"we were both young when I first saw you"
August 2007
In the heart of Seoul, kids were running to school, yelling after their friends, calling each other's names as the first day of school began.
It was a bustling, almost buzzing sort of energy; the vibe was infectious as it spread to the elderly who looked after them fondly, remembering their younger years and being just like them once before.
Though older teenagers were dreading the first day of school, the same couldn't be said for a younger 5 year old Jeong Heewon, who was currently holding hands with her siblings, Heechan and Heejin as they strolled towards the entrance of their elementary school.
Heechan was the oldest yet coward of the trio;
Heejin the mischievous middle child;
and Heewon the mood maker of the 3.
"Are you excited?" Their mom asked them, almost tearing up at the thought of leaving her babies at school for such a long time.
The three nodded, though Heechan more hesitantly, only nodding to seem like he was brave.
"You three, listen up. Listen to the teacher and make new friends, okay?" She sent them off, watching them with tense shoulders as they synchronously walked through the gate of the school. She sighed, partially with contentment and worry.
"First time dropping them off?" A gentle voice from behind Hyorin sounded, startling her. She turned around.
A woman around her age was standing behind her with kind eyes, two small hands clutching her big one. She glanced down to see a boy hiding behind her.
"Yes, you too?"
"No, I have an older one. But she was less shy- our Taehyunnie is still... adjusting."
Hyorin cooed. "Oh, he's so cute. How old is he?"
"He'll be 6 in February. How about yours?"
"My kids just turned 5 in August. Heechan, Heejin, and Heewon."
"Aigoo! Triplets. I bet it's been a handful."
Hyorin nodded exhaustedly. "When I'm done handling one kid, another one is crying again... but the days pass by so quick," she said, eyes foggy.
"That's how I feel with my oldest. I swear she was only 3 yesterday... ah, kids."
They smiled at each other, bonded by their common sense of motherhood.
"I'm Kim Hyorin."
"Lee Sungah, nice to meet you!"
Then she averted her direction to Taehyun, who was reluctant to leave his mother's side.
"Now, Taehyun-ah, you must go. You don't want to be late, do you?" Hyorin offered.
Taehyun, though clingy, was not irrational, and nodded. "Yes."
"Then quickly go! You will make friends and play with fun toys. Go!"
His mom beckoned him, pushing him lightly.
"Bye-bye," he waved, before finally running off towards his classroom.
Sungah watched her son fondly as he grabbed the straps of his backpack.
"Shall we keep in touch?" She offered Hyorin.
"Of course, our kids are the same age."
"My Taehyun will never be bored with 3 friends," Sungah laughed.
And indeed he never was.
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ch. 0.1: love story
