The Dimensional Rift
"Welcome, Seong-min~!"
Ju A-ram greeted him with a bright smile as he stepped out of the car.
"Have you been well?"
"Same as always for me..."
Her gaze drifted past him and landed on Yoo Ji-ah.
"Ji-ah's gotten even prettier since last time, hasn't she?"
"Maybe because Seong-min helped me find some stability..."
"You little minx... not even denying it this time?"
"Hehe..."
"Anyway, welcome to both of you~! The director's waiting, so let's head inside."
"Just a moment."
Seong-min opened the trunk and lifted out a package wrapped in gold cloth.
"What's with the gold wrapping?"
"It's her birthday. I couldn't just show up empty-handed."
"A gift, then?"
"That's right~"
Yoo Ji-ah pulled a shopping bag from the back seat.
"You prepared something too, Ji-ah?"
"I couldn't come empty-handed either."
"Honestly... you two are so thoughtful..."
They followed Ju A-ram into the orphanage, past the front gate, down the hallway, and toward the director's office.
"Wait here a second."
She knocked, slipped inside, and reappeared a moment later with the door open again.
"Alright, both of you come in."
They stepped after her. Director Kim Geum-rye rose from her seat to welcome them.
"Welcome, both of you~!"
"Director, have you been well?"
"I've been keeping busy as always... And you, Seong-min?"
"As you can see, I've been doing fine."
"I'm glad to hear that..."
Her smiling eyes shifted to the side.
"You came too, Miss Ji-ah..."
"It's been a while, Director..."
"Come now, both of you have a seat. Teacher Ju A-ram, could I trouble you for some coffee?"
"I was just about to go prepare some anyway."
"Thank you..."
Ju A-ram stepped out for a moment. Kim Geum-rye gestured them toward the sofa and settled herself.
"What have you brought all this for?"
She asked as Seong-min and Ji-ah set down the gold-wrapped package and the shopping bag.
"Today's your birthday. These are gifts for the celebration later."
"You two already have living expenses to worry about... I feel bad for no reason..."
"You don't need to feel bad..."
"Did you prepare something too, Miss Ji-ah?"
"Yes... A birthday isn't complete without gifts..."
"Seong-min too... and you, Miss Ji-ah, I'm so grateful and so sorry..."
They traded news and caught up on how each had been. A knock sounded; the door opened and Ju A-ram entered with a tray, setting a cup before each of them in turn before taking her own seat.
"Do you two know?"
Seong-min and Ji-ah looked at her.
"That the director was looking forward to your visit more than anyone~"
"Teacher Ju A-ram... saying something so embarrassing makes me blush..."
"It's fine~ The kids would be happy to know the director was looking forward to it most... Right?"
"If that's true, it does make me happy."
"That's right."
"Of course it's true~ The director even asked yesterday if you were coming..."
"Hahaha... Really?"
"I can't exactly lie and say no... As Teacher Ju A-ram said... hearing you were coming made me... happy."
"We almost got in big trouble if we hadn't come~! Right, Ji-ah?"
"Yeah..."
"Well then, I'll go help the kids with preparations."
"I didn't see the kids outside. Were they preparing for the birthday party?"
"Yep~! Then I stepped out midway when I got your call."
"So that's why the kids weren't around..."
"I told them it was fine, but..."
"The kids volunteered first, so I couldn't stop them~ They're having so much fun preparing right now~~"
"Then instead of sitting around, we should pitch in to make it a grand birthday party~!"
"Pitch in how?"
"By calling the chicken place and ordering a more lavish setup~!"
"Then I'll order the pizza?"
Ju A-ram and Kim Geum-rye's gazes swung to Yoo Ji-ah at once.
"Miss Ji-ah... you don't have to go that far..."
"That's right, Ji-ah... Seong-min too..."
"No. Since we're doing this, I want it to be a party everyone can enjoy even more. Right, Seong-min?"
"Of course~!"
"You heard that?"
"Really... you two are impossible..."
"Hehehe..."
"Haha..."
Watching Seong-min and Yoo Ji-ah smile so brightly, Kim Geum-rye felt a lump rise in her chest.
