𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡 ;ʰˢʲ 『English Version』

Chapter XXI

"I'm going to drop off some food for Gowon. Do you want to come with me? We could take a walk afterwards."

Aera smiled when she heard Seojun's plan from the other end of the line, sitting on her bed and letting out a sigh, feeling a bit sad. "I'm sorry, honey, but Dad's coming today, and Mom wants us to have dinner as a family. You know how she is about this."

Seojun also pouted; he had planned to take her for ice cream afterwards, but now his plan was ruined.

"Let's go out tomorrow, how does that sound?"

"That sounds amazing, honey." The dark-haired girl nodded in a soft voice, listening as more voices were heard on the line. Sighing, knowing that his plan was beyond saving, he realized it was time to let the girl be with her family. "I'll hang up then. Have a delicious dinner and enjoy with your family."

The girl smiled tenderly upon hearing his tone. "I will. I'll save some cake for you."

The boy gasped, touched by this. "Is it tres leches?"

"Exactly that."

"You're the love of my life, did you know that?" he asked, almost ready to jump in place despite being on the street and almost dropping his sister's food from shaking the container too much.

"Mm, I know. But I like hearing it." She replied, hearing her mother calling her. "I have to go, Seojunnie. I love you."

Seojun smiled hearing that little nickname, his heart pounding, holding the phone to his ear. "I love you too. Actually, I love you more." The boy said, hearing Aera's giggle, knowing he had to hang up. He said his final goodbyes before ending the call.

Aera made a face before finishing going down the stairs and running to her father when she saw him in the living room. "Daddy!" she yelled with excitement, opening her arms. The man smiled at his little daughter, catching her in a tight embrace and spinning her around, greeting her with the same excitement she showed.

It was no secret that the man loved his daughter, being his only child, he had no other person to lavish his warmth on, so Aera had always received all that love, and although he wasn't very present, he was usually more involved than her mother, making him closer to his daughter than the woman.

"My little sun, how have you been, sweetheart?" The man asked in a sweet voice once they separated, noticing that the girl's hair was slightly more wavy than usual, though it remained dark.

"I've been good. How was your trip? Did you bring me something?"

The man laughed because she always asked this question after he returned from a long trip, regardless of her age; she always expected something from him upon his return.

After warm greetings from the two women in his life and a few minutes later, the family was having dinner, the adults talking about the projects they completed while away, and finally asking their daughter about what had happened during their absence. "Well, my grades were delivered a few days ago."

"Let me guess, first place." Aera smiled, and the man raised his hand, high-fiving his daughter. "I'm so proud of you, sweetheart."

"Thanks." She murmured, taking a sip of her water. "Um, the career choices were made a week ago..." she said in a low tone, sighing before putting down her fork and staring at her plate. "I... I decided what I want to study."

This caught the attention of both adults, who put down their cutlery to focus entirely on their daughter. It was clear that they wanted her to study what she felt was right, but knowing that her options were based on the field they worked in made them feel a bit competitive in that aspect.