Before Yuki could even think, her mother's hands shot out — not in anger, but with frantic relief — and she gave Yuki a couple of light, sharp pats on the arms.
Mother (voice trembling, half-laughing, half-scolding):"I was so scared of you, Yuki! Do you know how worried I was?!"
Yuki froze for a second, blinking, before a small, breathless laugh escaped her.Yuki:"Eomma… I… I'm fine now. Really."
Mother pulled Yuki into a tight hug, burying her face in Yuki's hair, hands gripping like she might never let go.Mother:"Don't ever disappear like that again. You can't just… vanish on me!"
Yuki hugged back, feeling all the tension of the past weeks melt away.Yuki:"I'll… I'll be more careful, I promise."
After a heartbeat, her mother's arms swung wide, pulling Jennie into the hug as well. Jennie squeaked, caught completely off guard, but laughed as she was smothered by maternal affection.
Mother (still squeezing both of them, voice softening):"And you too, Jennie. Thank you for taking care of my little tornado."
Yuki grinned, leaning against her mother's shoulder as they started moving inside.
Once inside, Yuki and Jennie barely had time to sit on the sofa before Yuki's mother lunged forward with a plate of steaming food.
Mother (voice a little wild, half-laughing, half-panicked):"You girls don't eat! Look at what you've become! Starving, pale little ghosts!"
Before Yuki could protest, her mother shoved a spoonful of rice into her mouth. Yuki choked slightly but laughed, trying to wave her hands.
Yuki (muffled):"Eomma! I—! I can eat by myself!"
Jennie got no mercy either. Her mother stuffed a piece of kimchi into Jennie's mouth, who squeaked, cheeks puffed.
Jennie (muffled, waving her hands wildly):"Yah! I… I'm not a baby!"
Yuki's mother ignored them, her eyes wide with faux horror.Mother:"Not a baby?! Look at you! You're almost turning into skeletons! Eat! Eat now!"
From the kitchen, Yuki's father peeked over the counter, holding a glass of water, his face a mix of awe and mild trauma. He carefully poured water into a small cup and placed it in front of Yuki.
Father (cautiously, trying not to get in the line of fire):"Okay, okay… maybe not that much at once. Here, Yuki… sip some water… breathe."
Mother ignored him entirely, grabbing another spoonful and shoving it toward Jennie.
Father (muttering, rubbing his temples):"I'm not sure if I'm calming her… or just participating in a hostage situation."
Jennie laughed, chewing furiously, eyes watering from the speed-feeding.Jennie:"Yah! Yuki, your mom is dangerous! I'm gonna need a helmet next time!"
Yuki, rice stuck to her cheek, tried to laugh through her protest.Yuki:"Eomma… slow down! We're not starving! I promise!"
Mother (hands on hips, dramatically exasperated):"Not starving? Look at your faces! Pale, thin, exhausted! You'll regret it when you grow up if I don't feed you now!"
Father sighed, placing his hand on her shoulder, half-gently, half-desperately:"Please… just a tiny pause… let's not suffocate them with love and rice at the same time…"
Mother shot him a glare that was half-playful, half-"don't you dare interfere," before turning back to Yuki and Jennie.
Mother:"Fine… one second pause. But only because your father looks like he's about to collapse from worry!"
Yuki and Jennie collapsed back into the sofa, breathless from laughter and forced chewing, their cheeks full.
Yuki (muffled, wiggling her spoon out of her mouth):"Eomma… I think I love you… and also hate you a little."
Jennie (chewing furiously, elbowing Yuki):"Yep. Definitely both."
Father shook his head, pouring more water with a resigned sigh.Father:"Welcome home, girls… welcome home."
Yuki's mother finally leaned back, wiping her hands on her apron like a general surveying the battlefield.
Mother (dramatic sigh):"There… see? You girls are alive again!"
Yuki patted her stomach, cheeks stuffed, eyes rolling:"Eomma… I think I just met my food limit… and it filed a complaint."
Jennie, kimchi hanging from her mouth, pointed at her reflection in the glass coffee table:"Look! I've turned into… a human dumpling!"
Father groaned, pouring more water like it was a peace treaty:"Next time… maybe warn me before the food assault, please."
Mother shot him a glare but then muttered softly:"Bah, they needed it. And look at Jennie—she's glowing… or exploding, I can't tell."
And they all burst into laughter.
Yuki patted her stomach and gave a small, embarrassed smile.
Yuki:"I… I'm going to my room to change. Thanks, Eomma."
Father (grinning, picking up her luggage):"Alright, alright, I've got the baggage. Don't let Jennie eat all the snacks in the meantime."
