The Scent of Life (1)
CHAPTER 1 MY HEART IS MINE

Morning is still ripe, sunlight is like a soft color. Three boys almost the same age play a chase in a grassy park. Both parents laughed happily at the cheerfulness of their three children while sitting on a picnic mat.

The oldest ten-year-old boy is Kang Min Hyuk. The second is a six-year-old boy named Kang Seo Woo, and the third is a cute five-year-old little girl named Oh Man Se. The girl is Kang's adoptive daughter.

The two boys chased after Man Se, but the little girl was always able to dodge nimbly. Until finally the two boys managed to hold Man Se's ponytail simultaneously. Man Se screamed in pain as his hair was drawn.

"Yamaa!"

Man Se woke up from his dream. The straight black haired beauty got up from the bed, then looked at the clock. After turning on the music, she moved for a while, then to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

The girl cooks hot water in the teapot. While waiting for the water to boil, he went to take a bath. When a whistling sound from the teapot signaled the water had boiled, he came out of the bathroom. After breakfast and coffee, he changed clothes, wore a t-shirt, pants and a jacket, not to forget sports shoes. This Sunday morning his schedule for wushu and archery exercises.

An aura of confidence in the girl. Then the sound of his voice rang when in front of the door.

"Hello? Woo Jin, yes! See you at the gym," said Man Se answered Woo Jin's phone, Coach Wushunya.

While passing through the courtyard, Man Se called Min Ji, his best friend. Unappointed, Man Se sent a short message telling Min Ji to prepare lunch for Woo Jin. Today is Woo Jin's birthday. Man Se knows Min Ji is crazy about Woo Jin. She always clings to Woo Jin wherever his travel coach is, until sometimes Woo Jin feels uncomfortable with Min Ji.

***

Arriving at the gym, Man Se, and Woo Jin train. Kick each other, beat each other, avoid, until Man Se finally lost, and lost balance. As fast as lightning Woo Jin pulled Man Se's hand so as not to fall. Man Se's eyes widened, in shock, then his face flushed red. Woo Jin suddenly got nervous, then let go of his grip. Man Se was embarrassed, and passed from that place. After changing clothes, he exited the building. It turns out Woo Jin was already waiting outside.

"Man Se .. wait. I'm sorry for what happened earlier. Akuuu ...."

Uncompleted Woo Jin said, Man Se instantly stopped walking and looked at Woo Jin straight up.

"That's it," said Man Se.

The silence interjected, and they looked at each other. Shortly thereafter, a call was heard that they were familiar with.

"Woo Jiiin!" shouted Min Ji.

Woo Jin who knew Min Ji came immediately turned his body about to run away, but he was blocked by the wall behind him. He banged his head against the wall feeling annoyed as to why Min Ji had come just when he was willing to convey his feelings to Man Se.

"Min Ji!" call Man Se to cheerfully greet his friend.

Min Ji approached and immediately hugged Woo Jin's arm.

"Come, come with me" Min Ji asked Woo Jin.

Woo Jin's face was a bit upset, Man Se laughed smirked. They wave each other's hands. Man Se looked at the two lovebirds until their car disappeared around the corner. Man Se let out a long sigh, then his gawai sounded ringing. Man Se picked it up.

"Yes, brother," replied Man Se.

"Where? Go to the apartment, yeah. I'm waiting for the prize" said the man whom Man Se called his brother.

"Yes," replied Man Se and then closed the call.

Man Se smiled as he opened his bag. There's a little gift in it. A tie he bought yesterday for Seo Woo's birthday present.

***

Man Se walked to the bus stop. Seen by people passing by. The bashful autumn air gives it its warm air today. While waiting for the bus to come, Man Se's mind glared away as a child, and as a teenager. As time went on, she grew up in the middle of the Kang brothers.

Man Se is grateful he has good foster parents. Man Se knows his biological parents died, Mrs Kang who told him about it after graduating high school. His father works as Mr. Kang's personal secretary, while Man Se's mother works in Mr. Kang's factory. Man Se was a year old at the time. The factory experiences a major fire, due to an electrical short circuit, and Man Se's mother is trapped inside.

