The path leads her to a small pond, where she watches the koi fish glide gracefully beneath the lily pads.Seul-ki reaches into her pocket and retrieves a small packet of koi fish food she had picked up from the gardener's shed earlier. She carefully opens the packet, pinching a small amount of the pellets between her fingers. Leaning over the edge of the pond, she extends her hand, palm flat, allowing the fish to approach and nibble at the food. The water ripples as the koi swim to the surface, their movements creating a gentle dance of light and shadow on the pond's surface.Seul-ki walks over to a nearby bench, its wooden slats weathered from years of exposure to the elements.
She brushes off a few stray leaves before sitting down, the bench creaking slightly under her weight. From this vantage point, she has a clear view of the pond and the colorful koi fish that continue to swim lazily beneath the water's surface. The tranquility of the garden envelops her as she takes a moment to simply sit and breathe in the fresh air, the gentle sounds of nature providing a soothing soundtrack to her peaceful surroundings.As Seul-ki enjoys the serenity of the garden, the sky gradually shifts from a clear blue to hues of orange and pink, signaling the approach of sunset. The peaceful scene is interrupted by the distant sound of Ms. Kim's voice calling out, "Seul-ki, dinner is ready!"At the dinner table, the Han family converses amongst themselves as Seul-ki serves them their meal. Mr. Han, the patriarch, clears his throat, gaining the attention of his son, Ji-hoon. "Ji-hoon," he begins, his voice carrying an air of authority, "your mother and I will be going on a business trip in two weeks, after you are done with your paper. I expect you to behave yourself while we are gone."Ji-hoon, seated across from his father, pauses with his utensils hovering over his plate. He nods in understanding, a noncommittal grunt escaping his lips as he resumes eating. Mrs. Han, elegantly poised beside Mr. Han, adds, "We trust you to manage the household responsibly. Seul-ki will be here to assist you, of course." She offers Seul-ki a warm smile, acknowledging her role in their absence.After the dinner, Ji-hoon, having finished his meal, stands up from the table. "Excuse me," he says, his voice tinged with a hint of eagerness. He leaves the dining room, heading towards his private quarters.As Ji-hoon exits the dining room, the clatter of his shoes against the polished floor fades into the distance. Seul-ki continues to clear the table, collecting the used dishes and cutlery with practiced efficiency. She carries them into the kitchen, where she rinses them off before placing them in the dishwasher.With the dishes taken care of, Seul-ki returns to the dining room to ensure everything is in order.
She straightens the chairs, folds the napkins, and wipes down the table, removing any traces of the meal. As she works, the house grows quiet, the only sounds being the soft hum of the dishwasher and the occasional creak of the old wooden floorboards.
In the quiet of the Han family's estate, Seul-ki finishes her duties in the dining room. She takes one last look around to ensure everything is in its proper place before making her way to the staff quarters. As she walks down the hallway, she hears a muffled sound from upstairs—a thump followed by a cheer. She recognizes it as coming from Ji-hoon's room.Unperturbed by the noise from upstairs, Seul-ki continues on her path. She reaches her room and opens the door, revealing the simple yet comfortable space that serves as her sanctuary within the grandeur of the Han estate. She steps inside and closes the door behind her, the soft click of the latch a small, comforting sound in the stillness of the evening.Seul-ki retreats to her room, the soft hum of the estate's central air system a gentle backdrop to the quiet evening.Upstairs, in the privacy of his room, Ji-hoon's excitement is palpable. He quickly grabs his phone from the nightstand and dials a number, placing the call on speaker as he waits for his friends to answer. "Hey, guys, guess what?" he says, his voice filled with anticipation as soon as the line connects. "My parents are going on a trip in two weeks, and they're leaving me in charge of the house."
The voices on the other end of the call erupt in a chorus of cheers and whoops, the sound carrying through the walls of the Han estate. Ji-hoon grins, his fingers drumming on the polished surface of his desk as he listens to his friends' reactions. "Yeah, it's going to be awesome," he continues, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "I'm thinking we should all head to my parents' villa in Jeju Island. It's going to be the perfect getaway."One of Ji-hoon's friends chimes in, his voice full of excitement, "Dude, that sounds epic! But wait, are we talking about the same villa with the infinity pool and the private beach?"Ji-hoon chuckles, his fingers tapping against the polished wood of his desk. "The one and only," he confirms, his voice filled with pride. "We'll have the whole place to ourselves. No parents, no rules, just us having the time of our lives."The excitement in Ji-hoon's voice is contagious, and his friends' laughter and banter echo through his room. "And guess what? I'm bringing Srey-na," he announces, a smirk playing on his lips. "So you all better bring your girls too(Srey-na's friends)The laughter on the other end of the call grows louder, mixing with Ji-hoon's own chuckles. "You guys better be ready for a wild time," Ji-hoon adds, his tone teasing. "We're going to make this a trip to remember."As the evening wears on, the excitement in Ji-hoon's room shows no signs of waning.
The laughter and animated chatter continue to filter through the walls, the sounds of Ji-hoon's conference call with his friends a constant reminder of the upcoming trip to Jeju Island. Seul-ki, in her room, hears the occasional mention of Srey-na's name amidst the din, indicating that plans are being made.In the midst of the boisterous conversation upstairs, Seul-ki settles into her routine. She pulls out her schoolbooks, preparing to study for her upcoming classes. The faint echo of Ji-hoon's voice is a distant distraction as she focuses on her notes.As Monday dawns, Seul-ki wakes up early to prepare for her exams. She makes her bed, dresses in her uniform, and heads to the kitchen to grab a quick breakfast. The house is quiet, with only the faint hum of the refrigerator breaking the silence. She pours herself a bowl of cereal and eats in silence, her mind focused on the day ahead.The morning air is crisp as Seul-ki steps outside, the early sunlight casting long shadows across the Han family's estate. She locks the front door behind her and begins her walk to school.