TMYT Chapter 05

Posted by Shuzo, Released on January 28, 2025

Chapter 05

The man had to be careful.

Are you okay, Miss?
After a long time of crying, In-Sook cautiously approached Sora and asked. It was then that Sora realized what had happened to her.
She had lived her entire life without a mother, and now that she had become one, she ran away. She felt hopeless, thinking she didn’t have the strength to be a mother anymore.
Could she raise this child well?
She had never been taught, so how could she do it?
But then, she heard the word “mother” and her heart wavered like the ocean. It felt as though that word was the key to unlocking her life.
Who’s your mother?
Even in that situation, the word “mother” still struck her.
Well, I don’t know, but she seems troubled. Let’s go inside and talk.
Sora collapsed into In-Sook’s arms because she had no strength left. In-Sook silently embraced Sora and patted her back.
Thank you.
After a while, Sora, who had stopped crying, was guided to a chair in the corner of the convenience store. Soon, In-Sook’s son Jin chul came with a bowl of hot noodles, and In-Sook brought over a prepackaged meal.
Eat something and get your strength back. Drink the warm broth. Why do young people run out of energy like this?
Sora silently stared at the noodles and meal in front of her.
Why are you doing this for me?
Sora still looked at In-Sook with teary eyes.
Why? Because I’m worried about you.
In-Sook said with warm eyes as she continued.
Everyone has their problems. If you’re having a hard time, it’s fine to keep eating here for a while. You have to live, after all.
Sora bit her lips hard.
How did she know that she was standing at the edge of despair? Could she tell just from looking at her eyes?
I’ve been through something similar. When I was young like you, I had no one to rely on. I wanted to die at one point. But I lived because of him.
In-Sook pointed to her son, who was cleaning the store.
I lived because of him. That little kid has already grown so much. He’s in college now, but he still comes here to work to help me. He’s such a good boy.
Sora put her hand on her stomach again.
If this child didn’t die and grew up, could she do the same? Smile, say “mom,” and go about her day.
Tears started to well up again.
She had sinned, but the child hadn’t. She wasn’t a fit mother, but she couldn’t fall apart. For the sake of the child, at least she had to stay strong.
What about the father of the child?
Sora put her hand over her mouth. The fact that she had no one to rely on must also mean there was no father. Why was she asking so carelessly?
It’s okay. He’s not around. He wasn’t there from the start.
In-Sook smiled sadly.
Sora lowered her eyes and stared at the hand that In-Sook had given her.
But I’m still alive. Raising him without a father wasn’t easy. I’ve heard all sorts of things and been pointed at. But I don’t regret it.
At that moment, Jin chul came up to In-Sook.
I have an appointment, so I’m going out.
Jin chul greeted In-Sook and nodded to Sora. He was a tall young man. Raising him must have been no easy feat.
Sora received Jin chul’s greeting and fell into deep thought.
I…
Her hand once again rested on her stomach.
I’m pregnant.
In-Sook’s eyes widened, then softened.
I see. I knew there was something special about you. Oh, but this kind of ramen isn’t good for you. Let me get you something else.
As In-Sook started to get up, Sora stopped her.
No, I’ll eat this. I’m just really hungry. I’ve barely eaten for days.
I’ll live. And I’ll raise my child, somehow.
I don’t have confidence I can be a good mother, but at least I’ll be there for my child. Like you.
Seeing the sparkle in Sora’s eyes, In-Sook smiled back at her.
That’s right. You need to eat well.
That day, Sora sent the diamond necklace, which she had kept hidden, back to its rightful owner, Seung-jun. It marked the beginning of her second chance in life.

Yumin didn’t explain why he hit Shin-young.

