10 Years Apart | Wenreneseul

"I can't believe this!" Seulgi stomped her way to her seat in their classroom. Her aggravated presence can't go unnoticed by her bestfriend, who is her seatmate as well.

"It shouldn't be bad as you imagined it to be. Who knows, your soon to be younger sibling would turn out to be adorable." Irene said trying to lighten up her mood. Seulgi called her last night crying but mostly whining about what she described to be a disastrous news that her parents decided to adopt a new kid. But what does she know? Irene has a younger sister and she will never understand what an only child like Seulgi would feel about such matter. A matter that her parents suddenly dropped and what's worse was that, Seulgi's opinion didn't even count. Her parents already said the adopting papers were already near completed and that the new kid will be home with them by next week. Perhaps she could understand a bit of that disappointment of not having heard so she took back what she said. "Okay, maybe it is bad but what can you do about it? The new kid's probably being prepared to be delivered at your door."

"I hate mom and dad, they didn't even asked what would I feel about this. Or if I ever even wanted a sibling." Seulgi said as she sinks in her chair. It's only morning but she's already having a bad day.

"Did they mention if it was a boy or a girl?"

"Well, yeah. It's a girl and that's the worst!" Seulgi almost cried. Of course, she was an only child who's like a princess in their household, her parents attention were all on hers. But now? Not anymore. She can't imagine how she'll cope up with this at all.  It's awful that it was a girl and it's younger than her. Great! How can she compete with that?

"So if it's a boy, you'll be okay with it?" Irene probes.

"Maybe, and if it was older. Irene, I don't know what to do. Maybe it's my punishment for stealing desserts in the fridge when mom and dad said no." Seulgi fakes crying but it almost felt real to Irene. Perhaps this new kid could somehow change this childish Seulgi and become mature enough to bring out an unnie out of her. Irene thought that Seulgi surely is a great child but heck they are already in senior high school, 16 to be exact, and she acts like a baby most of the time, if not spacing out. But hey, Irene knows she act one as well but not as much as Seulgi, she knows her limit and the other doesn't.

The teacher came in to their class and their conversation halted at once.

---

"Are you okay with it now?" Irene asked Seulgi as they await for the new kid's arrival to the Kang family's household. Irene was not sure how she ended up in this situation, in the living room where Seulgi's parents asked them to wait, but maybe she was just too soft for her bestfriend when she begged for her saying she needed her at this moment. Irene obliged to the request but didn't forgot to ask permission to the elders of course.

"I don't know. What if she happened to be a freak, ugly and disgusting? What if she's a snob, a whiner, and has attitude problem?" Seulgi said as she imagined the worst. Yes, she hated this kid already even before she could see her but she can't imagine how she'll become of she turned out to be something even more hateable? Ugh.

Irene laughed. "Where is that judgment even coming from? Seulgi, she's only 6 years old. And besides, it's your future little sister not your future lover."

"I'm not judging, I'm just just expecting the worst."

"It would be better if you expect the best. But knowing your stand about the kid, that's impossible right now, huh? Hmm..." Irene sighed and her imagination was soaring as well with the what ifs of Seulgi. Her bestfriend's negativity is rubbing off on her. Sure, she likes and takes care of her own little sister and that she likes other 'cute' kids but not if they happened to be not so adorable and whiny that brings only headaches and heart attacks. She's easily startled by anything so she hopes the kid would be not so energetic or else, she's done in here and she'll go straight home.

"Oh my god! They're here!" Seulgi stood up from her seat and started pacing back and forth the moment she heard the car's engine.

Irene was left amused by her bestfriend, it looked like she's actually watching a panicked father waiting outside the labour room. Irene laughed and Seulgi automatically glared at her.

The front door opened before Seulgi was able to attack Irene with words and she had lost it.

"We're here!" Seulgi's mother announced happily. She was way too happy, as far as Seulgi could remember. She somehow felt a pang of jealousy building inside her.

The two elders went inside to which Seulgi and Irene went puzzled as to where the new kid was. It took them a few seconds to realize that the little girl was actually hiding behind the father's back. Her little hands grasping the pants of the man, afraid of the two teenagers in front of her.

Seulgi was eager to see her face but it was difficult for her. Her curiosity is killing her and Irene felt the same.

