Chapter 41 - Unraveling Feelings

Jin Ae sat an arms-length beside Jeong Won, who was staring at the field in his quiet musings. The sky was slowly filling up with hues of orange and pink, the clouds growing thinner, from white cotton to transparent feathers.

"Hyo Jin fell asleep," she said, breaking the silence. She planted her arms on the soft ground, supporting her shoulders as she leaned forward.

She stretched her toes in the air, the paddy field, a settled meter below her.

"She always sleeps after lunch," Jeong Won replied.

"She slept in your room yesterday too. I almost had a cramp lying underneath the bed for a full hour!" Jin Ae complained.

Jeong Won glanced at her shortly and apologized, "Sorry. She's such a baby."

"And she misses you a lot, I guess."

"All of us.... her cousins," he tilted his neck to the right, but straightened it back abruptly and looked back at Jin Ae.

"-by the way, is it alright that you're staying here?... I mean, aren’t your family looking for you now?"