In 4th grade, Minjin and Minjun ended up in the same classroom. They were starting a new chapter in their lives together. Minjun was quiet and kept to himself. He was still not engaging much with others. But Minjin's positivity and determination to befriend him made a difference.
Minjun began to lower his guard. He greeted Minjin with a nod or a soft "hello." While he seemed distant to other classmates, he changed how he interacted with her. And when she approached him during breaks, he no longer ignored her. He started to answer her questions and initiate conversation.
One day at lunch, Minjin sat next to Minjun in the cafeteria. She opened her lunchbox with a homemade meal from her father. Minjun had a simpler meal—just rice and a side dish.
Minjin noticed it, and she nudged her lunchbox closer to him. "Want to trade some bites?" she asked with a smile. "I have kimchi and extra mandu. My dad always packs too much!"
Minjun hesitated but eventually nodded. "Okay, maybe just one," he said quietly, sounding casual.
Minjin smiled widely and carefully gave him a dumpling. In return, Minjun slid a bit of his rice toward her. They ate in comfort, and for the first time, Minjun seemed to enjoy sharing lunch with her.
Their time together continued in the library. They sat at the same table with their books. And Minjin talked about what she was reading. Though Minjun usually nodded or made small sounds, he asked her about her interests and favorite stories. "Why do you like that book so much?" he asked one afternoon, glancing at the cover of her fantasy novel.
Minjin, surprised but excited, replied, "It's about a world of magic and adventure. It's so exciting to imagine it!"
Minjun nodded. "Maybe... I like more realistic stories."
Over the weeks, their friendship grew. They shared lunches and study sessions and often had tentative talks. Minjin stayed cheerful while Minjun opened up bit by bit. He learned he could trust Minjin because she genuinely wanted to be his friend.
Their classmates watched in surprise as the once cold and distant Minjun changed. Though still reserved around others, he seemed less alone, and he had always been accompanied by Minjin's cheerful friendship.
After classes, Minjun and Minjin went to the old music room at the end of the hall. It was dusty, and sunlight streamed through tall windows, lighting up the dust motes above the beloved, slightly out-of-tune grand piano.
Minjun would crack his fingers with a playful grin, while Minjin would warm her voice by humming. His fingers danced across the keys, creating music as her voice rose and fell in harmony. Their music echoed through the halls, drawing attention from curious classmates.
They practiced not just at school but also during family dinners. Once a month, their parents asked them to perform. In the cozy living room, Minjun played piano while Minjin sang beside him.
As the years went by, the friendship between the Park and Kang families grew closer. Family dinners became a tradition. These meals were filled with shared stories, creating a comfortable atmosphere for everyone.
After dinner, Minjun and Minjin would visit the local arcade with their older brother, Kang Xiumin. He was approachable, which made Minjin feel at ease. She began calling him "oppa" and showing gentle protectiveness toward her.
In the lively chaos of the arcade, Minjin and Minjun would challenge each other to games.
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The year 2003
Minjin and Minjun's relationship changed as they went through school together. Minjin became popular with her classmates for being friendly and good at schoolwork. Many students started asking her for help with their lessons.
After their classes, a group of classmates gathered around Minjin's desk for help with math. Minjun sat quietly next to her. When he saw the crowd, he frowned and quietly left the room. Minjin didn't notice he was gone until later because she was focused on helping her classmates.
This pattern continued. One day, while studying in the library, Minjun watched as classmates asked Minjin questions. He quietly packed up his things and left when she started helping them. Minjin didn't realize he had left until she looked up to talk to him.
Minjin began to notice that she always left whenever others approached her. She wondered if something was bothering him. But he always brushed it off or changed the subject when she tried to bring it up.
Then, after school, she was chatting with her friends in the hallway when a boy from another class shyly approached her. Her friends fell silent as the boy handed Minjin a folded paper.
"A... a love letter?" he stammered, unable to look at her. "Please read it later."
Minjin was surprised but accepted the letter with a polite smile. Just as she was about to respond, she saw Minjun in the distance. He had been walking but stopped when he noticed what was happening. For a moment, his face showed surprise and something else—almost hurt.
Before she could react, he turned away and walked down the hall. This time, Minjin was determined not to let him leave unnoticed.
"Minjun!" she called, ignoring the boy with the letter. She excused herself from her friends and ran after him, catching up as he reached the stairs.
Minjun slowed down but didn't face her. "What is it?"
Minjin stepped in front of him. "Why do you leave whenever others come around? Did I do something wrong?"
Minjun hesitated. He glanced away while struggling to find the right words. "It's nothing. You're just... busy with them. I didn't want to bother you."
Minjin frowned. "You're never a bother, Minjun. We're friends, remember? I don't like it when you leave without saying anything."
Minjun finally looked at her."It's just... I don't like it when they crowd around you. I don't know why, but it bothers me."
She reached out and took his hand and squeezed it. "I didn't know you felt that way. But you're important to me, Minjun. I don't want you to feel left out."
Minjun looked at their joined hands, and his expression softened. "I just... don't like sharing you with everyone."
Minjin smiled. "You don't have to. You're my best friend, Minjun. No one else can take your place."
Minjun's tense expression eased, and a small smile appeared on his lips. "Okay. I'll stay, then."
They walked side by side, and the tension between them faded. As they left the hallway, Minjin felt their bond grow stronger. She silently promised to ensure Minjun never felt he had to leave her side again.
That evening, the mood in the Park household was quiet. Minjin sat nervously at the dining table. She glanced between her father and her untouched cup of water. Park Tae-hyung noticed her anxiety and sighed deeply, looking serious yet gentle.
"Minjin-ah, we need to talk. I've been thinking about this for a while... Your mother has long wanted us to join them in America. Your mother, older brother, and sister have lived there for years."
Minjin felt a knot in her stomach. Although this topic had come up before, she never expected it to be serious. Her father's words hit hard.
"With you starting middle school next year, your mother believes it would be best for you to continue your studies there and be with family. It's a good opportunity, and it would be beneficial for you... but I wanted to hear your thoughts."
The words hung heavily in the air. Minjin's mind raced as she processed her father's news. A sharp pang of sadness struck her at the thought of America—so far from Minjun. The idea of being separated from him made her heart ache.
"Appa... I... I understand. But I... I need to tell Minjun. He needs to know."