The bus came to throw its daydream. Man Se takes the bus to Seo Woo's apartment. The young man's apartment was luxurious. Moreover, he is the second son of the Kang Group owner who is engaged in fashion, entertainment, medicine, and food. Man Se took the elevator to the twenty-fifth floor. Upon reaching the top, he walked down the hallway. After arriving at the front door, Man Se pressed the key button.

Man Se went inside. A typical male apartment with a dominant olive green color. Man Se hears Seo Woo's bathing voice. Man Se went straight to the kitchen and opened the cupboard to look for food, but he found nothing. Man Se opened the refrigerator and took some drinking water.

"That's my drink" said someone near Man Se's ear.

Man Se is surprised, because suddenly Seo Woo is already behind him. The smell of bath soap still smells fresh. Man Se was nervous. He nodded quickly then moved away from Seo Woo.

"You really surprised me," Man Se said and sat down in the kitchen chair, Seo Woo following him.

He was standing right in front of Man Se. Seo Woo brought his face closer to Man Se's face.

"Where's the gift for me?" seoo Woo asked gently to make Man Se feel intimidated and nervous. Man Se reached into his bag and pulled out a present for Seo Woo.

 "Thank you" said Seo Woo.

Without saying anything Man Se nodded his head. Man Se was nervous, his face was hot, his heart was pounding, he had never been this close to a man. Then, I heard the doorbell. Man Se heaved a sigh of relief, having already been saved by the sound of the bell. Seo Woo leaves Man Se to open the door. Soon afterwards comes Seo Woo followed by a man behind him.He is Kang Min Hyuk, the first foster brother.

"You're here?" ask the young man.

"How are you" said Man Se.

Kang Min Hyuk walked towards Man Se, and Seo Woo walked into his room. Min Hyuk took the bottle of drink in Man Se's hand, then drank it to the end. Man Se bengong because the drink was his mark.

"You're getting good-looking, Mr. CEO," said Man Se as he looked at his brother.

Min Hyuk smiled widely.

"And you're getting pretty, Miss Oh."

Man Se blushed in embarrassment. Min Hyuk leaned his body towards Man Se.

"I'll beat you today" said Min Hyuk with a serious face.

Man Se smiled smirkingly. Today they're going to the archery club. Last month Min Hyuk lost, and now it's time for him to take revenge for yesterday's defeat.

"Winning this time may ask for anything to the loser, and the loser must not refuse" said Min Hyuk.

"really?" man Se asked confidently and was confident he would definitely win again this time around.

Min Hyuk nodded confidently. Their eyes clashed with each other. Then that momentary silence broke as Seo Woo exited the room.

"Let's go, I'll beat you both today" Seo Woo exclaimed.

Min Hyuk and Man Se were just grinning. Man Se walked behind the two young men. In Man Se's view, Min Hyuk's figure was an adult man and protector to him. Since childhood Man Se prefers to stick to Min Hyuk. His first brother often defended, and comforted if anyone hurt. Min Hyuk was also the one who accompanied Man Se to study, and dropped off while still in elementary school. For Man Se, he's the best brother.

Seo Woo, for Man Se he is no less great than Min Hyuk. Seo Woo teases her more often, and pranks her more than Min Hyuk does. Both amazed the women, and Man Se was grateful to have both.

Ever since Man Se knew that they were not his real brother, Man Se felt that there was something between the three of them that was unusual. Min Hyuk and Seo Woo no longer look at Man Se as a sister, but a girl.

Man Se smiled broadly and held his brother's hands together, as he exited the apartment building door, saying inwardly. "Sister, thank you, even though I'm nobody to you in the end, you've been looking after me to this day. I know you no longer think of me as a sister as you once did, but you think of me as the woman you love. But sorry, for the sake of keeping Papa and Mama feeling, my heart is mine, I have the right to determine who will be the owner of my heart."