The Hanbada Pod: Scenes

by LadyWillow

Summary:

A series of scenes exploring the relationships between members of Han Seon Young's Hanbada family.

Chapter 1: He lay in the single bed...staring at the ceiling

He lay in the single bed in the small apartment he shared with a co-worker, staring at the ceiling, breath coming fast. It had happened again - those dreams that woke him, panting and aroused and unsatisfied. He knew them to be impossible – the princess, the daughter of a judge, a station above him in work and in life - but he had never wanted anything like he wanted her.

He did not know when it had happened: When he had looked at her and imagined her with Lee Jun Ho? When they had clashed over his treatment of Woo Young Woo? When he had seen her bathed in sunlight, felt the breeze of her against his face?

Or when they had teased and walked and talked like friends in Jeju? When he had been able to relax into her presence and be himself in a way he couldn’t at work? When he had opened up his tightly controlled life just a touch - enough to let her see a glimpse - and she had not turned away?

Kwon Min Woo put his hands behind his head and held his breath until he saw white flashes before his eyes. He pressed against his hands so that they could not sneak down and relieve the pressure of his aching cock. He would not be weak. He would not dishonour his colleague by imagining her naked, squirming, panting out his name.

He wanted to feel her wrecked beneath him, her body sweet and pliant. He wanted her riding him until she came, gasping and moaning. He wanted to kiss her lips swollen and red, to fuck her into exhaustion, to worship her body until he finally, finally, could be at ease.

She was both Madonna and Magdalene. And he was in hell.

Chapter 2: Woo Young Woo was not good with facial expressions

Woo Young Woo was not good with facial expressions. She studied her chart. She questioned her father and Lee Jun Ho. But people still puzzled her. And she had learned that questioning led to their embarrassment and her frustration.

So she did not ask Choi Su Yeon why she looked at Atty Kwon with sparkling inquisitive eyes as if sharing a secret. And she did not ask Atty Kwon why he looked at Choi Su Yeon as if starving.

But occasionally she caught a similar hungry look in Lee Jun Ho’s eyes after they had been kissing, and she wondered.

Chapter 3: Choi Su Yeon woke, a crick in her neck and a cramp in her lower back...

Choi Su Yeon woke, a crick in her neck and a cramp in her lower back, to find a cup of fresh tea and covered bowl on the desk beside her. She yawned, rubbed her eyes, and unrolled the curler from her hair. Gratefully, she sipped the tea and peeked into the bowl to find fried rice and kimchi as she pulled clean clothes out of the cupboard.

“Thank you for breakfast, Young Woo,” Su Yeon bowed when she saw her friend later that morning. “That was kind - I slept at the office again and didn’t have time to grab food.” She couldn’t resist teasing, “I was surprised it wasn’t gimbap, though!”

Young Woo glanced at her, then away. “I did not bring you breakfast, Su Yeon.”

“Then who… ” Choi Su Yeon‘s voice faded as Atty Kwon passed them, head down, eyes on his phone, the tips of his ears flushed red.

She turned back to Attorney Woo and said a little loudly, “Well, it was a kind thing for someone to do, anyway. I really appreciated it.” Then she cleared her throat and said, “Perhaps next time, they could wake me up and share breakfast with me.”

Chapter 4: Didn't Want to Change

Summary:

Truth comes in a glass. At least, some of the truth.

Kwon Min Woo filled the glass in front of Choi Su Yeon, emptied the bottle into his own, and slid to the floor. “Cheers!”

Su Yeon sipped before blurting out, “Why the change?”

They’d been drinking for hours now, first at Hairy Boss’s with the team, then at a bar after Lee Jun Ho and Woo Young Woo had wandered blissfully off, not hand-in-hand. They had ended up at Su Yeon’s cramped apartment.

He was just drunk enough not to pretend to misunderstand her. “Didn’t want to. Tried not to. I blame Jun Ho.”

“Oh really?” she scoffed. “Jun Ho the kind?”

“Exactly! He really is that freaking nice, you know. Even when he isn’t, still is. Can’t help it. Like a sickness or something.” Min Woo brooded into his glass. “So annoying.”

Su Yeon laughed. “So it’s his fault? That you are becoming a better version of yourself?”

Min Woo scowled. “No. I blame Atty Woo.”

“Now it’s her fault? How does that work?”

“She’s a genius.”

“You knew that before. We all knew that before.” Su Yeon pointed out, finishing her drink.

“I know. But she has also got a damn social conscience. Thinks lawyers should do what’s right for society.” He closed his eyes, “Also annoying." He emptied his glass. “And Atty Jang is a bad mentor. Bad lawyer.”

Su Yeon huffed another short laugh. “So, you changed because Jun Ho is nice and Young Woo has a conscience and Atty Jang is an ass?”

“No!” He muttered, nearly asleep. “Changed for Princess Su Yeon.”

She rolled her eyes. “I didn’t ask you to change for me. And don’t call me Princess.”

“Didn’t say you’d asked.” His voice was lower and slower now. “Just decided to be the kind of guy you respect. A good guy.”

Finding his head by her knee, she began stroking her fingers through his hair.

“Brave fool,” she whispered.

“Fool, at least.”

Chapter 5: All Action, No Small Talk

The Lee family talked. Easily, fluently, incessantly. Every family meal was a glittering debate about politics, culture, world events.

Lee Jun Ho did not speak easily.

His older sister, Seung Hui, spoke for him when he was a child: “Jun Ho wants pajeon for breakfast.” “Jun Ho wants to watch tv now.” “Jun Ho wants to go to the playground.”

When asked, Jun Ho usually nodded yes to whatever his sister had proposed. It was easier.

As a child, he was kind, compassionate, helpful, and, for the most part, quiet.

When he went to university, he was expected to follow his parents and become an attorney. He could handle the work, but when it came time to debate, his lifelong habit of silence became something more.

His voice would wither and die away. His words would break and fall into his chest like stones. The more important the assignment, the fewer words he had to give it.

So he finished his degree and became a litigation assistant at one of the best legal companies in Korea.

Where people talked. Brilliantly. Easily. Persistently.

But he didn’t mind. It felt familiar and productive. He admired the CEO, Han Seong Young. He liked his roommate, Kwon Min Woo, except in “Tactician” mode. He appreciated Choi Su Yeon’s grasp of the law and kindness towards others. He respected Atty Jung more the longer he worked with him and had been very shaken by his illness.

And then there was Attorney Woo Young Woo.

Who talked. Incessantly.

Who took his breath away. Who filled his eyes with light. Who made his heart race. Who stopped his words in his throat.

For him, she would learn to hold hands for more than 57 seconds.

For her, he would learn to give her the words she needed.

Chapter 6: Are You Returning to Hanbada, Atty Jung?

“Ji Su.” Jung Myeong Seok took his ex-wife’s hand in his. “I can’t thank you enough for coming to Jeju with me. This is the honeymoon trip I should have given you the first time. I apologize.” He bowed low in formal contrition.

Ji Su smiled at him. It had been a good trip. They had eaten and walked and talked as they had not when they were younger. There had been nothing but time - time to delight in the world around them.

This Myeong Seok was a new person. He meditated in the morning, walked on the beach, tasted good food, and sat in the sunshine. He spoke less often but less formally - no Atty Jung here on Jeju Island. Here he was Jung Myeong Seok, and she could feel herself falling in love again. She could imagine starting again with this man, having a happy marriage with this man.

