Upon entering the house, Yeoul washed his hands and shared the snack his grandmother made with his sister. He then sat down at the low desk spread out in the living room and began reading. Yeoul had changed since entering elementary school. The boy who once loved playing now solved math problems, read books that only adults would understand, and studied English.

The child always included his sister when he studied. He read books to Noeul, taught her English, and solved math problems in front of her. Noeul would watch with sparkling eyes, completely focused. Even now, Jinwook’s gaze deepened as he watched the two children studying. Jeongeun, who was watching alongside him, said:

“Don’t be too impatient. Looking at Noeul is like seeing a carbon copy of Soyu when she was young.”

“I heard Soyu was the same.”

“Yes. Soyu hardly spoke until she was five. Then suddenly one day, her speech barrier broke, and she started speaking English. I was so surprised. Noeul will probably be the same. Maybe that small head is too busy storing knowledge to spare energy for talking.”

“I hope that’s what it is.”

Jeongeun patted the back of her son-in-law’s hand and asked:

“Have you packed everything?”

“Yes. I just need to pick up Soyu later.”

At that moment, Yeoul finished reading a book to his sister and began writing math problems on a whiteboard and solving them. It was college-level mathematics. Jinwook let out a small sigh.

“Should we send Yeoul to a gifted school after all?”

“Soyu is against it. I forced Soyu because of my own ambitions, but I hope you two won’t do the same. That’s not the measure of happiness.”

Jinwook nodded. He had discussed Yeoul with Soyu, but each time his wife strongly opposed the idea. She insisted it wouldn’t be good for the child. She believed the best thing was for him to grow up normally, making friends and living an ordinary life. If he wanted to study, he could decide his own path when he was older. Watching his son solving math problems, Jinwook muttered:

“But how can we just ignore this……”

The child had already surpassed what he could teach. Only his wife could handle this level. He muttered again:

“I should have studied more……”

It wasn’t the first time he felt overwhelmed by his own child.

※※※

The plane landed in Berlin. Jinwook’s family and the lead actors of the film exited the gate. The airport was filled with film actors and famous directors for the film festival. When Jinwook, carrying Noeul, appeared with the actors, Korean reporters swarmed around them.

“Director, congratulations on arriving in Berlin.”

Jinwook responded with a dignified smile:

“Thank you.”

“Do you think this film will also have good results?”

“Well, it would be nice to win, but it’s fine if we don’t. Being invited is an honor in itself.”

As always, Jinwook was quite mature and adult-like in public. A reporter, looking at Noeul, asked:

“I see you’ve brought your family this time.”

“Yes. I’ve been too busy to take a family vacation. What do you think? Isn’t my daughter pretty?”

Knowing how much Jinwook valued his privacy, the reporter asked first:

“Director, may I take a picture of you with your daughter?”

It was unusual for a reporter to ask permission for a photo. They respected him because he had always respected them. Jinwook smiled and said:

“How about taking one if I win an award? For now, I’d like my actors to be the focus.”

“Understood. Once again, we believe you’ll uphold the pride of South Korea.”

Jinwook laughed and handed Noeul to Soyu before standing alongside the actors for photos.

The group left the airport and headed to the hotel. Jinwook asked the actors for understanding as he moved with his family. Yeoul and Jeongeun, visiting Berlin for the first time, couldn’t hide their excitement. Soyoung asked Mrs. Sa:

“Is this your first time in Berlin?”

“Yes. It’s lovely.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Berlin too. The first time since Jinwook was young.”

“Do you think Jinwook will win an award?”

Jeongeun still called her son-in-law by his name, and Soyoung did the same with her daughter-in-law. Soyoung said:

“It would be nice if he does, but it’s fine if he doesn’t. It’s not like he’ll only make one or two films.”

“You must have had a hard time when Jinwook said he wanted to do photography.”

Soyoung’s eyes grew distant as if recalling the past.

“He was always unpredictable. It was difficult because he was at odds with my father, but I believed in Jinwook.”

“Do you stay in touch with your father-in-law?”

“He calls occasionally.”

“Still no thoughts of reconciling?”

Soyoung shook her head, looking at peace.

“No. I’m finally living my own life now. Living with you and the children makes me happiest.”

Soyoung firmly held Jeongeun’s hand.

“Thank you for asking me to live together. I would have been less happy living alone.”

Jeongeun patted Soyoung’s hand in return.

“I should be thanking you for agreeing to live with us. You don’t know how reassuring it is.”

Sangpil and Soyoung had gone through difficult times. Even though Sangpil attended his son’s wedding, Soyoung didn’t change her mind about divorce. As an alternative, the lawyer suggested a graduated marriage, which Soyoung accepted. Her disappointment in a husband who had never been by her side led to her decision.

Everyone became excited as the exotic European landscape appeared outside the window. Yeoul asked his mother:

“Mom, have you been here before?”

“This is my first time in Berlin too.”