"Don't be afraid Seungwan, they're your big sisters Seulgi and Irene. They wanted to see you." The mother said playfully, obviously caught up by Seungwan's cuteness.

Seulgi and Irene thought that the name sounded boyish but that thought immediately ended when they finally saw little Seungwan's shy stature.

She was nothing but adorable. Seulgi admitted, fighting a squeal. She glanced at Irene who's still sitting on the sofa, checking if she caught her building adoration for the new kid, but then she realized that it wasn't only her that was charmed by Seungwan. Irene was completely caught off guard as well.  Seulgi smiled then turned and examined the new kid again. Seungwan's face was so endearing with that shy expression and she wonders what would she look like if she finally smiled. For a six year old kid, Seungwan was actually really small and the big white cottony dress that she's wearing gave off a squishy feeling. Seulgi can't help but wonder if she's actually real, her cuteness was something she could compare to any cute pokemon character. Seungwan's cheeks are so puffy that she can't wait to poke. Her eyes were so inviting which offers only soft gazes  that you'll be left with an impression that she's kind and easy to get along with even for a child. Damn Seulgi was supposed to be angry with her, what was happening?



"Good girl, Seungwan. Now go to your sisters while we prepare our lunch okay?" The father pats Seungwan's head earning a little giggle from the girl to which Irene and Seulgi immediately melted from the scene. Their eyes were both sparkling, anticipating to play with the new kid.

"Seulgi, I entrust to you your little sister. Be a good unnie and play with her, okay?" The mother said almost threateningly but smiled along the way when she saw Seulgi's reaction towards Seungwan. She was relieved that perhaps there's really nothing to worry about. She then turned to Irene who was also radiating the excitement to play with the younger girl. "Go play with her too, Irene. Please take care of our Seungwan if Seulgi happened to snap at her." Irene nodded earnestly.

"I kinda doubt that though." The father laughed after seeing her daughter, Seulgi. Then they both excused themselves leaving Seungwan standing awkwardly at her original place with eyes gazing at her.

"Come here, baby. Come." Seulgi gestured Seungwan to come closer to them and Irene finally stood up from her seat and went close to Seulgi.

"Looked like she doesn't look like a freak, ugly and disgusting. She's far from it, isn't she?" Irene smirked at her friend to which Seulgi just rolled her eyes.

"Yeah whatever."

Seulgi then looked at her little sister and transformed into a happy sunshine instantly, forgetting Irene's remarks. "Come here, Seungwan. Let's play?"

Little Seungwan finally gave in and started walking towards her. Irene and Seulgi were enthusiastic just by watching the little one walking towards them like it's the most adorable thing in the world. They both can't help but smile however it immediately changed into horror when Seungwan tripped on her way.

Holy Shit.

"Omo!!!" Irene got her first, a second after Seungwan's body meet the ground. She put her up in her arms and tapped Seungwan's back delicately. "Ssh.. it's okay, darling. Don't cry." She hugged her and comforted her but Seungwan wasn't really crying. She was fighting it.

"Yah! You're not her older sister! Give her to me, I'll be the one to comfort her." Seulgi instantly snatched her little sister away from Irene.

"Why are you so jealous? I'm not competing to be her older sister here. I was just fast I caught her first." Irene argued but quite saddened that the little ball of warmth vanished from her arms.

"Sorry, Rene. I just... maybe I just wanted to be the one she'll like first. You know.. maybe it's the older sister kind of thing? I don't know..." Seulgi explained herself almost inaudible but Irene understood. She was sure that Seulgi was having a sudden change of heart towards the sibling thing and she wouldn't really ask how or why just because she had witnessed it with her own eyes. Seungwan was really charming.

"I understand Seul, I won't get in your way of course. You're her older sister after all." Irene winked at her. They laughed for a few second sharing this moment together but was swayed away by a little adorable voice.

"I'm okay, unnie." Seungwan spoke as she kissed the cheek of Seulgi.

For a few seconds, Seulgi and Irene looked at each other, trying to comprehend what had just occured and then they look back to Seungwan.

"Kyaaaaaa! You're so cuuute!!!" Seulgi finally lose it and she hugged the fluffball even tighter, playfully swinging her away.

"Yah! How about Irene unnie? I was the one who got your first. This unnie wants a kiss too!" Irene pouted acting like a baby. She really wanted some kiss from little Seungwan as well.

