Winter’s steps slowed as she approached the shop, her eyes scanning the modest façade before her.

The air was cool now, the fading light of evening giving way to the first stars above. Her backpack felt heavier than usual, its weight pressing against her back as though mirroring her thoughts. Yet her determination didn’t waver as she stepped through the threshold.

“Welcome—” Mrs. Yu began, her voice automatic and polite.

Her words froze mid-sentence as her gaze landed on Winter. Her posture stiffened, and her expression hardened in an instant.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice clipped.

Winter offered a small, polite smile, standing with her hands neatly clasped in front of her. She dipped her head slightly in respect.

“Good evening, Mrs Yu. I’m Kim Minjeong,” she said softly, her tone steady despite the tension in the room. “I’m—”

“Out,” Mrs. Yu interrupted sharply, her voice firm and final.

Winter’s smile faltered. Her lips parted as though to say something, but the unyielding glare in Mrs. Yu’s eyes stopped her.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, she nodded silently and stepped back, her footsteps soft as she retreated. Her smile faded completely by the time she crossed the doorframe.

Mrs. Yu let out a heavy sigh as soon as Winter was gone, leaning against the counter for support. Her fingers pressed against the edge of the table, gripping it tightly as she tried to steady herself.

She had spent the entire day worrying—Karina wasn’t eating, wasn’t talking, wasn’t doing anything but lying in bed in a mess. It was unbearable to watch her usually vibrant daughter reduced to such a state.

And now Winter—Winter, with her audacious, almost ridiculous smile—had the nerve to walk in here, as if everything could be fixed with pleasantries. Mrs. Yu shook her head, frustration boiling beneath her skin.

"It’s absurd," she muttered under her breath.

Still, as she moved to the small kitchen in the back, her steps felt heavier than usual. She focused on her work, trying to suppress the tightness in her chest.

A few customers came and went, their presence a temporary distraction. Hours passed in a blur of clinking dishes and murmured exchanges. The shop was quiet now, dark except for the soft glow of the streetlights outside.

Mrs. Yu, exhausted and stressed, rubbed her temples as she stepped outside. The cool night air brushed against her skin, and she inhaled deeply, hoping for some semblance of relief. Her eyes wandered down the street, her gaze catching on a solitary figure sitting on the shop’s steps.

Winter.

The girl sat hunched over, her arms wrapped loosely around her knees, her posture awkward and uncomfortable. She shifted slightly, wincing as though her legs had gone numb from sitting too long. When Winter looked up, her face lit with a painful, hesitant smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Mrs. Yu’s expression tightened into a frown. She glared at Winter, her irritation bubbling back to the surface. Without a word, she turned on her heel and walked back inside, her footsteps deliberate.

Behind her, Winter’s smile faded once more, her fingers clutching the straps of her backpack as she sat alone under the dim light.

_

Mrs. Yu moved slowly, her body aching with exhaustion as she turned off the lights in the shop one by one.

The last click plunged the small space into darkness, leaving only the glow of the streetlights outside. She exhaled deeply, her breath a mix of relief and weariness as she stepped outside to lock up for the night.

The street was quiet now, save for the occasional hum of a passing car. She glanced at the spot where Winter had been sitting earlier, her lips pressing into a thin line.

"Finally gone," she muttered, shaking her head. She scoffed softly, a bitter note in her voice, as though trying to dismiss the girl’s persistence.

But as her eyes drifted downward, something caught her attention—a small object lying on the step where Winter had sat.

Frowning, Mrs. Yu stepped closer and crouched down, picking it up with cautious fingers. The notebook was simple, bound in a plain cover, its edges slightly worn. She turned it over in her hands, confusion flickering across her features.

"What’s this?" she murmured under her breath, looking around instinctively, half-expecting Winter to be hiding nearby. The street was empty.

Curiosity won over hesitation. Mrs. Yu flipped open the notebook carefully, as if expecting some kind of prank. Instead, she was greeted by neat handwriting on the first page. The opening lines made her brow furrow, her fingers tightening slightly on the edge of the page.

To Mrs. Yu,

I know you might hate me, or at the very least dismiss me. I understand, and I don’t blame you. But I want you to know that I’m serious. My love for Karina is real. It’s not a phase, and it’s not fleeting. I love her deeply, and I won’t give up—not until you approve of me.

Mrs. Yu’s breath hitched slightly, her throat tightening, her hands trembling just enough to notice, and continued reading.

You must be angry right now, maybe even furious, and I get that. You probably want to throw this notebook away before finishing it. But before you do…

The words made her pause, her lips parting slightly in surprise. She glanced down at the notebook, her grip loosening as she read further.

This isn’t just any notebook. Inside, you’ll find all the notes from Karina’s classes that she missed today. I wrote down everything I could gather from her classmates so she wouldn’t fall behind. I know she’s hurting, and I know I’ve caused some of that hurt. But I want to help her, even in small ways. I care about her too much not to.

Mrs. Yu’s jaw tightened, her emotions swirling—irritation, confusion, and something else she couldn’t quite name. She flipped through the pages, her eyes scanning the carefully written notes, each line painstakingly detailed.

The notebook was heavy with effort, with care.

One more thing: You should smile more often. You look beautiful when you do.

I’ll be back tomorrow. Until then, please take care of yourself.

—Minjeong :)

Mrs. Yu exhaled sharply through her nose, a mixture of frustration and disbelief bubbling to the surface.

“This girl…” she muttered, closing the notebook with a soft thud. She looked down at it in her hands, her fingers brushing over the cover.

Her eyes drifted toward the empty street again, as if expecting Winter to reappear. There was no one there, only the faint rustling of leaves in the breeze.

For a long moment, Mrs. Yu stood there, the notebook held tightly in her hands. Her chest felt heavy, her thoughts tangled between concern for her daughter and the persistence of this girl who had somehow wormed her way into their lives.

Finally, she shook her head, letting out a deep breath that seemed to carry more than just her exhaustion. Without a word, she walked back inside, placing the notebook carefully on the counter. She paused, her hand lingering on the cover for a moment, before retreating into the quiet of her home.

Her steps were slow as she ascended the stairs, her thoughts heavier than ever.

_

a/n:  double update! Or is it four... whatever what that do you think? 🪄 [for some reason I keep doing this 🪄, I think I'm crazy 🪄]