men and boys around me

Hyo Joo walks quickly towards a restaurant where her brother is drooping from drunkenness. when she entered her brother waved with the last of his strength.

Hyo Joo walks over to Alex's desk.

"why are you all drunk like this?" Hyo Joo asked

"I'm not drunk, I'm completely sober," said Dae

"Why sunbae don't against these men," Hyo Joo said while pinching her brother's arm

Dae just laughed and sighed.

Soon, the sound of half-running footsteps could be heard approaching their table.

"hyung (call for older brother), why are you always drunk when I'm here? are you did on purpose?" Dongyun grumbled, not realizing Hyo Joo was there

Dae could only be patient watching the two younger siblings of his best friend having trouble taking care of their siblings.

Jun and Alex then suddenly coughed

"don't puke in here!" Dongyun and Hyo Joo shouted at the same time

they look at each other and notice that Jun threw up on Dongyun's trouser leg and Alex threw up on Hyo Joo's shoes and jacket.

"NO" Dongyun and Hyo Joo shouted in their hearts

----

Hyo Joo and Dongyun bowed to Dae

"Thank you for taking care of our brother," said Dongyun and Hyo Joo

In the end, Dae had to take care of his two drunken friends to their home. His two best friends leaned their heads on each of his shoulders.

"what should I do with you guys?" Dae took a deep breath.

---

Dongyun and Hyo Joo decided to "throw away" their sibling and went for shopping to change their vomit-stained clothes.

after changing into clean clothes, Dongyun and Hyo Joo walked the city streets, which were getting cold.

"When are you coming back?" Hyo Joo asked

"Yesterday, in afternoon," Dongyun said

"It's so cold here. How about I treat you to ramen? If I'm not mistaken, we used to eat ramen around here, right?" Dongyun said while slightly tiptoeing around

"That's true, I just forgot a little bit" Hyo Joo also tiptoed

then Dongyun was slightly unbalanced and stumbled, Hyo Joo caught Dongyun in her arms.

Hyo Joo immediately let go of her hug as soon as Dongyun's body regained balance.

Hyo Joo hides her slightly embarrassed face and turns away, but Dongyun quickly pulls Hyo Joo's body in his arms.

"I missed you," Dongyun said with his unique heavy voice

for a moment Hyo Joo was swept away in Dongyun's gentle embrace. Dongyun's body which used to be smaller than her, was now big, and even she was drowning in Dongyun's body. whether it's because of the indecision in her heart after breaking up with Hyun Jae, the cold night, or she really misses Dongyun, Hyo Joo can't think straight anymore.

They hugged for a while until Dongyun let go and looked Hyo Joo in the eye.

"For now, I'll stop here. I don't want to get hurt anymore. Just getting here is fun enough. Let's go home" said Dongyun

although a little bitter, but precisely words like that are the best for the current condition.

when she got home, Hyo Joo saw Alex had fallen asleep in his room soundly. Hyo Joo closes Alex's bedroom door carefully.

Hyo Joo sits leaning on the cot of her bed. She brought her knees up to her shoulders and placed her chin on them. She was completely confused. She had broken up with Hyun Jae, but she still felt sad about the breakup, on the other hand, there was Hyun Min who was with her and openly wanted to be with her, but Dongyun's hug actually had a very big impact that made her realize, maybe the comfort she had what Hyun Min and Dongyun feel is an escape from her heart's desire that still wants to be with Hyun Jae.

Hyo Joo smacked her head lightly. She felt annoyed at her shameful act. She cannot allow herself to sink into a relationship like this.

Hyo Joo then takes a decision that may be a little hasty. She will go alone on vacation abroad at the end of this semester.

----

the next day Hyo Joo prepares to go to college. Hyo Joo knocks on Alex's door.

there is no answer whatsoever from inside, Hyo Joo then opens the door slowly and carefully. She saw her brother still sleeping soundly.