But then the phone rang. And she felt a wash of despair as his face lit up, his voice brightened. Still less than Atty Jung, but more than her Myeong Seok.

If they had had children, when they had started out, would he have been this kind of father? As he was to these young rookie attorneys who called him with their questions, their worries, their carefully spoken needs? Would he have been indulgent and kind, or firm and paternal? Or both, as they needed?

She ached with the unfulfilled dream. They had been too busy, too focused on careers and then on unhappiness. They had agreed, had they not, that children were for the future, when there was more money, more time, more space?

She wanted to give him the chance to start again. But she did not know if she could risk that loneliness again.

Chapter 7: Holding Hands Can Wait

Woo Young Woo tries. For more than 22 seconds. But she can’t breathe and she feels like a dolphin trapped underwater and she lets go of Lee Jun Ho’s hand with a visible shudder and gasps an apology.

He smiles at her as if he doesn’t mind, even though she knows he must. “No, it’s all right. Holding hands can wait.”

“Holding hands can wait,” she echoes, but she glances at him doubtfully.

Because no one wants to wait for such things. No one has the patience to wait for her to catch up. Even people like Choi Su Yeon, who tolerates her, and Dong Geu Rami, who loves her, are often impatient and quickly tire of waiting.

Even her father sometimes gets tired of her.

She thought Lee Jun Ho would be relieved when she told him they should not be with each other anymore. She thought he would realize he was lucky. No more waiting.

No more waiting for her to catch up. To hold hands. To kiss without self-consciousness. To maybe be more intimate. To touch, skin to skin, more than just mouths, teeth bumping, lips clinging, breath mingling.

No more waiting for life to begin.

But she had not understood Lee Jun Ho’s deep patience. He held hands with her for 22 seconds, then 43 seconds, then 59.

He let her control their kisses, never moving closer without an invitation, never taking her over. He always stepped back and let any forward motion be hers.

And when she broke the relationship, he let out one passionate outburst, then stepped back again and let her walk away. His sadness surrounded her, but he did not burden her with it. No reproaches, no arguments.

Until he took one half-step forward, and offered to drive her to speak to Tae Su Mi. And argued his case for their relationship both cogently and logically. And accepted her judgement with joy and relief, but did not put out a hand to her.

Because holding hands could wait.

And he would wait for her to catch up.

Chapter 8: In the Circle

Lee Jun Ho jumped guiltily and dropped his phone when Kwon Min Woo briskly slammed the apartment door.

“I thought you were going to the bar,” he said, his face tinged red.

“Too tired - decided to come home for dinner,” his roommate answered. “Why? Did I interrupt something?”

When Jun Ho looked down, Min Woo whistled. “I did! What are you up to, my man? Looking at porn? Anything good?”

Jun Ho glared at him, but a bit sheepishly. “Don’t be crass. I wouldn’t be looking at porn in our living room. Besides… just be respectful, huh?”

Min Woo rolled his eyes, a little enviously. “Yes, I know. You have a girlfriend. You don’t need to look at porn. But wait… have you and Atty Woo… I thought you hadn’t slept together yet?”

Jun Ho’s face grew even redder.

“You have? Her dad is going to roast your balls over a slow fire. You know that, don’t you?”

“No. I mean… not yet. I mean…” Jun Ho was stammering now.

“So what’re you looking at? Let me see.” He grabbed the phone from Jun Ho. “Sexual positions? You ARE looking at porn!” Delight threaded through his voice, until he glanced back at Jun Ho, who was now writhing with embarrassment. Min Woo cleared his throat and handed the phone back.

“Dude, it’s a free country. You can look at whatever you need to get through the night.”

Jun Ho growled, “I’m not… that’s not… it’s research.”

“Sure,” Min Woo rolled his eyes. “What case are you working on that you need to know more about sexual positions than the obvious ones, huh? I mean, missionary and doggy style covers most bases.”

Jun Ho dropped his head into his hands and groaned. “Could you just shut up now. Please?”

Min Woo looked at him a moment, then got up, grabbed a bottle of whiskey from the counter, and poured them both a glass.

“Cheers. Now what’s this all about?”

Jun Ho stared into his glass for a minute, then took a drink. “Young Woo and me… we are talking… about the next step…”

Min Woo tapped glasses, “Congrats. Seriously. So what’s the problem? That’s a good thing, right?”

Jun Ho swallowed another mouthful. “I don’t want to scare her or overwhelm her. I was researching positions that people with autism are comfortable with.” His voice was low and cautious, as if expecting ridicule.

Min Woo cleared his throat again and scratched his head uncomfortably. “Ah… yeah. That seems like a good idea. But is there… like, one position? Aren’t people with autism mostly… different from each other? That’s why it’s a spectrum, right?”

Jun Ho stared at him in surprise, glass halfway to his mouth.

“What?” Min Woo retorted, annoyed. “I can learn, you know. I can figure things out. I can even do some reading.”

“No, sure. I’m sorry, I just didn’t think…”

“Look. She’s my colleague. She’s Atty Choi’s friend. She’s your girlfriend, for fuck’s sake. She’s…” he moved his glass around, “a part of my circle.”

Jun Ho thought back. He had noticed Min Woo’s softening attitude towards Woo Young Woo - to everyone really. Being hired full-time, the security of that, had eased some of the tension his roommate had lived with for so long.

“Ok. You’re right. I’m not finding anything very helpful here.”

Min Woo smirked. “You should just ask her, my man. I bet she has a workbook already prepared for you.”

Jun Ho paused, then took another drink. A slow smile spread across his face. “You know what? I bet you’re right.”

Chapter 9: Typhoon and Sunshine

Kwon Min Woo had imagined it so many times – the rush, the heady excitement, the drive and the madness. He had seen her looking at him speculatively when they shared a meal, once even in a meeting – every glance brought a rush of heat so strong it left him light-headed.

But the night it all changed was a revelation.

They were out with some of the senior attorneys – high-placed, high-powered attorneys who could make or break a career. It was important to be seen as a company man – alumni of a prestigious university, able to keep up, blend in, be gregarious. Choi Su Yeon did it all so effortlessly, although he knew she did not enjoy these evenings. He had to fight to hit the right note – not too ingratiating, but still deferential, drinking just enough while staying in control.

He used to love the game of it. Now he found it exhausting. There was still so much riding on getting it right.

Finally, the first few attorneys left, and Min Woo caught Choi Su Yeon’s eye. “We have meetings in the morning, Atty. Choi. May I see you to a cab?” Usually, he let her take the lead so he could protest and make noises about wanting to stay a little longer. Not tonight, though. He wanted the air. He wanted the night.

He wanted her.

They walked out of the restaurant, and Su Yeon took in a deep breath of the cool evening air. “It was so hot and stuffy in there. Are you all right? You don’t usually want to leave so early.”

He nodded, “Just wanted out. Too noisy.” He stirred himself to say, “Should I call you a cab?”

She glanced at him. There was that sparkling, inquisitive glance that heated his blood. “I’d rather walk. Is that all right?”

He didn’t trust himself to speak, so just nodded again. He wanted to take her hand, but wasn’t sure she’d allow it, so he walked beside her, silent.

