While speaking aloud, Miran, a middle-aged woman, came out from the kitchen. She stiffened up at the sight of Yongno standing at the front door. Her eyes were filled with bewilderment, astonishment, and a little bit of fright. Definitely not a look that one would think a mother would give to her son.
“Hello, mother. It’s been a while.”
Boram chimed in. “Hey, really? ‘Mother’? Anyway, mom, are you sick? All the color has drained from your face…”
Miran snapped out of it. “Hmm? Ah, it’s nothing. Hahaha. Son, it’s been a while. You’ve grown so much. Wait a moment, I’m preparing some food… why don’t you go and greet your father.”
After saying this, Miran rushed back into the kitchen. It was clear that Miran was rushing to get away from something.
“Hmm… the situation is worse than I thought.” Boram murmured with a slightly frustrated look as she observed her retreating mother.
Of course, Boram spoke in a nearly inaudible voice and quickly fixed her frustrated expression, but with his heightened senses, Yongno was able to catch these details.
‘Is she trying to reconcile differences and make peace within the family? Bring me back into the fold?’
Of course, the term ‘reconcile’ wasn’t entirely correct. It’s not like he had fought with his family or had a big conflict. However, his family had always seemed to fear him since a long time ago, and for whatever reason, whenever Yongno saw his family members acting in such a way, he felt overwhelmed with strange feelings.
‘Why do I feel this way?’
Yongno didn’t have an answer.
Humans naturally felt afraid when meeting others who are different from themselves. Yongno’s parents and older brother, Taewoong had watched Yongno clearly spiral into the depths of despair, unlike Boram. Boram, who was only three years older than Yongno, had studied abroad for most of her life, limiting the amount of time she spent with him. If his family still felt uncomfortable around him, Yongno couldn’t help it. Yet, it nagged him still.
‘Why… why…’
“Hmm.”
“Yongno…”
“Hello, father. Taewoong, how are you? It’s been a while.”
Yongno wondered why he felt such overwhelming anger and hatred when seeing his other family members. Seeing her father, Seokwoo, and Taewoong’s hardening expressions, Boram tried to lighten up the mood.
“Wow! It’s been so long since our whole family has gathered together, no? We don’t really have any occasion to meet up these days, so this occasion is a real treat!”
Boram had figured that the atmosphere would just be a little awkward at most; she was taken aback by how frigid the atmosphere had become.
“Wow! It’s been so long since our whole family has gathered together, no? We don’t really have any occasion to meet up these days, so this is a real treat!”
“Food is ready!” Miran called out from the kitchen. Since the time was a bit past two in the afternoon, this meal was most likely lunch.
“Let’s eat first. You haven’t had lunch yet, right?”
“Father.”
Taewoong looked at his father with a slightly surprised expression, but Seokwoo just nodded seriously and headed to the kitchen. The kitchen space overlapped with the living room, but since the size of the house was large, the size it covered was considerable. There were two tables, large enough to fit ten people if they squished together.
“Wow! This is quite the spread mom! Ooh, look at that short rib.”
Still trying to clear the heavy atmosphere, Boram spoke brightly and made a motion as if she was taking in the smell of the food. Seeing this, Yongno quietly commented,
“Sis, it’s like you’re shooting for a commercial.”
“Huh, really? Do I look like an actress?”
Boram smiled as if to thank Yongno for his passing remark, but the truth was that Boram’s appearance was more beautiful than that of a decent actress. She was taller than the average Korean man, and her figure was perfectly proportioned, so her height didn’t look too awkward. If she decided to quit her studies, or even while pursuing her studies, she could easily become a popular celebrity.
Taewoong spoke up. “Come to think of it, since you’re done with the entrance exam, Eunhye must also be done, right? Is she doing well?”
“Huh? How do you know about Eunhye, Taewoong?”
Yongno answered his brother’s question with another question. Feeling that Taewoong had some sort of underlying intention with his question, Yongno was about to press further. However, Seokwoo soon spoke up.
“Taewoong. Stop speaking about that.”
“Oh… yes, father.”
Seokwoo was a serious, authoritative head-of-the-household figure. His charisma and personality was well suited for an army commander. Even the charismatic and talented Taewoong and Boram listened to their father without question.
