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“Halmeoni, this is Miyoung. She’s a new transfer student in our class.” Jihoon pushed Miyoung forward, ducking behind her like a shield.

“What did I tell you about pushing people?” Halmeoni asked, whipping a rag out of her apron and smacking him with it. Her aim was so precise that Miyoung felt the wind from the rag without feeling the sting of it herself.

Jihoon raced around to Miyoung’s other side, trying to escape, but his halmeoni followed, surprisingly spry.

Miyoung was fascinated at the display. Usually, when faced with a guest, people were painstakingly polite. Hiding their family drama behind a facade of bright smiles. Not this family. Jihoon’s halmeoni beat on him with the rag while he shouted out in protest.

“I swear, Ahn Jihoon, you are enough to age me ten years in one day. First you get arrested and then you disappear all night? Do you want me to have a heart attack?” From her booming question, Miyoung doubted this was a woman who’d succumb to any ailment easily.

“I was detained, not arrested,” Jihoon argued, and his halmeoni’s eyes narrowed. Even Miyoung was afraid of how she’d reply.

“Later, Ahn Jihoon. I will deal with you later.” Halmeoni smiled at Miyoung, a lightning change in mood. “I suspect you’re hungry.”

Miyoung was surprised by the quick shift from anger to hospitality but she remembered to bow in belated greeting. “No, I’m fine.”

“Nonsense, you’re a teenager. Teenagers are always hungry.” Halmeoni shuffled back inside, giving Miyoung no chance to refuse again.

“Come on.” Jihoon pulled Miyoung’s arm toward the restaurant.

“I think I should go,” Miyoung said, though the aroma from inside made her mouth water.

“Just let her feed you. She’ll never let you leave until you eat.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to use me as a way to delay your punishment?”

“Of course I do, so be a good friend and let me.” Jihoon gave her a crooked grin and her heart wavered. She should have corrected him, told him they weren’t friends, but for some reason she didn’t. It seemed odd that a month ago she hadn’t known this boy existed and now she almost yearned for his company.

The cramped restaurant was unimpressive. The yellowing linoleum was cracked; the water filter gave a sad gurgle in the corner. Under a single fluorescent light, a small table was set for dinner. Steaming bowls of doenjang jjigae filled the room with the salty scent of bean paste.

Miyoung’s chair rocked a bit on uneven legs as she sat.

When Halmeoni walked out with an extra bowl of jjigae in her hands, Miyoung jumped up and took it to set on the table.

“Good girl.” Halmeoni patted her firmly on the rear in approval.

Miyoung froze. She’d never received such casual affection before. And she was woefully unpracticed in how to keep her composure.

“So you recently moved to town?” Halmeoni asked, sitting.

“Yes, with my mother,” Miyoung said as she took her seat again.

“And your father? What does he do?”

“He’s not with us.” Miyoung lowered her head.

“Oh, I’m sorry for your loss,” Halmeoni said, her smile sympathetic.

“He’s not dead.” Miyoung bristled at the assumption. “He just left.”

Jihoon’s halmeoni continued, unfazed. “Well, dear, sometimes the universe works in odd ways, but family does not always come about through blood.”

Unable to find a reply, Miyoung spooned up a bite. Jihoon’s halmeoni placed a piece of meat on top. Such a simple gesture. One Miyoung had witnessed in a thousand dramas. One of someone who cared for another. Miyoung shoved the bite into her mouth despite the tightness in her throat.

Jihoon glanced up and met Miyoung’s eyes with his, giving her a wide grin. He had kimchi stuck in his teeth. And she hated that it made his goofy smile even more endearing.

Jihoon and his halmeoni moved with such consideration of each other, a lifetime of learned behavior. She spooned some of her meat into his bowl. He nudged the cucumber kimchi closer to her before she reached for it.

Jihoon laid a hand over his halmeoni’s as he ate. His thumb moved back and forth over the thin skin of her knuckles. Mi-young wondered if he even realized he did it.