A Father's Worries and Demands

The next morning burst forth with excitement, as if the day itself was eager to begin.

At Inna's house, she was already dressed and ready to go, her smile uncontrollable. With every thought of the day ahead, her excitement only grew.

Meanwhile, Jimin was also happy, though his face didn't show it. He made his way to the dining table for breakfast, keeping his emotions to himself.

"Good morning, Jimin. Did you sleep well?" his dad asked, greeting him with an unusually soft tone.

"Morning, Dad. I slept pretty well," Jimin responded, taking his seat.

"That's good to hear," his dad said with a nod. "You know, it's not just about staying up late to study. Sometimes, getting enough sleep is what's best for your mind and body."

(Jimin's dad might have sounded relaxed, but it wasn't out of character. While he was often strict and focused on academics, he genuinely cared about Jimin's well-being. His strictness came from a belief that excelling in school was the key to Jimin's future independence and success. His concern wasn't just for his reputation he truly wanted the best for his son.)

Jimin's mom sat quietly at the table, eating her breakfast. As she listened to her husband, a faint smile crossed her lips. He's in a good mood today, she thought, relieved.

She caught Jimin's eye, giving him a small signal to bring up the trip.

(Jimin had initially thought his dad would be away on business during summer break. But his dad's unexpected return had thrown a wrench in his plans, making things more complicated.)

After a moment, Jimin cleared his throat. "Dad, there's something I need to tell you... I'm going on a trip."

His dad raised an eyebrow. "A trip? Is it for a study camp or something academic?"

Jimin shook his head. "No, it's not a study camp."

His dad's expression hardened. "Then what? What kind of trip?"

Jimin hesitated. "I just... I just want to go and have some fun."

His dad let out a sharp, disbelieving laugh. "Fun? Are you hearing this, Honey? Jimin says he wants to 'have fun.' Does that make any sense to you?"

Turning back to Jimin, his voice grew firm. "You're going to be in your third grade soon, and with the CSAT coming up next year, this is the time to get serious. You need to focus on your studies, not on having fun. Your entire life is ahead of you for that. When the time comes, I won't stop you. But not now."