Lies are always fragile and unsettling. But in that moment, even that lie felt like a lifeline. 

The sturdy man sitting at the table brought a sense of calm to both Granny and me, easing the tension we had been carrying. He behaved as if he were really part of the family – boning the fish and carefully placing the rice on Grandma’s plate. 

He smiled warmly, graciously accepting all the kindness shown to him, his manners impeccable. His pale fingers skilfully manoeuvred chopsticks and spoons, his lips moved softly as he chewed, and the way he listened attentively to others felt… different. 

Grace.

I later heard this word on a television programme about the life of a calligrapher and it described him perfectly. He exuded a calm, gentle presence, like a gentle breeze through a forest, never hurried, never harsh. 

And yet, there he was, sitting at our humble dinner table in a house like ours—a place he didn’t seem to belong. Not in our house, not at our table, not with Grandma, and certainly not with me. 

Why didn’t I see it back then? Why…? 

*** 

“So…” 

After clearing the dinner table, he asked, “Which room should I sleep in?” 

“Ah…”

I quickly led him to the room opposite Grandma’s—the one Jae-yeol used to stay in. 

But the room was far from tidy. Since my brother had been away for a long time, it had turned into a storage room for unused items, dried fish, seaweed, and dried vegetables harvested in the spring. The mess had only worsened after the police searched through it earlier.

“This is the room you’ll have to use…”

I said hesitantly, feeling deeply apologetic and unsure of what to do.

“I’ll clean it up right away.” 

“I’ll handle it.”

He glanced around the room, shaking his head as though it wasn’t a big deal.

“No, that’s not right. It’s my fault that—” 

“Soon-young.” 

I froze at the sound of my name coming from his lips. 

“The kitchen’s a mess, and this room is the same,” he said with a calm smile. “I’ll take care of this.”

With that, he rolled up his sleeves. 

An hour later— 

“What the…!” 

I had casually peeked into Jae-yeol’s room and was utterly stunned. The once chaotic, cluttered space was now spotless. No, it wasn’t just clean—it looked almost beautiful. 

The furniture had been rearranged, unwanted items neatly sorted and stored away, and even the dried fish had been bundled by species and size. My eyes widened in disbelief. 

For someone like me, who was used to piling things up randomly, this level of organization was beyond anything I could imagine. 

“Ah… this is…”

I stuttered, still amazed as I glanced around. The man smiled as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“Well, I guess I just don’t like things being messy.” 

It’s more than just disliking mess, isn’t it? Did he even clean the wallpaper? 

Seeing the neatly folded bedding arranged perfectly in one corner, I started to worry if it was even appropriate to let such a meticulous guest sleep in such a simple place. 

“Well then, good night, Grandma. Soon-young, you sleep well too.” 

“Ah… yes, brother, you sleep well too.” 

It felt strange and unfamiliar, but I couldn’t stop myself from responding that way. 

“Jong Hyun, sleep well. Do you need anything else?”

 Grandma fussed over him lovingly, fully convinced he was Jong Hyun. 

But as I thought about it, I realised that I still didn’t know his real name. This man – whose name I didn’t even know, and who I only knew to be my brother’s older friend – was now living under the same roof. 

I turned over in bed, feeling a mixture of confusion and unease. From the moment his boat had passed where I was diving until now, everything felt surreal, like a dream. 

If only it were a dream… If only things were the way they used to be. No stranger in our home, nothing happening to brother Jae-yeol, and Agwi never coming here… 

I just wanted my old, peaceful life back, even if it had been difficult at times. 

Through the thin walls I could see the shadow of the man moving back and forth as he checked the gate one last time. Soon after, I heard the door to the room across the hall quietly open and close. 

As I lay there, I could feel his presence. Strangely enough, it was comforting. It was different from when Jae-yeol was here. Back then, when I was fifteen, brother felt more like a boy than an adult. 

But tonight, this was it. By morning, when the sun rose, he would leave Chungmu. 

I would be the one left behind, once again bearing the heavy burdens of life alone. 

Completely drained from the whirlwind of events, I eventually drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep. 

*** 

“Oh my! I’m telling you, my beloved grandson is here! Yoon-seo’s son, Jong Hyun!”

What? My whole body ached, as if I’d been hit by something. What time was it? Wasn’t I supposed to be diving today? Wait… Brother Jong Hyun? 

“Ah!” 

I shot up in shock. Something felt off—there was a commotion outside. Laughter rang out loudly, unmistakably the voices of the haenyeo. 

“So that’s why you went to the market so early this morning!” 

What was going on? 

Thud! 

Startled, I flung the door open, only to be greeted by an unexpected scene. 

The yard was bustling with haenyeo aunts, surrounded by piles of fish and vegetables. 

“What is this… Grandma, what’s going on?”

“Soon-young, you’re awake?” 

“But why is everyone here so early in the morning?” 

“Why?”

One of the haenyeo replied with a grin.

“Your grandma went to the market and bought all these things. She said they were too heavy for her to carry on her own, so we helped bring them back to your house. She’s preparing a feast to celebrate the visit of her beloved grandson!”

“What?!” 

The words struck me like a thunderclap. As I lifted my gaze, the man from the room across the way stepped outside, taking in the bustling scene. Our eyes met.

“G-Grandma… isn’t a feast a little too much?”

“Why? It’s been years since our Jong Hyun came home! Of course, we should have a feast!”

Grandma exclaimed, utterly delighted and fully convinced the man was Jong Hyun. 

“But still…”

“Enough of that.”

Grandma cut me off cheerfully.

“Everyone, come over tonight.”

 She invited the haenyeo as if my objections didn’t matter.