But Seulgi kept the kid busy so she had not heard the request. Damn, Seulgi surely is enjoying this. Irene was left sad the entire day, it haunted her not having a kiss from the child.

---

"You looked really happy." Irene smiled as Seulgi approached the chair beside her. They were quite early today for the morning class, so they have time to chat about their favorite topic named Seungwan.

"Seriously, it has been just a few weeks and I'm so delighted by her. I didn't know I needed a little sister like this until she came to our life. I can't believe I was against at first about having a sibling. But Seungwan's so adorbs I can't stop myself from playing with her and making her happy." Seulgi said with so much joy and Irene was really happy for her.

Irene witnessed how Seungwan changed Seulgi for the good. Before, Seulgi was always spacing out for unknown reason to her but lately she's very attentive at everything and when she asked about it, Seulgi explained to her that she once spaced out while Seungwan was left in her care and the little one bumped her head on the edge of a chair making her cry out loud. It made Seulgi's heart broken right away and she had swear to become more attentive for Seungwan. Irene sees Seulgi becoming responsible and thoughtful as well, before she just wanted everything to herself but now she always thinks of Seungwan. The candy that she bought, the hair clip she treasured, and even the flowers being given to her by her admirers were all given to Seungwan after school. Speaking of after school too, Seulgi does not hang out anymore in the karaoke, shopping malls or wherever until late night. She always went straight home playing with her little sister. Seungwan was really the angel brought to them to correct whatever Irene and Seulgi's parents can't correct with her bad habits before.

"Aw. I wish to see Seungwan too. That little muffin I'm missing her so much." Irene said. The last time she saw the child was when she was brought to the Kang household. After that, Irene wasn't able to find time to visit the household due to exams week. "I could only hope she still remembers me."

"Of course, I always talk to her about you too you know. She wouldn't forget you, I won't let her." Seulgi encouraged her and Irene was ecstatic about it.

"Finally I could pay her a visit later after school. Thank god exams are all over today."

"Oh about that, can you come home without me and just play with Seungwan first? I was asked by mom to buy some groceries, Seungwan's needs to be exact." She pleads.

"Sure then. I could finally have Seungwan all for myself." Irene grinned, teasing her. She knew how Seulgi became over protective of Seungwan in such a short time they've spent together.

"Ya! You don't you ever brainwash my Seungwan! She liked me more than you coz I'm her big sister."

Irene laughed. "It's a good thing that Seungwan adjusted so well to her new environment. She isn't a snob, a whiner or has an attitude problem like you once imagined her to be."

"Aish. You really like bringing up the words I said in the past, huh?" Seulgi said annoyed but soon her features softens when she thought about how Seungwan's like a people's person. She's really not picky when it comes to people, well at first meeting she's shy and all, but once you got her trust and attention she could really get so bubbly. And it was painful for Seulgi to watch that Seungwnan likes everyone kind to her, because Seulgi just wants the kid all to herself. But she knows that it's impossible so she worked on at least being Seungwan's favorite person, that would be enough for her.

"Later, Seul. Teacher's here." Irene announced as she saw the teacher coming to their way.

---

Irene knocked on the door only to be opened by Seulgi's mom with a bright smile on her face.

"Irene! It's been a while, I'm glad you're able to come by." Mother Kang hugged Irene and welcomed her inside. Irene was always welcome to this household and she's more than thankful for them.

"Sorry, Auntie. But exams are over so I could spend more time here." She smiled genuinely.

"I'm glad about that. I'm sure Seulgi and Seungwan would be happy to have your company in the house."

Irene looked around the living room, she was checking where she could find an adorable ball of fluff. And Mother Kang was quick to catch Irene's troubles. "She's upstairs, inside her room. The one next to Seulgi's room. She's sleeping right now but since it's already dinner, please help me wake her up."

Irene carefully went upstairs as instructed by Seulgi's mom. To be honest, she's quite not feeling good about waking up Seungwan. Of course who in their right mind would want to disturb a child sleeping? That's probably heartbreaking to deprive someone a good sleep and worst for any child? Irene doesn't have the heart to do so especially imagining how peaceful Seungwan's face might be sleeping.

The moment Irene stepped into Seungwan's room, a pair of delighted eyes targeting her made her captivated. She was surprised that Seungwan was actually wide awake opposite of what her mother assumed. It didn't took long for Irene to notice the brightness of the child, jumping constantly upon recognition of her presence. Her doubts of Seungwan forgetting her was tossed immediately outside the window, and she smiled.

