PIA 146

Hae-yi’s 100th day celebration was held grandly at a restaurant near the couple’s home. While guests were unaware, for family members it also had the meaning of celebrating Ji-an’s recovery.

Family attendees included Myeong Hyun-sook, Jeong Hee-young and her husband, and Ye-seo from Jeong Hee-seo’s side, while Ji-an’s mother Yoon Ok-hee was all from his side. Jeong Hee-seo’s parents abroad had contacted saying they would come for the wedding, and Jeong Han-joo wasn’t invited. The situation was similar for Ji-an’s family. Except for his mother, they didn’t even inform anyone else.

“Now, presenting our protagonist Hae-yi.”

“Wow!”

As Ji-an descended the stairs holding Hae-yi dressed in hanbok at the host’s signal, a big round of applause erupted. Hae-yi, now starting to gain some core strength, straightened up and opened his big black eyes wide. He looked around frantically while chewing on his mouth.

The 100th day table was beautifully decorated with white baekseolgi rice cakes, a commemorative cake, fruits, and colorful traditional sweets. The photo zone covering an entire wall decorated with fresh flowers was Jeong Hee-young’s work. A flurry of photo-taking ensued against the backdrop of a banner with Hae-yi’s full name and the Chinese character for ‘100 days’.

“Hae-yi! Look this way!”

“Ah! That’s right, good job! So pretty!”

They took individual photos of Hae-yi seated in a round, sunken chair. Ji-an did the photography, while Jeong Hee-seo was in charge of capturing Hae-yi’s attention. After taking photos of the three families and group photos with everyone, Ji-an had a satisfied expression.

The camera and equipment prepared for this day were good, but Ji-an’s sense, despite little practice, was quite impressive too. They had considered hiring a professional photographer for this important day’s record, but after seeing the practice photos Ji-an took of Hae-yi, all family members agreed to let Ji-an do it, giving him courage.

Looking through the saved photos, Ji-an thought it was ultimately the right decision. Though maybe slightly lacking, the added meaning to the memories made them look even more beautiful.

Family members sat at a long table by the window. A tall high chair was placed at the head of the table for Hae-yi. Myeong Hyun-sook and Yoon Ok-hee sat on either side, taking care of Hae-yi. Jeong Hee-young and her husband sat next to Myeong Hyun-sook, while Ji-an and Jeong Hee-seo sat in order next to Yoon Ok-hee.

Ji-an was busy conversing with his mother, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time, and occasionally taking photos. Jeong Hee-seo fed him. The meal proceeded in a peaceful and joyful atmosphere, and since Hae-yi didn’t cry at all while holding his bottle, Ji-an was in such a good mood he felt like he was floating.

“Is Hae-yi sleeping well at night now?”

Yoon Ok-hee asked, not taking his eyes off Hae-yi.

“No, it’s still the same. The housekeeper is having a hard time with her day and night reversed too.”

“Hae-yi must take after Hee-seo,” Jeong Hee-young chimed in from across the table, smiling.

“Hee-seo was like that as a baby. He wouldn’t sleep all night, so the housekeepers took turns pushing him in a stroller.”

“How do you know that, noona? You must have been at a troublemaking age yourself back then.” 

Jeong Hee-seo laughed in disbelief as he retorted.

“You know the person who quit recently? They told me about when you were a baby. Said you were really difficult to handle.”

“That’s an exaggerated and edited memory.”

“That’s not all. You were so sensitive when you were little. I remember that too.”

“Look who’s talking.”

As the siblings bickered about unverified past events, Ji-an stepped in to mediate. Honestly, Ji-an found it hard to believe that Jeong Hee-seo was like that as a child. If anything, it sounded more like himself.

“I heard I was the sensitive one. My mom told me that grandma always complained because I would cry for no reason every night.”

“What? Really?”

Jeong Hee-young burst out laughing at this self-disclosure. The atmosphere was warm and pleasant, but suddenly feeling a stinging gaze on his cheek, Ji-an turned to see Yoon Ok-hee looking at him with a strange expression. Ji-an instantly realized his mistake and felt a pang of regret.

“…No, Ji-an, you were too docile when you were little. Mom would even wake up with a start to check if you were still breathing.”

“Uh, well…”

Flustered, Ji-an was at a loss for words. This had been happening occasionally lately. Spending 24 hours with Jeong Hee-seo, who knew all the secrets, had made him let his guard down. Moreover, ‘Seo Ji-an’s’ social circle in this world was small, so there hadn’t been many occasions where he needed to be careful with his words to hide his changed past.

Cold sweat ran down Ji-an’s back as he made this unexpected mistake. It should have been something he could laugh off, but today his mind wasn’t working properly. Besides, when it came to her child, Yoon Ok-hee was quite perceptive. Even now, her slightly hardened expression seemed ominous.

“Ji-an is busy taking my side. My older sister tends to be overbearing.”

