think when you spend your time with her. She wants something like that. Well, Riwon loves reading romance novels so she probably wanted to experience something that she read in the novel. Is that enough?" Maya gulped down the water after the not really long speech about her best friend.

"I see.. okay thank you. You can go now"

"Just that?? You're really wasting my time. I should just head home and feed my cats." Maya complained while dragging Sunghoon with her.

Junho laughed when he saw the expression that Sunghoon made while getting dragged. He shifted his gaze to Jungwon before deciding to head home too. "I'm going now,"

Jungwon just nodded. He rested his head on the table.

———

"Mom! I'm going to meet a friend!" Riwon shouted from the front door when she's wearing her shoes.

"Okay but don't come home late! Your sister is planning to buy fried chicken so you better be at home in time or else you will get nothing!" She reminded her.

Riwon just laughed before heading out. She looked at the location in the chat box. It's from Sera. Riwon agreed to have a drink with her but she thought she only needed to go to the nearby cafe in this neighbourhood. The location.. seems quite far from her house. She's walking to the bus stop when she met Junho there.

He's wearing a light blue shirt with jeans. He waved at Riwon when he saw her. "Where are you going?"

"Meeting my friend. How about you?" She asked and looked at the paper bag in his hand.

Junho moved the paper bag to the back, hiding it from her. "Just finished buying something. Be careful" Junho said before walking away.

Riwon looked at him for the last time and got on the bus. She took a seat beside the window to watch the view outside.

Junho watched the bus moving before he walked to Jungwon's house. He knocked on the door and Jungwon opened it with a warm smile. "Come in,"

"Here's the book. I never know you're bad at choosing something like this."

"Hahaha, sorry for the trouble. Now, I should start writing! Look at this, I printed all of this" Jungwon brought him to the living room.

"Woah, your efforts are definitely A+! By the way, I saw Riwon just now. She's meeting a friend?" Junho sat on the couch.

"Yeah, she's meeting Sera. I hope everything's going well. Sera is my childhood friend, so I don't want my childhood friend to become a bad memory. I hope they can get along" Jungwon said while doing his work.

"She used to live in Busan? Hm.."

"Why?"

"Nah, I might be mistaken. I thought she's from Jeju because I once heard her telling that to the girls." Junho scratched his head.

He lay down on the couch when he suddenly remembered something important. "Are you giving up on finding the culprit?"

"I don't know what to do. Everything happened too quickly and I really don't have time for that anymore. But I'm okay since Riwon is fully healed and we're happy"

"I'm bored. I'm going to the convenience store" Junho said before leaving the house.

He walked down the street, whistling when he saw a man wearing a hoodie walking towards him. Who would wear a hoodie in such hot weather?

Junho freaked out when the man suddenly grabbed his wrist and he almost yelled just to realise it's Lee Heeseung. "Hey! Why are you scaring me!"

"Uh sorry.. but I have something to tell you. It's really important so I hope you can cooperate with me"

"Huh?"