HIDE AND SEEK

A game of hide and seek is only fun if we find each other.

And one day we couldn't find him.

There was no point in continuing to play.

“Seo is good at math. Seo is also good at making cookies.

So...come on out. This game has been too long.”

“Yonghwa, get ready, son. We have to go now.”

“Yes, Mom…” The boy replied softly before looking back at the monkey doll in his hand and staring at it as if thinking about something.

“Mom…” The little boy walked down from the second floor hugging a doll and called out to his mother who was busy packing a few things into boxes. The woman looked at her son intently, listening to what he wanted to say. The child let out a soft sigh and looked at his mother with sad eyes.

“Can I go see Seohyun first? Promise me that if Mom calls, I will go right away,” he begged in a voice that sounded as sad as his expression. The young woman raised her hand and gently rubbed his son's head to comfort him while nodding in agreement.

She also understands how easily children bond with their friends.

“Brother Yong!!!” A sweet, clear voice rang out. A little girl in a light pink skirt ran out the door as soon as she saw the older brother next door coming towards her.

“Let's go play outside.”

“Um! I'll go in and tell Mom first. Brother Yong, don't go anywhere yet. Wait here,” the little girl said excitedly before rushing into the house to do as told.

“Don't run like that. You'll fall down soon,” the older man shouted, but the other person didn't seem to care at all. The young man walked in and sat down on a bench in the small garden of the house. And soon the little girl appeared again.

“Let's go. Mother has given permission." They smiled at each other like children who were happy to be able to go out and play. Little Seohyun, 6 years old, ran into the arms of her 10 year old neighbor, holding tight like always.

But this time, Young Yonghwa's feelings were not like before...

“What should we play today? I don't want to chase and catch. Every time I play, I lose. Plus I'm tired,” the chubby-cheeked girl continued to complain as she walked towards the village playground. Young Yonghwa, who listens to the younger sister next door's complaints and makes faces, only smiles and responds from time to time.

“Today let's play hide and seek.”

“Take it! Playing hide and seek like this, Seo will definitely win.”

"Really? Every time I play, I always find you."

“Haha, this time if Brother Yong loses again, I have to stop eating three cookies.”

“Oh, three pieces?”

“Um, I divided seven pieces for Brother Yong. If Brother Yong loses, There must be five of Yong's cookies left."

“Hmm, that's wrong. There were seven, but three were missing. How many must be left? Think carefully.” The elder pulled his arm out of his grip so that little sister could raise her hand and give a good count first.

“Ah, that's right, there must be four pieces left.”

“We really are here. When will I be good at calculating? No matter how much I teach you, I don't remember.”

“Oh, Brother Yong, don't be scolding me, Seo was just wrong.”

“Okay, this time I can accept it. But next time we meet, don't miscalculate again.”

“Alright, I'll go back to Seo and have Mom come up with more questions, so wait and see,” the chubby-cheeked girl said confidently, crossing her arms to show her determination. Yonghwa looked and automatically smiled again.

"Alright, I'll be fine first, then I'll go hide."

“Um!”

“I'm going to count from one to fifty, start! one..."

“Oh, Brother Yong, don't do it yet, Seo isn't ready yet.”

“Okay, it hasn't started yet. When you're ready, tell me." He turned and laughed at his younger sister's irritated expression. Seohyun looked left and right to find a good place to hide first. And when his eyes stumbled upon a place, a girl who thought she could escape her brother's gaze immediately smiled.

"okay! Seo is ready!”

“Then let's start, one...” He started counting as he turned towards the tree, covering his eyes with his own arms. The little girl smiled from excitement and quickly ran to hide behind some bushes near the playground.

“Forty-nine...fifty... I'll find you now,” he said as a formality before looking around to start looking for the little sister next door.

“Where is Seohyun?” he kept calling out. And finally, I caught a glimpse of the pink hem of my skirt peeking out behind the bushes. The young man smiled widely and slowly crept closer to his target.

