Chapter 18
- No Dad2021.06.30.
Forehead covered by bangs, fair face, round eyes, and plump lips that moved busily whenever she spoke. She was a lovely child, enough to be mistaken for a doll. The girl held up a doll that Do-bin's younger brother, Do-yoon, had been playing with and said to Do-bin.
“Pretty.”
“You're prettier.”
“I know.”
Kids these days are like this. Ji-heon held his breath, trying not to disturb them. He began to understand Seung-gyu's feelings a little. He felt like he could understand Do-bin's feelings too. For some reason, his eyes kept going to the girl. He couldn't explain it clearly, but she vaguely overlapped with the face that had been on his mind for the past few days. Do you have to look like that to fall in love at first sight? Or is Lee Jung-o just someone who's easy to fall in love with at first sight? Or, is it just that if someone is pretty, he thinks they look like Lee Jung-o? As he stared, the girl looked back at Ji-heon. Ji-heon felt like he was being rude to the child and turned his head away. Jin-seo was flustered and repeatedly pressed the call button.
“Hello. Honey, where are you?”
It seemed that the call had finally connected after several attempts.
“You said you left work early, so why are you there? Ji-heon is here at the house right now.”
Jin-seo held the phone and quickly headed to the master bedroom.
“Jeong Ji-heon, I mean, Director Jeong Ji-heon!”
Jin-seo's voice was clearly audible even from the master bedroom. Ji-heon became self-conscious at Jin-seo's tone, which rose a notch with each pause. He should go to the parking lot. Ji-heon, who had entered the living room, turned around. When he reached the entrance, Do-bin grabbed Ji-heon.
“Uncle, do you know how to play Go?”
“Uh… just a little…”
“Uncle, play Go with me.”
Before Ji-heon could even give a proper answer, Do-bin grabbed Ji-heon's hand and led him away. Ji-heon was dragged along in a daze. Do-bin, holding Ji-heon's hand tightly, led him to the Go board and slyly said to Ji-heon when Yena wasn't looking.
“I hope you'll let me win, Uncle.”
A man's desire to look cool in front of his girlfriend. Ji-heon, who had been about to leave the house, was embarrassed but had no choice. He was in a position where he had to score points with his friend's son.
“Do you even know how to play Go?”
“Yes. I learned at the academy.”
Do-bin answered confidently, carrying the Go board and bowls of stones. The Go board was placed on the living room table.
“Yena, look. I'll show you how I play Go.”
Yena approached with curious eyes. The two boys sat facing each other across the table. Yena also sat next to Do-bin.
“Uncle, you go first.”
Do-bin said nervously, signaling with his eyes. Ji-heon looked up from the Go board and stared at Do-bin.
“No, the black goes first.”
Yena, who had been watching, interjected.
“Ah, I know that.”
At Yena's words, Do-bin placed a black stone on the board. Ji-heon placed a white stone next to it. Then, Do-bin's second move was a bit odd. Only then did Ji-heon smile slightly. He said he knew how to play Go. It seemed he really only knew how to place the stones on the board. The kids wouldn't know any better no matter how he played, so he could just play something similar to tic-tac-toe and tell him he won. But before long, Ji-heon found himself in an unexpected situation.
“No, no. You have to put it here. If you put it there, you can't block the liberties.”
The frustrated girl began to diligently coach Do-bin from his side. That wasn't what Do-bin wanted…
“Hey, look. You put it right here. Then the mister will put it here. Then you put it here.”
The girl could read the moves quite accurately. …Can a seven-year-old be like this? Or, is she not seven years old? Ji-heon was also quite taken aback. His moves, which he had made carelessly because he had underestimated the children, had become blunders.
“Then if I put this here?”
Ji-heon asked the child, placing a white stone in an unexpected spot. The child thought hard and then placed a stone a little further away. Several moves later, it was a spot that Ji-heon had no choice but to attack. The child was more than just smart, she was amazing. She seemed to be a prodigy. The game had become between Yena and Ji-heon before he knew it. Ji-heon had forgotten about waiting for his friend and was now focused on the Go game. There were many restrictions when he played Go with his father. His father used Go as a tool to suppress emotions. He also told him not to let his expressions give away his moves. So he was always nervous when he played Go… But now, he was enjoying watching the expressions on the child's face. The child's expression changed subtly as she thought hard about her moves. A child who didn't get nervous in front of adults and focused only on the Go game. A little child who was fully enjoying the refreshing fun that he hadn't been able to enjoy when he was young. Facing such a pure child, he also enjoyed Go for the first time in a long time. Ji-heon was considering the outcome of the game for the first time. Should he lose by a hair's breadth, or should he win by a hair's breadth? If he followed Do-bin's request, it would be good to let him win, but somehow, he felt that winning might also help this child's growth. As he was thinking about what to do, Jin-seo approached and said in an excited voice.
“Our Yena is really good, right! I'm so proud and I love her to death.”
Jin-seo's eyes sparkled with fandom. The corners of Ji-heon's lips also lifted slightly.
“Mom, poop.”
In the meantime, four-year-old Do-yoon grabbed Jin-seo's leg and said. After Jin-seo and Do-yoon left, Ji-heon spoke to Yena in the quiet.
“Is your name Yena?”
“Yes.”
“Who taught you how to play Go?”
“My teacher.”
“Not your dad, but your teacher?”
“……I don't have a dad.”
Yena hesitated for a moment and answered expressionlessly. Ji-heon flinched. He had made a mistake. He felt a cold sweat running down his back. Do-bin asked Yena cheerfully.
