The New House
"Ji-an, could you show Seoyeon around the house?"
"No! It's Mom!"
Ha-jun called out to Ji-an from the kitchen with the request, but she shook her head firmly. At her answer, his eyes widened as he turned to look at me.
"Ah... I told her it's okay to call me Mom when it's just the two of us."
I smiled awkwardly as I spoke. The word "Mom" still felt strange slipping from my own lips, but after seeing the look in Ji-an's eyes back in the bathroom, I simply couldn't refuse her.
"Ah... Then, Ji-an, could you show Mom around the house?"
"Yeah! Of course! It's our house!"
Ji-an answered with a bright smile, grabbing my hand and tugging me toward the entrance. Once there, she spread both arms wide and began her tour.
"This is the entrance! And right next to it is the bathroom!"
She pointed at the door with her small arm, introducing everything with boundless energy. I couldn't help smiling at how adorable she looked from behind as she walked slowly inward, proudly showing me each part of the home.
"This is Dad's room! He does all kinds of stuff in here every day!"
Ji-an pointed to the room halfway down the entrance hallway. Her pattering footsteps seemed to fill the entire house with life.
"Over there is where Ji-an plays! And that's where I sleep!"
Her proud voice and sparkling eyes made me nod and smile along. Ji-an came back over, took my hand again, and led me into the playroom. The floor was covered in colorful mats, with a small slide, sketchbooks, and dolls scattered about.
"What Ji-an likes best is this!"
She proudly lifted a rather suspicious-looking fox doll with both hands.
"Pupu! I always sleep with him when I'm with Dad!"
"So Ji-an likes Pupu the most, huh?"
I smiled at the way she hugged the doll so tightly. Ji-an thought for a moment, then shook her head.
"No! I used to like Dad more than Pupu, but now I like Mom even more!"
The words made something in my chest tighten with warmth. It was exactly what I'd longed to hear from my family for so long. It felt miraculous that I could receive those words of affection, even like this.
"...Thank you."
I smiled and gently stroked Ji-an's hair. She closed her eyes as if savoring my touch, then opened them again with a radiant grin.
"Food smell!"
At her words, the savory aroma from the living room finally reached me. Ji-an grabbed my hand once more and pulled me along. I let her lead me back to the living room.
"Dad! What's for dinner today?"
Ji-an's eyes sparkled as she ran to the table. I gently lifted her onto the chair as she tried to climb up with her little feet, then glanced at the dining table. The dishes were already set out, so I quickly moved to Ha-jun's side.
"Let me do it."
I swiftly picked up the ladle and bowls. Steam rose warmly from the stew as I served it onto the table. Ha-jun stared at me, startled that the ladle had been taken from his hands so suddenly.
"It's really fine... I can just—"
"No, I truly want to help..."
I smiled briefly and set down the final bowl. When I looked up, Ji-an was resting her chin on both hands, giggling as she watched the two of us. I wondered what that smile held. Leaving the curious question behind, I took my seat.
"Today it's stir-fried pork—Ji-an's favorite."
"Eh, isn't it Dad's favorite?"
"Ahem... Well, Dad likes it and Ji-an likes it too, right?"
Ha-jun couldn't argue with her logic. After all, stir-fried pork was basically soul food for men.
"Does Mom like it too?"
"Yes, of course."
I nodded. Ji-an must have been hungry; she immediately started picking up pieces of meat and eating her rice. When I took a spoonful, the warmth reached me before the flavor. How long had it been since I'd enjoyed a proper warm meal like this?
"Does it suit your taste?"
At Ha-jun's careful question, I nodded.
"It's really delicious. Maybe because it's been so long since I've had... home-cooked food. It tastes even better because of that..."
Unlike the instant meals and half-hearted dinners I'd eaten alone, this felt incredibly warm. I prayed that my trembling voice wouldn't give me away.
"Mom, eat this too!"
Ji-an used her fork to place some stir-fried pork on my rice. Fortunately, Ha-jun didn't seem to notice the shake in my voice.
"Thank you, Ji-an."
"Hehe, really? It'll taste even better since Ji-an gave it to you!"
The child's bright laughter made the whole table feel brighter. Ha-jun watched us quietly for a moment before speaking.
"Eating with Ji-an is always fun, but today it's even more enjoyable."
I turned at his words and met his eyes. My face grew hot for no reason, so I quickly looked away. After that, I barely remembered how the rest of the food made its way down.
Before long the bowls were empty. Ji-an had already placed hers in the sink. I stood up with my own empty bowl and set it there as well.
Ji-an already looked drowsy from her full stomach. Ha-jun noticed and lifted her into his arms, gently patting her back.
"Sleepy, Ji-an? Want to go to bed first? Dad will talk with Mom for a bit and then come in."
