After breakfast, Joon-hyuk quickly got ready to meet his friends. He put on his favorite blue t-shirt and shorts, then grabbed a pair of slightly worn-out but still comfortable shoes. Before leaving, he glanced at his mother, who was washing dishes in the kitchen.
"I'm going now, Mom!" he called out.
Han Soo-jin turned and smiled gently. "Be careful on the way. Don't go too far."
"Okay, Mom!" Joon-hyuk replied before running out of the house.
Outside, the morning air in Seoul felt cool. The clear blue sky without clouds indicated a perfect day to play outside. Joon-hyuk walked quickly to the nearby park, where he had arranged to meet his friends. Upon arriving, he saw Mi-jin already sitting on a swing, swinging her legs. Yohan and Zin stood not far from her, engaged in conversation.
"Joon-hyuk!" Mi-jin called out as soon as she saw him. "You're late!"
Joon-hyuk chuckled and scratched his head. "I had breakfast first. Mom made seaweed soup today."
"Wow, lucky you!" Yohan said enviously. "I only had toast."
"Me too," Zin added with a grin. "You're so lucky, Joon-hyuk. Your mom's cooking is always delicious."
Joon-hyuk smiled proudly. He knew well that his mother was an excellent cook. They started playing in the park. First, they played hide and seek. Joon-hyuk was the first to count while his friends hid. He closed his eyes and began counting.
"One... two... three... ten! Ready or not, here I come!"
He opened his eyes and immediately started looking for them. Mi-jin hid behind a large tree, but her feet were clearly visible. Joon-hyuk pretended to search elsewhere first to give her more time. Zin and Yohan were better at choosing hiding spots, but Joon-hyuk had played with them long enough to know their tricks.
After several rounds, they sat on a park bench to rest. Sweat dripped from their foreheads, but their faces were filled with laughter and smiles. Suddenly, Mi-jin's stomach growled loudly.
"Hahaha! Hungry, Mi-jin?" Zin teased.
Mi-jin pouted. "Yes! I need food."
Joon-hyuk suddenly remembered something. "Oh yeah! Mom said she'd make tteokbokki if we came home before evening. Want to come to my house later?"
His friends' eyes lit up instantly. "Seriously?" Yohan asked excitedly.
"Yeah! My mom's cooking is the best," Joon-hyuk said proudly.
Without hesitation, they all agreed. They continued playing for a little while longer before heading to Joon-hyuk's house. As they arrived, the spicy-sweet aroma of tteokbokki greeted them from the kitchen.
"Wow, this must be so good!" Zin exclaimed, inhaling the delicious scent.
Han Soo-jin smiled as she saw the children enter the kitchen. "You all arrived just in time. Sit down, I'll serve it."
They all eagerly sat at the dining table. When Han Soo-jin placed the tteokbokki in front of them, they immediately devoured the dish.
"This is the best!" Mi-jin said while chewing.
Kang Dae-hyun entered the kitchen and laughed as he saw them. "Eat slowly, or you'll choke."
"But it's so good, Uncle!" Yohan said.
Kang Dae-hyun sat in his chair and ruffled Joon-hyuk's hair proudly. "Joon-hyuk, you're lucky to have a mother like this. Take good care of her."
Joon-hyuk grinned widely. He loved his family dearly. That day became one of the happiest days of his life.
However, that happiness would not last forever. Joon-hyuk had no idea that soon, his life would change forever.