Episode 31
In the car on the way home,
Hanna and Ido were driving back home together in Ido’s car.
Uiryeong said she would take the car Hanna came in by herself to head back.
It seems like she’s fine with it.
Ido kept glancing at the ring, a small smile on his face. Hanna, on the other hand, was feeling good because she had finally done the “money splurge” she had always wanted to do.
Spending money like this was so fun. All this time, only rich people got to enjoy this! It’s so unfair.
Living a life where you can spend money freely without worrying is really not bad at all.
At that moment,
“Hanna.”
“Hmm?”
“Tomorrow, we’ll have guests at home. So…”
“Do you want me to stay quiet? I understand.”
“…It’s not that.”
Ido’s expression was filled with concern. What was going on?
“Tomorrow, some relatives will be coming.”
“Relatives?”
What relatives? Hanna tilted her head in confusion.
Why did Ido look so serious about a relative visit?
When Hanna worked in the office, she wasn’t particularly close to her relatives. However, they didn’t have a bad relationship either. They usually only saw each other during holidays.
It wasn’t even a holiday today, so why was it such a big deal? Isn’t it normal for relatives to visit?
Maybe Ido sensed her confusion, as he spoke cautiously.
“…Tomorrow, my uncle’s family will be coming.”
“Your uncle?”
“Yeah. You met him when you were really little. I haven’t seen him much recently, though.”
After Hanna’s mother passed away and she became ill, they hadn’t seen much of each other.
Hanna understood the unspoken meaning in Ido’s words.
Yeah, when things aren’t going well at home, it’s hard to see each other.
“So, they’re coming after a long time. Got it. I’ll stay quiet.”
“…Hanna, I think…”
What was he hesitating for? Hanna looked up at Ido suspiciously.
Is he still worried I’ll cause trouble because I’m “Hong Hanna,” the troublemaker?
“I think it would be better if you and the secretary go out somewhere for the day. If we say you’re going on a field trip for school, they’ll understand.”
“Huh?”
What? Does he want me to leave just because relatives are coming?
Is he worried I’ll cause trouble?
“It’s not because of you.”
“Right.”
Don’t try to hide it. Hanna felt the warmth she had felt toward Ido quickly freeze up again.
“You’re worried I’ll cause trouble and embarrass Dad and Grandpa again. I understand. But—”
“It’s not because of you. It’s because of the adults.”
“…Huh?”
Hanna was confused. It’s not because of me, but because of the adults?
Seeing Ido’s troubled expression, she realized he wasn’t lying.
“Hanna, there are things you don’t understand because you’re still young. Right now, I just want you to trust your dad and wait.”
Hanna looked at Ido, who was staring out the window, her eyes fixed on him.
He’s a strange person.
But, she understood now.
This person is strange, but he’s not a bad person.
“Okay.”
“!”
Hanna said calmly.
She understood. She knew how complicated and frustrating the “adult problems” were.
Her own dad had been deeply in debt because of adult issues, and he desperately tried to hide it from little Hanna.
When she was younger, she didn’t understand why he hid it, but now, she understood.
Her dad, wanting to protect his precious daughter, had kept her from knowing about the harsh world for as long as possible.
Sometimes, the truth leaves wounds on children.
So, Hanna understood Ido. She understood why he couldn’t explain everything to her.
But—
“But I want you to trust me too.”
“Hanna…”
“So I’m not going anywhere.”
“!”
“I want to stay with you, Dad.”
Even if you try to push me away, I can’t leave.
I’m already grown up.
The next morning.
Hanna dressed in her neatest dress, with a tidy headband.
The so-called “relatives-special uniform”!
She didn’t know exactly what her uncle was like, but she was going to treat anyone who came with complete respect.
Even though she had only worked in customer service for a few years, she knew how to handle any difficult customer.
She stood proudly, but with a polite and gentle smile on her face.
This was her “business smile.”
“Wow, you look so grown up today, miss.”
