Minjin's reflections and Minjun's family dynamics

Minjin stood in front of the mirror, her reflection gazing back at her in the white dress she had carefully chosen earlier. She sighed, a heavy breath escaping as she replayed her earlier confrontation with Minjun in her mind.

How were they supposed to pretend everything was fine in front of his family when it clearly wasn't? The thought of having to mask her emotions and act as if nothing had happened weighed heavily on her.

"What's the point of dressing up and trying to look pretty?" she muttered to herself.

From outside her room, Tae-sung called out, "Minjin-ah, we need to leave now."

Sluggishly, she made her way to the car, dragging her feet as her thoughts swirled. Tae-sung noticed her downcast demeanor. As they started the drive to Minjun's house, a heavy silence settled between them until Minjin sighed deeply. 

"Minjin-ah," Tae-sung broke the quiet, glancing over at her, "Did you make up with Minjun-ah?" 

Minjin snorted bitterly, still looking out the window. "Our fight only got worse." 

"Wae? What happened?" Tae-sung asked.

"I don't want to talk about it," she replied curtly

"Can you even face his family now?" Tae-sung asked softly.

Minjin finally turned to face him, her expression pleading. "Can't you go alone, oppa? Just tell them I'm not feeling well."

Tae-sung raised an eyebrow and chuckled as he quickly glanced at her. "Do you really think they invited us for dinner because of me?" 

Minjin pouted and turned back to stare out the window.

As the car rolled through the streets, she could feel her heart pounding faster. She wasn't sure how she would approach the situation later, and the mere thought of having to face Minjun after everything made her stomach churn.

### 

Minjin and Tae-sung arrived at the Kang residence. When they rang the doorbell, Kang Xiumin came outside to let them in. Minjin and Tae-sung bowed their heads upon seeing him. Tae-sung then reached out his hand to introduce himself, and Kang Xiumin reciprocated. Kang Xiumin then gestured for them to enter so they could continue their conversation.

As Minjin walked along the pathway to the doorway, she looked around and felt a wave of nostalgia that made her feel at ease. Kang Xiumin opened the door for them, allowing Tae-sung and Minjin to enter first.

When they reached the living room, Mrs. Han was already standing, with Minjun positioned behind her. Tae-sung bowed to show his respect and introduced himself as the older son of Park Tae-hyung. 

Mrs. Han greeted him warmly, saying, "This is our first meeting, right, Tae-sung-shi?" 

Tae-sung nodded slightly and replied, "Yes, Mrs. Han. I was in New York when Minjin and my late father were here in Korea."

Mrs. Han smiled and nodded. "Thank you for accepting our invitation, Tae-sung-shi," she said warmly.

Tae-sung returned the smile. "I should be the one thanking you, Mrs. Han. Please feel free to speak casually with me," he replied.

Kang Xiumin, standing to the side, noticed Minjin behind her brother. He smiled and approached her, clearing his throat until she turned to him.

Minjin awkwardly chuckled and tried to bow her head. "Annyeong haseyo, oppa," she said, keeping her voice low.

I bet you and Minjuni haven't made up yet," Kang Xiumin teased.

Minjin playfully snorted in response. "He was being mean to me, oppa. This time, it's his fault," she whispered.

Mrs. Han chuckled softly. "I understand since your father was a close friend of my husband." Then she looked behind him and asked, "Where is Minjini?"

Tae-sung turned around and gently pulled Minjin in front of him as she tried to hide behind him. Minjin quickly bowed her head to show her respect to Mrs. Han. Kang Xiumi noticed Minjin's reluctance and stifled a chuckle behind them.

Mrs. Han's face lit up upon seeing Minjin. She approached her and gently held her shoulders. "Omo, Minjini, you look so much prettier now that you're a teenager!" 

She then embraced Minjin and comforted her with a pat on the back, saying, "I know you've been through a lot."

Minjin smiled faintly. "I'm fine, Mrs. Han. Thank you for worrying about me."

As she spoke, she noticed Minjun standing awkwardly behind his mother. When he saw her looking in his direction, he quickly averted his gaze, causing Minjin to stifle a snort.

Mrs. Han then released Minjin and turned to Tae-sung while Kang Xiumin quietly approached Minjun. He leaned over and teased, "She said it was your fault."

