Summer passed, and autumn too. Then winter arrived, so cold that it made one long for the scorching summer sun. With reports that this year’s cold was record-breaking, everyone scrambled to buy thick clothes and heating products, bringing unexpected prosperity to the electronics and clothing industries.

Weekend morning. Jinwook’s house bustled with activity. Looking up at the sky through the living room window, Jinwook muttered:

“Looks like it’s going to snow.”

The noticeably lower sky had been gray since morning. Today was Taeseop’s wedding day, but the sky looked gloomy. Just then, Soyu’s voice echoed through the house.

“Kim Noeul! No way. That’s summer clothing.”

Jinwook turned around and snickered. Since Noeul had started speaking, she had become formidable. She spoke remarkably well, never giving an inch. And her stubbornness was something else. Once she set her mind on something, no one could dissuade her. She had a personality that relentlessly pursued what she wanted. This constantly put her at odds with her mother. Like now—a clash between a daughter wanting to wear summer clothes in the dead of winter and a mother refusing to allow it. Which would win, the spear or the shield? These days, he lived for the entertainment of watching these confrontations.

Jinwook headed to Noeul’s room. Inside, Noeul stood with a sullen expression, holding a lace-trimmed dress, while Soyu sat before her with stern eyes that conveyed an unyielding determination.

“No. It’s cold today. Extremely cold. They’re forecasting snow. If it snows, you won’t be able to have a snowball fight in that dress.”

Noeul wavered at her mother’s words. Snowball fights ranked among her favorite activities. The child went to the window, stood on tiptoes, and peered outside. Then she declared confidently:

“It’s not snowing.”

“It will later. They say a lot is coming.”

“Really?”

Instead of answering, Soyu pulled out her phone and showed the weather forecast. Only then did Noeul take a step back.

“But this one is pretty.”

“Just because something is pretty doesn’t mean you can wear summer clothes in winter. Besides, you just recovered from a cold. If you get sick again, you might need an injection at the hospital.”

Even the most stubborn child in the world shrank at the word “injection.” Sniffling, Noeul nodded, and Soyu, fearing her daughter might change her mind, quickly helped her into winter tights. After dressing her in a winter dress, she exhaled deeply as if relieved of a burden. Jinwook entered with a smile.

“I’ll brush her hair. You’ve had a tough time.”

Soyu opened her mouth to speak but pressed her lips shut. Her daughter’s stubbornness was the spitting image of her father’s. Watching Noeul’s obstinacy, Soyoung often remarked that she was exactly like her father when he was young. Just as he had been obsessed with clothes as a child, so was Noeul. Soyu glared at her husband once before leaving the room. Jinwook sat behind his daughter, brush in hand.

“Customer, what style would you like today?”

“Pull the side hair back and pin it with this. And I want my hair down.”

“As expected, the customer has excellent taste. I’ll do my best to make you look beautiful.”

“Thank you very much.”

The father-daughter duo worked well together. Jinwook carefully parted her hair at the crown and braided a section with great concentration. If he didn’t braid it tight enough, he’d face her wrath. After finishing the braid, he held out his hand, and Noeul handed him a flower-shaped tie.

“Dad. Do this too.”

The child offered a sparkly hair accessory. When placed between strands of hair, it would create a glamorous effect like those worn by singers. After completing her hair exactly as she wanted, Jinwook exclaimed:

“All done! Are you satisfied, customer?”

Noeul examined her hair from different angles in the mirror and nodded with satisfaction.

“Thank you. I like it.”

“Thank you. Now you need to pay the fee.”

Noeul stood up, hugged her father, and planted kisses on his cheek and lips, causing Jinwook’s mouth to stretch into a wide grin. This was why he enjoyed playing beauty salon. Taking Noeul’s hand, he left the room, and Soyu called out:

“Hurry up and get dressed!”

“We still have plenty of time.”

Soyu poked her head out of the master bedroom, furrowed her brow, and said in an ominous voice:

“Do you not understand weekend traffic in Seoul? What if we’re late? The friends from out of town already left ages ago.”

Sensing something serious in her low voice, Jinwook told his daughter:

“Noeul, if we’re any later, Mom will get angry. Dad will go change clothes.”

“I’ll pick them out for you.”

When her husband entered the master bedroom with their daughter, Soyu, who was applying makeup, gave them an incredulous look.

“Just try being late because you two were fooling around.”

“We won’t be late. And just let us love each other.”

Then he whispered to his daughter:

“Mom’s been more irritable lately because she’s tired, so let’s be understanding. Okay?”

“Okay. I understand. Dad, let’s go pick out your clothes.”

