The first time Yeon-ha-neul went to a friend’s house to play was when she was in the first grade of elementary school.
It was not long after she started school.
At that time, Yeon-ha-neul quickly became close with the girl sitting in front of her.
Fortunately, their personalities and interests aligned well.
“Then, do you want to come to my house later?” her friend had asked.
“Really? Is that okay?”
“Of course!”
Excited, the conversation turned to plans for Yeon-ha-neul to visit her friend’s house.
She went there full of anticipation, hoping to have a memorable day.
“Mom! I brought a friend! It’s Haneul!”
“Oh, hello,” her friend’s mother greeted.
“… Yes, come in.”
At that moment, Yeon-ha-neul didn’t miss the way her friend’s mother looked her over.
Her gaze scanned Yeon-ha-neul from head to toe, lingering on her head for a moment before returning.
“You have to go to school later, so don’t stay too long,” her friend’s mother said.
“Huh? There’s no school today… .”
“I got a call from the academy. They’re increasing class days now that you’re an elementary student.”
“Ugh… .”
“So, do you understand? Your family probably wouldn’t like you staying out late anyway.”
“Okay… . I’ll just play for a little bit and then go.”
Having grown up in an orphanage from a young age, Yeon-ha-neul had become sensitive to subtle rejections.
She could tell that her friend’s mother didn’t like her.
That day, she noticed the atmosphere and left the house early.
“Ma’am, I’ll go now. Goodbye,” she said politely.
“Goodbye!”
“Okay, be careful on your way back,” her friend’s mother replied.
As she stepped outside, Yeon-ha-neul bowed her head.
Behind her, she heard the door shut abruptly.
And then came the voices.
“Don’t hang out with someone like that. You should be friends with good kids. How can you spend time with someone like her?”
“Mom! Haneul is nice… .”
“Listen to me. I told you not to hang out with her. It’s a step down. Do you think we sent you to this school for you to befriend kids like that?”
“But you’re wrong… .”
“There are so many other kids doing well. Don’t waste your time with her.”
Yeon-ha-neul trudged back to the orphanage that day.
When the teachers asked her how it went, she forced a smile and said she had fun at her friend’s house.
But from the next day onward, her friend distanced herself.
Will it be okay?
That memory lingered in Yeon-ha-neul’s mind as she headed to Do Gyeon-woo’s house to play.
She couldn’t help but worry.
But to her relief, the experience was entirely different.
“I’ll go now. The tteokbokki was really good!” Yeon-ha-neul said cheerfully.
“Really? I’m glad. Next time, I’ll make it even better,” Do Gyeon-woo’s mother replied with a warm smile.
“Oh, you don’t have to go out of your way… .”
“It’s because she likes it,” Gyeon-woo chimed in.
“… Thank you,” Yeon-ha-neul said shyly.
Unlike the judgmental looks she remembered from the past, Gyeon-woo’s mother treated her with warmth and kindness, always wearing a friendly smile.
Yeon-ha-neul wasn’t used to receiving such genuine hospitality, and it left her feeling a bit embarrassed.
“Oh, right! Mom, can you wrap up some dessert for her? She said she wanted to take it home to eat later,” Gyeon-woo said suddenly.
“Huh? No! You don’t have to do that!” Yeon-ha-neul protested, waving her hands.
But his mother ignored her objections.
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Gyeon-woo, go to the kitchen and pack some fresh ones, not the leftovers.”
“Yes, I will,” he replied, disappearing into the house.
“Ah… Thank you,” Yeon-ha-neul said hesitantly.
She stood there, unsure of what to do, when Gyeon-woo’s mother spoke gently.
“Haneul.”
“Ah, yes!”
Looking at her with affection, his mother said, “Please be close to Gyeon-woo from now on.”
“Huh?”
“Gyeon-woo rarely brings friends home. Seeing him bring you here, I can tell he really likes you. He’s been so much more energetic lately.”
“… .”
“Ha-neul, you must be the reason for that. Thank you. And don’t feel too burdened. I just hope you’ll continue to be good friends with him.”
“… No. Gyeon-woo is the one who’s close with me.”
“Friendship goes both ways, doesn’t it? It’s because you get along well that you’re friends.”
“… .”
Her mother’s eyes were filled with nothing but warmth and kindness.
For a moment, Yeon-ha-neul looked at her in awe, struck by a sense of wonder she hadn’t felt before.
A moment later, Gyeon-woo returned holding a large envelope.
“Here, here,” he said, handing it to her.
“Oh, thank you,” she said, surprised at how much he had packed.
She accepted the heavy envelope and thanked both of them again.
“Come visit again next time,” his mother said warmly.
“Yeah, come see Mongsil again. Or Mongsoon,” Gyeon-woo added.
“Just come to see Gyeon-woo,” his mother teased.
“Yes, I’ll visit again,” Yeon-ha-neul replied with a small smile.
Next time.
The words felt foreign to her.
She awkwardly said goodbye and turned to leave.
As she walked away, her rabbit ears perked up slightly.
“Madam, you’re such a nice person,” she muttered to herself.
Now, she understood where Do Gyeon-woo got his kind personality from.
She couldn’t help but think she wanted to become someone as warm and affectionate as his mother.
That day, she hummed on her way back to the orphanage.
“Did you have fun?” one of the teachers asked.
“Yes, I had fun! And look—my friend’s mother gave me this!”
She shared the delicious roll cake with everyone at the orphanage, her heart lighter than it had been in years.
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