Seong-min was one thing, but learning about Ji-ah's circumstances had truly pained her heart. Ju A-ram had tried to the end to keep the secret at Ji-ah's request, yet Kim Geum-rye had kept asking until the truth came out. So last autumn, when Seong-min and Yoo Ji-ah visited together, the director had cooked a warm meal for Ji-ah the way a mother would, and had given her a winter coat she had bought ahead of time, along with a letter meant to lend her strength. Receiving that unexpected gift, Ji-ah had teared up from the gratitude and the warmth. For the director's birthday, neither Seong-min nor Ji-ah could treat the day lightly.
They called the chicken shop and the pizza place and ordered enough for everyone. While Ju A-ram headed back to the large dining hall where the birthday preparations were underway, Kim Geum-rye looked at the two of them and smiled contentedly.
"Seong-min, and you too, Miss Ji-ah—don't feel burdened. Whenever you have worries or just need a break, come visit... like a hometown rest stop where you can catch your breath for a while..."
"Yes, Director..."
For Seong-min, and for Yoo Ji-ah as well, this place was home. Memories with her father, and the years she had lived here until the winter of her third year in elementary school before leaving for America. That was why it remained a hometown holding precious childhood memories.
Riding in Jae-jun's car, the group arrived in Sokcho, toured the nearby sights, and ordered grilled clams and fresh sashimi.
"Ugh..."
Areum's brow furrowed as she flailed; Hye-suk quickly handed her a cup of water.
"You have to be careful with the wasabi..."
"I know, unnie... If you dip that much it shoots straight up your nose."
Watching Areum nod with tears pricking her eyes, everyone burst out laughing.
"Where are you going?"
Mi-ju looked up in mild confusion as Min-hyeok rose from his seat.
"Important business."
"The bathroom?"
"Ahem! Some things are not to be spoken of so freely...!"
He strode off toward the restroom with great dignity.
"Honestly..."
Mi-ju shook her head.
"So you met Min-hyeok last year?"
Hye-suk continued the conversation; Mi-ju nodded.
"Yes. Our first meeting was a little rough, but somehow we ended up friends."
"Mi-ju... is a year... younger... than Min-hyeok..."
"Oh my, so Mi-ju is turning twenty-two now?"
"Yes... And being a year younger doesn't mean you can't be friends... Unnie, Min-hyeok keeps telling me to call him oppa, but..."
"Hoho... He doesn't feel like an oppa to you?"
"More like a friend than an oppa..."
"...Strange..."
"What is?"
"...Mi-ju... calls me... unnie..."
"Well of course~ Even I have some sense of shame. No matter what, Areum-unnie is my unnie too."
"...I'm... Mi-ju's... unnie?"
"Yep. Areum-unnie is my unnie too... and a cute one at that...!"
"...I'm... not cute..."
"In my eyes you're an incredibly cute unnie."
Watching Mi-ju laugh as if she found the whole thing delightful and Areum grow shy, Hye-suk wore a gentle smile. In her eyes both Areum and Mi-ju were adorable.
"So you came because Mi-ju wanted to tag along?"
"It sounded fun when I heard about it. When I said I wanted to come too, Min-hyeok said no."
"Then how did you succeed?"
"I asked Areum-unnie~! She's on my side. Right, unnie?"
"...If Mi-ju... comes too... it's good... Mi-ju... likes Min-hyeok..."
"Uh... Unnie... I only think of Min-hyeok as a friend, okay?"
"Hohoho..."
"Ajumma, it's true... I don't like Min-hyeok...!"
"And yet you're flustered like that?"
"......"
Mi-ju's cheeks flushed red; Hye-suk laughed softly.
"What, what~ Mi-ju, you weren't talking behind my back again, were you?"
Min-hyeok returned from his important business and dropped back into his seat.
"What are you talking about? I wasn't talking behind anyone's back."
"I'd have to be able to believe you first."
"You think I'm like you, Min-hyeok?"
"Ahem! Are you going to keep calling me Min-hyeok? I told you to say oppa..."
"You have to show some oppa-like maturity before I'll call you that... Right, unnie?"
"...Yeah... Min-hyeok... has to show... a mature side..."
"See? Unnie says so too."
"Wow... Whose side are you even on, noona?"
"Hohoho!"
It was a shame Seong-min and Ji-ah could not join them. Still, Areum, Min-hyeok, and Mi-ju filled the empty seats so well that no one felt the absence.
"It would've been nice if hyung and Ji-ah-nuna came too. It's a real pity they can't eat all this delicious food."
"Oppa and Ji-ah-unnie are probably eating something just as good over there. It's a birthday party, after all."
"True?"
