Secret of the Autumn

by xiaoj

[AU] Chu Ga Eul has always been a country bumpkin in the eyes of the F4. Especially so, in the case of So Yi Jeong, the renowned Korean Casanova. But what if… Chu Ga Eul wasn't really a country bumpkin, nor was she the ordinary commoner friend of Geum Jan Di that everyone thought her out to be? And this secret side of hers was revealed unintentionally to the Korean Casanova of F4,

20. Chapter 20

Author's notes: Okay, I have to admit - I started this new document on a spur of a moment. I'm not even sure if I would persevere to the end with this new idea. Either way, I was reading English Fics on the SoEul couple from the TV show Boys Over Flowers [Korean Version] and thought, perhaps I should try my hands in writing something on the couple. I had my fair share of dabbling in the ship with the Chinese language but I have never tried writing it in English before.

Summary: [AU] Chu Ga Eul has always been a country bumpkin in the eyes of the F4. Especially so, in the case of So Yi Jeong, the renowned Korean Casanova. But what if… Chu Ga Eul wasn't really a country bumpkin, nor was she the ordinary commoner friend of Geum Jan Di that everyone thought her out to be? And this secret side of hers was revealed unintentionally to the Korean Casanova of F4, how would that affect the entire story flow in the Boys over Flowers universe?

Title: Secret of the Autumn

Chapter 20 - To the Ski-Resort, Let's Go! Part 1

Location: Shinhwa Academy, 13th April 2009, Monday, 7.30am

Chu Ga Eul was just stepping out from the black Lexus belonging to her half-brother, Miyazawa Kazuki when she was halted in the act by something her brother just commented.

"Sorry, come again? I'm afraid I didn't catch that." Chu Ga Eul started, turning around to look at the figure of Miyazawa Kazuki as she asks for her brother to repeat his earlier statement.

"I said, keep your evening on the 15th of April free. We are throwing an advance birthday party for you at Shuichi's place." Miyazawa Kazuki repeated his earlier words without batting an eyelid.

"... Wait, since when did it become my birthday party? I thought it was supposed to be a welcome party for Risa-chan?" Chu Ga Eul blinked, finding the entire situation a tad confusing.

"It was initially meant to be a welcome party for Risa, but she wanted to focus fully on her competition preparation work and thus shot down the idea of us hosting a welcome party for her. Not wanting to see the look of disappointment on Shuichi's face, Shunsuke told Risa that it's actually an advanced birthday party for you." Kazuki explained, finally cluing his half-sister in on the things she has not been informed about ahead of time.

"...And she didn't suspect a single thing?" Raising an eyebrow up in a questioning manner, Chu Ga Eul voiced her next query across to her half-brother.

"Well… she did wonder why your birthday party was hosted a day in advance as opposed to holding the party on your actual birthday. To which, Shunsuke responded by telling Risa that you have plans to celebrate your birthday with your childhood friend and the F4. And since we are trying to avoid any forms of interaction with the F4 as much as possible, it's only natural for us to hold your birthday party a day in advance." Kazuki shrugged in response, while Chu Ga Eul inwardly wonders what her brother would think if she were to admit to him now that she is indeed spending the evening of her birthday with a member of F4.

Still, that's just a random stray thought. Because there is simply no way Ga Eul is going to admit to Kazuki that the evening of her birthday has already been reserved by the Korean Casanova of F4. Her brother would kick up a fuss and send Shunsuke over to tail her if he were to know of the plans made between her and So Yi Jeong of F4, no doubt.

"I see… well, given that it's now my birthday party. Do I get the right to invite my own guests over to the party? It wouldn't be right to call it my birthday party, if none of the guests invited were from my social circle - isn't that, right?" Chu Ga Eul pointed out to her brother in a matter-of-fact tone of voice.

"Well… I supposed you are allowed to invite your own guests to the party, but just avoid inviting the members of F4 to the party." Miyazawa Kazuki grudgingly agreed to Ga Eul's statement that she probably ought to invite some of her friends to the party, to make the story of the party is an advance birthday party organized for Ga Eul convincing.

"Of course. I wouldn't invite the F4, I'm not that dumb. I was thinking of inviting Jan Di over… but I'm not sure if she could make it. Oh well, I'll invite Nari to the party then. She likely would be interested in coming… can I invite Hyo Rin, or is she on the guests' list already?" Ga Eul inquires, shooting a questioning look in Kazuki's direction.

"Sure, you can invite her to the party if you want. No, she wasn't on the list before - given that Risa doesn't know her on a personal scale. And since you're inviting her to the party, I might as well invite Jae-In to join the party as well." Miyazawa Kazuki commented in response to his sister's inquiry.

"Excellent, I'll send her an invitation to the party later." Chu Ga Eul commented, and this time, she finally did alight from the black Lexus of her brother and headed off for the direction of the academic building.

Noticing a familiar orange lotus parked some distance away, Chu Ga Eul thought she might as well drop a quick text message to the Korean Casanova - informing the guy that she has completely recovered from her bout of cold ailment and is now back in school.

A private message between Chu Ga Eul and So Yi Jeong, 13th April 2009, Monday, 7.45am

Ga Eul: Good morning, Yi Jeong-sunbae. Noticed your orange lotus in the parking lot, so I thought to just drop you a message to inform you that I've recovered from my cold ailment and am now back in school. ^_^

PS: Is Jan Di leaving the hospital today?

Yi Jeong: Good morning, Ga Eul-yang. Glad to hear that you've recovered from your cold, and are now back in school. In response to your query about Geum Jan Di, yes - she would be discharged from the hospital later today, at 10am. Ji Hoo is picking her up and therefore isn't in school at the moment.

PS: Are you having homemade lunch today?

Ga Eul: Yes. ^_^; Albeit, today's lunch was prepped up by my father. And it's the plain old comfort food - chicken porridge. Given that I've just recovered from my bout of cold, my father wanted me to keep it light for lunch today.

Yi Jeong: Well… Jun Pyo is still on medical leave, and Ji Hoo likely isn't coming in until noon. Lunch break is at 11am, it's only me and Woo Bin… so, would you like to join us for lunch in the F4 private lounge? Fresh fruits would be served.

Ga Eul: Sure. Seeing as Jan Di isn't around, and I'm not in the mood to join the E3 for lunch today. I'll take you up on the offer. Fresh fruits sound good… ^_^ See you later, Yi Jeong-sunbae!

Over at the F4 private classroom, Song Woo Bin tilted his head slightly to the side as he observed the smiling look on his Casanova friend's face and promptly allow a Cheshire grin to form on his lips. Judging from the way his friend is busy communicating with someone on the phone via text, needless to say, it must have been Ga Eul-yang on the other end of the line. After all, Yi Jeong was never much of a fan of text messages… unless a reply was insisted upon, Yi Jeong's the type that read the messages but never replies. Yet, it was obviously not quite the case when it comes down to Chu Ga Eul, no matter how busy his friend is, Yi Jeong always made it a point to reply to a message from the girl.

[Yi Jeong's definitely smitten by Ga Eul-yang, heck! He's practically dating that girl only without making things official between them, just look at the way they are behaving. Though knowing Yi Jeong, he probably would insist that they aren't dating and that, they are simply friends who go out for meals, once in a while.] - Song Woo Bin was thinking as he observed the Korean Casanova discreetly from his position behind his desk in the F4 private classroom.

"Woo Bin, Ga Eul-yang would be joining us for lunch today in the lounge. She would be bringing her own lunch, so there's no need to prepare her share of food. But she did express interest in the fresh fruits' platter… so, kindly make sure that fresh fruits would be served for dessert today." So Yi Jeong suddenly commented, directing his words across to his Don Juan friend who seems to be zoning out while staring in his direction.

"... Noted. I'll make sure to inform the fruits vendor to send up a platter of the fresh fruits during lunch break." Song Woo Bin blinked once then twice, and upon realizing that his friend is speaking to him. It took a while for him to recall what his friend was saying before he nodded his agreement that he would speak to the fruits stall vendor in the cafeteria to send a fresh fruits platter up for Chu Ga Eul.

Although the F4 private lounge comes with its' own kitchenette space - one can hardly expect the members of F4 to actually cook lunch for themselves. So, that kitchenette space is mainly being used for preparing tea service. Therefore, 95% of the time - they would still order their food from the students' cafeteria and then have the stall vendors arrange for someone to send their food over. That's how they usually get their lunch settled in the private lounge. On occasions, Jun Pyo might get his family servant over to prep up a meal for them - but that isn't something that occurs regularly. It usually happens only when Jun Pyo is in an exceptionally good mood.

Either way, with Jun Pyo away from school due to medical leave - it's up to them to settle their lunch arrangement for themselves. Too lazy to head over to the students' cafeteria to check out the menu for himself, So Yi Jeong had pretty much left it up to his friend to decide what to get for lunch and therefore, it's also Woo Bin's responsibility to ensure that fresh fruits are being served today during lunch break.

Location: Shinhwa Hospital, 13th April 2009, Monday 10am

When Geum Jan Di was given the all-clear by the medical team for her to be discharged from the hospital, she had thought she's going to head off for home by herself. Given that it's a Monday, and except for the hospitalized Shinhwa heir - the rest of the members of F4 are all attending classes in school. However, what happened was that Yoon Ji Hoo had opted to skip out of his morning classes today to come over and send Geum Jan Di home on behalf of his hospitalized friend.

"Ji Hoo-sunbae, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in school attending classes now?" Geum Jan Di started, her eyes widening in surprise as she took in the figure of the auburn-haired member of F4 standing in the private hospital room which had been allotted for her use over the last 48 hours.