Su Yeon had once told him Woo Young Woo’s nickname for her: Spring Sunshine. All warmth and light and sweet burgeoning growth. He had cracked a joke about her being more a typhoon and submitted cheerfully to her annoyed huff and slap on the arm. But in his mind, she remained Princess bom haes-sal.

She talked casually, mostly office gossip. He could hardly hear her, his blood pounding in his ears, and didn’t know if his responses made any sense. They were close to her apartment, and he would have to say good night, and she would close the door…

When she unlocked her door, he couldn’t think, couldn’t speak, couldn’t apologize for touching her without permission; he simply pulled her into his arms and laid his mouth on hers. Her lips clung to his for a moment before she pulled away.

“What… what are you doing?”

“Su Yeon. Let me kiss you?” His voice was low and strained, and she hesitated a moment before nodding yes and raising her face to his.

He had thought it would be a storm, a typhoon, an inferno. Instead, it was like drowning in a gentle flood of warm water. Her body melted against his, her mouth opened under his, and her arms wrapped around him, pulling him into her apartment.

They did not speak as they moved to the bed, as they removed clothing, bodies pressed so close together even their breath could not find a way between. Consent was asked and given in gentle touches, in whispered moans, in kisses that burned across skin. The dark room was so quiet he could hear his heart beating in his ears, feel hers against his chest. She moaned when he touched her, crying out when he moved inside her, and he gasped out her name as she shuddered beneath him, following her over the edge moments later.

He drew her close, his arms tight around her. She still trembled slightly, and he pulled a cover over them. He waited until she slept, then silently slipped out of bed, pulled on his clothes, and left.

Chapter 10: Melting like winter snow in spring sun

Choi Su Yeon rolled over once she heard the door close behind Kwon Min Woo. She had not slept, just smoothed out her breathing and stayed still when he slid off the bed and gathered his clothes. Even when he stopped to stare at her, dropped a gentle hand to her cheek, she had not let him know she was awake.

Now she sat up and gathered the covers around her. She wasn’t cold, but a shiver ran through her nonetheless. He had saved her the trouble of coming up with a strategy on the spot, she could thank him for that. But he had left her with an unsolvable riddle: how was she to handle this now?

She had not been surprised that Min Woo was a good lover – he was fit, and his arrogant cockiness appealed to lots of women. Even if he was careful about dating women at work, the gossip mill worked overtime regarding young, up-and-coming, good-looking attorneys. He may be known as Tactician Kwon in the courtroom, but in the cafeteria, he was called the hot one, as opposed to Jun Ho, the cute one.

She had not expected the sweetness, though. He had touched her as if she were precious, as if she were cherished. She had been prepared for passion, but not for care and attention. And she had responded like a rare instrument to the master’s hands, she thought, embarrassed. She couldn’t remember being so responsive to a man before, being so open to him. She flushed a little at how uninhibited she had felt, then flushed again at how aroused she was at the thought.

So how to handle things in the morning?

She thought she might want to do this again – her cheeks flushed and breath quickened at the thought. But she would not give him any ground for thinking she was willing, even eager. He would have to work hard to touch her again. With that comforting thought, she readied herself for bed, her hands running over spots left tender by his hands, his mouth. Then she slept, dreaming of that moment of bliss when her body had trembled out of control. When he had been lost with her.

In the morning, she dressed carefully – she had not yet decided how to react to him, but she was very sure she wanted his tongue to hit the floor – and strode into work in full command of herself, confident and in charge.

But when she got to her office, there was a covered cup of hot tea on her desk, and a single perfect flower lying beside it.

And her heart melted like the last winter snow in the spring sun.

Chapter 11: Best Laid Plans

Lee Jun Ho’s roommate hadn’t been wrong. A few days after his uncomfortable attempt to research preferred sexual positions for autistic people, Jun Ho was presented with a thick binder of information by a pleased and confident Woo Young Woo. Luckily, she handed it to him outside of work and not in the cafeteria.

“I have circled some of the things I think we could try,” she said, flipping to a page and pointing to a diagram, “But we will have to experiment a bit.”

Jun Ho suppressed an urge to run. Or giggle. This was serious adult business, and he should treat it as Young Woo did – simply as a puzzle to be solved.

“This will be helpful – thank you. Should we… make a plan?” Like where, when, not to mention how – it was a complex situation.

“Hmm,” Young Woo nodded, “We will need to, I think. There are some practical difficulties to consider.”

Jun Ho flipped through a few of the pages, his cheeks hot. She had downloaded lots of diagrams and added her own notes to some of them.

“Perhaps we should plan those things first then.” He put the wad of papers in his pack. “Would you like to have dinner? Or should we go to my place? Min Woo isn't home.”

“I think you would rather discuss this in private,” Young Woo stated. “Could we pick up some gimbap on our way to your apartment?”

Later, after eating, they sat on the couch, close but not quite touching, and began to plan. Dong Geu Rami had already gleefully agreed to cover for Young Woo if needed, so her father would not worry when she didn’t come home. Jun Ho would arrange a hotel room – not too close to either work or home, so there was less chance of someone seeing them. As they talked through their ideas, Jun Ho found himself relaxing. It all seemed very theoretical still, but he could feel Young Woo’s confidence growing as the plans solidified. She liked to have things certain. He could provide her with that, at least in these kinds of details.

“As I am telling my father I will be staying with Geu Rami, I will pack a bag and bring it to work. We will… stay the night?” Her eyes flicked up at Jun Ho’s face, the first sign of uncertainty.

“We will stay the night. And have breakfast in the morning, as we do not have work the next day. And Young Woo,” he laid his hand gently on her knee and squeezed for just a moment, “We can just talk. Or watch television. Or sleep. There is no rush.”

Her hands moved restlessly in front of her. “There is no rush,” she echoed him. “But,” that glance at him again, a little worried, a little sly, “I feel… a bit… in a rush.”

He leaned towards her slightly, waiting, and she moved to kiss him. This they had practiced, and the kiss swiftly heated as their bodies moved closer. He was always cautious not to make her feel trapped or hemmed in, and so he let her take the lead with every step in the intricate dance of intimacy. His hands moved first to her arms, then gently to her hips as she moved onto his lap. His moan was answered by her urgent whimpers as she pressed closer to him, her hands reaching under his sweater to stroke warm flesh.

“Off. Too much,” she whispered restlessly.

He started to move out from under her, but instead she pushed his sweater up, over his head and off, then began to remove her own blouse, her hands steady, her mouth reaching for his. He stopped breathing as she pressed against him, then groaned. “Are you… are you sure?”

Please, please, be sure, he thought a little desperately.

“Hmmm,” she hummed. “Sure.”

All thought of diagrams and positions had left his head. So too had any thought of embarrassment or worry. She was here, in his arms, warm and willing and so sweet he couldn’t breathe. Clothes seemed to slide off, skin heated against skin; she was wet and he was hard and before either had planned or thought about it, they were joined and moving in concert, and it was over before he had really thought about it happening at all.

He sat, stunned, Young Woo still in his lap, his arms still loosely around her while she curled against his chest, her breathing light and rapid. He gasped, then held his breath, then snorted out a snicker, then another. Then he was laughing helplessly, his arms tightening a little.

She looked up at him with those wide serious eyes and solemn mouth, which just made him laugh more.

“I don’t know why you think this is funny,” she said. “Was it not good? Did I do something wrong?”

He hugged her hard – a hug-chair hug. “Perfect. You are perfect. It was all perfect.”

