HA-JOON'S POV:
I was happily minding my own business, riding on my bicycle halfway down the street of Insadong on my walk home at night, my backpack still slung over my shoulders and my maroon apron stained with dough.
Suddenly I sensed as if someone was following me I stopped half paddle and, then turned back but no one was there, huh! that's strange. I shrugged it off.
Just as I was about to walk away, out of the blue, a mysterious figure came out from the shadows.
I held my breath and moved back ready to ride away, but then I felt a gentle, soft grip on my hand, so I stopped, and turned around to see who it was and to my surprise it was In-Su.
''You!?'' My voice didn't come out as surprised but as scared.
He was still wearing his black mask, and his red eyes were shining more in the dark under the dim street light.
In-Su hedge and held out a pencil. It was the same pencil that Joy had let to fall from our desk earlier- now resting in his hands as if it had never really left.
''Thanks'' I muttered, surprised I recognize the pencil so quickly.
Before I could ask him where he found it and why did he bring it back now, he offered me a faint nod, turned and melt away into the fading streets light, leaving me blinking after him.
Confused and curious I picked up my pace and caught his shoulder, I step down form my back holding the head only.
''Hey-wait- why did you leave like that? I was just about to ask.... how did you....'' I began but he cut me off with a single unreadable glare.
His red eyes flickered once the only answer I got, and then he slipped between two cars and varnished down a side street as quietly as he had come.
I stood there for some time, the pencil cold in my hand, I thought to follow him but I stopped and shrug then, I hopped back on my bicycle and paddle off.
END OF POV...
Ha-Joon returned just in time, when his mom was done with the dinner.
He rush from the door, and threw his bag on the floor and sprinted to the living room.
On the couch, he saw Ji-Woo sited hands crossed on her chest eyes locked on the TV in front of her.
Beside her Min-Ju scrolling on his phone, looking tired and exhausted.
At first none of them noticed him until Ji-Woo's eyes accidently drifted to the side.
''Oh... Ha-Joonie... you're back..?'' Ji-Woo asked smiling and spreading her arms open, while Ha-Joon gave a pout.
He quickly removed his apron and tossed it on Min-Ju's face who took it and toss it away annoyed. Ha-Joon smiling jumped on Ji-Woo hugging her tightly.
''Oh... Unnie!!, today was so rough - I think my head hurts...ahh'' Ha-Joon whined and Ji-Woo giggled.
''Oi! my little brother sounds wrecked again today... is he hungry?'' Ji-Woo said changing her voice as if she's talking to a baby.
Min-Ju shoot them a disgusted look, his mouth slightly open and his eyes narrowed.
''I guess your day went perfect... as always... Ha-Joon, how about me?... I am tired.... the soccer, the test.. then I left my lunch inside my locker...'' Min-Ju complained his voice lace with exhaustion.
'' Nobody asked you.... you don't work part time...keep shut..'' Ji-Woo ordered and Min-Ju sighed in frustration
'' And Ha-Joonie.... I think you should go and freshen up... then after that we eat dinner.... you can come to my room and we shall play today... too'' Ji-Woo said raising her eyebrows up and down.
''Can I come too..'' Min-Ju asked his tone turning cheerful.
''No....'' Ji-Woo said and Min-Ju sighed disappointed as he returned back to his phone.
Ha-Joon groans dramatically bouncing up and down swinging his hand on Ji-Woo's neck.
''And also I have something I need to tell... you guys but I want to tell the whole family.... something new happened...'' Ha-Joon added this time with a serious tone. Ji-Woo nodded smiling.
'' Is it that... Ji-Hoo guy?, oh! I will....'' Min-Ju started but Ha-Joon cut him off.
''No this time... it's not him... something new happened''
''finally something new in your school happened'' Min-Ju murmurs scrolling on his phone.
''first go and take a shower then you can tell us....go go'' Ji-Woo said playfully hitting Ha-Joon's hand.
Ha-Joon yanked his hands from her neck, and bounce off the couch and ran to his room.
Ji-Woo nestled into the couch as she watches Ha-Joon walk away, and then she retuned back to the TV, the soft glow of the Tv washing over her.
Min-Ju sank lower, shoulder slumped as if the weight of the world was on him.
He turns to Ji-Woo with a mischievous smile.
''Can I also get a hug too?... I'm not feeling good... Ji-Woo'' he asked smiling hopefully.
''Hugs are only for rough days.... not feeling bad'' Ji-Woo replied eyes still on the TV.
'' Yes I had a bad day Ji-Woo, I want a hug too..'' Min Ju said pouting like a child.
''no you're a bad kid...''
''Oi! I'm also your younger brother... and my day was brutal... and I want a hug from my sister but she's refusing me...'' Min-Ju whined sitting back straight.
''Yes... My hugs are only for Ha-Joon my youngest brother.... you only get a pat on the head..'' Ji-Woo said and pats him on the head giggling.
''Fine I didn't want your hugs anyways.'' Min-Ju said his voice lace with annoyance as he ruffles his hair, and Ji-Woo giggled to her self.
AT THE DINNING TABLE...
