“I’m grateful for your words.”

When Seol Ah spoke with a gentle smile, Yoon Jin’s expression hardened.

“It’s not just words. I sincerely mean it.”

Only then did Seol Ah’s expression change from before. Sincerely. Does she not know that she shouldn’t do this?

“Ms. Seo.”

“Ah, no. Just, don’t let yourself be mistreated like this. And don’t worry about the break room. I’ll take care of it myself.”

“No. It’s not like it costs much.”

“Yu Seol Ah has been taking care of it all this time. I said I’m fine with it.”

Yoon Jin waved her hand as she spoke. Only then did Seol Ah feel something was a bit strange. This wasn’t like Yoon Jin.

It’s not that she has no sense of shame, but with her poor living situation, she couldn’t bring herself to readily volunteer to do things. Seol Ah understood her circumstances too.

So why was she suddenly taking responsibility for the break room?

“Ah, I’m going to make a call before going. You head in first.”

Just then, Yoon Jin’s phone rang. It seemed like she didn’t want anyone to see her talking, so Seol Ah said goodbye and headed down first.

Seeing the door close, Yoon Jin let out a small sigh and answered the phone.

“Yes, Director.”

[Were you busy?]

“Ah, I was just with Yu Seol Ah for a bit.”

The caller was Seung Heon. After getting Seol Ah’s contact information, Seung Heon had met Yoon Jin separately and they had continued meeting since then.

[What were you talking about with Yu Seol Ah?]

“Oh, that. Executive Director Kang and Manager Moon keep scolding Yu Seol Ah for no good reason, so I stepped in and said something.”

[Again? What did they scold her for this time?]

Yoon Jin explained the situation in detail, and Seung Heon listened intently, letting out short exclamations.

[Wow, what troublemakers.]

“Yes, and I found out Yu Seol Ah has been paying for all the drinks and tea in the break room. So I’m going to try to help out from now on. Director, if you could-”

[Don’t worry. I can easily help with things like that.]

Seung Heon spoke confidently.

[Let me know if you need any help. I’ll do what I can. Don’t fret over it.]

“Thank you. I was worried about Yu Seol Ah taking on everything alone.”

[I told you not to. Do you still not trust me?]

A low chuckle was heard.

When Seung Heon first met Yoon Jin, she had been wary of his shows of goodwill.

It was near the end of their first meeting. Yoon Jin got a call that her grandmother’s condition had worsened.

Flustered, Yoon Jin tried to hurriedly hail a taxi, but Seung Heon gently led her to his car and drove her to the hospital.

In the car, unable to hold back her surging emotions, Yoon Jin shed tears. Seung Heon silently offered her his handkerchief.

After seeing that her grandmother was alright and staying by her side all night, Yoon Jin was surprised to find that Seung Heon’s car was still waiting for her.

Later, Yoon Jin found out that Seung Heon had paid for all the hospital fees. And he continued contacting the hospital to ensure Yoon Jin’s grandmother received necessary treatment and was admitted to a care facility.

It was a natural progression for Yoon Jin to come to rely on Seung Heon.

[Hey, want to see each other after you’re done today? What time do you get off work?]

“Oh, today? I think I’m going to be a bit late today.”

[Then I’ll see you whenever you’re done. Call me when you’re about to finish. I’ll send a car, so come wait at the hotel.]

At Seung Heon’s words, Yoon Jin’s face flushed red.

Not long ago, she had gone to a luxury hotel suite room with him. In that extravagant space she had never experienced before, Yoon Jin couldn’t get ahold of herself.

These days were like a dream for Yoon Jin.

“Yes, I- I understand.”

Yoon Jin stuttered and quickly hung up the phone.

*

After getting off work, Seol Ah went to the shopping center Yoon Sung’s mom had mentioned.

“Come quickly, Yu Min’s mom. I bought a jacket for you.”

Seeing the jacket Yoon Sung’s mom was holding out, Seol Ah waved her hands. It was from a quite expensive brand. She already felt bad for imposing, she couldn’t accept a gift like this too.

“Oh don’t refuse, just take it. It’s a gift. You taught Yoon Sung Korean before, remember? Thanks to you, his Korean is crystal clear now.”

“No, that was teaching him along with Yu Min, I didn’t do much…”

“I got so frustrated trying to teach him that I gave up, but you persevered with that kid. Without getting angry too. I learned a lot from you then. Just take it already. My arm’s getting tired.”

Unable to refuse any longer, Seol Ah took the jacket and Yoon Sung’s mom spoke.

“The kids are having a blast playing at the kids cafe, and the moms took them to have dinner. You haven’t eaten yet, right? Let’s go eat together.”

“Thank you. For always doing this.”

When Seol Ah teared up, Yoon Sung’s mom lightly hit her back.

“Why are you crying over something like this? If I let you sleep over too, you’d bawl your eyes out.”

As Yoon Sung’s mom said, the children were sitting cozily together eating pork cutlets. But for some reason, Yu Min didn’t look too happy.

“Sorry I’m late.”

Seol Ah approached Yu Min gently and spoke. Yu Min looked up at Seol Ah and smiled brightly, but soon his expression became gloomy again.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Seol Ah asked while stroking Yu Min’s back, but he couldn’t say anything.

“Are you upset because mom was really late? I’m sorry. I’ll come earlier next time. It must have been sad being the only one without a mom while everyone else had theirs.”