“Where are you? I can't find you.” Little Seohyun laughed with joy when she heard her older brother keep calling her.

“Ha! We got it!” But suddenly, Yonghwa was tapped on the shoulder and Yonghwa laughed. Little Seohyun pouted in regret at being caught before she could even count to a hundred in her mind.

“Huh, Brother Yong, how did you find Seo?”

"I don't tell you."

“Brother Yong is definitely secretly watching!”

“No, I saw Seo's skirt sticking out.”

“Ugh, I shouldn't have worn this outfit.”

“Oh, it's okay. I'll see you soon. Anyway, Seo has already found you.” Raising his hand, he gently rubbed his younger sister's head while giving words of encouragement to the person whose face was becoming frowned upon.

“True! This time, Seo had already found Brother Yong. So I'm going to go count now.” The little girl ran back to the big tree in the middle of the playground to close her eyes and count. Only Yonghwa was left looking left and right looking for a place to hide. before running straight into the back of a sedan parked nearby. It was no different from the other times he would hide here when playing this game.

“Eighteen...nineteen...”

“Yonghwa, we have to go,” as the youngster barely counted. His mother's voice suddenly sounded from behind him, causing the young man to flinch in utter shock. But when he thought about what he had promised his mother earlier, Yonghwa had to stand up and turn to look at the little girl in pink who was counting numbers intently.

“Thirty-one...thirty-two...” The young man looked away from his sister next door and sadly followed his mother. Don't want to walk away But for a 10 year old like him, this was probably the best he could do.

If we tell each other honestly that we have to go. Little girl Seohyun would definitely sing along without stopping.

“Forty-nine...fifty! Seo has started looking, Brother Yong!” He shouted to let the hidden people know. The little boy ran towards the back of the bush first because he thought that his older brother might be hiding the same way he was hiding. But I was disappointed that I was wrong. Round eyes looked the other way and found a slide and he didn't hesitate to run toward it. But he had to suppress a smile when he encountered emptiness again.

The youngster thought for a moment and looked elsewhere. And the last place Yonghwa liked to hide was behind the sedan that was parked nearby. The youngster ran confidently while smiling brightly and excited to win again.

“Brother Yong! I caught you…” But when she showed up and saw nothing but emptiness, the little girl frowned again. This time, the little boy walked dejectedly back to the big tree in the middle of the playground, thinking about other places. But the more I thought about it, the more irritated I became when I couldn't find my brother next door.

“Brother Yong, Seo is tired. Why is it so hard to find this time?” I shouted but received only silence as an answer. That made the little girl start to frown even more.

“Hyung Yong~ Seo, you can just take Yong Yong's three cookies. Seo has given up. Come out."

“Brother Yong Seo doesn't want to play anymore. I don't find it fun at all.”

“Seo wants to go home now. Where are you? Please come out.” I shouted over and over again and still received only silence. Little Seohyun sighed before walking over to a bench to sit and wait for her older brother to come out to her.

“Brother Yong, Seo is thirsty…”

“Brother Yong, Seo wants to go home and eat some cookies.”

“Seo gave Brother Yong seven cookies as usual. Soi gave me three more pieces of Seo's stuff. How can Brother Yong have nine pieces...”

“……” When the elder brother still hadn't appeared. Little Seohyun raised her hand and counted her fingers carefully again to make sure she had miscalculated again.

“Ugh, Seo miscalculated again. Brother Yong has ten cookies. Seo answered correctly. Please come out.”

“Brother Yong...” The shouts of the young people began to weaken as the more he spoke, there was no response from the older brother next door.

“Seo promises that today Seo will do thirty more questions. Hee hee, Seo won't miscalculate again. Huh..." What started as a weak call turned into a cry of fuss. But even then, his favorite brother still hadn't appeared. The little girl sat there crying while apologizing and promising to study harder. But what I received was only loneliness.