"Well... Jun Pyo entrusted me with the task of sending you home. So, I decided to skip out of my morning classes to ferry you home before heading to school – today. Come on, I've gotten your discharge paperwork settled – so, if you're ready... we can leave at any time." Yoon Ji Hoo responded as he directed a smile towards Geum Jan Di.

"Thank you, but what about the hospitalization fee? You didn't settle that on my behalf, did you?" Geum Jan Di first thanked the auburn-haired member of F4 for assisting to settle the paperwork involved in her hospitalization discharge process, before the thought of the hospital bill crossed her mind and she promptly balked when she thought of how expensive a two-nights stay in a private hospital room in Shinhwa Hospital would costs.

"Nah... your hospitalization bill has been footed by the Shinhwa Group, so there isn't a need for you to fret over the cost of your stay in a private hospital room." Yoon Ji Hoo told the girl in a matter-of-fact tone of voice.

"Seriously? Why?" Geum Jan Di was rendered speechless by this little bit of information, as far as she's concerned – isn't Gu Jun Pyo's mother very much against the idea of her being involved with her son? So, why would she agree to the notion of having the Shinhwa Group write off the cost of her hospital stay?

"I reckon, it might have something to do with you preventing Jun Pyo from sustaining further injuries to his head which might threaten his life, in hindsight." Yoon Ji Hoo was silent for a moment, before sharing his opinion on the subject with the baffling figure of Geum Jan Di.

As it turns out, Yoon Ji Hoo's conjecture wasn't too far off from the truth. While Kang Hee Soo was indeed upset by the recent turns of events and was in a bit of a nasty temper in the wake of her son being injured by the guy she had engaged to break up the relationship between her son and the commoner girl. In the end, she had swallowed the hard truth that if it hasn't been for the presence of Geum Jan Di on-site, her son would have suffered injuries that are of a life-threatening level.

So, Kang Hee Soo had grudgingly allowed the Shinhwa Group to cover the cost of the girl's treatment and hospitalization fee as a form of gratitude towards the girl's actions that saved her son's life in the end. Still, that doesn't mean she's fine with her son dating Geum Jan Di though... but she reckons she could allow some leeway to her son's behavior for now.

While Geum Jan Di was leaving the hospital under the escort of the auburn-haired member of F4, she was unaware that the Shinhwa heir was looking at them through the window of his private hospital room. The Shinhwa heir wanted very much to be the guy to send Geum Jan Di home, but the truth is... he's kind of immobile, right now. Not to mention the fact that the medical team attending to him in the hospital had yet to give him the green light to be discharged from the hospital yet.

Location: Shinhwa Academy, F4 Private Lounge, 13th April 2009, Monday, 11am

"Yo! Ga Eul-yang, welcome back to school." Song Woo Bin greeted the girl jovially when Chu Ga Eul poked her head into the lounge to check if there's anyone around.

"Good morning, Woo Bin-sunbae. Where's Yi Jeong-sunbae?" Chu Ga Eul entered the lounge to find only the Don Juan of F4 present, and the Korean Casanova who had invited her over for lunch is nowhere in sight.

"Oh… he stepped out to answer a call from his grandfather. Likely, that old man had some new assignments lined up for Yi Jeong to handle over the next week. Come on over and take a seat, I promised I won't bite." Song Woo Bin joked as he invited the long-haired girl to join him at the sofa couch.

"..." With the thermal food jar in hand, Chu Ga Eul ventured closer to the sitting area of the lounge and took a seat at the sofa armchair instead of seating herself next to the Don Juan of F4.

"Oh… I see that you are not using your usual lunch box today." Song Woo Bin commented, glancing at the food jar with a look of surprise.

"Hmm…? Oh, right - I forgot. You didn't know. My lunch today's prepared by my father, and he made me porridge. I can't exactly bring the porridge over in my usual lunch box, it might spill over as it wasn't meant for storing liquid food. Hence, the food jar as it comes with a tighter cover lid." Chu Ga Eul glances down to her food jar and launched into an explanation about why she changed her lunch container for the day to the Don Juan of F4.

When So Yi Jeong came back into the private lounge, he had with him a cup of hot tea which he sets down in front of the country bumpkin. "Something to warm you up." He commented upon receiving the questioning look from the girl.

Unable to help herself, Chu Ga Eul flushed crimson in the cheeks as she bashfully thanked the Korean Casanova for his thoughtfulness. Whereas, Song Woo Bin throws his Casanova friend a suggestive look that only causes the Korean Casanova to roll his eyes in response.

Taking a good look at his own lunch plate, So Yi Jeong couldn't help but throw his friend a look of annoyance. "Seriously? Fish and Chips?"

"Hey! What's wrong with having fish and chips for lunch? Besides, I asked if you had anything you wouldn't consider for lunch and you claimed to have no preferences for the lunch menu. And I'm in a mood for fish and chips!" Song Woo Bin defended his lunch choices to his Casanova friend, completely aware that Chu Ga Eul was silently observing the two of them with unbidden amusement.

"... I was under the impression that you asked me if I minded getting western food for lunch when you mentioned western food - I was thinking something along the line of sirloin steak, so I said I'm fine with western food. How am I supposed to know that you would opt for a western fast-food option?!" So Yi Jeong deadpans to his Don Juan friend, but still… as unhappy as he is with the lunch menu choice, he still ended up digging into the fish and chips. Granted, he was complaining about how oily the food is throughout the entire lunch session.

"Yi Jeong-sunbae… I assumed that you aren't a fan of fast food then?" Chu Ga Eul commented, voicing her words across to the still lamenting figure of So Yi Jeong when she finished eating her lunch and is now enjoying the fresh fruits served as desserts.

"I am indeed not a big fan of fast food. Of course, I will still eat them if there wasn't another option. But mostly, it's because fast food tends to be oily and fatty. Every time I eat fast food, I need to increase the amount of time spent in the gym which would eat into the time I need to be working on the creation of a new pottery piece. In short, it would send my already planned out schedule into a state of disarray, and thus annoying me to an extent." The Korean Casanova explained as he ignores the sound of laughter coming from his best friend.

"Yi Jeong, just admit it. You detest the notion of having to increase the frequency of your exercising time, you don't work out more than 30-minutes a day. However, when you eat fast food… to burn off the extra calories intake, you would need to spend double the time working out in the gym." Song Woo Bin commented in a teasing tone of voice in the background.

"Shut up, Woo Bin. Nobody asks for your input!" The Korean Casanova throws back at his friend, looking visibly annoyed.

"Fine. I'll shut up now, I shan't tarnish your image in front of the lovely Ga Eul-yang further." Song Woo Bin responded, throwing a playful wink in the direction of Chu Ga Eul resulting in a giggling reaction from the very amused-looking girl.

Inwardly, the Korean Casanova decided to not invite the country bumpkin over for lunch when his Don Juan friend is around, in the future. His friend enjoys messing with him too much, whenever Chu Ga Eul is around. Though he had no proof, So Yi Jeong suspected that his friend had ordered fish and chips for lunch on purpose. Partly because his friend wanted to mess with him, and partly because his friend is trying to clue the country bumpkin in on his food preferences.

"Talking about workout routines, Ga Eul-yang… do you visit the gym?" Song Woo Bin then turns his curious eyes upon the figure of Chu Ga Eul and inquires. The Korean Casanova, meanwhile, narrowed his eyes at his friend as he wonders inwardly about what his Don Juan friend is up to, again.

"Erm…no, I'm not exactly a fan of working out in the gym either. Mostly, I exercise through the means of a morning jog routine, and then there's also the bi-weekly tennis game with the E3, and recently Hyo Rin at the Shinhwa Country Club. And not to forget my weekly ballet session at the arts center, since dancing to a certain extent also helps to burn off calories. Oh, and if I'm in the mood - I'll visit the ice-skating rink at Gwacheon Civic Centre for some figure-skating practices, too. So, that's how I usually go about keeping myself fit." Chu Ga Eul commented in response to the query from the Don Juan of F4, knowing full well that the Korean Casanova was silently taking in the information on the side.

"You do figure-skating?" Unable to help himself, So Yi Jeong widens his eyes as he blurted out in shock.

Honestly, the more information Yi Jeong discovers about the country bumpkin, the more he found himself being surprised by the girl's capabilities. So, the country bumpkin has culinary skills that are above average; knows how to knit; does ballet; plays the piano, and practices calligraphy on routine. Now he had to add figure-skating and tennis sports to the list of things, the country bumpkin can do? Are the surprises revolving around the girl ever going to cease for him?

"Not competitively, but yes. I do figure-skate, once in a blue moon. I haven't been doing it recently, since I haven't been visiting the rink for a session under the supervision of my coach for months now, if not longer. Hence he's now working full-time with Shuichi." Chu Ga Eul admitted, her cheeks going pink slightly under the surprised gaze of the Korean Casanova.

"Is there any chance for us to see you in action on the ice? We used to enjoy figure-skaters in action, finding their movements on the ice enticing. So, we picked up skating skills… only without the ballet background, a lot of stunts were too hard to master. Thus, we ended up just learning to skate for leisure, and later the skills ended up being used for the ice-hockey game instead." Song Woo Bin started, as he cited out the inner desire of his Casanova friend - knowing full well that his friend isn't going to come out right with his thoughts to the girl.

