The year 1999

The clinking of cutlery and soft conversation created a lively evening atmosphere in the elegant dining room of the upscale Korean restaurant. The Park and Kang families enjoyed a sumptuous spread of traditional Korean cuisine.

Park Tae-hyung, a project director, sat with his boss, Kang Dae-jun, the vice president. Their engaging conversation included mutual respect and friendly banter. They shifted to their children, Minjin and Minjun, nearby.

Kang Dae-jun said, "Isn't it funny? Our kids not only share an age but also similar names. It must be fate."

Park Tae-hyung chuckled, "It does seem that way. They might have interesting interactions in the future."

Kang Dae-jun added, "Can you imagine if they got engaged someday? That would be something."

Kang Xiumin, the elder son, nudged his younger brother, Minjun, with a teasing grin. Minjun glared at him, but his irritation quickly shifted to Minjin, who smiled politely across from him.

Kang Dae-jun's wife, Mrs. Han, smiled at Park Tae-hyung. "Mensa recognized Minjin with an IQ of 163, even higher than Einstein's! That's great!"

Park Tae-hyung said, "Yes, Minjin is quite talented. We're lucky."

Kang Dae-jun added, "Maybe Minjin could mentor Minjun. It could be helpful."

Minjun's expression darkened at Minjin's smile while Kang Xiumin chuckled. "Maybe you'll get pointers from the genius herself."

Minjun muttered, with his pride bruised. "I don't need anyone's help."

As the evening continued, the conversation flowed. The meal featured beautifully prepared Korean dishes, but the evening's dynamics had subtly changed.

Minjun exited the restroom, enjoying the brief quiet of the hallway away from the bustling restaurant. He took a deep breath to shake off irritation from his father's remarks about his intelligence.

As he rounded a corner, he nearly collided with Minjin, who smiled softly and stood relaxed. Minjun paused, and he was caught off guard. He briefly met her gaze but quickly looked away. As he attempted to walk past her silently, Minjin stepped aside to block his path. Minjun attempted to pass again, but she moved and positioned herself right in his path.

His face flushed with anger as he stopped and glared at her. "What is your problem?" he demanded with a voice tight with annoyance.

Minjin smiled. "I want us to be friends."

Minjun's eyebrows rose in disbelief. "Friends? I don't need friends like you."

He pushed past her firmly to clarify his point.

Minjin stumbled back slightly, and her smile wavered momentarily as she watched him calmly. "Why not?" she asked curiously.

Minjun faced her. "I don't want to be anyone's charity case. Not yours."

He turned and walked away, leaving Minjin alone in the hallway. Her smile faded as she watched him disappear.

###

As the Park family drove home, the city lights of Seoul created patterns of light and shadow in the car. The engine's hum filled the space, and a comfortable silence settled between Park Tae-hyung and Minjin.

Park Tae-hyung noticed Minjin's thoughtful expression. "What did you think about Minjun-ah?"

Minjin hesitated, glancing at her father. "I think... he hates me."

Park Tae-hyung chuckled lightly. "Minjun feels overwhelmed. People often struggle to react when meeting someone new."

Minjin blinked. "Maybe, but he didn't seem happy when I asked to be friends."

Her father smiled. "Don't give up easily. Those who push you away may need a friend the most. Keep reaching out and trying. You never know what might happen."

Minjin's face brightened. "Okay, I'll keep trying. I promise I'll do my best."

Park Tae-hyung nodded. "You bring out the best in people. You'll do fine."

Minjin settled back in her seat, finally smiling.

She stared out the window, watching the city blur. Her mind raced as she approached Minjun. She was determined to break through his walls. She believed in friendship's power and was committed to proving it to him.

###

Minjin stood outside Minjun's classroom, clutching a handful of brightly wrapped chocolate bars that crinkled softly in her grip. She had spent all morning thinking about how to approach Minjun again.

The door swung open, and Minjun stepped out. Minjin's face brightened as she stepped before him, blocking his path again.

"Minjun-ah!" she called cheerfully.

He paused, and his expression darkened into a frown. "What do you want now?"

Minjin smiled, presenting the chocolates. "I brought these for you. Thought you might like them. Everyone likes chocolate, right?"

Minjun looked at the chocolates in her hand. He seemed to soften briefly but quickly took one and tossed it away, sending it skidding across the floor.

Minjin's smile faltered but quickly returned. She picked up the discarded chocolate bars and saw Minjun turning to leave. Without hesitation, she gathered the chocolates and followed him down the hallway.

"Minjun-ah!" she called again.

Minjun stopped and turned around sharply. "Why are you following me? Can't you take a hint? I don't want your stupid chocolates, and I don't want to be your friend!"

Minjin's smile softened as she met his gaze directly. "I just want to be your friend, Minjun-ah. I think you could really use one."

Minjun scoffed, "I don't need a friend like you," and turned away but Minjin stood firm.

She walked beside him. "Maybe I need a friend like you. I'll keep trying until you see it's not so bad to have one."

Minjun slowed his pace slightly. He didn't look back but appeared less eager to walk away.

