After the training, Mr. Kim celebrated Minjin joining the team with a meal at the busy Samgyupsal restaurant, Heo Yeong-hwan's mother owned. As the group entered, the aroma of grilled meat filled the air. The restaurant teemed with life as diners enjoyed their meals, and the crackling of grilling charcoal added to the vibrant atmosphere.
Heo Yeong-hwan's mother, a friendly and inviting woman, welcomed the group as they settled into their seats. She skillfully navigated between tables, offering a selection of meats—pork belly, beef ribs, and marinated chicken—paired with various side dishes, such as kimchi, pickled vegetables, and dipping sauces.
Mr. Kim gathered everyone's attention. "Okay, everyone. Let's warmly welcome our new team members. Mrs. Jeong, meet Park Minjin, our latest addition."
Minjin stood up, bowing respectfully. "Annyeong haseyo, I'm Park Minjin. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Mrs. Jeong's eyes sparkled when she gazed at Minjin. "You are far too pretty to be a taekwondo player!"
Sitting opposite Minjin, Heo Yeong-hwan smirked at his mother's remark but kept his attention on the meal. His face softened when he looked at Minjin.
Minjin felt welcomed as she conversed with her new teammates. They exchanged stories, and Minjin savored various meat and side dishes. Heo Yeong-hwan occasionally glanced at Minjin, his earlier smirk replaced by a more contemplative expression.
Throughout the meal, Mrs. Jeong moved swiftly between tables, taking orders and serving food. She appeared to handle the hectic atmosphere effectively.
Mrs. Jeong suddenly tripped while carrying a tray of soju bottles. The bottles slipped from her grasp, making a loud noise as they crashed to the floor. This caught the attention of several nearby diners. The soju spilled onto her feet, prompting her to gasp and jolt her feet.
Heo Yeong-hwan quickly rose and hurried to his mother. "Eomma! Are you okay?"
He grasped her arm to support her. Mrs. Jeong attempted to comfort him, even though she appeared pale. "I'm fine; I just feel a bit dizzy."
The scene swiftly caught the eye of the nearby restaurant patrons. Noticing Heo Yeong-hwan's distress, Minjin stood up and went to the counter to help.
Minjin noticed a customer ready to pay and quickly approached. "I can assist you with the payment," she said, striving to appear composed despite the urgency. She took the customer's credit card and worked on processing the payment. Yet she stumbled a bit.
She looked at the note on the counter for the table number and inquired, "Could I have your number?"
"5," the customer responded.
Minjin swiftly entered the table number and payment amount into the register before processing the transaction.
She presented the receipt to the customer, attempting to smile despite her nerves. "Thank you, and please come again," she said.
Heo Yeong-hwan was busy clearing the shattered soju bottles from the floor, meticulously gathering the shards and mopping up the spilled liquid. Mrs. Jeong sat nearby, appearing worn out yet striving to keep her composure.
Minjin hurried to fetch a cup of water and presented it to Mrs. Jeong. "Thank you, Minjin-ah."
Minjin set the cup on the table and softly suggested to Mrs. Jeong, "Take a break for a bit. We will assist until you finish."
While Heo Yeong-hwan focused on cleaning, he glanced at Minjin in disbelief.
"No, I'm fine. You don't need to do that," Mrs. Jeong objected, although her exhaustion was clear.
Minjin shook her head. "Aniyo, Mrs. Jeong, we're here to help. It's the least we can do."
Minjin asked the team, "Will you help Mrs. Jeong? No pressure, but it would be great to assist."
The team exchanged glances, first unsure but soon embracing the idea. They nodded in unison, demonstrating their support for Minjin's initiative.
One after another, they rose from their seats to help with the remaining tasks. Minjin took the initiative to help customers, handle orders, and keep operations running smoothly. The team's collaborative spirit demonstrated determination and teamwork, which eased some of Mrs. Jeong's responsibilities.
Heo Yeong-hwan, who had been closely observing Minjin throughout the day, discovered an unexpected side of her. His initial perception of her as a troublemaker began to change. He noticed her working hard with the rest of the team. Her ability to fit in and willingness to assist revealed her kindness and leadership skills.
