While Minjin was still with Mun Sara, there was a knock at Tae-sung's door, and when it opened, Tae-sung's eyes widened in surprise. "Heo Yeong-hwan?" he asked, barely above a whisper.
Heo Yeong-hwan approached them and respectfully bowed. "Annyeong haseyo, hyung."
"It's been a long time, Yeong-hwan-ah."
Kim Bon-hwan then bowed and glanced at Tae-sung with an unspoken question. "He's Minjin's friend."
Heo Yeong-hwan extended his hand. "Annyeong haseyo, my name is Heo Yeong-hwan." He politely bowed to Kim Bon-hwa.
Kim Bon-hwa returned the gesture and shook his hand. "Annyeong haseyo, my name is Kim Bon-hwa. I'm Park Tae-sung's wife. I didn't..." She glanced back at Tae-sung before turning her attention back to Heo Yeong-hwan. "I didn't know you were Minjin's friend."
Heo Yeong-hwan chuckled softly. "We actually had a complicated history, but I apologized to her before Minjin left for America."
Kim Bon-hwa chuckled nervously. "Oh, really?"
"This is for Tae-sung-hyung. This is a box of expensive ginseng," Heo Yeong-hwan said politely as he handed it to Kim Bon-hwa.
Kim Bon-hwa accepted the box with a bow. "Gahamsamnida, Heo-nim." She set it on the dining table.
Tae-sung smiled. "Thank you, Yeong-hwan-ah. You didn't need to bring the expensive one."
Heo Yeong-hwan smiled. "It's okay, hyung. Minjin-ah bought one for my mother when we were in high school. Now that I can afford it, I should return her kind gesture." He then approached him. "How are you, hyung?"
Tae-sung smiled. "I'm fine, but I need surgery."
"That's how serious it is."
"Yeah, and Minjun-ah will perform the surgery."
Heo Yeong-hwan nodded, maintaining a neutral expression. "Ah, yes, I heard he's a great surgeon. I suppose you're in good hands, hyung."
Tae-sung nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I am. What about you? You've become a lawyer. That was unexpected."
Heo Yeong-hwan chuckled softly. "Yeah, many people who knew me didn't expect me to pursue law either."
"I assumed you'd become a national taekwondo athlete after being accepted into college."
"That was my expectation too, but I aspire for something greater."
Tae-sung forced a smile and nodded.
Suddenly, the door swung open. "I'm back, oppa— Yeong-hwan-ah?" Minjin said as she approached them slowly. "Did you come to see oppa?"
Heo Yeong-hwan turned to her with a smile. "Yeah."
Minjin beamed. "Thank you, Yeong-hwan-ah."
"Have you had lunch?" Heo Yeong-hwan asked.
"Yeah, I just had it with Sara-ah."
Heo Yeong-hwan nodded. "Oh, okay."
"But if you're hungry, I can join you," Minjin said.
Heo Yeong-hwan chuckled. "How about some coffee?"
"Um, I just had coffee with Eun-kyung-ah. Sorry, many people have visited Oppa today since it's the weekend."
"That's fine. How about you come with me to visit my mom?"
"Is your mother here too?" Minjin asked, her voice filled with concern.
Heo Yeong-hwan gave a faint smile. "Yeah, she's been here for a month now."
"What happened to her?" Minjin pressed further.
"She's been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer," Heo Yeong-hwan replied quietly.
Minjin's heart sank. "I'm so sorry to hear that."
Tae-sung then said. "How is she now?"
Heo Yeong-hwan faintly smiled. "She's doing her best, hyung."
"Can I visit her?" Minjin asked.
"Sure." Heo Yeong-hwan nodded.
Heo Yeong-hwan politely bowed his head to Tae-sung and Kim Bon-hwa before they left the room.
They walked in the hallways when Minjun approached from the opposite direction, interns trailing behind him. He was startled to see Heo Yeong-hwan with Minjin again. He almost stopped in his tracks but then straightened up and kept walking.
Minjin saw him afterward. Her eyes were also wide with shock when she saw Minjun approaching them from the opposite direction. Heo Yeong-hwan then realized that Minjun was heading toward their path.