Uiryeong smiled warmly as she looked at Hanna.
“Look at you, so grown up and behaving like an adult. You’re already all grown up.”
“Yeah.”
I’m really all grown up now. Maybe too much.
Hanna grinned.
“What’s my uncle like?”
“Well, Chairman Hong Jae-sung is a kind and warm person.”
“Really?”
That’s surprising.
Since Ido seemed so cautious, I thought he was a scary, unpleasant person.
“Yeah. The problem is…”
Uiryeong trailed off. Oh no, there’s something else, isn’t there?
“Is it about your cousin?”
“…!”
Uiryeong’s mouth fell open.
Did I hit the nail on the head?
“How do you know such a difficult title, miss?”
No.
“I learned it in kindergarten.”
Hanna looked up at Uiryeong with a playful smile. She was signaling for her to hurry up and tell her what the problem was.
But Uiryeong only smiled awkwardly, unable to speak freely.
Well, of course. It’s hard to talk badly about relatives in front of a child.
“I just want to avoid making a mistake. Can you give me a little hint?”
“Uhhh…”
“Dad seemed so worried, so I’m really worried too.”
“Uhhhh…”
“I want to be there for Dad!”
Uiryeong seemed to be conflicted, but eventually, she raised her hands in defeat.
“Chairman Hong Jae-sung’s son, Director Hong I-seon, is your uncle. He’s a bit difficult to get along with, though.”
“Difficult?”
“Yeah, a little… well…”
Uiryeong hesitated, carefully choosing her words.
“Director Hong and him don’t get along very well…”
“Why?”
“That’s…”
Uiryeong gave a bitter smile, clearly in a difficult spot.
“It would be better if you hear it directly from Director Hong later, miss…”
“Hmmm.”
This is so frustrating.
“Then one more thing. Is there anyone my age there?”
“Yes, there is. You have a cousin, Hong Ji-woong, who is eight years older than you. He’s 15 years old.”
“Hong Ji-woong…”
Okay, got it.
“How is he?”
“Hmm.”
Uiryeong blinked rapidly.
“I haven’t seen him in a long time, miss. But…”
She seemed to think that since he was 15, he wouldn’t have any major issues.
No, Uiryeong.
Don’t be so careless.
A 15-year-old is in 8th grade, and 8th graders know everything already.
“What did you say, huh?”
“Ouch!”
…See? Middle school syndrome is terrifying!
Hanna glared at Hong Ji-woong, who was pulling her hair.
What’s going on here?
This is what happened.
Two hours earlier.
The start of the incident:
“Hello~!”
It was that little brat who glared at her with his eyes shining wickedly as soon as he saw her.
He said he was a middle schooler, but he was almost as tall as an adult!
Hanna was shocked when she saw how big Hong Ji-woong was.
She had heard that kids these days grow fast, but she didn’t expect this much.
“Hanna, greet him properly.”
Ido told Hanna, who was frozen in surprise as she looked at Hong Ji-woong.
Oh no.
She had forgotten for a moment.
Hanna quickly greeted her uncle and his family.
“Hello!”
“Ah, yes! It’s been a long time, and you’ve grown so much!”
With a loud “Ugh,” her uncle picked Hanna up and hugged her.
…Just like Uiryeong said, he didn’t seem like a bad person.
Hanna hugged her uncle back, who had a really warm and kind smile.
“Do you remember this old man? Heh heh.”
He looked much more like a real grandpa than Hong Il!
Hanna shook her head.
“I’m sorry. I don’t really remember.”
“That’s understandable. The last time I saw you, you were about three years old. I’m sure you don’t remember. Hehe.”
Her uncle said this with a touch of sadness, his eyes becoming moist.
“Poor thing… you must have gone through so much, Hanna.”
He was talking about her real mother.
Hanna didn’t answer but quietly leaned her face against her uncle’s shoulder.
Sometimes, small gestures say more than hundreds of words.
“A father.”
At that moment, someone called from behind her uncle.
