“So, are you folks on vacation?” Hyun’s father, Jae-wook, asked as he gently set down his youngest into the car seat. 

Hyun was sleeping like a log after spending the entire day playing with his new friend… Well, it was more like Yoo-jin babysitting Hyun, but at least they both seemed to enjoy each other’s company. Hyun’s father chuckled lightly at the soft snores bubbling from his son’s mouth. Kissing the top of the boy’s forehead, the young father squished Hyun’s mochi-like cheeks. How cute…!

“It’s actually our last family vacation before we immigrate to the US. I wanted to give Yoo-jin a good memory of Korea before we left, so I’m glad our two boys had a great time together.”

“Oh, is it for work or…?” 

“Yup, I got transferred to the US branch… It’s been pretty busy for the past three months, but we finally had some time to go on a short trip.” 

“Ah… That’s very unfortunate. Hyun seemed to have taken a liking to Yoo-jin. If it’s alright with you and your wife, how about joining us for dinner?”

“Oh, no… We don’t want to intrude–”

“I insist! My wife and I were planning on inviting your family over.”

While the two men excitedly chattered amongst themselves, Yoo-jin sleepily squirmed in his father’s arms. After babysitting his best friend the entire day, the seven-year-old was completely exhausted. All he wanted to do was sleep– not listen to these old geezers talk about their shared hobbies! Rolling his eyes, Yoo-jin headbutted his father to shut up. 

“Oh– are you tired, Jin?”

“Yes. I want to go to sleep now.”

“Okay, let’s head back and then–”

“No! I want to play with Hee– I mean, Hyun, more…” Nooo! What if he never got to see Hyun again?! He still had an important question to ask that idiot!

“Pfft, you just said that you’re tired, though.”

“I said no!!!” Yoo-jin glared at his father, adamant about staying with the sleeping boy.

“Hahaha. Yoo-jin, do you like our Hyun that much?” Jae-wook ruffled the little boy’s hair as Yoo-jin awkwardly tried to evade the man’s touch.

Ack. He hated being touched by random strangers! But oddly enough, the soft pats on his head felt so soothing. His eyes fluttering closed, Yoo-jin leaned his head against his father’s chest as a light smile lit up his rosy cheeks. Ahhh, so relaxing… Before long, even Yoo-jin was off to dreamland– dreaming of fluffy tres leches cakes.

~~~

“We’re here!”

Jolting awake in surprise, the two boys sleepily looked up at their fathers, who were beaming and smiling like fools. Rolling his eyes, Yoo-jin loudly yawned– unamused by his father’s attempts to take a picture of his son in his car seat. After stretching from his refreshing nap, Yoo-jin glanced at Hyun to find him crying over how someone had stolen his cake in his dreams. Honestly, what the hell was wrong with this kid?! Was Heeyoon that stupid…?

“... No one’s gonna think he was 90 years old at one point. Geez.” Yoo-jin muttered under his breath as he willingly allowed his father to take him out of his car seat. 

“BUT MY CAKE!!! They stole my cake! I was saving it, and they just took it!!!!!”

“Hyun! I’m going to count to three, and if you don’t stop, eomma will never buy you another cake again! Do you understand?” Hyun’s mother, Eun-ha, reprimanded him as she calmly gazed into her son’s eyes. 

“Hnnng…! Cake…!”

“One.”

“I hate you, eomma! You’re so mean to me!” Hyun pouted as he glared up at his mother in defiance.

“Two.” 

“Hmmph…!” Turning away from his mother, the little boy ran up to his father, “Appa, will you please buy me cake after dinner? Pleaseee–” Hyun begged, his eyes twinkling as he acted cutesy for his father. 

Dumbfounded, Hyun’s mother and Yoo-jin incredulously stared at the boy who did a complete 180… all for a piece of cake. Geez, this kid’s obsession with cake was *mildly* concerning. Unamused, Yoo-jin was about to ask his father if they could return to their hotel when Hyun’s brother bounded up the slight hill. 

The eleven-year-old had left early for soccer practice and was just returning home. Yoo-jin felt his mouth hang open as he stared at the two large cake boxes Joon was carrying in his hands. What in the world…? That couldn’t all be cake, right? Also, what eleven-year-old had that much money to buy two whole cakes from a bakery?!

“Hyun! Look what I brought~” Holding up the cake boxes, Joon smiled at his little brother, who came running up to him at the speed of light.  

“Hyung-ah~~ I love you!” Hyun giggled as he hugged the boxes of cake. His precious treasures…!

“Pfft, are you sure it’s me and not the cakes?” his brother asked, dotingly ruffling Hyun’s hair.

“... Both…?”

“Good answer–”

“Yoo-jin~~ Do you wanna eat this cake with me?!” Hyun excitedly grabbed the smaller box on top before running up to the amused seven-year-old.

Horrified, Joon watched as his kid brother busily chittered with Yoo-jin. When did his little brother get so close with that kid?! Also, was he being completely ignored when he brought not one cake but TWO whole cakes?!! Unable to accept that he had been cast aside by his adorable younger sibling, Joon staggered into the house in a daze– completely forgetting to greet their guests. 

“... Ha… I’m so sorry about that. Er, should we head inside?” Eun-ha sheepishly smiled as she led the giggling family of three into the home. Argh…! She’ll deal with all that cake later…! 

