38 Ji-woo’s Melancholy

"So-young, don't you think that Min-chul oppa might be uncomfortable? Or are you just focused on satisfying yourself?"

"Please, he doesn't mind. We have been doing this for quite a while now and I didn't see him feel uncomfortable. I'm a professional at this"

'Hmmm, I'm not sure, but I think that something is off with these two girls...'

As I try eating my lunch, So-young grabs onto my arm like a koala. It's a bit weird, sure, but this isn't the first time.

"Well...I guess I'd better join you to multiply the comfort level"

"!!!...f-fine"

What really threw me off was when Ji-woo joined in. She wasn't this active. Ever. However, she is now more forward compared to before.

'...it's too weird!'

This isn't even addressing the light and subtle insults being thrown back and forth. Ahh, how I wish I could be like Young-jae...

"Say ahhhh~"

"Ahhhh~"

While enviously watching Young-jae being fed grapes like some sort of Roman emperor, So-young sees this and tries mimicking Mi-cha, who was feeding Young-jae.

"What the hell...kids these days..."

As the janitor grumbles something, So-young is still holding some food right in front of my mouth. Ji-woo was staring into So-young's soul before I took a bite out of it.

By now, even I can tell what is happening. The girls are fighting.

I don't know over what, but it's most likely me. This is should be a bit fun to watch...

"Ah! Min-chul, would you like some more food?"

"Uhhh sure"

"Then, say ahhhh~"

While opening my mouth, So-young squeezes my sleeve harder and starts getting more and more food in her chopsticks.

'...what is happening? Am I just going to finish their lunches?!?!'

*BBBRRRRIINGGG*

Exceeding my expectations, they actually fed me their entire lunches. My stomach is more bloated than a water balloon and I can't even walk properly up I'm so full.

Meanwhile...

*GRRRRRRRAAHHH* *GRRUURURUGGGGG*

"Eeeek!..."

"N-n-nooooo!"

Both of the girl's stomachs were growling after lunch. It was bothering the class so much that the teacher allowed them to eat in class.

The slightly eventful day finished with me overeating, So-young and Ji-woo starving while Young-jae and Mi-cha were in their own little world.

Like a fool, I thought this was a passing phase. Maybe they had a slight fight that day without my knowledge. Maybe they just didn't like each other that day.

Oh how foolish of me to think that these two girls would let a grudge go.

They were back at it again, but this time, it was during swimming class. Every week, as a surprise, Coach Kwan would give us one full swimming day of fooling around.

We can bring water guns, tiny surfboards and other toys.

The point of this is to remind us that swimming isn't just a sport, it's a lifestyle...no, that was cringey. Let me think of a better line.

...

Okay. Swimming isn't just a sport, it's a game that happens to be competitive sometimes. Think of swimming as a popular game.

Most of the time, it's a sandbox that you can do whatever, but you can also be competitive to get trophies...at least that's what Coach K said.

Anyways, even though this is the swimming club, other people can join and Ji-woo chose to join.

"Ahahahaha! Min-chul Min-chul! Look at me!"

While floating on the water, she was yelling my name every few minutes and asking me to pay attention to her. So-young on the other was uhhh, "displeased".

"Kuh...Min-chul, let's play water guns!"

"Huh? Oh yeah, lemme join you guys"

"Tsk...fine then"

So-young hands me a water gun that is a pretty decent model and gives Ji-woo a teeny weeny pistol. You probably couldn't hurt a fly with that.

"Oh, I don't need to borrow! JIJI!!!"

"Yes ma'am"

Her butler, who we now know is named Jiji, hands her a gigantic water rifle. This baby looks as if they repurposed some sort of military equipment.

If I brought that to the airport, I would brace myself to be tackled. That thing is no joke!

It has a primer, a scope, a relatively large water capacity, is painted pink and has the words "Fight Fire With Water~" on the side written in white.

...I have never seen such a badass gun!

"Ahahaha! Taaaaakeeee...THIS!"

She primes up her shot and aims it directly at So-young's face. The pressure was much more that I expected.

Right before she fired, she pressed a button that compressed the air into the gun to push the water out at immense speeds.

Like actually getting hit with a bullet, So-young flies backwards, but remember, it's more like she got hit by a bullet in a fictional world as she stands back up, mostly unharmed.

She start walking closer to Ji-woo the shooter and step by step, little kick by kick, she slowly but surely gets nearer and nearer. Even those around us are watching.

"Ohoh~?!?! You are approaching meeee?"

"Heh...I can't beat you without getting closer"

So-young loads up her water gun fully and starts basting at Ji-woo's face and chest. Since they are standing in the shallower end, the water only reaches up to our solar plexus.

*PEWW PEW PEW PEW*

So-young dives out of the way, barely avoiding the death beam ray of water and epic shot by Ji-woo. It seems she is learning...

*BANG BANG BANG*

'....ahhh, how anticlimatic'

Despite their intense battle, Ji-woo and So-young both got tired and called it quits after only 5 minutes. I went over to them to comfort and make sure they can relax.

"A-a-a-ahhh, t-thank you Min-chul"

"Hah? He meant it for me"

Again. For some reason, they are getting overly protective of me. Even though it wasn't like this before, I wonder what caused this drastic change?

(Ji-woo POV)

After I finished the day up with Min-chul, my smile immediately fell off my face. It isn't because I was faking having fun with him, oh no no no no.

"Haaahhh...young mistress? Please don't avoid your mom this time around, okay?"

"....."

"...ok then"

Turning my head away from Jiji trying to lecture me, I look out the window and stare at the passing buildings. Do I really have to do this?

