Chapter 33 - In Daylight

Kim Jun Hyeon woke up with the sound of the phone insistently ringing in the back of his mind, a throbbing headache taking over when he finally rolled to his side and reached for the phone.

"Hello?"

The person on the other side made sure to getting a proper identification from him, while Dr. Kim forced himself to open the bedroom shutter. The light only made his head hurt more and he shielded his eyes, fully aware that his hangover was his own fault; and barely paying attention to what they were saying on the other side. Gradually he realized that it was the mechanic in charge of his car repair, trying to explain something that made no sense at all.

"Ajuhssi, sorry. My car, the one with the electric breakdown, that the insurer's tow truck got last night. The name is Kim Jun Hyeon. Are you talking about this car?"

"Yes, Mr. Kim, I'm trying to say, there's no electrical breakdown. There's nothing wrong with your car, in fact."

"What do you mean ?! This wretched car just came out of nowhere yesterday, not even the dash lights turned on!" He just couldn't believe it, and for a moment thought that they were mistaken his car with another person's. "Are you sure…"

"Yes, Mr. Customer, we are sure. Wait. I'll be in touch soon." He didn't understand for a moment when they hung the phone on him, but after he got out of the shower, he saw that he'd gotten a video message from his car at the auto repair shop, working perfectly as the mechanic had said. "Aish, but what the hell just happened?!"

He didn't know what to think of it, so he just arranged things for the car to be delivered on Monday. Jun Hyeon checked his watch, and as he had imagined, he was amazed to realize that it was after one in the afternoon. Soon he had to be ready and pick up his mother to a charity tea… Where they both hoped to get new contacts willing to give to the Ji Hyeon Foundation's cause. The Kims themselves would be supporting other related causes with their presence and donation checks.

Last night came back to his mind, and he smiled. The surgeon forced his mind to remember when day dawned, and they were taking Miss Nam _or Miss Big Mouth, or Miss Cottonfeet, as they nicknamed her_ back home. He only remembered vague points of this moment. He was really drunk and feeling numb and slurry next to the hyung and the equally drunken singer. One of the points he remembered was Dae Won asking him if he was interested in her.

"Why, Hyung? Did you fell for her? Is she your type?" They were still looking at her from the car, as she opened the building gate and tripped in the air, holding on her feet and saying," I'm fine! You go! Thanks for the ride, oppas!"

Hyung's answer to his question as they smiled and waved at her was a bit long and kind of boring; but he remembered briefly that it included some kind of concern. Of course, what could you expect from Dae Won? He was always the protective type.

"Aish…" He remembered when she told her why she came to the capital to pursue her dream. She had also told them other interesting passages of her life. And Jun Hyeon clearly remembered his own alarming feelings while listening to her anecdotes _and how he was relieved shortly thereafter on how things unfolded from her point of view.

Nam Ye Rim might have told it all with a laughing expression,and made it seem like she had no bad feelings about her failures; but he guessed it was a lie.

It was impossible by all standards to have some substance and don't be affected by such long line of rejections, and unfortunate events. "Is she really a fraud, in the end?" He asked aloud in front of the bathroom mirror; and realizing that his face was questioning him back with a puzzled look, pushed his own reflection with one hand. "You're not the kind of guy who would fall into Miss Golightly's type. This protective guy is hyung." He spoke, remembering the classic movie his sister liked so much.

…

Eun Ha quietly left the house, making no noise so that Ye Rim wouldn't wake up. She needed to return the scooter to greengrocer Kang Dae as soon as possible.

When Ye rim arrived, already in daylight, Eun Ha was awake_ looking like an owl, brooding over the events of the night.

Her encounter with Hunter-now-Professor Shin, and how she had left Ye Rim unsupervised by Dr. Flamingo's side. So when drunk Ye Rim opened the apartment door, she was machine-gunned with questions. And defenselessly answered them candidly, while her unnie helped her take a shower and eat something before bed.

At least being awake at the right time let Eun Ha know that, even losing control of the situation, her interference had not been in vain.

The couple had found a friend who helped them and stayed with them all night. And if that wasn't enough, this person was a renowned and handsome musician with a well-established career and excellent character. Lee Dae Won! Eun Ha had already researched him in the morning on the internet, and she liked everything she could find.

' It's destiny offering alternatives, Ye Rim! And look, someone who can understand you and be by your side in your career! Wouldn't it be perfect?' The designer dared to dream, and her thoughts brought a smile of hope to her lips. That's how she stepped on Grocery Yoo.

She blinked, shocked as she'd thought she'd seen something unexpected. But blinking did miracles, as things seemed to make more sense:

Yoo Kang Dae had his hand around the neck of Unnie Soo Bin, the local hairdresser, and she was resting her hand on the greengrocer's chest_ eyes closed and with a mixed expression. Unnie Soo Bin had one side of her face and neck reddened, as if for some friction or allergy.

