Ch#47
47. Let's Clean Up
Kang-hyeok's voice cracked as he confessed his painful past. A distant regret and guilt welled up in his eyes.
Na-eun looked at him with wide eyes in shock. She was momentarily speechless but soon spoke in a calm voice.
"How could such a thing..."
Kang-hyeok continued in a quiet, resigned tone.
"That's when he became like that."
Na-eun closed her eyes, the words alone too shocking. If the child had witnessed that, it must have left an enormous trauma.
"I see. That must have been a huge shock to Min-ho. You haven't been able to face him well since then, have you, sir?"
Kang-hyeok nodded slowly.
"Yes. After that, my relationship with Min-ho grew distant, and I fled abroad. I thought it was the way to protect him... No, honestly, it was to protect myself."
Na-eun took a deep breath to steady herself at his confession. Her eyes were filled with genuine sympathy for both Min-ho and Kang-hyeok.
"Even now, I'll help you restore your relationship with Min-ho. What the child needs is unwavering love and stability."
At her words, Kang-hyeok's expression softened a little. Her kind words touched a deep place in his heart, and he finally nodded quietly.
"Thank you."
Na-eun slowly offered hopeful words.
"Selective mutism can be overcome. It was a big shock to the child, and a wound to you too, but thank you for bravely telling me. We should probably change the counselor moving forward."
Kang-hyeok couldn't quite understand her words. He had heard they were already seeing the top child psychiatrist—whom did she mean to switch to?
"Change the counselor?"
"Yes. Now that you've shared the trigger, it would be good to assign a trauma specialist. It may take time, but if the family all works together, Min-ho can return to being the bright child he was before. He's naturally very cheerful and intelligent. Among the kindergarten kids, he's the best at stacking blocks. Did you know that?"
Kang-hyeok shook his head blankly. The conversation itself felt unfamiliar.
"No."
But hearing that Min-ho was smart and the best at stacking blocks in kindergarten stirred an inexplicable pride in him as a father. Memories surfaced of how he himself had loved and excelled at stacking blocks as a child. Perhaps it was a small sense of relief. He had thought his family was over, irreparable, but these words sparked a glimmer of hope.
"If you tell me what kind of specialist to find..."
As Kang-hyeok mumbled, Na-eun asked something else instead.
"Right. More importantly, how long do you plan to stay in Korea?"
Kang-hyeok thought for a moment before replying.
"That depends on the circumstances."
"It must be hard, but I hope you'll stay in Korea a bit longer, sir. For now, we need to find a child trauma specialist. With your family's resources, it'll be easier to select a good one. We must find a specialist in children who can handle selective mutism and trauma."
Kang-hyeok let out a long sigh at Na-eun's words. She continued persuasively.
"Child trauma specialists have techniques to address psychological stability alongside the trauma, so they can safely process the emotional impact of what Min-ho experienced."
"That's difficult. Are there such specialists in Korea?"
Na-eun nodded at his slightly skeptical tone.
"Yes. I'm not an expert, but they must exist. When choosing, check their experience too. These days, some use play therapy, art therapy, and EMDR—eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for trauma."
Kang-hyeok grew to trust Na-eun more as he listened. He felt she might truly be able to help heal Min-ho.
"If there's a chance, I'll try my best."
Na-eun spoke cautiously to Kang-hyeok.
"I'm not a full expert, but I know the basics—I looked into it for Min-ho. And when changing counselors, approach it carefully. There's already rapport with the current one, so you'll probably need to participate too, sir. Can you do that?"
At Na-eun's continued explanation, Kang-hyeok shook his head with a disheartened voice.
"Teacher. Honestly, I want to run away. I want to stay far from Min-ho."
Na-eun replied.
"Sir, can you really stay distant just by being physically apart?"
"Pardon?"
Kang-hyeok looked up, puzzled. No one had ever spoken to him so directly.
"You can't distance him from your heart. No matter how far you go to the other side of the earth, Min-ho won't leave your heart, sir. You can't escape from Min-ho. So instead, actively help him get treatment. I'll do everything I can to help too."
Kang-hyeok stared at Na-eun. Seeing her speak with such passion and love for another person's child calmed his heart.
"Thank you. I'll think about it."
"Yes."
"Give me your number so I can contact you."
Kang-hyeok held out his phone asking for her number. Na-eun recalled how Kang-woo had once done the same.
"Sure."
Na-eun entered her number and said.
"You can call anytime about Min-ho matters, but I'm heading to the kindergarten now. I can't take calls during work hours teaching the kids."
"Understood."
"After work is best. Lunchtime is fine too."
Kang-hyeok smiled as he listened to Na-eun. Gratitude and relief mixed in his eyes. The café's warm lighting softened his weary face, creating a gentler atmosphere. He paused, looking at her, and nodded deeply.
"Got it. I'll call at a good time."
Na-eun's heart softened a bit at his sincere attitude. Though Kang-hyeok had seemed skeptical, in this moment, he was just a worried father. Na-eun smiled faintly as she handed back his phone.
"I'll help with anything for Min-ho. Whatever I can do."
Kang-hyeok nodded once more, taking a deep breath. He stood with a resolved expression, looking a little lighter, as if he'd set down an invisible burden.
"Thank you so much, Teacher Han Na-eun. For working so hard for Min-ho."
Na-eun smiled lightly as she saw him off.
"Min-ho needs you, sir. Don't forget that."
Kang-hyeok's eyes wavered for a moment. He replied carefully, steadying his trembling voice.
"I won't."
Na-eun gazed steadily at Kang-hyeok. He had a different personality from Kang-woo—much more timid and introverted.
When Na-eun returned, Kang-woo emerged from the room, eyes hollow from dealing with the two kids.
"Uncle! Play with us."
The kids chased after him and clung to his legs. Seeing them attached to his right and left legs made her laugh.
The sharp-suited, keen-eyed Choi Kang-woo from the beginning had vanished, replaced by this easygoing uncle for the kids. As she smiled at the thought, Kang-woo looked at Na-eun and said.
"What took so long? You think this is funny now?"
"Sorry. The talk dragged on. Kids, I'll read you a book now. And we need to tidy up, right?"
Na-eun clapped twice at the scattered toys.
"Okay! Let's clean up. Let's clean up. Let's clean up."
Singing the tune, she gestured for the kids to tidy, and they quickly put dolls and blocks into baskets. It was done in an instant. Turning cleanup into play made the house spotless in no time.
Kang-woo watched, still amazed even after seeing it daily.
How does she handle kids so well? Is it because she's a pro?
Kang-woo shook his head and headed upstairs.
For the next few days, the house was peaceful as if nothing had happened. At Na-eun's request. Kang-hyeok stayed at the main residence without showing up at the annex.