Heo Yeong-hwan halted before Minjun's arrival, leaving Minjin puzzled as she observed him. "Annyeong haseyo, seonsaengnim," he said bowing politely to Minjun.
Minjun paused and mirrored the gesture, replying, "Annyeong haseyo, Heo-nim."
Minjin's expression changed to surprise upon witnessing their formal exchange.
The interns behind Minjun shared amused glances.
Minjin followed suit, bowing her head as she greeted, "Annyeong haseyo, seonsaengnim."
"You look great in your white lab coat, Seonsaengnim," Heo Yeong-hwan said, gazing at his figure.
Minjun shifted his gaze back to Heo Yeong-hwan. "You too."
"Seonsaengnim, I know you're a respected person too. But she's Minjin-ah," Heo Yeong-hwan suddenly remarked, pointing at Minjin.
"Ya, Yeong-hwan-ah," Minjin said, almost a whisper.
Minjun's eyes widened at his statement, but he maintained his composure. "Heo-nim, I'm her older brother's doctor; I must be professional."
The interns appeared more confused as they exchanged glances behind Minjun.
Heo Yeong-hwan smiled subtly and nodded. "I understand, seonsaengnim. I hope you won't regret saying that to me." He then bowed his head slightly. "We'll head out first."
Minjun couldn't help but feel irritated by his remark. It made him feel slightly unsettled, as though he were trembling.
"Come on, Minjin-ah," Heo Yeong-hwan urged, deliberately gripping Minjin's arm in plain sight of Minjun, who noticed and tightened his fist.
Minjin swiftly bowed to Minjun as Heo Yeong-hwan tugged her. "We'll proceed first, seonsaengnim."
Minjun stood there for a moment, feeling his body tremble with irritation. The interns picked up on his unspoken tension. He took a deep breath. "Let's go," he told them before they resumed walking.
Minjin pulled her arm away from Heo Yeong-hwan. "Ya, you don't have to do that!" she said almost in a whisper as they walked away.
Heo Yeong-hwan smirked slightly. "Kang Minjun is foolish. Someone ought to tell him that."
Minjin glanced at Minjun's vanishing figure, feeling uneasy about Minjun meeting Heo Yeong-hwan again and being caught between them. She then turned to Heo Yeong-hwan, noting his suit and tie. A sudden wave of guilt washed over her for being on Heo Yeong-hwan's side after what he had done to Minjun in high school.
A wave of regret washed over her. She thought she shouldn't allow Heo Yeong-hwan back into her life again.
###
Back to South Korea. Year 2009.
Minjin paused mid-step, her attention drawn to a sight just a few meters away. She could hear a younger boy's faint, pleading voice. His words trembled, almost on the verge of tears, as he held his bag tightly. Four boys in school uniforms surrounded him, effectively blocking his path.
The largest among them, clearly their leader, leaned in closer while his expression was tainted by a sneer. "Come on, just hand it over," he said as he pulled the strap of the boy's bag with a menacing grip.
The little boy vigorously shook his head, gripping even tighter. "Please, no."
Minjin narrowed her eyes. Without hesitation, she altered her course.
Her voice was ringing strong and clear. "Ya!"
The boys faced her together, expressions revealing a blend of surprise and annoyance.
The leader, tugging on their bag, Heo Yeong-hwan, stepped forward, narrowing his eyes at the disruption.
"What do you want? Mind your own business."
Minjin held his gaze steadily. "This is my business. Let him go."
Heo Yeong-hwan laughed mockingly. "Who do you think you are?"
Yet Minjin remained steadfast. She stepped forward again, bridging the gap between them. Reaching for the small boy's hand, she gently pulled him toward her, maintaining unbroken eye contact with Heo Yeong-hwan.
"Release it," she ordered once more.
But Heo Yeong-hwan gripped the boy's bag more firmly. "Why not try to make me?"
Minjin acted quickly and accurately. She lifted her knee and aimed a kick at Heo Yeong-hwan's face, forcing him to let go of the smaller boy. Minjin turned her back to him, but Heo Jeong-hwan charged at her from behind. His kick hit Minjin's back, making her stagger momentarily, but she quickly steadied herself.
