Tae Shin is a simple boy with simple dreams, who likes to hide his half-forgotten past into the shadows of his low self-esteem. Kim JaeHwan is a sole heir to a gigantic multi-billion conglomerate, who likes to reminisce the ghosts of his happy child...
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When Shin woke up, he found JaeHwan's side of the bed cold, and his covers made. JaeHwan wasn't one to ignore him.
"Hwan went early today," Aunt Segye said.
"But why?" Shin clutched the straps of his bag tighter. His Auntie laid out breakfast for him, while Shin stood beside her, watching the enormous amounts of food with beady eyes.
"He didn't tell me." SeGye glanced up at Shin with a questioning look. "He might have some work at school, he was speaking on those lines some days ago, anyway HwaShin, sit down."
Shin took a deep breath and pulled his chair. "Thank you for the food."
SeGye sighed softly, watching Shin stuffed his cheeks to the brim first and then began to chew. She ruffled his hair and laughed, sad and choked, "You're still the same, baby."
With his stuffed cheeks, Shin couldn't reply. But he leaned in to his aunt's touch and snuggled his hair against her palm, like a stray cat. He was happy. For someone knew who he was, as a child.
"HwaShin, I don't know how you lived all these years but I am really, really thankful that you're with us again. It must have been very painful for you my Shinnie," said SeGye.
Shin stopped eating. "Not at all, Auntie. I lived a very comfortable life. My grandfather is a restaurant owner, you know. We have a very large garden and we also have lots of cats."
"Cats," SeGye chuckled, "you wanted to own a pet when you were young. Guess that got fulfilled. Your grandfather?"
"Ah..." Shin rubbed the back of his neck, "I was adopted." He gave her a shy smile and looked at the cheese toast before him. "But my grandfather and I love each other very much. More than family. I also plan to buy him a restaurant here in Seoul when I grow up."
No matter how close they were, they could never be family again. Perhaps Han SeGye was refusing to acknowledge that truth. "Right," she smiled, albeit painfully, "so... how did you come to Seoul?"
"Halabbeoji said I should finish highschool in Seoul, because I would also get a good cram school here. Actually," Shin leaned in, "I want to graduate a year early. My teachers say that I should, and my grades are also improving very well."
"And about Royal?"
"Ah that," Shin laughed, almost melting in his seat, "I got a scholarship. Although Principal Yoo said he sent it over to me. I did some pretty mad things I am not proud of, but at least I have friends now."
"You are so grown up," SeGye chuckled, "you're talking about things like these." She may have grieved him for long but in Shin's world, SeGye had little place. "Hurry up and go, or else you'd be late for school."
"I'll have a nice day," Shin kept his chopsticks down and grinned. "You have a nice day too, Auntie."
