They sat in front of Mr. Baek,
who was yelling at them in frustration.
"Are you kids?! Picking fights like that?!"
He continued,
"What's wrong with you?!"
Then, pointing at Kenji,
"Why would you treat that respectful gentleman like that?! Shouldn't you show kindness to those who are kind to you?!"
Kenji snapped back angrily,
"Oh, respectful and kind? Of course he is!"
"Yes! He's always visiting the senior café and bringing us all sorts of things. And today, he passed by my store and offered to help… and this is how you treat him!"
She waved her hands around in frustration, stood up, and went back to cleaning.
"Whatever… I don't care!"
I stood up too and resumed working.
She flopped down on the couch, clearly annoyed, staring into the void and muttering to herself under her breath.
I walked over and sat beside her.
"Kenjiii…"
I said softly.
She glanced at me sideways.
"What?!"
"Let it out. Whatever's weighing on you tell me."
"It's nothing… I'm just tired, Bon Bon."
She said gently as she got up and headed to her room.
I jumped up and followed her in.
"Kenjiiii, what's wrong? Come on, talk to me!"
"Bon, don't you find that idiot so annoying?!"
"Who?"
I asked curiously, staring off in thought.
"That idiot… the guy from the warehouse!"
"You mean Mr. Jon?"
"Mister?! Are you seriously calling him Mister? He doesn't deserve anything more than 'punk'!"
I burst into laughter, clutching my stomach as it started to hurt.
"'Punk'! That's hilarious!"
She gave me another side-eye glare and said,
"Get out! Out, Bon!
You're driving me crazy!"
"Kenjiii, are you kicking me out of your room?!"
"Yes! Because I know you're about to start saying ridiculous things!"
"By the way, Kai is coming over today."
"And why should I care?!"
She said that so fast she didn't even realize it then quickly turned to me,
"Kai?! He's back from his business trip?!"
She looked at herself in the mirror,
"When's he getting here?!"
I smiled and waved my hand like a magician toward the door...
Right on cue, the doorbell rang.
I went to open it, and in walked that towering figure, looking down at me with a grin, extending his hand.
"It's been a week, troublemaker… how have you been holding up?"
"I'm fine. Kenji's been taking good care of me… she could totally be a mom!"
I replied playfully.
He chuckled.
"Where is she, by the way?"
"In her room, she'll be out in a bit."
I gestured toward the hallway just as Kenji walked out, a soft smile on her face completely different from the grumpy, fiery girl she was just moments ago.
We all sat together on the cold wooden floor,
Seiji, who arrived after Kai, was yelling like a game show host, trying to hype things up.
"I didn't knock it down! It's your turn, Kai!"
Kai cautiously slid his fingers toward the little tower of rectangular wooden blocks, carefully trying to pull one without collapsing it.
"Is it bad luck, or does this game just hate me?!"
He said, frustrated.
"Don't worry, buddy you're hopeless anyway!"
Seiji teased, just before getting smacked on the head.
"Alright, dinner's ready! Come on, everyone!"
We all gathered around the dining table, glancing eagerly at Kenji and the food she'd made.
Seiji rubbed his hands together dramatically and said,
"Sorry guys, but I think I'm about to finish everything on my own!"
Everyone burst out laughing at his antics.
I slowly opened my eyes, still half-asleep, squinting at Kenji sprawled out on the couch like a corpse.
One of her legs was hanging off the edge of the couch, while the other was resting on the side table.
I looked at the mess on the floor and let out a long, annoyed sigh.
Everyone drank last night except me.
And now I have to clean it all up?!
I really hate this…
I woke up with my mouth wide open, my throat completely dry.
Apparently, I'd been sleeping like that the whole time.
I wiped the drool off my chin, sat up, and looked at the clock.
11:47 AM.
I ran my fingers through my faded hair as I headed to the bathroom.
"I really need to re-dye this…"
I mumbled to myself, only to let out a shriek as I sat down and checked the cabinet beside me.
"Bongyeon! We're out of toilet paper!"
I yelled again, calling her name.
She cracked the door open just enough to toss a roll at me, clearly irritated.
"Stop screaming… I have a headache!"
"You didn't even drink! I'm the one who should have the headache!"
"Oh, should I remind you all of the racket you made last night? The landlady actually came up to scold you!"
A headache the size of an entire galaxy!