Hyo Joo then closes the door and leaves. She went down the stairs and saw her father and stepmother having breakfast as she crossed the dining room.

"Are you going to college?" her father asked while continuing to read the newspaper

"yes" she replied

Her father then put down the newspaper

"take breakfast first" said her father

her stepmother showed an indistinct expression as she continued to drink her coffee.

Hyo Joo sits awkwardly. She had lived in this house since high school and moved out when she started college. still, eating with her father was uncomfortable.

"Are you close to the son of the Hwang family?" Her father asked directly

"He's my senior and we have a class together" Hyo Joo replied

"In the end, you met him. how close is your relationship with him?" her father asked again

"We're just friends," said Hyo Joo

"Do friends flirt with each other like that nowadays?" Hyo Joo's stepmother asked

"Thanks for the food," said Hyo Joo who then stood up and walked away

after Hyo Joo left

her father look at Hyo Joo's plate, still full, her daughter didn't eat after all.

"Does your mouth feel itchy if you don't speak harshly to my daughter?" Hyo Joo's father asks Hyo Joo's stepmother

"I just don't understand, I had a hard time planning that meeting with the Hwang family at that time. You think it's easy to relate to the Hwang family. But that girl didn't come and embarrass me," said Hyo Joo's stepmother

Hyo Joo's father sighed

"but the Hwang family's son also didn't come that day," Alex said as he walked down the stairs

"Morning Father" Alex greeted his father. He then sat down and drank a glass of water.

"Mom, don't get too involved in Hyo Joo's business," said Alex

"But the Hwang family is not a random family, I didn't choose a bad one for her," said Hyo Joo's stepmother, who is Alex's mother

"Stop this chat. however, both parties are not coming. so just forget about the past incident. and Alex, think carefully about your military enlistment plan carefully" Hyo Joo's father then walked away.

Alex's mother looked with sharp eyes at Alex.

"Never mind I don't want to argue with mom. My head is still dizzy and I want to sleep again" Alex left his mother alone at the dinner table.

Alex's mother looks annoyed with her son's words, who actually defend his half-sister more than his mother.

Actually, Alex's mother's intentions weren't entirely bad, she just wanted Hyo Joo to get married quickly and leave this family. She wanted to make sure Alex became the sole heir to the Lee family. but She is also very careful in choosing and she knows that the Hwang family has a good influence and she can place two baits at once. but all of that failed when the Hwang family's son did not come as well as Hyo Joo, her stepdaughter.

---

Hyo Joo is walking towards the nearest bus stop when her father's car passes by. The driver honked and opened the back window where her father sat.

"get in" her father ordered

Hyo Joo then gets into the car.

"her words may not be sweet, but the intentions are not completely bad either. I don't have a problem with whomever you are in a relationship with. I just hope that there are no problems that arise from a childish relationship for our family" Hyo Joo's father said in a cold tone

Hyo Joo is silent, she understands exactly what her father means.

"study diligently. and this" His father handed him a ticket

"Father has taken care of it, finish your exams and go on vacation in peace"

Hyo Joo's smile slightly appeared because she was very happy. inside Hyo Joo's father is very happy to see his daughter's smile, but he can't show any expression to his daughter properly.

---

Hyo Joo walks happily while looking at the tickets her father gave her.

"You want to go on vacation?"

Hyun Jae's voice startles her

and made her body slightly pull over to the tree.

Hyun Jae walks over, and Hyo Joo automatically closes her eyes.

Hyun Jae laughs sweetly.

"Haha, why do you close your eyes? can't people who have broken up greet each other?" he asked

Hyo Joo then opens her eyes and looks at Hyun Jae who smiles brightly

"You were never careful around me. I think this is what I fear the most when we break up " Hyun Jae stretches his hand up

"Bye," Hyun Jae waved away leaving Hyo Joo who was still shocked.

