“Isn’t this Yu Min’s house?”

The first person to speak was Yoon Sung’s mother. The other mothers soon chimed in.

“Then whose house is this?”

Seol Ah waited for the chatter to die down and bowed deeply.

“I am truly sorry for lying.”

The sincere apology left the other mothers at a momentary loss for words.

Seol Ah calmly continued.

“The place we live is a house in the lower neighborhood. It’s too small to invite many children.”

She could feel everyone’s eyes on her. Her face burned.

But this was something she had to endure.

The fact that Yu Min had no father, that they lived in a house in the lower neighborhood rather than an apartment in the upper area, and that they received prejudiced looks from others because of it.

If she hid it out of shame, Yu Min would be hurt even more. It was better to be open about everything. That way, Yu Min could hold his head high.

“Is that really true?”

“But then why did you invite us under false pretenses? You could have just rented another venue for the party.”

The mothers began to chatter. No matter how they thought about it, they couldn’t understand Seol Ah’s intentions. Why she went to such lengths to have the party at someone else’s house.

“See, that’s how those lower neighborhood folks are. That’s why I said the kindergarten should screen who they admit.”

Suddenly, one mother had a sharp reaction. Another mother lightly hit her shoulder.

“Jeez, why are you bringing that up now?”

“What I’m saying is true though. With kids from different neighborhoods mixed together, there’s bound to be gossip. I’m not saying anything about Yu Min being from the lower area. But deceiving us like this is just wrong.”

Seol Ah’s face turned bright red.

She clenched her trembling hands into fists.

“Yes, you’re right. Deceiving like this is wrong. But I wish you would consider the reason behind it.”

She raised her eyes to look at the mothers.

“A child said this to Yu Min. Asking if the reason he wasn’t inviting them to his birthday party was because he lived in a semi-basement. Hearing that, he couldn’t bring himself to admit it was true, so that’s why he invited everyone, even if it meant lying.”

The mothers fell silent at those words.

“I’m not saying we didn’t do anything wrong. We were wrong. Yu Min also feels guilty about it. But if this ends with just my apology, nothing will change for the children. They’ll continue to rank each other and hurt one another.”

Seol Ah’s voice trembled. It was humiliating to say these things herself.

But she had to do it. For Yu Min, and for other children like him.

“I think we mothers have a responsibility. To at least teach our children properly and help them grow up healthily. That’s why I’m saying this. If we keep instilling prejudice and taking sides, won’t our children create the same kind of world? Can they truly live happily in that?”

Amidst the silence of most mothers, the one who had disparaged the lower neighborhood earlier abruptly stood up.

“So what, are you trying to shirk responsibility now? Gathering everyone here, what is this? If you were wrong, own up to it! Transfer out of the kindergarten immediately. I can’t stand seeing my child mixed with yours.”

Then a mother sitting on the other side shouted.

“And why didn’t you call Shin Young’s mother? Shin Young was there too. Why single her out? Is she really the second wife? I heard Shin Young’s mother said something like that while making kimchi.”

“Please stop it. Why are you bringing that up now? That was Shin Young’s mother’s fault, and she might have had a reason she couldn’t come.”

When Yoon Sung’s mother stood up to speak, the other mothers also yelled at them to stop. It was utter chaos.

That’s when the door opened.

Everyone’s gaze turned to the glossy shoe tips that appeared.

The man who entered with long strides surveyed the crowd. He was no ordinary person at first glance.

His suit fit impeccably over his solid build, and his features were so chiseled he could have been an unknown actor.

It wasn’t just his appearance. Even just standing there, he had an overwhelming presence.

“It’s quite noisy in here.”

His deep baritone voice reverberated through the space. The mothers, who had been momentarily entranced by Seung Jun, came to their senses and asked.

“Who are you?”

“We rented out this cafe today.”

Thinking he was a customer, Seung Jun’s lips curved up at the words. His hand gently grasped Seol Ah’s shoulder.

“I wasn’t invited, but I should be here too.”

Letting go of Seol Ah’s shoulder, he strode forward like the star of the show and stood in front of the mothers.

“Because I’m the subject of those vicious rumors and the key figure in the birthday party incident.”

The door opened again, and employees hired by Seung Jun entered. Their busy hands began placing something in front of the mothers.

It was an afternoon tea dessert set brought directly from the hotel Seung Jun frequented.

“I had this prepared in case coffee alone was too plain. Please take your time and enjoy while listening. Have a seat first.”

Seung Jun spoke in a smooth, polished manner. As if he was giving a presentation to executives.