"Still, let's take lots of good pictures. Then Ji-ah-unnie and Seong-min-oppa won't feel left out."
"Oh, that works~"
"You didn't even think of that? Honestly..."
"Hey, a guy can miss something. Why the head-shaking?"
"Unnie, when you go on a trip, taking memory photos is only natural, right?"
"...Yeah... Taking pictures... makes memories... and becomes a keepsake... so it's good..."
"See? Unnie says so too. Min-hyeok's just short on ideas. Right, unnie?"
"...Yeah... short on ideas..."
"Are you two seriously ganging up on me?!"
"Hoho..."
Hye-suk watched the three of them bicker as if she were enjoying a sitcom.
After a delicious lunch the four of them left the restaurant and set off on foot. Wanting to walk off the meal, they headed for Sokcho Beach and claimed a bench with a view of the sea.
"Must be the spring weather—there are quite a few people out."
The shoreline was dotted with visitors.
"Let's take a picture here."
"Oh, shall we?"
"Unnie's okay with it?"
"...Yeah..."
"How about you, ajumma?"
"Sitting on the bench with the ocean behind us would be nice."
"Min-hyeok, you're up~"
"What? You want me to take it?"
"Someone has to press the button~"
She linked arms with Hye-suk, who sat in the middle.
"Unnie, link arms like me~"
At that, Areum naturally slipped her arm through Hye-suk's other side.
"No choice... this body will have to make the sacrifice..."
Min-hyeok raised his phone and snapped a shot of the three of them sitting side by side.
"Did it turn out well?"
"I took a great one."
"You sure?"
"I said I'm sure."
"Okay~"
Mi-ju stood, approached a passing couple, spoke to them, and walked back with them.
"Just take it with this phone, please..."
Only then did Min-hyeok understand the couple's expectant looks; he handed over his phone. This time he sat with them so all four appeared in the frame.
"Um... could we also get one with the ocean in the background?"
Mi-ju asked again with an apologetic expression; the couple readily agreed. They lined up once more with the beach behind them. Min-hyeok planted one hand on his hip, grinned like a mischievous kid, and threw up a peace sign.
"Thank you so much~!"
They checked the photos on the phone.
"A peace sign? What are you, a little kid?"
"Why? It looks fine~"
"Honestly... you don't feel like an oppa at all..."
They bickered, yet the pictures had come out well and everyone was satisfied.
"I'll upload these to the group chat."
Min-hyeok sent the photos to the group chat that included Seong-min and Ji-ah.
"This way they'll know how much fun we're having."
"Mi-ju, that's a great idea. Kids raised on SNS really are different~"
"Everyone does it~ It's not just me. Min-hyeok's the one who never does."
"I'm not the only one—noona doesn't either."
"Areum-unnie is the exception. Right, unnie?"
"...Yeah..."
"What the..."
"Hohoho..."
Once the commemorative photos were uploaded, Min-hyeok slipped his phone into his pocket.
"I'll be right back."
"Be right back where?"
"Where else? We just had a great lunch—time for coffee."
"A café?"
"Yep."
"Nice sense."
"This much is basic, right? Iced americano?"
"Yeah."
"Noona, chocolate shake okay?"
"...Yeah... I like chocolate..."
"And you, ajumma?"
"I'll have an americano too."
"Order received~! Be right back~!"
They watched Min-hyeok head for the café, then settled back onto the bench to wait.
"I have a feeling... Min-hyeok doesn't know."
"Huh?"
"That you like him, Mi-ju."
"...Min-hyeok... doesn't know..."
It was Areum, not Mi-ju, who answered.
"That's how it looked..."
"He probably won't know until I tell him myself."
"So you do like him?"
Back at the clam house Mi-ju had denied it.
"...Yes, I do..."
This time she offered no excuse.
"Min-hyeok's pretty dense, isn't he...?"
"...Min-hyeok... is dense..."
"I figure there's nothing I can do about it... I just ended up liking him on my own."
"I'll root for that feeling."
"Huh?"
"So it comes true..."
"Ah... yes..."
Mi-ju's cheeks flushed deep red. Hye-suk smiled at the sight.
Jiiiing...
That was when it happened.
From one side, a strange current of sound suddenly rang out.
"Hm?"
"......?"
Mi-ju, Areum, and Hye-suk all turned toward it. So did the passersby and everyone else nearby.
In that instant the sky warped.
Juaaaaak!
The atmosphere split open.