Seoul-Strings (Haitus)

Chapter 1

Author's note: Since this is based is Seoul Korea, I will be mixing in a few korean words and sentences here and there. Disclaimer: Even though I'm doing as much research as I can, its not gonna be 100% accurate to the time period bc well... I'm not from that time... or am I?
Important Korean words in this chapter: Mom=Eomma, Brother=Oppa, Sir=Ajeossi
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Nam Yu-Jin made her way through the crowded marketplace with a small box in her hands. It held a special tea mix that her mother had ordered a while back. Yu-Jin passed the stalls dotted with spices. Taking a deep breath she stopped for a moment to smell the chili spice at the far end of one particular stall. Ramen, it made her crave ramen.

"Jinny! How are you my dear girl?" A voice called from behind a stack of spices. A head popped out a few seconds later. It was a large man with a huge smile on his face.

"Ajeossi!" Yu-Jin responded cheerfully. "I'm sorry but I'm in a bit of a hurry. My mother wants me to help her open the tea shop this morning."

"Well don't let me hold you up." He waved her on.

Yu-Jin gave a slight bow before hitching up her skirt and turning to rush into the crowd of people once more. She weaved her way through the mess of people only stopping for a moment to eye a pretty Hanbok in one of the shops. It was a beautiful dress, the Jeogori (top piece) was a pale purple with flowers in white and orange embroidered on it and the bottom was an orangey red skirt with multiple layers. Yu-Jin pressed her lips together and then huffed a small sigh. If only she could afford it. With one last look, she turned away and continued to the tea shop.

"Eomma! I'm here!" She called out while trying to open the locked door. "Mom?" She questioned again when no answer came.

"Hello my Love!" A voice said from behind her. She turned to look at her mother who stood a few feet away on the other side of the small street. Yu-Jin's mother crossed the street quickly and gave her daughter a quick peck on the cheek.

"Did you bring the tea box?" She questioned.

Yu-Jin nodded. "Eomma...." she pouted. "Why did you have to ask me to open up shop with you today of all days?" Her mother unlocked the tea shop's door and Yu-Jin followed behind her.

"Why not? You need some sort of structure and instruction in your life. I'd be a bad mother if I didn't make you do this." She chuckled.

Yu-Jin huffed and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. "But Jeong-Eun is coming back today, we should be preparing something nice for him." She pouted a bit but helped her mom open the place's windows and dust the sills.

Her mom began setting the tea out on shelves. "A little work never hurt anyone." She smiled. "It might even help distract you from all those things you say you must worry about."

"Eomma!" Yu-Jin whined. "They're my characters, of course I must worry about them!"

Handing her some tea to arrange, her mom stepped behind her and began redoing the braid that hung down her back. "Yes yes, being a writer is a noble passion and you'll have plenty of time for it, believe me. But for now," She paused to lean closer. "Selling tea will have to satisfy your burning desire for a man to confess his undying love for you and seal it with a kiss in the moonlight." She winked as Yu-jin twisted her her head to respond in protest to her mothers teasing.

"I didn't know my sister was such a romantic..." a soft yet strong voice said from behind the both of them.

"Oppa!" Yu-Jin cried. "Why didn't you say you'd be so early?" She ran to him and embraced him.

He cleared his throat. "Uhhh surprise?"

Yu-Jin laughed. "I would've made something for you if I had more time, you'll have to deal with tea if you want anything at this point." She nudged his shoulder. "I'm glad your back."

"Its good to be back too Jinny." He smiled and hugged her again.

"Oh come here boy." Yu-Jin's mom said with open arms. He let go of Yu-Jin and made his way over to hug his mom.

Yu-Jin pulled him away after what seemed like a long minute. "So..." she said shyly. "Did you see Joo Hyuk?"

Jeong-Eun looked at her in silence for a moment but then laughed and nudged her. "Why? Is he the boy mother was joking about when I got here?"

"No! I just haven't seen him in a long time and I was wondering how he's holding up in the country."

"He's doing fine, staying busy." Jeong-Eun said with a smile. "He'd be glad to know you asked about him."

Yu-Jin waved her hands and shook her head. "No need, I was just asking. Speaking of asking..." She pointed to his knee. "Hows your knee doing after the journey?"

"Its okay, a bit sore but nothing I haven't felt before."

"Honestly Jeong-Eun, I'm surprised you still go on the supply run each year, I thought that would be the last thing you'd want to do." Their mother said. "You know I can hire someone to go instead of you."

"Eomma, it's okay." He paused. "I'm okay."

She turned back to stacking the shelves. "If you say so."

"Wheres dad?" Jeong-Eun asked after a moment.

Yu-Jin smiled. "He was on his way here but probably got held up talking to everyone he passed by."

"I'll go find him." Jeong-Eun said. He made his way out of the shop with his cane in his left hand just limping slightly.

Yu-Jin stared as he left. He had used a cane since the accident and he promised he would get rid of it once his leg healed, but it had been three years, three years since the doctor said he was fine. She continued dusting the teacups absently. Maybe he really felt like he needed it. To Yu-Jin it just seemed like he was scared of letting the past go.

"Oh Yu-Jin, just go help your brother find your father." Her mother said nudging her out of her thoughts. "It hurts to see you doing a sloppy job of dusting my teacups."

Whipping around she stared at her mother. "Really?"

"Yes, I'll finish up around here, as long as you come back and help with costumers in the afternoon."

Giving her mother a quick squeeze she ran out the door to follow her brother. "Thank you Eomma!"