Hyun Jae then jogged, in his heart he said

"You did well Hyun Jae. You can do it"

Hyo Joo then smiled a little and felt a little relieved to see Hyun Jae's attitude.

"wow, what is this?" Hyun Min takes Hyo Joo's ticket

"Hey, please give it back to me," said Hyo Joo

"You're going on vacation to a place that far away," said Hyun Min

"do you need an interpreter?" Hyun Min asked

"I can speak English and Japanese well," said Hyun Min

"I'll go alone," said Hyo Joo while taking the ticket from Hyun Min's hand

"Okay, but be careful" Hyun Min rubbed Hyo Joo's head and walked away

"wow, what is this?" Hyo Joo felt goosebumps

"Why are they both behaving like that?" Hyo Joo talking to herself while looking around.

She then ran quickly towards her class. She doesn't want to see someone with whom she has a romantic relationship again.

---

Hyo Joo records a few things in her little journal when Nana arrives.

"hey, what are you doing?" Nana put her bag on the table

"oh, I'm making travel plans" Hyo Joo showed it to Nana

"Where are you going?" she asked

"I will go on vacation to London after the semester exams, and if there is a possibility I will also go to Japan from there" Hyo Joo's eyes sparkle

"Wow, looks like your vacation will be very exciting" said Nana

"Who are you going with?" she asked

"I will go alone. I have worked very hard and went through many things. I will cheer myself up now" said Hyo Joo with a burning passion

"Then I won't meet you on holiday" Nana said

"Doesn't matter? I see your relationship with Bom is heating up." Hyo Joo teased Nana with her cute eyes

"Ah, is that clear" Nana said while rubbing her face

"Come closer" said Nana

Hyo Joo then approached and Nana whispered something in Hyo Joo's ear. what Nana whispered made Hyo Joo's face blush and she spontaneously stood up.

"Hey hey" Nana pulled Hyo Joo to sit back down

"I didn't expect your reaction to be like this" Nana said

"Are you guys crazy?" Hyo Joo asked

"what? What's crazy? Is it weird to have sex while dating?" Hyo Joo asked

"That's not what I meant" Hyo Jo pinched Nana to lower the volume of her voice

"Is it normal for you guys to do that every day?" Hyo Joo asked

"I can't help it. It feels amazing" Nana laughed out loud

"Ah, of course, a virgin like you wouldn't understand" Nana whispered

"Why did you..?" Hyo Joo is surprised

judging from her dating style, who was always intimate with Hyun Jae, people wouldn't think they'd never had sex at all.

"You think your friend is stupid? But I respect all your principles. So don't worry," said Nana

throughout the lesson Hyo Joo can only wonder if something like that is really fun and amazing, having sex with our lover.

When class ended Hyo Joo's cell phone rang.

"Who?" Nana pokes her head through Hyo Joo's neck

"Dongyun?" Nana reads the caller's name on Hyo Joo's cellphone screen

"Is it Dongyun?" Nana asked again, but this time without Hyo Joo's permission, Nana pressed the answer button

"Nuna (sister) I'm Dongyun"

Nana gave the code for Hyo Joo to answer

"oh yes, what's wrong?"

"Are you in college?" asked Dongyun

"Oh, yes, I just finished my class" replied Hyo Joo

"Then let's meet at Cafe XXX, I happened to be invited by a friend to this cafe, and the food is delicious. I remember you. At the same time, it's also not far from where you study. Come here, I'll treat you" said Dongyun

Nana gave the code for Hyo Joo to accept Dongyun's invitation.

"Okay, can I bring someone?" Hyo Joo looks at Nana

"Oh sure" Dongyun said

"I'll be waiting" Dongyun hung up the phone.

"I will not accompany you" Nana immediately refused

"But.." Hyo Joo pleaded

"Go alone" said Nana

"That's Hyun Min's friend's cafe." Hyo Joo was a little worried

"Come on, just enjoy it, it's okay to go crazy every once in a while. After that, leave everything and go on vacation in peace," said Nana

"I'm going on a date" Nana said again

Hyo Joo walks carefully. he looked around and when she felt safe she dashed out of the college area.

