The first time Yeon-ha-neul ever visited a friend’s house was back in the first grade of elementary school.
It hadn’t been long since she’d started attending the new school.
Back then, she quickly grew close with a girl who sat right in front of her. By sheer luck, their personalities and interests turned out to be surprisingly alike.
“Hey, do you want to come over to my place later?”
“Really? Can I?”
“Of course! Totally!”
That was how the conversation took a turn toward visiting her friend’s home. Bursting with excitement, Ha-neul went over—only to have an experience she would never forget for the rest of her life.
“Mom! I brought a friend over! This is Ha-neul!”
“Oh, hello.”
“…Yes, come in.”
That moment—
She didn’t miss the way her friend’s mother’s eyes scanned her from head to toe.
And how, in the end, that gaze settled on her head—hovering there with a subtle yet chilling weight.
“You’ve got academy later, so don’t play too long, alright?”
“Huh? I don’t have academy today…”
“They called. They said, Now that you’re in elementary school, it’s a good time to increase your class days.”
“Ugh…”
“So be understanding, alright? I’m sure her family doesn’t want her out too late either.”
“Yes… I’ll just stay for a little while.”
Yeon-ha-neul, who had grown up in an orphanage since she was young, had always been sensitive to being rejected. And she could tell—her friend’s mother didn’t want her there.
She noticed.
She noticed everything.
So she quietly read the room and made her exit early.
“Ma’am, I think I’ll get going now. Thank you for having me.”
“Bye!”
“Yes, get home safe now.”
Ha-neul gave a polite bow.
The mother responded with a curt nod, and then—SLAM—the door shut without another word.
Through that closed door, Ha-neul heard voices again.
“Don’t hang around kids like that. You should spend time with good kids. How could you be friends with someone like her?”
“Mom! Ha-neul is really—”
“Listen to me. I said don’t play with her again. She’s not your kind. Do you think your father and I sent you to that school to make friends with people like that?”
“I’m sorry…”
“There are so many kids from decent families—and you’re wasting your time on someone like her…”
Ha-neul trudged home that day.
And when she got back to the orphanage, she just told the caretakers that she’d had a good time at her friend’s house.
“Um…”
“…My mom said I can’t play with you anymore.”
“…”
From the next day, the friendship drifted apart as if it had never existed.
Will this be okay?
That memory resurfaced when she was invited to Do-gyeon-woo’s house. A quiet worry nestled in her chest.
But—her fears proved unnecessary. That day, she played and laughed freely at his home, without a trace of discomfort.
“I should get going now. The tteokbokki was amazing!”
“Really? I’m glad. Next time, I’ll make something even better for you.”
“Oh, you really don’t have to go that far…”
“I want to. That’s all.”
“…Thank you.”
Do-gyeon-woo’s mother didn’t look at her as if measuring her worth. She didn’t wear a disdainful expression. She smiled gently the whole time and treated her with kindness.
Ha-neul wasn’t used to such warmth, and honestly, she didn’t know what to do with it.
“Oh, right! Mom, can you pack some of the dessert from earlier? Ha-neul said she wanted to bring some home.”
“Oh my, really? You should’ve told me sooner.”
“No! You really don’t have to!”
“It’s alright, dear. Don’t feel like you need to refuse.”
That’s when Gyeon-woo suddenly stepped in. Ha-neul had been too embarrassed to ask herself—and his words startled her.
She waved her hands, trying to decline.
But his mother paid no mind.
“Gyeon-woo, go to the kitchen and ask them to pack some up for her. Make sure it’s fresh, not leftovers.”
“Got it.”
“Ah… Thank you.”
Gyeon-woo disappeared into the house, and Ha-neul stood there, unsure what to say or do.
“Ha-neul.”
“Y-Yes?”
Gyeon-woo’s mother looked at her with the same soft eyes and spoke kindly.
“Keep being friends with Gyeon-woo, okay?”
“…Pardon?”
“He hardly ever brings friends home. So for him to bring you… well, I think it means he really likes you. He’s been more cheerful lately, too.”
“…”
“Maybe it’s because of you? Thank you. Think of this as a little bribe so you’ll stay friends with him. Don’t feel pressured.”
“…No, I’m the one grateful that Gyeon-woo wants to be friends with me.”
“That’s how friendship works, sweetie. You get along, and you just… become close. That’s all.”
“…”
There was only affection in her eyes.
Ha-neul couldn’t see any other emotion in them—not judgment, not disdain.