Clank. Clank.
A heavy silence ensued. Miran’s food skills were quite excellent, so all the dishes she prepared were delicious, but under the weight of their silence, no one could really taste and appreciate the food. However, Yongno, the only one who was not affected by the heavy atmosphere, calmly spoke up.
“Now that I think of it, I haven’t called any of you in a while. I’ve decided not to attend university. I crashed and burned on the university entrance exam anyway.”
Yongno spoke confidently, which didn’t quite mesh with his words. Even though his words were not as extreme as something like suicide, most students who didn’t do well on the entrance exam would feel some level of shame. But Yongno didn’t. Although he didn’t enter and attend high school with the objective of doing well on his entrance exam, his position as a general humanities student meant that he didn’t develop any particular skill in school, so his attitude was abnormal. However, Miran and Seokwoo’s acceptance of Yongno’s decision was also abnormal.
“Is that… right.”
“Well, if that’s what you’ve decided, then I guess it can’t be helped.”
His parents seemed to readily accept it. Seeing this, Boram couldn’t help but speak out.
“Wait, what? Mom, do you really mean that?”
“…”
“D-dad?”
“…”
Boram badgered her parents, but both Miran and Seokwoo didn’t offer a response. It seemed that they wanted to end the conversation here, but Boram wasn’t having any of it. She couldn’t wrap her mind around why her parents and brother weren’t chastising Yongno and asking him to reconsider.
“Ah..!”
Her anger was boiling over. She wasn’t angry about her brother’s decision not to enter a university or his lack of a plan for the future. Her mother, who was always so benevolent and versatile. Her father, who had lived a solemn but reasonable and respectful life, and her brother, who was on the path to becoming an elite member of society with consistent sincerity and honesty. This family unit, which Boram considered a model nuclear family, was allowing their youngest to go down a treacherous path. Boram couldn’t tolerate it.
“From the start, I couldn’t understand why we were all meeting without even calling Yongno. When he was in high school, I could somewhat understand… he needed to study. But right now, he’s finished with his entrance exams and has free time, so why didn’t anyone invite him? Also, without even asking for a reason, you’re all accepting his decision to not attend a university! What the hell is…!”
“Boram.”
Miran grabbed ahold of her daughter’s hand. It was a gesture telling her to stop, but Boram didn’t heed the message. It was the first time in her life that she was going against her parents’ wishes.
“Why? Why are you all just accepting of this situation? Did you all do something terrible to…”
At that moment, Boram saw her mother and father’s eyes shaking, and Taewoong’s lips twisting into an ugly expression. His face seemed to signify defeat, cynicism, and remorse all at once.
“Boram, please stop. Please…” Seokwoo pleaded.
“But dad… really…”
“… I’m sorry.”
“…”
Boram was overwhelmed with shock. She had never heard her dad apologize, nor did she ever think he ever would.
“Sis, just stop.”
Yongno, who had been eating quietly, spoke up while gently putting his spoon down. He remained unaffected by the commotion going on around him, so he had been quietly emptying his plate.
“Thank you for the meal. Eating food at home is truly the best. If I stay here any longer, it’ll just cause everything to become more awkward, right?”
Having said this, Yongno got up from his seat. Boram tried to grab on to her younger brother’s shoulder, but Yongno slipped past her reach with natural grace and ease.
“Yongno.”
“It’s fine, sis. Don’t overdo it. It’ll be more comfortable for everyone if we keep living the way we’re living now. There’s no reason to make things harder.”
While saying this, Yongno put on his shoes. Since he hadn’t brought anything with him, there was nothing holding Yongno back.
“It’s a little late, but happy new year.”
Bam!
Yongno walked through the front door and closed it behind him. As luck would have it, the elevator was currently on the eighth floor. He probably wouldn’t have to wait long for the elevator to come.
“Should I have not come?”
Yongno muttered to himself as he pressed the elevator button, but he soon shrugged it off. He didn’t really care about seeing his other family members, but he was glad he got to see his sister. She was one of the few who actually cared about him.
Ding!