Watching the perfectly synchronized father and daughter through the mirror, Soyu let out a hollow laugh. Her daughter increasingly resembled her father, while Yeoul took after her. Yeoul had grown progressively quieter and more thoughtful, while Noeul was the complete opposite. If only she could mix them and split them evenly—but was that possible?

As Soyu finished her makeup, Jinwook emerged from the dressing room. He spread his arms, twirled around, and proudly announced:

“How do I look? Noeul picked it out.”

Soyu glanced at her husband and bit her lip hard. He was wearing a leopard print fur coat. On a wedding day. Clenching her fists and trembling, she asked:

“Aren’t you going to change?”

“Whyyy? It’s so pretty. Noeul’s fashion taste is identical to mine. And abandon your prejudice that you must wear formal attire to weddings. This is a liberal democratic country, right? Everyone can wear whatever clothes they want…!”

“Enough!”

Soyu jumped up from her stool, grabbed her hairbrush, and glared at him with frightening eyes. Jinwook flinched and stepped backward. He said to his daughter:

“Noeul, Mom’s angry. Should we wear this another time?”

“Why? It’s pretty.”

“Mom says no.”

Noeul, glaring at her mother, said curtly:

“Dictator.”

For a moment, Soyu looked dumbfounded. What did she just say?

“Kim Noeul. Do you know what that word means?”

Hmph. Noeul snorted and took her father’s hand, returning to the dressing room. Jinwook gave his wife an awkward look and mouthed:

‘I love you.’

As the father and daughter entered the dressing room, Soyu heaved a deep sigh and shuddered. Though she was her own daughter, Kim Noeul was a formidable opponent—the greatest opponent of her life. Just then, Yeoul entered the room and asked:

“Still not ready? We need to leave now, Mom.”

Soyu smiled warmly at her son. The child had grown considerably in the past few months; his childlike face had disappeared, replaced by boyish handsomeness. Moreover, his fashion sense was so proper and dignified. Dressed in a suit with a tie, Yeoul hardly looked like a first-grade elementary school student.

“Your coat?”

“I’ve got it. Is Dad still not ready?”

“He and Noeul are playing dress-up shop this time.”

Yeoul chuckled and said:

“Just leave them be. No matter what you do, they won’t change. Don’t stress yourself out needlessly.”

“My son is so wise.”

Soyu hugged her son and smiled brightly.

Jeongeun, Soyoung, and the family of four arrived at the wedding venue by car. Originally, securing a venue had been difficult. But their alumni network had mobilized all connections to secure a wedding venue for Taeseop. Inside, familiar faces crowded the space. After exchanging brief greetings, Soyu led everyone to the bride’s waiting room.

“Hyein.”

Hyein warmly welcomed Soyu’s and Jinwook’s families.

“Welcome. Thank you for coming.”

“No need for thanks. But isn’t the bride too beautiful?”

“It’s all thanks to your friends’ efforts.”

Everything from the wedding dress to the makeup and venue decoration had been accomplished through the efforts of their classmates. Jinwook smiled and said:

“Sister-in-law, it’s your last day as a single woman. Don’t you feel sad?”

Jinwook’s tone was quite mature. Soyu had pointed out that he shouldn’t speak informally to Hyein anymore. From then on, both Jinwook and Hyunwook had been respectful to her.

“Not at all.”

Hyein’s shy smile made her look happy.

“Where are Hyunwook and Hyuna?”

“The Major was with me but went to greet people.”

“Hyuna should get married too.”

“Why is my brother concerned about my marriage?”

At the booming voice, Jinwook turned around and exclaimed with a “Wow!”

“Do Hyuna! Are you wearing a skirt?”

Hyuna looked beautiful in her dress.

“Can’t I wear a skirt?”

“Of course you can. Hey, you should move to Seoul too.”

“I will. Next year or so.”

“Oh, really?”

Just then, Hyunwook’s voice was heard:

“What’s everyone doing in the bride’s waiting room?”

With Hyunwook’s arrival, everyone was gathered. Jinwook subtly began to provoke:

“Now only you Do siblings need to get married.”

“Mind your own business regarding our marriages.”

As her husband started the engine, Soyu changed the subject. Once these two men started, there was no end to it.

“It’s good that Taeseop found a house so easily.”

“Yes. It’s a bit of a walk, but at least it’s in the same neighborhood.”

Taeseop had found a house. He had originally wanted to buy the house next to Jinwook’s, but that didn’t work out. However, it was only a few houses away, so their lifestyle wouldn’t change much. The parents shook their heads at their children wanting to live close together even after marriage, but deep down they felt reassured and didn’t strongly object. Jinwook said:

“We’ll go see Taeseop.”

