On Sunday, Minjin stayed home with Park Micha. In the morning, she made pancakes with various sweet toppings. She also prepared a frappe with chocolate syrup and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Minjin subtly watched Park Micha, enjoying what she had made for her. She smiled gently at her, but deep down, she understood how difficult it was to see her father so seriously ill. Minjin remembered her sorrow when her father passed away. She didn't want Park Micha to feel lonely and sad this time.
"Do you really like it that much, Micha-ah?" Minjin asked with a smile.
Park Micha nodded to her while her mouth was full. "Yeah, imo"
"Just keep eating. Later this afternoon, I'll make chicken nuggets for us."
Park Micha beamed and nodded again. "I'd love that, imo! You're the best aunt in the whole wide world!"
Minjin chuckled gently. "Of course, I am!"
Park Micha swallowed first. "Imo, my classmates don't believe you're my aunt."
"Are they bullying you?" Minjin suddenly frowned.
"They're teasing me and saying I'm a liar."
Minjin's eyes widened. She remembered news about Henry Cavill, whose nephew had told his classmates that his uncle was Superman. Cavill then went to prove that his nephew was telling the truth.
"Then I'll show them that I'm your aunt!" Minjin said while placing her hand on her chest.
"Really, imo?"
"Of course, I won't tolerate bullying. If anyone is bullying you at school, should you also tell me, araso?"
Park Micha innocently nodded before returning to her meal.
Minjin continued eating her pancake. "How's school, Micha-ah? Are you having trouble with your classes?"
"A little, I guess," Park Micha responded uncertainly.
"You can tell me if you want help with your studies, okay?" Park Micha nodded and turned to Minjin.
"Yeah, Imo. I often forget you're a genius because it doesn't feel like it."
Minjin chuckled. "I'm just like any other person, Micha-ah. It's just that my brain works differently."
"Imo, Appa said you're good at math. I don't think I'm very good at it," Park Micha said innocently before putting a piece of pancake in her mouth.
Minjin chuckled softly and nodded. "Of course, I'll help you with everything, Micha-ah."
###
Minjin and Park Micha went to the hospital after finishing their lunch. When they arrived at Tae-sung's room, they found Kim Bon-hwa's parents and younger sister. Minjin approached them with a respectful bow, and they returned the gesture, instinctively reaching out their hands to introduce themselves.
They compliment her appearance politely, expressing surprise at how pretty she is in person and noting that she looks younger than her age, especially compared to Kim Bon-hwa's older sister, who is older than Minjin. The conversation later shifted to their pride in Minjin and their happiness at finally meeting her in person.
Minjin graciously acknowledged their compliments with a friendly smile and a bow. However, she noticed they had been addressing her as "gyusonim."
"Mrs. Choi, feel free to be casual with me. You can call me by name; I don't mind. We're family anyway," Minjin said politely to them.
Mrs. Choi smiled gently. "I'm glad your family values have remained the same while away in Korea. Thank you for considering us part of your family, Minjin-ah."
Mr. Kim nodded and smiled. "Our family has always had a passion for literature and the arts. We're happy that this side of the family embraces science and technology, especially since Tae-sung has been working at Ssung for a long time now."
Kim Bon-hwa chuckled softly and turned to Park Micha. "But Micha-ah seems to be interested in art too."
Mrs. Choi laughed gently. "She's still young; she'll explore more as she grows older."
Mr. Kim looked at Minjin and said, "Now that Minjin is back in Korea, she might inspire Micha to pursue science one day."
Tae-sung laughed lightly. "Abeonim, Minjin will be staying with us for a while. She just took a leave of absence."
Minjin gave an awkward smile.
"Then she can join us during vacations," Mrs. Choi remarked.
Minjin didn't respond; she forced a smile.
"Minjin-ah, my parents will stay with us for a while. They'll look after Micha-ah during the day. I know you have a lot to do. I can stay with your brother during the day, and you can stay with him at night. Jessica and Tae-sung talked to each other on FaceTime and mentioned that your mother will probably arrive next month because Jessica is pregnant," Kim Bon-hwa said.