“Brother Yong, Seo is going home now. Haha. Seo is angry at Brother Yong. Heck, Seo is going to eat all of Brother Yong's cookies!”

“Heck, Seo can go home and do math practice. If Seo does everything right, Brother Yong must come back and play with Seo as usual.”

“Seohyun, child!” As soon as the little girl opened the door and entered the house, Mother's voice suddenly sounded as the two quickly ran into each other's embrace. The mother who saw her child crying raised her hand to pat her back and gently rub her head to comfort him.

"Yong Yong is angry with Seo, Mom. Huh. Yong Yong is angry because Seo always calculates incorrectly. Huh," he told his mother through tears and sobbing. The mother was speechless because she knew in her heart what the truth was.

“Heck, today Mom made thirty exercises for Seo. Seo will be good at calculating. Brother Yong will get rid of his anger at Seo and come back to play with Seo again, Mom.” Wiping away his own tears, he turned to his mother in a determined tone. The young woman nodded softly to her child's mouth before raising her hand to wipe the child's tears out of pity.

“Mommy has finished making cookies. I'll go wait for Mom in the garden first.” He stroked his daughter's hair before walking to the kitchen to pick up the snacks he had prepared for her. Little Seohyun easily followed her mother's orders. Don't hesitate to walk outside.

The little stuffed monkey on the bench is especially interesting for little ones. Seohyun picked it up, wondering who it belonged to. A photo of a little girl and her neighbor's older brother was attached to the doll's belly. And when she saw this, little Seohyun didn't hesitate to hug her and hold her dearly.

Even though he was only a six year old child. But she could feel that it was a very precious item.

"Are you full?" when coming out to check the exercises for your child. The mother asked in surprise because there were still a lot of cookies left on the plate. Even though little Seohyun normally likes to eat it, no matter how much she makes it, it's all gone every time.

"This is Yonghwa's..." Hearing that, he had to secretly sigh in pity. In my heart I wanted to tell him that he probably wouldn't come back to eat the cookies on this plate again. But seeing her child now, she definitely wasn't ready to hear that her favorite brother wouldn't be reunited anytime soon.

“Mom remembers that she made twelve pieces. You only ate two pieces, hm?”

“Seo promised Brother Yong that he would give Brother Yong ten pieces. So I only ate two pieces," the little girl said before handing the exercise book to her beautiful mother to examine. A soft hand lifted up and stroked her daughter's long hair with affection and a sweet smile.

"It's okay. I'll make it for you later. I'll eat it."

"Mom, promise me you'll make it new."

"Yes, I promise... Let's see how many things I'll get right today," he said before checking and letting the child take care of the snacks. In case you want to stop pouting like that.

“Wow, today your Nong Seo is much better. You got twenty things right." Clap your hands in appreciation. Because normally a little daughter wouldn't be so diligent in doing a lot of exercises like this. Today, I completed all thirty questions without hesitation. Even if you get it right more than half the time.

"...just twenty questions? Mother, did you check incorrectly?" I asked in a weak voice, disappointed when I realized that I didn't get everything right. The little hand slowly put down the cookie and let out a sigh like an adult who was fretting.

“Yong Brother probably won't come play with Seo anymore because Seo always miscalculates…” His clear cheeks began to puff up more than usual because of his sad and disappointed expression. The mother raised her hand and gently stroked her daughter's hair again to comfort her. It's uncomfortable and terrible to have to hide things from the child you love like this. But she always thought that Wait until your child is a bit older before explaining to him why his favorite brother has to be so far away from her.

"No, if you make a face like this you won't be beautiful. Look, your face is already old."

“No, mother.”

“Oh, Mom, I'm just kidding. Shall we go out and buy things today?”

“Good. Mom bought sushi for Seo to eat as well.”

“Okay, then Mommy will go change clothes first. I'm going to go sit and play with my toys and wait for Mom in the house first."

