EPISODE 3: "Familiar Face"
1070 Words
Sung-Hung reached the café, but before stepping inside, she noticed a familiar face. A soft smile appeared on her lips.
She walked in quietly and bowed politely.
“Hello, Uncle Taekyung. How have you been?”
She sat beside him.
Taekyung turned toward her, a warm smile spreading across his face. He was Joon Ho’s elder brother. Seeing Sung-Hung after so long, his eyes lit up with joy.
“I’m fine, dear. How are you?”
Sung-Hung nodded, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes.
“I… I’m good.”
Her uncle’s hand rested briefly on her head, a gentle gesture.
“It’s been so long, my dear. I haven’t met you in ages.”
Sung-Hung looked at him seriously, disappointment shadowing her gaze.
“That’s why I’m angry. You could have at least contacted us.”
She turned slightly, voice softer.
“You forgot us… like we don’t even exist, Uncle Taekyung.”
He sighed, brushing his fingers lightly through her hair.
“I’m sorry, dear. I was busy. But I have something for you.”
He handed her a small box. Sung-Hung hesitated, fingers brushing the edges.
“Ah… I wish I could, but… I don’t think I can,” she murmured.
Taekyung’s gaze was steady.
“Please accept it. Actually… it belongs to you.”
For a few moments, she simply stared, caught between surprise and nostalgia.
Then, a small smile appeared, and she reached for the box.
Inside lay a pen — her father Joon Ho’s pen. Memories bloomed: the quiet laughter, the warmth, the comfort of her father’s presence.
---
She had just started school. Being introverted, she hadn’t made any friends yet, and the other kids often made fun of her.
That evening, her father Joon Ho came home.
She had been watching TV quietly and ran into his arms at the sight of him.
“Hey, my dear Sung-Hung… how was your day, my princess?”
She whispered nervously, avoiding his eyes.
“Don’t tell Mom… she’ll be unhappy.”
He tilted his head.
“Why?”
She pouted.
“Because… I don’t want to go to school. Everyone makes fun of me. I don’t have any friends.”
He nodded, serious but calm.
“If you don’t talk to anyone, no one will become your friend. But… wait, I think you’ll find friends soon.”
He pulled out her favorite pen from his bag.
“This is your favorite pen… it’s lucky. It makes things easier, like magic.”
Her eyes lit up.
“Yes… but, Daddy… are you really giving this to me?”
“I wouldn’t share this lucky pen with anyone else.”
She offered it back shyly. He smiled warmly.
“Promise to go to school, and I’ll give it to you whenever you need it.”
She hugged him tightly.
“Yeah, Daddy! I want to be a reporter, like you!"
He chuckled, holding her close.
“Then this pen will help. But you have to study hard.”
She nodded.
Her mother Haejin appeared, smiling, gently taking her in her arms.
“What happened? You were quiet after school… and now smiling?”
They exchanged a secret glance, a silent gesture to keep the moment private.
As Sung-Hung ran, nostalgia filled her chest, tears threatening to spill. She thought of the three of them — her father, her mother, and herself. After her father was gone, everything had changed, even her mother.
Her uncle’s hand rested lightly over her head again, comforting, almost like her father’s touch.
“You miss him… how unfortunate God has been to you, my dear.”
Sung-Hung gave a weak smile and a slight bow.
“I think there must be a reason this happened… and thank you so much for this gift, Uncle Taekyung.”
He returned a warm smile.
She smiled, then spoke softly.
“Uncle… it’s been so long. I would like to invite you for dinner. Mom would be happy to see you too.”
He hesitated.
“Actually… I would like to, but I’m a little busy.”
“Just for once, please,” she insisted softly.
He looked at her seriously. Sung-Hung felt a flutter of unease, her throat tightening. She shifted slightly, fingers fidgeting nervously.
Then, unexpectedly, a soft, reassuring smile curved on his lips.
“Okay… I will.”
Her face lit up instantly.
“Oh… really? Thank you so much!”
---
At 4:00 PM, they returned home. Haejin rose politely.
“It’s been a long time,” she said, her tone calm but slightly distant.
Taekyung smiled warmly. They exchanged small talk, brewed tea, and shared quiet moments.
Later, Sung-Hung and Haejin cooked together. The kitchen smelled of warmth, yet an invisible wall lingered.
Conversations were careful; laughter was muted. Every mention of Joon Ho softened Haejin’s tone, weighed heavily on Sung-Hung’s chest.
At the door, Sung-Hung bowed politely.
“Drive safely, Uncle.”
He smiled warmly, eyes glimmering — then, just for a fraction of a second, a hint of unease flickered. She noticed, but couldn’t tell if she was overthinking.
That night, lying in bed, she stared at the ceiling, thoughts heavy.
Was I overthinking? His smile… felt different, didn’t it?
She shook off the thought and finally drifted to sleep.
Rain pelted down in heavy sheets, soaking Sung-Hung to the skin. Her hair clung to her face, tears mixing with the cold rain, as she saw her father struggling to open the car door. His hands shook uncontrollably, each movement desperate.
“Sung-Hung… my princess…” His voice quavered, almost breaking under the weight of fear. “I love you… take care of yourself… and run… please… run.”
She wanted to reach for him, to hold him, to beg him not to leave — but her body felt heavy, useless, trapped in a tide of helplessness. The rain hammered harder, drumming against her ears like a warning.
She stumbled from the car, sobs choking her, but before she could even ask for help, a sudden, deafening crash ripped through the storm. Darkness swallowed everything.
She woke with a shiver, drenched in sweat despite the chill of her room. Her heart raced, and the memory of his trembling voice haunted her, leaving a hollow ache in her chest. The line between nightmare and reality blurred, and she felt utterly alone, powerless… terrified.
---
😍 End of Episode 3
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