Hyunwook asked.

“If Yeoul is a gifted child, shouldn’t you be teaching him?”

Soyu shook her head.

“No. I won’t teach him. I was never happy while studying. From my experience, becoming a decent person comes before studying hard. When I came back to Korea, I was shocked. I didn’t know how to hold my father’s funeral, didn’t know to call back people who came to pay respects. We were left with debt, and I had no idea how to handle that either. Everything was a mess.”

“But your mother was there.”

“My mom knew even less than I did. Besides, back then I thought she might follow my father. I had no mental space to think about anything else.”

Soyu looked at her three friends and spoke.

“It’s not that I didn’t think of you, but I had no energy. And my pride was hurt too. I’m sorry for cutting contact.”

The three men grew solemn at Soyu’s calm apology. Taeseop spoke first.

“What’s there to be sorry about between friends? I’m just glad you’re doing well. Honestly, yesterday we discussed among ourselves whether we should encourage you to continue your studies.”

Soyu’s eyes widened in surprise. Hyunwook also said.

“We’re serious. You just need to make up your mind. We’ll take care of the rest.”

Soyu laughed.

“And after that discussion, you probably said something like, ‘But would Jang Soyu accept our offer?'”

The three men wore sheepish expressions. Soyu continued.

“I appreciate the thought. But you know I’ll decline, right?”

Taeseop smiled gently and asked.

“I figured as much. Are you happy now?”

“Yes. I’m happy.”

The three men, gazing intently at Soyu, nodded. Hyunwook said.

“Good. That’s all that matters. Let’s meet often from now on. With Yeoul too.”

Soyu merely gave a faint smile at Hyunwook’s words.

Quite some time passed as they talked about their school days. Checking the time, Soyu said.

“I should go.”

Taeseop said.

“It’s almost dinner time. Why don’t you invite your mother and Yeoul to join us for dinner?”

“Taeseop, you’re still so sweet. You’ll make a good husband and father someday. But let’s have dinner another time.”

The moment Soyu called Taeseop sweet, Jinwook’s eyes narrowed, and his lips twitched with displeasure.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

The four stood up and left the café.

“I’m going this way.”

“We’re going that way too.”

The four walked side by side toward home. As they climbed the hill, Soyu laughed.

“What? Are we really neighbors?”

“Seems like it. Why haven’t we seen each other before?”

“I haven’t lived here long, that’s probably why.”

“You moved in recently?”

“Yes. I used to live in a small villa before moving here last year.”

Soyu, Taeseop, and Hyunwook walked side by side, while Jinwook, two steps behind them, wore a serious expression. He needed to meet her alone somehow, but there was no opportunity. What should he do? Soyu stopped walking and said.

“This is my house.”

Taeseop and Hyunwook’s eyes widened. Hyunwook said.

“Our house is just across the street, the first one.”

Soyu laughed.

“We really are neighbors. Anyway, it was good to see you.”

“Yes. We’re right next door, so call us if you need anything.”

As Soyu was about to enter the alley, Jinwook quickly moved to her side. Soyu asked strangely.

“What?”

“Let me walk you home. I’ll escort you.”

“It’s right there.”

“That’s why I’m saying I’ll walk with you.”

When Jinwook did this, Taeseop and Hyunwook also came to her side. Jinwook’s eyes narrowed in annoyance. Ah, these leech-like jerks. Soyu’s house was the first one in the alley. Hyunwook said.

“Wow. We can probably see your house from ours. The world is so small. How did we not know all this time?”

“I finish work late. And you probably wouldn’t have noticed if you go to work.”

Taeseop smiled warmly and said.

“Let’s meet often from now on.”

Soyu said.

“I’m not sure if I’ll have time because I’m busy, but let’s try to see each other when we can.”

“Sure. Go on in.”

As Soyu opened the green front gate and went inside, Hyunwook muttered.

“It’s right under our noses, and we never knew.”

“I know. Let’s go too.”

The two turned to leave but noticed Jinwook standing stiffly and asked.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“I told you he’s acting strange.”

Jinwook glared at his two friends walking away casually, trembling with frustration.

When Soyu entered her house, Jeongeun, sitting on the living room sofa watching TV, asked.

“Did you meet your friends well?”

“Yes.”

“They haven’t changed at all. They’ve all grown up tall and handsome.”

“Where’s Yeoul?”

“Still sleeping.”

“Isn’t he sleeping too long?”

“Children grow when they sleep. Leave him be.”

“No, Mom. He won’t be able to sleep at night.”

Soyu went into her son’s room and stared at the sleeping child. After letting out a small sigh, she woke him up.

“Yeoul. Mommy’s home.”

“Mmm……”

“I was thinking of eating the leftover peach cake. Want to join me?”

At the mention of peach cake, the child opened his eyes slightly and stretched out his arms to hug his mother’s neck.

“Mommy smells good……”

“Mommy likes Yeoul’s smell too.”