“It’s amazing. The houses and buildings are different from our country.”

“Let’s explore after your dad’s work is done. Travel is good. You learn things you can’t learn from books.”

Yeoul’s eyes sparkled as he looked at the city. Seeing her brother’s interest in the view outside, Noeul pressed her face against the window too. Yeoul laughed loudly.

“Noeul, your face looks so funny!”

The adults laughed at Noeul as well. It was an exciting arrival in Berlin.

Upon reaching the hotel room, Jinwook said to Soyu:

“I have to go now.”

“I know. Take care.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry about. We’re tagging along on your work trip.”

Jinwook took a card from his wallet and handed it to her, saying:

“Use this here. And go around with a guide. There are many pickpockets here. Be careful.”

“Got it. Take care.”

Jinwook kissed his wife’s forehead and said with eyes full of love:

“Once the film festival is over, let’s enjoy ourselves comfortably.”

“Okay.”

After saying goodbye to his wife, he turned to his son and daughter:

“Yeoul, have fun.”

“Okay. Can we meet for dinner?”

“It might be difficult. I have interviews from now on.”

“Interviews?”

“Yes. I need to promote the film.”

“Dad. Fighting.”

Jinwook’s lips curled up warmly at his son’s encouragement.

“Thank you, son.”

Holding Noeul, Jinwook gave his daughter a loud kiss on the cheek.

“Noeul, Dad will be back.”

Tired from the long flight, Noeul had sleepy eyes and was about to nod off.

“Noeul seems tired.”

At her husband’s words, Soyu smiled and said:

“You’ll be late at this rate. Go quickly. We’ll manage on our own.”

Soyu forcibly sent off her husband, who seemed reluctant to leave, then cleared her throat and asked her son:

“Yeoul, are you hungry?”

Yeoul shook his tired face weakly and said:

“No. I’m sleepy.”

“Then I’ll go see the grandmothers. Let’s rest a bit before going out.”

“Okay.”

“Please watch Noeul for a moment. I’ll be right back. It’s the room next door.”

“Okay.”

Soyu left the room and went next door to knock. After a moment, the door opened, and Jeongeun appeared with a tired face. Soyu smiled and asked:

“Tired?”

“Child, travel is best done when you’re young. How are the kids?”

“Both of them are sleepy.”

“Then let’s all rest a bit and meet later.”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

“What about Jinwook?”

“He went out for interviews. He’ll probably be doing interviews non-stop until tomorrow.”

Jeongeun looked sympathetic that her son-in-law had to work immediately after a long flight.

“How exhausting.”

“If there were no expectations, there wouldn’t be interviews, Mom. It means things are going well.”

“I suppose so. You should go rest too.”

“Yes. How about your mother?”

“She’s already lying down, tired. See you later.”

“Yes. Call me when you wake up.”

Soyu returned to the room, checked on the soundly sleeping children, and went to the bathroom to recover from the travel fatigue.

Jinwook returned the next morning. Having done over twenty hours of interviews without even adjusting to the time difference, he looked exhausted. But as soon as he opened the hotel room door and his daughter ran to hug him, an unmistakable smile bloomed on his face.

“Did Noeul sleep well?”

The child, seeming to understand her Dad’s fatigue, held his cheeks with her tiny hands and gave him a kiss. Jinwook grinned.

“Dad, is it over now?”

Yeoul, seemingly surprised by his Dad’s marathon schedule, asked.

“Yes. Now I’ll rest a bit and go to the theater in the afternoon. Did you do some sightseeing yesterday?”

“The grandmothers were tired, and we just rested. Mom said we’d go around after your schedule is finished.”

“Oh my. My son is so mature.”

“Is your film being screened today?”

“Yes.”

“Dad.”

“Yes?”

Yeoul clenched his fist and said solemnly:

“It will go well. Fighting.”

Jinwook held his son’s hands tightly and said:

“Thank you, son!”

Just then, Soyu asked:

“Do you want to wash up and sleep a bit?”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep.”

“Still, you should rest your eyes. Did you eat?”

“Just something light. Wow. The interviews here are on a different level. Who does relay interviews for over twenty hours?”

“That’s because you’re getting so much attention. Go wash up and sleep. We’ll have breakfast with Mom and take a walk around.”

“I feel so sorry.”

Soyu pushed her apologetic husband, who regretted not being able to join them, into the bathroom, then took the children to the next room. The door opened, and Jeongeun welcomed her grandchildren.

“Is Jinwook back?”

“Yes. I’m trying to get him to sleep. Mom, can you watch the kids for a moment? I’ll get things ready.”

“Sure.”

After taking the children to their grandmother’s room, Soyu returned. Hearing no sound from the bathroom, she opened the door and smiled. Jinwook was sleeping, leaning against the bathtub. He might say he was fine, but how could he withstand the time difference and the grueling schedule? Even in Korea, he had been staying up almost all night due to the time-consuming post-production work on the film.