The elevator doors opened, and Yongno stepped inside. Inside the elevator was a girl in her late teens and a man in his mid to late forties. Since the elevator had been on the eighth floor, Yongno assumed that one or both passengers must have boarded from the eighth floor.
“Hmm? The seventh floor is Mr. Seokwoo’s residence, but I don’t think I’ve ever met you. Are you Boram’s boyfriend? She must have a lot of suitors that come her way. I congratulate you.”
“Why is that always the first thing that pops into everyone’s mind? Anyway, I’m Seokwoo’s son. The youngest.”
Yongno gently thumped his head against the elevator wall while wondering what outlandish lifestyle Boram had been living to garner the same response from everyone. After hearing Yongno’s words, the young girl in the elevator made a surprised expression and spoke up.
“Eh? The youngest? Aren't there only two siblings, Taewoong and Boram?”
“It’s three siblings. It’s just that I’ve been cast aside… anyway, why are you speaking to me informally?”
“Because we’re about the same age. How old are you?”
“I’m twenty this year.”
“Then we’re the same age. Nice to meet you. My name is Leaf.”
Looking at her more closely, Yongno saw a beautiful girl, 165 centimeters tall with a slim figure. A leaf-shaped brooch was pinned to her golden hair. She wore a white tank top with a yellow stripe across it. The slightly exposed design of her tank top revealed her narrow waist.
“Why is your name like that?”
“It’s a nickname, of course. Don’t you know me?”
“Who are you?”
Yongno asked because he truly didn’t know who she was, but for the girl, his words caused her bright smile to slightly fade.
“Ha. Hahaha. Don’t kid around. I’m Leaf. You know, the Leaf.”
“What do you mean I know? Are you popular?”
“Am I p-popular? You’re asking me if I’m p-popular?”
Leaf began to visibly tremble. However, she soon regained her composure and spoke up.
“Don’t you know [Won’t Stop!]? It’s been playing on all five of the major music stations…”
“Oh, so you’re a singer?”
“…”
For a moment, Leaf felt as if something had been disconnected in her head. She wouldn’t have minded much if Yongno was an older person or a foreigner, but how could someone the same age not know of her?
While speaking aloud, Miran, a middle-aged woman, came out from the kitchen. She stiffened up at the sight of Yongno standing at the front door. Her eyes were filled with bewilderment, astonishment, and a little bit of fright. Definitely not a look that one would think a mother would give to her son.
“Hello, mother. It’s been a while.”
Boram chimed in. “Hey, really? ‘Mother’? Anyway, mom, are you sick? All the color has drained from your face…”
Miran snapped out of it. “Hmm? Ah, it’s nothing. Hahaha. Son, it’s been a while. You’ve grown so much. Wait a moment, I’m preparing some food… why don’t you go and greet your father.”
After saying this, Miran rushed back into the kitchen. It was clear that Miran was rushing to get away from something.
“Hmm… the situation is worse than I thought.” Boram murmured with a slightly frustrated look as she observed her retreating mother.
Of course, Boram spoke in a nearly inaudible voice and quickly fixed her frustrated expression, but with his heightened senses, Yongno was able to catch these details.
‘Is she trying to reconcile differences and make peace within the family? Bring me back into the fold?’
Of course, the term ‘reconcile’ wasn’t entirely correct. It’s not like he had fought with his family or had a big conflict. However, his family had always seemed to fear him since a long time ago, and for whatever reason, whenever Yongno saw his family members acting in such a way, he felt overwhelmed with strange feelings.
‘Why do I feel this way?’
Yongno didn’t have an answer.
Humans naturally felt afraid when meeting others who are different from themselves. Yongno’s parents and older brother, Taewoong had watched Yongno clearly spiral into the depths of despair, unlike Boram. Boram, who was only three years older than Yongno, had studied abroad for most of her life, limiting the amount of time she spent with him. If his family still felt uncomfortable around him, Yongno couldn’t help it. Yet, it nagged him still.
‘Why… why…’
“Hmm.”
“Yongno…”
“Hello, father. Taewoong, how are you? It’s been a while.”
Yongno wondered why he felt such overwhelming anger and hatred when seeing his other family members. Seeing her father, Seokwoo, and Taewoong’s hardening expressions, Boram tried to lighten up the mood.