Jeong Hee-seo, who had gotten up at some point, wrapped an arm around Yoon Ok-hee’s shoulders with a smile. Still not used to Jeong Hee-seo’s affectionate closeness, Yoon Ok-hee opened her eyes wide in surprise. He continued speaking while looking over Yoon Ok-hee’s table.

“By the way, Mother, don’t you like this wine? I opened one from my collection, but if it’s not to your taste, shall I have them bring something else? Come to think of it, I forgot that you prefer something a bit sweeter. If you’d like, I’ll bring out a sweet white wine.”

“Mmm… yes, that’s fine. Thank you.”

A staff member approached at his gesture. He skillfully placed the order and sat back down, and Yoon Ok-hee smiled as she patted her cheek with the back of her hand.

Despite the brief moment of tension, she seemed to be in a good mood now. Soon, the newly ordered wine arrived, and her attention was drawn to it, completely forgetting the previous awkward atmosphere.

Additionally, Hae-yi began to act cute right on cue. There was laughter all around as he skillfully put down his empty milk bottle. At his age, even just standing a bottle upright could earn applause.

Jeong Hee-seo maintained a nonchalant expression as he responded with his eyes to those coming to greet him and continued the atmosphere by making toasts. As he was making small talk, he felt Ji-an’s gaze fixed on him and turned his head. He smiled slightly, then leaned in to wrap an arm around Ji-an’s shoulders and whispered in his ear.

“Don’t worry. She won’t think what you’re concerned about.”

“…Are you sure?”

“Yes, just. She’s probably worried that her precious baby is having a hard time raising a baby and getting confused with memories.”

When Ji-an narrowed his eyes at the playful remark, he flashed a bright smile. It was such an intense smile that Jeong Hee-young across from them nearly spit out her drink in surprise. Ji-an couldn’t help but smile too. The fingers that gripped his shoulder, applying just the right amount of pressure before tapping gently, couldn’t have been more reassuring.

It was as he said. There was no reason for Mom to doubt his existence. How could she even imagine a son from another dimension?

Even if he had changed, Ji-an was still Ji-an. It would be impossible to distinguish them precisely. But the unverifiable sense that something had changed would follow Yoon Ok-hee for the rest of her life.

What gnawed at Ji-an’s heart was guilt more than anxiety. Even in the short time he had spent raising Hae-yi, he understood.

The guilt of pushing out Yoon Ok-hee’s child from her nest that had nurtured “Seo Ji-an” throughout his childhood and becoming her new child. Though there were various circumstances, the fact was that he had taken her son’s place without consent.

Ji-an gazed intently at the side profile of Yoon Ok-hee, who was smiling as she looked at Hae-yi. His mother from the other world had no lingering attachment to him, and ‘Seo Ji-an’ also had no attachment to the mother in this world. If that was the case, wouldn’t it be alright for him and Yoon Ok-hee, who were both lacking, to meet and live well together from now on?

Ji-an decided to put aside his nagging guilt and focus on doing well from now on.

* * *

After the lively party ended, everyone received generous thank-you gifts and headed home. The family of three also got into their car. Tired Hae-yi fell asleep as soon as the car wheels started rolling. On the way home, Ji-an leaned deeply into the backrest and let out a long sigh.

Despite the enjoyment, it had been physically draining. Jeong Hee-seo, who was driving, held Ji-an’s hand with his free hand to comfort him.

“Mom will probably live with an unsolvable question for the rest of her life. Inevitably.”

“I suppose so. A parent’s intuition is quite remarkable.”

“I wish we could at least tell her that ‘Seo Ji-an’ is living happily and well.”

Having escaped the cycle of repeated tragedies and found true happiness, perhaps after living out his life in that other world, he would also be freed from the curse of regression. Thinking about it that way made him feel not just lighter, but even proud. He wished oon Ok-hee could feel this too, though he knew it was an impossible wish.

“…But, hyung, are you really not bothered at all by my nonsensical stories? Most people would think I’m crazy.”

“How could I not believe you when I’ve experienced it all myself?”

Jeong Hee-seo said he could vaguely see the outlines of numerous tragedies in Ji-an. He once thought he was having hallucinations due to extreme stress when Ji-an was in a vegetative state, but after Ji-an woke up and told him everything, he realized it wasn’t a hallucination.

“It’s not just about believing or not believing, you don’t seem to have any resistance to the idea of a drama-like world either.”

During their conversation, there were times when Ji-an felt that the very words diminished the value of his existence, causing him to hesitate. Jeong Hee-seo gripped Ji-an’s hand tightly and looked at him.

“If you think about it that way, you gave up your original world and came to me.”

“…Because you’re here in this world.”

“How different is this world, really? Sometimes I’ve thought about it too. Whether there might be some absolute being beyond the universe above this perfectly structured Earth’s sky.”

Ji-an’s reflection filled Jeong Hee-seo’s eyes completely.

“But what meaning does that have? Living, what I can feel right now is what matters. Just like your hand that I’m holding.”