“Then why are you laughing?”

“We just spent a long time planning for nothing,” he pointed out, with another breathless laugh.

She snuggled in against him, running a hand over his chest, up to his neck, then to his cheek. “Oh no,” she said serenely. “The planning was not wasted. We will go ahead with this weekend.”

“What?”

“Oh yes,” she assured him. “There are still several diagrams to explore.”

Chapter 12: Woo to the Young to the Woo

“You did what?” Dong Geu Rami’s eyes were as round as her cheeks as she squealed. “Woo Young Woo! You didn’t! You did! Tell me again - and don’t leave out any details.”

“Jun Ho and I had sex last night.”

“Details!”

“At his apartment.”

“All the details!” Geu Rami howled.

“Hmmm. On the couch.” Young Woo thought for a minute. “The first time.“

Geu Rami slapped a hand to her chest, gasping dramatically, then looked over at Kim Min Shik and scolded, “Hey, Hairy Boss! You shouldn’t be listening to this! It’s private!”

“Ahh!” he scoffed. “If Woo Young Woo tells me not to listen, I won’t listen. But I’m not doing something just because you tell me to, Miss Employee!”

Young Woo shrugged. “I don’t mind. It’s private, but Kim Min Shik won’t say anything.”

“Wait, back up! Did you say the FIRST time?” Geu Rami squealed. “No, wait – tell me about on the couch! Tell me everything!”

Young Woo put her chopsticks neatly on her plate and wiped her mouth and hands. “I can’t tell you all the details. It happened very quickly…”

“Well, that’s disappointing,” Geu Rami grumbled, her opinion of Lee Jun Ho dropping.

“The first time,” Young Woo continued tranquilly. “The second time, we used diagrams.”

Geu Rami, who had just taken a drink, sputtered and flailed a hand in Young Woo’s direction. “Diagrams? What do you mean – diagrams? Like a workbook? A SEX workbook?”

“Hmmm,” Young Woo considered this thought. “I suppose. A little like that.”

Geu Rami was staring at her, open mouthed and deeply impressed. Min Shik had shrunk behind his counter, fiercely concentrating on cutting up vegetables and pretending he was not in the room.

“Who brought the workbook?”

“I did. I found positions I thought I could be comfortable with, and gave them to Jun Ho. We tried some last night. One was very nice. One was… very uncomfortable. One was…” Young Woo’s eyes flicked around the room, not settling anywhere in particular. “One was…”

Geu Rami howled again, with delight this time. “One was amazing! Did he get you off, Woo Young Woo?”

Young Woo said a bit primly, “If you are asking whether I had an orgasm, Geu Rami, yes I did. More than one, in fact. It was all very satisfactory.”

Her friend put her head down on the table, unable to stop laughing. She glanced up to see Min Shik’s pained face, and laughed even harder. “Oh, Woo Young Woo! Wild Woman Woo! I cannot believe you just handed that boy homework! Did you grade him? Did he grade you?”

A soft smile crossed Young Woo’s face, but all she said was, “It was very satisfactory.”

“So now you’ve done the deed, I don’t have to lie to your father and cover you on Saturday. That’s too bad – I was looking forward to hearing all about your dirty weekend.”

“Oh no. Those plans haven’t changed. We will still have the night in a hotel. Jun Ho has made the arrangements.”

Geu Rami looked a little surprised. “Why did you… I mean… why not wait until then?”

Young Woo hummed a few moments, then said hesitantly, “He was so worried. Jun Ho. I thought… if we got that first time out of the way… all that anticipation and stress… ,“ she broke into a broad smile. “Accomplishment. Now we feel accomplishment, so we can do it again.”

This time, both Min Shik and Geu Rami burst out in howls of delight.

Chapter 13: Not at Dating Stage Yet

They never really talked about it.

Sometimes, he would wait for her after work and walk her home, or they would grab a meal. A few times, they went to a movie – once they even went clubbing.

On days she worked late and slept in her office, he might show up at her door with tea and breakfast. She'd assumed that he bought the food at the cafeteria, but one afternoon she saw him washing out a bowl identical to the one her breakfast had been in and realized he was sharing his food.

Choi Su Yeon did not like the uncertainty, but she could not define their relationship. If they hadn’t been coworkers, she would have definitely thought they were dating. But they were colleagues, worked in the same building on many of the same cases. Of course they spent a lot of time together. Of course they always had something to talk about, usually to argue about. He didn’t treat her any differently in most ways. They bickered and competed and pushed each other just as they always had. He was frequently rude and she was often impatient.

But occasionally, he would look at her, and his breath would stop. And occasionally, she would touch him, and her heart would threaten to beat out of her chest.

And sometimes he would walk her to her door and into her apartment and they would spend hours exploring all the ways they could bring each other pleasure, all the ways their bodies could say what they had no words for. And sometimes he would leave quietly in the night, and sometimes he would fall asleep in her bed and she would hold onto his hand and try not to clutch too tight.

And they still never really talked about it.

Chapter 14: Everything as Perfect as We are Together

Jun Ho glanced around the hotel room to make sure everything was perfect. The underwater light projector plugged in. Whale sounds cued on his phone. Blinds closed and bed turned down. Gimbap and water in the fridge and condoms in the bedside table. He checked the time again - Woo Young Woo would be finishing work just about the time he got there.

He couldn’t stop shaking. He couldn’t stop smiling either.

Their first time had been unexpected, although he was pretty sure Young Woo had planned it. It had been a kind of test, and he thought they had done all right. More than the sex, they’d started to learn something about communication – how to read each other’s bodies, and how to speak up when something felt right. Or wrong.

In his bag, he had Young Woo’s book with diagrams; he’d be lying if he didn’t admit that he had looked through it a few times. He didn’t think he was particularly naïve or prudish, but he had been surprised by some of the diagrams. The final pages were frankly shocking, and he hoped she was prepared to go through the book methodically and not skip around.

Or, even better, he hoped that they could forget the book altogether, and simply take the time to explore and enjoy each other. He could not help but feel that this list, like her list of strange dates, would end up not being as much fun for him.

But he would be with her, touching her, kissing her. How bad could it be?

He rolled his eyes at a text message from Dong Geu Rami – Operation Get YW Laid is underway – with a private smirk for his better knowledge. Then a second text. Again! ;-). Jun Ho sighed. It wasn’t that he expected Young Woo not to tell her best friend something so significant. But he could wish her best friend was more discreet. Still, at least she was supportive.

He turned the corner and saw Young Woo waiting outside the revolving door.

Love blew through him like a strong wind on a sunny day. He’d thought she would be tense, hands contorting, but instead she stood with her headphones on, face turned to the sun, eyes closed – all that fierce intelligence and focus resting until needed. She opened her eyes and caught sight of him, and the smile she reserved just for him lit her face. She bowed a polite greeting before reaching out to touch his arm.

“I am glad to see you.”

“Did you think I wouldn’t come?” he teased.

“Sometimes things happen.”

He placed his hand over hers for a moment – he had learned that brief firm touches were easier to tolerate – and bent down to touch his lips to hers. She leaned into the kiss, then blushed and looked around them nervously.

“We are at work.”

“We’re outside of work. And I don’t care. People know how we feel. It isn’t inappropriate.”

“Still…,” she moved away from the doors and began to walk towards the subway station, as she usually did.