Minjun sighed in exasperation. "It's not funny, hyung."

Kang Xiumin suppressed his chuckle but shook his head in amusement.

Minjun then turned his eyes to Minjin and Mrs. Han, who were casually conversing. A slight smile crossed his side lip when he looked at Minjin while wearing a white dress. Despite her short, boyish hair, she looked feminine and prettier than in her uniform. 

However, he couldn't shake the heavy feeling that had clung to him since their heated argument earlier. This was meant to be a friendly dinner, and the contrast between the tension in his chest and his family's cheerful hospitality made everything feel even more painful.

Kang Xiumin noticed Minjun's troubled expression and then turned to Tae-sung. "Tae-sung-shi, how old are you, if you don't mind me asking?"

"I'm 25, Xiumin-shi," Tae-sung replied.

"I'm two years older. You can just call me Hyung," Kang Xiumin said with a friendly smile.

"Is that alright? We can be casual," Tae-sung asked.

"Of course. Minjin's already been calling me oppa," he added, glancing at Minjin. Turning his attention to her, he said with a proud smile, "Our little genius has grown up."

Minjin forced a smile. "Long time no see, oppa," she said.

"It's really good to see you again, Minjin-ah," Kang Xiumin said.

"I feel the same, oppa," she replied.

Next to Kang Xiumin, Minjun stood quietly, feeling even more awkward as his brother attempted to ease the tension in the air. "Minjun-ah mentioned that you're in the same class," he said.

Minjin glanced at Minjun briefly, and they both looked away.

The sound of footsteps echoed from the stairs. As Mr. Kang approached, both Minjin and Tae-sung bowed their heads in respect. He walked directly to Tae-sung and extended his hand.

"Annyeong hasimnikka, my name is Park Tae-sung, the older son of Park Tae-hyung," Tae-sung introduced himself again, giving a deeper bow while reaching out for a handshake.

"Nice to meet you. This is our first meeting, correct?" Mr. Kang asked

"Yes, Sajangnim. I was in America for college, so we haven't had the opportunity to meet before," Tae-sung explained.

"And where did you attend college?" Mr. Kang inquired.

"New York University, Sajangnim," Tae-sung replied.

Mr. Kang nodded in approval. "That's an impressive school. Where are you working now?"

"I'm currently at Ssung, leading a team in Development Operations," Tae-sung replied.

"Working for Ssung, huh? That's one of the biggest companies in Korea. Very impressive," Mr. Kang acknowledged with a nod. He then turned his attention to Minjin, who had been standing quietly beside her older brother. 

Minjin's eyes widened as she noticed how much Mr. Kang had aged over the years. His slim, pale face bore a faint smile, accompanied by wrinkles on his forehead and neck. She observed him from head to toe and realized he had also lost weight and appeared weak. This made her wonder what had happened to him during all these years.

When she noticed him looking at her, she greeted him with a polite bow. "You're Park Minjin, right?" Mr. Kang asked, his voice carrying a hint of casual now.

"Ne, sajangnim," she responded respectfully. 

"I hear you're in Section One with Minjun-ah; is that correct?" he continued.

"Ne, sajangnim. We're actually seatmates," Minjin added.

"That's good to hear. You have a wonderful family. Tae-sung is doing well at Ssung, and you're quite the genius," he said with a hint of amusement. 

Both Tae-sung and Minjin bowed slightly in acknowledgment of the compliment. "Gamsahamnida, sajangnim," Tae-sung replied. 

Mrs. Han then interjected, "Come on, let's continue our conversation at the table. Dinner is ready!" She enthusiastically guided everyone toward the dining room.

### 

Mr. Kang took his place at the head of the table while Mrs. Han sat to his right. Next to her was Kang Xiumin, followed by Minjun. Across from Mrs. Han sat Tae-sung, with Minjin beside him.

Minjin looked at the various dishes on the table, her eyes widening in shock as she spotted the cake at the center. She tried to conceal her excitement about tasting the food, as this would be her first experience with a home-cooked Korean meal because they usually ordered takeout. Minjun noticed her reaction and managed a slight smile.

The dinner table was enveloped in an uncomfortable silence as everyone waited for Mr. Kang to take the first bite. Minjin glanced around the table, observing the anticipation on everyone's faces. She silently sighed, recalling that they used to follow this routine. Shaking her head slightly, she recognized that even at the dinner table, there was a sense of hierarchy. 

