9 A Date with Hyunwoo

October 2nd, 2027 (Saturday)

Incheon Premium Outlets, Incehon, South Korea

"Can I have an Iced Americano? Hyunwoo-ah do you want anything?"

"I want a hot chocolate Mommy. . . ." Hyunwoo says.

"Can I also get a hot chocolate?" Sujin asks.

"Yes. Is that all for your order?" the cashier asks.

"Yes," Sujin nods.

"Can I have a name for your order?"

"Sujin."

"Your total is ₩8,500. Will you be paying with cash or dates?"

"Cash. You can keep the change." Sujin says as she hands the cashier a ₩10,000 bill.

"Thank you! Your order is ready at the other counter. I know this is rather strange to say, but your son is very cute. He looks exactly like you!" The cashier says.

"Thank you!" Sujin laughs.

Sujin squeezes Hyunwoo's hand. "Baby, we're going to walk around the outlet after we get our drinks. We need to buy you some new clothes; Ok?"

"Yes Mommy," Hyunwoo says, happy to get his mom to himself for the day.

Sujin smiles. ⌠My son is really the cutest.⌡

"An Iced Americano and a hot chocolate for Sujin?"

"Oh! That's our order Hyunwoo-ah. Let's go get your hot chocolate." Sujin says.

The mother son pair walk up to the counter to get their drinks. The enticing smell of fresh coffee and hot chocolate makes their mouths water.

"Here are your drinks." A barista says, handing the drinks to Sujin.

"Thank you!" Sujin says gratefully.

"Thank uu~~~~" Hyunwoo mumbles while trying to drink his hot chocolate.

Sujin ruffles Hyunwoo's hair. "Come on Hyunwoo-ah. Let's get you some new clothes."

She takes Hyunwoo's hand into hers and sets off for the nearest children's store. The two search through the clothes racks until they find a couple shirts that Hyunwoo likes. Hyunwoo tries on a couple other shirts as well as hoodies and pants, before they bring the pile of clothes to the register. Once at the register, Sujin sets the large amount of clothes onto the counter.

"All of these please." Sujin says politely.

"Yes," the cashier sighs as she begins to scan and put the clothes into bags.

After a long time, the cashier finally says, "Your total is ₩ 22, 5061.75 (~$200 USD)."

Sujin holds out her wrist and the cashier scans it.

"₩22, 5061.75 has been withdrawn from you bank account." The cashier says.

"Thank you." Sujin says while grabbing the bags.

After Sujin has gotten all four bags into one hand, puts her coffee into the water bottle pocket on her backpack, she takes Hyunwoo's hand and leads him out of the store.

"Let's go home now Hyunwoo-ah. Grandma made some really yummy food and she's waiting for you." Sujin says.

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When the mother son pair get home, they are meet with delicious smells wafting from the kitchen. The mother son pair hurriedly take off their shoes, throw their bags on the floor, and run to the kitchen.

"We're home," they say simultaneously. Looking around for food like hungry wolves.

Mrs. Jeong laughs. "The food is on the table."

The mother and son run to the table, to find that the enticing smells have come from the food on the table. They both reach for the food, but are stopped with a harsh slap.

PAKKK!!

"OUCH!" They exclaim. "What was that for?!?"

"You guys may not touch that food until the rest of the family comes down for dinner," Mrs. Jeong says sternly.

The two sigh inwardly . . . . . . . . . ⌠We only want food though. We are really hungry. WE WANT FOOD. FOOOOOOD!!!!⌡

Mrs. Jeong is still preparing food, and while she's cooking, she observes her daughter and her adopted grandson. They're similarities are so unnerving. Even their habits are the same! They even look strikingly alike!

⌠What if Hyunwoo isn't really an orphan? What if he's . . . .⌡Mrs. Jeong trails off.

She shakes her head. ⌠There's no way. . . . . .⌡

She better not think about it now. There's no use thinking about it. If he was really Sujin's son, Sujin would have told her.

⌠Yes,⌡Mrs. Jeong reassures herself. ⌠My daughter wouldn't hide something from her mother.⌡

Mrs. Jeong shakes her head and continues to prepare food, while the other two are pacing. Eagerly waiting for their food.

"UGHHH." Sujin screams. " I WANT FOOD. Right Hyunwoo-ah."

Hyunwoo's stomach grumbles. "I want food Mommy."

"Mom, let us eat. My son is hungry." Sujin pleads.

"Not until your siblings, niece, and dad come down for dinner." Mrs. Jeong says.

The mother son pair sigh...… ⌠Foood. You shall have to wait for us. FOOOD!!⌡

AN HOUR LATER. . . . . . . .

The mother and son are no longer pacing. They are now sprawled out on the floor. And rather hangry too. Their face are flushed from anger and their arms are crossed over their chests as well. And, the food is now cold. Not hot. But cold. COLDD!! COLD FOOD!

⌠I WANT FOOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!⌡The two scream internally.

And, when all hope of eating food is about to be lost, Sujin's Dad walks down the stairs. Upon hearing footsteps Sujin and Hyunwoo spring up. Maybe they will be able to eat now! But, when they only see the Chairman walk in, the two begin to sulk again.

⌠FOOOOOOD. . . . . . . I MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO EAT TONIGHT!!⌡Sujin screams in her head.

"Mommy," Hyunwoo says. "I'm very hungry Mommy. My stomach growls and growls. How do I make it stop Mommy? My stomach also hurts Mommy. . . . . How do you make your stomach stop hurting Mommy?"

Sujin sighs. "You need to eat Hyunwoo-ah. That's why your stomach is hurting and why it growls."

"But, Mommy, why can't we eat right now?" Hyunwoo asks.

"Because Grandma says we can't, " Sujin says, " Grandma says that we have to wait for everyone in order to eat."

"But, Mommy, I'm hungry." Hyunwoo whines.

"You'll just have to wait Hyunwoo-ah. Don't forget that Mommy is hungry too."

They both sigh. But, the next thing they see shocks them. The Chairman sits down at the table and begins to eat. HE BEGINS TO EAT FOOD!!

Sujin and Hyunwoo are really hangry now. Very HANGRY. They are fuming.

⌠Why can HE eat when we CAN'T???????⌡They ask themselves.

⌠WHYYYYYYYYYYY?????!??!!?⌡

"Yeah, just go ahead and eat Honey." Mrs.Jeong says.

⌠WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT??!?!??!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE CAN EAT BUT WE CAN'T!! WHAT ABOUT THE STARVING POOR PEASANTS!⌡Sujin thinks.

"Oh," Mrs. Jeong says. "You two are still standing over there? Go ahead and eat."

⌠OK! THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.⌡Sujin says to herself.

The mother and son rush to the table, scoop food onto their plates and scarf the food down. In a matter of minutes, the mother and son are scooping food onto their plates. And, begin to eat again. And again. And again. Until, their raging stomachs are satisfied. After the fifth plate packed with food, Sujin and Hyunwoo sit back in their chairs and pat their stomach.

⌠That was some good food.⌡They think.

But, something causes the two to be enraged again! Mrs. Jeong.

"HEY! DID I EVER TELL YOU THAT YOU COULD EAT?!?" Mrs.Jeong screams.

Sujin and Hyunwoo are speechless. ⌠This woman is really going there. HOW DARE SHE!??!?!?!⌡

But, while the rather peaceful, and loving family was enjoying their dinner, a storm was brewing. And a reporter, had just posted her story.