Sun & Moon

PROLOGUE

Although it is somewhat cold, Doyoung is oblivious to the surrounding temperature. His chin is tucked into his scarf, and his mother had made him wear multiple layers of clothing under his coat.

There is a gentle breeze rustling around. It is playful in the way it glides between Doyoung's strands of hair. In the same manner, it drifts between the branches of trees. Every now and then, the occasional petal from the pink flowers on the trees delicately dances down upon the ground.

Doyoung giggles at his mother's frustration as she tries to lay down a picnic blanket. The breeze keeps lifting the corners before the blanket can be laid out straight.

"Don't just laugh," she scolds him, although she is also smiling. "Help me!"

Doyoung quickly scampers around, searching the grass for rocks. He eventually finds four small ones and lays them at the corners of the blanket as his mother stretches it out. The two are finally able to sit down.

His mother sighs, and Doyoung laughs again. "Today's a great day for a picnic, mom," Doyoung remarks slyly.

"Not a word from that tricky mouth of yours." His mother closes her eyes and slightly tilts her head back. The breeze seems to make her dark hair float around her face. She then smiles and opens one eye towards Doyoung. "Hungry?"

He enthusiastically nods in reply. "Your cooking is the best."

"I wish I could do it more often," his mother responds with an exhale. She grabs the pack of food she brought with her, revealing a bento of fried rice with vegetables and chicken on the side. "You know, this was my struggle meal in college. You could have asked for something else."

Doyoung shakes his head. "No, nothing compares to the food you cook. It's different. And I like that."

Doyoung's mother smiles again, but it is a bit sad and bitter. "Hmm... Never change, okay?" She sits up straight again. "Eat up. You can't continue to be a little runt like this if you're starting second grade soon!"

"Mom!" Doyoung whines as his mother laughs at him.

The two eat, laugh, and talk. The breeze continues to blow, and the petals continue to fall.

When they are done eating, his mother gestures Doyoung to come near. He sits in her gentle embrace, slightly embarrassed but mostly blissful. She strokes his hair and kisses the top of his head. "I hope you can always be a good person," she says slowly. "One that gets along with others. And I want you to always be kind and to try your best." She hugs her son a bit more tightly.

"Mom, are you okay?" Doyoung asks. He is mostly joking, but deep down, he thinks something is wrong.

"No matter what, I'm always by your side. Don't ever think otherwise."

"You sound like an old grandma. Or some weird greeting card," Doyoung says in an attempt to avoid the tense mood building up in his chest.

"I'm barely thirty, you little brat." She laughs but then continues to speak. "Doyoung. Always do what you think is right. No matter what, do what you think is best for yourself. I promise I'll do that too."

Doyoung pushes his forehead into his mother's shoulders, burying himself in her body. He engulfs himself in her warmth and closes his eyes.

He is not aware of the tears coming out of his mother's eyes.