Han Na-Eun’s face brightened as she spoke about the children’s indoor play area, her smile radiant, as if the mere thought of it brought her genuine joy. Choi Kyung-Hye watched her with a hawk’s gaze. When her expression hardened slightly, the Director, standing beside them, stepped in.
“Ms. Han, let’s discuss that later with me…”
“No, that’s fine. I’ll make it happen.”
Choi Kyung-Hye asked again, “Will you be satisfied with that level of adjustment?”
“Yes. It’s more than enough. The children will be much happier if it’s done that way. Minho will like it, too. It only requires a bit of construction.”
“Then I will give orders for the construction to begin immediately, starting tomorrow.”
Choi Kyung-Hye extended a business card. “If you happen to need any other assistance, contact me.”
“Thank you. But I think I can handle most things with the Director.”
“Even for personal matters, it’s fine. Contact me.”
As Choi Kyung-Hye placed the business card in Han Na-Eun’s hand and walked out, the Director grabbed Han Na-Eun’s hand. “Ms. Han, you’ve really hit the jackpot. Do you know what kind of business card this is? It’s a card even I haven’t received yet. I’ve heard that if you take this card to Myeongseong, you can get almost anything for free.”
“Pardon?”
“No, regardless of that, she even told you to contact her for personal matters.”
“I don’t have any personal matters to discuss. Besides, Minho is my student.”
“Ms. Han, you’re just so stubborn. Either way, you’ll be taking a lot of interest in our kindergarten now.”
The Director couldn’t hide his excitement. “Ms. Han, would you like to join me for dinner tonight?”
“No. I don’t think I can make it tonight.”
“Then let’s have a meal together sometime soon.”
The Director, who had been unable to even catch the eye of the Board Chair, began urging Han Na-Eun to eat with him, desperate to get close to her now that she had received a card directly from her. But to Han Na-Eun, the Director’s behavior felt bizarre. He was a man who, until now, hadn’t taken an interest in her, preferring teachers based solely on status and connections.
“Yes. I understand.”
Once Han Na-Eun finished her greetings and stepped outside, she saw Han Jiho and Minho sitting side by side, stacking blocks. Han Jiho’s blocks were a jumble of different colors, piled up in a long, unstable tower. Some poked out jaggedly, and because the base was narrow, the structure looked precariously close to collapsing at any moment. Han Jiho poked at them with his fingers, wearing a dissatisfied expression.
In contrast, Minho’s blocks were stacked neatly and securely. He had started from the bottom with a solid, square base, layering them one by one until it resembled a small, completed fortress.
“Wow. Minho, that’s amazing. Mine is like this…”
Han Jiho looked envious. Minho, watching the blocks that looked ready to crumble, glanced at them briefly before reaching out.
Using his small, fern-like fingers, Minho began to adjust the blocks, building a structure in the same shape as his own. The way he gripped the blocks firmly showed a sense of caution, as if he knew exactly where each piece needed to go.
The fortress Minho built was sturdy and perfectly balanced, fitting right into Han Jiho’s hands. Han Jiho touched it carefully and beamed. The pride of fitting the pieces together was reflected in the tips of the two children’s small fingers.
“Thank you, Minho.”
“It’s okay.”
In Han Na-Eun’s eyes, while Minho certainly didn’t speak to other friends, he talked to Han Jiho as if it were the most natural thing in the world. She approached the children.
“My dear Minho and Han Jiho, time to wash your hands and have your meal, right?”
“Yes!”
Their responses were identical. Why did he have selective mutism? He could speak so well.
* * *
Two days later, a call came through. The name displayed on the screen was Minho’s uncle, Choi Kang-Woo. Han Na-Eun stared at the ringing phone for a moment, swallowed hard, and answered.
-Hello? This is Minho’s uncle, Choi Kang-Woo.
His low, firm voice came through the phone. Han Na-Eun felt a sudden tension in her chest.
