HERE COME THE REGRETS

S I X

"Jeonghan-eonni and I talked about that a few days ago and she said Seunghan's going as well as Woojin and Chan," Wonwoo informed her husband as they sat on the table on the far left side of his office, overlooking the city from above. "The Chois have already submitted the permits to the camp and seems like they will be camping along too – just for the sake of having fun after their classes."

Mingyu breathed deeply, looking a bit concerned at his wife who still seemed to be uneasy with the idea of going to the camp. "Well, I'm okay with the boys going there. I have no problems with it, even the expenses are still within our budget even if we book a classy hotel near the University." He reached for his wife's hand and looked at her intently, "What I'm concerned about is you... I know you still doubt them going."

Wonwoo sighed. Her husband doesn't miss any detail – that's how much he knows her. "I'm just anxious about letting them in. It's my first time to loosen my grip on them, and I don't want to mess this up with them."

"You won't, trust me," he said reassuringly. "We raised them well, babe, and I don't think they're going to blow up some opportunities like this – especially this one."

"Do you think they can make it through the two whole weeks?" she asked exasperatedly. "I mean, Jeongin is with a lot of other kids, as well as Chanyul, but I don't see – "

"Look, babe," Mingyu was already getting a little tired and impatient with this discussion. Wonwoo was never going to change unless she has to experience it firsthand, and she needs to, starting at the camp. "If this means so much to you for the kids, then don't hold them back. They need this to see the world and what they are capable of. They need to meet new friends aside from the circle they have now, especially Jeongin who will be entering University in a year. It's hard, I know but you really have to loosen yourself from the stress that comes along with them. I love you but you have to endure all this."

He saw Wonwoo's face fall long and a pout was triggering to appear. "I-I'm not being a good mother, am I?"

Mingyu swore that he could just laugh anytime because Wonwoo still looks amusingly adorable whenever she pouts but he had to hold it back, especially when tears are on the verge of falling on her face. He tilts his head back as he swallows his own chuckles and pulled her to come to him. "Come here, you."

Wonwoo swallowed the last of her apple juice and walked to her husband with heavy feet as she looked down on the floor in disappointment. "I know you're laughing at me," she pouted.

"As much as I want to, I can't," he pulled her closer to him, making her sit on his lap, as they looked onto the view in front of them. "But I want you to see what's waiting for them in the future. They are raised with manners of a fine gentleman, and academically trained in the best school the country has to offer; they haven't been in brawls, fights with other kids, they don't do crack, and they haven't been arrested. Instead, we have a couple of shenanigans who eats a lot of chicken, understands your frequent hormonal mood swings, interested in world history and combat, and finds amusement in racing for a 20-dollar incentive for just waiting outside the door."

Wonwoo knew he was right, but it never denied her of rolling her eyes in annoyance, especially on the last thing he said. Looking back at her husband, he was smiling like a deranged hyena with puppy canines that she find very cute.

"You really want to do this, don't you?" she asked.

"For the boys, yes."

Well, what choice does she have? None.

"Have you heard of the International Math and Science camp happening after the end of the term?" Woojin, the 14 year-old Choi son, asked his friend, Chanyul, as they both changed to their Taekwondo Do-boks in the locker room. "Seunghan hyung asked our parents and they said it was fine. Dad was even willing to bring us to Seoul University everyday and he might not go to work for a few days if we participate in some activities."