Mora became the owner of the house. Employees who had gone on vacation all returned.

The employees, who had been waiting for the new owner as if welcoming him, worked happily for Mora.

At 3 o’clock in the afternoon, when Mora usually took a nap, she busily moved around.

The kitchen was also busy because a VIP guest was expected.

“Madam, I think this is enough.”

Mora, who was putting macarons on a plate, straightened her back and looked at the dining table.

Various desserts and fruits were laid out on the dining table. Everything was prepared for VIPs.

“It’s perfect.”

After a while, the VIP appeared.

“I’m here!”

A child with only a backpack sometimes walked up to Mora and hugged her.

“Hello, Father-in-law. Hello, Aunt Najoo.”

Arin stood straight and greeted with a belly-button salute.

As if she had received plenty of love and grown up, Arin’s sunny face brought smiles to Mora and Aunt Najoo.

“You worked hard today.”

“Thanks to the knight for giving me a ride!”

Arin smiled brightly in response.
“Let’s have a snack quickly. I prepared lots of Arin’s favorites.”

“Yes! I’ll wipe my hands and come!”

Arin went to the bathroom, climbed onto her designated step stool, and washed her hands.

Because her father-in-law shouldn’t catch a cold.

Arin wiped her hands meticulously and walked to the dining room.

As Mora had said, the dining table was filled with Arin’s favorite things.

When Arin sat down, Mora poured warm cocoa for her. Arin drank the cocoa in one gulp and then put a macaron in her mouth.

“How’s school? Is it fun? Did you make many friends?”

“…….,”

Mora asked about Arin’s well-being, but Arin couldn’t answer and lowered her head.

Concerned about Arin’s reaction, Mora tilted her head.

“What’s wrong?”

Arin raised her head high, but her eyes, as big as full moons, were already filled with tears.

“There must be something wrong. Tell me quickly.”

“I promised not to tell my sister… I…”

Mora sensed it. It wasn’t a trivial matter.

Arin, who kept her feelings deeply hidden, endured a painful matter alone, worrying that her sister and family would be concerned.

Mora felt a shock as if her heart had dropped to the floor.

However, she nodded calmly, pretending not to be surprised.

“I’ll never mention it, so go ahead and tell me.”

Only then did Arin open up about her story.

Despite trying not to get upset, Mora couldn’t help but feel angry. How could a child who had just entered elementary school be so malicious?

Mora comforted the crying Arin, sitting her on her lap and patting her back.

“What should we do? Should I transfer that kid to another school so that Arin doesn’t see her? Or should I scold her parents?”

At Mora’s straightforward words, Arin raised her head and looked at her.

If Arin wanted, Mora could do even more drastic things.

However, Arin seemed rather surprised by Mora’s words.

“I…”

“Tell me. I’ll do anything for you.”

“I just want her to apologize.”

Arin looked at Mora with unwavering eyes. She resembled her sister with her resolute attitude.

Mora felt relieved at Arin’s identical demeanor.

“Make her apologize? Hmm… I’ll try. When adults get involved in elementary school problems, things tend to get complicated.”

Mora laughed at Arin’s words.

“Where did you learn such things?”

“I saw it in a drama with Father-in-law before.”

There must have been a scene like that. Anyway, you have to be careful about anything in front of a child.

Mora thought while patting Arin’s head.

Leave Arin to handle what she can on her own, and maybe the ugly adults can take a childish revenge.

The next day, Arin went to school with Jeongdon.

When Jeongdon heard about what happened yesterday, he got angry as if it were his own problem.

“Should I beat those kids up?”

“Then you might get beaten up by my sister too. Didn’t your sister tell you not to fight with friends and get along well?”
“That person is not my friend. You are my friend. My sister said such things too. When a friend is in trouble, take off your shoes and help.”

“But how do you take off shoes?”

Arin, who had been deeply moved, suddenly asked.

In response to Arin’s words, Jeongdon looked at his sneakers with a serious expression.

Is he supposed to take off his shoes… What if he gets it wrong?

While Jeongdon was contemplating, Arin let out a long sigh.

“What if I stutter again?”

“But you’re not stuttering.”

“I used to stutter before. I still stutter when I’m nervous.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be by your side so you won’t get nervous.”

“Thank you. But how do I accept the apology…?”

“Think about what Taesik, I mean, if it were your sister Taerin, would have done.”

Watching Jeongdon pensively, Arin nodded slowly.

The two soon arrived at the classroom.

“Hello, Arin!”

Arin’s classmate, Hye-ri, greeted her warmly and shook hands.

Other friends also greeted Arin and Jeongdon.

Somehow, it seemed like courage was growing.

Then, as the classroom door slowly opened, Hyungbin and his friends appeared.

“Hey, stutterer! Did you make a friend? You used to play alone before.”

At Hyungbin’s words, Arin, who had prepared herself, shrunk back.

Hyungbin was right. Arin, who couldn’t speak properly, drew pictures alone every day in kindergarten.

Thinking about those times might make her cry again.

Arin bit her lip, held back her tears desperately, and opened her mouth.

Arin wanted to argue, but she was afraid. Afraid that she might stutter again.

All the classmates were watching Arin and Hyungbin. If she stutters again here, she’ll become a stutterer just as Hyungbin said. Everyone will make fun of Arin, teasing and tormenting her. It was the same in kindergarten.

Jeongdon, unable to endure it, spoke fiercely to Hyungbin. Hyungbin, who was momentarily taken aback, lifted his chin as if to say, “When did this happen?”

“What’s wrong with you? Are you her stuttering boyfriend? Are you talking nonsense like a beggar?”

Arin, who had been cowering, raised her head and glared at Hyungbin.

At times like this, how would her sister have handled it?

The answer came quickly.