Listening to Seol Ah’s soft voice, Yu Min bit his lip hard to hold back his tears that threatened to fall.

Mom, I’m sorry.

It’s not that I’m ashamed of you, but somehow I feel like I’ve become that kind of person.

I didn’t like how Shin Young was always bragging about her foreign car, but I feel like I’m similar to her now.

“I’m okay. Just tired. I played too hard earlier.”

Yu Min forced a laugh as he spoke.

“Okay. Let’s go home after eating and go straight to bed after washing up. Mom will read you a fun storybook.”

Yu Min knew how to read Korean, but he still liked when his mom read storybooks to him in an engaging way.

“Okay.”

Yu Min answered reluctantly and chewed on his pork cutlet. It tasted like rubber, flavorless.

*

Saturday. Jin Cheol was working his part-time job at the convenience store.

Usually Seol Ah took the Saturday shift, but she had caught a cold today so Jin Cheol offered to cover for her.

“A pack of Di*.”

A man who was clearly a high school student held out his card and spoke. Jin Cheol swallowed nervously.

“Excuse me, I- I need to see your ID.”

“Tsk, do you know how old I am, mister? I’m twenty-nine. I just look young, but I’m quite old. Why would I need an ID at this age?”

The man frowned and spoke, but Jin Cheol replied in a shaky voice.

“S-still, I need to see your ID. It’s store policy, otherwise I’ll get disciplinary action-”

“Can’t you understand what I’m saying?! I said I’m twenty-nine, twenty-nine! This is so annoying!”

The man yelled loudly and even thrust out his fist as if he was going to hit Jin Cheol at any moment. Jin Cheol’s face turned pale.

“I- I’m sorry. But, you still need to show your ID. I’m sorry…”

Just then, the convenience store door opened. Jin Cheol unconsciously looked toward the sound and his eyes widened.

The person who walked in was Yu Min.

“No ID, no cigarettes. Even I know that, and I’m seven.”

“What did you say?”

The man lowered his head and asked as if it wasn’t funny at all. Yu Min lifted his head confidently, his eyes determined.

“We’re recording on CCTV right now. We’re going to report you to the police!”

At those words, the man’s face twitched and he cursed before just leaving.

With the sound of the door closing, Jin Cheol closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh.

“Uncle, are you okay?”

As Yu Min approached him, Jin Cheol opened his eyes and smiled.

“Yeah. But don’t jump in like that. What if he hit you?”

“I’m not scared of people like that. I saw some high school guys waiting outside. They said they came to buy cigarettes.”

I knew it. One was sent in while the rest waited outside. They were probably trying to buy cigarettes from a clerk who looked a bit naive.

“It just reminded me of the old days. Anyway, thanks.”

“What old days?”

Jin Cheol couldn’t bring himself to say that it reminded him of classmates who used to make him run cigarette errands back in school. Jin Cheol had refused, saying it was wrong, but that just led to more bullying.

Why do old memories never fade with time? Jin Cheol took a deep breath. It felt like his heart was still pounding heavily.

After calming his mind, Jin Cheol asked Yu Min as if he suddenly remembered.

“But why are you alone? Where’s your mom?”

“Mom’s at the hospital next door. She dropped me off to stay with you while she has her checkup.”

“Is she very sick?”

When Jin Cheol asked with a worried look, Yu Min let out a small sigh and answered.

“She’s just tired. From working late all the time.”

“Right. She is really busy.”

While Jin Cheol was speaking, Yu Min had his head lowered, deep in thought.

After Yu Min was discharged from the hospital, for some reason Jin Cheol said he wouldn’t do the “Daddy-making project” anymore. It was disappointing, but since Jin Cheol refused, it was hard for Yu Min to push it.

But to Yu Min, Jin Cheol was his best friend and uncle.

Somehow, he felt like he could tell Jin Cheol things he couldn’t tell his mom. That’s why he had told his mom and come here today too.

“Did something happen? Are you worried about your mom?”

Noticing Yu Min’s unusual expression, Jin Cheol asked.

At those words, Yu Min’s eyes quickly welled up with tears.

“No, it’s not that. Uncle, I messed up.”

Yu Min spoke as he hugged Jin Cheol tightly.

He slowly revealed everything to Jin Cheol. Surprised, Jin Cheol pulled away from the hug and asked.

“How did you get into an accident like that?!”

“That’s what I’m saying. What do I do?”

Jin Cheol let out a low sigh.

“Tell the truth, even now. What’s wrong with living in a semi-basement? That’s nothing to be ashamed of. The ones who should be ashamed are the kids who use that to make fun of you.”

But Yu Min shook his head.

“I already said it’s not a semi-basement. What do I do? And there are kids who tease me for not having a dad too, even though that’s not embarrassing either. I hate that, so what if they tease me about my house too?”

Those words moved Jin Cheol’s heart too.

If anyone knew what it was like to be teased for not having a dad, it was Jin Cheol.

“Jeez, kids these days are too much. Teasing about every little thing.”

Even as he said that, Jin Cheol wanted to somehow prevent Yu Min from being teased more.

As Jin Cheol was lost in thought, Yu Min’s face brightened and he grabbed Jin Cheol’s pant legs with both hands.

“Uncle!”

“Uh, yes?”

While Jin Cheol looked at him blankly, wondering why he was acting like this, Yu Min smiled brightly and spoke.

“You know your friend who helped when mom was sick? Can we borrow his house just for a day?”