“Okay, I'm going to build Lego again so I can finish it quickly.” But because of being a child, he was easily influenced to pursue other interests. It's different from adults who tend to think and worry about the same things until they don't do anything. And because of this, the mother was very relieved because her little daughter could stop frowning and talking about Yonghwa.

But time passed so quickly that it seemed like a lie. After a mother tried to convince her little daughter to be interested in other things all the time. Until now, fourteen years have passed. The little girl with puffy cheeks has grown into a full-fledged woman. Become a beautiful young woman who is perfect in everything. From a little kid who only had one older brother next door.

From a little kid who always followed his favorite older brother no matter where he went to play with his friends or where he went. Today, she is surrounded by many friends of her own. There are countless brothers and sisters I know. There are younger siblings who respect her quite a bit. From a little kid who miscalculated all the time. Now he is an honor student from the faculty who has won many awards in mathematics, science, languages, and even art.

If compared to ten years ago It's really different in every way.

“Where are you going, Mom? Dress up nicely.” Bounced up from the sofa while lying down and reading a book. The young woman turned to ask her mother with a bright smile that no matter how many times she looked at it, it always made her parents and those around her happy as well.

“How about picking up a friend at the airport? I think you already told me.”

“Eh? Is that true?”

“True, child, does that mean you forgot? Go change your clothes now.”

"Haha, okay, okay. Just wait a moment, beautiful mother." He kissed her cheek, pleading to escape his guilt for a moment before rushing up to the bedroom to change clothes as ordered. And after a while he ran back down with enthusiasm. The mother and daughter went straight to the airport. Seohyun's head was full of thoughts about who the close friend her mother was talking about might be.

The more I learned that when I was a child, her house and the house of my mother's friend often went everywhere together, the more I wanted to know who exactly this was. If it was a story from her childhood, then she would probably remember at least something.

“Yumi!” After standing and waiting for a while, Mother shouted out a familiar name. A young woman walked from afar smiling and they all hurriedly walked towards each other. Seohyun followed her mother with the same smile. And don't forget to bow and greet politely. And that makes it even more adorable.

"hello"

“Hello, Noo Seo. We haven't seen each other for a long time. You've grown into a young woman, and you're beautiful, look at that."

“Of course, you've been gone for a long time. Didn't you come back to visit? Oh, and where did your son go?"

“Oh, that's it. I guess I'm going to the bathroom. That leg was even more exciting than me.” The two mothers chatted happily with Seohyun listening and smiling as they walked back to the car. Even though in my heart I still couldn't imagine at what age this mother's friend was with her. But I could feel that he was very warm and friendly.

“Mom is already in the car. Where are we?” As soon as we arrived at the car The mother's close friend hurriedly called the child to urge him to come out quickly. Because after this, they had to take their things home and eat together again. It wouldn't be good to keep others waiting like this.

“We really are here. Wait there. Then mom will go pick you up,” he told the person on the line before hanging up. Even if your child says he can walk to you by himself.

“Where is the child?”

"I'm buying coffee. Look, it's really worth a shot. How can you keep others waiting?"

"Come on, it's okay."

“How can it be okay? Please let her come pick me up and still have to wait for this son. I'll go pick you up first."

"Oh, I'll just let my daughter go," he said before his friend walked away and turned around. The little girl turned to look at her mother, full of questions and completely caught off guard. She didn't even know what her mother's friend's son looked like.

"It's okay. It's just a problem for me."

“It's okay, Auntie. I'll just go myself. How will Auntie and Mom talk together?”

“Oh, that's really kind, child. So, please leave it to me. Do you remember his face?” Upon hearing that question, Seohyun had to shake her head and smile shyly in response. And when she saw that, the aunt didn't hesitate to open her phone to see the picture of her beloved son first.

“Do you want Auntie to send me a picture? You will be able to find it easily.”

