Ming Soo went to his room, leaving his mother shouting angrily at his aunt. He pulled out his phone from his pocket, dialed a number, and waited. After a few rings, someone picked up.
"Hey," she answered.
"Hey... where are you?" Ming Soo asked, hearing noise in the background.
"Remember that audition I told you about?" Seo Yeon replied.
"Yeah... you're still there?"
She giggled. "Yeah, they delayed it, so I had to do it late."
"How did it go?" Ming Soo asked, blushing a little from just hearing her laugh.
"It was alright. If you hadn't helped me practice, I'm pretty sure it would've been a disaster," she said. "I'm heading to my room now to relax."
"When are you coming back? This little pookie missed you," he asked in a silly tone.
"I missed you too, pookie. I'll be back in maybe two days, okay?"
"Okay."
"Are you at home?" Seo Yeon asked, hearing raised voices.
"Yeah. What gave it away?" Ming Soo replied.
"Well, your family is unusual, so I guessed that shouting was your mom yelling at your aunt," she said with a chuckle.
"Wow, that obvious?"
"No, I'm just that good. What happened between them?"
"It's ridiculous… my aunt tried to cook, so you can guess."
"I'm sure it's not that bad," she said as she flopped onto her bed.
Ming Soo turned green at the memory. "You have no idea. It's like stuffing snake gall bladder into your mouth."
"She's trying her best. I'm no better than her," Seo Yeon chuckled.
"I'll let her cook for you when you're back. And hey, your cooking is great. I remember you once brought.. "
"Ugh! Don't say it, that was a mess!" she interrupted, her face reddening.
"What are you talking about? That was amazing. I'd die for it... and come back for seconds," he said with a smile.
"Really?" She squeezed her pillow.
"Yeah, I'm dead serious."
"Wait, I'll send you a gift!" she said and hung up.
"Okay," he replied, grinning as excitement filled his chest. He started humming.
A few minutes later, his phone beeped. A message from Seo Yeon. His heart started racing. What could it be? Maybe a photo…? His nose flared with anticipation. No… no way… Could it?
He opened the message.
A photo popped up, Seo Yeon in a cute, white, fluffy pajama set, flashing two peace signs and making a silly face.
Ming Soo froze. His soul felt like it left his body. Blood gushed from his nose, ears, and mouth as his heart raced wildly. He fell backward off the bed.
His phone rang. It was Seo Yeon.
Crawling back onto the bed, he answered.
"Hello?" he said, placing the phone to his ear.
"It's a video, dummy!" Seo Yeon chuckled.
"Oh... hehe," he smiled sheepishly.
"So what do you—AAAH!" she screamed at the sight of blood on his face.
"Wha—what is it?" Ming Soo looked around frantically.
"Your face! There's blood all over your face!" she cried, pointing in panic.
"Oh, hehe, I'm fine. Just a scratch," he said, scratching his temple.
"A scratch? You sure?"
"Yeah," he nodded.
"You think I'm stupid enough to believe that?!" she snapped.
"Hehe, but it's true."
"Ming Soo!" his mother called.
"Oh, would you look at that? I'm being summoned," he grinned.
"Pervert!" Seo Yeon shouted as he ended the call.
"Ming Soo!" his mom shouted again.
"I'm coming!" he replied, still bleeding from his nose. He peeked at Seo Yeon's photo and muttered, "Hehe... worth it."
He entered the living room to find his aunt pinned down, being slapped by his mom.
"Uh… you two need some space? I can come back later," he teased.
"You? Where do you think you're going?" his mom snapped, grabbing his hand and knocking him on the head. Her eyes were blazing.
An Hour Later
His mother was preparing a meal while his aunt cleaned the dishes.
"So, when's Seo Yeon coming back?" his mom asked.
"Two days from now," Ming Soo replied nervously.
"How did the audition go?"
"She said it was okay, but you know how messed up the industry is," he said, arranging plates.
"If she succeeds, she'll have a bright future. You won't even be on her level," his mom said. "I still remember her saying she wanted to be an actor or idol. I'm glad she's chasing her dream." She turned to him. "What about you?"
"Hmm?" Ming Soo responded vaguely.
"He's probably too busy drooling over my photos," his aunt teased.
"Who asked you, old hag?" he shot back.
"Who are you calling old?!" she snapped.
"An old hag looking for attention from a younger guy. Tragic."
"You two, shut up!" his mom barked.
They cursed under their breath, and silence followed.
After they began eating...
"Sis, do you think Ming Soo and that girl are compatible?" his aunt asked suddenly.
Ming Soo choked on his food.
"What do you mean?" his mother asked, ignoring his desperate coughing.
"I'm saying she's just too... you know. And this lump of meat isn't even close to her level," his aunt said, as Ming Soo continued choking. "How could a guy like him catch such a gem?"
"As stupid as you are, that's the first time you've made some sense," his mother replied.
A chunk of food flew from Ming Soo's mouth. "Mom!" he gasped.
"She's right. You're lucky to have such a beauty on your side, besides us," she said, looking away.
"Wasn't it just a month ago you were against this? What changed?" he asked suspiciously.
"Times change. Oh, look at the time. Off to bed!" she said abruptly.
"What? Why? I'm still eating!"
"You want me to beat you again?"
His aunt burst into laughter. "I'm sorry!"
"Hmph," Ming Soo pouted and walked away.
He left, and silence fell in the room again.
"Why are you here?" his mom asked.
"Can't I see my Ming Soo?" his aunt pouted.
His mom stared deep into her sister's soul.
"Okay, okay… It's about him."