But now, Kang Dae seemed fumbling, looking disgusted at his own hand and wiping it on an old rag near the counter. At the same time, Park Soo Bin, an average-looking divorcee in her 30s, was reaching for the reddened area, and looking at the newcomer with a startled expression.

"Noona, are you ok ?! Damn bug! Sorry, sorry, I got carried away! I shouldn't hit it when it's on your neck! I'm sorry! What did I do ?!" Kang Dae acted all worried around the older woman.

"What?" Unnie Soo Bin seemed to take a moment to understand, until she looked down at her own hand, which had been around her neck. Then seemed to understand that the insect was no longer crawling over her body. "Ah, ah! Yes! Kang Dae, oh my God, what if that bug bites me; I don't even know what I do!"

"He-llo!… what happened?" Eun Ha announced her arrival_ even though she knew she had been spotted by the greengrocer and his only customer at the moment. "Unnie, need any help?"

Kang Dae was shoving the hairdresser into the greengrocer toilet in a rude, clumsy way. "This way, noona, this way. Be comfortable to wash your neck, and soothe the itching area a little. I hope the rash is gone soon!" The older woman had little choice but to accept. By the time she closed the door to the small staff toilet next the greengrocer's cashier, Kang Dae was already behind the counter, rubbing alcohol in his hands.

"We have to be more careful with the fruits. An insect was crawling on Noo… our precious client… Maybe I should take her to the hospital, right? That's only proper…" He turned to Eun Ha as he finished cleansing his hands.

She gestured that she couldn't possible know, and bowed as she handed the scooter key to the grocer. "Thank you so much for lending me it last night, Kang Dae. It was really useful."

"Ah." He seemed happy to hear. Before he could fully answer her, the bell in the doorway rang again, but this time it was Kang Dae's younger brother, Chang Mi, coming in. He seemed to hesitate to see them chatting next the cashier counter, and greeted Eun Ha as he moved into the home area. He was a sullen, rebellious-looking high school student who reminded Eun Ha of a skinny cat who avoided humans and only shows up when it's hungry. Like his older brother, he also had responsibilities with the greengrocery, but didn't seem to have the same passion for vegetables as Kang Dae did.

"Hi Chang Mi! How are you?" She figured if she kept quiet he would think she was hitting on his older brother. She also realized from the corner of her eye that taking advantage of this moment, Kang Dae quickly grabbed two premium peaches that were in a special display on the counter, and began to pack. She pretended not to notice.

"Noona!" Chang Mi took a moment to turn around, his foot raised in mid-step, but he turned and looked at her. As his face turned red, she thought he must be up to something and felt busted. It was clear as the day he was in some scheme. 'Teens...'

"Studying even on Saturday ?! Don't get a nosebleed!"

"…" He greeted her again, this time more deliberately, and stood outside the fringed curtains that separated their home from the greengrocery. Eun Ha at a glance realized that he had exchanged a look with his older brother. But as she turned to try to get what it could be, Kang Dae pushed the small package into her hands, with a silent begging gaze for her to accept without any formal refusal. Eun Ha silently shook her head, nevertheless, understanding that he didn't want his brother or client in the bathroom to notice his kind gesture.

"Why, I..." she whispered, starting a negative, but he pushed the package further into her hands. She finally embarrassedly grabbed it, accepting at last. She just greeted him in silence and left_ without even saying that she had filled the tank to make up for the loan.

Still thinking about how kind, helpful, and a little clumsy and funny Kang Dae was, inevitably the contrast with the Hunter was outlined in her mind. The mere thought of her encounter with Professor Fairy chilled her belly. She would finally know more about herself. With a anxious sigh, she returned to her apartment, forgetting Yoo Family Greengrocer, and daydreaming about the new possibilities unveiling for her in the upcoming meeting tonight.

She did not see, therefore, the grocer Kang Dae handing down the scooter key to his younger brother, grimacing:

"Here you are, Persimmon. But if it has any scratches from use, it's your problem."

"Did she say why she needed it to?"

"I told you no. She just said it was an emergency."

"Uhn."

The bathroom door swung open, and Hairdresser Park came out composed and with her neck not so red by now.

"Hello Chang Mi…"

"Hello Noona."

The student raised an eyebrow at the older brother, sardonically. Kang Dae scratched his nose, avoiding the youngest's look, in discomfort.

"Keep up the good work, hyung." Chang Mi walked into the house, leaving the client and the greengrocer alone in the greengrocery. The hairdresser reclined at the counter, looking curious:

"What is he talking about, Kang Dae?"

The young man gasped.