Yuki disappeared up the stairs, leaving Jennie and her mother alone in the living room. The air immediately shifted — the playful chaos giving way to quiet concern.
Mother (leaning forward, voice soft but intense):"Jennie… tell me. How are you? And Yuki… what exactly happened?"
Jennie sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. She looked at Yuki's mother with tired eyes.Jennie:"Yuki… she pushed herself too hard. Over the edge. She… fainted."
Mother's hands tightened around her knees. Her heart clenched.Mother (voice trembling slightly):"Fainted… my little girl… oh no, Jennie… tell me everything."
Jennie took a deep breath.Jennie:"At first, she seemed fine. Studying hard, working part-time… managing everything. But her boss… he was impossible. Constantly piling work, yelling at her in front of everyone. One day, when her friends came by the restaurant to see her, she talked with them for a little longer… and her boss… he yelled at her in front of everyone. Fired her on the spot."
Mother gasped, covering her mouth.Mother:"What?! My Yuki… in front of people? That… that's cruel…"
Jennie nodded, her voice softening.Jennie:"She tried to keep going. The next job was physically exhausting, combined with her studies… and finally, she just broke down. I… I was terrified. She wasn't waking up. Not for a long moment."
Mother's eyes welled up. She whispered almost to herself:"My poor baby… my Yuki…"
Jennie leaned back slightly, exhaling.Jennie:"After a lot of care, she's better. But… she still needs constant attention. Someone to make sure she doesn't push herself too far again."
Mother shook her head, voice firm now, filled with resolve.Mother:"No. Jennie… I'll take care of her. Every little thing—her meals, her rest, her health. I won't let anything happen to my daughter again."
Jennie's lips curved into a grateful smile.Jennie:"She's lucky to have you. I just… wanted you to understand why she needs so much care."
Mother's hands clenched into soft fists, determination blazing in her eyes.Mother:"I understand. And I'll make sure she feels safe, loved… and that she can breathe again."
They shared a quiet moment, a truce of sorts, a silent promise to protect Yuki — one as a mother, the other as a friend who had fought to keep her alive.
Yuki returned a few minutes later, fresh and changed, carrying a small bag. She stepped into the living room, and Jennie jumped up, brushing off her hands.
Jennie (grinning):"Alright, Yuki. Time for me to head home before my mom starts panicking!"
Yuki's mother suddenly perked up, grabbing a small basket from the kitchen counter.Mother:"Wait! Don't leave just yet. Let me give you something."
She handed Jennie a handful of brightly colored fruits, still warm from the sun of her garden. Jennie's eyes widened, sparkling with genuine delight.
Jennie:"Wow… really? These look amazing!"
Mother (smiling warmly, a little teasing):"Don't just look… take them! And don't let Yuki hog them all."
Jennie laughed, cradling the fruits carefully in her arms.Jennie:"Thank you so much, Eomma! I'll treasure them!"
Yuki's mother waved as Jennie headed out the door.Mother (calling after her):"Go! But come back soon to keep my Yuki out of trouble!"
Yuki smiled, watching Jennie leave, feeling a warm comfort in her mother's small gesture.
Jennie stepped through her front door, still carrying the basket of fruits Yuki's mother had given her. The familiar scent of home greeted her, and her mother appeared almost instantly, arms open.
Mother (warmly):"Jennie! There you are, I was worried!"
Jennie laughed, hugging her mother tightly.Jennie:"I'm fine, Eomma! Yuki's home safe, and… well… I survived."
Mother raised an eyebrow, curious.Mother:"Survived? What happened?"
Jennie flopped onto the sofa, holding her stomach dramatically.Jennie:"No, Eomma… I can't even begin to describe. Yuki's mom… force-fed me! I ate so much I thought my stomach was going to burst. Luckily… it didn't!"
Jennie was still clutching her stomach when her mother crossed her arms, unimpressed.
Mother (nodding seriously):
"She did the right thing. You still need to eat. And anyway, I already prepared food for you. I haven't seen you eat properly for days."
Jennie's eyes widened in horror.
Jennie (dramatically dropping onto the sofa):
"Eomma… please… let me live. I swear I'm full. I can't do this again."
She pressed a hand to her chest, fake tears welling up instantly.
Jennie:
"My stomach has been through enough trauma today."
Her mother snorted, grabbing her wrist and pulling her up.
Mother:
"Enough drama. Come inside. You'll eat a little."
Jennie dragged her feet toward the house, still whining.
Jennie:
"This is a conspiracy. Two moms. One victim."
Her mother shook her head, but a smile tugged at her lips as they went inside together.
Jennie:"This is a conspiracy. Two moms. One victim."
Jennie: "If anyone asks, today I officially earned the title: 'Human Dumpling Survivor.'"