Chan is your single dad, your mom left him after you were born.

So Chan had to raise eight kids all by himself.

yours is a noisy family, all boys and older than you, you are the only girl.

The car had just pulled in, and already the doors were slamming, voices overlapping, bags hitting the sand.

The sky was clear, and the wind smelled like salt and sunscreen.

The summer villa was huge, white walls reflecting the sunlight, and a bright blue pool sitting in the garden like a jewel.

At the back, a narrow private path led straight to the beach.

The other siblings were already screaming in excitement, barefoot, towels flying behind them like capes.

You, on the other hand, stood at the edge of the stone walkway, holding a tiny bucket under one arm and Minho’s hand tightly with the other.

You had new sandals on, a slightly crooked sunhat, and sunglasses that kept sliding down your nose. But you didn’t move.

“Don’t feel like going, sweetheart?”

Minho crouched down slowly to your level.

His voice was calm, with that serious tone he only used when you needed to feel safe.

You shook your head slightly, biting your lip.

The others were already racing into the water, laughing, splashing everywhere.

“Look over there.”

he pointed toward the sea, calm and soft, gently reaching the shore.

“See that? Nothing to be scared of. The ocean’s smiling today.”

You looked out toward the water, wide-eyed and silent.

“…It’s really smiling?”

“I promise.”

Minho nodded firmly.

“But you don’t have to go all in. Just dip one toe. I’ll stay with you.”

He took your hand and, with slow, patient steps, led you down the wooden boardwalk and into the sand.

At first, you grimaced, it was warm and grainy.

But he walked with you, step by step.

When you reached the water’s edge, you paused.

A wave lapped gently over your toes. You giggled.

He held you under your arms and lifted you slightly, like the sea might snatch you away. Then he set you down again.

Another small wave rolled in and splashed up to your ankles.

“It’s wet!”

you cried out in shock.

“I know, right?”

Minho laughed.

Ten minutes later, you were running up and down the shoreline on your own, kicking water everywhere and yelling, “The sea really is smiling!”

And when someone tried to call you back, you shouted at the top of your lungs:

“JUST A LITTLE MOOORE!”