**Special Chapter 5**
The sound was coming from the kitchen. The clinking sound gradually grew louder and eventually turned into a rustling noise.
What’s going on?
Could it be a burglar?
Though it wouldn’t be of much help, Sua picked up a ladle nearby and slowly made her way into the kitchen. Then, she flicked on the light.
“Kyaa!”
Sitting crouched in front of the sink drawer, a little child opened his eyes wide.
“Mom, are you awake?”
Recognizing the child’s face, Sua relaxed and placed the ladle she was holding on the table.
“It’s Hae-jun.”
“Yeah, it’s Hae-jun.”
The child kneeling cutely in front of the drawer, peering inside, was Hae-jun, the 5-year-old son of Hyun-oh and Sua.
Hae-jun was undoubtedly Hyun-oh’s son in every way.
With his long, straight nose and neat lips, he was undeniably adorable, attracting comments like “Wow, what a handsome boy” wherever he went. His eyes widened as he looked towards Sua.
“Hae-jun, what are you doing here?”
“I’m hungry.”
Hae-jun pouted his lips. Not too long ago, Hae-jun had started attending kindergarten. Having been cared for at home until the age of 4, he found the sudden increase in friends at kindergarten fascinating, spending all day playing and then dozing off without eating dinner properly when he came home. As a result, today, he hadn’t even eaten half of his usual amount before going to bed.
It seemed he hadn’t eaten enough. In Hae-jun’s small, fern-like hands, there was a chocolate cookie.
“If you had told Mom, Mom would have made something tasty for you. Did you take out the cookie because you were hungry, Hae-jun?”
Hae-jun nodded vigorously.
“Yeah, you were sleeping.”
“It’s okay to wake Mom up if you need to. You should’ve woken me up.”
Hae-jun shook his head hesitantly. Recently, his hair, cut into a basin shape, bobbed adorably here and there.
“Hae-jun is a big boy now, you know.”
“Huh?”
“I’m a kindergarten student now, so I don’t have to wake Mom up anymore.”
Saying so, Hae-jun proudly puffed out his chest and put his hands on his hips, raising his head confidently. Although Sua shouldn’t laugh at the child’s words, they were too cute, and she almost couldn’t help but smile.
Since Hae-jun was born four years ago, she had no idea when he had grown up so much. From the moment she first told Hyun-oh that she was pregnant with Hae-jun, to his birth, their first eye contact, and the first time he called her “Mom,” all those moments flashed before her eyes.
When did he become so big as to come to the kitchen, open the drawer, and take out a snack? When did he become such a considerate child who thought he shouldn’t wake his mom up when she was sleeping?
His growth was dazzling, and Sua couldn’t help but smile.
“It’s okay. Come here, Hae-jun.”
Sua stretched out her arms. In response, as if it were a habit, Hae-jun approached her and snugly nestled in her arms. Hae-jun was chubbier than other kids his age. His chubby cheeks were irresistibly cute.
“If Hae-jun is hungry, Mom can wake up anytime. Even when Hae-jun becomes an elementary school student, a middle school student, and even an adult, Mom can wake up for you.”
The child’s firmness was impressive yet somewhat sad. She always thought of him as a child in her arms.
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“I know.”
Hae-jun’s face flushed with happiness. Sua gently brushed his round head and whispered.
“But, Hae-jun.”
“Yeah?”
“It’s already 11 o’clock. If you don’t sleep, you won’t grow taller. Let’s eat something delicious and sleep well next time, okay? Got it?”
“Yeah, I got it.”
“Our Hae-jun listens well.”
Sua gently touched his adorable cheek and then let go of the child in her arms. Then, straightening her back, she opened the refrigerator door.
“Well, Mom will make something tasty for you. What does Hae-jun want to eat? What do you want, Hae-jun?”
“I want omelet!”
“Omelet? Hmm…”
Sua chuckled at Hae-jun’s unexpected answer.
The representative breakfast menu of our house, omelet, was none other than Hyun-oh’s specialty. Although Sua was good at cooking, there was nothing she could do to compete with Hyun-oh when it came to omelets.
“Dad hasn’t come home yet.”
“Hmm.”
Since Hae-jun was born, Hyun-oh had tried to reduce his working hours, but there were still times when he came home this late due to the nature of his job.
Hae-jun grabbed Sua’s leg and dangled.
“Mommy, can’t you call Dad to ask when he’s coming home?”
“Should I?”
“Yeah, yeah. Video call! That one!”