"I'm sure there's bound to be an opportunity, in time. Alright, I need to get going if I don't wish to be late for my next class. While on the subject, can I borrow the sink at the kitchenette area to wash up my used utensils?" Chu Ga Eul smiles at the F2 in response, keeping her eyes focused on the Korean Casanova for a little while longer as she voiced her request to use the sink at the kitchenette space of the F4 private lounge.

"Of course. Go ahead and use the sink." So Yi Jeong managed to shake himself out of his thoughts to answer Chu Ga Eul. If there's anything Woo Bin is right about, it's his interest in watching the scene of Chu Ga Eul figure-skate on the ice. But since the girl isn't doing it competitively, he wonders how he could get the girl to perform those figure-skating stunts he had often seen on TV so, he could get to look at how the stunts were being performed from an up-close range?

Location: Geum family residence, 13th April 2009, Monday 11am

Meanwhile, Geum Jan Di's father is in a bit of a situation with the unlicensed money lenders. Now, it should be noted that when he needed money to start up the roadside stall previously – he had approached the unlicensed money lenders for help to fund the start-up capital. Mostly because he didn't own any property of his own which he could offer to the bank as collateral to get the funding that he needs. However, he didn't expect the interest rate charged by these unlicensed money lenders to be this high. Even now as he works two part-time as cashiers in the convenience store and the supermarket, his salary can't even pay off the interest rates.

Left without a choice, Geum Ii-bong, decided to come clean to his wife and son about what he had done a few months ago, without their knowledge. Needless to say, his wife gives him a scolding before starting to cry as she fretted over what to do for their livelihood for the rest of the month. She's reluctant to bring out her salary from her part-time job at the public bathhouse because it needs to go to the monthly bills. There wasn't much his son could do to help the situation, given that he still isn't of age to work part-time yet. As for his daughter... Geum Ii-bong really didn't wish to add on to the burden of his daughter who is already juggling three part-time jobs at present.

It was at this point that the unlicensed money lenders come knocking on the front door of his current place of residence citing that it's time for him to pay up the interest for the month, again. Having not enough cash to pay off this month's interest, the money lenders proceed to invite him back with them to meet their 'boss' after they searched through the entire apartment to see if there's really no cash in the flat. Struggling to maintain a strong front for his wife and son, Geum Ii-bong willingly leaves his home with the unlicensed money lenders, otherwise better known commonly to the commoners as the loan sharks.

Geum Jan Di returns home to find the entire place being ransacked, and her mother and brother crying their eyes out.

"...Eomma, Kang San... what happens here? Why is the entire apartment in a state of dishevel? And where's Appa?" Geum Jan Di started, confusion clouding her features.

Upon the mention of Geum Ii-bong's whereabouts, the mother and son duo start to break down in tears once again.

"Appa... Appa has been taken away." Geum Kang San managed to choke out in tears.

"Taken away...? By who?" Geum Jan Di pressed on, seeing as she's still completely clueless about what had transpired at home while she's hospitalized in the hospital.

"The loan sharks! Your Appa has been taken away by the loan sharks! Jan Di ah... how are we going to survive?" Na Gong-Joo, the mother of Geum Jan Di captured Jan Di into a hug as she wails aloud in distress.

"... Loan sharks? Why would the loan sharks take him away?" Geum Jan Di inquires with a frown marring her features as she tried to make sense of what exactly was happening.

"Your Appa went to the loan sharks quietly to borrow money for the start-up capital fund of our roadside stall the other time without telling us. Now he can't pay them the hefty interest amount, and they took him away." Na Gong-Joo cried as she spills the beans to her daughter, feeling incredibly hopeless about the current situation at hand.

"What?!" Geum Jan Di could hardly believe what she's hearing... how could her father go and take a loan from the loan sharks without discussing it with the family first?! Trying to remain calm in the face of receiving this shocking piece of information, Geum Jan Di went on to ask her mother when her father has been taken away by the loan sharks.

"They took him about an hour ago..." Na Gong-Joo sniffed as she responded to the inquiry from her daughter.

"Right, then let's wait it out and see. Who knows, maybe Appa would be able to persuade them to give him another few days to raise the money? If he managed to get through to them, they might let him come home tonight." Geum Jan Di tried to reassure her mother and younger brother, although she's not feeling optimistic about this matter at all.

And so, the Geum family spend the rest of the day waiting up for the family patriarch to come back home to no avail. When the following day rolls around, Geum Jan Di left to head off for school with a heavy heart.

Location: Shinhwa Academy, High School division, 14th April 2009, Tuesday 8am

Geum Jan Di took the doctor's advice to heart and decided to avoid swimming until the bruise on her back subsided. So, until then – she isn't going to visit the school's aquatic center. For now, she would simply leave home at a later time since she would be heading straight to the classroom upon arrival.

"Jan Di!" The sound of her childhood friend calling her name, finally snapped Geum Jan Di's focus back to the present. She had been zoning out in class while waiting for the rest of her classmates to arrive, upon reaching the classroom to find it empty of life.

"Ga Eul...you've recovered from your cold ailment, I see." Geum Jan Di managed a small smile at her friend and patiently allowed her childhood friend to give her a once-over assessment of her physical being, knowing that her disappearance must have given her sick friend quite a scare.

"Yes. I've recovered, and I'm really glad that you're okay." Chu Ga Eul eventually said she didn't hound her friend for details concerning her friend's disappearance act – given that she had already heard of the events that had transpired from the Korean Casanova, prior.

"Anyway, Ga Eul – are you in school yesterday? Or are you like me? Because I would like to know what had been taught in class yesterday..." Geum Jan Di begins, as she's on a scholarship scheme – her grades need to be of a certain level to continue with the attendance of classes without the need to pay for her school fees.

"No worries, Jan Di. I was here yesterday. I can supply you with the class notes later during lunch." Chu Ga Eul responded as she reassured her friend that there isn't a need to panic over the idea of not having the notes to the classes conducted on the previous day in school.

"Ga Eul ah... I'm sorry." Geum Jan Di suddenly commented, drawing her friend's eyes on her mid-lunch.

"Why are you apologizing to me, out of the blue?" Chu Ga Eul asks Geum Jan Di back in return, with a look of bewilderment.

"I'm likely unable to gift you anything for your birthday this year." Geum Jan Di responded looking down at her lunch plate, again – sponsored by her friend today, purchased from the cafeteria stall vendors.

"Ah... that's fine. I mean, it's the thought that counts. You can always DIY a birthday card for me, that wouldn't have cost much." Chu Ga Eul suggested knowing full well that her friend is going to feel guilty if she didn't offer some alternative suggestions to her friend about what Jan Di could do for her birthday, this year.

"Really? A DIY birthday card would do? Are you sure?" Geum Jan Di asks her friend one more time to seek affirmation.

"Yes, a DIY birthday card would suffice for this year." Chu Ga Eul nodded in affirmation as she reassured her friend on the matter.

"Thanks, Ga Eul. You're the best friend I could ever ask for." Geum Jan Di commented as she directed a smile of gratitude to her childhood friend.

While Geum Jan Di was having lunch with Chu Ga Eul in the students' cafeteria in Shinhwa Academy, Na Gong-Joo, her mother who was at her wit's end decided to pay a visit to Kang Hee Soo at the Gu family mansion. Knowing how she had offended the woman previously, Na Gong-Joo made sure to bring along a bowl of salt with her when she drops by the Gu family mansion to seek an audience with the lady president of the Shinhwa Group.

Of course, her visit to the Gu family mansion wasn't in the expectation of Kang Hee-Soo. So, it was really a mere chance that Na Gong-Joo didn't end up making a wasted trip. Given how frequent Kang Hee Soo was always traveling overseas for business meetings, it's really a miracle that she was in when the mother of Geum Jan Di came by to see her.

"My lady, you have a visitor." Butler Lee started, leading the mother of Geum Jan Di into the living room of the Gu family mansion.

Kang Hee Soo was seated in the sofa armchair with an English newspaper in hand, going through the world news section when the butler came in to inform her that she has a visitor. Seeing as she wasn't expecting anyone to come by for a visit, she had initially set aside her newspaper to place her focus on her impromptu visitor. However, the moment her eyes landed on the figure of Geum Jan Di's mother – she promptly took up her newspaper, again.

"What are you doing here?" Kang Hee Soo commented, keeping her eyes focused on the news printed on the papers instead of sparing the woman who had dared humiliated her previously a glance.

"I've come to seek out your help. Please save my family. The amount you offered last time, no... even if it's only half the amount is also fine. You're the only one I could think of, to be able to save my family now." Na Gong-Joo responded as she provided the lady president of the Shinhwa Group with an explanation for her decision to come by and pay her a visit, this morning.

"... well, it's true that I do have that kind of money to spare. But why should I help you out? I believed I'd mentioned before, I'm not such a gracious woman that I could easily overlook a previous humiliation without returning the favor." Kang Hee Soo commented, darting a look over at the figure of Geum Jan Di's mother waiting to see the woman's reaction.

Already expecting that this isn't going to be an easy task, Na Gong-Joo promptly went on her knees and kneeled down in front of the lady president for the Shinhwa Group to seek forgiveness.

"I'm sorry for not knowing my position and going against you, the last time. Please forgive me for my impertinence." Na Gong-Joo swallowed her pride and begged on her knees for the mother of her daughter's boyfriend to forgive her for her previous disrespectful behavior. And when the lady president continues to show no signs of willingness to help her family out, she took a deep breath and went on to unwrap the package she had brought along with her into the Gu family mansion.

