"I heard unemployment is rampant in the country but why must my daughter fall victim to it? Especially when my son is thriving as a doctor in a reputed Hospital in Seoul!"

An apron-clad, twenty-six-year-old Bong-soon glances at her mother, cleaning cloth in hand. The large, ornate windows of the Walnut Pie she just wiped are bathed in the golden rays of the sun. Soon the colours would change and dusk would fall. But her mother's nagging won't stop.

"4.30! Oh, it's almost time for my kitty party!" she hears her mother say, "Bong-soon, don't just scrub the windows and try getting landed in a solid job soon."

Her mother leaves with that. Bong-soon heaves a heavy sigh, putting aside the wiping cloth and taking off her apron.

She glances at her loose sweater and joggers which have somehow remained pristine despite working the entire afternoon in the Walnut Pie, her father's bakery.

The bakery is empty at the hour. It will be full soon buzzing with customers and other assistants. It's why she prefers the calm morning shifts. It also gives her time to clean up the place. And of course, customers don't get to listen to Ma's rants. Not that Ma rants when they are customers around, though.

"Done for the day, Pa! Or would you need me for another shift?" Bong-soon yells, putting on a cheerful air. Yes, she won't let her mother's jabs get to her. She won't let anything get her down.

Mr Do, her father, places a hand over her head showing her a wrinkled smile. Pushing aside her bangs from her forehead, he tousles her short, neck-length hair. Bong-soon laughs at the way her short curls seem to dance every time her father flicks them. True joy replaces the fake smile she earlier brought on, turning into surprise when her father stuffs a few, rolled-up notes of money into her hands.

"Pa, this is?"

"You already worked overtime, dear. Go, hit the streets and shop for something you need. Isn't your friend returning to Seoul after four years of studying abroad? Meet her. Spend the rest of the evening having fun." Mr Do's bright smile falters. He momentarily looks away from his daughter. "You'll feel better. You listen to your mother's constant nagging here all day. Poor thing, you must be tired."

Bong-soon lets out a laugh, purposefully loud for her Pa to hear. "No, Pa. I'm fine. And why are you giving me money? I don't need any."

"Huh? Of course, I would give you money. This is your pay, plus extra incentives for working here."

"But Pa, this is our bakery."

"Yes, but would I not pay another assistant who works so hard for our shop? I'm being transparent and not paying you extra."

"Pa... Thank you."

Mr Do smears Bong-soon's head affectionately as she hugs him. They pull apart and share a smile.

"Bong-soon, didn't you tell me that you are running short of art supplies? Use this cash to buy the good quality art supply you want. Oh, I gave you enough money to treat your friend to something nice."

"Yes, Papa."

Bong-soon cleans her hands on a napkin and washes her face. Then pulls her hair into a short pony.

"And don't forget to show me what you paint next."

"Yes, Pa..."

Bong-soon hugs her beloved dad once again before stepping out of the bakery onto the streets. Walnut Pie is a corner shop adjoining the main road in South Seoul. A little walk and she's joined the busy throngs of the capital.

Sunlight dapples her pale cheeks, which turn rosy as she smiles. Her mother called her unemployed but she's doing her best to support her father. She's also looking for jobs that suit her qualification. Her art school major isn't earning her a good job, something that suits her palate, and it's not her fault, right?

***

"Hana!"

Bong-soon embraces the young woman she finds waiting near the bus shelter 9. A slim, slightly taller young woman of Japanese origin with long, flowing hair and skin fair as alabaster. A sling bag hung from her shoulders, she's the picture of grace with her frilly top and tapered jeans.

"Bong-soon!"

Hana breaks into a grin. The two girls embrace and then walk down the streets to an McD nearby. Evening snacks are on their minds. Burger and colas.

They keep their personal conversations to a minimum inside the chic eatery. Relishing their food while listening to the music in the background and playing games at the adjoining plaza, they hit the streets again.