She turned with a smirk, her gaze narrowing at Heo Yeong-hwan. She assumed a fighting stance, prepared for what was next.
Heo Yeong-hwan aimed a kick at Minjin's chest, but she was ready. With a swift, controlled kick, she gracefully deflected his attack. Without missing a beat, Minjin stepped in closer and landed a firm strike to Heo Yeong-hwan's chest with her palm, sending him stumbling backward. His expression changed to surprise and frustration as he struggled to regain balance.
Noticing their leader in a binding, the other two boys quickly raced toward Minjin, hoping to get the upper hand. However, Minjin was ready for them. With a quick spin, she faced her challengers and, with a lightning-fast jab, sent one boy stumbling into the other, both toppling over.
"In Taekwondo," Minjin asserted, cutting through the noise, "we reject bullying and intimidation. It's about discipline, respect, and control. You've missed the point."
The two boys stumbled in, looking stunned. They exchanged hesitant glances, realizing they were in over their heads.
Heo Yeong-hwan, clearly shaken, glared at Minjin. "You think you're tough?"
Minjin shrugged, staying calm. "I'm not here to fight for fun. I'm standing up for what's right. Leave before things escalate."
With a sigh, Heo Yeong-hwan and his two friends walked away. They couldn't help but shoot Minjin one last look, then continued down the sidewalk.
Minjin took a slow breath. She faced the younger boy, who had been observing the situation with wide eyes. "Are you alright?" she asked softly.
The boy nodded. "Thank you so much, noona."
Minjin offered a reassuring smile. "Just be cautious around here."
The boy nodded again. "I will. Thanks once more, noona."
Minjin inhaled deeply as he walked away.
###
Minjin walked down the hallway with her new homeroom teacher, Mr. Yu. She looked up to see that she was placed in Section 7 in the rankings of all grade 11 classes.
Following Mr. Yu into the classroom, she was greeted by the lively buzz of students chatting and moving about, which temporarily drowned out the anxious atmosphere of the new school day. Upon entering the room, Minjin observed various reactions—some students barely glanced her way, while others turned to study the newcomer.
Mr. Yu raised his voice, asserting his presence. "Everyone, return to your seats! We have a new student joining us today."
A hush fell over the room, interrupted only by shuffling chairs and hushed whispers. Minjin inhaled deeply as the students continued to steal glances at her from their seats, their expressions a mix of curiosity and indifference.
Minjin wasn't tall, and her boyish black haircut gave her a unique appearance. She was acutely aware of how her look set her apart from the other students, yet she held her shoulders back and maintained an air of composure.
Mr. Yu looked at Minjin and motioned for her to introduce herself. "We have a new student from America. Please introduce yourself, Minjin-ah."
Minjin stepped forward, feeling the pressure of everyone's gaze. She offered a slight bow, attempting to appear confident despite her anxiety.
"Annyeong haseyo, I am Park Minjin. It's nice to meet you all." Her voice was firm as she spoke in Korean. She scanned the room, noticing students whispering to their classmates, clearly curious about her.
Following Minjin's introduction, the sliding door at the back of the classroom creaked open. Everyone turned toward Heo Yeong-hwan as he entered.
A distinct hush fell over the room upon his late arrival, and Mr. Yu frowned deeper as he looked at the newcomer. "You're late again, Yeong-hwan-ah," he remarked, his voice reflecting annoyance and resignation.
Heo Yeong-hwan was momentarily startled by Minjin's presence but quickly concealed his surprise with a casual smirk. He shrugged and said, "Coach told me something." His tone remained indifferent as he headed to his seat in the back left corner of the room.
Minjin observed him as he took his place. Although she had seen him again, she kept her face neutral, revealing no reaction to his arrival.
Mr. Yu shifted his focus back to Minjin. "Minjin-ah, please take your seat there."
Minjin nodded and walked to the right corner of the room, sliding into the chair by the glass window. The view outside provided a welcomed distraction. She felt Heo Yeong-hwan's gaze on her as he glanced from his corner. His smirk was subtle yet unmistakable, indicating he recognized her and possibly found her presence interesting.
As Minjin settled into her chair, she disregarded the lingering feeling of Heo Yeong-hwan's stare and concentrated on organizing her books and supplies.