Curious to see what the mother of Geum Jan Di is up to, Kang Hee Soo lowered her newspaper slightly to sneak a peek in the direction of the woman who had once humiliated her. When she noticed the bowl of salt being retrieved from the wrapped package, Kang Hee Soo couldn't help but raise her eyebrow slightly at the sight. And then, Kang Hee Soo was treated to the disbelieving scene of Geum Jan Di's mother apologizing while dumping the bowl of salt over her own head. Very much amused by the way the woman attempts to seek her forgiveness, Kang Hee Soo set aside her newspaper and commented with a smile.

"Well... because I'm a gracious woman, I'll let bygones be bygones – this one time, and help your family out." Kang Hee Soo said as she stood from the armchair and headed over to the kneeling figure of Na Gong-Joo, going as far as to hold out her hand to invite the woman to stand. Patting the hands of the woman who's now immensely grateful to her, Kang Hee Soo signals for butler Lee to go in search for her secretary who will then help to prepare the briefcase of money for Geum Jan Di's mother.

"Thank you, thank you so much!" Na Gong-Joo wiped at her tears whether from gratitude or humiliation was unknown, but she was truly relieved to know that the lady president of the Shinhwa Group had agreed to provide her with the money that could help save her husband from the grasp of the loan sharks. Even though, deep down in her, she felt a tiny bit of regret of having to trade her daughter's happiness for the safety of her husband. But at present, the situation is just too dire for her to think of any long-term plans nor to put her daughter's happiness at the top of her priority list.

Using the briefcase of money - 3 million Korean won, Na Gong-Joo first brought out 1.5 million to the loan sharks to repay off the debt her husband owes them and then brought the balance amount from the money she had gotten from the lady president of the Shinhwa Group back home with her. At first, Geum Ii-bong was simply glad that he's allowed to head home. He had thought his persuasion words had worked with the loan sharks, but it wasn't until he arrived home for a happy reunion with his family that he realized the actual reason why he had been allowed to leave.

"Eomma… not that I'm not happy that you'd managed to get Appa back home… but where did you get all that money from? 1.5 million Korean won is a lot of money…we can't even fork out the 200,000 Korean won for the interest payment earlier, how did you go from no cash to instantly rich?" Geum Kang San might be young, but he wasn't completely ignorant when it comes down to monetary figures.

"Yes, dear. I would like to hear your explanation, too. Where did you get the money to save me from the loan shark?" Geum Ii-bong then directed his eyes upon the figure of his wife, demanding an explanation.

"...Where do you think I got the money from?!" Na Gong-Joo throws back at her husband in response, as she placed the other briefcase of money onto the table that serves as their family coffee table and dining table.

Geum Kang San was the first to catch on to the actions taken by his mother, and promptly let out a gasp of horror. "Eomma, you didn't…!"

"And if I did…?" Na Gong-Joo asks her son back in return, her tone completely flat.

"...Noona is going to be heartbroken. Although, she has never come outright and said it aloud… it's obvious that she loves Jun Pyo Hyung-nim a lot." Geum Kang San responded as his face took on a gloomy look once again.

Geum Ii-bong took a while longer to catch on to the meaning behind his wife's actions, and when he did - he was so upset that he nearly yells at his wife. But before he could do so, he heard the sound of the key turning in the lock of their family apartment unit and thus promptly fell silent as he waited for the return of his beloved daughter.

Honestly, when Geum Jan Di returns home - she was half-expected to see her father missing from the site. So, when she sighted the neat apartment unit complete with the figure of her father - Geum Ii-bong, Jan Di was overjoyed.

"Appa, you're back! How did you persuade them to let you come home?" Geum Jan Di inquires, as she approached her father for a hug.

"Jan Di ah…Appa is so sorry." Geum Ii-bong started breaking down after receiving a hug of comfort from his daughter.

"Why are you apologizing, Appa?" Geum Jan Di inquires, looking a tad confused, and when she shifted her questioning gaze towards the direction of her little brother. She noticed the guilty look on her mother's face from the corner of her eyes.

"...Eomma, what did you do?" Geum Jan Di feels as though the emergency bell in her mind has been sounded once again at the guilt-ridden look clouding the features of her mother.

Na Gong-Joo sighed aloud, as she turns the briefcase of cash in the direction of her daughter. Knowing full well that with her daughter's intellect, upon seeing the briefcase of cash - nothing else needed to be said. And true enough, when Geum Jan Di landed her eyes on the familiar-looking briefcase of cash, she knew what had happened. Her mother, at her wit's end, had gone to the mother of her boyfriend and agreed to the stipulated condition to get the monetary offer from Kang Hee-Soo. No wonder, her father's apologizing to her and her little brother looked as though someone had died.

"..." Not knowing what to say in response, Geum Jan Di could only close her eyes briefly as she resigned herself to the fact that she now owed the Shinhwa heir another debt. Because she is definitely not going to stop seeing the Shinhwa heir, even if her mother had agreed to the stipulated condition that comes attached with the monetary offer. However, it's her mother who agreed to the condition, not her. So, she could only see this money as a loan from the Shinhwa Group… but first things first, she probably ought to inform the Shinhwa heir before he hears of the matter from his mother.

While Geum Jan Di was thinking about how to phrase her words when she calls up the Shinhwa heir later, her father had demanded her mother to return the money. But her mother refuses to, as she snapped. "No way. Do you know what I had to do to get my hands on this money? I had to swallow my pride, go down on my knees to beg for her forgiveness, and dump a bowl of salt onto my own head to get her to agree to offer us the money that help save our family from the loan sharks. So, there's no way am I going to return the money to her." Na Gong-Joo insisted, and her refusal to return the money to the lady president of the Shinhwa Group causes the upset Geum Ii-bong to stalk out of the apartment unit to fume in silence.

"..."

After a while, Geum Jan Di sighed as she took the jacket that belongs to her father from the coat rack in the living room intending to head out in search of the man. Unlike her father, she didn't kick up a fuss over her mother's reluctance to return the money. Given that a portion of the money has already been used, so, it isn't as though they could just pretend her mother didn't sign the agreement for her to stop seeing the Shinhwa heir with immediate effect.

Eventually, Geum Jan Di found her father at the playground sitting on a swing as he brooded in silence. With a sigh, the Wonder Woman of Korea approached the man who had fathered her and commented. "There you are, you didn't wear your jacket when you leave earlier. Even though it's already Spring - the weather is still quite chilly at night."

"Jan Di… Appa feels so bad now. To save me, your Eomma literally sacrificed your happiness… you really love Young Master Jun Pyo, right?" Geum Ii-bong begins, looking at his daughter with an extremely sad expression on his face.

"While it's true that Gu Jun Pyo is important to me, but compared to him… Appa, you're more important to me." Geum Jan Di told her father resolutely, as for the Shinhwa heir - she would simply explain the situation to him over the phone later and hope that she got her side of the story over to him before his witch of a mother did. Because really, who knows what kind of tales his mother is going to spin to him at the end of the day?

"Jan Di… you love him, so he's definitely as important to you as I am to you." Geum Ii-bong told his daughter firmly.

"How could you be so certain when I'm not even certain of the fact, myself?" Geum Jan Di asks her father, intrigued to hear the opinions of her father on the subject.

"Hey! I've been your father for 19 years; I think I would be able to tell whether my daughter is in love or not." Geum Ii-bong responded and then the father and daughter duo, spend the next few minutes taking turns at the swing to enjoy a brief moment of respite.

When they went home, they spend the next hour persuading Na Gong-Joo to give up the rest of the money so, Jan Di could bring it back to lady president Kang - on the following day. The sooner they return the money, the better… as for the portion already used; they will borrow it from elsewhere - so, they could return the money in full to the lady president of the Shinhwa Group.

"Borrow… it's easy for you to say. We've used 1.5 million in total, where are we going to borrow the money from?" Na Gong-Joo throws back at her husband in a huff of annoyance.

"...I'll find a way, but Eomma… if I do manage to raise the 1.5 million that has been touched - would you agree to return the case of money to Gu Jun Pyo's mother?" Geum Jan Di turns towards her mother with a stern expression on her face then, she already has a plan in mind on how to get the money.

Jan Di's plan comprises of the following, first, she would call up the master of the porridge shop to request an advance of her salary payment for a week. That would give her 150,000 Korean won, and then, she's due to receive her weekly payment from her gas station part-time tonight which would provide her with another 150,000 Korean won. Together, she would have a total of 300,000 Korean won from the salary of her two part-time jobs. As for the balance of 1.2 million, she would borrow a portion from Ga Eul… and then have the leftover portion covered by Ji Hoo-sunbae. She hated the concept of owing people, but at this point, she has no choice.

Decision made; she promptly took out her mobile phone to call up her childhood friend. It's a little awkward for her to broach the subject with her childhood friend, given that her friend's birthday is approaching in a matter of days. Not only is she unable to gift her friend anything this year, but now she's even looking at the prospect of borrowing money from her friend to tide over her family's latest crisis. Just the notion of it makes her want to duck her head down in shame.

The call was picked up on the third ring as per Geum Jan Di's expectation, taking a deep breath - the Wonder Woman of Korea first greeted her friend on the phone cordially before spilling the beans of the events that transpired in her family over the past 48 hours. Only after ensuring her friends had gotten all the facts, Geum Jan Di then bring up the subject of needing to borrow money from her friend to tide over the crisis of her family.

"I see…well, Jan Di… as much as I would love to help you out, I wouldn't be able to fork out 1.2 million on my own unless I were to approach my parents for assistance. But I figured you wouldn't want that…So, all I can do now is to empty out my savings from the part-time job over the past month… setting aside the bare minimum sum of money to keep the bank account open and maintain my liquidity flow, I think I'm able to lend you a total of 600,000 Korean won. The balance of 600,000 Korean won, I'm afraid you would have to get it from elsewhere. Is that okay?" Chu Ga Eul took out her savings passbook from the Shinhan Bank and check on her current bank balances.