“Jagiya, we’re going this way today.”

The endearment made her blush again, and he noticed her hands clenching. He motioned to the waiting cab and opened the door, making her smile.

When they came to the hotel room, her eyes opened wide as she counted her way over the doorstep. The underwater projector played on the ceiling and lit the room. She placed her shoes, her bag, and her jacket by the door. By the time he had done likewise, she was watching him solemnly, cross-legged, hands clasped, in the middle of the bed.

He swallowed hard, but stepped toward her, taking her hand, and sitting with her. Their first kiss was gentle, tentative, heating quickly as bodies pressed together, as hands reached to stroke and explore newly bared skin. Mouths traced across flushed skin, chasing moans of pleasure. Time slowed and stopped and sped up again until they were side by side, struggling to breathe, his arms wrapped around her tightly.

As he fell asleep, he knew he wanted this every day for the rest of his life. And he began to plan for that.

Chapter 15: I will be your Refuge

Choi Su Yeon glanced at the darkened office with Atty. Kwon’s name on the door. He hadn’t been in for two days – an unheard-of absence for the ambitious attorney. Even before disappearing, he had seemed cold and distracted. He had not returned phone calls or answered texts. She hadn’t needed to talk with him, but it was unusual not to hear from him at least once a day.

On Wednesday, she finally broke down and asked Lee Jun Ho directly where Kwon Min Woo was. “Is he ill? Has he gone away?”

Jun Ho looked concerned. “He’s not ill. He had a call from his mother last week and left that night. He didn’t tell me what was happening – just said he’d be back as soon as he could.”

“And you haven’t heard from him since?” Su Yeon shook her head at male friendships. How could Jun Ho not know what had happened?

“No, just a text to remind me to water his plants.”

Su Yeon huffed. “I can’t believe you didn’t ask more.”

Jun Ho looked at her mildly and said, “Min Woo is a very private person.”

Su Yeon turned her head away. She knew that about Kwon Min Woo. And she knew more – she knew that his family situation was not good. She wondered if he was off being a real adult, looking after his family, while she was acting like a petulant teenager worrying that the boy she liked had ghosted her.

So when a few days later during a torrential rainstorm, she heard a tentative knock on her door, and she found Min Woo, soaked to the bone, grief-stricken eyes burning in a gaunt face, she didn’t say a word, just reached out and pulled him inside.

She hung his wet clothes to dry and brought him a towel and clothes that barely fit his lean frame. She made honey ginger tea and ramen, which she watched him eat. Then she took him to her bedroom and made him lie down under her comforter. When she went to turn out the light and leave, his hand grasped hers hard. And she slid in beside him and put her arms around him while he sobbed like a heart-broken child. And she stayed with him through the night, through the shaking and the nightmares.

And in the morning, when he was lying beside her, still silent and so cold, she said quietly, “You don’t have to tell me. But I am here for whatever you need.”

He rubbed his hand over red-rimmed eyes, and said hoarsely, “I don’t know what I need. And you… you shouldn’t have to…”

Su Yeon slapped his shoulder, but gently because he was unhappy. “Friends don’t say ‘shouldn’t’ to each other.”

He sat up and turned to her, “Is that what we are? Friends, Choi Su Yeon?”

She sat up and mimicked his challenging stance. “Yes, we are friends. I will always be your friend, Kwon Min Woo.”

He took in a shuddering breath, and some of the stiffness in his body drained. “Then thank you. Thanks for being my friend. I’m sorry for showing up like this…”

She reached out and hit him again, a little harder this time because he no longer looked brittle enough to break in two. “Friends don’t need to say sorry either. Not about something like this.”

He covered his face with his hands. “He’s dying,” he said, his voice muffled. “My father. He’s... the doctor said…”

Su Yeon nodded, then moved in to hug him hard. “I am sorry. Min Woo, I am so sorry.”

Chapter 16: Defining Friendship

Woo Young Woo ate another piece of gimbap and glanced at Choi Su Yeon, listlessly moving food around the plate.

“How is Atty. Kwon?” she asked.

“Mmm? Oh, he’s all right. I guess.” Su Yeon picked up her glass and put it down again. “He’s worried. His mother is also ill, and it is a lot for her to deal with.” She took a deep breath. “He’s going back this weekend. He wants me to come with him.”

Young Woo hummed a moment. “As an attorney?”

Su Yeon snorted dismissively. “No. Why would he need an attorney?”

“Then… as… his girlfriend?” Young Woo guessed.

Su Yeon shrugged uneasily. “I suppose.”

“Are you his girlfriend?”

“I suppose.” Her answer was muffled.

Young Woo hummed again and waited for more.

Su Yeon burst out, “If I go… to his home… meet his parents, who are both ill… if he tells them we are… whatever he tells them… isn’t that… giving false hope? You know mothers, Young Woo,” forgetting that Young Woo did not, in fact, know mothers. “You know that as soon as I show up, the Kwons are going to think… are going to expect… especially right now with their health…” her voice trailed off.

Young Woo took another bite and considered this tangle of information. “You mean if he brings you to meet his parents, they will think you are his girlfriend? Maybe even… what? His fiancée?”

Su Yeon nodded, tapping a restless rhythm with her chopsticks.

“But you are not his girlfriend?” Young Woo’s voice held no judgement, but Su Yeon flushed, nevertheless.

“We aren’t… we haven’t…there’s been no…”

“Ahhh,” Young Woo shook her head. “No, they will not like that. Parents do not like daughters who live the American way.” She chewed another piece of gimbap thoughtfully. “What did Atty. Kwon say when he asked you?”

Su Yeon said, “He just said he had to go back this weekend, and would I come with him.”

“And you said…” prompted Young Woo.

“I said I would. I had told him I would do whatever he needed me to, and this is the only thing he has asked.” Su Yeon bit her lip anxiously. “But am I sending the wrong message? If I do this?”

“I don’t know. What message do you want to send?”

Su Yeon heard his voice coming out of the pre-dawn dark, “Is that what we are? Friends, Choi Su Yeon?” And heard again the uncertainty behind the bravado.

She said slowly, “I am his friend. And I think he needs someone to be with him. And he asked me.”

She looked up to see Young Woo smiling at her. “And I think the message I want to send – to his parents, but maybe to him too – is that he has friends who will do what he asks.”

Young Woo cleaned up the remnants of her lunch and nodded crisply. “Then that is what you will do. And you will worry about the next step later.”

Chapter 17: Happy All My Life

Lee Jun Ho swallowed hard, then smiled at Woo Young Woo. She looked serious and slightly apprehensive, and he could not let her down.

“Of course I’ll come for dinner with your father,” he said. “I’d be very happy to meet him.”

Young Woo glanced at him, then away. “You do not sound very happy.”

Jun Ho stifled a sigh. Young Woo may not read faces without a checklist, but her ear for voices was much more closely attuned. It made it quite hard to tell her a polite lie.

“Well, I’m worried about meeting your father, I admit that. He already thinks I am a punk for kissing you outside the house.”

Young Woo giggled, “Yes. He was quite disgusted with me for that.”

Jun Ho winced. “Still, I want to meet him. It’s important to meet each other’s family.” He steeled himself. “I’d like you to meet my parents too.”

Young Woo began to stim, her fingers stiffening and hands moving. “I don’t know…”

Jun Ho wrapped his hands around hers and squeezed firmly. “I know my sister was unkind. She shouldn’t have said any of the things she did. I know how much it hurt you.”

