In Guk-doo had always been reckless, ruthless in his pursuit of justice. Dumped by his girlfriend and put in a sloppy second division, he's a struggling young man despite being a dashing, suave cop.
Do Bong-soon had loved him, her childhood friend...
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"I heard unemployment is rampant in the country but why must my daughter fall victim to it? Especially when my son is thriving as a doctor in a reputed Hospital in Seoul!"
An apron-clad, twenty-six-year-old Bong-soon glances at her mother, cleaning cloth in hand. The large, ornate windows of the Walnut Pie she just wiped are bathed in the golden rays of the sun. Soon the colours would change and dusk would fall. But her mother's nagging won't stop.
"4.30! Oh, it's almost time for my kitty party!" she hears her mother say, "Bong-soon, don't just scrub the windows and try getting landed in a solid job soon."
Her mother leaves with that. Bong-soon heaves a heavy sigh, putting aside the wiping cloth and taking off her apron.
She glances at her loose sweater and joggers which have somehow remained pristine despite working the entire afternoon in the Walnut Pie, her father's bakery.
The bakery is empty at the hour. It will be full soon buzzing with customers and other assistants. It's why she prefers the calm morning shifts. It also gives her time to clean up the place. And of course, customers don't get to listen to Ma's rants. Not that Ma rants when they are customers around, though.
"Done for the day, Pa! Or would you need me for another shift?" Bong-soon yells, putting on a cheerful air. Yes, she won't let her mother's jabs get to her. She won't let anything get her down.
Mr Do, her father, places a hand over her head showing her a wrinkled smile. Pushing aside her bangs from her forehead, he tousles her short, neck-length hair. Bong-soon laughs at the way her short curls seem to dance every time her father flicks them. True joy replaces the fake smile she earlier brought on, turning into surprise when her father stuffs a few, rolled-up notes of money into her hands.
"Pa, this is?"
"You already worked overtime, dear. Go, hit the streets and shop for something you need. Isn't your friend returning to Seoul after four years of studying abroad? Meet her. Spend the rest of the evening having fun." Mr Do's bright smile falters. He momentarily looks away from his daughter. "You'll feel better. You listen to your mother's constant nagging here all day. Poor thing, you must be tired."
Bong-soon lets out a laugh, purposefully loud for her Pa to hear. "No, Pa. I'm fine. And why are you giving me money? I don't need any."
"Huh? Of course, I would give you money. This is your pay, plus extra incentives for working here."
"But Pa, this is our bakery."
"Yes, but would I not pay another assistant who works so hard for our shop? I'm being transparent and not paying you extra."
"Pa... Thank you."
Mr Do smears Bong-soon's head affectionately as she hugs him. They pull apart and share a smile.