As I arrive home, I'm greeted by some maids before I sit down on the couch to watch some TV. Min-chul really liked reality shows, right? I guess I'll watch that...

"...uhhh, hey? Ji-woo ah?"

"..."

As mom walks in and tries to make small talk, I turn my head away from her. I've never disliked her more than now.

"Look, Ji-woo. You hav to try and understand mommy, okay? Mommy needs to work and with her work, you'll be able to become whatever you want"

"Then work here! Stay here! I-I-I'm not leaving! Humph!"

Before I know it, my eyes start watering up and my voice starts shaking and cracking. Mom sees this and lightly sighs before petting my head.

"Come on Ji-woo...a new place means that you will be able to make more friends, right?"

"M-m-make friends? B-but I want my first f-f-friend! My first friend!!!"

After I hear her say that I'll make new friends, I finally snapped. I yelled at my mom and stormed off to my room upstairs.

While in the elevator, I squat down and start lightly sobbing. I hear the little 'ding' and run in my room, locked the door and planted my face firmly in my bed.

"Ugugguug...hic hic hic...M-Min-chul~~~...I don't wanna leave. Why do I have to leave?"

My perfect white pillow gets stained in my tears, but I'm too busy to care. Even though I know that mom travels around the world most of the time, this time is different.

I've never had a friend before. Sure, before it was due to the language barriers, but even the Korean kids wouldn't befriend me.

I don't understand. I first tried giving them gifts and even though their mother liked it, mom told me to stop since they were "gold-diggurs".

My second "friend" was my friend until I caught her speaking badly of sister behind my back. Min-chul is the only true friend I've have up until this point.

And now, mom is trying to take him away from me.

Even after an hour, 2 hours and 3 hours, I'm still on my bed, bawling my eyes out, dirtying my pillow and ignoring the calls from the maids.

However, I hear a voice that I rarely hear. A voice that I treasure just as much as Min-chul.

"Hello dear, I'm home"

"Ahhh, honey...good evening"

I slightly open the door and see father standing there. Since he works for mother's company, he needs to travel even more than I do.

If I have to travel every few months, dad is only with us for 2 months at most. The rest are spent doing "markeet-ing" and "sa-les".

Father looks at mom with a curious gaze and looks up at my room immediately after. It seems that even he can sense something is up.

I know I shouldn't be angry at mom. I know I shouldn't...but I should. But I should be angry at her for trying to let Min-chul be fed to the cows.

He is no hay!

Dad walks up the stairs and quickly, I close the door while leaning on it to make sure it can't open. Even though I locked it, dad looks pretty strong so I can never be too careful.

"Uhhhh, Ji-woo? It's me...dad"

"I know it's you!"

"Oh then, mind opening the door?"

"No! I'm angry at mom!"

———

(A.N) the scene switches to 3rd person perspective

———

Hearing his daughter's argument, he almost lets out a laugh. Seriously, she is angry at mom, so she won't let dad in.

He wryly smiles until his wife, Bong-cha, appears beside him and pinches his sides.

"Honey..."

"Yeah yeah, I'll handle it"

Sending his wife off to do her usual wife things such as talking to his parents and being frustrated, he continues trying to comfort his daughter.

"Hey Ji-woo, I already sent mom away. Wanna tell me why you don't want to leave?"

"...I don't want to leave Min-chul..."

He hears the name and misunderstands what she is talking about. After all, his daughter? Being friends with someone of the opposite gender? He won't believe it.

"Ahhh, I know it might be tough seeing your class pet off, but I promise you, you will meet them again!"

"He...he isn't a pet! He is my friend!...and, I-I-I-I think I might like him.....well! Sister told me so...uhhh, yeah!"

"Kuh!....s-so, this Min-chul fellow...he's a human boy? Like, he isn't a female?"

"No! His body is more sturdy than mine and he is faster at running!"

Right about now, Ji-woo's father is about to dial in an air strike on wherever this rascal lives. Why does his daughter know how sturdy his body is?!?!

Little did he know, it's from their swimming session together. Father won't be smart when it concerns their daughter, though.

However, he understands that for someone to befriend his daughter, it's either for money or for connections. He doesn't trust her new friends anymore.

At least his first daughter is way too shrewd and a hermit to even consider having real life friends.

Now, it's time to put his skills as a salesman to the test!

"Can I ask you something? Do you find yourself annoying?"

"I-I-I think. Not many people hang out with me"

"Then, do you want to change that? For Min-chul so that you won't a burden?"

"!!!...how?"

Hearing his daughter's surprised noise, he knew that he got her. Hook, line and sinker.

Even if she does improve herself for this Min-chul fellow, she'll probably forget about him in a few years when she sees a faster or smarter kid.

"Why don't we follow mom to her work so that you can improve on your social skills? Maybe Min-chul will be proud of you!"

"Will he? Ummm, then...I'll do it!"

When his daughter opened her door, he hugged her tightly, not letting go. He knew that having friends as a child is very important, no matter their intentions.

"Then, in 14 days. In 14 days, we will follow mommy and improve your skills! For Min-chul!"

"For Min-chul!"

'Arrrghhh...I dont know if I should laugh or cry at the fact that my daughter wants to improve for a boy'

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(A.N) yo! Another chappy for you beautiful and handsome readers! Thank you so much for reading up to this point and I really appreciate those who regularly support my book!

Rememeber, to those who don't already, do support my novel by voting with powerstones, commenting, etc. just to give me some form of motivation! Thanks and peace ✌️! Love ya!