"It's so strange that autumn is beautiful; yet everything is dying."
Happiness can come from anything—be it something big or small. Ultimately, it depends on us and how we perceive it. For some, happiness might mean receiving expensive gifts on their birthdays, while for others, it’s the presence of loved ones. Some smile at the sight of rain, while others dance in it. That’s how happiness works—it's unique for everyone.
For Miyeon, happiness wasn’t something she could easily name. To her, it was found in the small, thoughtful gestures of others. Just the warm embrace from her sister when she returned home was enough to fill her heart with joy.
"I missed you, Miya," Mirae mumbled, her voice muffled as she pressed herself tightly against Miyeon in a heartfelt embrace.
"I missed you too, little devil," Miyeon chuckled, playfully ruffling her sister’s hair.
Miyeon often thought that getting away from her family for a while would give her the fresh air she needed to reset and not be reminded of the past. But she was wrong. It was her family—their love and support—that saved her from sinking too deep into her grief. They were her anchor, keeping her grounded when life felt too overwhelming.
"You know, Mom and Dad got me a new PlayStation," Mirae said excitedly as they entered the grand foyer of their mansion. Her eyes sparkled with childlike glee, and she practically bounced on her toes, eager to share her excitement.
The driver had dropped Miyeon off at the entrance, right in front of the fountain that adorned the mansion’s expansive courtyard. As she walked inside, she was greeted by several bodyguards who nodded respectfully. The formality of it all made her slightly uncomfortable, but she had grown used to it over the years.
Upon entering, the first person Miyeon saw was Riko, the maid's daughter, who was around the same age as Mirae. Riko was diligently dusting a vase near the entrance, but when she saw Miyeon, her face lit up with a warm smile.
"Oh, Ms. Miya, you're back! It's lovely to see you again," Riko greeted her, bowing slightly out of habit.
Miyeon cringed inwardly at the formality. "I’ve told you to just call me Miya. And thank you," she replied with a kind smile.
Riko was an exceptionally intelligent and beautiful child, with a natural talent for painting. Miyeon’s parents had taken it upon themselves to ensure she received a good education and that her passion for painting wasn’t wasted. Riko’s mother had worked at their mansion for as long as Miyeon could remember, practically raising her and becoming a second mother figure in her life.
"Okay, Miya. Bye!" Riko chirped, skipping away with a bright smile. Miyeon chuckled at her enthusiasm and continued walking toward the living area, where the faint sound of voices became more distinct as she approached.
As they neared the living room, Miyeon noticed the voices growing louder, accompanied by occasional laughter. She glanced at Mirae questioningly, but her sister just shrugged in response. Just as Miyeon was about to step inside, a man who looked to be in his late thirties exited the room, nearly bumping into her. She quickly stepped aside, allowing him to pass. He gave her a brief nod before walking away, leaving her to wonder who he was.
Entering the living room, Miyeon found her parents seated on the large, velvet sofa, engrossed in conversation. They hadn’t yet noticed her presence, so she decided to surprise them. But before she could execute her plan, Mirae, with her usual lack of subtlety, shouted, "Mom, Dad! Look who’s back!"
Miyeon fought the urge to punch her sister in the arm but refrained, knowing it would only escalate the situation.
Her parents, startled by the sudden outburst, turned toward them. The moment they saw Miyeon standing there, their faces broke into wide smiles. Her mother was the first to react, rising from the sofa and rushing over to wrap Miyeon in a tight, warm embrace.
"Oh, sweetie, we missed you so much!" her mother exclaimed, her voice thick with emotion.
Miyeon returned the hug, savoring the comfort of her mother’s embrace. She had missed this more than she realized.
Next was her father, who remained seated but stretched his arms wide open, inviting his daughter for a hug. Miyeon walked over and hugged him tightly, feeling the familiar strength and warmth that had always made her feel safe.
"I really missed you guys," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. She knew how demanding university life could be, and she wasn’t sure when she’d get another chance to come home. She intended to make the most of this visit.
"Mom, I’m hungry. So, if you’re done with this, can we eat?" Mirae interjected, her tone slightly impatient. She was met with a light slap on the head from her mother, which made her pout and rub the spot with exaggerated indignation.
"Be patient, Mirae," her mother chided gently.
Still in her father’s embrace, Miyeon couldn’t help but chuckle at her sister’s antics. Mirae was always so dramatic, and it never failed to amuse her.
_____________
"So, Miya, how’s university?" her father asked as they sat down for lunch together. Her mother had instructed the staff to prepare all of Miyeon’s favorite dishes, making the meal a feast of comfort food.
"It’s fine. Better than before, actually," she replied, her chopsticks carefully picking up a piece of grilled fish.
"Did you make any friends?" he inquired, knowing how selective his daughter could be when it came to choosing people to associate with. So when Miyeon nodded, he was genuinely surprised.
"I did make a few friends," she mumbled, though a hint of uncertainty crept into her voice. She wasn’t sure if they truly considered her a friend, but Seokmin had reassured her that they did, so she chose to believe it.
"Really? Who?" her father pressed, his curiosity piqued. Even her mother looked up from her food, equally intrigued. Meanwhile, Mirae seemed oblivious to the conversation, too engrossed in her meal.
"Well, you might not know them," Miyeon replied, her tone evasive as she toyed with her chopsticks.
"I know everyone," he declared with a touch of pride. "Try me."
"Okay. Do you know Sapphie Kim?" she asked, raising her eyebrows mischievously.
Her father’s confident expression faltered, replaced by one of confusion as he searched his memory for the unfamiliar name. "Oh! Um... isn’t she that... um... girl who—"
"Dad, there’s no one named Sapphie Kim that either you or I know. I made that up," she interrupted, looking at him with a straight face.
Mirae, who had been quietly enjoying the exchange, suddenly spat out her rice and burst into laughter, soon joined by their mother, who also found the situation hilarious. Her father, on the other hand, looked thoroughly embarrassed.
"She got you good, Dad," Mirae said between giggles, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Shut up, everyone. We should not talk at the lunch table," he muttered, trying to salvage his dignity by stuffing food into his mouth.
"Sorry, sorry," Miyeon said, laughing along with no hint of remorse.
"You’re not," he grumbled.
"Yes, I’m not."
"I’m not saving you from your mother anymore."
"I’m sorry."
"It’s okay."
_____________
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Daylight To Her Midnight | YJH | Seventeen Fanfic
Fanfiction'I don't wanna look at anything else now that I saw you.' Coming from a wealthy family was never the major flex in her life. To others, she might come off as a rich spoilt brat but the reality was far from what they perceived her to be. In a world...
