Kyung Mi

The Carefree Three (1)

'Kyung Mi! Kyung Mi! Get up! Get up! It's morning already.'

'Hmm...' she stirred. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. 'Good morning Anne,' she greeted.

'Sleep well?'

'Yes.'

Kyung Mi got down from her bed and headed toward the bathroom. She stopped and asked. 'Is Father awake?'

'Of course, Kyung.'

'Oh well,' and disappeared to her bathroom.

Twenty minutes later

Kyung Mi went to have her breakfast and saw her father taking his morning coffee.

'Good morning Daddy,' she greeted sweetly as she pulled a chair out to sit.

'Ae-Cha, you're up' , he said as he sipped his hot coffee ☕

'Sorry, I got up late today...'

KNOCK!

KNOCK!

Anne opened the door and a pair of familiar voices were heard, male and female.

'Good morning Uncle,' they both greeted Hyun.

'Good morning kids. Good to see you today. You both came quite earlier than usual today.' Hyun observed.

'You guys came so early. What's up today?'Kyung asked, disgruntled.

'It appears you too didn't get enough sleep', the girl teased.

'Cut it out SeoYeon. Anyways, you two met us at breakfast, why don't you join us?' So saying, she stood up and a chair out beside her. Everyone took a seat and the conversation resumed.

'Who else didn't wake up well today?' Kyung looked at SeoYeon.

SeoYeon pointed to her side, 'Him'

'So what's your schedule today, Kyung', the boy asked, in a bid to turn their attention from him. He is visibly older than the two. Quite handsome. Tall with a well-chiseled face, a pointed nose, and thin lips. SeoYeon, the boy's kid sister, and Kyung Mi call him Oppa, but his name is SangHoon.

'School, school, and school,' Kyung Mi replied dryly.

'You make it sound as if you're tied to school,' SeoYeon laughed.

'You won't understand, SeoYeon. I'm so bored!' Kyung pouted.

She was a very beautiful girl. Quite tall for a seven-year-old. Even at a young age, her august beauty was paramount. Glassy skin, alluring brown eyes, and dark waist-length hair. Whoever saw her would say that she was a carbon copy of her mother, Cho Seo Ah.

Cho Seo Ah was a beautiful young lady. At eighteen, she joined the army. Her father, Cho Joon Woon, then, was a general. Her mother, Gwon JiYoo, a lively and lovely woman, and also an entrepreneur, had passed away before Seo Ah finished high school.

In the course of pursuing her career in the army, Seo Ah met Kim Hyun Ki, then 23, who at that time, was a captain. The first time Hyun set his eyes on the soldier damsel, he instantly made up his mind that he wouldn't just let go of her, besides he was the type that gets what he wants no matter what. Their relationship blossomed into love and after two years, they got married and had their beautiful baby, Kyung Mi. Little Kyung grew up feeling complete; a mom and a dad.

Seven years later, Hyun and Seo Ah had to go on a mission. It happened that they both got enlisted in the mission together. Hyun and Seo Ah were both thrilled that they would go together, since they were the only couple accidentally enlisted together in the same mission. But no one, not even Seo Ah herself, knew she wouldn't make it back alive.

After everything was set, as usual, it was customary for the parents to see their child before leaving for anywhere, be it travelling or on missions. So, Seo Ah and Hyun Ki went to Kyung Mi, who was in the hands of Ara, her Anne.

'Mi Cha,' Seo Ah stroke her daughter's hair fondly.

Mi Cha was the pet name her parents called her because of her stunning beauty for her age.

'Mother and Father will be away for a few days. So remain a good girl, okay?'

'Mother, are you and Father going on a mission?' the little girl asked innocently. Her eyes danced from Seo Ah to Hyun Ki, curiously.

'Where did you hear it from?', Seo Ah was surprised.

'It's all over the place,' Kyung gestured around the barracks.

Hyun chuckled. 'Everywhere huh?'

She nodded, still curious. 'Well... Yes,' he ruffled her hair, making her shriek with laughter.

'Just for a few days', Seo Ah chipped in. 'So remain a good girl.'

'I'll be good,' Kyung promised. 'But you two must promise me something,' she looked at them.

'Whatever it is, we'll definitely fulfill it. Right Honey?' Hyun looked at his wife for her approval.

'Of course' Seo Ah replied in a heartbeat.

You said just for a few days right?'

They nodded.

'Then you must promise me that you'll come back safe and sound. It's dangerous out there you know so you must promise me,' Kyung said, looking at her parents intently.

They were overwhelmed with the purity, innocence and sincerity of their daughter's soul. Seo Ah's eyes were watery as she hugged Kyung tightly. But Little Kyung had no idea what her utterance had caused to her parents.

'We promise baby. We promise,' Seo Ah said while stroking her baby's back affectionately. They disengaged.

'Mommy, don't cry. You look a lot beautiful when you smile radiantly!'. Kyung pinched Seo Ah's cheeks lightly. It worked quite well. Seo Ah smiled.

'I think it's time we departed,' a soldier informed them.

'Alright'

Hyun kissed his daughter. 'Be good and don't stress Anne.' She nodded. He looked at Ara and said 'Take care of her'.

'You don't have to worry about that,' Anne assured.

And that was the last time Kyung Mi saw her charming and loving mother.