“Oh, yes. And what color shirt is he wearing today? Seo will go after the right person.”

“Blue, blue shirt, jeans, sneakers.”

“Oh, then I'll go pick it up myself. Don't worry. I'll call your mother if I have something to do.” He said without forgetting to give her a sweet smile before leaving. The more I look at the picture on my phone, the more I wonder who he is and when exactly he knew her. But no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn't think of anything. In my heart I could only hope that if we actually met, it would make her realize who he really was.

…It's really bad that she forgot to ask Auntie and Mother before what his name was.

Quickly walked towards the coffee shop that the aunt had mentioned earlier. Big eyes searched everywhere for the man in the blue shirt but couldn't find him. Turning to the left and right, I saw other people who were not even remotely close to the man in the picture.

“You can get an Americano now.” The employee's voice rang out and pierced some of the ears. Seohyun turned around and saw a tall, skinny man wearing a blue shirt. One look from the side made her feel like he was definitely the person she was looking for.

"I'm sorry..." He reached out his hand and lightly poked the tall man's upper arm. The young man looked back before time stopped for a moment as the two of them met. Some feelings were seriously affecting the young man. While the little person hurriedly opened his mobile phone to compare whether it was definitely Auntie's son or not.

“You are…”

“Seohyun…” Before he could ask anything, another person called his name with a look of shock on his face. The person who was called looked up at the other person silently as his doubts doubled as to what age he knew her at. Why did I recognize her immediately when we met like this? Even though she didn't even know who he was.

“Uh... It's just that Auntie asked me to come take you to the car together.” The tall figure was momentarily stunned when he saw the other person's distant expression. Nodding lightly and grabbing the coffee mug, he said he was ready to go. Seohyun walked ahead as usual. While the other person followed along, feeling rather disappointed when she realized that she didn't remember him at all.

The small back in front of it Even though we are really close to each other, why do we feel so far away from each other...

"Hello, Auntie."

"Hello, my son. Oh my goodness, all of a sudden you've grown into a handsome young man. What's up? I haven't seen you call me at all."

"Haha, sorry, but I'm back."

"Yes, what do you want to eat today? Please tell me."

"What Auntie Jiyeon makes is delicious, right?"

"Oh, your mouth is really sweet. It's really bad for girls to stick together." It seems that the mother and her friend's son are closer than they thought. Seohyun stood and watched while smiling as the two talked. Even though he himself still has doubts about who he really is. Because no one had even said his name yet. If you were to ask yourself, it probably wouldn't look good.

"Really dead! A lot of things are out of stock. Seohyun, please go buy something for Mom.” As soon as she got home, Mom hurriedly walked into the kitchen to check what she could make for dinner today.

“Yes, mother. Please take something down and write it down.” Seohyun didn't hesitate in agreeing like always. The mother made a quick list and handed it to her daughter so she could go out and buy it and come back quickly.

“Go be my friend,” Aunt Yumi told her son as soon as she saw Seohyun grab her bag. The young man slowly turned his gaze towards the little man before standing up from the sofa and following orders.

"nevermind I'll just go alone. My brother and auntie are tired from traveling, so let's get some rest. This way, Seo will handle it himself." He smiled sweetly and said in a relaxed manner.

"nevermind Let me be your friend. I want to see how much this place has changed.” Hearing that, Seohyun hesitated for a moment but finally nodded and smiled before walking forward like before. The young man followed behind, not saying anything. So many feelings were making him unable to decide what to say or do at this time.

Is it good or bad to talk about the past? Or should things between them just be as they should be?

It was when he left her. He didn't even get to say goodbye.

"Do you want to buy anything special? You can choose."

"Oh...Oh, no. I'm looking forward to eating food cooked by my aunt more than anything else."

"You seem to really like your mother's skills."

“Haha, it's like that. In the past, I often went to eat at our house."