They stick to the sidewalk, walking hand in hand, watching the glittering lights around flicker to life, looking at the night sky that steadily turns darker with each step. Those thick clouds are ready to burst. Will it rain? It wasn't in the forecast though.

"Bong-soon..." Hana addresses her girl pal, her voice barely audible over the fast-moving traffic on the road. Her one hand holds her friend's, the other bringing the soft cone they just purchased to her mouth. "Yummy."

She lets some ice cream melt on her tongue before speaking again. "Bong-soon-ah, How are you? Be honest."

Bong-soon responded to the basic greeting from before with a smile. Hana wants to see her friend's true reaction. She couldn't ask too many questions earlier but now she wants to.

"I'm fine, Hana. I told you, right? What about you? Tell me more about this software firm you're about to start working for."

"Well, I'm placed in the development team. Starting next Monday, for six months, I'll be an intern. I imagine a tough road ahead but I'll be okay. You tell me, Bong-soon. It's been four years. Have you found a job? How's everything at your home? Don't worry, I'm not judging you or making jabs at you. I'm genuinely curious. I want to know about my friend. We did talk sometimes while I was studying in the US but that's not enough, right?"

Bong-soon smiles. She finishes eating her ice cream, disposes of the wrapper and the tissue she wiped herself clean into a nearby bin. "You already know everything I was up to. I never hid anything from you, Hana."

"So you're still painting and trying to become an artist?"

"Yeah." Bong-soon heaves a sigh. "It's not an easy road but I can't get off this one."

Hana nods. Then pats the other girl's shoulder "I understand. Bong-soon, I'm here to support you. Now that I am here, I will support you."

Hana's sweet words make Bong-soon hug the girl. The two take a turn, enter an alleyway that goes way deeper into the colony from the main road.

Bong-soon finds the streets eerily quiet despite the early evening hour. She and Hana spot a commotion ahead as they round yet another turn and enter a narrow one-way road.

Police tapes barricade the opening to an alleyway ahead, blocking the road. A few residents are glancing at something that's not yet in the girls' line of sight - some perched on the balconies of their homes lining the street, the others moving about on the concrete below.

"What's going on? Oh, is that?" Hana points to a tall man wearing a leather jacket moving about and pushing back some of the onlookers. In his hand is yet another reel of police tape which he uses to widen the barricaded area.

"Guk-doo!" Bong-soon rests a hand over her chest, praying to still her beating heart. That's the face. The chiselled jawline, those sharp eyes colour of the night sky, short bangs falling over his forehead. The tall stature, always clad in stylish civilian clothes — tough jeans, chequered shirts and a wide variety of jackets as he works for the investigation cell of the Metro Police Department. Oh God...

Hana narrows her eyes at her 'frozen' friend, eyeing her suspiciously. "Hey! Earth to, Bong-soon! What's with that expression? Don't tell me you still love him! It's been a gazillion years. You're not going to middle school anymore!"

Bong-soon's face flushes at the mention of their school days. How long did she love the guy? She loved him soon after they became friends. It went on past their high school days. And even when they went to different colleges. Their houses were close enough to keep in touch, keep their friendship alive.

Yeah, that's what they are, old friends. Is she a chicken to not tell him her feelings? Keep them hidden for gazillion years like Hana said? She didn't want to. But what option did she have when he wouldn't even glance at her for more than ten seconds? And talk only about necessary stuff? He's become even busier ever since he became a cop four years ago. He doesn't even have the time to have a proper talk.

"Off you go!" The onlookers disperse at Guk-doo's brusque shout. He's had a busy day at the PD, sorting through files and whatnot. And now he has to work with his lazy second-division co-workers to disperse the situation in Area 21. His gaze flits to the two girls standing a few feet away, and he strides their way.

