By Zephyria 
“…Uh, are you okay?”
It was when the sound of angry footsteps had completely faded from her ears. Jo Eun-ha suddenly cast a glance at the child who had been hit by a stone.
Sure enough, the child was looking down, as if he had committed a great wrong. The earlobe visible from the side was red.
Well, it’s natural to be embarrassed. He had shown kindness only to be cursed at in return, so how mortifying must it be for that young heart.
“There’s no need to get that angry. It’s not like he gave him something he couldn’t eat… It’s something he likes.”
The moment someone, perhaps to comfort the friend, slipped out a resentment towards Ki Jae-eon. The child, who had been looking down, shook his head.
“No. I think I was careless.”
The child looked around with an awkward smile and offered an embarrassed apology, saying, “I’m sorry.” In fact, the person who should have apologized was someone else, but no one sitting there seemed to have any intention of blaming that someone.
It was then. Creak- The sound of a chair sliding back, and Kim Ju-won got up from his seat.
“Are you holding a memorial service in front of the dining table? What are you doing? Everyone, eat.”
He strode over to the sink.
“Oh my, Ju-won. You can just leave it. Aunt will do it later.”
“No. If I don’t do it, who will? This is what a disciple does.”
Kim Ju-won did not stop his hands despite Aunt’s dissuasion. He unhesitatingly cleaned up the mess Ki Jae-eon had made in the sink.
“Everyone, please understand.”
Kim Ju-won, bending his tall frame, soothed the children in his unique baritone voice as he silently cleaned up. I know you’re upset, but I hope you can be considerate just this once. The broad back muscles rippled with the movement of his arms. The children listened to Kim Ju-won’s voice, staring intently at his broad back like the Pacific Ocean instead of his face.
“You know he can’t help but be sensitive. I would be too. If my whole life changed overnight… and people I don’t remember knew me, I think it would be complicated.”
Kim Ju-won, who would have gotten up and grabbed someone by the collar, saying, “What the hell are you doing?” in the past, was the first to defend Ki Jae-eon.
“I know~.”
“That’s right. I know even if Oppa doesn’t say it.”
Whether it was because of Kim Ju-won’s efforts or because everyone had been of one mind from the start, the frigid atmosphere melted away as if it had never been.
“Honestly, we’re this confused, so how must he feel?”
“We have to accept it for the time being.”
“It’s annoying, but I’m enduring it because I think it’s karma! But when his memories come back, we have to make him buy us pizza.”
“And beef.”
“But even though I know it’s not Jae-eon Hyeong’s fault, I can’t help but feel a little sad sometimes.”
“Hmm, and the Teachers haven’t said anything yet…”
The air became solemn again.
It was then. Someone, watching the mood, cautiously raised a hand to draw the children’s attention.
“But you know, guys. If the Teachers decide to just cover it all up, will you accept it?”
“What do you mean?”
“Just what it sounds like. If they tell us not to help Jae-eon Hyeong find his memories…”
The child trailed off. But the hidden implication seemed to be heard naturally. That’s right. The adults hold the power of choice in all of this decision. To be exact, Ki Jae-eon’s biological mother, Ryu Seong-hee. If she were to order a permanent silence about Ki Jae-eon’s [memories], the children would have no choice but to follow. That would be the same as being forced to give up the memories, relationships, and bonds they had built together. They understand the parents’ feelings, but they can’t help but feel wronged. All the processes they had gone through together, crying, laughing, fighting, and playing, were times that they wouldn’t trade for a billion dollars. Precious treasures that no one should take lightly.
“Isn’t that too much…”
Lee Gyeong-hak said to himself, adjusting his glasses.
“It’s not just precious to us.”
It also means that Ki Jae-eon is being deprived of memories without knowing anything.
A long silence followed. Just then, one of the children who had finished eating first picked up his bowl and got up, saying.
“Isn’t that selfish?”
“What?”
The child, approaching the sink, stood next to Kim Ju-won and stared blankly at the dishes that had just come up on the drying rack. Water droplets on the smooth porcelain surface slid down like they were gliding.
“Let’s think about it from Jae-eon Oppa’s perspective, not just ours. He lost his memories? We’re sad. But what about the person involved? You guys noticed it too, didn’t you? That Oppa doesn’t stutter.”
“…That’s! It’s getting better and better…”
Jo Eun-ha retorted on behalf of Lee Gyeong-hak, then closed her mouth. Unconsciously, she also knows. Which is better for Ki Jae-eon.
“It’s getting better? Oh, that’s right too. Oppa has gotten a lot better. But you know. Don’t you know that he’s supposed to be like that ‘originally’? Guys, I don’t want to become awkward with Oppa either. But I’ve received so much help from him that I can’t bring myself to tell him to come back out of conscience. Now I just… I hope he’s comfortable too. Jae-eon Oppa has done enough. I think this is freedom given to him.”
