New Normal - Chapter 85

Juwon slowly pulled an old leather notebook from the desk drawer. The worn texture beneath his fingertips made his eyes waver for a brief moment.

How have you been? It’s been a while.

As though greeting his father, he gently brushed his hand across the cover before opening the journal.

XX Year, X Month, XX Day
Today I toured the construction site with Juwon. The roofing work that had some issues was completed well, and the exterior finishing is nearly done. Now we’ll begin the wiring work, so perhaps by next spring at the earliest, the house will be ready to move into.

The moment Juwon saw the site, he was full of questions. Why should the roof be slanted? Why were the stairs designed at that height? Why were both wood and brick used together? His endless curiosity surprised me.

Especially when he looked at the living room windows and asked how the sunlight would fall inside, I thought to myself, maybe this child already has the eyes of an architect. Or perhaps I’m just being a doting father.

As I held his little hand and showed him around, my chest grew strangely tight. Building a house isn’t just about raising a structure; it’s about creating a space for family life.

Here, my children will grow, laugh, and at times cry. Here, Yoonmi and I will grow old together. When I think of that, I realize that each brick and bit of cement contains far more than material substance. They carry dreams, love, time… and memories that will remain even after I’m gone.

Even when I pass away and leave my family behind, I hope this house will forever remain, embracing my children tightly.

I don’t know if Juwon will want to follow my path into architecture someday. But more than that, I hope he grows into someone who treasures spaces where life and people are held.

As Juwon read the neat handwriting, a wave of longing rippled through his eyes. Swallowing dryly, he slowly turned the page.

Above all, I hope he grows into a warm person who knows how to truly love.

Love makes life richer and deeper. To sincerely love someone means learning how to go beyond yourself, to understand and respect another person.

His trembling hand brushed across the page, and he took a deep breath.

If someday Juwon meets someone and experiences true love, I believe that through that love, he will see and feel more of the world.

Staring blankly at the final sentence, he didn’t close the diary until much later. At last, he slid it back into the drawer and stepped out of the room.

The early winter streets were quiet and dignified. The few remaining autumn leaves swirled restlessly in the cold wind, while the frost and chill of the early morning brought a sense of finality to the year.

“Here it is.”

Juwon nodded toward the building before them. Beside him, Jisoo turned her head, looking up at the house. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze, urging him to continue speaking.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Worth seducing you for, isn’t it?” His playful tease earned a small scoff from her.

“Well… maybe.”

Her witty reply made him chuckle. He tightened his hold on her hand and slipped it into the pocket of his coat.

“I only lived here for half a year. But that half-year… it was eternal for me. A time that never fades, that will always live on.”

Jisoo looked up at him quietly, her hand holding his warmly instead of answering. When Juwon let out a short sigh, a pale mist escaped with his breath.

“But I don’t want to leave this place only as the past anymore. I want to lay a new future over it.”

He lowered his gaze.

“With you, Shin Jisoo.”

At his gentle words, she smiled softly and nodded.

“Shall we go inside?”

They opened the gate and stepped past the granite wall into the garden. Though the season left it looking bare and quiet, the neat care given to it gave the space its own subdued charm rather than desolation. Resting her head against Juwon’s shoulder, Jisoo silently looked at the house.

Beneath the sunlight, the home stood with a solemn grace. It wasn’t enormous, but it radiated a beauty and dignity that was deeply moving. There was no corner of the house untouched by careful devotion, no space that didn’t bear traces of the late man’s hand.

“It was after reading my father’s journal that I wanted to become an architect.”

Jisoo closed her eyes briefly, listening carefully as he spoke.

“When I first discovered it… it was the first time in my life I felt suffocated. Like I was endlessly sinking into the sea.”

She didn’t speak, only watched him, letting the heavy silence press down around them.

“Whenever I needed advice, or simply missed him, I’d read the journal. And when I picked it up again recently, I came across this passage.”

His voice vibrated low, as though echoing from deep underwater.

‘When Juwon and Jungwon were born, I made a vow, to be someone who teaches love and trust. But suddenly, I grew afraid. Had I truly given my children enough love and faith?’

Jisoo slowly lifted her head. His face was filled with a sorrow that was both unfamiliar and achingly tender. In a whisper, as though breathing warmth into his cold expression, she said:

“He must have been such a kind man. Even in his doubts, there was only love.”

At her words, Juwon closed his eyes for a moment, then nodded slowly.

“I realized the same. Everyone knows how much he loved us, but still… he worried over such needless things. I guess my father was as fearful as I am.”

Her soft laugh broke the heaviness, and with the atmosphere loosening a little, Juwon turned fully to face her. He tucked her hands securely in his coat pockets and pulled her into a sudden embrace.

“Because I knew how much of a coward I was, I wanted to at least appear perfect, even if it was fake. I was afraid of being hurt by sincerity. Afraid of loving honestly.”

Jisoo swallowed, her eyes fixed on him.

“But then I started to like you. And eventually, I loved you. That unfamiliar feeling only made me more afraid.”

His gaze was unwavering, filled with raw truth.

“I understand now what it felt like when your relationship with your father broke down—how painful it is when trust shatters. Back then, I didn’t know what you truly wanted.”

He paused, steadying his breath.

“If what you want isn’t a perfect man but an honest one, then from now on, I’ll be that man. No matter what I’ll tell you everything. And…”

His eyes deepened with sincerity.

“I’m not holding onto you just out of guilt. Not because of obligation. But because I truly love you, Shin Jisoo. Because I want to build a life with you.”

Her eyes grew wet, tears threatening to fall. Juwon held her tightly, letting out a long, heavy breath. From deep within his chest, something warm began to slowly rise.

“Someday, I want to build a home like my father’s. A house where the people I love can stay, safe and warm. So…”

His voice trembled faintly. Jisoo smiled through her tears, embracing even his trembling.

“Yes, Juwon.”

“I quit my job.”

Her smile vanished in an instant. She pushed him away slightly and lifted her head. His face, composed and neat as always, looked down at her without a trace of embarrassment.

She stared at him, waiting for a sign that it was a joke—but his eyes were nothing but serious. Blinking in shock, Jisoo stammered:

“Sorry—what? What did you just say?”

“I said, I quit my job.”

His calm repetition left her gaping.

“Wait. What kind of announcement is that? Forget that—are you telling me you’re unemployed right now?”

Juwon gave a crooked little smile, awkwardly twisting his lips. He looked faintly troubled, unsure how to explain, but then nodded mischievously. Jisoo’s mind reeled.

“Then… what are you going to do now, Juwon?”

“I’ll follow you to the U.S.”

Jisoo shut her eyes tight. She pressed a hand to her forehead, as though trying to steady herself from the absurdity.

“And when you get there? What, open your own office?”

“I’ll think about that later. For now…”

His casual tone made her force deep breaths to calm herself, though her gaze only grew sharper with unease.

“For now?”

“…I’m going to build a house.”

For a moment, silence fell. A cold breeze swept between the bare branches of the garden, whispering faintly in the air.

“A house?”