Us, he thought. It nearly broke us in pieces.

He continued, “But I’ve told my parents about you, that you are the person who will make me happy all my life.”

Young Woo’s eyes stopped on his face. “All my life? Happy all my life?” she echoed.

He nodded firmly. “All my life. When I think of my future, I see you.” He bent to kiss her.

She moved closer and kissed him back. “All my life. You make me happy, Jun Ho. And I see you in my future too.”

He rested his forehead against hers. “So we will have dinner with your father and tell him that we are planning to get married?”

She nodded shakily.

“And then we will visit my parents and tell them?” he said quietly, and she nodded again, a little more shakily.

“It’ll be all right,” he said.

He would make sure of it.

Chapter 18: Meeting the Parents

Choi Su Yeon bowed low to Kwon Min Woo’s mother, in due respect to an older woman and the mother of her… colleague.

That’s how he introduced her. “This is my colleague from Seoul, Atty. Choi Su Yeon.”

Not girlfriend. Not friend. Just co-worker. As in ‘we work in the same building for the same company.’

She didn’t know whether to be amused, relieved, or furious.

They had hardly spoken on the drive. He had picked her up early in the morning, the car loaded with kids’ snacks like chips and soft drinks and candy, and with pillows and blankets in the back seat. Su Yeon wondered if he often had to take his parents to medical appointments, or if this was just a throwback to his own childhood road trip memories.

She couldn’t find a way to ask. He seemed so focused on the road that she didn’t like to distract him. Then the silence became solid – as no one had spoken for so long, it became harder and harder to interrupt it.

She finally had to ask for a stop, which he agreed to immediately, pulling off at the next rest stop.

“We don’t have far to go now,” he said. “Perhaps another 25 minutes.”

“I won’t be long,” she replied.

In the restroom, she washed her hands and face before freshening her makeup. She stared at her reflection for a moment and repeated her weekend mantra: “Just be pleasant and undemanding and remember you are his friend.”

Because that had been the deal, right? She had told him she was his friend, and offered to help, and this is what he had asked of her. As Woo Young Woo had said, she would worry about the next step later.

And now she was greeting his mother at the door of his father’s hospital room, and looking away from the naked misery on Kwon Min Woo’s face as he stared at his father, grey and shrunken, in the bed. And without thinking about it, she said, “Why don’t we go find some tea?” and led the older woman down the hallway to find the cafeteria, leaving Min Woo to sink down by his father.

Kwon’s mother burst into restless apologies as they sat down with cups of weak bitter tea and dry plastic-wrapped cookies. “I don’t know what you must think of us, Atty. Choi, coming now when we cannot greet you properly or even ask you for dinner. I am so sorry… Min Woo should have known better…” Her voice trailed off and she pressed a hand to her chest.

Su Yeon reached out gently. “Do not apologize, eonni. I am not here to be looked after, just to support a friend.”

She responded, “I am grateful to you for your kindness. You are his friend?”

Su Yeon nodded. “Yes. We work on the same team. Your son is a brilliant attorney.”

His mother smiled proudly. “He has worked so hard. And not just at school – when his father became ill, he had to work while he was taking classes, and then our youngest wanted to go into engineering. He has done so much for us for so long…”

As his mother continued to talk, Su Yeon remembered Min Woo’s bitter comment, “You don’t need to concern yourself with my family’s pathetic story, Princess.” It didn’t absolve his tactician moves, but it went a long way to explaining why he was so focused on success. Failing meant risking his family.

She looked up to see Min Woo standing behind his mother, ears red and eyes rolling. “Mother, you have bored Atty. Choi enough. She doesn’t want to hear all that.” He turned to Su Yeon and said, “My father is awake. Would you come and be introduced to him?”

Su Yeon stood up and smiled at the older woman, so pale and tired. “Will you come with us?”

“Thank you, but I think I will sit here for a few minutes longer.”

Min Woo’s hand grasped hers and held it tightly. Even as they went into his father’s room, as he quietly introduced her, as she spoke a few words, his hand never let go of hers.

Chapter 19: Meeting the Father

Woo Gwang Ho greeted Lee Jun Ho cordially. His first impression – seeing this punk kiss his daughter in public – had not been good, but he kept hearing Woo Young Woo’s small voice on the phone.

“Lee Jun Ho is the type of person who can make me happy. He can take care of me like you do. The problem is me. Am I someone who can make Jun Ho happy? Wouldn’t I make him lonely?”

Lee Jun Ho looked happy enough, if a little anxious. That was only right, though – a young man should be nervous when meeting the father of the woman he wanted to marry.

Gwang Ho still wished he had been able to meet his lover’s father, although he realized it may have been the last thing he ever did.

They had finished eating and Jun Ho had insisted on cleaning up the kitchen, and now they were drinking tea. Gwang Ho cleared his throat. He had spoken to Young Woo about this, and knew she was uneasy. Still, the boy had a right to know.

“Lee Jun Ho, you tell me you want to marry Woo Young Woo?”

The young man glanced down at his hands, then at Young Woo, but said firmly, “Yes. We want to be married.” He looked back at Gwang Ho. “I make a good living, although not as good as Woo Young Woo. I have a roommate, and can’t ask him to leave, but we will look for a place…”

“I’m not worried about that at the moment,” Gwang Ho interrupted. “Young Woo.” He waited until her eyes were on him. “Do you want to tell him or should I?”

Young Woo ducked her head. “I suppose…”

“He needs to know. It could become public at any moment.” Gwang Ho’s voice was stern, but his face was kind.

Young Woo nodded but looked away. Correctly interpreting this, Gwang Ho sat forward a little.

“Thirty years ago, I was a student at Seoul National University Law School. I met and loved a woman – another student. She became pregnant and did not want to have the child. I begged her to let me keep the baby. Young Woo and I have been on our own her whole life.”

He took a deep breath, not looking at Jun Ho, who was staring at him.

“That woman was Tae Su Mi.”

Jun Ho jerked back as if struck, but reached for Young Woo, putting an arm around her.

Gwang Ho continued, “People know about this. It is only a matter of time before it gets out. Once Tae Su Mi is in the public eye again – practicing law or considering politics – someone will break the story when it is convenient for them.”

Like Han Seon Young. Or the journalist hungry for the scandal.

Jun Ho turned to Young Woo. “Your brother. Choi Sang Hyeon.”

She nodded, her face turned from him.

“Too many people know for it to stay a secret for long. Young Woo has already been offered work in the United States, and… other incentives… to keep quiet.”

Gwang Ho was not yet willing to admit Han Seon Young’s role in this. Both young people worked for her, and the knowledge could not help but impact their relationships in the company. He had to trust that the head of Hanbada was not yet ready to blow a hole in her organization.

Still, they had better all be prepared.

Jun Ho said, “Ah. The man who was waiting outside the house that night. He was a Taesan employee."

Young Woo nodded again. So far, she had not said a word, her hands stimming and eyes darting around the room. Usually by now, she would have run, Gwang Ho thought, well familiar with her ways of coping with overwhelming feelings. But tonight, she remained seated beside Jun Ho, who kept his arm firmly around her without holding her captive.

Jun Ho took a deep breath, then looked at Gwang Ho. “So. How do we keep Young Woo safe, sir?”