“Yes, hello?”
It was a normal greeting, but her own voice sounded awkward. Conversely, his tone was steady and heavy, devoid of agitation, which made Han Na-Eun bite her lip.
-Could we speak for a moment after the kindergarten finishes?
Han Na-Eun sighed and nodded. “Yes, it’s about Minho, isn’t it?”
She spoke calmly, as if she had expected it.
-That is correct.
Choi Kang-Woo’s short reply followed, and silence stretched between them. Yet, even in that void, she could feel he had more to say.
“I understand. Would you like to come to the kindergarten?”
Choi Kang-Woo remained silent for a moment before speaking in a low voice.
-I would prefer to talk somewhere other than the kindergarten.
“Pardon?”
Han Na-Eun was momentarily startled into silence. Her mind raced—where else were they supposed to have a conversation? She pondered whether it was appropriate to meet a guardian outside.
-It’s not something to discuss outside; I apologize, but may I invite you to my office? Or I could go to a café near there.
There was an awkward but sincere tone in his words.
Han Na-Eun thought for a moment before speaking plainly. “The office is a bit… Could you come to a café near our kindergarten instead?”
-That is fine. Just let me know the location and I will be there.
“I have to take my Han Jiho with me; is that alright?”
-Yes. Bringing Han Jiho is fine.
“Yes, I understand.”
Han Na-Eun ended the call. Even as she put the phone down, a lingering sense of awkwardness remained, stirring her heart in a peculiar way.
* * *
After work, Han Na-Eun went to a nearby café with Han Jiho—a place known for the apple pie he loved. As they walked in, Han Jiho bounced with excitement.
“Mom, apple pie! Apple pie!”
“Alright, Han Jiho. I’ll buy you an apple pie. Let’s eat.”
As she stepped inside, a strikingly handsome man who seemed entirely out of place in the small shop was already seated. Naturally, it was Choi Kang-Woo. He was still dressed in a perfect suit, though he seemed a bit more at home here than he had at the daycare.
Han Na-Eun approached his table, greeted him, and said, “Hello. I’ll go place an order first.”
“No, I will handle it.”
As Choi Kang-Woo stood up, the massive height difference struck her anew. Han Na-Eun instinctively took a step back. “No, that’s alright. I need to buy an apple pie for my Han Jiho, too. I’ll place the order.”
Choi Kang-Woo didn’t seem like he would back down at all.
“Yes. That is why I will do it. Han Jiho, shall we go pick out an apple pie with me?”
“Yes! I’d love to!”
Han Jiho seemed to treat the stranger without any hesitation. Was it because his mother was nearby? As the child followed him, Choi Kang-Woo looked back once more.
A small child who barely reached his thigh. He couldn’t understand how this woman possessed the stamina to live and conduct classes every single day with children like these. He felt, quite suddenly, that this small woman was quite remarkable.
Han Jiho ate his slice of apple pie and soda with relish. Watching Han Na-Eun care for the boy, Choi Kang-Woo said, “Please look at this.”
Han Na-Eun scanned the document he presented, then opened her eyes wide and muttered, “A live-in tutor?”
She was momentarily struck dumb, as if she couldn’t catch her breath. With a face unable to mask her surprise, she asked again.
“Yes. You can move in with your child.”
Choi Kang-Woo continued with a composed expression. There was not a hint of wavering on his face, but Han Na-Eun’s eyes were filled with doubt. She stared blankly at him before shifting her gaze to the document on the table.
As soon as Han Na-Eun confirmed the amount, her eyes widened even further.
“What is this… 10 million won a month?”
The disbelief in her voice was unmistakable. Momentarily rendered speechless, she clamped her lips shut before Choi Kang-Woo nodded lightly.
“Yes. If you ask for more, I can pay more.”
Watching the stunned woman, Choi Kang-Woo calmly added, “Please move into my home and become Minho’s tutor. Live with us and help our Minho learn to communicate with others.”