7. The Everyday Life of Joon-hyuk

Life as an elementary school student quickly settled into a routine for Joon-hyuk. Each morning, he would wake up to the soft voice of his mother calling him for breakfast. The delicious aroma of freshly cooked rice, miso soup, and side dishes always greeted him as he stepped into the kitchen.

"Good morning, Joon-hyuk," his mother said, placing a bowl of warm soup in front of him.

"Morning, Mom!" he responded cheerfully before digging into his meal.

His father, Kang Dae-hyun, would usually sit across from him, sipping on his coffee while reading the newspaper. "Are you excited for school today?" he asked, lowering the paper slightly.

Joon-hyuk nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! Today, we have PE, and Yohan said we might play soccer!"

After breakfast, he would walk to school with Mi-jin, Zin, and Yohan. Their journey was always filled with laughter and playful chatter. Along the way, they would stop by a small convenience store to buy snacks or drinks, spending their pocket money on sweet treats.

School was a mix of lessons, playtime, and bonding with friends. Joon-hyuk enjoyed learning, especially math, where he often found himself competing playfully with Zin. Mi-jin, on the other hand, excelled in art, and Yohan loved storytelling, always entertaining their group with wild tales during breaks.

Lunch was one of his favorite times of the day. The cafeteria bustled with energy as students lined up for their meals. Joon-hyuk and his friends always sat together, sharing bits of their food with one another.

"Try this, it's really good!" Mi-jin said, handing him a piece of her rolled omelet.

"Wow, your mom makes the best food!" Joon-hyuk complimented before offering her a piece of his fried chicken in return.

After school, they would either play at the park or visit each other's houses to do homework together. Joon-hyuk's home was always warm and welcoming, his mother often preparing snacks for them as they worked on assignments.

"You kids are working hard. Here, have some tteokbokki," Han Soo-jin said, placing the spicy rice cakes on the table.

"Thank you, Auntie!" Yohan grinned as he eagerly reached for the food.

Life was simple and filled with happiness. However, as months passed, Joon-hyuk started noticing subtle changes at home. His father, once cheerful and full of energy, now often came home late, looking exhausted. His mother, though still warm, seemed more anxious, frequently checking their finances and whispering worriedly on phone calls.

One evening, Joon-hyuk overheard his parents talking in hushed voices in the living room. He quietly sat on the stairs, listening.

"The company isn't doing well, Soo-jin. We've lost a lot of money," his father said with a heavy sigh.

"Dae-hyun, what are we going to do? We still have bills to pay, and Joon-hyuk..." his mother's voice trailed off.

His father's voice was filled with frustration. "I'm trying to fix it. But if things don't turn around soon... we might lose everything."

Joon-hyuk felt a lump form in his throat. He had never seen his parents this worried before. The warmth of his home suddenly felt fragile, as if everything he had known was about to change.

Days passed, and the situation only worsened. His father's company declared bankruptcy, and with it, their financial stability crumbled. Their house, once filled with laughter and warmth, grew quieter. His father spent more time outside looking for work, while his mother tried to keep things as normal as possible for him.

Joon-hyuk didn't fully understand the complexities of bankruptcy, but he knew one thing—his family was in trouble. And deep inside, he vowed that no matter what happened, he would protect the people he loved, just as he had always promised.