Oh, I guess they were just arguing like kids do. I wasn’t there, so I don’t know, but it doesn’t seem like anything serious. Don’t worry about it.
Yunseong’s mom also didn’t want to talk about it.
I’ll have to check with Yumin later. Sorry, Nuna.
Jin chul also said he didn’t know much.
After thinking it over, Sora decided to visit Shin-young’s mom. Since Yumin did hit Shin-young, she wanted to apologize and hear what had happened.
She was also curious why Yumin was hiding the reason so much, and Seung-jun seemed to know something about it, so she wanted to ask him too.
After finishing an important task yesterday, she was able to go to the visit later today. She asked for permission from her office and went straight to Shin-young’s mom’s house after Yumin had left for kindergarten.
‘This is the place.’
Shin-young’s mom’s house was in a high-end apartment near Sora’s neighborhood. She had heard that Shin-young’s father did some business, and it seemed they were quite well off.
Sora tried to control the feeling of being intimidated, as she stood in front of the building’s entrance and rang the doorbell.
[Who is it?]
“I’m Yumin’s mom.”
[Oh, I’ve been expecting you. Come on in.]
Shin-young’s mom must have contacted her beforehand, as she immediately opened the door.
“I mentioned it over the phone, but I still wanted to apologize in person.”
Shin-young’s mom raised an eyebrow when she saw the fruit basket Sora offered. She seemed to be judging its value. Sora tightened her eyes and lips to hide her shaking hands.
Sora wasn’t close to Shin-young’s mom. She had only spoken to her a few times through Yoon-seong’s mom, who was more social.
“Put it over there. Ajumma, get us some tea. No, just bring coffee.”
Shin-young’s mom gestured to the maid, who quickly brought out a coffee cup from the shelf.
At first glance, Sora could tell that the first cup was from a fancy set, while the second was a basic, ordinary cup.
“Does Yumin talk about it? That he hit our Shin-young.”
Sora nodded at Shin-young’s mom’s words.
“Yes, that’s why I wanted to ask you about what happened.”
“Why? Is he not telling you? Or maybe you should ask that man. He seemed to know Yumin well.”
Sora’s eyes widened.
“A man?”
“There was a man who acted like Yumin’s guardian. It happened right when Shin-young finished her private lessons. He left just then. Do you not know him?”
It seemed Shin-young’s mom was talking about Seung-jun, so Sora realized her hunch was right. She smiled awkwardly.
“I’m not sure who you mean.”
“You don’t? Yumin knew him very well. Are you telling me you don’t know him? Don’t lie, I can tell.”
Sora felt she would get no real answers if she kept going, so she quickly changed the topic.
“If I knew him, as you say, I would have asked him about it. But I don’t know him, so that’s why I’m here asking you. What exactly happened?”
Shin-young’s mom eyed Sora suspiciously, but then took a sip of her tea and finally began to speak.
“Maybe you should train Yumin better. If kids go around hitting others, they won’t fit in at school.”
Sora was caught off guard.
“What do you mean by that?”
Shin-young’s mom put a hand over her mouth, and Sora could no longer contain her rising anger.
“What do you mean by that?”
Sora’s sharp gaze made Shin-young’s mom slowly lower her hand.
“You know what I mean. I’m not saying it, but the other moms in the neighborhood are saying it. They don’t like kids from your area mixing with their own. They don’t want them to interact.”
Shin-young’s area was an upscale apartment, while Sora lived in a neighborhood with smaller houses and villas. The difference in property prices was huge, and Sora felt intimidated just looking at the apartments.
“Of course, I know this isn’t going to make you feel good, but I’m saying this for Yumin’s sake. Some mothers may make it hard for her to live in that area, and she might have to move.”
Shin-young’s mom looked down at Sora, crossing her legs.
Sora was beyond trying to keep her composure.
She clenched her bag and stood up.
“Yumin hitting Shin-young, I’ll apologize for that. But please don’t mention where we live. We haven’t done anything to be ashamed of.”
Sora’s lower lip trembled, and she bit it hard to keep her composure.
“You think I said something shameful? I’m just telling you, the other mothers say that. Be careful, okay?”
Shin-young’s mom smiled at her.
“And men, be careful with them. I was fooled, you know. So, you and that man have no relationship, right?”
Sora lost the will to keep talking.
She had never planned to come here in the first place. If she knew she would be treated like this, she never would have.
“I think I’ve made a mistake coming here. I should go now.”
As she left and closed the door, her legs gave out.
Should she continue sending Yumin to that kindergarten? If the mothers felt that way, the kids would too. Should she move Yumin to a different school?
She didn’t need to hear more to understand. She could imagine how Yumin must have been treated by the kids, raised by mothers like that.
With a throbbing head, she arrived at work and saw the documents she had left on her desk. These were the papers she had been asked to send to JK Foods.
After she refused to do it, someone else finished it. But why?
Just then, her phone rang.
“Yiseon is sick, so she told me to take the day off. Go handle some business. We need this by today.”
Sora was called to the president’s office by Manager Moon, who was adjusting his pants.