Chapter 0

The cold wind made their cheeks feel chilly. The girls giggled, covering their faces with gloved hands.

“Bora.”

“Yeah?”

“Have you heard about it?”

“Heard what?”

Hanju, who was the same age as Bora, spoke in an excited voice.

“You know that couple who comes to the Director’s office every Sunday?”

“Who?”

“You know, the man who’s fat and the woman who’s ridiculously elegant and beautiful.”

“Oh, them. What about them?”

“They’re going to choose one of us to adopt soon.”

Seo Jaewoo and Do Hyeran. They were a married couple who had been visiting this orphanage every week for over a year, spending more than two hours in the Director’s office each time. They were different from other volunteer groups.

They didn’t hang laundry, wash dishes, or even play with the children. They simply spent their time in the Director’s office before leaving.

Hanju and Bora had gotten somewhat acquainted with the couple because they alternated cleaning the Director’s office every week. Unlike Seo Jaewoo, who had a loud voice and often got angry at the director, Do Hyeran was consistently kind and composed. Of course, she had never initiated a conversation with them. But there was a certain aura about her.

It seemed clear that Do Hyeran held more power in their relationship than Seo Jaewoo. Rumors said her father had made a fortune in the transportation business, making their home overflow with money. On the other hand, there were also rumors that Seo Jaewoo was the wealthy one. Either way, none of it mattered to the children. They only admired the couple, who always brought expensive clothes and food.

The topic of adoption first came up earlier this year. Both of them were considered a bit too old to be adopted. That’s why Hanju’s revelation was so shocking.

“One of us? You and me? That doesn’t make sense. Maybe you misheard.”

Hanju gestured for Bora to lower her voice.

“No, I didn’t. Last night, I couldn’t sleep, so I wandered near the hallway and overheard the Director talking on the phone. She clearly said they’re choosing between you and me.”

“Really?”

“Doesn’t it seem strange? Everyone else doesn’t want us because we’re too old. Why would they pick us?”

Hanju’s eyes sparkled with her usual enthusiasm, while Bora remained indifferent.

“It’s obvious. That man is running for parliament soon, isn’t he? It’s perfect for media play. And Do Hyeran, that woman, probably has plenty of money and is doing everything she can to make her husband a member of parliament. If they adopt an older child, it’ll make them look kindhearted. Don’t you think?”

“Maybe.”

Bora remembered hearing from the Director long ago that the couple didn’t have children. She imagined the clothes Do Hyeran always wore. Though she didn’t know much about fashion, Bora could tell they were all expensive and high-quality.

If someone asked her if she was jealous, the answer would, of course, be yes. She was sick of rotating the same clothes, sharing them with the other children.

As the two strolled past the orphanage entrance and walked through the open field, Hanju suddenly stopped and tightly grabbed Bora’s hand.

“Min Bora.”

“Yeah?”

“I’m going to be honest. Can I be the one to get adopted? You’re pretty and smart. Even if it’s not this family, you’ll definitely do well.”

“…….”

“If the couple chooses you, can you say no? Or run away? Can you promise me?”

At that moment, Bora felt conflicted. It wasn’t easy to answer Hanju’s request. Just like Hanju, Bora also deeply wished to grow up under good parents.

Hanju had come to the orphanage after losing her parents in a car accident at the age of five. Bora, on the other hand, had been left in a baby box immediately after birth and brought to the orphanage. There was only speculation that she was the daughter of an unwed mother. No note had been left in the box, so Bora didn’t know the truth of her origins.

Father, mother. More than those names she had never had, Bora longed for a radiant future. A small handful of happiness she could dream of.

She looked into Hanju’s eyes, seeing the earnestness of her longtime friend who desperately hoped for an immediate answer. Bora spoke heavily, unable to ignore it.

“Sorry. You’re pretty too. And smart.”

Hanju twisted her lips. Bora was such a good friend to her, but at this moment, she resented her. The small stone they had sworn their friendship on this spring was still safely tucked away in her desk drawer. 

Had Bora forgotten about it?

Annoyed, Hanju’s voice cracked.

“I thought you were kind, but you’re more calculating than I expected.”

“Don’t fool yourself, Park Hanju. I’ve never acted kind.”

“Really? Fine. Then do your best. Because I will too.”

“Hanju.”

“What!”

Hanju snapped irritably, but Bora didn’t mind. She calmly shoved her hands into her pockets.

