Kangwoo’s eyes, listening without a single breath, reddened around the eyes. He truly seemed to be at a loss for words.

“Whether the birth mother sensed the accident at the time. Somehow, she was found, curled up with a soft bag and clothes wrapped around her belly, as if trying to protect the child. That’s how Se-ah survived. Or maybe it’s a miracle; I don’t know.”

“…Is there nothing else in the letter?”

Wiping away tears, the director nodded. Kangwoo picked up the photo and returned the file.

“Thank you for making a difficult decision. There won’t be anything you owe to the director.”

“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”

Leaving the bowed director behind, Kangwoo stood up.

He left the office and wandered aimlessly around, his mind about to explode with the unusual events of the past few months. The pain inside was so sharp it felt like being cut with a razor, making it difficult to breathe.

Without thinking, he ended up heading towards the living quarters. Laughter from children playing in the playroom echoed outside the door. He moved to a quiet place and leaned against the corridor wall.

Jisea, how far is it really you? Could this even be something you and Father agreed upon? Why do I feel like I’m falling apart like a naive fool?

A sharp pain struck his chest. Eventually, he lost strength in his legs, and his knees buckled. The footsteps, initially tapping, soon stopped, and someone tapped Kangwoo’s shoulder.

Turning his head, Kangwoo’s eyes had a somewhat sharp gaze.

“Oh? Right? It’s Santa Claus, isn’t it?”

A seemingly young girl pretended to know.

“I’m Somin. I even gave you a kiss, don’t you remember? …You don’t know?”

“Ah.”

On Christmas Eve, on stage, a little one had given him a kiss. In a few months, she looked so grown up that he couldn’t recognize her.

“Mr. Why are you sitting crouched here? Our teacher said you shouldn’t just sit anywhere.”

“I was trying to get up.”

Kangwoo stretched his legs straight away. The girl’s cheeks were bulging as if eating candy. Then she took out a grape-flavored candy from her pocket and played with it for a while before extending it.

“I’ll give you one, sir.”

“It’s okay. You eat it.”

“Just eat it. You’ll feel better if you eat candy.”

“Ha.”
Overwhelmed by the child’s innocence, Kangwoo accepted. Hehe, the little one circled around, smiling.

“Stop here. The teacher might find you. Eat the candy moderately; it’s bad for your teeth if you eat too much. After eating, make sure to brush your teeth.”

“Yes.”

As if on cue, a door suddenly opened, and there was Somin! Come here, and the teacher gestured.

“Hello, sir.”

“Uh.”

Instead of running, the child came over and hugged Kangwoo’s leg. Due to the child sticking like a cicada, Kangwoo’s pupils shook significantly.

“What are you doing?”

“Because you looked sad, sir. Wipe away your tears. Somin will hug you.”

It felt like he had heard the same words before.

Ah, Se-ah.

‘I’ll hug you.’

Drunk with alcohol, his tongue twisted, and he opened both arms wide and hugged her. That exciting day now lingered as a bitter memory, and tears inevitably welled up.

Returning in the car, Kangwoo leaned his face against the steering wheel, resting his arms on the handle.

During the long silence, the recording file that he hadn’t heard from the director’s phone suddenly came to mind. When he pressed the play button, apart from the crackling noise, nothing else was audible.

“In Jeju, it’s called ‘Chugwang.'”

His father’s somber voice resounded suddenly. Kangwoo, who had been leaning against the seat, straightened up immediately.