episode_0004

“Taeyang, stand tall and live confidently wherever you are.”

A presence always missed,

Golden hair and tanned skin, just like me,

Our mother, who was more energetic than anyone else and exuded strength just by looking at her.

Even when I made mistakes, she didn’t scold me blindly but smiled and cared for me.

In the midst of busy daily life, moments forgotten momentarily, but unconsciously remembered those words.

That day, unforgettable even after ten years.

Was it because of the joyful memories of childhood that made each day enjoyable?

Or was it simply memories of our mother who is no longer with us now?

A year before our mother passed away due to illness,

Until then, both parents were healthy,

Just being able to spend peaceful days was a blessing,

At the tender age of four, I did not know that.

“Taeyang~ It’s time to wake up.”

“Ugh….”

“If you don’t get up soon, you’ll be late for kindergarten~ Wake up quickly~”

“Just 5 more minutes…”

“…If you don’t get up, Mom will know how to make you get up~”

“Oh..!”

“You’re up!”

“Aww… too bad.”

“Did you sleep well, Taeyang?”

“Mm…”

“Oh my~ Our little prince slept deeply with drool at the corner of his mouth?”

“Hehe..”

“Wash up quickly and come here.

Today’s breakfast is bacon and sunny-side-up eggs, your favorite~”

“Wow~~”

Slurp

“Take it slow or you might choke.”

“It’s too delicious.”

*gulp*

As if wanting to say something, Taeyang’s eyes sparkled as he swallowed his food.

“Mom, I want to go to the amusement park.”

“Huh? Suddenly the amusement park?”

“But… all my friends have been boasting about going there with their families.”

“I want to go with Mom and Dad so I can brag to them too!”

“Hmm..”

“Mom~”

“We might not be able to go… but

First, I need to ask Dad if he can take a day off from work.”

“Wow!! Really, Mom, you’re the best!”

“Hehe, do you really think so?”

“Yes!!”

Despite the impromptu request, Mom smiled and agreed.

Dad also said that what I like comes first, took a day off from work immediately,

And the next day, we went to the amusement park as a family.

And the next day,

“Wow, even on a weekday, there are so many people…”

“Huh? Wait for me, Taeyang!”

“Wow~ This is so exciting!!”

Running around without a care, Taeyang

Dad felt a bit lonely watching his son having fun.

“If I knew Taeyang would enjoy it this much, I should have taken him out more often. Honey.”

“When you’re young, you need to gather many memories… I still feel like I have a long way to go as a father.”

“Well, you’re busy these days, so it can’t be helped.

You took time off work even though you have a pile of tasks, all for Taeyang, right?”

“No need to blame yourself. I know how hard you’re working.”

“As your wife, I see you as the proudest father and the most handsome husband.”

Ping~

When doubting if he’s doing well in his role as a father, his wife’s words of encouragement uplift him.

Truly, there’s no one like his wife.

“Honey… you’re an amazing wife to me without saying a word.”

“You’re quite something too.”

Honey drips from the eyes of the couple who seem like lovebirds.

“Mom and Dad? What are you doing instead of coming over?”

“Hehe..”

“It’s nothing, Taeyang~”

“?”

“Since there are so many people, hold Dad’s hand tightly~”

“Huh? What about Mom’s hand? Mom feels left out~”

“Well, Mom and Dad could get lost, so I’ll hold both of your hands tightly!”

“Aww, cute~”

“Taeyang, wear this headband and let’s take a picture~”

“My head hurts, I don’t want to..”

“Everything looks good on Taeyang, so it’ll be cute.”

“Okay~ If our handsome son takes a picture with us, it’ll be a dream come true..”

“Mm…”

‘…He’s not coming over, what should we do, honey?’

‘We have no choice but to resort to drastic measures.’

Wanting to put a cute bear headband on Taeyang for a family photo, the parents exchange secretive glances and devise a plan.

“If you take the picture, I’ll buy you a slushie.”

Hesitation

“Since Mom

“Please buy it for me! Please!”

“Oh, of course~ Come here, Taeyang.”

Though reluctantly agreeing, Taeyang clicked his tongue,

But the smile on his face couldn’t be erased at the thought of eating snacks.

“Ah~ He’s our son, but so cute, really~”

“We raised Taeyang to see this~”

Parents smiling inwardly at that

Before Taeyang could change his mind, his dad tried to quickly take a picture,

But raising his arm to snap a photo didn’t come out very nicely,

So he asked a passerby to take a picture.

“Excuse me, could you possibly take a family photo for us?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“Yes, please come closer. Your son is so adorable.”

“Okay, look here~ One, two, three!

Click!

“There are too many things to play with; I’m not sure what to choose.”

“Hey Taeyang, is there a ride you want to go on?”

“Mom, that one, that one! I want to ride the one that goes down really fast!!”

“Uh…?”

Kuuuuung

A roller coaster plummeting from a great height at first glance

It was a ride perfect for the lively age of Taeyang

“Well.. the roller coaster is a bit…”

“Taeyang might still be too young to ride that.”