Noeul grabbed her father’s hand, indicating she wanted to go too. Just then, Yeoul, who happened to be looking outside, shouted:

“It’s snowing!”

Everyone looked out the window. Large snowflakes were falling abundantly. Jinwook was delighted.

“They say getting married on a snowy day brings good fortune. Congratulations, sister-in-law.”

Hyein smiled, seemingly pleased as well. Jinwook whispered to his wife:

“Should we have another ceremony on a snowy day too?”

Having earned himself a beating, Jinwook winced as his back stung from Soyu’s slap.

Leaving the bride’s waiting room, they headed to see the groom, where many classmates had already gathered.

“Hey, Kim Jinwook! Do Hyunwook! Welcome.”

Wonwoo and Ji Seonwoo, who had taken the lead in securing the venue, were also visible. Jinwook slapped Wonwoo’s shoulder and said:

“You’re really capable. Securing such a nice venue?”

“I pulled some strings.”

The classmates’ eyes sparkled when they saw Noeul.

“Noeul, do you remember Uncle?”

Noeul put her hands together in front of her and bowed politely.

“Hello, Uncle Wonwoo.”

Wonwoo’s lips stretched into a smile.

“Wow. She even remembers my name? Noeul, Uncle will give you some pocket money.”

As Wonwoo took out his wallet, Jinwook asked Seonwoo:

“Aren’t you going to take out your wallet?”

Seonwoo laughed.

“This is straight-up extortion.”

“Are you stingy?”

“Not at all, you idiot.”

Though they had established themselves as mature adults in the outside world, among friends, they reverted to their younger selves. Just then, Hyunwook nudged Jinwook’s side.

“Hey. Over there.”

Jinwook turned around, and his expression became peculiar. Sangpil was engaged in conversation with Taeseop’s father, Song Jinhan. Spotting her grandfather, Noeul ran toward him, shouting:

“Grandfather!”

Sangpil exclaimed “Oh my!” as he lifted his granddaughter high.

“Our Noeul is here?”

“Yes, Grandfather. I missed you.”

Noeul was particularly fond of and attached to her grandfather. Jinwook approached and bowed his head.

“You’re here.”

Sangpil’s eyes were gentle as he looked at his son.

“Yes. How are you feeling?”

“I’m always fine. Did your health checkup results come back? What did they say?”

“They say I’m still robust. No ailments, and they praised my self-care.”

Not long ago, Jinwook had taken both his parents for health checkups. Since then, the relationship between Sangpil and Jinwook had improved significantly. Sangpil also enjoyed dates with Soyoung outside, though they hadn’t moved back in together yet. While the father-son relationship couldn’t exactly be called close yet, what had changed was the look in their eyes when they gazed at each other. The son’s eyes toward his father, and the father’s toward his son, now contained affection rather than love mixed with hatred. Jinwook asked:

“So when are you moving back in with Mom?”

“Your mother says it’s not time yet. She wants me to try harder.”

“Are you trying?”

“Of course. I’m doing so well. I’ve changed now.”

Jinwook smiled slyly.

“We’re going on a trip next month with my mother-in-law. Mom won’t be joining us.”

Sangpil’s eyes sparkled.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

The gaze between father and son was gentle.

The ceremony began. Taeseop and Hyein looked beautiful, and everyone offered sincere congratulations. After taking family photos and friend photos, the stage was so crowded it seemed insufficient. When all the ceremonies and traditional rituals were complete, the friends finally headed to the dining hall.

As they entered the dining hall, Soyu hesitated. Jinwook asked his wife, who couldn’t easily enter and seemed hesitant:

“What’s wrong?”

Soyu rubbed her chest and made an uncomfortable expression.

“The food smell…”

Jinwook approached with a worried face and felt Soyu’s forehead.

“Indigestion? You didn’t eat breakfast properly either.”

“I know. My stomach feels strange.”

Rubbing her chest, Soyu entered the dining hall, but suddenly her eyes widened, she covered her mouth, and ran. Alarmed, Jinwook was about to chase after her when his friends said:

“What’s this? Is Jang Soyu pregnant?”

Jinwook flinched and turned to his friends.

“What?”

“Hey, isn’t that morning sickness? Hey, Kim Jinwook. Good job, man! Congratulations!”

Jinwook’s initially dazed expression gradually changed, and his lips curled up to his ears. So that’s why she had been irritable these past few days and couldn’t eat well. He laughed loudly enough to shake the entire dining hall.

“Hahahaha! This year has truly been my year! Jang Soyu! Wait! Your oppa is coming! Soyu!”

Jinwook, running toward the bathroom, was the happiest man in the world.

The End.