At the airport it was peaceful, no rush and empty. It was 8 pm at night.
Han held a sign board:
"Jiwoo Noona."
Jiwoo appeared—walking with her girlfriend.
Han smiled brightly at Christine. She was mixed African and British, with striking blue eyes, curly black hair, and beautiful wheat-toned skin.
Her father was a general in the British army, and their family ran a massive import-export business.
Han, in English, said: "Christine noona, I missed you!" He put the board aside and hugged her tightly.
Christine, who adored Han deeply, smiled: "Han-ah, I brought you a gift."
Han grinned like a child. "Noona, really?"
"You'll get it when we get home. Let's go I'm tired," said Jiwoo while cutting them.
On the way, she asked, "Why are you here to pick us up? Where are all the drivers?"
"Why? Are you not happy to see me?" Han said that in an annoyed voice.
Jiwoo didn't answer.
Christine gently said, "Han, don't mind her. She doesn't mean it. She always says Mom and Dad give you too much work. She's just worried."
Jiwoo cut her off sharply: "You don't need to explain for me. Let him think what he wants."
Han quietly loaded all the luggage into the car. Christine sat in the front, Jiwoo in the back.
Christine played Korean rock songs for the drive. She and Han sang along happily, laughing together. Jiwoo just watched them quietly, her expression unreadable. But she was happy to watch them enjoy.
---
Han: "Noona, we have to pick up Seungmin."
They stopped at his house.
The grand castle-like doors opened. Seungmin walked out, entering with his calm presence. He sat beside Jiwoo.
Seungmin: "Hello everyone. Noona, how are you?"
Jiwoo, with a serious tone: "Hmm. I'm good. What about you?"
"I'm fine too."
Then he turned to Christine. "Noona, how are you doing?"
Christine, warmly: "I'm good. How's our cute baby Seungmin doing?"
Seungmin, serious: "I'm fine." Then he turned to look out the window.
Christine and Han burst into laughter.
Christine teased: "Jiwoo, now you won't feel lonely. Someone just your type is here to keep you company."
Jiwoo frowned. "Han, let's go."
The rest of the ride, Christine and Han kept singing while Jiwoo and Seungmin sat in silence. Christine tried to include them, holding her phone out so they'd join the song. They sang awkwardly, then quickly leaned back into their corners again.