Episode 2 of "Family By Choice" unfolds with Ju-won, Hae-joon, and San-ha embarking on a bustling bus ride to their high school, their camaraderie palpable even amidst the morning rush. As they settle in, Ju-won shares her tale of becoming their unlikely messenger, a role born from a schoolyard predicament. She recounts how, in middle school, her brothers would be showered with gifts from admiring girls, who would inevitably inquire about their differing surnames, fueling whispers of dissimilarity. Driven by a desire to shield them from further bullying, Ju-won vows to unite them under a single last name.
Hae-joon, passionate as ever, urges Ju-won to confront the bullies head-on, while San-ha, the voice of reason, interjects, advocating for a more peaceful approach by involving teachers. Ignoring San-ha's counsel, Hae-joon initiates Ju-won into the art of verbal defense, teaching her to give the bullies a piece of her mind.
Once inside the school gates, Ju-won finds herself at the center of a new storm. Two girls accuse her of meddling in their romantic pursuits of San-ha and Hae-joon, falsely claiming her own affections for the duo. Amidst the escalating tension, Ju-won attempts to quell the accusations, only to be physically pushed aside by one of the accusers. Enraged yet empowered by Hae-joon's words, Ju-won retaliates in an unexpected manner: dragging the aggressor towards the school pond and, with a defiant leap, immersing herself in the water, leaving the stunned bully behind. As the crowd's sympathy shifts towards Ju-won, the bully's insults of calling her crazy only serve to rally more support around her.
Dal, a concerned classmate, alerts Hae-joon of Ju-won's predicament, and he rushes to her aid without hesitation. San-ha, too, learns of the incident and swiftly arrives, dispersing the bullies with a stern demeanor before escorting Hae-joon and Ju-won away.
As the school day winds down, Hae-joon and San-ha anxiously await Ju-won outside, the latter chastising Hae-joon for encouraging confrontation. As the first raindrops begin to fall, the trio abandons the bus stop for a spontaneous sprint home, their laughter and camaraderie echoing through the damp streets. Along the way, they stumble upon a convenience store where elderly neighbors inquire after Hae-joon's mother's impending return, adding a touch of warmth and familiarity to their otherwise tumultuous day.
San-ha valiantly steps forward to shield Hae-joon, prompting Ju-won to intervene, beseeching the woman to cease treating them as victims of fate's cruel hand. As the night deepens, Ju-won revisits the delicate topic of adoption, sharing that their neighbors' cruel whispers have become an unbearable burden. Yet, she strives to shelter Jung-jae and Dae-wook from the afternoon's unpleasantness.
San-ha, unmoved, ignores a call from his grandmother, leaving Dae-wook to answer the summons. In an attempt to lift San-ha's spirits, Jung-jae, Ju-won, and Hae-joon offer him a taste of their meal, only to see him withdraw to the solitude of his upstairs apartment. Ju-won scoffs, reminding Jung-jae that the elderly woman's meddling is unwarranted, given that Jung-hee has embarked on a new life with another.
Dae-wook concludes the call, returning to a dinner table heavy with tension. Jung-jae gently urges Ju-won to deliver some rice to San-ha should hunger strike, while encouraging Dae-wook to confront his former mother-in-law and move past the pain. The friends' exchange turns into a playful quarrel, as Ju-won and Hae-joon engage in antics to elicit a smile from San-ha. He, however, insists they focus on their studies, gently shooing them away while thanking them for their efforts.
Outside, Ju-won playfully questions why she never addresses him as "oppa," teasing him with the prospect of payment for such an honorific. Amidst laughter, San-ha finds solace in his studies, nibbling on rice balls as he ponders his future.
The following dawn, San-ha confides in his counselor, revealing his intention to enroll in a local college, a decision rooted in his desire to remain close to his family. The teacher, advocating for a prestigious medical college, is met with San-ha's conviction that the quality of a doctor transcends the institution they attend. The teacher ultimately encourages him to discuss the matter further with his father, recognizing the depth of San-ha's commitment to his loved ones.
Meanwhile, Dal confides in Ju-won, whispering that the girls were whispering tales of her madness. Surprisingly, Ju-won's face lights up with amusement rather than concern. She eagerly offers to introduce Dal to San-ha, but their plans are thwarted as they stumble upon San-ha making his way to the music room, accompanied by his classmate Hui-ju. Dal mischievously suggests they might be an item, a notion that sends Ju-won's mood plummeting.
Within the confines of the music room, San-ha cautions Hui-ju against being alone together, fearing their classmates' misconceptions. Hui-ju, however, becomes agitated over San-ha's decision not to apply to the prestigious university in Seoul. After school, Ju-won gives San-ha the cold shoulder, avoiding eye contact and conversation on their journey home. San-ha, perplexed, inquires about the reason for her sudden distance.
Ju-won finally spills the beans, revealing her discovery of their alleged relationship with Hui-ju. She speculates that he kept it hidden because they lacked the bond of blood, a comment that stings San-ha deeply. He retorts, emphasizing the helplessness of their non-familial ties and accuses Ju-won of insecurity, accusing her of making a scene.