"Hello there, little Seungwan. Guess who's here?" She slanted a bit and clapped her hand as she gesture the child to come and welcome her with a hug. And being adorable as Seungwan could ever be, she made her way to Irene while skipping on her tracks excitedly. Finally this missing unnie she once got acquainted from a long ago had made an appearance in front of her again. Irene was quite impressed at how sharp Seungwan's memory in recognizing people.

The child literally threw herself in Irene's embrace that garnered a giggle from the teenager. "Aw, Seungwan you missed me that much?" She smiled and closed her eyes as she succumb to the comforting smell oozing from the child. She smelled like a baby. As much as Irene wanted to tighten her embrace over Seungwan, she knows she'll hurt her. So she had to control herself from the urge of squeezing the child due to her irresistible cuteness and pull back.

"Do you know who I am?" Irene started with a smile that doesn't go away the moment she saw Seungwan.

For a few seconds, she witnessed how the child tilted her head slightly and furrowed her eyebrows, a sign that she was trying to recall something. Irene immediately fight her urge yet again.

Aw, this cute adorable little sunshine.

"Pretty unnie." Seungwan pointed at her with a wide smile on her face, which Irene was slightly taken aback. She imagined the child to give up right after she feigned of recalling something from a memory that doesn't actually existed. Not that she had expected Seungwan to really recall her name anyway but to describe her like that was something she didn't saw coming. She remembers Seungwan as someone very shy so... the good remark from her was something that actually made her day.

"Aw. Really? You think I'm pretty?" She pinched Seungwan's cheeks playfully earning a chuckle from her before nodding in agreement.

"Irene unnie is pretty."

Irene gasped upon hearing her name. Aw did she really said my name? And calling me pretty at the same time? Aw Seungwan is so cute. What on earth did Seulgi tell her little sister to remember me this way?

"Up. Up."

Seungwan gestured to Irene that she wanted to be lifted up and so she did despite knowing that even though Seungwan is little for a 6 year old, she's still no longer a lightweight. But Irene didn't mind, just because the child was so endearing and it melts her heart once Seungwan pecked on her left cheek.

Aw. Can this child be even more adorbs?  I want to take her home now. 

---

Seulgi joined the dinner after half an hour that Irene had spent with Seungwan. Then they all gathered and shared dinner together. Mother Kang and Seulgi took turns to feed Sungwan even though the child was constantly giving them both signal that she could actually feed herself just fine. But the two were quite worried that Seungwan might choke herself. Irene find it funny considering how Seungwan was pouting all that time she's being fed just because the adult around her were getting super protective of her even in her own food. She couldn't blame them though, if by chance she was seated near the chair of Seungwan then she might have done the same. Having a cute child in the family surely does bring joy and entertainment in the family especially when the child was actually very tamed unlike any other spoiled and hard headed ones that brings nothing but headaches and constant heart attacks. Irene's aware and she knows that the Kang family knew too how precious and rare of a kind Seungwan was. Being able to adopt someone like that makes them so lucky.

After the dinner and helping a bit on the chores, Irene and Seulgi played with Seungwan upstairs. Irene decided to stay the night as insisted by the Kangs since it'll be Saturday anyway tomorrow. The fact that she's been like part of the family, some of her clothes were already stocked in the house so there's no problem if any sudden overnights occured.

"Even though Seungwan has a room of her own, she always sleeps here at night."

"Oh, was it because she's scared?"

"Nope. She's a brave little girl, Rene."

"So you asked her and complied with your request."

"Can't help it. Never really thought I would be this fond of having a little sis, even though she's not my sister by blood. I don't know, maybe because Seungwan is so likeable that it's easy for me to adjust and accept her as part of our family." Seulgi said as she checks her little sister watching cartoon on the TV.

Irene also gazed at the child and she couldn't agree more to Seulgi's statement. There was just something about Seungwan that drew them close to her. If it were just any other kid, she thinks it would be impossible to have this urge to get closer to her in just a small amount of time. There really has to be something and she just couldn't point it out directly yet.

"Maybe..."

Irene looked at her bestfriend. "Maybe what?"

