Soyoung’s pupils trembled and widened as she looked at the child. Yeoul’s appearance was remarkably identical to Jinwook when he was young. Surprised, Soyoung looked at her son. Seeing his mother’s expression, Jinwook smiled sheepishly.

“Mom. This is your biological grandson, Kim Yeoul.”

After looking back and forth between Yeoul and Jinwook, Soyoung sank to the floor. She stroked Yeoul’s face with trembling hands.

“So, you’re Kim Yeoul?”

“Yes. That makes you my biological grandmother, right?”

Tears fell from Soyoung’s eyes. She embraced her grandson with trembling hands and sobbed with her eyes tightly shut. When Yeoul seemed uncomfortable and tried to escape from Soyoung’s embrace, Soyu shook her head. Understanding his mother’s signal, the child sighed softly and gently patted his sobbing grandmother’s back. Soyoung looked up and asked,

“Are you comforting Grandma?”

“Don’t cry, Grandma.”

Her eyes gazed endlessly at the child. She nodded.

“Alright. I won’t cry. Grandma won’t cry anymore.”

After hugging her grandson once more, Soyoung stood up. Then she turned toward her son with a fierce expression.

“You didn’t tell me about this?”

“Better late than never, right? Why are you so angry?”

Soyoung glared at her smirking son and tightly gripped her bag, ready to hit him, but after glancing at Yeoul, she sighed. Just then, Jeongeun spoke up.

“Mrs. Sa. Let’s go inside first.”

“I’m embarrassed for making such a scene.”

“Not at all. I understand. I was the same.”

Soyoung gave a faint smile to Jeongeun, who smiled kindly back at her.

Soyu seated Yeoul next to Soyoung on the living room sofa.

“Yeoul, will you be nice to Grandma?”

The child looked at his mother’s face, then his father’s, and sat next to Soyoung, gently taking her hand. Soyoung stared at her grandson for a moment before speaking.

“I understand why you didn’t tell me about Yeoul.”

“I’m sorry, Mother.”

“No. I understand. Leave the rest to me. Today, I’ll spend time with Yeoul and leave with a smile.”

Soyoung didn’t ask why they had hidden the truth. She already knew why her daughter-in-law and son had done so without being told.

“I heard Yeoul is five years old now?”

“Yes. I go to Saebom Kindergarten.”

“What do you like?”

“Hmm…. I like dinosaurs. And I like drawing too. What do you like best, Grandma?”

“Me?”

“Yes. Are you good at drawing too, Grandma?”

“Well, I enjoy looking at art, but I’ve never tried drawing myself.”

Yeoul’s eyes sparkled as he asked,

“Then Grandma, would you like to see my drawings?”

“You have drawings?”

“Yes. They’re in my room.”

Yeoul got down from the sofa and took Soyoung’s hand.

“Let’s go. I’ll show you.”

A contented smile spread across Soyoung’s face as she was led by her grandson’s hand into the elevator. After seeing the drawings in Yeoul’s room, she looked deep in thought.

“What do you think?”

“You drew them well. Just like your dad when he was young.”

Yeoul smiled brightly.

“Dad draws well too.”

“Yes. Your dad was good at drawing when he was young too.”

Soyoung embraced Yeoul. She turned her head to look at Soyu and Jinwook standing there. Soyoung spoke to her daughter-in-law.

“You’ve been through a lot. Thank you.”

Soyu bowed her head respectfully.

That day, Soyoung laughed freely for the first time in a long while. Yeoul wasn’t shy at all and showed off his talents to his grandmother—being cute, dancing, and singing. Though awkward at first, Soyoung soon fell completely in love with her grandson’s charm.

While Soyu was preparing snacks in the kitchen, Soyoung came in. Soyu turned around and smiled.

“Mother.”

Soyoung approached and took her daughter-in-law’s hands.

“You’ve been through a lot. Even though things were difficult after your father passed away, you raised him well. He’s bright and lovable.”

“I tried my best to raise him well.”

“The ceremony is on the 20th, right?”

“Yes.”

“Let me know the location. I’ll come with your father-in-law.”

“Will Father-in-law come?”

“If he can’t come with me, I’ll have to make the decision on my own now.”

Seeing her composed mother-in-law, Soyu asked,

“Could you tell me what you’re thinking?”

Soyoung only smiled without revealing anything. Soyu’s expression hardened as she felt uneasy about that smile.

“Mother.”

“Don’t worry. Just live well with Jinwook. And I’d be grateful if you let me see Yeoul occasionally. Let’s get along well from now on.”

After gently patting her daughter-in-law’s hand, Soyoung left. Soyu remained alone, watching her mother-in-law’s retreating figure with anxious eyes.

As soon as September arrived, a wedding announcement appeared in the entertainment news. It was an exclusive article written by Ju Jinwook, a reporter from Kyunghee Daily.

