Translator: Nox

Chapter 4

4. Keep Her Close to My Home

She watched as Kangwoo murmured "Han Naeun" under his breath and entered it into his phone.

I didn't need to give him my full name.

Naeun thought to herself and stroked Minho's head.

"Minho, Jiho's inside."

Naeun said softly.

"Yes, Teacher. Jiho!"

As Minho called for Jiho and went inside, an awkward silence settled between the two left behind.

Cold air seeped through the door crack like a chilly wind, and Naeun felt a stinging chill in her fingertips as she tightly pulled her collar closed.

Feeling Kangwoo's gaze still fixed on her, her heart began to waver under that inexplicable heavy stare. Naeun instinctively tried to avoid his eyes, but his presence was not easily ignored.

"Is Jiho the teacher's son?"

Kangwoo's low, firm voice broke the silence, asking indifferently. His voice carried a subtle warmth even in the cold air, seeming to hold much deeper meaning than the question itself.

Naeun nodded with a slightly stiffened expression. His approach held goodwill, yet carried an intensity that crossed boundaries, leaving her confused about how to respond. The aura emanating from him through the cold air strangely drew her in further.

Kangwoo said nothing more, but his eyes held both coldness and an inexplicable pull. Naeun felt a fear that she might melt into his atmosphere if she stayed like this, mingled with an unknown flutter.

"Yes. Minho, Jiho—the matching endings are cute, right?"

"Yes."

"The two get along like brothers. That's a relief."

He seemed about to say something but stopped, gazing intently at Naeun.

The late autumn hospital lobby was filled with patients. Kangwoo quickly passed through and entered the reserved doctor's office right on time. After a brief conversation with the doctor, strength entered Kangwoo's voice.

"So, you're saying Minho can get better?"

Kangwoo asked cautiously. The doctor nodded, glancing at the chart before looking at Kangwoo with kind eyes.

"Yes. For selective mutism like Minho's, the most important thing is creating an environment where the child feels safe enough to open up. Especially when anxiety stems from surrounding circumstances, having a trusted person nearby is a huge help."

Kangwoo pondered the doctor's words. He recalled the conversations Minho had with Naeun at the kindergarten. Though his nephew, he hadn't paid much attention to the child. He was only here as a guardian in place of his mother, who was abroad. Thinking of how Minho lost his voice around others but cautiously opened up to Naeun stirred complex emotions.

"Actually, I heard Minho talking with his kindergarten teacher. He seems to share quite a lot with her."

At Kangwoo's words, the doctor raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"With his kindergarten teacher? I see."

"She must give Minho a great sense of stability."

"She might be the first person to open the door to Minho's heart. If he continues spending time with her and finds stability, he'll naturally start trying to communicate with more people."

Kangwoo lowered his eyes and pressed his lips together at the doctor's words. He felt a strange embarrassment. Despite their prominent family with grandmother, grandfather, uncle, nanny, and staff all around, they couldn't open the child's heart like that one kindergarten teacher. It left a bitter taste.

But at the same time, knowing Naeun's presence was a great comfort to Minho oddly brought him relief.

"Then it would be good if he could spend more time with that teacher."

The doctor nodded.

"Exactly. Continuously providing an environment where Minho feels safe is crucial. Even if there's just one such person he can form that bond with, his chances improve significantly."

"I see. Understood."

"We'll see you at the next appointment."

Kangwoo nodded silently and stood. As he left, he mulled over the doctor's words.

"He can get better..."

If Minho could improve, would he be done with this ridiculous guardian role?

"What nonsense is that? Bringing a woman into the house?"

Gyeonghye furrowed her brows upon hearing Kangwoo's words right after returning from South America with her husband. Her eyes showed bewilderment and wariness. Having just returned home after so long, she was in a good mood, but struggled to accept another person intruding into her peaceful routine.

Kangwoo let out a light sigh at her reaction and explained calmly.

"It's not about bringing in a woman. It's about bringing in the teacher. And her son around Minho's age too. She's the child's mother."

"She has a kid?"

Gyeonghye seemed subtly relieved at that. She eased her guard a bit upon hearing "child's mother," but still eyed Kangwoo suspiciously.

Kangwoo sighed at his mother's reaction. What on earth was she thinking?

"Yes. And it's not a woman—it's the teacher."

He tried to speak respectfully about Minho's teacher, but an inexplicable emotion seemed woven in. Why did this woman Naeun keep occupying his thoughts so much?

Gyeonghye paused at her stubborn son's words and asked again.

"Fine. That teacher. She's quite skilled, isn't she? How does Minho, who won't speak to anyone, talk to her— that woman, I mean, that teacher?"

Kangwoo nodded in agreement with his mother's words.

"Exactly. That's why I was thinking—how about hiring her as Minho's live-in tutor for a while?"

Kangwoo realized he wanted to keep Naeun close. And at the same time, that he was trying to hide it. It was an inexplicable discomfort. He explained it as for Minho, but his inner desire to have her nearby troubled him.

Gyeonghye crossed her arms and eyed Kangwoo suspiciously.

"For a while—how long?"

Kangwoo met his mother's eyes seriously.

"I talked to the doctor, and for a case like Minho's, it seems we need at least three years for him to open up and find stability."

Kangwoo's voice carried a firm resolve toward Naeun. Gyeonghye already knew her son had made up his mind. Knowing his personality—once decided, he pushed forward—she kept quiet, waiting for his next words.

"Even if things improve midway, it's important not to separate him from someone he's opened up to easily. Once he improves, Minho can go to school and get better gradually."

Gyeonghye narrowed her eyes, lost in thought for a moment.

"Still, living together in the same house—won't it be uncomfortable?"

Gyeonghye still couldn't fully let go of her concerns. Kangwoo spoke quietly, as if to persuade her.

"It's the annex anyway. How about moving Minho there?"

His words subtly revealed an intent to keep Naeun not too far from him. On the surface, it was for Minho's care, but in truth, Kangwoo's desire to have her close was growing.

Gyeonghye shook her head still.

"If you move to the annex, won't you be inconvenienced? Won't it be noisy?"

Kangwoo firmly shook his head at his mother's worry.

"It doesn't matter to me. Isn't it better than Mother living with a stranger here?"

Gyeonghye still seemed uncertain, slightly lowering her head. She pondered briefly. She didn't like the idea of some unknown young woman wandering around the house. And truthfully, having her barely-speaking grandson there was uncomfortable too. If Minho moved to the annex, she'd see him even less... To avoid the hassle, that might be best.

"Fine. Then I'll meet that teacher first..."

"Don't do that."

"What? Why not?"

"Are we in a position to be picky right now? We should be begging, and who these days would move into someone else's house with a kid?

"Why not? If you pay enough money..."

"Mother. That's why you're..."

Kangwoo shut his mouth mid-sentence. Saying more would be pointless.