Quantum Entanglement Love (Series 1)

Kim Aecha stepped out of the car after Tae-sung and Minjin dropped her off at home. The familiar creak of the gate and the soft glow from the dining room greeted her. As she neared the house, she spotted her mother sitting alone at the dining table. A half-empty bottle of soju sat beside a small plate of untouched side dishes. Her mother's hair was unkempt, and faint bruises marked her face.

Even with her untidy look, her mother offered a faint smile upon spotting Kim Aecha. "Did you just get here?" She inquired, her tone gentle yet filled with exhaustion.

Kim Aecha stood frozen, tears brimming in her eyes. The sight of her mother's worn face was overwhelming. Unable to hold back, she began to sob, her shoulders trembling as she cried freely.

Immediately, her mother's smile disappeared. Alarmed, she stood up unsteadily and rushed to her daughter. Cradling Aecha's face between her hands, she inquired, "What's the matter, Aecha-ah?" Her voice shook with concern.

Through her sobs, Kim Aecha implored, "Eomma, I beg you to leave him. Please, eomma. Just please…" Her plea trembled with anguish. "If you can endure him, it pains me to see you like this."

Her mother's eyes filled with tears as Aecha's words pierced her.

Unable to respond, she pulled her daughter into a tight embrace. "I am sorry, Aecha-ah… I am so sorry," she whispered, her voice breaking as they cried together, their shared pain filling the room.

The two remained in the dining area, holding onto one another as their unexpressed emotions finally emerged. The soju bottle sat idle on the table, overlooked amid this moment of sincere vulnerability and sorrow.

###

Kim Aecha walked to school as the autumn breeze brushed her face. The trees' amber, gold, and crimson leaves swayed before falling, creating a vibrant carpet on the ground. The air was crisp, with a subtle earthy aroma marking the season's shift. Her peaceful expression masked her quivering inside from the traumatic event the day before.

The fear from the previous day persisted not as vivid memories but as a physical response. She felt threatened, her hands trembling and her heartbeat racing. With a deep sigh, she whispered, "I'll be okay."

The image of her mother's suffering overshadowed her own distress. Witnessing her mother's struggles after her partner's mistreatment strengthened Kim Aecha's determination to be resilient.

As she neared the backdoor of her classroom, Kim Aecha saw Minjin leaning against the wall outside. With her head down and a troubled look, Minjin caught Aecha's attention.

Taking a moment to pause and breathe deeply, Aecha forced a cheerful smile and called out, "Minjin-ah!"

Minjin raised her head upon hearing her name. As she turned to Kim Aecha, her eyes softened at seeing her friend nearing.

Kim Aecha swiftly closed the gap, gently grasping Minjin's arm. "Have you been waiting for me?" She inquired.

Minjin smiled gently and nodded. "Hmm, how are you? Are you feeling okay?"

Kim Aecha managed a smile, her hands gripping Minjin's arm tighter. "Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, though concern flickered in her eyes.

"You really shouldn't have come to school today," Minjin said, her voice wrapped in genuine care.

Kim Aecha chuckled softly, shaking her head with a reassuring air. "Aniya, I'm fine!"

Minjin's lips turned up into a small smile. "Araso, if that's how you feel."

Kim Aecha embraced Minjin and said, "Gomawo, Minjin-ah. I will always be grateful to you and your brother."

Minjin embraced her friend, softly patting her back. "It's okay," she reassured with a warm smile. "I would do it all again for you."

Kim Aecha felt tears in her eyes and swallowed hard, forcing a soft chuckle. "I'd do it for you, too," she said.

The school bell chimed, signaling the start of class. Minjin and Kim Aecha exchanged a glance before smiling genuinely. Kim Aecha held Minjin's arm as they walked into the classroom together.

Heo Yeong-hwan watched the touching moment from a distance, a warm smile on his face. Uplifted by their bond, he continued to their classroom.

###

Choi Ye-Joon entered the senior class with his customary confident stride. His eyes immediately fell on Lee Deji's desk, prompting a smile. After dropping his backpack in his seat, he approached Lee Deji, who was busy chatting with her classmates. 

Choi Ye-Joon set a roll of kimbap on Lee Deji's desk as a kind gesture. "Here."