Chu Ga Eul had a total of three banks accounts under her name, the first being the account set up by her parents to receive the monthly allowance coming in from Japan from her birth father. The second bank account was set up by her parents when she was still a toddler to save up the money she receives from her relatives and family friends during the Lunar new year period over the past decade or so. The last account was one she set up by herself when she started working part-time with Jan Di at the porridge shop, it's also the main account she would use for her shopping expenses these days. The money stored in the other two accounts, she mostly left them untouched and treated them as a form of contingency funds.

"600,000 Korean won is more than enough. I was expecting you to only provide me with 200,000 Korean won, to be honest." Geum Jan Di answered, sounding rather relieved that she didn't have to borrow an entire million dollars from the auburn-haired member of F4.

"Nah… 600,000 Korean won; I still can spare. I mean, I'm working to keep you company - it's not as though, I needed that money. My allowance from my parents is more than enough to sustain my monthly expenditure… and I have three parents, remember?" Chu Ga Eul commented on her end of the line, purposely making her tone sound light-hearted to diffuse the awkwardness her friend might have felt when bringing up the subject of taking a loan from her.

"Thanks, Ga Eul." Geum Jan Di responded emotionally, gratitude is apparent in her tone.

"So, how do you want me to pass you the money? In cash, tomorrow, or would you like me to transfer you the money through the bank transfer option?" Chu Ga Eul asks, either way - she's fine.

If Jan Di wanted the money in cash, she simply had to count out the cash from her cash allowances stashed somewhere in her room… her adoptive father has a tendency to give her monthly allowance in cash. Her birth parents prefer to do it via bank transfer, her Chichiue will transfer the money into her account set up by him when she was still a baby, every month without fail which she has yet to touch, so far. Her mother, on the other hand, transfer her monthly allowance into her current main bank account with the Shinhan Bank on the 7th of each month.

"Whichever is more convenient for you works for me." Geum Jan Di answered, having no preference of how the money is going to reach her.

"In that case, I'll transfer you the 600,000 Korean won via bank transfer. Can you send me your bank account details so; I could get down to the bank transfer without delay?" Chu Ga Eul requested, reaching for a pen and memo note sitting on the desk of her bedroom to jot down the relevant information.

"Sure, just the bank account number would suffice, right?" Geum Jan Di clarifies, seeing as she has never provided anyone with her bank account details via a text message. She usually just brings her saving passbook with her to her employer for them to make a photocopy of the details necessary for the salary crediting when requested.

"Bank account number and the bank you are using." Chu Ga Eul responded as she informed her friend of the information, she would require to facilitate an immediate bank transfer on her banking app installed on her IPAD device.

"Noted. I will send the relevant information over to you in a jiffy." Geum Jan Di answered, sounding really grateful and appreciating her friend's help.

Upon receiving the relevant information, Chu Ga Eul didn't waste any time in transferring the amount of 600,000 Korean won over to her friend's bank account. Once done, she made sure to screencap an image of the successful transaction message and email it to her friend for evidence.

Seeing as Ga Eul was pretty much capable of handling her own finance, she didn't inform her parents about the amount she had loaned out to her childhood friend. Honestly, she didn't expect the money to be returned to her anytime soon – given the financial status of her friend's family, at present. So, she didn't specify a time frame for her friend to repay the loan but knowing Jan Di, the amount is bound to be repaid in time. It's only a matter of time.

With Ga Eul, Geum Jan Di could still request a loan over the phone. However, when it comes down to borrowing money from the auburn-haired member of F4... she thought, it might be best for her to make a personal trip over to the Yoon family home instead of speaking on the matter over an impersonal phone call. Thus, making full use of the time before she needs to head off for her gas station part-time job, Geum Jan Di dropped a text message to Yoon Ji Hoo of F4 asking if the guy is home, at present.

A Private Message between Geum Jan Di and Yoon Ji Hoo, 14th April 2009, 9pm

Jan Di: Ji Hoo-sunbae, I have a favor to ask from you. Are you home, right now?

Ji Hoo: Yes. Are you swinging by in person?

Jan Di: Yes. I'm on my way over, should be arriving in about 25 minutes.

Ji Hoo: Noted. Text me when you arrived at the gate, I'll open the door to allow you entrance then.

Even though, Yoon Ji Hoo had practically no idea why Geum Jan Di would be coming over to his place of residence this late, in time. He highly doubts Geum Jan Di is here for a random social call, after all, the girl did mention having a favor to ask from him. Still, the auburn-haired member of F4 decides to prepare a tea service for his soon-to-arrive guest for the evening.

Location: Yoon family home, 14th April 2009, Tuesday, late evening – 9.45pm

Following the figure of Yoon Ji Hoo from the gate to the living room of the traditional Hanok house, Geum Jan Di feels really awkward about the favor she's going to ask from the guy walking ahead, soon. Given another option, she wouldn't have approached the auburn-haired member of F4 for a monetary loan... but she's really out of options.

"Sorry for intruding upon you this late in time, but Ji Hoo-sunbae... I need a favor from you." Geum Jan Di began, bowing as she addressed the auburn-haired member of F4 in the living room of the Yoon family home.

"Yes, you mentioned that in the earlier text message. So, what's this favor you need from me that you actually have to come over in person to speak to me about?" Yoon Ji Hoo prompted, cutting straight to the point – knowing that Geum Jan Di has a part-time job to get to, after meeting up with him.

"This is so embarrassing but I need to take a cash loan of 600,000 Korean won from you. I wouldn't have resorted to asking this of you if I have another option available." Geum Jan Di responded as she felt her cheeks flaming up from embarrassment.

"..."

Yoon Ji Hoo was rendered speechless, the notion of Geum Jan Di approaching him for a cash loan was completely outside of his expectation. Of course, 600,000 Korean won was nothing to him. That's not even worth his pocket allowance for a month, but the fact that the headstrong girl is actually so desperate for money that she came to him for help was shocking.

"Why did you choose to come to me? Certainly, wouldn't it be better for you to approach Jun Pyo for the loan – instead?" Yoon Ji Hoo couldn't help but inquire the girl in return, after getting over the shock of Geum Jan Di coming to him with a request for a cash loan.

"... Well, the money is to return to lady president Kang. It wouldn't be right to borrow money from Gu Jun Pyo to pay his mother back, right? His money is literally his parents' money, too. That's like taking money out from the left pocket to return to the right pocket, which would defeat the purpose of me returning the money to his mother, to begin with." Geum Jan Di commented somewhat sardonically.

"Wait... rewind and tell me the entire story from the beginning. What do you mean by the money is to be returned to Jun Pyo's mother?" Yoon Ji Hoo pressed on for a full story behind why the girl would need to take a loan from him to pay Jun Pyo's mother back. Certainly, his friend's mother didn't use the excuse of the Shinhwa Group footing her hospitalization and treatment bill to make her leave his long-time friend, did she?

And thus, Geum Jan Di found herself reiterating the story of how her father had ended up taking a loan from the unlicensed money lenders without their knowledge previously and ended up in hot soup with the loan sharks due to his incapability to pay up the hefty sum of money accrued from the high-interest rates. That ultimately, resulted in her father being taken away by the loan sharks and causes her mother, who's at her wit's end to go to the mother of Gu Jun Pyo for monetary assistance. Of course, Gu Jun Pyo's mother would never agree to help their family out of a pinch without getting something in return. So, now – she would need to find some ways to return the money to the mother of her boyfriend, otherwise, she would be held accountable for the agreement her mother had signed on her behalf earlier on, in the day.

"I see... and how much money do you need to pay Jun Pyo's mother back?" Yoon Ji Hoo inquires, purely to satisfy his own curiosity on the subject. Given the above-mentioned situation, he would expect the girl to request a cash loan from him that amounts up to a million dollars, at least. Yet, all the girl is asking from him was a cash loan amounting to up to only 600,000 Korean won. That's surprisingly minuscule.

"She gave my mother a total of 3 million Korean won, of which, 1.5 million had been used. Between the advance salary withdrawal from two of my part-time jobs, I've managed to secure 300,000 Korean won. Ga Eul had agreed to lend me 600,000 Korean won, and including the 600,000 Korean won, I'm borrowing from you. I would be able to give her back the money taken by my mother earlier today in full. Albeit, it would likely take me another few days before I could return her the money since I'm still waiting for my salary advance withdrawal to be credited to my account." Geum Jan Di responded then, giving the auburn-haired member of F4 a full account of how she had gotten to raise the amount needed to pay the lady president of the Shinhwa Group back, in full.

"... I see. Well, I don't keep that much cash on my person... so, can I give them to you tomorrow in school?" Yoon Ji Hoo eventually commented while he does have the tendency to keep some cash notes on his person... but he can't exactly empty out his pockets to the girl, right away. After all, he did have a need to keep some loose change for things like refueling his motorbike petrol, etc. So, the earliest he could get the money requested by Geum Jan Di to the girl would be the following morning, after swinging by the automated cash machine.

"Of course, I'm simply paying you a visit in person tonight because I thought it better to bring across the request for a cash loan in person than through an impersonal phone call. And I think it's about time I get going, I do have to report to the gas station for my night shift duty." Geum Jan Di commented then, as she stood from the sofa and make a move to leave the family home of the auburn-haired member of F4.