"You two..." His sharp gaze softens somewhat when it falls on Bong-soon. "Bong-soon! What are you doing here? A car got blasted to bits an hour ago. This is the crime area. and it's a late hour." He glances at Hana briefly. "Why are you taking the alleyways? and walking? Geez, Bong-soon, use your bike at least."

Akin to a robot's, Guk-doo's razor-sharp voice rattles the string of sentences at 2x speed. At 6'3, he's a foot taller than her. Bong-soon stares up at his handsome face for a split second, mouth opening and closing. She then checks her wristwatch. It's only 8 pm, she wants to say but knows it's of no use.

Guk-doo checks his watch next as Hana watches him. "Ah, my shift ends now. And we're done with the clean up too." He looks at the retreating forensic team, the charred remnants of the blasted car being towed to the PD's garage.

His gaze falls on Bong-soon again. She desperately tries to feign calm at that intensity aimed at her. His eyes are naturally this intense. Whether he's seeing her in a romantic light or not, those eyes are bad for her heart. Uh oh... Her heart is racing again. Ugh, it's okay Bong-soon. You've hidden it all these years, you'll hide it some more. Hide it, hide it!

"Bong-soon!" Guk Doo's gruff, masculine voice cuts through her thoughts again. His eyes narrow further, causing his gaze to turn more intense. "Why are you spacing out? The neighbourhood has become unsafe! We suspect a bigger group is at play here, trying to disrupt the peace. This area is their current target. You have to be careful. I know you live here, but no wandering the streets like a toddler with no sense of direction! Got that?"

"Guk-doo, my shift at the bakery ended. I was only catching up with Hana, our classmate from middle school who's just—"

Bong-soon tries speaking. Guk-doo cuts her off again. "Enough. Get home already. Be safe. Carry out your outings during the day."

He gets called away by a colleague. Bong-soon sighs as he walks away, finally able to breathe.

"He..." A smile blooms on her lips and her gaze turns fond. Almost longing. "He hasn't changed a bit."

She can't tear her eyes off his receding back even if he wants to. Hana clicks her tongue.

"He's so rude. So curt and crude. And you still love him still?" Hana's lips curl in disgust. Good looks can't be an excuse to overlook Guk-doo's disgusting personality. Someone needs to tell Bong-soon that. What does Bong-soon see in that guy, anyway? "Surely, Bong-soon, there are better men in the world."

"Hana." Bong-soon looks at Hana with a half smile tinged with sadness. The cold wind moving through the alleyways has turned chilly. She rubs her hands together. She's warmly clothed. Her heart is also warmed by Guk-doo's concern for her well-being. "I think he is curt with me because he cares about me.

"Very optimistic." Hana folds her arms and exhales. She went to the same school as Bong-soon and Guk-doo but she wasn't friends with the guy much, or any guys for the fact. Or hit by Cupid's arrows or something like that. Love is so weird. Precisely put it's a black hole that sucks the life out of you. It's probably why I never got too close to a guy, and only have Bong-soon and a couple of our girl pals as my buddies, she thinks. Putting her true feelings on the matter aside, Hana faces her friend. But Bong-soon is once again looking at Guk-doo, who's now moving to a little flower shop, still open at the end of the road.

"Is he buying a bouquet?" Hana murmurs looking at the guy in the distance. Night has fallen but the streetlighting is so bright. Visibility is good enough here. It's a surprise a car was bombed at this busy, early hour of the night.

"He said his duty ended, didn't you hear?" Bomg Soon can't tear her eyes off the object of her interest. A rueful smile touches her lips. "Those flowers must be for Heeji. It's her birthday today."

"Heeji?" Hana whirls on her friend. "Who's Heeji?"

Bong-soon aims a cheerful smile Hana's way. "Heeji is Guk-doo's girlfriend."

***

FIN!

Belated Happy Father's Day! I think this chapter showcased the sweet relationship between father and daughter. <3

Thank you for reading! Please vote and comment and let me know if you want to read further. I've become terribly irregular with my writing schedule, but I will try to update soon as I can. <3