The Alchemy of Ink

A Day of Distraction

Mina's POV

As we stepped out of the taxi, the energy of Seoul enveloped us like a warm embrace. The sounds of the bustling city-horns honking, laughter echoing-filled the air, and I felt a thrill run through me. "First stop, street food!" I declared, pulling Soo-jin along toward a nearby vendor.

We navigated through the vibrant market, sampling everything from tteokbokki to hotteok. Soo-jin's eyes lit up with each bite, and her laughter became more frequent. It felt good to see her relax, even just a little. After our food adventure, we decided to visit a nearby arcade, where we played games that brought out our competitive sides. The ringing of pinball machines and the laughter of other players surrounded us, and we both got a little lost in the fun, our earlier worries fading into the background.

"Okay, how about we hit a theme park next?" I suggested, knowing we'd be tired but wanting to make the most of our day. Soo-jin looked hesitant but intrigued.

"Are you sure? We might be too exhausted" she replied, but I could see the glimmer of excitement in her eyes.

"Come on! It'll be fun! Let's just go for it!" I insisted. We hopped on the subway, the thrill of adventure pulling us along.

At the park, we rushed from ride to ride, our laughter ringing out as we conquered roller coasters and spun around on dizzying attractions. Each thrill seemed to pull Soo-jin a little further from her worries, and I was grateful to witness her joy. We even stopped for a silly photo-op, where we donned oversized hats and glasses, capturing a moment that would surely bring smiles later.

Finally , as the sun began to set, painting the sky with brilliant hues, we found a quieter spot to sit and catch our breath. "I can't believe we did all that" Soo-jin said, her face flushed with exhilaration. "I needed today more than I realized"

"Me too! It's not every day you get to relive your childhood" I laughed. "But remember, you still need to talk to your parents"

"I know" she sighed, her expression shifting slightly. "But I just want to enjoy this for now"

"Let's go back to my parents' house tonight. It'll be fun, and they'll love to see you" I suggested, hoping it would ease some of her anxiety.

"Are you sure? I don't want to intrude" she said, uncertainty creeping back into her voice.

"Of course! They'll be thrilled. Trust me, it'll be a nice distraction" I reassured her.

We made our way back to the taxi, and soon we arrived at my parents' house, where the comforting smell of home-cooked food welcomed us.

---

Soo-jin's POV

Stepping out of the taxi, I was greeted by the familiar sight of Mina's childhood home. The warmth of her family's hospitality was palpable, and I felt a mix of excitement and nerves.

"Mama! I'm home!" Mina called, her voice bright and joyful.

From the kitchen, her mother appeared, her face lighting up with delight. "Mina! You're back! And you brought Soo-jin!" she exclaimed. "It's so good to see you, dear!"

"Hi, Auntie!" I managed, feeling my heart swell with the warmth of her welcome.

"Oh, you two must be starving! Dinner is almost ready. Come help me!" Mina's mother beckoned us into the kitchen, and I followed, trying to shake off my lingering anxiety.

As we chopped vegetables and stirred pots, the atmosphere felt comforting and inviting. "I heard you're back to pursue your dreams," her mother said, glancing at me with genuine interest. "That's wonderful! What are you working on?"

I hesitated for a moment, unsure how to express my aspirations. "Um, I'm hoping to write webtoon stories" I admitted, feeling vulnerable under her gaze.

"That sounds amazing!" Mina's father chimed in, joining us at the counter. "Do you have any ideas in mind?"

"Yes, I do" I replied, gaining a bit more confidence. "I've been sketching a lot since I got back"

"Then you must show us your work!" her mother encouraged, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

Before I could respond, Mina jumped in. "You should see her awards! She won a few competitions back in college. Soo-jin is just being humble!"

I felt my cheeks flush at the attention. "I just... did what I loved" I mumbled, feeling a mix of pride and shyness.

Mina's parents exchanged impressed glances. "That's fantastic!" her father said "You're already making waves, and you've just started! What about your life here? How have you been finding it?"

I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of comfort in their kindness. "It's been... different. I've missed this place a lot, and I'm just trying to figure things out"

"That's normal" her mother replied, her tone gentle. "Everyone has their own path. You just need to keep pursuing what makes you happy"

As we continued to help in the kitchen, I felt the weight of my earlier fears starting to lift. The smell of kimchi jjigae simmering on the stove was comforting, and I couldn't help but smile at how at home I felt in this space. Mina's parents exchanged playful banter, their laughter mingling with the clattering of pots and pans, and I felt like I was part of something special.

Mina's father leaned forward, his eyes bright. "You know, following your passion is the most important thing. It's what led us to do what we love, too. You should never shy away from pursuing what makes you happy"

His words struck a chord within me. I felt thankful to have Mina's parents by my side, offering their support and encouragement.

As dinner was served, we gathered around the table. Mina's parents were eager to hear more about my life, asking about my childhood, my favorite subjects in school, and how I ended up in graphic design. Their genuine curiosity made it easy for me to open up.

It was a warm and lively conversation, filled with laughter and stories. I felt a deepening sense of belonging, the warmth and laughter of Mina's family making me forget my earlier fears and worries.

As the evening wore on and we cleared the table, I realized that maybe tomorrow wouldn't be so daunting after all. With Mina and her family by my side, I felt ready to embrace whatever came next, knowing that my dreams were worth pursuing.