Autumn Calculus

Ch.26.

The winter break arrived in the blink of an eye, bringing with it a quiet sense of relief. Eun-ji was looking forward to the slower pace of life—no exams, no deadlines, just time to recharge. However, there was one thing she hadn't anticipated: her mother had decided to host a large family gathering over the holidays.

The news came during a quiet dinner at her apartment. Eun-ji sat at the table, stirring her soup absentmindedly as she read through messages on her phone.

"Guess what?" her mother’s voice crackled through the speaker. "Your aunt and uncle are coming, and I invited your cousins, too! It’s been so long since we had everyone together. You can’t skip this one!"

"Mom," Eun-ji sighed, "I’m on break, I was planning to rest."

"Rest?" her mother laughed warmly. "You can rest after. This is family time, Eun-ji. Plus, I promised your cousins we’d do a big winter barbecue."

Eun-ji winced. The idea of a family reunion was nice, but the thought of all the noise, the constant chatter, and her well-meaning but overbearing relatives made her anxious. She could already hear her aunt asking when she was going to settle down, and her cousin, Jiwon, grilling her about her "future prospects" like she was a science experiment.

But she had to admit, the idea of seeing her parents and the family she hadn’t seen in months did make her heart soften. "Alright, fine," she relented. "I’ll come home for a few days."

Her mother squealed with joy. "I knew you would! I’ll make your favorite—banchan and kimchi jjigae!"

---

Eun-ji arrived at her childhood home two days later, the familiar scent of kimchi filling the air as soon as she stepped through the door. Her mother was busy in the kitchen, chopping vegetables while her father was on the couch watching a soccer match.

"Ah, you’re finally here! Are you hungry?" her mother called out, waving her in.

"Just a little," Eun-ji said, setting down her bag. "It smells amazing."

As she sat down, her father ruffled her hair affectionately. "How’s university? Still doing well in your studies?"

"Yeah, it’s been alright," Eun-ji replied, smiling. "But I’ve been busy with the festival and—"

"She’s got so many friends now," her mother cut in proudly, eyes glistening with joy. "You should bring them over more. It’s nice to have people who care about you."

Eun-ji was about to respond when the doorbell rang, and a flurry of noise followed as relatives piled into the house. Eun-ji braced herself for the onslaught of questions.

Her cousin Jiwon, a year older, immediately appeared at her side. "So, when’s the wedding?" she asked, not even bothering with pleasantries. "You know, it’s not too early to start thinking about it. My friend’s cousin just got engaged at twenty-two."

Eun-ji blinked, momentarily stunned. "Jiwon, we’re in college," she said, trying not to sound exasperated.

"Yeah, but you know how it is. Time flies!" Jiwon smirked.

"Stop bothering your cousin," her aunt chided, shooting Jiwon a warning look. "Let her breathe, will you?"

As they all sat down for dinner, Eun-ji relaxed, enjoying the familiar comfort of her parents' home. Her cousins, despite their annoying tendencies, were like family. The room was filled with chatter, laughter, and the clinking of chopsticks as everyone dug into the feast laid before them.

---
The next day, Eun-ji received an unexpected text from Ji-hoon.

> Ji-hoon: I’m in town for the holidays. What are you doing tomorrow?

Eun-ji smiled at the message. Her heart fluttered slightly, but she shook it off, not wanting to overthink things.

> Eun-ji: Just a family thing. Why?

> Ji-hoon: I was thinking of visiting you. Let me know if you have time.

Eun-ji’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t seen Ji-hoon since the festival, and though they texted occasionally, there was something about hearing from him now that made her feel warm inside.

After a brief pause, she typed back.

> Eun-ji: Sure, come by tomorrow. It’s just a family gathering, but you can drop by if you’re up for it.

She wasn’t sure why she’d invited him, but the idea of Ji-hoon meeting her family—albeit in the midst of the chaos—felt exciting, even if it was a little nerve-wracking.

---

The next afternoon, Ji-hoon arrived, looking slightly out of place in his winter coat amidst the clamor of Eun-ji’s bustling relatives. His eyes scanned the room, and he offered a small, awkward wave to Eun-ji.

Eun-ji introduced him to her parents, who greeted him warmly. "Ah, so this is Ji-hoon!" her mother exclaimed, holding out her hand. "I’ve heard so much about you!"

Ji-hoon smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I hope it’s all good things."

“Oh, of course!” her mother said, her eyes twinkling. "You’re the one who’s been keeping Eun-ji company, right? I hope you’re taking good care of her."

Eun-ji’s cheeks turned pink. "Mom!"

Ji-hoon laughed, clearly trying to ease the tension. "I try my best," he said, his voice soft but warm.

As they sat down to eat, the conversation flowed easily. Eun-ji’s father peppered Ji-hoon with questions about his studies, and her cousins started asking him about his favorite K-pop groups. Ji-hoon handled the barrage of questions like a pro, his easygoing nature putting everyone at ease.

---

After dinner, Eun-ji and Ji-hoon stepped outside to escape the noise. The night was cold, the sky clear and filled with stars. They walked in silence for a moment, the soft crunch of snow beneath their boots the only sound.

“I didn’t know what to expect, but your family is nice,” Ji-hoon said, breaking the quiet.

Eun-ji smiled. “They can be a lot, but they’re good people.”

Ji-hoon stopped walking and turned to face her. “I’m glad I got to meet them. You’re really lucky, Eun-ji.”

She looked at him, her heart swelling with affection. “Yeah… I am.”

The moment felt comfortable, yet there was something more unspoken between them, a quiet understanding that made Eun-ji’s heart race. She was glad Ji-hoon had come by, even if she couldn’t quite figure out why she felt so different around him now.

---

The evening ended with Eun-ji and Ji-hoon walking back to her house, their footsteps leaving imprints in the fresh snow. As they said their goodbyes, Eun-ji felt a flutter in her chest, unsure whether it was the festive cheer or something more. The holidays, after all, had a way of bringing people closer, and she wasn’t sure where this new feeling would take them.