"Oh... That's too bad. Why can't Seo remember any old things now?" The little man pouted slightly, but smiled a little at the end. The tall figure raised his hand and held the other's head, rocking it back and forth lovingly with a smile when he saw the other person's face not being bright like that.

"We think a lot. I didn't say anything at all."

"So..."

“Well, if we've bought all the things, then we'd better go back. I'm getting hungry." He pushed the cart ahead and let the other person follow behind. Seohyun silently looked at the broad back of the person in front of him. And many different ideas came up. Many questions arise, but no answers can be found.

"That's..."

“Oh, fish bread? This one is really delicious.”

“Ah, I haven't eaten in a long time. In the past, I often came to buy it."

"Really? Do you want to eat or not? We can go buy some first." The young man nodded and smiled. The two of them walked towards the RV bread shop in front of the supermarket.

"hello"

“Hello, what can I get you, young man?” the seller asked cheerfully. The buyer himself orders his favorite menu from his childhood with ease. Seohyun herself was interested in buying some, but when she saw that the tall person had ordered so many, she didn't dare to order more.

“Auntie's shop looks a lot better. It used to be a small cart, I remember.”

“Wow, Auntie has been able to change into a good car like this many years ago. It shows that you've come to buy things from my aunt many years ago."

“It's been over ten years, Auntie. In the past, I came to buy so often that my aunt remembered me."

"So, child? Auntie is now old and doesn't remember much about those days anymore. Then I'll give you one. Here, I'll give you two."

“Haha, thank you, Auntie. I think I've ordered a lot. Auntie gives me more like this. Will I eat it all?"

“Oh, let my beautiful mother help you eat. And here I carry a lot of stuff. Do you want to make dinner?"

“Oh, yes, I just came back from Japan. After graduating for a while, it was better to come back. I miss Korea so bad."

"It's like that, right? Wherever you are, it's not like being at home. Being close to the people we love and care about is much more comfortable."

"Yes, aunt. I'll go first. Thank you."

"Yes, I'll stop by again." Smiling at the vendor before bowing politely goodbye before walking out. Seohyun followed the big man silently. I want to talk, but it's like my heart is still full of thoughts about who he is and when exactly he met her. The more you can't think, the more it will make you unable to speak.

“Ah, for us, I remember that we like to eat corn filling. I ordered three pieces,” he said while handing the bread to the little man. Seohyun received it confusedly. His eyes stared at the tall man alternating with the snacks in his hand for several times until the other man couldn't help but laugh.

“I wonder who you are? How do you know this?” He bobbed his head up and down in response without saying anything. In my heart I waited to hear the answer because I hoped he would finally tell me his name.

“Let's think about who you are. When did we know each other? What have you ever done together? Keep it up, if I can't figure it out tonight, I'll come and answer.” Smiling widely before eating the whole piece of bread, Seohyun couldn't say anything other than walking along with him and eating all the fish bread.

"I'm back. / I'm back." They said before taking their things to the kitchen. The two mothers who were chatting happily like friends had to take a break from chattering to help prepare food for today's dinner.

While eating, I couldn't help but secretly glance at this tall man's face. The more you look, the more familiar it becomes. But the more I thought about it, it seemed like she couldn't remember. Normally her memory is excellent. But I can't remember like this because it was too long.

“Go take a shower and get some rest. I'll take care of it this way." As soon as dinner was finished. The only young man in the house managed to help put the table back in order but was stopped first.

“We too, Seohyun. There's school tomorrow. Go take a shower and relax. I'll take care of it myself."

"But mother..."

"It's okay, child. I'll help my mother do it herself. The two of us can go get some rest." The two mothers said until the two teenagers looked at each other and then dutifully complied with their orders.

"My room is on that side."

“Oh, yes, thank you.”

"Uh...but..." They didn't have time to separate and go into their own rooms. Seohyun turned to look at the other person with as little confidence as she should have. The young man looked back at his beautiful sister, waiting for what she wanted to say.

