Epilogue #1 (Part 2)

Jiwook and Seowoo sat side by side on the swing behind the building. With the autumn night, a chilly breeze was blowing. Jiwook took off his jacket and put it on Seowoo.

“How’s your hand?”

“It really hurt.”

Seowoo’s eyes quickly welled up with tears. Seeing her pouty lips and tearful eyes, Jiwook felt even more apologetic.

“I’m sorry. I just left it on the desk after making it at school… I didn’t know it would hurt you. It’s my fault.”

Regret flooded over him. He should have paid more attention. It wasn’t intentional, but she got hurt because of him, so apologizing was the first step.

“The doctor stitched it up with a needle while I was crying.”

“How many stitches?”

“Twelve? I think it was more than ten.”

Seowoo murmured thoughtfully. It seemed like she had been through quite an ordeal. Her eyelids were swollen.

“Here.”

Jiwook handed her the rabbit doll in her right hand. Seowoo hugged it tightly, pressing it against her face.

“I thought I lost it…”

“You dropped it in my room, so I came to return it.”

What was it about this worn-out rabbit that she loved so much?

Despite being worn out with one eye missing and the stitches coming apart, Seowoo cherished the old rabbit like a precious possession.

“My dad gave it to me.”

“Your dad?”

“Yeah! He said it’s my gift.”

“Oh, I see.”

Since she lived with just Yoonrim, he had vaguely assumed she didn’t have a father.

So that’s why she always clung to it – because it was a gift from her dad. 

Jiwook finally understood.

“I should get going now.”

“Already?”

Why did that one word sound so sad?

Jiwook quickly grabbed her arm. Seowoo’s eyes dropped dejectedly.

“I got in a lot of trouble with the madam. She told me never to see you again. …… I don’t want to get in trouble again.”

“Ah…”

Even if she didn’t say it, Jiwook knew. He had heard Myunghe’s voice seeping through the crack in the door, and Seowoo’s muffled sobs.

“I’m sorry.”

She had only come to play with him.

He felt nothing but sorry. Jiwook’s face showed a conflicted expression. Seowoo got off the swing.

“Seowoo.”

“Yeah?”

“…Never mind. It’s nothing.”

Jiwook smiled awkwardly and shook his head.

“Good night.”

“You too, Oppa.”

After a brief farewell, she quickly walked back into the building. Jiwook stood there, staring at the door she entered for a long time.

***

‘I have a pen and notebook I really want to buy, so could you drop me off at the office supply store on the way home? I’ll go buy them myself.’

Two weeks later.

Jiwook asked Hong, the secretary who usually picks him up after school, to make a quick stop at the large office supply store near the school. Although Secretary Hong usually bought what he needed while studying, Jiwook had a different purpose for coming here.

Fortunately, it was a place that sold stationery and toys. Jiwook stood in front of the dolls, lost in thought.

“Which one is prettier?”

Although he knew it was precious because it was a gift from her dad, the worn-out rabbit doll always caught his eye.

Jiwook brought all the allowance he had saved up.

“I think beige would suit her better.”

Picking between a beige rabbit and a pink one, Jiwook chose the beige.

He wanted to buy her a gift to make up for the last time she got hurt.

And he hadn’t seen Seowoo since then.

It was because of Myeong-hye, who was constantly watching. Today, Myeong-hye said she had something to do at his grandparents’ house, so he thought he might be able to see Seowoo for a moment.

“Please wrap everything up.”

Jiwook filled a large basket with the rabbit doll and other items like pens, pencil cases, and notebooks that girls would like.

He hoped Seowoo would like it.

A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he imagined her face when she received the gifts.

***

‘Seowoo, can you come out for a bit?’

Jiwook sneaked into the staff quarters and called out to Seowoo. 

After returning from school, she had been holed up in her room, playing with the worn-out plushie. 

He wondered where she got the toys from; there wasn’t a single part that was intact. 

Despite that, she sometimes sneaked into his room to play with toys with him. After that day, however, Seowoo had not dared to go near Jiwook.

“Wow.”

Jiwook dropped a bunch of presents into her arms. Seowoo’s mouth dropped open as she tore the wrapping paper.

After examining the contents with curious eyes, she then put them down and furrowed her brow.

“What’s wrong?”

“…”

“Yoon Seowoo.”