###

In the crowded lunchroom, Minjun sat alone at a table, uninterested in his food. Minjin spotted him, and her face lit up. She grabbed her tray and weaved through the crowd. Minjun looked up as she arrived, his expression darkening, but Minjin persisted.

She plopped across from him and slid half her freshly baked chocolate chip cookie toward him. "Here. I thought you might like some company."

Minjun glanced at the cookie and her. "Why are you doing this? I don't need your pity."

"It's not pity. It's friendship. You don't have to eat the cookie, but I'll be here anyway." Minjin said, eating her lunch. 

Minjun sighed and pushed the cookie away but remained seated. But during their meal together, Minjin discussed the latest book she was reading, her favorite movie, and a funny weekend story. But Minjun contributed little and left the cookie on the table.

###

One afternoon, Minjun struggled with math homework in the library while feeling frustrated. Minjin noticed and saw an opportunity to help. She quietly sat at his table and opened her notebook to solve the same problems at his pace.

Minjun looked up, annoyed. "What are you doing?"

Minjin smiled. "I thought we could study together. Two brains are better than one."

Minjun rolled his eyes. "I don't need your help."

"Okay. I'm staying here. You can ignore me, but I'll be here if you change your mind." She said, unfazed.

In the next hour, Minjun worked while occasionally glancing at Minjin's notebook. He saw she was quickly solving problems and writing clear explanations.

Without realizing it, he asked her. "How did you get that answer?"

Minjin smiled softly without looking up. "I'll show you," she said while turning her notebook to him. But this time, he didn't push her away.

###

On a rainy afternoon, Minjun stayed late at school to practice in the music room. Playing the piano calmed him. He was playing a soft, melancholic tune. He looked up and was expecting a teacher but saw Minjin instead.

She stood in the doorway, drenched from the rain, and her uniform clung to her skin. She wore a bright smile when she saw Minjun. "Oh, sorry! I didn't know anyone was here," she said.

Minjun sighed and turned back to the piano. "What do you want now?"

"I was just passing by. I didn't know you played." Minjin replied while stepping into the room."

Minjun focused on the keys and ignored Minjin while she sat nearby and listened intently. After a moment, she began to hum softly while perfectly matching his melody and harmonizing beautifully.

Minjun glanced at her, nearly smiling, before masking his expression and looking away. "Stop that."

Minjin giggled. "Sorry, I couldn't help it. Maybe we could play together sometime?"

Minjun remained silent.

###

Minjin moved through the bustling hallways during lunch break. Minjin was looking for Minjun because she hadn't seen him all morning.

As she turned a corner, a breathless classmate rushed up. "Minjin! You need to hurry! Some upperclassmen are bullying Minjun in the backyard!" the girl gasped, clutching her side.

Minjin sprinted down the hallway, ignoring students' curious glances. When she reached the back of the school, she saw a crowd around Minjun, with three upperclassmen jeering and pushing him.

Minjin pushed through the crowd, approaching Minjun to confront the bullies. Her fierce expression and steady voice declared, "Ya! Leave him alone!"

The bullies then laughed. A tall boy with a smug grin sneered at her.

"Oh, look at this. The little girl thinks she's tough," he mocked.

Minjin squared her shoulders. "I'm not just a little girl. I take Taekwondo, and I am not afraid to use it."

The bullies shared amused glances and did not take her seriously. A shaved-head boy smirked and reached to touch her arm mockingly. Minjin swiftly grabbed his wrist and twisted it in a practiced Taekwondo move, sending him stumbling back with a yelp.

The crowd gasped while some students stepped back. The bullies' leader glared. But before he could retaliate, hurried footsteps echoed. A group of students and a teacher quickly assessed the situation.

"Stop this at once! "All of you, come with me to the teacher's room. Now!" the teacher said with his voice firm.

The teacher's room was tense. The bullies wore sullen expressions as Minjun kept his head down. Meanwhile, Minjin stood tall with her eyes on the teacher. After hearing the witness accounts, the teacher decided to punish the bullies.

The teacher gently asked Minjun, "Please don't tell your father about this incident. It might cause more trouble, and we want to avoid escalating the situation."

Minjin protested, "That's not fair! They should be held accountable!"

The teacher sighed, glancing at the bullies and then at Minjin. "I get your point, Minjin-ah, but there are bigger issues. Please, trust me."

Minjin felt frustrated.

But Minjun remained quiet while staring at the floor until he nodded reluctantly. "Fine."

As they left the teacher's room, Minjin caught up with Minjun. "Hey, are you okay?" She asked.

Minjun gave a small nod while still looking down. "I'm fine."

Minjin knew Minjun's family was influential. But she hadn't realized how much until now. "Your father... He must be someone important." She asked cautiously.

Minjun glanced at her. "Something like that."

Minjin nodded slowly. "I promise I won't tell your father."

For the first time, Minjun looked at her with a hint of something other than irritation.

"Why do you care so much?" He asked her

Minjin smiled softly. "Because that's what friends do."

Minjun didn't reply. But there was a flicker of something that wasn't outright rejection.