She quickly glanced at Minjun, remembering how this family dynamic had affected him since they were both children.

A moment later, Mr. Kang took his first bite of food, and Mrs. Han gestured for Minjin and Tae-sung to start eating. They both slightly bowed their heads as they began. Tae-sung put some of the dishes into Minjin's bowl of rice before serving himself. Mrs. Han watched with a smile as Minjin took a spoonful. 

"How is it, Minjin-ah?" she asked gently. 

Minjin nodded and replied, "It's delicious, Mrs. Han." 

"I wasn't sure what you liked, so I prepared this," Mrs. Han said with a warm smile. 

"This is fine. I don't really have any specific favorites. Anything is fine, Mrs. Han," Minjin replied politely.

Mrs. Han turned to Tae-sung. "Chuseok has come early this fall. If we had known, we might have invited you both here."

Tae-sung swallowed his food before he slightly bowed his head. "It's fine, Mrs. Han. Minjin and Minjun didn't know they were attending the same school anyway."

Mrs. Han noticed the small portion of meat in Tae-sung's bowl. Without hesitation, she took more and placed it in front of him. "You need to eat a lot, Tae-sung-ah."

"Ne, thank you very much, Mrs. Han," Tae-sung said with a grateful smile.

Mrs. Han then started eating her food. 

Although Minjin was enjoying her meal, an uncomfortable silence settled around her. She couldn't help but glance at Minjun's family on the other side of the table. A lump formed in her throat, making it difficult for her to swallow her food. As she continued to put dishes in her bowl of rice, she realized that the dynamics of a Korean household were far more complex than she had anticipated.

When she was younger, she hadn't recognized the hierarchy that existed at the dinner table. Now, the awkward silence felt heavy around her. She turned to look at Minjun and reflected on the three different sides of his personality that she had noticed.

He was friendly with others, mean to her, and restrained at home.

This complexity reminded her of what Bang Eun-Kyung had said earlier: despite these three sides, Minjun was more honest and genuine with her than with anyone else.

Mrs. Han spoke again, "How about this, Minjin-ah?"

Minjin shifted her attention to Mrs. Han, replying, "Ne, Mrs. Han?"

Mrs. Han smiled warmly. "You could call me eommoni instead."

Minjin's mouth nearly fell open in shock. "N-ne?" she stammered.

She quickly glanced at Minjun, who was equally astonished and staring at his mother. He finally turned to Minjin and met her gaze, but an awkward silence fell between them.

Kang Xiumin noticed the uncomfortable expressions exchanged between Minjin and Minjun. He tried to stifle a laugh and chimed in, "That's fine, I guess since you've already been calling me oppa. Right, Minjun-ah?" His playful tone did little to ease the tension.

Minjun turned to his brother, his lips slightly parted as he struggled to find something to say. Everyone at the table focused on him, which only made him more flustered.

He attempted to mask his awkwardness with a chuckle. "N-ne, I think it's fine."

Minjin wanted to glare at him, but the attention of everyone quickly shifted to her. She forced a smile as she fought to find the right words. The weight of the situation pressed down on her, and she hesitated for a moment. Tae-sung silently nudged her, sensing her internal struggle. She glanced at him, and he offered her a subtle, encouraging smile.

Minjin then looked at Mrs. Han, who smiled expectantly. She swallowed hard as the unsettling thought crossed her mind: if she started calling her "mother," she might be stuck with Minjun's family forever. That idea sent a chill down her spine.

Minjin spoke softly but steadily. "N-ne, eommoni," she said, feeling the words leave her lips with difficulty.

Kang Xiumin stifled a silent laugh, finding the exchange amusing in its awkwardness. He then turned to Minjun, who was still in shock, as he silently sighed and focused on his food.

Kang Xiumin leaned closer to him. "Hey, I think you'll be engaged to her soon."

That made Minjun freeze mid-bite. He suddenly felt a tingling sensation in his stomach. Kang Xiumin noticed Minjun's reaction and smiled, shaking his head as he returned to his meal.

The brief levity was interrupted by Mr. Kang's sudden question. "Minjun-ah mentioned that your father passed away due to a heart attack."