Elsewhere, Hae-joon is detained at school for basketball tryouts when a mysterious man snaps pictures of him. Hae-joon, determined, gives chase and confronts the stranger, gripping him by the collar, causing the camera to slip from his grasp. The man flees, abandoning his camera, leaving Hae-joon to ponder if his mother had sent the spy from Seoul.
His friend speculates that Hae-joon's mother was searching for him, but he dismisses the notion. Later, during a family gathering, Hae-joon's pregnant aunt Yi-hyun arrives bearing gifts. Just as the atmosphere begins to warm, Madam arrives, scolding Yi-hyun for neglecting her nephew. She then embarks on a tirade, regretting her role in introducing Seo-hyun to Jung-jae.
Yi-hyun departs, but Madam's rant continues, lamenting Jung-jae's burden of caring for Hae-joon. Jung-jae, unfazed, asserts that it was his choice to take on the responsibility. Outside, Hae-joon chances upon Yi-hyun and chivalrously offers to cover the cost of her taxi ride home, a small gesture amidst the swirling emotions of the day.
Yi-hyun implores Hae-joon, reminding him that the funds were bestowed upon him by his father, urging him to exercise prudence in their expenditure. She gently admonishes him to strive never to become a burden to Jung-jae and his family, echoing a sentiment of gratitude and independence.
As the evening descends, Hae-joon returns home, his thoughts drifting back to his childhood days working at the restaurant. Memories of customers' scornful words, labeling him a burden to Jung-jae, surface, only to be soothed by the vivid recollection of Jung-jae's unwavering support. Over dinner, Hae-joon's heart swells with admiration for Jung-jae's selflessness in nurturing him, a sentiment shared by all but marred by Ju-won's unexplained distress. San-ha offers a tentative explanation, suggesting their earlier quarrel as the source of her unhappiness.
Jung-jae, stern yet caring, reprimands Ju-won for her quarrel with San-ha, inadvertently stirring up more emotions. Ju-won, hurt and frustrated, retreats to her room, leaving a trail of tension in her wake. San-ha, remorseful, pursues her, offering sincere apologies and a pledge of honesty—revealing his non-romantic status with Hui-ju and promising transparency towards Ju-won and Hae-joon henceforth.
The evening meal regains its warmth as Ju-won emerges from her room, joining the family table once more. The next day, San-ha indulges in lighthearted teasing of Hae-joon, only to be interrupted by Hui-ju's unexpected request for a reunion. Hae-joon, resolute, declines, his voice laced with the bitterness of betrayal. He cites Hui-ju's attempt to date San-ha after breaking up with him as the reason, adding that he won't risk hurting Ju-won's feelings. Dal, unknowingly fueling curiosity, shares with Ju-won the now-defunct romance between Hae-joon and Hui-ju.
The two girls exchange puzzled glances, wondering what drew Hui-ju to Hae-joon. Hui-ju, undeterred, attempts to forge a bond with Ju-won, but her intentions backfire in the music room. Ju-won's temper flares when Hui-ju casually mentions ending things with Hae-joon, her words striking a nerve. Ju-won, asserting her non-familial status to Hae-joon, demands Hui-ju cease her meddling.
The scene unfolds, each moment imbued with deeper emotions and richer details, painting a vivid portrait of the complexities of relationships and the delicate dance of truth and forgiveness.
The confrontation between Ju-won and Hui-ju culminates in a lesson imparted by Ju-won, leaving Hui-ju fuming. In a fit of rage, Hui-ju pursues Ju-won, only to stumble and fall. Desperate, she employs Ju-won's own tactic, painting her as the aggressor, sparking rumors among classmates that Ju-won is a bully. Hae-joon, hearing of this, urges Ju-won to apologize, but San-ha steps in, fiercely defending her innocence. He uncovers Hui-ju's deceit, warning that exposure would jeopardize her aspirations for Seoul National University.
As night falls, Dae-wook and Jung-jae share a hearty meal, while the children indulge in fried chicken under the starlit rooftop. Hae-joon seeks to make amends, presenting Ju-won with a cake, acknowledging his earlier silence in her defense. The following day, Dal surprises Ju-won with her adoration for Hae-joon, requesting to attend his next basketball match.
Meanwhile, Hae-joon discovers the missing camera in the hands of its rightful owner, spurring him into a chase, mistakenly assuming it to be Seo-hyun. Dal witnesses the awkward encounter, leaving Hae-joon flustered. To silence her, he offers a meal, hoping to preserve his secret.
Elsewhere, San-ha and Ju-won savor noodles at a restaurant as Jung-jae prepares his signature soup. Ju-won attempts to provoke San-ha about potential discrimination from Jung-jae, but San-ha calmly encourages her to let go of her worries.
The next morning, a grand entrance disrupts the school's serenity as a man arrives in a luxurious vehicle, making his way straight to the basketball court. There, he confronts Hae-joon, revealing himself as the latter's father, a revelation that concludes the episode on a dramatic note.