Hae-jun wanted to video call, so Sua agreed and went to get her phone. Just then, as she was about to grab her phone, she heard the sound of the front door opening.
Clink.
At that sound, Hae-jun, who had been crouching, straightened up like a meerkat.
“Dad!”
Hae-jun’s eyes widened, and he dashed towards the entrance, his steps cheerful. Sua also went towards the entrance. There, Hyun-oh was still holding Hae-jun, not even having taken off his shoes yet.
Was it cold today? Even though it was March, he was still wearing his coat. Over the bespoke suit that hugged his body perfectly, he had casually thrown on his coat. Perhaps it was because of the wind, his always neat bangs were gently tousled, and through them, his warm and tender gaze fell on Hae-jun.
“Hae-jun, were you not sleeping even though it’s past 11?”
“Yeah! I was waiting for Dad.”
A lie.
Perhaps playing hide-and-seek at kindergarten had been tiring, as he had been nodding off on the couch before dinner at 6 o’clock, without even eating dinner.
“Really? Was Hae-jun really not sleeping until 11 because he was waiting for Dad?”
Guilt and joy rose in Hyun-oh’s face.
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Hae-jun nodded vigorously once again.
Sua knew the truth better than anyone else, but she decided not to say anything. Hyun-oh swept his hair back, saying it was commendable that Hae-jun had waited for him, and Hae-jun seemed somewhat proud.
“Our Hae-jun has grown up.”
“Hehe, Dad. Then make me omelet!”
“Now?”
“Yeah, now. Hae-jun is hungry.”
“Okay, got it. Dad will quickly change clothes and wash his hands.”
Hyun-oh said so and hurriedly disappeared into the bedroom. Hae-jun’s eyes sparkled at the thought of eating omelet.
***
“Cheers, cheers.”
Hae-jun climbed onto his high chair and stood in front of the omelet that Dad had made. Hyun-oh bent down to look at him.
“I’ll eat well!”
“Eat a lot, Hae-jun.”
Both Hyun-oh and Sua were born into strict households. There were many things to abide by rather than personal preferences. Although the parents Sua met after getting married, even though they were Hyun-oh’s parents whom she loved, couldn’t be described as affectionate. They were the kind of people who were strict first.
However, Hyun-oh was a completely different dad from those parents.
He was affectionate and kind when he came home, even though he was burdened with heavy responsibilities at work. He even cooked for his son amidst his fatigue.
“I’ll eat well.”
Hae-jun picked up his fork and cut the omelet in half. As he cut through the fluffy and tender yellow omelet, cheese stretched out from inside.
“Wow.”
A big smile spread across his face. Then, he ate the omelet so deliciously that he forgot about anyone else around him. He ate with gusto, his nose wriggling.
“Eat slowly, it’s all yours.”
“Okay.”
Watching Hae-jun eat, Hyun-oh turned his gaze to Sua.
“Was it tough today? Going to work and taking care of the kids.”
“It’s okay.”
After Hae-jun started attending kindergarten, Sua, who had been working from home, started going to the office. It was her first time going to the office in a while, so she was quite nervous, but fortunately, she adapted quickly to the work she had always done at home.
“Sorry for coming home late.”
He reached out and gently brushed Sua’s face with his big palm, warmth enveloped her.
“It’s okay, it’s because of work.”
“Still.”
“If you’re really sorry, grant my wish later.”
“Wish? What is it? I’ll grant anything.”
Sua whispered in Hyun-oh’s ear, “Hold me tight.” He smiled at her words.
“You didn’t need to make that wish. I would’ve done it without you saying anything.”
“Is that so?”
Even though they had a child and had been married for a long time, their relationship was still passionate. Hyun-oh lowered his head and lightly kissed Sua’s lips.
“Yeah, I wanted it more than anyone.”
At Hyun-oh’s brief affection, Hae-jun, who was eating omelet, lifted his head.
“Mom and Dad kissed!”
“Yeah, we did.”
“Yoo-young says if you like it, you kiss!”
Hyun-oh nodded at his words.
“Yeah, Dad really, really likes Mom. No, loves.”
“Really? I’m jealous.”
At Hae-jun’s words, Hyun-oh pulled him into a hug.
“And Dad loves our Hae-jun too.”
He kissed Hae-jun on the cheek, making him giggle. The sound of his laughter was just like Sua’s.
It was a late night like any other, with the three gathered around the dining table. They laughed heartily at trivial stories. It was no different from usual, and that’s what made it special.
It was good to be together.