"Wait, don't rush off. Let me get a change of clothes, and I will give you a ride over on my motorbike. It's about time I get a refuel for my motorbike, so, I might as well get it done over at the gas station you work." Yoon Ji Hoo commented, calling out for the attention of Geum Jan Di and requesting that the girl stay on for another few minutes.

Location: Sakuraba's family residence in Gangnam district, 15th April 2009, Wednesday, 7pm

"Shuichi, you're going to wear a hole into the carpet if you don't stop pacing around." Miyazawa Kazuki deadpans from his seated position on the sofa couch in the living room of his friend and cousin's family residence in Seoul, South Korea.

"Yes, Shuichi-Kun. Don't worry, Risa-chan would definitely be showing up, you guys are throwing this party under the guise of a birthday celebration for me, in advance – isn't it? And since it's my birthday party, Risa is definitely going to be showing up." Chu Ga Eul pointed out to her bespectacled cousin, in a matter-of-fact tone of voice.

The attendants for the party that serves as both the welcome party for Ninomiya Risa, and the birthday party for Chu Ga Eul are as follows: the members of E3, Sakuraba Shinobu who is hosting the party at her family residence, Ga Eul herself as one of the main stars for the party, the father-daughter duo from the Ninomiya family – bringing the numbers to 7, and then there's Chu Jung Min who had decided to tag along Ga Eul this evening as her 'plus-one'. Finally, the invited guests for the party included Choi Hyo Rin and Park Jae-In from class 2A of Shinhwa High, and Kim Nari from Seoul High School. Last but not least, Oh Ha-Na, coming as the 'plus-one' of Choi Hyo Rin. All in, there are only 12 attendants for the party since Ga Eul's parents couldn't make it due to work commitments, this evening.

Anyway, for the food catering – they had decided to go for the mini-buffet spread from the Miya's Cafe. Since the total number of party attendants is less than 15 in total.

The mini-buffet spread comes with nine dishes in total, including appetizers and desserts. There's a garden salad with roasted sesame dressing, crispy pork with Japanese curry, baked salmon teriyaki, wasabi mayo prawn, spinach Goma-ae with sesame sauce, golden seafood croquette with tartar sauce, fried udon noodles, fresh fruits tray, and mini pastries.

"Guys, if there is leftover food in the end, don't throw them out. I will bring them to Jan Di when the party comes to an end." Ga Eul commented, directing her words to the members of E3 on the whole.

"Sure." The boys chorused in unison before Kazuki thought to ask about Ga Eul's reason for hanging around the dining area where the buffet spread has been set up upon the food being delivered moments ago.

"I'm taking a photo of the buffet spread before the guests arrive." Chu Ga Eul responded holding up her mobile phone for her half-brother to see.

"... What is it with you and Miyuki's tendency to take photos of literally anything and absolutely everything?" Miyazawa Kazuki couldn't help but roll his eyes in exasperation when he thought of the habits of his two sisters.

"Shut it, Kazuki. Nobody asks for your opinions!" Chu Ga Eul throws back in response, as she proceeds to forward the image of the buffet spread to her childhood friend Geum Jan Di; with the message that she would keep some food and bring it over to the girl after the party ended.

A private message between Chu Ga Eul and Geum Jan Di, 15th April 2009, Wednesday, 7.05pm

Ga Eul: [Attached buffet spread ] - Jan Di, see all these foods? Let me know if there's anything in particular that you would like to try, I'll bring some back and drop it off to you at your place before I head home for the day. ^_^ v

Jan Di: O_O Wait... are you at a party? Would it be okay for you to take away the leftover food though?

Ga Eul: …. Jan Di, you remember the birthday party I invited you to attend over the phone, and you turn me down with multiple reasons why you shouldn't attend? This is that party, and since it's a party for my birthday (albeit, in advance). I get the right to decide on what to do with the leftover foods.

Jan Di: I see... in that case, just bring me whatever that is leftover at the end. I'm not picky, really. Although, if possible... save me a few pastries. I haven't had the money for sweet treats for weeks, already. ^^;

Ga Eul: Noted. I'll make sure to keep some pastries for you then. The custard puffs don't look too bad in my opinion. Only, I wasn't certain of its taste – given that I had yet to try it out. ^^;

Jan Di: ... I was referring to the chocolate mini-roll cake though. ^^; but I'm fine with the custard puffs if those are the only thing left on the pastry's platter served.

Ga Eul: Right... I'll try to bring you both types of pastries then. While on the subject, keep your lunch hour block open for me – tomorrow, okay? I wanted some girls' time with you. You can give me your DIY birthday card then, I promised I wouldn't laugh at your handiwork.

Jan Di: *Sweat-drop Emoji* Right...

The guests for the party started arriving shortly after 7pm, mostly because the time listed on the invitation card stated 7.30pm as the starting time for the party event. Since the party is being hosted in the residence of the Sakuraba family, there wouldn't be any ballroom dancing involved unlike the welcome party hosted by the F4 in Namhaedo for Min Seo Hyun, sometime last year. Instead, what the E3 have planned for this party aside from the mini-buffet food spread is a family Karaoke session and some table games for the guys to pass their time if they aren't in the mood for a karaoke session.

Today... Ga Eul's only expecting Kim Nari from the Seoul High School to show up as her only invited guest, and well... maybe Choi Hyo Rin could also be counted towards her invited guests. The rest of the attendants are mostly people Kazuki has in mind to invite. Considering the short notice, Nari and Hyo Rin are the only people Ga Eul could think of inviting since Jan Di isn't able to make it to the party for multiple reasons.

The first reason would be Jan Di's current family drama going on that took up too much of the girl's attention to think about attending a party. The second reason would be Jan Di's inability to afford a decent present for her friend if she were to turn up at the party event. Third of all, Jan Di thought it would be awkward for her to show up at the party since it's going to be filled up with people who she doesn't know on a personal scale. Sure, there are bound to be Shinhwa students around - but those are likely from another class, and Jan Di often found it difficult to relate to the students studying in Shinhwa High, to begin with. So, she's all the more reluctant to show up at the party… and then, there's also the fact that the F4 isn't invited. Therefore, even if Ga Eul entices her with the prospect of being able to meet the entire group of E3… Geum Jan Di still opts to turn down the party invitation from her childhood friend.

In contrast to Jan Di's rejection of the party invitation, Kim Nari is the exact opposite. Even though, the invitation was extended through the means of a phone call conversation as opposed to in person. After all, with the short time notice, Ga Eul literally had no time to pay her former classmate a visit in person to extend the party invitation. Anyway, the conversation over the phone started off with Kim Nari demanding for her to explain why she didn't think to inform about the break-up with Gong Soo Pyo, and that Nari had to hear it from some third-party sources - which Ga Eul suspects, might be an acquaintance of her former scumbag of a boyfriend.

In response to Nari's demand, Ga Eul apologized without a moment of hesitation and then claimed that the notion had slipped her mind because she's too busy in the wake of breaking up with Gong Soo Pyo. Not wanting to speak on that scumbag who was once her boyfriend, Chu Ga Eul promptly changed the subject by extending the party invitation to her former classmate citing that the girl's allowed to bring a 'plus-one' to the event as long as it wasn't a certain ex-boyfriend of hers. Needless to say, Kim Nari didn't waste a single second to agree to attend the party - wishing to get a chance to catch up with the recent happenings in Ga Eul's life.

The notion of bringing a 'plus-one' to the party event didn't even occur to Kim Nari, until she found her way to the party venue and found the entire place filled up with people she absolutely doesn't know, sans the figure of Chu Ga Eul.

[... Darn, I should have brought along a 'plus-one' for the party. Now what? Where's Ga Eul?] - Kim Nari thought as she stood in the doorway of the party venue and hesitated momentarily about whether to go in, or not. Her only form of consolation lies in the fact that the party doesn't stipulate a dress code for the occasions, so her choice of the wardrobe for this evening wouldn't be considered too eye-catching.

"Miss, are you heading in?" Park Jae-In started, he had arrived at the doorstep to the Sakuraba's family home to find someone blocking his entry to the party event. Due to the ongoing party, the Sakuraba family had left their entrance doorway to their family apartment unit unlocked and supervised by their housekeeper who has been assigned the role of playing temporary security personnel for the party event.

"Oh… sorry, I'm blocking your way - am I?" Kim Nari flushed crimson when she realized she's blocking the access pathway of someone else.

"Yes, but no worries. You are Ga Eul's friend, aren't you? Just go in, it's fine if you don't have a physical invitation card. Just tell the person guarding the entrance that you're here to attend Ga Eul's birthday party, and she will let you in without questions asks." Park Jae-In thought the girl was simply hesitating because she has no physical invitation card on her person. And fully in the knows that the party was originally meant as a welcome party for someone else, but was changed last minute to an advance birthday party for Chu Ga Eul - it's expected for the guests invited by the girl to not have an invitation card to the event.

Thus, Kim Nari found herself being led into the party venue forcefully by an unknown young man with a tanned complexion, and likely a fellow student from the infamous Shinhwa High - since he made a beeline for the direction of the party host upon their entrance into the apartment unit.

"Ga Eul-yang, you might want to attend to your friend over there. She seems a tad lost, in my opinion." Park Jae-In started when he landed his eyes upon the figure of Chu Ga Eul, one of the stars for today's party event.

"Oh… Nari's here. Did you bring her in, by any chance? If so, thank you. Right, I shall go and attend to her. Thanks for bringing up the matter to my attention, Jae-In. Help yourself to the food and drinks, or you can go bother Kazuki on my behalf." Chu Ga Eul commented, directing her words with a polite smile towards the classmate of the E3 from Shinhwa High.

