Autumn Calculus

Ch.20.

The winter morning was serene, sunlight glinting off the frost-covered trees as Eun-ji sat on the park bench with Ji-hoon. The air between them was warm despite the chill, filled with the comfortable quiet that only came after weeks of deepening closeness. Ji-hoon's confession still played on her mind, a gentle hum of something new and exciting, but they had both agreed not to rush things and let their bond grow naturally.

"What are you smiling about?" Ji-hoon asked, breaking the silence. He nudged her lightly with his elbow.

Eun-ji shook her head, laughing. "Nothing. Just thinking how peaceful everything feels for once."

"Don't jinx it," he said with a smirk, but there was a teasing glint in his eyes.

Before Eun-ji could respond, her phone buzzed. She pulled it out, and her face lit up when she saw the name on the screen.

"Omma's calling," she said, holding up the phone.

Ji-hoon leaned back, his curiosity piqued. "Haven't met your mom yet. What's she like?"

Eun-ji paused, pressing the answer button and giving Ji-hoon a playful smirk. "You'll find out soon enough."

"Eun-ji-ya!" her mother's warm voice echoed from the speaker, a tone that immediately filled Eun-ji with a mixture of love and apprehension. "Where are you right now? Can you come home? I need to talk to you."

"Uh... sure, Omma," Eun-ji replied, slightly confused. Her mother rarely called her home in the middle of the day without a reason.

Ji-hoon raised an eyebrow as she ended the call. "Everything okay?"

"She wants me to come home. Probably another matchmaking attempt," Eun-ji said with a sigh, rolling her eyes.

Ji-hoon's lips twitched, but he said nothing. Instead, he offered, "Want me to walk you there?"

Eun-ji hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Sure. But don't say I didn't warn you if she starts asking you a million questions."

---
Eun-ji's family home was a cozy, traditional hanok nestled in a quiet neighborhood. As they walked up the stone path to the front door, Ji-hoon couldn't help but admire the place, its warm, inviting charm a stark contrast to the cold city streets outside.

The door slid open before Eun-ji could knock, and her mother stepped out, a bright smile spreading across her face.

"Eun-ji-ya! You brought a friend!" Her mother's eyes immediately landed on Ji-hoon, and her smile grew wider. "Is this...?"

"Omma, no," Eun-ji said quickly, her cheeks flushing. "This is Ji-hoon, my classmate. Just a friend."

Ji-hoon bowed respectfully. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Kim. Eun-ji talks about you a lot."

Her mother laughed, a rich, warm sound. "I bet she doesn't say anything good."

Ji-hoon grinned. "She actually says you make the best kimchi jjigae she's ever had."

Eun-ji gaped at him. "I never said that!"

But her mother was already beaming. "Well, you two must be hungry! Come inside. I'll make some for you."

---
As Eun-ji and Ji-hoon sat at the low dining table, the savory aroma of kimchi jjigae filled the air. Eun-ji's mother moved around the kitchen with practiced ease, chatting animatedly with Ji-hoon about everything from his studies to his favorite foods.

Eun-ji watched the scene with a mixture of amusement and slight embarrassment. Her mother was clearly charmed by Ji-hoon, and Ji-hoon, to his credit, seemed to be enjoying the attention.

"So, Ji-hoon," Mrs. Kim said as she placed a steaming pot on the table, "do your parents live nearby?"

Ji-hoon hesitated for a fraction of a second before answering. "My father passed away a few years ago, but my mother lives in Busan. We don't see each other often."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Mrs. Kim said softly, her tone immediately becoming more tender.

Ji-hoon smiled faintly. "It's okay. He always wanted me to focus on my dreams, so that's what I'm trying to do."

Mrs. Kim reached out to pat his hand, her eyes kind. "You're a good boy, Ji-hoon. Your parents must be proud of you."

Eun-ji felt her heart squeeze at the gentle moment. Ji-hoon had never talked much about his family before, and seeing this side of him made her realize just how much she still had to learn about him.

"Omma," Eun-ji said after a moment, trying to lighten the mood, "what did you want to talk to me about?"

Her mother's expression brightened again, and she clapped her hands together. "Oh, right! Your uncle is visiting from Jeju! He's bringing his son with him. You remember your cousin, Min-jun, don't you?"

Eun-ji blinked in surprise. "Min-jun? I haven't seen him in years! He was still a kid the last time I saw him."

"Well, he's all grown up now," Mrs. Kim said with a proud smile. "He's studying architecture at a university in Seoul. I thought it would be nice for you two to catch up."

"Is this another one of your matchmaking schemes?" Eun-ji asked suspiciously.

Her mother laughed. "Don't be silly! Min-jun is family. But... he is very handsome."

Eun-ji groaned, but Ji-hoon chuckled, clearly entertained by the exchange.

---
Later that afternoon, the doorbell rang, and Mrs. Kim rushed to answer it. Eun-ji and Ji-hoon followed, curious to see this "grown-up" version of her cousin.

When the door opened, a tall young man stepped inside, his broad shoulders and confident smile immediately commanding attention. His sharp features were softened by his warm expression, and his eyes sparkled with the same playful energy Eun-ji remembered from their childhood.

"Eun-ji!" Min-jun greeted, pulling her into a hug. "It's been forever!"

"Min-jun!" Eun-ji laughed, hugging him back. "You've changed so much!"

"And you haven't changed at all," he teased, ruffling her hair.

When he finally stepped back, his gaze shifted to Ji-hoon. "And who's this?"

Ji-hoon stood up, bowing politely. "I'm Ji-hoon. Nice to meet you."

Min-jun's smile widened as he shook Ji-hoon's hand. "Nice to meet you too. Any friend of Eun-ji's is a friend of mine."

Eun-ji watched the two of them interact, a sense of ease settling over her. She wasn't sure how Min-jun's arrival would change the dynamic between her and Ji-hoon, but one thing was certain: the next few weeks were going to be interesting.