“Even if one of us gets chosen, can’t we stay friends?”

“What?”

“You don’t have anyone but me, and I don’t have anyone but you.”

Hanju flared up, saying that didn’t make sense. How could that possibly work?

“Just help me. If you go to a good family, help me out a little.”

“Hah.”

“I’ll do the same. I won’t forget. I’ll definitely help you.”

Hanju tightly grasped Bora’s outstretched hand. It wasn’t a bad suggestion. She was deeply anxious about not being chosen, but this felt like a kind of insurance.

Hanju even gestured for Bora to seal the deal with a signature.

“Hurry!”

“Okay.”

A week later, as Hanju had predicted, Seo Jaewoo and Do Hyeran came to see the two girls.

Bora couldn’t ignore the couple’s gaze watching her from a distance. Hanju felt the same. She deliberately acted several times more kind and diligent than usual. She taught the younger children, shared her food, and displayed intelligence and consideration.

When the couple finally left, Hanju exhaled deeply.

“Whew, I thought my heart was going to explode.”

“Me too.”

“But if I get adopted, I’ll probably have to change my name, right?”

“Maybe.”

Hanju let out a laugh that didn’t suit her youthful appearance.

“Well, what does a name matter, anyway. Right?”

Bora nodded. 

Min Bora and Park Hanju. Whose name would be left behind?

Shortly after, the Director called the two girls into the office. Sitting silently, Hanju and Bora waited nervously while Do Hyeran sat across from them.

Unlike Hanju, who was so nervous she kept her head down, Bora examined Do Hyeran. From head to toe, she looked like she was draped in luxury. Her beauty remained unchanged.

What would it feel like to have a mother like that? 

As Bora stared blankly, her gaze briefly met Do Hyeran’s. Bora thought she would avert her eyes first, but Do Hyeran kept looking at her. Bora didn’t look away.

“You’re Bora?”

“Yes.”

“Then you must be Hanju.”

At that, Hanju hesitantly lifted her head. However, she quickly turned red and avoided eye contact when Do Hyeran stared at her.

If Bora was outgoing and assertive, Hanju was more introverted and timid.

Do Hyeran smiled slightly as she flipped through some documents.

“I heard both of you are good students.”

“Yes.”

“Who’s better?”

“I am.”

This was Bora’s answer. Hanju glared at her with disdain. Do Hyeran clicked her tongue lightly and set down the documents containing the girls’ information.

“Hmm, it’s hard to choose. I promised to decide by today, but what should I do?”

For the first time, even Bora, who had been responding confidently, was at a loss for words. She pressed her lips together, waiting for Do Hyeran’s decision.

Drumming her fingers on the table, Do Hyeran finally spoke with resolve.

“You know, I want my daughter to stand out. I want her to be in first place no matter what, by any means necessary. I want a daughter who’s so exceptional that everyone envies her. Do you understand what I mean?”

Bora and Hanju exchanged glances, realizing that Do Hyeran was about to make her choice.

Would this moment change our lives? 

Both girls looked at her with hopeful eyes. They silently communicated with each other through their gaze.

[Min Bora, remember our promise? Don’t forget.]

[Park Hanju, I won’t forget. You don’t forget either. No matter what, we’re friends till the end.]

Do Hyeran suddenly picked up Bora’s file. Hanju felt disappointed, and Bora felt overjoyed.

But then, Do Hyeran said something unexpected.

“I can’t decide. It’s too hard. So, can I leave this decision to you two?”

Bora asked, 

“What do you mean?”

Do Hyeran smirked.

“To be honest, I asked the Director to let me see you two separately for this reason. I’ll take the one who stands up first. I think the kind of determination and selfishness it takes to stand up will suit my daughter. Shall we start?”

Hanju looked at Bora, and Bora looked at Hanju. Bora seemed slightly angry, her face showing that she couldn’t understand why they were being tested like this. Hanju, on the other hand, was in a daze, staring at Bora.

The sound of the clock ticking filled the room. Neither girl could stand up easily.

Being chosen and making a choice were two very different things.

[What are you hesitating for? Min Bora, just stand up for yourself.]

[Park Hanju. You have to stand up now. Only if you stand up now can you beat Bora.]

Suddenly, someone got up.

Do Hyeran picked up the file of the girl who stood and gently held out her hand.

“Let’s go, Hanju.”

Do Hyeran took Hanju’s hand and left the Director’s office.