The joyful expression she had worn just moments ago was now replaced with worry. Concerned by the sudden change, Jiwook pressed her.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m going to get in trouble again if they find out I got this.”

“…….”

“Madam. …… said if I get in trouble one more time, Mom and me will both be kicked out.”

Jiwook’s face crumpled up in an instant.

It could really happen as she said. Myeong-hye, who already had a low opinion of Seowoo and her mother, might make it happen.

Then, Jiwook’s gaze fell on her left hand. 

The scar on her white palm stood out prominently, and it hurt just to look at it. He inadvertently grabbed her left hand.

“Did you get the stitches out?”

“Yes. Yesterday.” 

The size of the wound made him feel even more sorry. The scar would likely be quite prominent. Frowning, Jiwook spoke in a remorseful tone.

“I’m sorry you got hurt because of me… That’s why, please take it. I don’t think anyone saw.”

“…”

Seowoo really wanted it, but she was also afraid. So she hesitated again. Seeing her hesitate, Jiwook finally handed her the bag.

“Quickly. Okay? If you hide it well in your room, no one will know.”

Seowoo’s eyes wavered. Jiwook stood up first and looked around. Fortunately, there wasn’t a single staff member in the spacious garden. He gently patted her little head with a small smile.

“I’ll sneak over to visit you later.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Don’t get in trouble for no reason while coming up to my room. Since I’ll come like this, we can play for a while.” 

Seowoo glanced around then smiled, and nodded vigorously.

“Mom said she’s going to Auntie’s house for a bit on Saturday. Let’s see each other then.”

“Okay!”

“I’ll go first.” 

Jiwook quickly left the area. Holding the bag he had given her, Seowoo beamed.

***

Jiwook gently grasped her left hand as she slept deeply. A scar from a time she didn’t even remember was still in her hand. It must have been quite a deep cut back then. Though it had faded somewhat, seeing the scar on her delicate, beautiful hand still pained him.

It was the scar that he had recognized Yoon Seowoo, so he should probably be thankful for it. His gaze as he gently caressed the scar softened.

“I wonder if you’ve been carrying the rabbit around properly.”

A faint smile appeared on Jiwook’s lips as he looked at her. With her large pupils, sharp nose, cherry-red lips, and porcelain skin, Seowoo was as beautiful as ever. She hadn’t changed a bit from her childhood. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she had simply grown up exactly the same.

“Mmm.”

Just then, Seowoo stirred and slowly opened her eyes.

“Sleep some more.”

Jiwook patted her back, and Seowoo snuggled into his embrace.

Her eyelids still heavy, she tilted her head to look up at him, barely able to open her hazel eyes.

Jiwook lowered his gaze and gave her a small smile.

“You should sleep some more.”

“I had a dream…”

It felt so vivid, as if it wasn’t a dream. As Seowoo trailed off, Jiwook gently brushed her hair aside and asked softly.

“What was the dream about?”

“Hmm…”

Seowoo paused for a moment, then spoke again.

“I dreamt I was playing hide and seek.”

“With who?”

“With you.”

“Where?”

“I don’t know where.”

All she knew was that it was a lot of fun. In her dream, Kwon Jiwook had been smiling brightly at her.

It was a warm smile, enough to bring tears to her eyes.

“It might have been in my room.”

“Huh?”

“We did something like that. You were so young, you can’t probably remember.”

He murmured, pinching the tip of Seowoo’s nose affectionately.

What is he talking about?

She wanted to ask more, but due to her pregnancy, sleep washed over her again. Seowoo buried her face in Jiwook’s chest and slowly closed her eyes.

“Seowoo.”

“Yeah…….”

“Where did you put the beige rabbit?”

“…Why do you ask?”

The unexpected question made Seowoo snap her eyes open.Then, she blinked her large eyes repeatedly.

“Because I’m curious.”

“How do you know that, Jiwook?”

She had no idea where that rabbit plushie came from or who gave it to her.

Even when asking Yoonrim, she would only say she didn’t know. Seowoo used to keep it by her bedside, but after getting married, the plushie had been carefully stored in a box with her other belongings.

It was still kept inside a box in her dressing room. 

But Jiwook knew about it.

It was astonishing.

“I should buy one for each of our daughters too.”

“What is it? Why won’t you tell me?”

“It’s a secret.”

The image of 8-year-old Yoon Seowoo was vividly etched in his mind.

He smiled as he held Seowoo tightly, his eyes softening.