"Maybe she's my soulmate." Seulgi concluded and sheepishly grinned at the idea. To Irene, this type of grin is out of Seulgi's odd behavior when she's settling in for an idea that wasn't really well thought of. Something that just popped into her head and settle with it without proofs just to end an unendurable curiosity.

"I'm guessing you'll grow into a lady having a sister complex." Irene joked but this is by far a guess out of observation of the now. Seulgi is becoming more and more attached to Seungwan as day passes by.

"Yah. I just wanted the best for Seungwan. She's my lil sis after all." Seulgi said with a smug on her face. It's like saying, 'she's my lil sis so I do whatever I want so back off' kind of way.

Irene laughed. "Aw, too bad for Seungwan's future lover. I'll pray for his soul." She feigned praying.

Meanwhile, Seulgi was flabbergasted, eyes almost popping as she heard Irene. Realizations came gushing in and it caused her panic. "Omygod! Rene, my baby Seungwan is too young for that!"

"What? Time flies so fast, one thing you know Seungwan's already keeping a lover." She continued teasing.

"Irene, you'll be the death of me. I won't let that happen. Omygod I can't even imagine." Seulgi said with eyes starting to glisten due to the tears forming as she watches Seungwan still busy with TV. Her imagination travelling about the far future and Irene can't help but release her high pitch laugh enough to startle the little one.

"Pretty unnie? Are you okay?" Seungwan asked softly while her eyebrows furrowed. Concern was showing from her face and the two teenager was swooned.

"Sorry Seungwan, I made you worried. I'm okay, I just really laugh weirdly. Go watch TV again." Irene assured the little one and smiled at her. Seungwan then nodded upon understanding and resumed watching but not after she smiled back at her.

Upon watching the two's exchange, Seulgi was definitely not happy. "Holy cow, Irene. What are you teaching my lil sis to call you?"

"Come on, Seul. I don't know what you're talking about. I thought you're the one telling things about me to her?" Irene defended.

"I did tell her about you but never once I instructed her to call you pretty unnie?"

"Oh." The only sound that came out from Irene's mouth.

"Don't 'oh' me, you flirt. Stop flirting with my Seungwan, Irene. She's only 6 years old." Seulgi exageratedly reacted. Perhaps it's the sister complex kicking in but that's way too severe, Irene thought. Just because Seungwan called her pretty doesn't mean she earned it by flirting. Yes, Irene has a reputation of being a playgirl at school but there's no way she would stoop low and pick on sweet and innocent little boys and girls.

"Seulgi, stop accusing me of such. There's no way I'm gonna play with kids." That sounded a bit off so she corrected. "I mean I will play with her but not the play I play at school. Ugh, you know what I mean right? I swear, don't accuse me like this, I suddenly feel awful of a person."

Seulgi eyed her. "If Seungwan grew up into a beautiful lady, which I know she will, don't even think about it." She stated like she was joking but it came off like she's actually threatening.

"Oh god, Seulgi. Stop! I won't okay? She's only a kid! Do you really think I would  do that to Seungwan?"

"Promise?" Seulgi has to be sure.

Irene looked at her in disbelief, "Seulgi may I remind you, I'm your bestfriend since we were kids. You should know me by now."

"Exactly. I know you, so promise me pleeeeaase?" Seulgi wasn't the type to act tough for a long time so this time she settled in for an aegyo to have her way.

"Augh. Fine! You're disgusting good for nothing bestfriend accusing me of things." Irene gave in and pinky swore with Seulgi, earning the bear's signature smile where her facial features forming thin curves. She's a real emoji and Irene giggled.

Seulgi was satisfied and she joined Seungwan in watching. Meanwhile, Irene contemplated a bit. She watches the two from behind, she can't help but wonder about Seulgi's words. She's not the type to be into young ones right? There's no such trace in her dating history so why would Seulgi say such? Was she joking? But why did she want her to promise? Sister complex, it has to be. Then Irene's attention was fully caught when Seungwan's head tilted left and right then turned to her.

Is she looking for me?  She thought.

Irene observed Seungwan giving her signals to come to their side. She was adorably displaying her cute dreamy eyes, puffy cheekbones, and bright smile like usual. Features of Seungwan that are very inviting, enough for Irene to do whatever the child wants her to do. A smile crept her face and forgotten what she had been contemplating about as she stood up and walk her way to Seungwan and Seulgi's side.