Gwang Ho sat back with a sigh of relief. Perhaps, for the first time in 30 years, he and Young Woo were not on their own.

Chapter 20: We didn't see the sunset

Kwon Min Woo peeled out of the hospital parking lot, the speedometer inching up as he pushed over the speed limit. They were on a winding road overlooking water when he pulled into a quiet treed spot. His knuckles were white on the steering wheel, but he didn’t say anything.

Choi Su Yeon opened her mouth to speak, but he turned and kissed her with brutal desperation. She fought him for a moment, stunned, but then collapsed against him, kissing him back, pulling him closer. They struggled, mouths fused together, awkwardly scrambling into the back seat, pulling off clothes, mouths latching ferociously onto bared skin.

She whimpered as he slammed into her, her body and mind still a little behind, and he stopped instantly, breathing hard.

“Sorry. I’m sorry.”

But she shook her head and moved against him and moaned as she felt her needs catch up. Then it was all heat and speed and pulsating intensity. He banged his head on the car door and she nearly fell off the bench seat and it didn’t matter – it didn’t matter – they just moved again and again and she screamed against his shoulder as she came, and he groaned into her mouth as he did.

They lay panting, tangled up, skin slicked with sweat, clothes scattered around them.

Min Woo looked down at her with a shadow of the familiar mischievous grin she hadn’t seen in days. “Sorry – I’ll move off you as soon as I can figure out where my legs are.”

Su Yeon grinned and hugged him. “I think they are wrapped around my ribs. Which seems impossible.” She moved experimentally, and he groaned again.

“Don’t do that or I won’t be responsible for my actions.”

She swallowed the too-easy quip about irresponsible men and rested her head against his chest. She had seen how his family depended on him in the hours they had been at the hospital. He had spoken to doctors and nurses about health care, to administrators about financial concerns, to relatives about how to manage the household when he went back to Seoul, and to his mother, always, with gentle good cheer.

Tactician, politician, and brave fool. All in one.

He moved to try and make them both more comfortable, while keeping her close against him.

She opened her mouth to say the unthinkable but shut it again. Not now, she thought. Not yet.

Chapter 21: The Road Back Home

Woo Young Woo loved to watch Lee Jun Ho drive. Her favourite part of any week was leaving the office to interview people. The talking was stressful, as her odd-seeming questions and responses made people treat her cautiously, but the time in the car alone with him was pure pleasure.

They had driven to visit his parents – to tell them that they were getting married. It had not come as a complete shock to the Lees, as Jun Ho had had several serious talks with them beforehand, especially after his sister, Seung Hui, had warned them that Jun Ho was about to make a terrible mistake. By the time Young Woo met his parents, they had learned a great deal about autism and even more about their son’s fierce defense of his fiancée. They had appeared cordial, even welcoming, but Young Woo thought it would take a long time for her to feel comfortable with Jun Ho’s family.

“I like to watch you drive,” she said suddenly.

“Do you, Atty. Woo? Why is that?” He seemed to have become used to her out-of-context remarks; her brain was always moving so fast that she started and sometimes ended a conversation with him before thinking about saying any of it out loud. She was working on that.

She shrugged, “You are a very good driver. I like to see things done well.” She watched the colour bloom across his cheeks and analysed the look on his face. Not embarrassment – not this time, although it often was. She thought perhaps it was pleasure at the compliment.

When they had agreed not to break up, he said he liked the sparkle in her eyes when she came up with a good idea, and she had melted with the knowledge that he liked her for the way she saw the world, for the way she was in the world. Because she was smart. And good at what she did.

And she loved him. Not the way she loved her father, who looked after her. Or the way she loved Dong Geu Rami, who protected her.

“Could you please stop the car?” she said, her hands flexing.

He pulled off the road as soon as it was safe, turning off the car and turning toward her. “Is everything all right?”

“Jun Ho. I wanted to tell you that I love you.”

His eyes, which had been a little worried, softened and brightened immediately.

“Not because you look after me. Even though you do. Not because you protect me. Even though you do. Not because you listen to me. Even though you do.” She took a deep breath, putting one hand up as he started to speak.

“I love you because you see me. Even when I am sometimes uncomfortable with that. You see who I am, and you love me anyway.”

“Not 'anyway'. 'Because of'. I love you because of who you are,” he interrupted.

She nodded. “I love you because of who you are, too.”

Chapter 22: Out of Range

Choi Su Yeon slammed the door behind her, kicked off her shoes, then threw them against the wall.

That slimy bastard.

She thought he had changed, but he was the same asshole Tactician Kwon he had always been. And he had admitted it to her face. As if it didn’t matter.

He had known about Woo Young Woo being Tae Su Mi’s daughter for weeks. Months. And hadn’t told any of the team. Had used the information to try and wangle a position at Taesan. His old friend Lee Jun Beom, journalist and muck-raker, had told her that admiringly, as if she should have been proud of how smart and ruthless Kwon Min Woo was.

And when Su Yeon had stormed over to Kwon’s apartment and thrown this information in his face, he had simply agreed, his voice expressionless.

“Yes. I did. I figured it out. Attorney Tae Su Mi said if I could make Woo Young Woo leave Hanbada, she would hire me at Taesan.”

“So you blackmailed her. And tried to get Young Woo fired?” She had been so angry, she had hit him as hard as she could, again and again.

And he had stood silent in his doorway, not avoiding the blows, face cold and hands at his sides.

And when she spat, “Don’t ever speak to me again,” he had bowed low and gently closed the door between them.

That had been days ago. He had not been at work, he had not been in touch, and she refused to ask Lee Jun Ho anything this time. She would simply wipe all thoughts of him out of her head, out of her life.

But at night, between waking and sleeping, unwanted images would swim up: the way he had softened in Jeju; the way he had turned his body to protect Young Woo as they fought through the reporters in front of the hospital; the way he panicked every time Dong Geu Rami approached him…

The look on his face when she had returned his kiss the first time, the feeling of his hair in her hands, the heat of his body against hers…

The way he had been with his family: caring and competent and cautious.

And at work, there were no cups of tea or bowls of food left on her desk, no sparking debates to hone her skills on, no one to push and argue against until a middle ground was reached, no one to eat lunch with unless it came with a side of whale facts.

When a co-worker came around with a condolence card to sign for the Kwon family, she signed her name, nothing more. And if she felt a pang of guilt, remembering her promise to be his friend no matter what, she squashed it. He had broken faith first, she reasoned. She owed him nothing now.

She sent flowers to his mother.

After five days, she admitted to herself she missed him.

After seven days, she admitted she was worried about him.

She broke down one night and texted him. The text went undelivered: “Client out of range”.

She was short with Young Woo and wouldn’t talk to Jun Ho at all. She threw herself into work, even when assigned to Atty. Jang. She ate little and slept less and felt herself getting brittle.

And when she found out from Young Woo, who heard it from Tae Su Mi, that Atty. Kwon had turned Taesan’s offer down, had admitted failure because he had “decided to live like a fool”, she locked her door and cried for hours.

Chapter 23: Journey's End

It was finally Saturday, and Choi Su Yeon threw on baggy sweats and scraped her hair back into a careless ponytail. She would drag herself out of the apartment to buy food she didn’t want to eat.

She saw him at once, sitting across the square from her building, looking too young in jeans and a hoodie. He stood up awkwardly and bowed when she came to stand in front of him, her hands protectively wrapped around her body.

