Soo Yon-Walking Home

'Ahjusshi!'

We saw Deen running towards us. I smiled and put out my arms to scoop him up but he ran into Cheng's arms. My smile froze.

'Easy kid,' Cheng said, lifting him off the ground. Deen planted a kiss on Cheng's cheek.

'Oh!' Cheng was surprised. 'What's with the sudden display of affection, kiddo?'

'Ahjusshi, thank you,' he said. 'For helping my mother.'

'I didn't do anything,' Cheng said, feigning innocence.

'You put the chewing gum under those shoes,' Deen said. 'I saw it when you were handing them to her.'

'Did I now?' Cheng wondered.

Deen hugged him tightly. 'Thank you ahjusshi.'

Cheng smiled and hugged him back. I looked at them, feeling pangs of jealousy in my stomach. It was wrong of me. Cheng was like my own brother, my best friend. We went through so much together. It was wrong to be jealous of his easy relationship with Mia and his closeness to Deen.

But I couldn't help it. I was envious of his easy going nature. Cheng never cared about consequences. His devil may care attitude only attracted people to him. I might be the leader of TNT. I have the charisma and ability to lead my team. Mia respected me.

But Cheng was the one the one she was free with. He wore his heart in a sleeve, giving it to everyone around him. He didn't care about scandals or societal norms. That is where the line was drawn. Mia respected me but I was not her friend. She didn't share the same rapport with me that she had with Cheng.

Deen let go and jumped down from Cheng's arms, turning his attention to me.

'Ahjusshi, thanks to you as well,' he said, holding my hand. 'For defending my mother there.'

I smiled and scooped him up. 'Our Deen was braver for standing up to that bad noona. You deserve more credit.'

He smiled and planted a peck on my cheek. I blushed.

'Don't spoil him.'

Mia walked up to us. 'He is becoming way too rude nowadays,' she scolded. 'Talking back to elders. Who told you to speak like that with Miss Rin?'

'She was insulting you!' Deen protested. 'What did you expect me to do? Hear all that?'

'Yes! I can handle her. You're a kid who shouldn't fall into these matters!'

'He might a kid, but he's not stupid,' Cheng reprimanded Mia. 'His mother was being insulted. Did you expect him to be quiet? Any guy would speak up.'

'Cheng ssh-'

'Oh stop it Mia,' he shut her down. 'Don't say anything to our new friend. Right hyung?'

'That's right,' I agreed. Mia was irritated at being outnumbered.

'Ugh,' she said. 'Anyways, we'll be off.'

'We can drop you home,' I offered.

'Yeah, come with us,' Cheng said.

'Uhhh...thanks Soo-Yon sir,' Mia said. 'But we have to stop by the landlady's house. She asked me to come over for dinner. We'll see you tomorrow. Tell them bye, Deen.'

'Bye Ahjusshis,' Deen waved. 'And thank you for a wonderful time.'

'Do come by often,' I said.

'Yeah, we'll go out next time,' Cheng said. 'Ahjusshi will take you to eat yummy food.'

'Promise?' Deen held out his pinky finger.

'Pinky promise,' Cheng said, holding the finger. Deen turned his pinky finger to me.

'Nice ahjusshi, promise?'

I smiled and held his pinky finger with mine.

'Promise,' I said.

'Bye,' Mia waved, smiling. With that, the mother and son walked off. I waved attheir retreating figures. For a moment, I imagined myself walking with them,carrying Deen in my arm and holding Mia's hand. All three of us, laughing and happily walking home