"Yes, sajangnim," Tae-sung confirmed.

"Did you know he was suffering from heart disease?" Mr. Kang pressed further.

"No, I didn't. I think he intentionally hid it from us." Tae-sung took over the conversation, his tone calm but direct.

Mr. Kang leaned back in his chair, "And where is your mother now?" he asked. 

"She's remarried," Tae-sung replied bluntly. 

A sharp tsk escaped Mr. Kang's lips. "What kind of woman abandons her family like that?" 

Without hesitation, Tae-sung admitted, "I don't want to say this, but our family is a mess right now." 

The blunt honesty in his words caused Minjun to pause mid-air with his chopsticks.

Mrs. Han attempted to lighten the mood. "Minjin-ah, no family is perfect. Don't let it weigh on you too much, okay?" 

Minjin nodded gratefully, her voice quieter. "Yes, eommoni." 

Mr. Kang turned his gaze toward her once more, "Minjin-ah, are you studying well?"

As the conversation shifted, Minjin felt a heavy pit in her stomach. The question sent a chill down her spine. She swallowed hard, trying to steady herself.

This family gathering was unlike any she had ever experienced—so formal and so probing. It stood in stark contrast to the open and carefree environment she was accustomed to back in America. For a brief moment, her heart ached for Minjun as she witnessed how his family operated.

Minjin answered cautiously, "I may be considered a genius, but to be honest, I'm not as diligent a student as Minjun. I was used to being carefree and liberal in America, and lately, it's been difficult for me to adapt to the academic standards here in Korea. But..." She paused, looking at Minjun, "he's been there, supporting me. I'm slowly adapting because of his guidance."

Mr. Kang nodded thoughtfully. "I admire your candor. You and Minjun should work together to help each other excel. Both of you have a bright future ahead, and people will come to respect you."

"Ne, sajangnim. I'll keep that in mind," Minjin replied, her voice steady.

Mrs. Han then interrupted them, saying, "We bought a cake specifically for you, Minjin-ah. I remember that you like cakes."

Minjin offered a small smile. "Gomapsumnida, eommoni."

Mrs. Han began slicing the cake, handing the first slice to Minjin.

Minjin accepted it with both hands and bowed slightly. "Gahasamnida."

Mr. Han distributed the remaining slices of cake, ensuring that everyone received their portion. As Minjin took a bite, Mrs. Han watched intently. "How is it, Minjin-ah?" she asked. 

Minjin managed a sincere smile. "It's good, eommoni," she replied. 

Mrs. Han's face brightened at the response. "I'm glad to hear that," she said. 

Kang Xiumin took out a white envelope and handed it to Tae-sung. "I have something for you guys," he said.

Tae-sung accepted the envelope with a polite nod. 

"I'm getting married, and I hope you'll come," Kang Xiumin announced. 

Both Tae-sung and Minjin were taken aback. 

"Wow, oppa, congratulations!" Minjin exclaimed. 

"This is wonderful news, Hyung. Congratulations!" Tae-sung said as he opened the envelope, revealing a wedding invitation. 

Minjin leaned in. "Who's the lucky girl, oppa?"

"My longtime girlfriend," Kang Xiumin replied with a smile. 

"Since when has she been your girlfriend?" Minjin inquired. 

"Since college," Kang Xiumin answered.

The conversation was abruptly interrupted when Mr. Kang cleared his throat. The room fell silent as he stood up. "Minjin-ah, could you come here for a moment? I need to speak with you."

Minjin exchanged a worried glance with Tae-sung. She slowly stood up and walked toward Mr. Kang, leaving the dining table behind. Minjun's eyes followed her, filled with concern. He silently hoped that his father wouldn't make the situation more uncomfortable than it already was.

### 

Minjin followed Mr. Kang to his study. She sat across from him at his desk, her nerves taut and her heart racing. Mr. Kang settled into a reclining chair and poured himself a glass of whiskey.

"How is Minjun-ah doing in school?" Mr. Kang asked in an authoritative tone.

Minjin lowered her gaze. "He's doing very well. He's diligent, always knows the right answers, listens attentively in class, and frequently helps both struggling classmates and me."

Mr. Kang sighed. "Minjun is my only hope now. Xiumin is too involved with his girlfriend, who I consider unworthy. I had high hopes for him to succeed, but now he's become a disappointment."