"Mmm..."
After tucking Ji-an into the master bedroom, Ha-jun came out and quietly closed the door. With the child gone, the house suddenly felt hushed.
"Kids get sleepy after meals, I suppose."
Ha-jun smiled as he spoke, and I nodded with an awkward smile of my own. The sun had completely set by now, leaving the world outside the windows dark. As we finished clearing the table together, he spoke carefully.
"Seoyeon... do you have somewhere to stay from now on?"
"...No, I don't. So... would it be possible to stay here just for this week? I don't have my ID card yet, so I can't go to a jjimjilbang or anywhere like that..."
The dishcloth clenched tightly in my hand felt like it was cutting into my palm, but I had no choice. I knew I was asking for too much, yet I spoke urgently.
"I'll definitely leave by Monday... Please... is there any way?"
Ha-jun looked at me for a moment, then set the dishes down and let out a sigh.
"A jjimjilbang isn't a proper place to live, even for the short term. It's not suitable for you, Seoyeon. Why don't you just stay here with us?"
I shook my head quickly.
"No. I've already received too much. You even gave me a job—I can't impose on you any further."
His face hardened slightly as he looked at me, but his voice remained calm.
"If you feel that strongly about it... how about we reduce your salary a little? In exchange for staying here."
I nearly shook my head again at such excessive kindness. But would refusing and leaving on Monday really solve anything? As Ha-jun said, a jjimjilbang wasn't a long-term option, and with my transformed body, living alone as a woman would be dangerous. In the end, I bit my lip and lowered my head.
"...I'm truly sorry. I'm so sorry."
My voice came out thick with guilt and unshed tears. No one understood better than I how much of a burden freeloading could be, yet I had no other choice. The realization left me feeling utterly powerless.
"Seoyeon, you can stop apologizing now. It's not a burden at all. If anything, I'm the one who wants to ask this of you."
His voice, filled with gentle kindness, resonated softly. I couldn't lift my head to meet his eyes.
"...Sorry—I mean... thank you. Then I'll impose on you for just a little while."
I'd been about to apologize again, but the sharp look in Ha-jun's eyes forced me to change my words midway. Only meaningless wiping and silence lingered over the table.
"I'll do the dishes."
At my words breaking the quiet, Ha-jun shook his head.
"No, I can handle it. You must be tired today—"
"It's fine. You prepared the meal and even allowed me to stay here. The least I can do is this much. Please let me."
I looked directly into his eyes as he stared at me silently. When I didn't look away, he finally nodded.
"...Understood. Then I'll leave tonight's dishes to you."
I smiled faintly at his permission, nodded, and walked to the sink to turn on the warm water. The simple act of washing dishes made me feel like I was contributing something to the household, easing a bit of my guilt. Before long, Ha-jun came to stand beside me.
"You should sleep in the master bedroom tonight. I haven't had a chance to organize the storage room yet..."
I set down the bowl I was holding and looked at him.
"What? That won't do. The master bedroom is the owner's room."
"It's fine. I can sleep anywhere."
"No, no. If Ji-an wakes up in the morning and you're not beside her, she'll be very disappointed."
I spoke firmly. Ha-jun sighed and nodded at my words. I tried to focus on the dishes, but his voice continued.
"Then, are you free tomorrow?"
Of course I wasn't. Still, his considerate tone was pleasant to hear.
"No..."
"In that case, how about staying here tomorrow and going out to buy the clothes and things you'll need?"
"Hmm... alright."
After a brief moment of thought, I nodded. Ha-jun smiled faintly at my answer and headed off somewhere. By the time I'd finished the dishes and turned around, he was coming back with something in his arms.
"I'll set out the mattress and bedding here."
He spread the mattress and comforter across the living room floor. The sight left me feeling both awkward and deeply grateful.
"I could just sleep on the sofa..."
"No, no. The sofa is too narrow. It would be uncomfortable."
"Thank you so much..."
I murmured softly, avoiding his gaze. Ha-jun simply nodded without further comment, turned off the living room light, and spoke gently.
"Since we'll be going out together tomorrow, rest comfortably. You've worked hard today."
"Yes... Thank you so much today as w— Wait, together?"
I'd been about to bow when the words burst out in surprise. He'd asked earlier about buying clothes, but I'd naturally assumed I'd be going alone.
"Yes, of course we'll go together."
Ha-jun spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Unable to find a response, I stayed silent. When I didn't say anything, he lowered his head and disappeared into his room.
In the quiet living room, the soft orange glow of the indirect lighting seemed to mirror the fluttering in my chest. An inexplicable warmth and sense of comfort wrapped around me, gradually weighing down my eyelids until they finally closed.