This afternoon was warmer than the previous days. Not sure what caused it, maybe because it snowed quite heavily yesterday, so there isn't much snow falling today.
Children flocked out of their homes. In the warm clothes that wrapped their bodies, they refreshed their minds in the yard. As if they didn't care that their movements were limited due to the clothes they were wearing, they were still excitedly running around and throwing snow at each other.
All these activities could not be separated from Hyunji's attention. The girl is now watching the children playing in the yard across the house in silence. There was no emotion showing on her face. She wasn't daydreaming. She just didn't know how to react when she saw the children looked happy.
Is that fun? Why do they look so happy? She had never done it in her life, so she really had no idea.
"Hyunji!"
Hyunji turned around in surprise. That exclamation dispelled all the questions in her head in an instant.
Behind her, Hyunjae was on his hips. Disappointment was evident on his face. "I called you before, but you didn't respond."
Hyunji raised one eyebrow. "You called me? When? I didn't hear anything."
"Ah, never mind." Massaging the bridge of his nose, Hyunjae seemed tired of her behavior. He turned around, decided to return to the kitchen and check the food he was cooking.
Realizing that, Hyunji looked excited. She smiled happily. "Did you cook something?"
Although no response was heard, her smile did not fade in the slightest. With quick steps, she followed Hyunjae who had arrived in the kitchen first and immediately sat on the chair while looking at Hyunjae's back who was still busy cooking.
The aroma of cooking really arouses Hyunji's taste buds. She had eaten earlier, but the hunger in her stomach always came every time she smelled Hyunjae's cooking, whenever it was. It was different if she was faced with someone else's cooking because her stomach would only react when she was very hungry.
Don't ask her why! She doesn't know the reason either.
"Didn't you eat this morning?" Hyunjae asked while arranging the dishes on the table.
Instead of answering, Hyunji just grabbed the bowl and filled it with rice, then took the side dish she wanted.
But Hyunjae didn't protest at all. He just smiled faintly watching Hyunji. "You haven't changed at all."
"Of course. What will change about me?" Hyunji asked back with a mouth full of kimchi.
Hyunjae shook his head. "Nothing. Eat more."
Hyunji just nodded hearing that.
After that, no more sound was heard. Hyunji was busy finishing her food, while Hyunjae was still busy watching her without saying anything.
At first, Hyunji was silent. But over time, she seems more and more uncomfortable being watched like that. Because less than five minutes later, she put his cutlery on the table, then looked confusedly at the person in front of her while still chewing her food. "Why do you keep looking at me?"
"Just a little reminiscent of our childhood."
Hyunji frowned at that.
Before she could ask further, Hyunjae had interrupted her with a new topic. "By the way, whose apartment did you stay at yesterday?"
Not expecting to be asked such a question, Hyunji was silent, not knowing what to answer. She reached for her cutlery back from the table with a casual motion, trying to cover up the sudden nervousness that hit her. "My college friend."
"Who?"
"Someone. You wouldn't know him."
Hyunji's unsatisfactory answer made Hyunjae suspicious. He looked at her questioningly, then asked, "Are you staying at your friend's apartment? What's his name again ... Chim ... who?"
Chim? Hyunji was confused. All her life, she did not remember having a friend named Chim.
"If I'm not mistaken his surname is Hwang. But I forgot his name."
Hyunjae's continued words finally made Hyunji realize. "Jimin you mean?"
"Ah, right! That's what I meant. Jimin Hwang, right?"
Hyunji chuckled, thinking their conversation just now sounded ridiculous. She then shook her head, answering Hyunjae's previous question. "No. I'm not staying at his apartment."
"Not him? Then, who? Do you have any other friends?"
She honestly wanted to ask herself the same question. Is Jimin the only friend she's ever had? However, because she didn't want to be found out that she was staying at Jungkyu's apartment, the answer that came out of her mouth was, "Hey, don't underestimate me, okay!"
Hyunji put on an annoyed face, then resumed her delayed meal. She desperately tried to cover up her nervousness so that Hyunjae wouldn't know.
Hyunjae nodding his head. "That's good then," he said.
Hyunji didn't know how many times she had stopped eating because of the words of this man in front of her. "Why is it good?"
Hyunjae looked at Hyunji with a look that was hard to define. "You're still friends with him, aren't you?"
"Of course. I have no reason to stop being friends with him."
Hyunjae's face was clearly visible. "He's not a good person. Trust me."
Hyunji let out a sarcastic laugh from her mouth. Again, she put her cutlery on the table, then glared at Hyunjae. She can't understand why Hyunjae said such things.
It is undeniable that Hyunjae is indeed her closest person, the older brother she respects and loves more than anyone in the world. But she was no longer a child who could be managed and would obey without much questioning. She is now an independent girl that can determine her own path in life.
Also, this isn't the first time Hyunjae has said something like that about Jimin. Therefore, Hyunji almost never mentions his name unless Hyunjae brings it up first. Moreover, Hyunjae never gave a clear reason why he always seemed to hold a grudge against her friend. That man would only give a hanging answer—which made Hyunji even more annoyed because the questions in her head were never answered.
"Hyunji," Hyunjae called. He returned Hyunji's sharp gaze without flinching. "Can't you stay away from him?"
"If you don't give me a clear reason, I'll never stay away from him."
"I'm not telling you this for no reason. I certainly have reasons, but I can't tell you."
"Why?" Hyunji's gaze grew more intimidating.
Hyunjae took a deep breath. He scratched the back of his head. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you the reason."
Hyunji's forehead furrowed faintly. "I've never distrusted you."
"Indeed. But my reasons might be hard for you to accept because I don't have any proof." Hyunjae leaned back. He looked up as he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. "Besides, are you sure you'll trust me more than you trust him?"
Hyunji blinked. She backed away slowly.
Her movements could not be separated from Hyunjae's observation. The man snorted softly. There was a feeling of disloyalty in his heart, but he preferred to remain silent and turned his face away.
Meanwhile, Hyunji was struggling with her own thoughts. She wondered to himself. If later she would be faced with such a situation, told to side with only one of her closest people, who would she choose?
Hyunjae is indeed her older brother—despite the fact that they are both adopted. Of course she would always side with her brother at any time. But when it comes to Jimin ... she can't make sure. The problem is, Jimin is also one of the people who are important in her life. Jimin was also her support when she was in her lowest phase and Hyunjae wasn't around.
The existence of the two of them was that important to her. It was impossible to side only with one of them.
Hyunji suddenly felt her appetite was gone. The smell of Hyunjae's cooking seemed to no longer be smelled in her nose. Not only did she lose her appetite, she also found it difficult to breathe because of the tightness in her chest.
She rose to her feet, walked out of the table without saying a word.
"Where are you going?"
Hyunjae's voice sounded clear, but Hyunji didn't stop her steps at all. Without looking at her opponent, she answered, "Go home."