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As Yunjin and I walked home, I couldn't help but feel distracted despite her company. My mind was plagued by the flower plot incident, replaying the scene over and over again in my head. The thought of what could have happened if Yunjin wasn't there to protect me sent shivers down my spine.
We waited for a while, but none of the teachers came to inspect the incident and the boys who caused it didn't show their faces again. Yunjin was fuming, her face red with anger at how irresponsible everyone is. I kept quiet though, my mind preoccupied with the what ifs and maybes, allowing her to vent her frustration on my behalf.
When I enter the house, it's quiet. The silence is only broken by the rhythmic ticking of the grandfather clock in the living room. I kick off my shoes near the door, feeling the cool tiles beneath my feet as I make my way to the kitchen. The scent of freshly washed clothes fills the air, and I can see my grandma, Nanny, carefully folding them and placing them into a basket. Her hands move with practised ease, her eyes focused on the task at hand. "I'm home," I say, my voice soft, not wanting to startle her.
She turns around and smiles upon seeing me. "Why don't you go wash up, Kazu? I'll warm up the food for us, and then we can sit down and eat together."
"Okay. Where's Nana, though?"
"Your Nana's been out in the garden all day," she says, shaking her head. "Watch how he complains later about his back."
I chuckle. I leave Nanny to it and make my way upstairs, feeling the familiar creak of the wooden steps beneath my feet. When I enter my room, I dump my bag on my desk and begin to sort through my books and homework for later. When I finish, I pick up my bag to put away, but I accidentally knock a photo frame off my desk. It clatters to the floor, and I wince at the sound.
Slowly, tentatively, I place my bag on the floor and reach out to pick the frame up.
Luckily, the glass hasn't shattered. But as I gaze at the photo, I feel my eyes start to well up. The smiling faces of my parents and me stare back at me, and I can't help but feel a wave of emotion wash over me. My parents look so happy, so carefree, so ... alive. I hold the frame close to my chest, cherishing the memory of that moment.
I miss you guys.
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