“I’m sorry… I know you said… My mother asked me to bring…” His usual smooth delivery was choppy, his voice raspy as if seldom used. He held out an envelope to her, and she took it automatically, opening it to see a shakily written thank-you card.

“My mother had hoped to see you at my father’s ceremony. I didn’t tell her…” His voice gave out.

She sat down on the bench, her legs trembling. He looked like a ghost – strained and exhausted. She knew he would have been dealing with all the family business, carrying everyone’s grief before he could even begin to deal with his own.

“Sit down, Atty. Kwon.” Her voice was sharp, and he winced before sitting as far from her as he could. She gentled her tone with conscious effort. “How is your mother?”

His hands twisted, reminding her of Young Woo, but he shrugged. “She’s coping.”

“And how are you?” She hated that her voice broke.

“Coping,” he bit off.

Then he shifted and said bitterly, “What a lie. I’m not coping. I am… I am falling apart.”

“Min Woo,” she reached a hand to him, but dropped it when he swung around furiously.

“Do you want to know how I am, Princess? I am fucking relieved. I’m relieved that my father is dead. So now I don’t have to look after him anymore. And my mother? She might not even make it a year. So I’ll be relieved of that burden too. Because that’s what they have been for the past decade. A fucking burden on me every day of my fucking life.”

His breathing was harsh. “I’ve had to keep the family going. Pay all the bills. Manage all the doctors. Keep the others in school. Get the highest grades, find the best job. Ever since I was in high school, I knew it was all on me.”

Tears flooded his cheeks, but he didn’t seem to notice.

“It wasn’t enough to play the game: I had to win, to beat everyone. Every time. Or it would all fall apart. Every time the phone rang, someone needed another piece of me. I couldn’t ever rest. Day or night. And now…” his voice hitched, “And now… he’s gone. And I just want… I just want my appa back.”

She slid over and wrapped her arms around him, holding on even tighter when he tried to struggle away. She did not try to speak – what words could she offer? – she just held him in his grief.

Chapter 24: Come Round Right

The restaurant was, as always, empty, but their table was loaded with food, and the team was together for the first time in ages. Kwon Min Woo was still gaunt, and Choi Su Yeon still brittle as glass, but Lee Jun Ho knew they were holding hands under the table.

He had felt so betrayed when Kwon had admitted that, at Tae Su Mi’s suggestion, he had tried to get Woo Young Woo fired. All for a more prestigious job.

Woo Young Woo had accepted Kwon’s apology quickly. As she told Jun Ho later, it wasn’t as if he had succeeded in harming her, and Atty. Tae had already told her that Kwon had stepped back even before the end of the Raon case.

Jun Ho had taken longer. Kwon’s apology and remorse had been sincere, but so was Jun Ho’s anger. It had taken him some time to offer the forgiveness he knew Min Woo needed.

Su Yeon had suggested dinner that night, but it looked like she was regretting it now. The silence was daunting – they couldn’t talk about work, as Min Woo hadn’t been in the office for days; they couldn’t talk about families, because of his recent loss; and Su Yeon had put a firm embargo on any and all whale talk.

“Yes, Young Woo, that includes dolphins. Yes, even the Jeju Island dolphins.”

Life at Hanbada had been increasingly strained – Atty. Jang had been in a particularly foul mood, and Han Seong Young, never a warm person, had been even more distant and dismissive. Everyone was feeling a little unsettled.

Except for Woo Young Woo. Jun Ho looked over at his fiancée and smiled at how calm she looked. It was as if she was growing into her new roles – as a full-time attorney, as his girlfriend, even as a friend to Su Yeon and Min Woo. She and Dong Geu Rami had performed their greeting ritual at the door, and Kim Min Shik had served the food he made only for her.

It may not be a big life, he thought, but it was a good one, filled with people who loved her and accepted her. He wished the same for all his so-called ordinary friends.

As he reached out for another serving of dumplings, the door flew open, and Atty. Jung Myeong Seok was greeted noisily by Min Shik and Geu Rami – he was evidently expected as several more dishes appeared on the table as soon as he sat down.

He greeted everyone joyfully, took a moment to pat Min Woo on the shoulder and speak a few words into his ear, then said, “Tell me all the news!”

For a while, conversation, tea, and food flowed freely as they talked about old and new cases and office gossip. Atty. Jung kept asking questions, and Jun Ho started to feel that his showing up here on this night was no coincidence.

Finally the food was nearly gone – even Min Woo had cleared a plateful – and Atty. Jung sat back with a satisfied smile for Min Shik.

“As always, my friend – a truly delicious meal. I don’t know why this place isn’t filled to the roof every night.” He looked around with a cheerful smile and said, “I suppose you are wondering why I gathered you all here tonight.”

Su Yeon looked a little self-conscious, while the others looked around the table in confusion. Had he gathered them?

“I wanted to find out how things are going at Hanbada. I’ve been hearing rumours.” He did not look directly at Woo Young Woo or Kwon Min Woo, but the implication lay heavy in the air.

“I understand that there may be some… tensions brewing between CEO Tae and CEO Han. I would hate to see any of you get caught in that. Between the mountain and the ocean.”

This time he looked at each of them for a moment, acknowledging all the underlying issues and kindly, easily, wiping them away.

“So I am here to offer you all new positions. I am opening my own practice, and I find that I need some younger minds and legs to do all the hard work.” He smiled deprecatingly as the others laughed.

“I know you will need to consider it, talk it over. But I hope you will think about what a new start could offer you…”

Young Woo interrupted, “Lee Jun Ho too?”

Atty. Jung smiled, “Of course, Lee Jun Ho too. As head of the litigation team.”

Lee Jun Ho, pleased by the flattering offer, looked at Young Woo hopefully.

Young Woo shook her head. “I do not need to think it over. I would like to join your practice.”

Jun Ho felt his heart clutch as she turned to Min Woo. “Atty. Kwon, will you join Atty. Jung’s new practice? I will help you.” She reached her fist out and waited.

He stared at her for a moment, not breathing, then gently, shakily, his hand bumped her fist, and she beamed a smile.

Kwon looked at Su Yeon. “Atty. Choi?”

Although her eyes shone with tears, she smiled and bowed to Atty. Jung. “It would be an honour to join your practice, sir.”

She reached to Young Woo and squeezed her hand. “Thank you.”

Geu Rami came to the table with glasses filled with soju. “Starting a new venture? To that I say ‘geonbae’!”

Notes:

Author’s Note:

Thank you to all who have read these scenes, sent kudos, and left messages. I so appreciate your taking the time to read and respond. Whether you have been following from the beginning, or jumped in later, I hope that you found something to enjoy.

For those interested in the “how”, I write these scenes very quickly, then carve them down to a certain number of words (400, 500, 600, 700 – the last one is the longest at 900).

The fun is to get the exact number of words without losing too much of the sense. For those of you who commented on the poetic nature of the work (or felt that they were too short!) that is the “why” – every piece is rough cut, then polished. Still quickly, though – I started writing and posting this fiction on January 11, so it is over 12,000 words in 40 days from start to finish.

I felt the work had a natural arc, and it seems right to end it here. Thanks for journeying with me. Maybe we’ll see each other again in 2024, when Season 2 of Extraordinary Attorney Woo is set to air.