“Then do you want my dad?”
“No. It's okay.”
Ahem, ahem, while the children were having their cool conversation, Ji-heon coughed a few times. Just in time, his savior Seung-gyu arrived. Seung-gyu still looked sullen, as if he hadn't gotten over his anger.
“……What brings you here?”
“I came to see you.”
Ji-heon answered as he got up from his seat. He also excused himself to the children.
“I have to stop now. You guys play together now.”
He wanted to leave quickly because he was embarrassed, but Yena looked up at him with sparkling eyes.
“When are you coming again, mister?”
“Why?”
“Because it's fun.”
It seemed she had already forgotten about the dad thing. Her expression was so serious that Ji-heon couldn't answer for a long time.
“Can I see you again if you come next Monday?”
“I have work then.”
“What about the Monday after that?”
“I have work then too.”
“Then what about the Monday after that?”
If he kept refusing, it felt like tears would soon start falling from her round eyes.
“Let's play again. Go.”
The child was pleading, and Do-bin and Seung-gyu were waiting for Ji-heon's answer.
“Okay.”
And so, Ji-heon made a reckless promise. Monday in three weeks. The child would probably forget about it soon.
Ji-heon and Seung-gyu went outside right away.
“I can't stay long. My wife told me to clean the air conditioner.”
Seung-gyu said sullenly, looking at Ji-heon, who had come to find him first, said he had come to see him, and then pressed his lips shut. It wasn't that he still hated Ji-heon. It was because he thought Ji-heon would never open his mouth if he didn't push him. Seung-gyu still cherished Ji-heon. Even if their relationship had been damaged more severely, he wouldn't be able to hate Ji-heon. Seung-gyu always felt sorry for Ji-heon.
‘He was okay seven years ago.’
Seven years ago, after he was discharged from the military, there was a time when his eyes sparkled. He thought that he had finally come to his senses, but that thought didn't last long. The precious friend regressed again due to the accident seven years ago. Some people said that he was all better, that he was fine now, but Seung-gyu thought differently. Seven years ago. It was as if that terrible winter for his friend had not yet ended. A friend who looked cool and fine on the outside, but something inside him was severely twisted. He wanted to fix him, but Seung-gyu didn't know how. All he could do was listen to his story.
“I'm sorry.”
“What are you sorry for?”
“For saying harsh things to you.”
“Do you really think I'm on your mother's side?”
“No. I don't.”
“Hmph.”
“I really mean it.”
“Okay. I'd be very upset if you thought that!”
Seung-gyu flared his nostrils and poured out his feelings. Only then did Ji-heon seem to realize it and slowly nod his head.
“Do you think that feelings have to be all or nothing to be real? No. Even just a part can be enough to be broken and painful. Like how Do-yoon cries his eyes out when he breaks just a tiny bit of his fingernail.”
“……”
“You’re a part of my life. Not all of it, but a definite part.”
Seung-gyu was almost sobbing now. From Thursday evening, when the conflict erupted, until an hour ago, Seung-gyu had been heartbroken and depressed. Because his friend was so precious to him.
“You are. That’s why I sincerely hope you’re happy.”
I hope your winter ends. Ji-heon's lips, which had been quietly listening, stretched out calmly.
“Thanks for coming. I’m sorry I said harsh things too.”
In fact, just the fact that Ji-heon had come to him first was enough for Seung-gyu to erase all his hurt feelings.
“But how did you think of coming all the way to my house?”
“……”
“Because I’m precious to you?”
“Yeah.”
Ji-heon ended up laughing. He couldn't bring himself to say it was because of the advice from someone he met in the elevator. His friend would definitely tease him. * After finishing her overtime work, Jeong-o hurried home. Yena, Jin-seo, and Do-bin were standing in front of the house. Yena called out to Jeong-o loudly and ran to hug Jeong-o's waist.
“Mommy!”
Do-bin also greeted her affectionately.
“Auntie, hello!”
She was relieved that everyone looked cheerful, but Jeong-o still couldn't shake off her apologetic feelings.
“I could have picked her up. I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. Yena had a great time today. She ate all her food too. Since Yena came, my kids have been listening well too.”
Jin-seo, who had been speaking with a satisfied expression, paused and carefully changed her expression.
“Oh, and there’s something I need to tell you. My husband’s friend from work came to the house and we were together for a little while. He came and left quickly, but…”
Jin-seo spoke cautiously, watching Jeong-o's reaction, but Jeong-o didn't mind it much.
“I’m sure you’re already worried, and then suddenly a guest came, I’m sorry.”
She has that much flexibility. Jeong-o was grateful to Jin-seo for telling her first so that there wouldn't be any other misunderstandings.
“No, it’s okay. It must have been hard for you with two sets of guests.”
“It wasn’t hard. Thank you for understanding.”
“I’m the one who’s grateful for you taking care of Yena. Thank you for contacting me first today and sending me pictures too.”
Jeong-o thanked her repeatedly. It seemed like she had made a good connection thanks to Yena. On the way home, holding hands, Yena had a constantly beaming, happy expression. Jeong-o asked her affectionately.
“Was it that fun?”
“Yeah.”
“What was fun?”
“It’s a secret.”
“A secret from Mommy?”
“Mommy, I’m going to Do-bin’s again in two weeks. On Monday.”
No answer to the question, the saucy daughter boldly informed her.
“I can go to Do-bin’s again, right?”
Decision first, permission later. Jeong-o chuckled, feeling like she was seeing Jeong Ji-heon from seven years ago.
