"Seeing your surprised expression, I must be right," she said nonchalantly.

My mouth stayed shut as if guilty of treason even though it hadn't said a single lie yet.

She came closer and gently rubbed my arm, "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me."

Her gesture reminded me of my mother and how she would always cheer me on with a gentle touch just like this. It soothed my growing worries instantly and my mouth slowly opened. "H-How?"

"Your uncle, Kim Tan, can't keep a secret to save his life," she said.

Do Eun reappeared wearing a sweater and jeans which was far from his usual school style. He flashed me a tight lipped smile before looking at his mother.

"Happy Birthday," he half sung. He handed her what looked like a handmade birthday card and she happily accepted it with both hands.

"Thank you! I always look forward to your birthday card every year," she beamed as she opened the card.

"I get you flowers, balloons, and jewelry, but a hand drawn card is what makes you the happiest," Do Eun's father noted upset.

His mother tilted her head, "Jewelry?"

His father stopped what he was doing and wiped his hands on the apron tied around his waist, "Ya, what are we doing? We didn't even introduce ourselves to our guest."

"Oh, I'm Cha Eun Sang while this is my husband Choi Young Do." She kindly put aside the matter of the jewelry for now.

I bowed almost 180 degrees, "I'm Jin. Thank you for having me over and happy birthday."

"What are we having for dinner?" Do Eun was obviously starving from practice.

His father tightened his apron in response, "Ramen."

My heart sank a little at the answer and Do Eun's mother took notice.

"Were you expecting something lavish?" She grinned and wrapped her arm around her son's shoulders, "Our family loves ramen."

Do Eun nodded before giving his mother a strange look which resulted in her letting go of him and scurrying off to the kitchen to help her husband.

"Sit," he said then added, "please."

"You have a beautiful home," I complimented. Even though the suite resembled my new home, the aura was more like my old home in California. It was familiar. "You're really close to your parents."

He glossed over the numerous pictures of family vacations and events covering the walls. "We are, but what about you?'

"Me?" I ran through various scenarios as to how this conversation could go. "My mother passed away a couple weeks ago."

"Oh," he spoke softly. "What was she like?"

The question instantly had me smiling from ear to ear as memories flooded my head. "She was an amazing and strong woman with a clumsy side to her. She wa―she is my best friend."

Suddenly I felt a comforting hand on my back as I held back tears. This wasn't the time nor place to have a crying festival. Do Eun rose his eyebrows asking whether I was fine or not and I controlled myself enough to smile at him.

No one had asked me about her so my emotions were still new.

"What's going on here?!"

Do Eun and I broke away from whatever we were doing to see a not so happy Soo Min towering over us. Her eyes were shooting lasers at me.

"Why are you touching her?!" She demanded with a pitchy voice.

Do Eun sighed and rebutted, "What are you doing here?"

His parents approached the growing raucous and Soo Min quickly went to Do Eun's mother's side, "I'm here to celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday."

Do Eun's mother slyly escaped her grasp and sought refuge with her husband. "You already stopped by this morning and don't call me that."

Ignoring her complaint, Soo Min focused her attention back on me. "Fourth rank, why are you here?"

"I-I was―"

"Her name is Jin and I invited her over," he dictated loudly causing everyone to become quiet. "Can we eat now?"

His father immediately brought out the boiling ramen while Do Eun helped with bringing out the utensils. I naturally walked toward the dining table, but they had set up everything on the coffee table in the living room instead.

"We have dinner in the living room," Do Eun's mother stated as she seated me beside an upset Soo Min.

"Oppa, come sit next to me," Soo Min offered sweetly.

Do Eun went around the couch and sat next to me instead without batting an eye at her. If Soo Min's eyes could shoot lasers I would have been vaporized by now. My ashes being the only sign of my existence.

As if wanting to rub it more, Do Eun served me a bowl of ramen first before himself while his parents watched and Soo Min most likely was thinking of ways to kill me without anyone noticing.

"You know our fathers are best friends so I've known Do Eun oppa since I was a baby." Soo Min bragged.

"Then you must know a lot about each other," I played along. This can only lead to funny childhood stories which was what I was hoping for.

Do Eun's mother smiled cheekily, "Once Soo Min got so excited that Do Eun was returning from camp that she wet herself. She begged me to take her home."

"Imo!" Soo Min yelled embarrassed.

I laughed with everyone, but feeling bad I added, "I once laughed so much that I wet myself and my mom had to come pick me up from school. She took a memorable picture and carries it in her wallet."

"I like how your mother thinks," Do Eun's mother praised.

The entire night continued smoothly with lots of laughter and stories. Soo Min stopped glaring, but she instead would stare at Do Eun with yearning eyes. She must really like him especially since she called his mother her mother-in-law earlier.

After dinner, Do Eun asked to drop me off, but I adamantly refused…his father then ordered his son to drop me off and of course you can't say no to Mr. Choi.

"Your parents are great," I complimented as we walked toward the back gate of my home.

He nodded, "They are. Your mom sounds like a great person too."

"She was," I confirmed. "So Soo Min is really close to you right?"

"She is," he sighed. "Her father always left her in our care throughout her childhood so naturally she followed me around. She's like my younger sister."

Younger sister? Looking over his shoulder, I saw Soo Min watching us from the slightly cracked window of the car. After ordering his son to drop me off, Soo Min offered to accompany us since it was dark out and the more the merrier.

"Oppa, my dad just texted me wondering where I am!" She yelled from the car after I caught her looking. "Let's go!"

"I'll see you at school then," I said cutting the conversation nicely.

He seemed reluctant to leave. "Yeah, see you."

I waved goodbye as the car drove away and sighed. I had a great time with Do Eun and his family, but that feeling was quickly replaced with a feeling of sadness. They were happy and enjoyed spending time with each other which was the exact opposite of what was happening in my new home.