“Can you please tell me about the things we used to do together? Or you can tell me the things you know about Seo. Seo wants to remember you in person…” The pleading look in his eyes made the young man immediately nod and smile. Big eyes stared at the person in front of him, intent on what he would say.

“Before, we were very close. I come to Se's house often. We are very attached to you. No matter where you go to play with your friends, we will follow and sit and watch. Sometimes I cry because I don't want to play with you, and…” He stopped talking for a moment before smiling as he thought back to the past that was full of childhood memories. Seohyun frowned slightly as she waited to hear what else he would say.

“We like to play hide and seek together. And Seo always found you..." Upon hearing that sentence, Seohyun was silent for a while. The two eyebrows moved together involuntarily. Some fuzzy images floated into my head. Someone ran into the bedroom without saying a single word. The large door closed before the little person ran over to take out the storage box and find out what was on her mind right now.

The monkey doll that had been kept for so long that she couldn't even remember how long had it been had a photograph of a small child and a boy who were quite a distance between them on it. Some hands began to shake and were covered with sweat. Thinking back to the past that, although not clear, still remains in your memory. Enough to remember how important this doll was to her in the past.

Round eyes stared intently at the photograph. The image of a smiling girl with her favorite older brother flashed through my mind. Before another person's image is superimposed over and over again to make the memory clearer.

The door opened again and Seohyun found the other person still standing. The two eyes stared at each other for a moment. Round eyes still silently looked at the person in front of them. I want to look at him clearly for who he is. I want to relive everything that has ever happened. I want to remember him. Wanted to be sure that he was the person she was thinking of right now.

"Yonghwa hyung... did you finally catch him?" he said before tears fell. Some feelings inside were working so hard that I couldn't hold back my tears when the game I played as a child finally ended. The little man stood looking at the person in front of him with tears in his eyes. Memories come rushing in heavily. Even though the story happened when I was a child.

But our feelings are always true. How painful was it then? When I thought about it this time, it was no different at all.

“Brother Yong is really good at hiding this time. Seo thought he wouldn't be able to find me anymore..." He said with a soft sob. Yonghwa could only stand still, knowing that the little man already remembered the story from that time.

“Son...calculated correctly. And kept the cookies for Brother Yong as promised. But Brother Yong came too late. The cookies are so..." Before he could finish speaking, another person pulled him into a tight hug. Some bodies easily let another person touch them and let their tears flow freely. The little man let out a loud cry that he couldn't hold back.

His dark t-shirt was soaked with tears. A hand lifted up and gently stroked the soft hair. The trembling body in his embrace made his heart ache just as much. He knew he had made a mistake in not even saying goodbye. But the person who left was no more at ease than the person who waited.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry I didn't say anything."

"Brother Yong is so cruel. Seo shouted and called out to Brother Yong many times but Brother Yong refused to come out. Huge. Seo offered to give ten cookies but Brother Yong still refused. Seo practiced calculating thirty questions every day because he thought that if he did everything right, Brother Yong would agree to come back and play with Seo, but Brother Yong didn't come. Brother Yong is cruel, huh," he said, still burying his face in his strong chest. That's to hide the tears

Yonghwa continuously rubbed the little girl's head to comfort her and apologize from his heart. Little sister that day Now she has grown into a beautiful young woman. But he still has the same mischievousness, not a bit different from before.

“Next, don't hide like this again. Seo couldn't find Brother Yong..." he said before letting out a heavy yelp again while his thick hand continued to stroke his long hair. There is nothing to make excuses for because everything is his fault.

“I'm sorry, I'm sorry... Don't cry, smart one. We are not six-year-old Seohyun anymore.”

“Huh, it was Brother Yong who disappeared. Seo didn't dare play hide-and-seek with his friends because Seo was afraid that his friends would disappear like Brother Yong again." He raised his head and looked at the tall man with an angry pout on his face. Yonghwa saw this and couldn't help but smile.