"Nari, thank you for coming." Ga Eul started as she approached her former classmate from Seoul High School, and greeted the girl with a hug.

"Thank you for inviting me to your birthday party. Here's a little something from me to you, it's a bit of a last-minute notice so, I didn't exactly have time to think about what to get you. This is just something I picked up from a hair accessory store in Myeong-Dong, nothing fanciful. But I hope you would like it, nonetheless." Kim Nari said as she dug into her purse to withdraw a small wrapped package and hand it over to the long-haired girl.

"Oh... thank you. You didn't have to get me anything, I know my invitation was extended to you a tad on a last-minute basis. The fact that you're able to make it for the party is good enough for me." Chu Ga Eul responded looking surprised that Nari actually went to the extent of getting her something, so the girl isn't exactly attending the party empty-handed.

"Nah... my mother drilled it in me that I shouldn't visit someone empty-handed, the same to go for attending a party. If I'm a guy, I would simply pick out a flower bouquet and be done with it. Unfortunately, I'm not a guy... so, there's no easy way out for me. Hence, I took the time to go shopping in Myeong-dong yesterday. Where's the buffet table? I come here especially for the food; I'll have you know." Kim Nari commented cheekily, knowing full well that her friend is going to be very busy during the party to be constantly staying by her side. So, she thought she could keep herself occupied with the notion of hanging out near the buffet spread.

"Over here, I'll bring you to the area where the buffet is being set up." Chu Ga Eul answered, fully in the knows of her former classmate's reason for wanting to check out the buffet spread. On the way over to the dining area in the family home of the Sakuraba family, Ga Eul makes sure to introduce Nari to the members of E3, and vice-versa.

"I'm surprised you didn't invite Geum Jan Di to your birthday party, albeit I have no idea why you decide to hold it, a day before your birthday." Kim Nari commented shortly after Ga Eul returns to her side, after leaving to welcome another guest to the party event.

"Believe me when I said I tried to... but she keeps telling me that she needs to work. So, I'll just keep a portion of the party food for her and bring it over to her place later when the party came to an end." Chu Ga Eul shrugged, feeling like a social butterfly this evening as she's practically fluttering from one place to another – making small conversations with the various guests attending the party event.

"While on the subject, why didn't you tell me you had such a good-looking cousin?" Kim Nari rolls her eyes momentarily, before steering the topic of conversation onto the figure of Sakuraba Shuichi.

"... Good-looking?" Chu Ga Eul blinked as she darted a quick look towards the area where the E3 was chatting with the heiress to the Ninomiya Medical Group from Japan and wondered briefly if Kim Nari had a penchant for bespectacled guys. Seeing as this is the first time someone had blatantly described Sakuraba Shuichi as good-looking. Because most of the time, people tend to praise Shuichi for his politeness and gentle disposition as opposed to commend him on his looks.

After all, one cannot argue against the facts that when it comes down to the looks of the members from E3... Saionji Shunsuke ranked top in place, followed by the heir of the Miyazawa F&B Group with Sakuraba Shuichi rounding up the rear. Academically wise, Shuichi was ranked first in place with Shunsuke taking second place and her brother – Kazuki, rounding up the rear. They are all on par with one another when it comes down to their athletic prowess, but because they excel in different sports – no one had dared to rank them accordingly yet. But when it comes down to the ranking in terms of their family finance, Kazuki definitely stood at the top.

After all, the Miyazawa F&B Group is ranked 3rd on the overall top ten families listed in the Japan community. Whereas the Sakuraba family doesn't qualify since they are basically a branch family to the Miyazawa family due to their original commoners' status in Japan's social circle, whereas the Saionji family has been stuck in the 5th position on that ranking chart for decades now.

Shifting her attention back to Kim Nari, Chu Ga Eul commented. "Well... if you're thinking of hitting on him, you'd best discard that idea – right now. Shuichi isn't exactly on the market for grabs..."

"... Ga Eul, I'm not that dumb. I've got nothing better to do other than to indulge in the food and spend my time observing the party attendants thus far. I don't need to be a genius to figure out the fact that your cousin is completely smitten by that girl with wavy hair, standing next to your aunt. The fact that your cousin keeps blushing every single time the girl said something to him was a dead giveaway." Kim Nari deadpans at Chu Ga Eul in response.

"Well... as long as you know he's off-limits, you are welcome to ogle him from afar. He's used to people ogling him anyway." Chu Ga Eul shrugged as she thought of her cousin's status as a competitive figure-skater, whether or not he intends to go professional after graduation is another matter. The truth remains that he's still skating competitively means that he wasn't quite ready to give up on the sports yet.

"..."

Kim Nari was among one of the first guests to leave the party, mostly because she didn't know most of the party attendants, and with Ga Eul busy playing host to a different group of people... most of the time, she's being left alone to her own device. Thus, after savoring all the food... and having already gifted her present to Ga Eul earlier, Kim Nari thought it's about time for her to leave the party. Besides, there's a limit to how much ogling she could be doing during a party event against the son of the party host. The last thing Nari wanted was to make the guy uncomfortable with her constant ogling, she wasn't that shameless – thank you very much.

"Ga Eul, thank you for inviting me to the party. The food's great. But I think it's about time for me to take my leave, I do need to catch the last train home – after all." Kim Nari said as she approached her former classmate from Seoul High School, with a smiling expression.

"Thank you, Nari. I'm sorry for leaving you to your own device for the majority of the time tonight." Chu Ga Eul inquires, as she wonders if she should get someone – preferably one of the guys to escort Nari to the train station.

Miyazawa Kazuki felt the end of his hair standing up when he noticed his sister's eyes upon him and promptly throws out to the only male invited guests for the party before he could help himself. "Jae-in weren't you saying that you wish to go home earlier to study for the mock test tomorrow. Why don't you be a gentleman and walk this young lady here to the train station?"

Park Jae-In was completely caught off-guard by the order coming from the heir of the Miyazawa F&B Group, as he inwardly wonders when did he ever mention anything about wanting to leave the party early? But given that his father is a mere employee working for the Miyazawa F&B Group, and Kazuki is the future heir to the business – Park Jae-In believes he wasn't in a position to decline an order coming straight from the Miyazawa heir. Thus, with a shrug, the young man with a tanned complexion simply took it in stride and straighten out his attire, picking up his coat that he had casually laid over the back of the sofa earlier as he pretended that he's about to leave the party as well.

"Sure." Park Jae-In started, nodding towards the Miyazawa heir in acknowledgment before glancing towards the figure of Kim Nari as he commented with a pleasant smile displayed on his lips. "So, Miss… Nari, would you kindly allow me the honor to walk you to the train station?"

"..." Outside of the sighting range of Miyazawa Kazuki, Chu Ga Eul promptly rolls her eyes at the stunt pulled by her half-brother. Seriously, she pitied Park Jae-In for befriending her brother... because he's always the first to be thrown out to the wolves when Kazuki feels like avoiding something. And because the guy didn't grow up together with her brother like the other members of E3, he probably didn't have the guts to say no to anything her brother decided.

Uncertain of how to make of the situation, Kim Nari stood gaping for a few seconds before glancing towards her former classmate for assistance. Upon noticing the silent nod coming from Ga Eul, Kim Nari finally regathered her wits and nodded to the unknown young man cordially as she consented to the idea of having the guy escort her to the nearest train station.

"Excellent, lady first." Park Jae-In grinned jovially in response, as he gestured towards the doorway and indicate for Kim Nari to step out of the apartment first while he followed a few steps behind. Before leaving though, he makes sure to throw a look of annoyance towards the Miyazawa heir's direction.

"He's going to make you buy him lunch tomorrow for that stunt you pulled earlier." Saionji Shunsuke declared in a matter-of-fact tone of voice, as he glanced towards the slightly sheepish-looking figure of Miyazawa Kazuki.

"Yes, well... but Ga Eul definitely wouldn't want the girl to leave the party alone at this timing. And I have no intention of calling it a night yet, and you're responsible to ferry Hyo Rin-chan and her 'plus-one' home later. It doesn't sound right for Shuichi to leave when the party's held in his own home... it's one thing if she's his girlfriend, but she's not. So, it doesn't make sense for Shuichi to walk her home." Kazuki argued his case with his childhood friend, defending the course of his actions.

"Technically, Jae-In is only walking her to the train station. That doesn't qualify as walking her home." Sakuraba Shuichi interjected with a rather dry tone of voice, before adding on as an afterthought. "By the way, Kazuki... you should be directing your words of explanation to Ga Eul. Not us."

"..."

A snorting sound coming from the side draws the attention of the members of E3 spontaneously, Ninomiya Risa was giggling with a glint of blatant amusement sparkling in her chocolate brown eyes. "Oh, I missed seeing that. The dynamics between you guys are as entertaining as usual." Risa commented, grinning at the dynamics between the members of E3.

"I'm glad that you find our dynamics entertaining, Risa-chan. Welcome to Seoul, by the way." Miyazawa Kazuki greeted the heiress to the Ninomiya Medical Group cordially as this is the first time he gets to speak to the girl since the party begins. The girl has not been seen without the companionship of her father earlier, and Kazuki finds the man rather daunting and thus had avoided heading over to mingle. So, this is the first time he got to converse with the heiress - tonight.

"Thank you, Kazuki. It's good to see that you've been faring well in your little exile period." Ninomiya Risa responded nodding towards the Miyazawa heir with a polite smile.