“Wow! It’s been so long since our whole family has gathered together, no? We don’t really have any occasion to meet up these days, so this occasion is a real treat!”
Boram had figured that the atmosphere would just be a little awkward at most; she was taken aback by how frigid the atmosphere had become.
“Wow! It’s been so long since our whole family has gathered together, no? We don’t really have any occasion to meet up these days, so this is a real treat!”
“Food is ready!” Miran called out from the kitchen. Since the time was a bit past two in the afternoon, this meal was most likely lunch.
“Let’s eat first. You haven’t had lunch yet, right?”
“Father.”
Taewoong looked at his father with a slightly surprised expression, but Seokwoo just nodded seriously and headed to the kitchen. The kitchen space overlapped with the living room, but since the size of the house was large, the size it covered was considerable. There were two tables, large enough to fit ten people if they squished together.
“Wow! This is quite the spread mom! Ooh, look at that short rib.”
Still trying to clear the heavy atmosphere, Boram spoke brightly and made a motion as if she was taking in the smell of the food. Seeing this, Yongno quietly commented,
“Sis, it’s like you’re shooting for a commercial.”
“Huh, really? Do I look like an actress?”
Boram smiled as if to thank Yongno for his passing remark, but the truth was that Boram’s appearance was more beautiful than that of a decent actress. She was taller than the average Korean man, and her figure was perfectly proportioned, so her height didn’t look too awkward. If she decided to quit her studies, or even while pursuing her studies, she could easily become a popular celebrity.
Taewoong spoke up. “Come to think of it, since you’re done with the entrance exam, Eunhye must also be done, right? Is she doing well?”
“Huh? How do you know about Eunhye, Taewoong?”
Yongno answered his brother’s question with another question. Feeling that Taewoong had some sort of underlying intention with his question, Yongno was about to press further. However, Seokwoo soon spoke up.
“Taewoong. Stop speaking about that.”
“Oh… yes, father.”
Seokwoo was a serious, authoritative head-of-the-household figure. His charisma and personality was well suited for an army commander. Even the charismatic and talented Taewoong and Boram listened to their father without question.
Clank. Clank.
A heavy silence ensued. Miran’s food skills were quite excellent, so all the dishes she prepared were delicious, but under the weight of their silence, no one could really taste and appreciate the food. However, Yongno, the only one who was not affected by the heavy atmosphere, calmly spoke up.
“Now that I think of it, I haven’t called any of you in a while. I’ve decided not to attend university. I crashed and burned on the university entrance exam anyway.”
Yongno spoke confidently, which didn’t quite mesh with his words. Even though his words were not as extreme as something like suicide, most students who didn’t do well on the entrance exam would feel some level of shame. But Yongno didn’t. Although he didn’t enter and attend high school with the objective of doing well on his entrance exam, his position as a general humanities student meant that he didn’t develop any particular skill in school, so his attitude was abnormal. However, Miran and Seokwoo’s acceptance of Yongno’s decision was also abnormal.
“Is that… right.”
“Well, if that’s what you’ve decided, then I guess it can’t be helped.”
His parents seemed to readily accept it. Seeing this, Boram couldn’t help but speak out.
“Wait, what? Mom, do you really mean that?”
“…”
“D-dad?”
“…”
Boram badgered her parents, but both Miran and Seokwoo didn’t offer a response. It seemed that they wanted to end the conversation here, but Boram wasn’t having any of it. She couldn’t wrap her mind around why her parents and brother weren’t chastising Yongno and asking him to reconsider.
“Ah..!”
Her anger was boiling over. She wasn’t angry about her brother’s decision not to enter a university or his lack of a plan for the future. Her mother, who was always so benevolent and versatile. Her father, who had lived a solemn but reasonable and respectful life, and her brother, who was on the path to becoming an elite member of society with consistent sincerity and honesty. This family unit, which Boram considered a model nuclear family, was allowing their youngest to go down a treacherous path. Boram couldn’t tolerate it.
“From the start, I couldn’t understand why we were all meeting without even calling Yongno. When he was in high school, I could somewhat understand… he needed to study. But right now, he’s finished with his entrance exams and has free time, so why didn’t anyone invite him? Also, without even asking for a reason, you’re all accepting his decision to not attend a university! What the hell is…!”