Lee Deji glanced up from her chat and smiled at the food. "Great, I haven't had breakfast yet. Gomawo."

Choi Ye-Joon nodded and returned to his seat. Amused by the interaction, the girls sitting before Lee Deji leaned in closer. "He really cares about you!"

Lee Deji shrugged casually. "He's been like this since middle school. It doesn't matter." 

"Don't brush it off as unimportant," another girl interjected. 

Feeling slightly embarrassed, she bit into the kimbap and noticed Choi Ye-Joon glancing at her from the corner of her eye. Hurriedly, she turned her head to avoid his gaze. 

When the bell rang to signal the start of class, the students took their seats. The teacher entered the room, and the class welcomed her. 

After addressing the class representative, the teacher gave her the calculus assignment notebook. "Some of you did not pass. What is happening? Is this my fault that everyone failed?!" Mr. Chun asked. 

The students bowed their heads as the other notebooks were passed down the rows. When Lee Deji got hers, she eagerly scanned the pages. Her eyes grew wide with astonishment when she discovered she had earned a perfect score. 

Eager to share her excitement, Lee Deji called out to Choi Ye-Joon. When he didn't respond, she wrote a note about her perfect score and tossed it to him. It landed on his desk. Choi Ye-Joon glanced at the note, his eyes widening in surprise.

A smile spread across his face. "That girl might be a genius," he muttered.

Watching from her desk, Lee Deji felt a warm glow of satisfaction at his smile. 

### 

Lee Deji kept checking her watch during class. It was nearly noon, and as soon as the bell rang, she jumped up from her seat before the teacher left. Suddenly, she grabbed Choi Ye-Joon by the collar, catching him off guard. He opened his mouth to ask what was happening, but her determined look urged him to follow her without question. 

Lee Deji tightened her grip on Choi Ye-Joon's arm outside the classroom. "Where are we headed? I'm starving," he complained. 

"We need to find Park Minjin," Lee Deji replied sharply. 

Choi Ye-Joon felt the warmth of her hand on his arm, and the unexpected flutter in his stomach surprised him. He didn't have time to process it, though, as Lee Deji hurried them toward the 11th-grade section. Upon reaching the classroom, she released his arm and peered inside. 

As a student exited the room, Lee Deji approached him. "Hey, do you know Park Minjin?"

The student shook his head and replied, "Aniyo." 

"Araso, move over," Lee Deji said impatiently, stepping aside to let him pass. 

Then she noticed Bang Eun-kyung. "Eun-kyung-ah!" Choi Ye-Joon called out to him. 

Bang Eun-kyung turned in surprise. "Oh, Hyung?" 

"Is Park Minjin here?" Choi Ye-Joon asked. 

Bang Eun-kyung scratched his head in confusion. "Park Minjin? We don't have anyone by that name in our class." 

"Bo? That can't be right," Lee Deji said, her brow furrowing. Suddenly, a light of understanding brightened her face. "I've got it!" She seized Choi Ye-Joon's arm once more, pulling him along. 

"Where to now?" he inquired, irritation creeping into his voice. 

They rushed to the cafeteria, alive with students enjoying their lunch. Lee Deji scanned the crowd, her eyes searching for Park Minjin. Spotting Heo Yeong-hwan in the distance, she confidently walked toward their table. 

Minjin, Kim Aecha, Heo Yeong-hwan, and two other boys shared a meal at the table. 

Kim Aecha scowled and glared at Heo Yeong-hwan across the table. "Why do you insist on having lunch with us?" 

"Why shouldn't I? There's nothing wrong with it," Heo Yeong-hwan answered, feigning innocence. 

"You bullied her!" Kim Aecha nearly shouted, her exasperation clear. 

"That was ages ago!" Heo Yeong-hwan retorted, attempting to sound nonchalant. 

Kim Aecha kept glaring at him, determined not to let the matter drop. 

Out of nowhere, Lee Deji and Choi Ye-Joon reached their table. 

"We've finally located you! Park Minjin!" Lee Deji declared confidently. 

Heo Yeong-hwan and Kim Aecha shared perplexed looks. 

Minjin raised his gaze, taken aback. "What do you want from me?"