"Seungsik... Have you been eating? Why don't we go grab dinner together after this?" 

Gayoung watched him in concern, as he sighed, closing his eyes and leaning his head back. This was the worst she'd ever seen him. As the days passed, he just seemed more and more sad. His relationship with Yejin hadn't seemed to improve at all. She wasn't even talking to him, and every time she picked up Jieun he was met with glares. 

"I'm not hungry," he finally said. "Sorry. Maybe some other time." 

She pursed her lips, sitting next to him. He was sickly pale. "I'm worried about you." 

"You don't need to be. I'm perfectly fine."

"You're not-" 

"Gayoung," he interrupted, opening his eyes and looking at her with the sternest expression she'd ever seen from him. A small smile fluttered on his lips, but it was fleeting. "I'll be fine. Why don't you dismiss the students today, hm? I have some paperwork to finish up." 

She wanted to argue, but his eyes warned her against it. "Alright," she mumbled. "But I'm texting Seungwoo. He's going to make sure you eat, even if I can't." 

This time, Seungsik's smile stayed longer and seemed a little more real. "Thank you," he said softly. 

She just smiled at him, getting up and heading out to where the kids were with Mrs.Choi, who was directing them to get their belongings. She went over to help, and Jieun came bouncing over to her. 

"Look!" Jieun exclaimed, putting a piece of paper in her hands. It was a drawing. Three stick figures, two tall and one small. A sun, a tree, some grass. It was adorable. 

"Did you draw this?" Gayoung gushed, crouching down so they were at eye level. "All by yourself?" 

Jieun puffed out her chest proudly, nodding her head. "It's me," she said, pointing to the smallest stick figure. "And Mom and Seungsik."

"What?" Gayoung asked, unable to stop herself. She blinked at Jieun, who pointed again at her drawing. 

"We're all on a picnic," Jieun explained. 

"I see," Gayoung said softly, looking again at the picture. "You really like Seungsik, don't you?" 

Jieun didn't answer. She was distracted by what some other kids were doing, and she grabbed her drawing and left without another word. Gayoung chuckled, shaking her head to herself. Kids. Jieun came back soon after though, as every other kid got picked up except her. Though Yejin was barely five minutes late, Gayoung could tell that this distressed the little girl, and so they sat and colored together until Yejin ran in, breathless. 

"I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, running over and scooping Jieun up in a hug. "I was really late, wasn't I?" 

Gayoung laughed, standing up. "Only five minutes is all." 

"My meeting ran late," Yejin explained. 

"It's really no trouble," Gayoung insisted. Yejin smiled gratefully, turning to go. "Wait!" Gayoung said quickly, an idea forming. "Um... would you like to have dinner together?" 

Yejin considered for a moment. "I have food prepped to make at home, but you're more than welcome to join. I have more than enough for us!" 

"I'd like that," Gayoung said, grinning at her. "I can help you cook too! I mean, if that's okay-" 

"That sounds like fun," Yejin agreed. 

***

"What did you want to talk about?" Yejin asked, clearing the dishes from the dinner table. 

Gayoung looked up in surprise. "Who says I came to talk about a specific something?" 

Yejin smiled, raising an eyebrow at her. "Jieun is in her room. Speak openly. What's been on your mind all night?" 

Gayoung sighed, leaning back against the chair as Yejin came again to sit by her. "Seungsik. You and Seungsik, to be precise." 

"I should have known." 

"He didn't tell me anything," Gayoung said softly. "But I can tell that he really cares about Jieun, and you. And I can see that... that you guys aren't in the best place right now..." 

"He's a great man," Yejin said softly, so softly that Gayoung almost didn't hear. "Jieun likes him a lot. She's always talking about him. I'm... I'm really grateful for him. For giving her a sort of father figure. I really am." 

"But?" 

"But I'm scared. I don't know if I'm ready to open my heart to anyone again, not after Jieun's father left. And when he confessed to me, it was accidental. It was 'I think'. I'm just... I'm not sure if I'm ready to take chances with anyone again. I'm too scared for that." 

"I can understand that," Gayoung said, reaching forward and taking Yejin's hands in hers. "That makes a lot of sense. But like you said, Seungsik is a great man. And I believe some people are worth taking chances for. Sometimes, if we don't do the things we're scared of, life's most wonderful opportunities may pass us by. I think he'll be like that. One of life's most wonderful opportunities." 

Yejin stared at the table for a long moment, considering. "It could be," she finally said. "But it's not just my heart I have to worry about anymore. If we dated and then broke up... How would Jieun feel then? I can't have her going through that loss." 

"Seungsik would never do that to her. He cares about her too much." 

Yejin smiled sadly. "I wouldn't want that either. I wouldn't want him to lose feelings for me and stay just because he's afraid of her getting hurt." 

"I don't mean that. I mean... even if you dated and broke up, he'd still be there for her. I think he's always going to be a presence in her life. Honestly, I think he's always going to be a presence in both of your lives, if you let him." 

Yejin looked at her for a moment. Then, a small smile came to her lips. She squeezed Gayoung's hands. "Maybe. Maybe you're right."