"Haha, little one, stop crying." He held the little man's head and rocked him back and forth before wiping away all the tears that had flowed down his cheeks. Seohyun has a sullen expression on her face. But Yonghwa always found it cute.

“It's redemption for being too good at hiding. From now on, would you like to drive me to university every day? Hmm?”

"lie..."

“I'm not lying, I'm telling the truth. I already told you. Before we even remember you."

“How can Seo believe Brother Yong? How will Seo know that when he wakes up tomorrow morning, Brother Yong won't disappear again?” he asked seriously. Even though I was glad to know that he was going to pick her up and drop her off like that. But another heart is still afraid that past events will repeat themselves again.

“If tomorrow morning you disappear Seo can go and notify the police so they can find you, okay?” said jokingly, which made the listeners feel better and somewhat at ease. Seohyun nodded, but her eyes were still worried.

“Go take a shower and sleep. Get plenty of rest. Sweet dreams."

“Brother Yong, too. See you tomorrow morning." They smiled sweetly at each other before retiring to their own rooms. Her beautiful face was smiling the entire time her eyes were still open. It's as if it's a lie that a person with whom we were once very attached has disappeared from our thoughts and memories for a long time. But then one day he appeared in front of me again. And it was like a dream that those feelings of connection never faded.

“Mother, what about Brother Yong?” As soon as he finished dressing He quickly ran down from the room and shouted to his mother in the kitchen until the house was loud.

“Oh, I woke up this morning and asked about him. Like this, my mother is very disappointed."

“Oh, Mother, Seo still misses you every day, every time, as usual.” He ran over and hugged her tightly and kissed his beloved mother on both cheeks pleadingly.

“Yes, Mom, I believe it. My brother Yong is already waiting at the dining table. Does this mean that you ran down and didn't look at anything?”

"Oh...so..." I couldn't make up my mind because I was too busy running to ask the beautiful mother of one child for peace of mind that he was still here. The mother raised her hand to rub her child's head in annoyance, but then released her daughter and walked out to find the person who had only asked about her.

“Let's go, Brother Yong, Seo is ready.” As soon as he finished eating breakfast, he said to his childhood favorite brother with a voice full of happiness. Yonghwa nodded with a smile and stood up from his chair without hesitation. Seohyun ran up and clung to his arm so sweetly that Yonghwa couldn't help but raise his hand to crush the small man's head.

“Go, Mom. Go first, Auntie.” She bowed to the two adults before walking out of the house with a smile. The two mothers themselves couldn't help but smile at this young couple.

“Studying at a university like this and having so many friends makes me forget you like that.” As he was driving, he couldn't help but teasingly say. Seohyun turned to look at the person next to her before smiling widely and hugging his arm tightly again.

“A lot of friends. But it's a fiddle. Seo didn't mean to forget, please don't worry.”

"You must be angry. Let's forget each other."

"Well, it's considered lost that Brother Yong disappeared and left Seo alone," he said in a pleading tone to escape guilt. Yonghwa smiled while driving. Sometimes I secretly peek at the person holding my arm. In fact, he was not upset at all. Just wanted to play around.

“A lot of friends, and are there a lot of people flirting with you?”

“A lot, this is Seohyun,” he replied confidently in a joking way. It made Yonghwa laugh too.

“But Seo isn't interested in those men,” he said before pausing for a moment.

“Why?” he asked curiously. Seohyun raised her head to look at the person driving the car before tightening her arms more than before and pressing her face against his strong arms, like a kitten purring to please its owner.

“Why would you care? Just having Seo Mi Brother Yong is enough, right?”

- THE END -

Made up purely out of nostalgia. The plot was not planned in advance for this story. It may not be very good, but I guarantee that it's purely heartfelt. I hope you like it. May use some not-so-elegant and not-so-good words. But anyway, thank you for coming to read. See you next time if you have a chance, everyone ^^