Minjin was taken aback by Mr. Kang's harsh assessment but raised her head to ask, "Why did you agree to their marriage, Sajangnim?" 

"The girl is smart and hardworking. She has proven to be a valuable asset to the company, and Xiumin threatened to cut ties with the family if we didn't accept her," Mr. Kang replied with a smirk. "So, I decided to keep him close since he's my eldest son." 

There was a moment of silence. The weight of his words left Minjin unable to respond. She silently sighed, realizing that Kang Xiumin was also struggling to meet his father's expectations. Now that he was older and able to speak for himself, the burden had shifted to Minjun, and she understood more than ever how this would negatively impact him.

Mr. Kang's gaze turned intense as he broke the silence. "Could you do me a favor, Minjin-ah?" 

Minjin's anxiety was evident as she asked, "What is it, Sajangnim?" 

"Please do not overshadow Minjun in school. Let him remain the top student. I am satisfied with what he has been doing to make me proud and exceed everyone's expectations," Mr. Kang said, his voice firm. 

Minjin was shocked by the request. She couldn't help but clench her hands on her lap, wrinkling her dress. "Sajangnim, even if you hadn't asked, I planned to keep a low profile in school. I don't aim to be at the top. But can I be honest with you?" 

Mr. Kang nodded. "Go ahead." 

"Sajangnim, your high expectations for Minjun-ah may lead to disappointment and cause pain for both of you. Minjun is inherently flawed. He isn't an object to be mechanically perfected; even advanced robots can malfunction." She suddenly stopped and quickly bowed her head, realizing she might have overstepped. "I'm sorry if I was too blunt."

Mr. Kang managed a small, contemplative smile. "How does Minjun-ah treat you?" 

Minjin's smile softened. "Minjun-ah might hide his true feelings, but he's not good at pretending. He treats me more harshly than others, but I'm the only one he can truly be himself around. Despite this, I appreciate him for who he is."

Mr. Kang sighed and attempted a smile. "But it seemed at dinner that you two weren't speaking."

Minjin weakly smiled. "Minjun-ah and I do have our disagreements and arguments, but that's because we're honest with each other. Our relationship is complicated, but I feel it's more real than any other relationship he has at school."

Mr. Kang remained silent for a moment, staring at his glass of whiskey. As he took a sip, a small smile appeared on his lips. "I would approve of your relationship, just in case," he said, offering a faint smile to Minjin. 

Minjin chuckled softly and slightly bowed her head. "Ne, thank you for accepting me despite my bluntness. I'll remember that, Sajangnim."

The room fell silent again as Mr. Kang finished his glass of whiskey. Minjin observed him before asking, "Sajangnim, are you feeling unwell?"

Mr. Kang weakly smiled and turned to her. "I was, but I'm fine now. You don't have to worry, Minjin-ah."

"May I ask what happened to you?" Minjin inquired further.

Mr. Kang leaned over his desk, interlacing his fingers. "I was diagnosed with stomach cancer."

Minjin's eyes widened at his revelation. Mr. Kang noticed her concerned expression and gently chuckled. "But I'm clear of cancer cells now."

Minjin sighed in relief. "That's good to hear, sajangnim."

Mr. Kang's expression turned serious once more. "One more thing, Minjin-ah. No one is bullying Minjun at school, right?" 

Minjin shook her head. "Ne, sajangnim." 

"Good. I don't want to ruin anyone's life again," Mr. Kang said with a smirk. 

His comment surprised Minjin. She wanted to ask about it but decided against it, sensing that it was a more sensitive topic than his illness.

###

In the kitchen, Kang Xiumin reached into the refrigerator when Mrs. Han approached him. 

"Xiumin-ah," Mrs. Han called out. 

"Ne, eomma?" Kang Xiumin replied. 

"Minjini and Minjun-ah don't seem to be speaking to each other. Did they argue?" Mrs. Han asked. 

Kang Xiumin sighed. "It seems they haven't reconciled yet."

"Then you should help them!" Mrs. Han urged.

"Eomma, they're adults now. Ice cream won't solve their problems. Minjun-ah needs time to figure things out on his own. He'll handle it in his own way," Kang Xiumin replied.

Mrs. Han sighed but nodded. "Araso. I'll trust Minjun this time."