The mothers who had been causing a commotion turned into docile sheep and sat down. Dessert silverware sets were being placed at their seats.

“Before I clarify the rumors, let me explain the details of Yu Min’s birthday party. Yu Min called me directly, explained the situation, and asked for a favor. Yu Min’s mother didn’t even know what was happening initially. I falsely created the invitations too. I had Jin Cheol, who acted as the go-between, do it at my behest.”

The mothers’ mouths fell open. The meaning in their eyes as they looked from Seol Ah to Seung Jun was the same. Trying to gauge the relationship between the two. Just what was their relationship – was he the child’s father or something?

“I’m a man of means. I could easily lend out such a house. I was also the one who hired the staff. When a child can’t sleep because he invited friends over, shouldn’t I do something to help?”

It was Seung Jun’s mistake not to have considered Yu Min and Seol Ah’s guilt. No, rather than a mistake, it was the result of never having looked deeply into people’s hearts.

But after having a meal and talking with Yu Min and Seol Ah, he thought this couldn’t be left as is. At first, he told Seol Ah he would step up and resolve everything. But Seol Ah stopped him.

− No. I’m also responsible. So it’s right that I give the explanation.

− Then let’s do it this way.

And so, today’s plan was made. Seol Ah would open the conversation, and Seung Jun would wrap it up.

Seung Jun stopped speaking and slowly walked around the mothers. With each thud of his footsteps, the mothers didn’t know where to look and just exchanged glances with each other.

“You said earlier that lower neighborhood folks are all like that, right? That the kindergarten should screen who they admit.”

Seung Jun leaned in and asked the mother who had stood up and yelled for them to leave the kindergarten.

She had shouted boldly in front of Seol Ah, but now she lowered her head and squirmed, not knowing what to do.

“I was just so angry they lied, so I…”

“I’m also really upset to hear words like that. May I say one thing? Don’t wear counterfeits. Honestly, it’s too obvious.”

Seung Jun laughed and brushed past her.

Her face crumpled after being aptly put in her place.

“And the person who mentioned a second wife?”

Seung Jun walked a few more steps and stopped.

“That, well, I didn’t mean it was actually true…”

The mother sitting in front of Seung Jun shrank her shoulders.

“The thing I hate most is people who spread unconfirmed information.”

Seung Jun’s hand tapped the table where the silverware was placed.

“Our lawyer will explain in detail what will happen to you and Shin Young’s mother. From the punishment you’ll receive to how long you’ll suffer. Since Shin Young’s mother is your senior, be sure to ask her.”

Seung Jun tapped the table and took a few more steps.

“And.”

Seung Jun turned to the mothers with a smile.

“I’ve never been married. A second wife is preposterous. To me, Yu Seol Ah… no, Yu Min’s mother is my first. So of course I want to give her the stars.”

He was smiling but his eyes were fierce. Those two eyes held the determination not to let anyone off if they messed with Yu Min and his mother again.

Beside him, Seol Ah stood with her mouth agape, staring at him.

*

The cafe was empty after the mothers left. The employees were clearing the dessert dishes.

Seol Ah stood silently looking at Seung Jun.

She had expected a simple explanation from him. About what actions he took and what his intentions were.

But he had flaunted his wealth, revealed what kind of man he was. And finally, he spoke of his relationship with Seol Ah and perfectly protected her.

She couldn’t argue if he really needed to go that far, because the mothers’ attitudes changed dramatically after he appeared.

If you looked at it, Seung Jun had settled the uproar that Seol Ah’s words caused. So Seol Ah couldn’t say anything about it.

“Sit.”

Once the clean-up was mostly done, Seung Jun sent the employees out and sat down. In the silent cafe, Seol Ah sat with her eyes lowered.

Seung Jun also didn’t speak right away.

Sighing softly, he drank the Americano in front of him and raised his eyes to meet Seol Ah’s.

“I heard you well earlier.”

Seol Ah looked at Seung Jun with tense eyes.

“You said mothers have a responsibility. That if we keep teaching prejudice and taking sides, the children will create the same kind of world.”

Seol Ah’s face flushed bright red.

She hadn’t intended to say such things from the beginning. It was just words she couldn’t hold back in anger. In the end, it created a situation that invited conflict.

“We adults need to take responsibility for the children’s future. Yes, that’s right. I should, and you should too. For Yu Min’s sake, that’s the right thing to do.”

Seung Jun’s eyes narrowed.

“You say things I never even thought of, Yu Seol Ah.”

When Seol Ah’s eyes widened, the corners of Seung Jun’s mouth lifted.