Thanks to the team's support, the restaurant swiftly regained its footing. Customers received prompt service, and the atmosphere became even more welcoming as everyone collaborated.
As closing time neared, Mrs. Jeong's fatigue eased, allowing her to smile in genuine appreciation for Minjin and the team.
"Thank you all. I genuinely appreciate your assistance. You have all been amazing."
Minjin and her team returned to their table, proud. The pleasant meal strengthened her bond with her new teammates and Heo Yeong-hwan, who now viewed her differently.
As everyone bid their farewells and departed one after another, their conversations gradually faded into the evening atmosphere. Minjin, slightly weary yet content, began her walk to the bus stop. But she noticed the gentle sound of footsteps trailing behind her.
Heo Yeong-hwan paused momentarily, torn between his pride. He increased his pace and approached her. "How about some ice cream on me?" he exclaimed, sounding bashful.
Minjin cast him a sideways glance. "There's no need to treat me; it's all good," she responded.
Despite her polite refusal, Heo Yeong-hwan continued to walk beside her. "What makes you so skilled at speaking Korean?"
"I grew up here until I was 12," Minjin explained.
"Oh," Heo Yeong-hwan responded.
He wished to keep the conversation going but struggled to articulate his thoughts.
After a brief pause, he finally said, "A—about today..." Minjin interrupted him. "Quit bullying others. Consider your mother. She appears to be working herself into weakness. If you can't love yourself, then at least love your mother."
Heo Yeong-hwan was surprised by her straightforwardness. "I know. You don't need to say more," he replied defensively.
"And get her examined by a doctor. You never know," Minjin added.
"Araso, you're quite the nag," he said, though a slight smile played at the corners of his lips.
Upon arriving at the bus stop, Minjin moved ahead while Heo Yeong-hwan hesitated, inhaling deeply to gather the courage.
"Minjin-ah."
Minjin paused and faced back.
Heo Yeong-hwan experienced a flutter in his stomach when he uttered the words "Gomawo."
Minjin smiled gently and waved briefly before going back and boarding the bus.
Heo Yeong-hwan was frozen for a moment, his heart pounding. He could not fathom that she had truly smiled at him. He shook his head, attempting to dispel the sensation.
"I think... Aniya, Aniya," he murmured to himself with a confused look by the unexpected blossoming in his chest.
###
Minjin was not very attentive in school in Korea, especially compared to her time in America. She often fell asleep during class discussions, missing important information and struggling to speak when the teacher called on her. Because of this, she frequently got punished—standing outside with her hands raised, a situation she accepted with a mix of embarrassment and resignation.
Heo Yeong-hwan was tough on his classmates but changed when Minjin showed up. He went from being bold to acting indifferent, as if nothing had changed. His friends noticed this unusual behavior and joked about his strange interactions with Minjin. Yeong-hwan would shrug off their comments, but his actions told a different story. He found it hard to approach Minjin directly but was always aware of her, sneaking glances from a distance.
In class, he would observe her sleeping, a slight smile forming on his lips, finding an unusual sense of comfort in her presence. Occasionally, he would mimic her, reclining in his chair with half-shut eyes.
During sparring practice, he would quietly support her, experiencing an unexplainable pride whenever she landed a solid hit or held her position.
For several days, Minjin noticed that boys in and outside the classroom were always gathered around Kim Aecha. Sometimes, when Kim Aecha kindly invited her to join them, Minjin politely declined and walked away.
Minjin thought that being friendly with boys was perfectly okay, but she couldn't help but notice that Kim Aecha often engaged in light-hearted banter and seemed quite at ease with them. She also felt uncomfortable when some boys tried to get too close, which she thought crossed a line.
One day, while walking with Lee Hani, Bang Chae-young, and Choi Eun-hwa, Minjin noticed Kim Aecha deep in conversation with their senior. Choi Eun-hwa suddenly stopped, visibly shocked and distressed, before running away.
Minjin and Lee Hani, bewildered, quickly followed her.
Choi Eun-hwa dashed to the girls' restroom, fighting back tears of anger. "Are you alright?" Bang Chae-young inquired.
"Kim Aecha knows I have feelings for him!" Choi Eun-hwa exclaimed, pounding her fist on the sink.