~~~

The two families sat around the Lee family’s garden picnic table, enjoying a cozy barbecue party. Yet, despite the friendly atmosphere, Yoo-jin couldn’t help but feel a prickling gaze on him. Averting eye contact, Yoo-jin ignored Joon’s envious glare. Man, did that guy have a brother complex or something?! Jesus. Glancing at his gullible, naive friend, Yoo-jin patted Hyun’s head in sympathy. There was no way this kid would have an easy love life when he grew older… 

“Poor thing…” Yoo-jin muttered under his breath as Hyun looked over with a questioning look. 

“Eh? Did you say something?”

Hyun gazed at Yoo-jin with wide eyes as his little mouth made a tiny ‘o’ shape. Shaking his head, Yoo-jin stabbed his piece of samgyeopsal*, amused that his friend was still clueless about who he was. Well, then again, this girl (Hyun) probably didn’t expect that her best friend would come to haul her butt back to heaven. Taking a big bite of the meat, Yoo-jin innocently grinned at Hyun. Maybe he should have a little fun before he revealed who he was.

“Oh, it’s nothing. I’m just a bit sad that we’ll be leaving soon.”

“Wha– When are you leaving??” Hyun raised an eyebrow as he munched on the kiddie kimbap* that his mother had made for him. 

“Well, we’re going back to Seoul tomorrow–”

“WHAT?! ALREADY?! B-But–”

“Oh, right! Song Yoo!”

“...Huh?” 

“Have you ever heard of an actor named Song Yoo? My uh, great-grandma was gushing about how handsome he was.” Yoo- jin awkwardly smiled, desperate to change the subject. He didn’t want to deal with another tearful meltdown…!

“S-Song Yoo…?”

The ruby-eyed boy became oddly quiet as he glanced at his hand silently. Curious, Yoo-jin peeked over at the boy and smiled. Bingo…! He knew it! He knew he got the right kid! Covering his smile, Yoo-jin watched Hyun’s face become beet red at the thought of his favorite actor from his past life. But, seriously, what was so great about that actor anyway?? Geez.

“Mmm… Actually, never mind. We’re probably too young to know who Song Yoo is… haha.”

“I know who he is. I’m here to look for him.” Hyun quietly revealed as he pursed his lip. 

Surprised, Yoo-jin gawked at the kid next to him. What the hell?! Why was this idiot telling people that he was looking for Song Yoo?? Or was this all part of the plan?

“Ummm–”

“But how the hell do you even know who Song Yoo is? He doesn’t even exist in this world.” Hyun squeezed the kimbap* in his hand until the fillings burst through his tiny fist. His red eyes filled with animosity and suspicion, the small child threateningly pointed his other hand at Yoo-jin.

“You… Are you my love rival?!”

SIDE NOTE:

Samgyeopsal*: Grilled pork belly.

Kimbap*: Korean rice rolls. It’s similar to Japanese maki sushi, but instead of seasoning the rice with rice vinegar, we use sesame oil, salt, and sesame seeds! :) Our fillings are a bit different as well! ^^

**NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.**