Hyo Joo is standing in front of the cafe owned by Baek Ho, a friend of Hyun Min. She hesitated to go in, but Dongyun saw her and ushered her out. Dongyun took Hyo Joo's hand and told her to sit beside him.

"Meet my friend Chris. He's coming here for vacation with me." Dongyun introduced Hyo Joo to his roommate at the place where he studied abroad.

"hello I'm Hyo Joo" Hyo Joo introduced herself

"Wow, her English is good too" said Chris

"Thank you" Hyo Joo said

"Order something, My treat" said Dongyun

Hyo Joo walks to the counter

She looked left and right, making sure Hyun Min wasn't there

"This customer looks like she's going to make a fuss huh" Hyun Min appeared from behind the counter

Hyo Joo is surprised

"Seeing you surprised I feel a little happy" Hyun Min supports his chin

Hyo Joo was silent

"Because your attitude now is like a girl who is afraid of being caught with another man by her boyfriend"

Hyun Min's words were completely out of his mind, but somehow it felt true.

"So what do you want to order?" Hyun Min put both hands on the counter

"I want to order grape-ade and chocolate Madeline"

"one grape-ade and a chocolate Madeline. ok. give me your card" Hyun Min was busy with the cash register

Hyo Joo held out her card

"It seems seniors are getting more proficient," said Hyo Joo

"Thanks to someone special," said Hyun Min smiling and returning the card to Hyo Joo

"Wait a minute, I will deliver to your table," said Hyun Min

Hyo Joo sat back down at the table and chatted with Dongyun and Chris

"Here's the order, 1 grape-ade and 1 chocolate Madeline, and a chocolate cookie, a present from me for this sweet girl," Hyun Min said in English

"Wow, are the people here fluent in English? And they even give free cookies" Chris was amazed

Dongyun then whispered to Hyo Joo

"Do you know him?"

Hyo Joo nodded

"Enjoy the food" Hyun Min walked away

Dongyun looked at Hyo Joo with a sad but sharp gaze.

they continued chatting while drinking and eating. sometimes they laugh. -Hyun Min only watches from afar and continues to serve customers.

the night before

Baek Ho is calculating the total income of his cafe that day. while Hyun Min sat at one of the cafe tables and kept looking out the window blankly. Baek Ho then saves money and immediately sits near Hyun Min.

"What are you thinking?" asked Baekho

"I just wish time could turn back to the past. Why did I just miss it?" HyunMin said

"Sometimes we don't realize what we've been through, and meeting again now isn't it a good opportunity?" asked Baekho

"Before getting to know Hyo Joo further, I wondered why a Hwang Hyun Min who has high standards could like an ordinary girl like Hyo Joo," said Baek Ho

"However, after I got to know her a little I knew that she had very interesting things and even though she wasn't very pretty she had her own charm that made me think that she was really your type," said Baek Ho

"She broke up with her boyfriend, so what else?" asked Baek Ho

"I don't want to pressure her and don't want to just be an escape for her love. I want her to like me because of me," said Hyun Min

"But I'm also afraid to wait too long, she could be with someone else," said Hyun Min

"Then why don't you just act normal like you are. Don't be too aggressive and approach him in a natural way. Meet according to your daily flow, no coercion and no pretense. If you do happen to meet then just enjoy it. Spend time like it's with better quality. let him be attracted to you slowly" Baek Ho advised Hyun Min

"And if you can't wait then your heart doesn't really want it. And even if it doesn't end with him, that's not the end either, right?" Baek Ho said

now

Hyun Min smiled a little and continued serving customers while remembering Baek Ho's words. he felt the burden on his heart lessen a little and made him more relaxed thinking about his desire to be with Hyo Joo.