"I hate to say this, but I often spot them together," Bang Chae-young remarked.
Meanwhile, Minjin observed them backstabbing Kim Aecha.
The following days were filled with tension and discomfort. The other girls started to shun Kim Aecha, expressing their displeasure through their behavior and demeanor. Whenever she attempted to join them, they silently collected their trays and shifted to a different table, leaving her alone. This behavior was in sharp contrast to their previous interactions.
Minjin was the sole person who continued to share lunch with Kim Aecha despite her increasing isolation. A palpable tension filled the air as they settled at their usual table one afternoon.
Kim Aecha approached Minjin for lunch, but as soon as she joined, the other girls silently gathered their trays and left.
Kim Aecha looked at Minjin. "What's their issue?" she inquired.
While chewing her food, Minjin looked up before replying. "We noticed you are getting close to the sunbae that Choi Eun-Hwa likes."
Kim Aecha shrugged casually, appearing oblivious. "I can't help it if he's interested in me."
Minjin's gaze turned cold as she faced Kim Aecha. "Wow, you've really stooped that low."
Kim Aecha's eyes widen in shock and annoyance. "W-what did you say?"
"You heard me," Minjin responded assertively.
Without a word, Kim Aecha abruptly got up, grabbed her tray, and left the table behind, leaving Minjin on her own.
###
On the opposite side of the school, Minjun had achieved legendary status as the top student on campus, celebrated for his unmatched intelligence in mathematics and science. His good looks enhanced his fame, and his family's wealth made him an intriguing figure as if destined for greatness.
Classmates began calling him "Jeoha," a term for royalty, showing their high regard for him.
Many girls secretly harbored crushes on him. A few gathered the courage to confess but were met with Minjun's charmingly narcissistic humor, making it nearly impossible for anyone to feel deeply hurt by his rejection.
Minjun, previously reserved and solitary, has evolved into a sociable, quick-witted, and undeniably charismatic individual.
However, despite his newfound charisma, he and Minjin were oblivious that they shared the same school. At times, their paths would momentarily cross, leading their lives to parallel without truly meeting.
One day, Minjin strolled across the school grounds while Minjun approached from the opposite direction. Just then, Kim Aecha came rushing toward him.
"Minjin-ah!" she exclaimed eagerly.
Upon hearing the name, Minjun instinctively halted and turned back. He observed Kim Aecha embracing Minjin with a broad smile. For a brief moment, he noticed Minjin's short hair. However, he quickly dismissed it, frowning slightly as he turned away and resumed walking, oblivious to the fact that the girl who had caught his attention was actually his childhood sweetheart.
Minjun's best friends were Bang Kyung and Mun Sara. Bang Kyung was celebrated for his intelligence and charisma, though his skills were primarily on the soccer field. Mun Sara ranked just behind Minjun as the second-best student in their school. Her beauty sparked numerous whispers and glances, leading to frequent rumors of a potential romance between her and Minjun, fueled by their close friendship.
Yet, Mun Sara secretly cared for Minjun, her feelings concealed beneath their comfortable friendship. She nurtured their strong connection while hiding her true feelings, as Minjun, unaware of her affection, continued to see her as a close friend.
One day, after a girl had confessed to Minjun and was kindly rejected, he approached Bang Eun-kyung and Mun Sara, who were waiting nearby. Always the jokester, Bang Eun-kyung draped an arm around Minjun's shoulder with a playful smile.
"Another one bites the dust! Now spill it—what are you really looking for in a girl?"
Minjun smiled and said, "I want a girl with an IQ surpassing Einstein's."
Bang Eun-kyung gasped in disbelief. "Is there really a girl like that?"
Minjun grinned, leaving the question unanswered.
Mun Sara, who had been listening intently, felt a sudden ache in her chest. For a brief moment, she paused to reflect on his words. Then, fueled by newfound resolve, she grabbed her phone.
She dialed swiftly and contacted her mother. "Eomma, I'm okay. I just have a question: Have you ever considered getting me tested for Mensa? No? Why not give it a shot?" She smiled to herself as she ended the call.
Putting away her phone, she rushed to catch up with Minjun and Bang Eun-kyung, a new plan forming in her mind.