“Hey, even so…”
“Then will you go and tell him? About that terrible past, and that he committed suicide? Then he’ll be so grateful. For dragging out memories he barely forgot… Think about it carefully. Doesn’t Jae-eon Oppa lose more than he gains? Honestly, if I were him, I don’t think I’d be grateful at all. I’d rather resent you.”
Ju-won Oppa, am I wrong? The child turned to Kim Ju-won with a face that had removed as much emotion as possible. But no matter how rationally she tried to deceive everyone, she was still too clumsy to hide her sad eyes.
Yeah, you must be upset too.
Nevertheless, you’re trying to focus on the ‘right’ choice for Ki Jae-eon.
‘You’re better than me.’
Kim Ju-won patted his younger sibling on the shoulder without a word.
To be frank, it wasn’t like he hadn’t thought about something similar.
That’s because Ki Jae-eon had a history.
A history of giving up on himself because he couldn’t bear the mental pain.
Who’s to say that such a person couldn’t do it twice?
‘If he regains his memories… what if he makes another bad choice?’
This matter was truly complicated.
Ignorance is bliss.
Knowledge is power.
Like a topic of endless debate.
“Anyway, I’m in favor of the Teachers’ choice right now. It’s better for Jae-eon Oppa to live a new life like this. I hope you guys don’t have selfish thoughts either.”
The story ended without anyone from the main office children objecting.
Everyone except one person was moved by the child’s words.
And the only one who was not affected quietly got up from his seat.
“Aunt, thank you for the meal.”
It was Ahn Seo-myeong.
From the beginning, he had no intention of getting involved in this whole debate. He thought it was useless to add his words. Why? The reason is simple. Because it’s meaningless.
‘The right to decide is with Ryu Teacher?’
That’s ridiculous.
‘Losing his memories is freedom for Jae-eon?’
I can’t agree.
Why is someone else taking the lead in deciding Ki Jae-eon’s life? That’s overstepping, even if it’s family. In Ahn Seo-myeong’s opinion, the answer to this matter was simple. Ki Jae-eon should choose. Without deceiving, without hiding. Laying all the cards on the table and choosing as he wants.
Whether to walk a new life or regain the memories he saved. It was up to him to decide. Even if Ki Jae-eon resents him for it, even if someone gets hurt.
‘I can endure it. No, I have to.’
It’s scary to be hated by someone you love.
It’s also terrible to be forgotten by someone you love.
But what’s even worse is to arbitrarily manipulate a precious person to suit your taste.
Grandmother said that humans are interesting and lovely beings because they can’t understand each other for life. It’s a little sad that we can’t become a complete ‘us’ even if we try our best, but I fully agree with Grandmother’s claim. Even if I like Ki Jae-eon, I can’t perfectly empathize with his heart and life.
So this is the same.
Ki Jae-eon, who was messed up by the difficult adversity.
Ki Jae-eon, who gave up his life by his own choice.
Ki Jae-eon, who came to the main office and opened his heart.
Ki Jae-eon, who lost his memories and forgot us.
It’s all Ki Jae-eon. Even if he’s making an unfamiliar expression, it’s him.
So the only one who can deny him is him. So, other people’s rational values are useless.
If Ki Jae-eon denies it, I’ll accept it as he denies it, and if he affirms it, I’ll accept it as he affirms it.
However, I couldn’t let him disappear without knowing anything. That would be too cruel to that Ki Jae-eon who is sleeping somewhere beyond those memories.
‘I know it will hurt if you remember…’
But just because the road you’ve walked has been a thorny path doesn’t mean it’s okay to be forgotten.
That was too rude to someone who had lived a desperate life, dedicating his whole life to others.
So look closely, think about it, and if you still feel it’s not right, it’s not too late to decide then.
Ahn Seo-myeong wanted Ki Jae-eon to decide entirely on his own.
Because it’s his life, because it’s the time he’s endured.
Even if it’s a childish thought, that’s how it is for now.
“Aunt, could you pack a portion separately? I think Jae-eon Hyeong will be hungry in the early morning.”
“Ah! I’ll make it separately. But will Jae-eon student come out and eat?”
He seemed to be very upset-. Aunt looked beyond the kitchen with a pitiful expression. Ahn Seo-myeong nodded and reassured her.
“If you want, I’ll take care of it.”
“Would you?”
“Yes.”
“Seo-myeong is always so calm that Aunt feels relieved.”
“It’s not always like that.”
Ahn Seo-myeong drooped his eyebrows and smiled weakly.