New Normal - Chapter 31

I love you.

It was a phrase he himself hadn’t heard in so long that the memory was faint. And yet, strangely, if that phrase were to come from Shin Jisoo’s mouth, he thought Juwon might actually want to hear it.

He wasn’t sure what exactly would pass between them, but at least she didn’t seem like someone who calculated shallow gains.

There was more sincerity in the way she carefully shredded meat for someone else than in any signed contract.

“Fine. If she says she loves me first, I get the Myeongnyun-dong house, the cash, and my freedom. Deal?”

Juwon always came across as confident and perfect on the surface.

But the more perfect he seemed, the more Heejung worried.

He knew better than anyone that the brighter the light, the darker the shadow.

He could see it. The loneliness buried deep behind Juwon’s polished exterior, the wounds hidden so well that no one could find them, the hollow emptiness lodged in his chest.

When would Juwon finally be able to open up his heart?

Lost in thought, Heejung looked quietly out the window. Sunlight brushed against his forehead and temples—a fleeting warmth.

“Dear, it’s time to eat. Juwon, Jungwon, come on in now. Your grandfather is waiting.”

As he thought of someone else, a soft wrinkle formed at the corner of Heejung’s eyes.

“Love, huh…”

He softly repeated the cheesy word, letting out a chuckle.

“Like it’s that easy.”

Muttering to himself, he closed his eyes gently, his expression more peaceful than ever before.

Love—the word he still longed to hear, just once.

As the day rushed by, his own time passed slowly and deeply.

***

Late summer evening, when the days are still long.

Even after work, the sun hadn’t yet set. The streets buzzed with life, with only a gentle, slanted sunset casting its glow.

“Was it this alley?”

Juwon mumbled as he turned the steering wheel.

Leaving behind the bright lights of Daehak-ro, the car slipped into a quiet alley.

He used to be able to find the place without even using navigation. Maybe it had just been too long.

As he slowly drove up the narrow, winding road, houses lined with old walls and timeworn roofs came into view.

After weaving through a few more corners, a familiar house appeared.

The car came to a stop in front of a stone-brick wall, meticulously built from granite.

Leaning his chin against the steering wheel, Juwon stared outside—then let his forehead fall against the wheel.

“Haah…”

Thinking of his meddlesome grandfather gave him a headache.

He lit a cigarette, rolled down the window, and took a long drag.

“If she’s the one to say ‘I love you’ first, you win.”

What’s the big deal about love?

Juwon had told himself he already understood the emotion, that he didn’t need to feel it again.

But looking back, he wasn’t sure if he’d ever truly loved someone in the first place.

He never even wanted someone to say those words to him.

And if that’s the case… then maybe he’d never loved anyone sincerely either.

Was his longing for a “fated partner” just part of the same delusion?

“Pathetic.”

Scoffing at himself, he flicked the cigarette butt out the window and got out of the car slowly.

He looked up at the house, hand still on the door.

The Myeongnyun-dong house.

A two-story home that had quietly maintained its dignity over the years—it looked as if time had stopped.

Just like the season when he was eight years old.

Juwon paused at the front gate.

Creaaak.

The gate opened with a soft sound.

In one corner of the yard, a thick lilac tree cast a summer shadow with its lush green leaves.

Juwon stood on stepping stones placed over the manicured lawn, looking up at the lilac.

A moist breeze rustled the branches and scattered the leaves lightly.

“Already all gone, huh…”

He murmured, then turned his head to the other side of the yard, where a crape myrtle bloomed with clusters of delicate pink flowers.

The vibrant, fine petals fluttered like silk in the breeze.

He stood still and gazed at the house.

The black-brick facade, preserved with his father’s care, had grown more elegant and stately over time.

The symmetrical wooden doors, tidy window frames, and graceful eaves had endured the passage of years.

A leaf drifted on the wind and settled on his shoulder. Juwon turned around.

The branches, heavy with old memories, swayed as if to welcome him.

He slowly approached the lilac tree and closed his eyes.

Though the lilac blooms of spring had already withered, the sweet, subtle fragrance still seemed to linger in the air.

He took a deep breath.

Memories of childhood surged back.

***

Early autumn, when he was seven.

The sky was high and blue, and the late summer sun still shone brightly.

The air was cool, but the construction site was oddly warm from all the activity.

Concrete poured from loud cement trucks, and rhythmic hammering echoed through workers’ shouts.

“Juwon, see that over there? Where the pipes? That’s the foundation of our house. We reinforced it with steel bars over a concrete slab to make it solid.”

Chae Kang-moon’s voice was gentle as he knelt slightly to speak at his son’s eye level.

“Slab? Steel what? What’s that?”

Juwon tilted his head, his front teeth missing.

To help him understand, Kang-moon crouched lower and gestured with his hands.

“Rebar is like strong metal sticks that make the building solid. Even when it rains or the wind blows, they keep the house from shaking.”

He imitated the wavy shape of rebar with his fingers, making Juwon laugh and mimic him.

“Now, this here will be the master bedroom,” Kang-moon said, tapping the ground lightly.

“It’s where Mom and Dad will sleep. We’ll have a big window here so the morning sun comes in, a small bench underneath, and flower-pattern curtains that Mom likes.”

“I like curtains too. But not flower patterns.”

“Ha! So you take after both of us, half and half.”

“Where’s my room then?” Juwon asked, eyes shining.

Kang-moon held his son’s hand and walked him a little farther, then picked him up, worried he might trip on the construction debris.

Cradled in his father’s arms, Juwon looked around with wide, curious eyes.

“Here. This will be your room. What do you think?”

“I love it!”

“Great! Let’s put your bed over here. We’ll get a toy chest, and a bookshelf for your books. We’ll also make a big window so you can see the trees in the yard. Like this big!”

Kang-moon stretched out his arm, and Juwon copied with both arms.

“Wow! I love my room! I love the window! I love trees!”

Kang-moon held him tight to keep him from falling, then looked around fondly.

“Since your room’s here, I’ll plant the lilac near the wall, birch trees in the corner, crape myrtle and maple in the center. Plum trees by the entrance. What do you think?”

“That many?”

“Of course. Mom loves flowers, and you love trees. That way, we’ll always have something beautiful to look at—spring, summer, fall, and winter.”

Resting his cheek on his father’s shoulder, Juwon looked up at him and asked,

“But I have to play soccer too?”

“Obviously. I’ll make sure there’s grass for you to run around on.”

Delighted, Juwon grabbed his father’s neck and wiggled.

“Careful, buddy!”

“Can I help plant the trees too?”

“Of course. You can choose your favorite, and you have to help, okay?”

“Okay. Promise.”

He hugged his father tightly with his small hands.

“Alright, let’s just take a look around today. Your room walls will go up soon. That’ll be even more exciting.”

Moved by his father’s warm gaze and smile, Juwon nodded with all his might.

***

The memory of walking the construction site with his father tightened Juwon’s jaw.

Fall and winter were full of joy just watching the house take shape day by day.

Then came the spring and summer, when the whole family finally lived together in that perfectly finished home.

The Myeongnyun-dong house was where many of his happiest childhood memories remained—

even if they lasted just a year or so.