"Ah, yes, unnie. I understand if that's what you want," Minjin replied.
"I heard your sister is pregnant with her fourth child," Mrs. Choi said with amusement.
Minjin chuckled. "Yes, eommoni."
"That could be chaotic and financially challenging," Mrs. Choi said with concern.
Minjin chuckled lightly. "Aniyo, eommoni, my brother-in-law is wealthy. Their house is a mansion."
"Whoa, really?" Mrs. Choi replied.
"He works in the Mple," Minjin said.
Kim Bon-hwa's parents' eyes widened in amusement as they exchanged glances.
"Really?" Mrs. Choi asked.
Minjin nodded and smiled. "Yes."
"He was my classmate in New York, eommoni," Tae-sung suddenly interjected.
"Ah, really? That explains it," Mrs. Choi replied.
###
When Kim Aecha arrived at Minjun's clinic, she went directly to his secretary and inquired when he would finish his consultations. The secretary informed her that Minjun usually finished with the last patient on his schedule. Kim Aecha then stated that she would wait for him and took a seat in the waiting area until he was finished.
Kim Aecha kept herself busy by entertaining herself with her phone. When a patient left the room, the secretary entered the clinic to inform him that someone was waiting for him. Minjun then stood up from his desk to see whom his secretary was referring to and was surprised to see Kim Aecha.
"Aecha-ah?"
Kim Aecha turned to him and asked, "Are you already finished?"
Minjun nodded at her in confusion. "I don't have a patient right now, so you can come in."
Kim Aecha put her phone in her bag and stood up from her seat. She then followed Minjun into his clinic. He sat down and gestured for her to sit across from him.
"Do you need something from me?" Minjun asked, looking confused.
Kim Aecha straightened her back and looked directly into Minjun's eyes. "You know that I've hated you ever since what you did to Minjin years ago."
Minjun's eyes widened at her statement.
"I knew you felt it too, didn't you? I was being kind because Eun-kyung asked me to. Now that Minjin's back, I think I should apologize for acting childish. I realized you were hurt by what you did as well. I thought you deserved to feel that way, but I know you regretted it, too."
Minjun swallowed hard and sat frozen in his seat. He had been feeling uneasy for the past few days. Minjin and he weren't even speaking to each other, yet it seemed that those around them could still sense the unspoken
past.
Minjun finally sighed. "It's okay, Aecha-ah, it's all in the past."
"Are you sure?" Kim Aecha suddenly asked.
Minjun was shocked once more; he remembered his conversation with Heo Yeong-hwan from the other day as though they were trying to confuse him.
Minjun managed a smile. "Of course."
"But... I want to know as your friend. Are you okay?" Kim Aecha asked sincerely.
Minjun smiled again. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Minjun-ah, you introduced Minjin-ah as your patient's younger sister."
Minjun's eyes widened at her remark, and he knew what she meant. He also recalled that Heo Yeong-hwan had intended the same thing, but he tried to dismiss it.
"I understand you can't be friends with her. If you want to keep your distance, that's completely understandable. You are my friend, and she has always been my best friend. I wanted to balance everything. I'll be here for both of you. I hope you and Minjin can resolve things one last time. But if neither of you wants to, that's okay too. You both have grown and are pursuing your dreams. I'm just worried, which is why I'm here. I just want to hear your reassurance, Minjun-ah," Kim Aecha said with a sincere smile.
Minjun attempted a smile and nodded. "I understand, Aecha-ah. I'm really okay; you don't have to worry about my feelings."
Kim Aecha smiled. "Araso, if that's what you say."
Minjun once again smiled, but deep down, he understood what Kim Aecha and Heo Yeong-hwan were trying to convey. He thought his brain was attempting to trick him again, but he silently sighed and dismissed the thoughts.