“Aww..”

Before his son could get disappointed and throw a fit, his mom quickly found an alternative.

Eventually, Taeyang found a ride suitable for his age.

“How about the carousel instead?

That one moves pretty fast too, and Mom thinks it looks more fun, right?”

“Oh..!”

Forgetting about the roller coaster, Taeyang’s eyes were fixed on the carousel.

“Then let’s ride it together, Taeyang.”

“Okay!”

♪♪♪♪~

“Wow~ It’s been a while since I rode, it’s quite fun, right, Taeyang?”

“It’s fun~”

“Look at Mom, Taeyang, say cheese~”

“Cheese~”

Click!

“Oh Mom!! Can we ride that one?”

“Huh? The mini Viking? This brings back memories~ I used to ride it a lot when I was young.”

“It’s not too dangerous at that level, it’s just right.”

“Considering Taeyang’s height… oh, it should work. This time, let’s all ride together, Mom and Dad.”

“Let’s go~!”

“Woooh!!!!!”

“Feels good~”

“So exciting!!!!”

“Taeyang, charge towards Mom’s car~!!!”

“Oh yeah!!!”

Thud

“Is Taeyang already good at driving?”

“These kids are really…!!”

“Mom, Taeyang is coming after us, run away~”

“Run away~”

“Stop right there!”

“Mom, Dad, next let’s try that~”

“That one looks fun too!”

“Hurry up, hurry!”

As soon as the engine started, Taeyang, with the inexhaustible energy typical of a child, conquered all the rides.

While it was great that his son was having fun, the parents struggled to keep up, managing only tired smiles.

How long did they play for?

Time flew by, the sun slowly setting, casting an orange hue over the world.

The once crowded place began to empty out,

And Taeyang’s family, having played carefreely all day, now walked home together.

“Huh…?”

Dad looked puzzled as he searched for something that wasn’t there.

“Oh no, what’s wrong?”

“Why are you like that?”

“Dad, what’s wrong?”

“I think I left my wallet at the last place we went…”

“Oh be careful, hurry back and get it.”

“Haha.. I’ll be back soon, honey, Taeyang.”

“Okay!”

“Be careful and come back safely, honey~”

As Dad left, Mom and Taeyang were left behind.

“Taeyang, did you have fun today?”

“I had so, so much fun!! Let’s come again next time, Mom!”

“Sure, if Dad takes a while to come back…”

“Taeyang, shall we go eat cotton candy?”

“Wow! Are you going to let me eat it, Mom?”

“Yes, even though it’s not good for you, we should have some on days like this.”

“I want to go quickly and eat it, I want to eat it!”

Excited to have the rare chance to eat cotton candy, Taeyang ran towards it eagerly.

“Oh Taeyang, if you run that fast…!”

Thump thump thump thump

But alas, he lost his balance and fell hard.

Thud!

“Ahhhh!!”

“Taeyang!”

“Ouch..!”

“Are you okay, Ta

Playing until he gets scratched and bruised by his son who always comes back to him, the band that he always carries around is attached to his wound.

“Ouch~”

“Mom~ It hurts~~”

“Tsk! Tsk! Do you want to keep fooling around?”

“Sigh… sniff…”

“…Oh well, since I can’t help it, come here, Taeyang, Mom will hug you.”

As soon as he is embraced by his mother, Taeyang relaxes, feeling the warmth.

“Mom’s hands are magical. All of Taeyang’s pain will fly away~!”

Embraced by his mother, Taeyang feels the comforting warmth.

“Feeling better now?”

“….Mm”

“Taeyang,”

As he lifts his head, what he sees is his mother’s hair shining brighter, reflecting the red sunset.

Then, smiling, his mother says,

“Taeyang, stand tall and live confidently like a man wherever and whenever.”

“Confidently…? What does it mean to live like a man?”

“Be dignified like your father and lively like your mother. Be a bright person no matter what happens, Taeyang.”

“Is it good to live like a man?”

“Well~~ Of course, it’s good or not.”

“I believe in you.”

“Taeyang, you can do it well.”

“No matter what anyone says, you resemble me, my smart and bright son, right? Hehe.”

“Huh? Dad said you weren’t good at studying..”

“Oh my! Taeyang has grown up a lot? Come here, let’s have a heart-to-heart talk with Mom after so long.”

“Ugh~ I’m sorry.”

.

.

.

“Mom…..”

With those words, he opens his eyes.

His eyes are swollen, and the pillow has been wet with tears for a while.

Seeing precious memories that can never be returned, today, more than ever, Taeyang misses his mother.

In his heart, he wants to close his eyes and dream once again.

However, if he continues to walk around gloomily like this, he won’t be able to keep his mother’s words.

Gathering himself, wiping away the tears, he prepares for the day as usual.

After tidying up the bedding and putting on his school uniform, Taeyang, ready to go to school, looks at the picture of his mother hanging on the desk.

…Alright, shall I live today energetically and confidently as well!