"Ah... Risa-chan, how's the preparation for the competition coming along?" Saionji Shunsuke asks, a complete natural when it comes down to converse with the opposite gender.

"It's coming along nicely. Now, there's only one issue – I've yet to find a pianist to accompany me for one of the pieces I'll be playing during the competition. Anyone of you wants to volunteer for the role?" Ninomiya Risa asks, flicking her eyes between the members of E3 as she waited in anticipation.

"I would love to help, but unfortunately... piano isn't my forte area. My musical talents lie in the field of the woodwind instrument." Sakuraba Shuichi shrugged, indicating his helplessness on the subject.

"Talking about the woodwind instrument, how long has it been since you pick up your flute for a practice? Do you still remember your fingering?" Miyazawa Kazuki prompted, throwing his cousin and childhood friend a questioning look.

"..."

"Hey! Why don't you and Risa-chan plays a duet?" Saionji Shunsuke then suggested, unable to resist the temptation of messing with Shuichi since the opportunity to be able to tease the guy is hard to come by.

"Seriously, what's wrong with you guys? Risa's asking if anyone is keen to be her pianist on the day of her competition, and you guys decide to blatantly ignore her?" Sakuraba Shuichi commented, sounding exasperated as he addressed his two friends while shooting the heiress of the Ninomiya Medical Group an apologetic look.

"It isn't that we wanted to ignore her, but the piano isn't exactly our forte areas too. We might all have learned the instrument at some point in our lives, but the truth is… we aren't trained for piano accompaniment. I figured Risa-chan would have better luck in her competition if she were to rely on Ga Eul if she really wishes to use her own pianist for the competition." Kazuki responded with a sigh of resignation, as he glanced towards his cousin and long-time friend.

"Indeed. But considering how Ga Eul tends to balk under the stress of competition, I reckon it might be safer for Risa-chan to rely on the pianist arranged by the arts center for the international competitors." Saionji Shunsuke pointed out objectively.

"Well… I supposed you do have a point, Shunsuke-Kun. Alright then, I shall meet the arts center-appointed pianist first before deciding if I would still like to get my own pianist for the event." Ninomiya Risa conceded in the end. As for the duet performance, it was left forgotten on purpose… after all, Shuichi aside - Risa didn't bring her violin with her to the party event. She did, however, remember to bring a birthday present for Ga Eul despite knowing full well that the girl's birthday is actually tomorrow.

"Ga Eul, happy birthday in advance. The food's lovely, as expected from the catering provided by the Miya's Cafe." Ninomiya Risa then said, directing her words towards the approaching figure of Chu Ga Eul.

"Thank you, Risa. As Kazuki has mentioned earlier, welcome to Seoul. Let me know if you're keen on going sightseeing while in town. I'll be honored to fit in sometime during the week to bring you around the city for a sightseeing tour." Chu Ga Eul voluntarily offered her service as a local tour guide to the heiress of the Ninomiya Medical Group.

"Really? That would be great! But I'm likely only available after the competition ends though since I intend to dedicate the time before to focus fully on the preparation for the competition." Ninomiya Risa beams in response.

"Aunt Shinobu, do you have a food container that I could use to bring the leftover foods back?" Chu Ga Eul inquires, voicing her query across to the host of today's party event when the guests have departed leaving only Kazuki, Shuichi, and herself.

Shunsuke had left a few minutes ago, as he had to ferry the two girls - Hyo Rin and Ha-Na, home. Kazuki was hanging around because he needs to send Ga Eul home, after making a detour to drop the leftover foods at Geum Jan Di's place, that is. Shuichi isn't going anywhere since this is his family residence.

"I think I have a couple of food containers in the second top cabinet of the kitchen. Shuichi, be a dear and fetch them for Ga Eul - will you?" Sakuraba nee Miyazawa Shinobu calls out to her son for assistance as she's busy bagging up the trash from the party event.

"Of course, Kaasan." Sakuraba Shuichi echoed as he headed into the kitchen and look into the mentioned cabinet to locate the food containers for his cousin. Since he had no idea how many containers his cousin needed in total - he decides to just bring everything out to the dining table. He could simply keep the extra container when Ga Eul's done packing up the leftover foods for a certain Wonder Woman of Korea.

In the end, Ga Eul utilized a total of three food containers. One for the desserts - mostly pastries, which she figures her childhood friend and Kang San would be happy with. Seeing as most of the female attendants at the party are watching their diet closely, and therefore tend to pick fruits as their preferred choice of desserts as opposed to the pastries. The only exception is likely Kim Nari, who did try out the pastries served at the party.

Ga Eul then utilized another container to store the main staple - which is the fried udon noodles and topped it with the baked salmon teriyaki, golden seafood croquette with tartar sauce, and the wasabi mayo prawns. The last container she reserved it mainly for the crispy pork with Japanese curry. Once she was done transferring the leftover foods into the food containers provided to her by her aunt, she then took out her insulated carrier bag to store the food containers and signaled to the waiting figure of her half-sibling, Miyazawa Kazuki that she's ready to go.

Knowing that her friend's likely not home yet, Chu Ga Eul calls up the landline of the Geum family requesting for the younger brother of her childhood friend to come downstairs to pick up the food she had takeaway from the party event for her friend's consumption.

"Good evening, Kang San. Please take this upstairs to share with your parents, and do keep some for Jan Di as well. These are the leftover foods from my birthday party today. Tell Jan Di to bring the insulated bag to school tomorrow, I need it back. As for the food containers, as they are the microwavable and disposable type - feel free to keep them for yourselves if required. I don't need those containers back." Chu Ga Eul said as she handed the entire bag of food over to the younger brother of her childhood friend.

"Sure. But I thought, your birthday is tomorrow?" Geum Kang San inquires out of curiosity. Albeit, he only knows of Ga Eul's birthday date after having seen his elder sister works on a DIY birthday card over the last few nights after coming home from her part-time job.

"The actual day is tomorrow, but my friends decided to celebrate it with me in advance." Chu Ga Eul responded easily enough, seeing no point to hide the fact that she had an advanced birthday celebration this evening.

"Hmm… is there a birthday cake at the party?" Geum Kang San asks, trying his best to not salivate in front of the childhood friend of his elder sister.

"There are mini-roll cakes in one of the food containers, not exactly a birthday cake but still cakes nonetheless. I'm sure there's more than enough for your family to share them among yourselves." Chu Ga Eul commented with a smile of amusement playing on her lips as she took in the near-salivating look on the face of her friend's younger brother.

Whooping aloud in joy, Geum Kang San thanked Ga Eul for the treats as he took the bag with him with a happy skip as he made his way back to his family home. Shaking her head in bemusement over the overjoy behavior of her friend's little brother, Chu Ga Eul headed back to the black Lexus waiting by the main street of her friend's neighborhood to re-join her half-sibling.

"Sorry for the wait." Ga Eul commented as she settled back into the side-passenger seat of the black Lexus belonging to her half-brother, Kazuki.

"It's fine. There isn't much traffic around here, so the wait isn't too bad." Miyazawa Kazuki shrugged in response, and once ascertain that Ga Eul had her seat-belt fastened back up - he reignited the engine to his black Lexus and speed off towards the main road to re-join the main traffic. This time, heading in the direction of the Chu family residence.

Although the party is sort of an advanced birthday party for Ga Eul, she didn't really receive many gifts during the party event. Aside from the present gifted to her by her former classmate - Kim Nari, and Ninomiya Risa. The rest of them seems to have arrived at a consensus to gift her the presents only on her actual birthday. Which was really, fine by Ga Eul. Because of that reason, Ga Eul has yet to open her presents from Kim Nari and Ninomiya Risa yet - as she wanted to open all her presents at the same time.

~TBC~

Chapter's notes: Alright, here's Chapter 20. I did some last-minute adjustments to the chapter scenes, originally - there aren't SoEul moments in this chapter. However, after going home and dwelling on it, I decided to find some way to insert in at least a SoEul interaction scene and thus I did a bit of fine-tuning to this chapter. As the end result, I axed the original ending part to bring it to the next chapter… otherwise, this chapter is going to be very long.

Okay, so the new version of chapter 20 begins with Ga Eul's interaction with Kazuki. Followed by a SoEul conversation via text, and then I move on to the hospital scene featuring Ji Hoo and Jan Di. Before switching to the lunch break scene featuring the F2 and Ga Eul. This is the best I could do for now when it comes down to SoEul moments in this chapter… ^^; please make do with it _

Now, this chapter is mostly Jan Di focused. At least, the scenes from the drama episode 12 featured in this chapter are mostly Jan Di and her family-focused. The family drama of the Geum family… I had a lot of original scenes of my own in here. Including the scenes at the beginning of the chapter… of course, the part where Jan Di borrows money from Ga Eul and Ji Hoo is also my original scene. Given that Geum Jan Di brought the money back to return to Kang Hee Soo in the drama, I was thinking about how she managed to return all the money. Given that a portion must have been used right? How else could her father come back home safely?

While I did consider the potential theory of having Woo Bin running interference with his Mafia background, but then… I thought, Jan Di probably wouldn't have thought of the idea of approaching the Don Juan of F4 for assistance and Jan Di's mother seems desperate to have her husband back. She went to beg Kang Hee Soo for the money, after all… and considering her anxiousness, she must have brought the money over to save her husband at the first possible opportunity. And I highly doubt the loan sharks would return the money after receiving it in the first place, therefore Jan Di had to find some other ways to return the money to Jun Pyo's mother in full… and thus, the borrowing money scene came to mind.