“Sleepy……”

“You’ve slept a lot already. If you sleep more, you won’t be able to sleep at night.”

The child got up with a dazed expression. With his apple-shaped ponytail undone, he looked just like a little girl. Then, looking at his mother’s clothes, he asked.

“Mommy went out?”

“I went out and came back.”

“Where?”

“I met my friends that you saw yesterday.”

“The tall uncles?”

“Yes.”

The child’s eyes sparkled.

“Can I see them next time too?”

“Did you like the uncles?”

“Yes. They’re tall and handsome.”

Soyu laughed.

“Okay. The uncles said they want to see you too.”

“Me?”

“Yes. They said you’re cute.”

“Mommy, will I look cool like those uncles when I grow up?”

“Of course. Yeoul will be even cooler.”

Yeoul got off the bed and said energetically.

“Mommy. Let’s go eat cake.”

Yeoul, now fully awake, scurried out of the room. Soyu said as she followed.

“After we eat, should we go look at bicycles?”

Yeoul spun around with wide eyes.

“Really?”

“Yes. Let’s start with a four-wheeled bicycle.”

Yeoul rushed over, hugged his mother, and exclaimed.

“Mother! Thank you! Mother! I love you!”

Then he ran around the living room screaming, “Eek! Eek!”

Jinwook arrived in front of the house after crossing the road and said.

“Someone give me a ride.”

Taeseop asked.

“Are you going home? Don’t you want to stay for dinner?”

“I’ll just go.”

“Are you sure? If you’re still worried, just come to our place.”

“Thanks. I’ll sleep there one night and decide. Did you bring your car keys?”

Taeseop took the keys out of his pocket and said to Hyunwook.

“I’ll take Jinwook home and be back.”

“Take care, Kim Jinwook. And there’s no such thing as ghosts. Try not to come back.”

“I’ll come back just to spite you.”

Hyunwook’s face contorted at Jinwook’s words. Taeseop said as he opened the garage door.

“Let’s have dinner when I get back.”

“Okay. See you soon.”

As Taeseop’s car left the garage, Hyunwook muttered.

“That guy wouldn’t leave so easily… What’s going on?”

Hyunwook opened the front door and went in.

As the car headed toward Seoul, Taeseop asked.

“Will you really be okay?”

“I need to go in and see first. Want to come up with me?”

“To your place?”

“Yes. You’ve never been there.”

“Sure, why not. It’s the top floor of the production company, right?”

“Yes. I use that as my office, but I’m thinking of moving to your neighborhood.”

“Our neighborhood? Because of Soyu?”

Jinwook was flustered.

“I told you it’s because of the ghost! I get sleep paralysis.”

“Hey, Kim Jinwook. Do we look stupid? Do you think we’d believe that ghost story? Be honest. Is it because of Soyu?”

Jinwook scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed smile.

“Yes.”

Taeseop looked at his friend and asked.

“What? Really?”

“Yes.”

“Are you serious?”

“I’ve never been anything but serious about Soyu.”

After a moment of silence, Taeseop asked gravely.

“You don’t mind that she has a child?”

Jinwook’s lips moved slightly. He wanted to say that Yeoul might be his child, but since he wasn’t certain, he held back.

“I don’t mind.”

“What’s this? Kim Jinwook playing the devoted lover? It doesn’t suit you.”

“I’m going to try being devoted from now on.”

“You… You’re really serious, aren’t you?”

“I’ve always said I was serious.”

Taeseop tilted his head.

“It really doesn’t suit you.”

“Speaking of which, Taeseop, could I stay at your place until I find a house?”

“Property values have gone up a lot there.”

“How much are they going for?”

“Several billion won now, I think?”

“Won?”

“Yes. Do you have the funds?”

Jinwook grew serious.

“How did you buy yours?”

“I got an inheritance when my grandfather passed away, plus my own money, and Hyunwook also contributed.”

“Can I get a loan?”

“Probably. Do you need a loan?”

“No, not to that extent.”

“If you’re buying, Soyu’s area is good too. There’s information that the area will be redeveloped in a few years.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Our area’s prices rose a lot but have stabilized now. It’s not a bad idea to buy in Soyu’s area as an investment.”

Jinwook fell into thought.

“I’ll think about it.”

“Are you really moving to our area?”

“That’s the plan.”

“Then you can stay at our place for a while.”

“Thanks. Song Taeseop, you’re nothing without your loyalty.”

“Just don’t fight with Hyunwook. It gets too noisy when you two fight.”

“I don’t know why that guy lights up like a firecracker whenever he sees me.”

Taeseop laughed.

“You don’t know?”

“What is there to know?”

“Do you remember Sunhee from middle school?”

“Sunhee? I don’t know. Who is she?”

“Hyunwook liked Sunhee. He confessed and got rejected.”

“He did? What does that have to do with me?”

“Sunhee said she liked you. You were nice to everyone without thinking much of it, but Sunhee misunderstood. She thought you liked her too.”