She looked up at the woman and felt something strange. Something wonderful.
Not long after, Gyeon-woo returned with a heavy paper bag.
“Here.”
“Ah, thank you.”
There was a lot inside.
Ha-neul received it with both hands, bowed her head, and expressed her gratitude once more.
“Come again, alright?”
“Yes, come see Mongsil again. Or Mongsun.”
“Or just come to see Gyeon-woo.”
“Okay. I’ll come again.”
Come again.
The words felt unfamiliar on her tongue.
She said them awkwardly as she turned her back on Do-gyeon-woo’s house.
Her ears perked up slightly.
That lady… is such a good person.
And for the first time, she thought she understood where Gyeon-woo’s kind personality came from.
I want to be like her too. Kind. Warm.
That day, she hummed a happy tune on her way back to the orphanage.
“Did you have fun?”
“Yes! I had so much fun! And look—his mom gave me this!”
That night, she shared the delicious roll cake with everyone at the orphanage.
Later that Evening
“What!? Gyeon-woo brought a girl over to the house?”
At the family dinner table, his father reacted with surprise at the news.
“He should’ve brought her over when I was home. I’m curious what she’s like.”
“She’s really sweet. The kind of girl Gyeon-woo would like.”
“What does she look like?”
“She had these adorable, sky-blue bunny ears.”
“Bunny ears? Oh, was it Ain?”
“Yep.”
“Well, no wonder Gyeon-woo likes her.”
“Right?”
“…”
It’s true I liked rabbits. But that had nothing to do with why I became friends with Yeon-ha-neul.
I looked at my parents with an incredulous expression.
They misread it entirely.
“What, feeling shy now?”
“You can bring friends over, you know. It’s no big deal.”
I gave up on saying anything more.
Even if I tried, they’d only turn it into another round of teasing.
Before I remembered my past life, maybe I’d have played along like a kid. But not anymore.
“So where does Ain live?” Dad asked casually.
“At a nearby orphanage.”
“Hm. I see. Be kind to her. Kids like Ain…”
“There’s no need to say that,” Mom cut in. “That kind of ‘special treatment’ only makes things awkward.”
“That’s true.”
“Don’t mind your dad.”
“I won’t. I understand.”
I nodded.
Even without a lecture, I already knew how the world viewed orphans like Ain.
But I didn’t plan to pity her.
I’ll treat her like any other friend. As an equal. That’s all.
…Though I did hope she’d become my teammate someday. That part was slightly selfish.
That’s when my younger sister joined in.
“Aww, I wanted to meet the bunny girl too… Not fair you brought her when I wasn’t home!”
Our family’s troublemaker—Do-ye-eun.
Ye-eun was clearly sulking, having missed Ha-neul’s visit while she was at sword training.
But of course, we all knew she had her own little schemes going on.
Especially Mom—her eyes were sharp.
“And what does that have to do with picking out the carrots in your curry?”
“…Tch.”
“No more leaving carrots. Do you know how delicious they are? Even bunnies can’t get enough!”
“Then give these carrots to the bunnies—”
“Nope.”
“Mom, you’re so mean…”
“Haha…”
Once again, there was no such thing as a peaceful meal between Mom and Ye-eun.
Having lost the argument, Ye-eun sulkily chewed her overcooked carrots.
Dad chuckled bitterly.
“Ugh… Carrots taste awful…”
“If it’s good for you, it probably doesn’t taste good.”
“Mom, I hate you.”
“Really? I had some chocolate prepared for your snack later, but maybe you don’t want—”
“Yay! Mommy’s the best!!”
At the word chocolate, Ye-eun immediately threw her arms up in celebration like nothing had happened.
We all burst into laughter at her quick change of mood.
Then I turned to Dad.
“Dad.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“Can you check my sword form after dinner? Let’s spar for a bit.”
“Sparring? What’s the occasion?”
I couldn’t spend every day drilling basic stances. I needed real feedback to find out what I was lacking through proper combat.
And there’s something I need to ask him about, too.
I waited for his reply.
Dad looked a bit surprised at first but then smiled.
“Sure. It’s not good to exercise right after eating, so let’s rest a bit and then do it.”
“That sounds good. Let’s do that.”
“Let’s see how much you’ve improved.”
He agreed without hesitation.
Of course, Ye-eun wasn’t going to sit still.
“I want to spar too! With Dad and oppa!”
“You’re too young for that, Ye-eun. And you two—don’t forget your protective gear when you spar.”
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