The dining room glows softly under a single light, A wooden table holds bowls of soup, a basket of bread and a small vase of flowers, is not like they don't eat anything nice, this is what they wanted to have.
At one end Mr. Kim sat in his striped pajamas his blue eyes gazes at table as he reached in for a slice of bread.
Beside him, Mrs. Kim in her simple plaid PJ's pours milk into little glasses and serving it to everyone, her brown eyes warm and calm.
On one side Ha-Joon sat with his grey-starred pajamas sipping his soup, Across from him sat Min-Ju annoying Ji-Woo who sat beside him, with her petal pink pajamas, giving Min-Ju a stink eye.
''Min-Ju, please p-stop...'' Ji-Woo said finally done with Min-Ju's mischief.
'' will you guys stop playing around and eat your dinner already'' Mrs. Kim's soft voice cuts in.
''Min-Ju should stop first...'' Ji-Woo shouts hitting Min-Ju's shoulder.
''No I won't...'' he replied sticking his tongue out.
''You guys should stop!'' Mr. Kim's sharp voice shouted and immediately they went silent and Ha-Joon giggled.
''Yeah guys...'' Ha-Joon called out his voice low as he sips his milk.
''yes Ha-Joon oh I remember... what is it that you wanted to tell me... I mean us'' Ji-Woo asked leaning in with a smile.
''Yes...'' Ha-Joon lets out a nervous laugh and his mom smiled.
'' Ha-Joon-ah you can tell us..'' she said her voice calm and soothing.
''Yes mom... is just that today I we got... a new boy in our class...''' he started and everyone nodded leaning in with interest.
''what's with the boy..?'' Min-Ju asked smirking.
''Yes... he has a natural sparkling red eyes, that when our eyes met I felt it looked and feels familiar... and the way he nodded felt as if we knew each other but I don't know'' Ha-Joon sighs ,
'' it's like I dreamt about it before, if felt familiar'' Before he could even finish talking everyone was already frozen, in their places, Mr. Kim and Mrs. Kim shared glances, while Ji-Woo leaned back and Min-Ju frowns.
''What happened?'' Ha-Joon asked taking in their reactions.
''Red eyes?'' Ji-Woo finally asked and Ha-Joon slowly nodded nervously.
'' What, a boy? with red eyes?'' Ji-Woo asked again, and again Ha-Joon nods.
''Ye... yes...''
''Ok... calm down.... there is nothing to worry about... Ha-Joon what's his name?'' Mr. Kim his intense gaze boring into Ha-Joon's.
'' Oh! why his name is In-Su...'' Ha-Joon said practically smiling eating a slice of bread.
''In-Su...'' Min-Ju whispers and leans back in his chair, he lets out to deep sigh and glances at the others who gave him a worried look.
''Min-Ju....'' Mrs. Kim whispered
''I know mom...'' Min-Ju whispered back.
They all turned to Ha-Joon with a serious expression on their face and a very deep serious tone.
'' See... Ha-Joon-ah you said you got a new boy in class, red eyed, and his name is In-Su right?...' Mr. Kim asked leaning in closer.
''yeah what about that?''
'' What ever you do don't talk to him... don't interact with with him, don't look at his red eyes ever again...'' Mrs. Kim added her soft voice gone replaced with a worried and serious one.
'' Yes... Ha-Joon keep distance don't talk to her.... I mean him again '' Ji-Woo added. Ha-Joon looked at them, they all looked serious a shiver ran down his Spain, he felt the pressure of their unwavering gaze.
'' w....why...why are you all forbidding me to talk with him I don't understand...'' Ha-Joon said his voice shaking his eyes flickering.
'' I mean it's not like we have talk before, he came last week but I noticed him Today'' Ha- Joon said voice shaken.
'' Just be a good boy Ha-Joon-ah..... and listen to us, do you understand? don't ever talk to him....'' Min-Ju said his words firm and measured.
''Ye...yes I will...not talk to him but can you tell me why?'' Ha-Joon asked shivering.
'' Don't ask to much question just do as we said.... we're your family we know what's best for you...'' Mr. Kim said his voice deep and serious.
'' Yes father... I will do as you said..'' Ha- Joon replies glancing at each their eyes which began to soften.
'' Good boy....'' Mr. Kim whispered and nods, and they all leaned back smiling once again, and enjoying dinner.
''Eat Ha-Joon-ah be a strong boy... and eat'' Ji- Woo said her voice way sweeter then before.
'' Yeah, Ji-Woo....'' Ha-Joon whispers and nods.
''Eat...Eat..''
Why did they want me to keep a distance with In-Su? Even though we don't know each other or talk?, my heart aches to know him better he looked so familiar I mean his eyes does.... But I must follow orders I will keep some distance with him, but then talk with him -Ha-Joon thought.
''Eat your food Ha-Joon... what are you thinking about?'' Mr. Kim's voice cuts in, in his thinking.
''yes... I will eat Father..'' He replied.
''And I will find out about In-Su, an why my family don't want me to become friends or something with him.... I must find anyway possible to become his friends'' Ha-Joon thought, taking the last bite of his bread.