[Director Kim Jinwook, who won the Short Film Grand Prize at Cannes, will hold his wedding ceremony on the 20th of this month. His partner is a non-celebrity, and the ceremony will be a small wedding with only friends and acquaintances invited. According to Director Kim, he and his partner, Ms. J, have been classmates for 15 years, and she is his first love. How many people get to experience marrying their first love? Throughout the interview, this reporter saw Director Kim’s smile. He looked so happy that one couldn’t help but feel envious.

Ms. J is someone who became known to the media during Director Kim’s accident in Hapcheon. The couple currently has one child, whom Director Kim has confirmed is his biological child. Director Kim had no hesitation in revealing this fact. This resolves the long-standing curiosity about whether his nephew was actually his son.

After the wedding, Director Kim will take on his first commercial film. It remains to be seen whether he can maintain the sharp wit we saw in his short films. This reporter has been invited to Director Kim’s wedding. However, I will not publish any photos or articles about it. I promised him that. I agreed to respect the existence of his partner and son.

I support Director Kim Jinwook’s new chapter in life.]

People’s reactions to the article were more supportive than critical, with many saying they had expected it and offering encouragement. While revealing his biological child could have been shocking, the prevailing opinion was that it was admirable and courageous. Those who had learned about Soyu through the news especially supported the couple’s love.

And so, September 19th arrived.

The day before, all the classmates and Jinwook and Soyu’s families gathered in Yangpyeong. Jinwook rented an entire motel for his friends. Ji Seonwoo’s grandmother’s house, which would be used as the wedding venue, was emptied, and Jinwook sent the grandmother and other elderly neighbors on a trip by chartering a bus.

That evening, all the classmates gathered at a nearby restaurant. Amid the bustling noise, the door opened, and when Jinwook and Soyu appeared, everyone welcomed them with whistles and applause.

“Wow! Jang Soyu! It’s been so long!”

“Hey, Soyu, you’ve become more beautiful!”

As everyone genuinely welcomed Soyu without exception, Jinwook shouted,

“Hey, you guys! Don’t you see me?”

“What are you talking about? We see you in the news!”

“This guy still can’t get rid of his attention-seeking tendencies. Soyu is too good for him!”

“Right! How did Jang Soyu end up choosing Kim Jinwook!”

Though Jinwook jumped up and down in protest, he wasn’t really serious, and his friends meant no harm. They hadn’t seen each other for a long time. But the moment they saw each other’s faces, the awkwardness of the years melted away. Everyone returned to their high school days, setting aside the armor they had worn in their social lives. They seemed less like people gathered for a wedding and more like a class reunion.

While the welcome celebration continued, a man wearing glasses approached Jinwook.

“Jinwook.”

Seeing him, Jinwook smiled brightly.

“Ji Seonwoo. It’s been a while.”

Instead of shaking Seonwoo’s outstretched hand, Jinwook embraced him tightly.

“It’s been so long.”

Seonwoo hugged him back, and they patted each other’s backs.

“Thanks for lending us your grandmother’s house.”

“Grandmother called and said she’s enjoying the trip. Thank you.”

“No need. I’m the one who should be thankful. How have you been?”

“Just working and living.”

“What do you do?”

Seonwoo smiled shyly and said,

“I’m a prosecutor.”

Jinwook’s eyes widened.

“You became a prosecutor?”

“Yes. Though it’s more like hard labor than being a prosecutor.”

Jinwook laughed loudly.

“Having a prosecutor friend makes me feel proud!”

“It’s nothing special. Oh, over there, Wonwoo who helped prepare your wedding. He’s the owner of a wedding company.”

“Oh, so that’s why he’s helping?”

“Yes. Everyone’s doing well in their own careers.”

“I’ve been too distant. Let’s meet more often from now on.”

“It’ll be difficult for me. But I’m glad you’re back.”

Seonwoo hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Jinwook.”

“Yes?”

“Thank you.”

Jinwook looked puzzled at first, but then realized what Seonwoo was referring to and smiled awkwardly.

“No need to thank me. Anyone would have stepped up in that situation.”

Seonwoo shook his head.

“No. I know it was a difficult situation to get involved in. Thank you. You saved my life.”

Jinwook’s eyes narrowed.

“Were you trying to die back then?”

When Seonwoo smiled bitterly, Jinwook squared his shoulders and puffed himself up.

“Call me ‘big brother’ once, since I saved your life.”

Seonwoo flinched. He looked at Jinwook with disbelief.

“What?”

“Call me ‘big brother’! I said call me that!”

Seonwoo gave a hollow laugh at Jinwook’s playful smile.

“How have you not changed at all?”

“People die when they change, kid. Let’s be close friends from now on! Everyone! Let’s make a toast!”

At Jinwook’s suggestion, everyone raised their glasses. Jinwook looked around, found Soyu among the friends, and pulled her over.

“You should be by your husband’s side, where are you going?”

Soyu smirked, and Jinwook placed a glass in her hand and shouted,

“Dae Haein High School! Go! Go! Go!”

“Go! Go! Go!”

Everyone raised their glasses high. Though they had been hardened by society, their time together remained unchanged from the old days.