“Boram.”
Miran grabbed ahold of her daughter’s hand. It was a gesture telling her to stop, but Boram didn’t heed the message. It was the first time in her life that she was going against her parents’ wishes.
“Why? Why are you all just accepting of this situation? Did you all do something terrible to…”
At that moment, Boram saw her mother and father’s eyes shaking, and Taewoong’s lips twisting into an ugly expression. His face seemed to signify defeat, cynicism, and remorse all at once.
“Boram, please stop. Please…” Seokwoo pleaded.
“But dad… really…”
“… I’m sorry.”
“…”
Boram was overwhelmed with shock. She had never heard her dad apologize, nor did she ever think he ever would.
“Sis, just stop.”
Yongno, who had been eating quietly, spoke up while gently putting his spoon down. He remained unaffected by the commotion going on around him, so he had been quietly emptying his plate.
“Thank you for the meal. Eating food at home is truly the best. If I stay here any longer, it’ll just cause everything to become more awkward, right?”
Having said this, Yongno got up from his seat. Boram tried to grab on to her younger brother’s shoulder, but Yongno slipped past her reach with natural grace and ease.
“Yongno.”
“It’s fine, sis. Don’t overdo it. It’ll be more comfortable for everyone if we keep living the way we’re living now. There’s no reason to make things harder.”
While saying this, Yongno put on his shoes. Since he hadn’t brought anything with him, there was nothing holding Yongno back.
“It’s a little late, but happy new year.”
Bam!
Yongno walked through the front door and closed it behind him. As luck would have it, the elevator was currently on the eighth floor. He probably wouldn’t have to wait long for the elevator to come.
“Should I have not come?”
Yongno muttered to himself as he pressed the elevator button, but he soon shrugged it off. He didn’t really care about seeing his other family members, but he was glad he got to see his sister. She was one of the few who actually cared about him.
Ding!
The elevator doors opened, and Yongno stepped inside. Inside the elevator was a girl in her late teens and a man in his mid to late forties. Since the elevator had been on the eighth floor, Yongno assumed that one or both passengers must have boarded from the eighth floor.
“Hmm? The seventh floor is Mr. Seokwoo’s residence, but I don’t think I’ve ever met you. Are you Boram’s boyfriend? She must have a lot of suitors that come her way. I congratulate you.”
“Why is that always the first thing that pops into everyone’s mind? Anyway, I’m Seokwoo’s son. The youngest.”
Yongno gently thumped his head against the elevator wall while wondering what outlandish lifestyle Boram had been living to garner the same response from everyone. After hearing Yongno’s words, the young girl in the elevator made a surprised expression and spoke up.
“Eh? The youngest? Aren't there only two siblings, Taewoong and Boram?”
“It’s three siblings. It’s just that I’ve been cast aside… anyway, why are you speaking to me informally?”
“Because we’re about the same age. How old are you?”
“I’m twenty this year.”
“Then we’re the same age. Nice to meet you. My name is Leaf.”
Looking at her more closely, Yongno saw a beautiful girl, 165 centimeters tall with a slim figure. A leaf-shaped brooch was pinned to her golden hair. She wore a white tank top with a yellow stripe across it. The slightly exposed design of her tank top revealed her narrow waist.
“Why is your name like that?”
“It’s a nickname, of course. Don’t you know me?”
“Who are you?”
Yongno asked because he truly didn’t know who she was, but for the girl, his words caused her bright smile to slightly fade.
“Ha. Hahaha. Don’t kid around. I’m Leaf. You know, the Leaf.”
“What do you mean I know? Are you popular?”
“Am I p-popular? You’re asking me if I’m p-popular?”
Leaf began to visibly tremble. However, she soon regained her composure and spoke up.
“Don’t you know [Won’t Stop!]? It’s been playing on all five of the major music stations…”
“Oh, so you’re a singer?”
“…”
For a moment, Leaf felt as if something had been disconnected in her head. She wouldn’t have minded much if Yongno was an older person or a foreigner, but how could someone the same age not know of her?
