Chapter 146: A night of sharing wishes

A short silence followed. I could hear a very faint breath on the other end of the line.

“…Choeun, you’re really perceptive. I purposely avoided saying it directly…”

That answer, confirming my question, made my heart ache.

“Is Eunseo really sick? How bad is it?”

A very faint laugh came from the other end.

“She’s okay now. Really. She’s all better, and she’s been going to kindergarten regularly these days. Thank you for your concern, Choeun.”

There was a firmness in her voice, as if emphasizing that she was okay ‘now.’ But her next words were soft and cautious.

“Actually… Eunseo was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when she was three. After that, she spent a long time in the hospital. She couldn’t meet her friends, and started kindergarten late. That time… was very difficult for our family.”

I didn’t say anything. I just held my smartphone tightly.

“So, for this charity event… we were invited to share our past experiences. There’s a segment where families who have overcome rare diseases share their stories.”

And after a brief pause, Eunseo’s mom added very carefully,

“Eunseo… really likes you, Choeun. She calls you unni, but looking at the way she speaks and acts… I think she feels like you’re the first friend she made outside the hospital. That… meant a lot to us.”

“I see.”

To me, she was just a cute and bright child. A connection made on a short hike…

But for that child, that moment was the first door opening to the world.

If I was there at such an important moment…
I shouldn’t treat it lightly.

“There’s something I’d like to ask…”

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[Blooming Core Minor Gallery]

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Title: Leah’s stream cancellation notice ㅜㅜ

Content: (Screenshot of the cafe notice)

The reason is personal circumstances ㅜㅜ

Comments:

• She seems to be taking breaks quite often lately…

• Maybe it would be better to just set a day and take a break?
  └ Seriously, it’s okay now, but I’ve seen many cases where breaks become a habit if the pattern is broken
  └ Setting a day to rest is really good in the long run

• Why is everyone so spoiled? lol When did Leah take that many breaks?
  └ It’s been a while since her last break, the fuss is too much lol
  └ These guys are too used to daily streams lol

• I don’t really mind the break, but the reason bothers me… what does ‘personal circumstances’ mean? What kind of man is doing that to our Leah’s body ㅠㅠ
  └ ?? Are you insane?
  └ Idiot, that’s sexual harassment
  └ True Pia-
  └ With more Pia, it’s inevitable that some idiots will mix in…

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It was the banquet hall of a luxury hotel near the Han River in Seoul.

The evening sunlight shattered on the river surface beyond the glass windows, and the warm atmosphere inside was created by soft lighting and table lamps.

A large photo wall was set up against one wall. On a pearly white backdrop, a large phrase was written in gold lettering:

<A Night of Sharing Hope – 14th Sehwa Medical Foundation Supporters’ Association Charity Dinner Show
Hope, Rewriting the Story – Summer Charity Event Inviting Families Who Have Overcome Rare Diseases>

And families sat side by side at round tables covered in white linen.

Eunseo’s family was among them.

Her mom, dad, and Eunseo, wearing a delicate lace dress.

Even with a plate of half-eaten bread rolls in front of her, Eunseo kept her head bowed without picking up her fork.

“Unni… is she really not coming?”

A small voice.

Eunseo’s mom paused while pouring water, then calmly placed the glass down.

Then, with a forced smile, she said,

“Yes. Unni has work in the evening, so she can’t come. But we promised to see each other for longer next time, remember?”

Eunseo’s hand twitched slightly, but her head remained bowed.

Her mom looked down at her daughter, then briefly glanced at her husband.

Catching her gaze, Eunseo’s dad paused, fork in hand.

The corners of his mouth lifted very slightly, then he slowly nodded, his face returning to its usual neutral expression.

“It can’t be helped.”

He said only that.

It sounded like he was talking to Eunseo, or perhaps to his wife.
But his voice was excessively indifferent. Almost awkwardly so.

Eunseo sighed softly and looked up at the table in front of her.

A girl of the same age, also wearing a bright dress, was sitting there.

She had an oxygen mask on, but she was smiling brightly. Her mom, sitting next to her, was constantly patting her back.

Eunseo quietly watched the girl.
Then, blinking, she nodded slightly.

“…But today is a day that’s okay even without unni.”

Eunseo’s mom looked at Eunseo, seemingly surprised by her words, but didn’t say anything.
She just reached out and stroked Eunseo’s hair.

Eunseo was still looking ahead. Her expression, instead of disappointment, held a hint of quiet consideration.

Eunseo didn’t whine anymore. Some time passed like that.

The dinner proceeded quietly and calmly. Soon, the performances by the invited singers followed.

The stage lights subtly changed, and the families quietly listened to the melody flowing through the speakers.

Eunseo did the same.
At some point, she sat quietly, listening to the music. She rested her chin on the back of her hand, closing her eyes.

As the performance ended, the lights in the hall slowly brightened again.
The emcee’s voice could be heard.

“Now, we’re approaching the final part of today’s program. This next stage will be a special time for us as well.”

As the audience murmured slightly, Eunseo’s dad quietly stood up.

The emcee continued,

“Among the families here today, there is a family whose child, who suffered from a rare disease, has recovered and returned to us healthy. That family’s story is a journey itself, moving from pain to hope. And the father was once a singer on stage. Today, he will pick up the microphone again and sing for his beloved daughter and everyone here. Let’s welcome Mr. Song Gihwan to the stage.”

A black microphone was handed to Eunseo’s dad, and the emcee carefully stepped back.

Eunseo looked straight at the stage with sparkling eyes.

Eunseo’s dad brought the microphone to his mouth.

“Today, I stand here more as Eunseo’s dad than as a singer. Having a sick child… is a time that can’t be fully described with words. So, being able to sing like this now will be a very meaningful moment for our family.”

His expression softened as he made eye contact with Eunseo and his wife.

“The song I’m about to sing… almost no one will know it. The album flopped miserably.”

Light laughter erupted from the tables.

“But the reason I chose this song is that I personally cherish it, and it’s a song about ‘tomorrow,’ so I thought it would be fitting for this occasion. I will sing it again, with all my heart, for my daughter, and for the many children here today. ‘The Path We Walk Again.’”

Song Gihwan’s song quietly filled the banquet hall.

The lyrics, flowing over the simple melody, clearly spoke of ‘hope.’

Yesterday’s burden and today’s breath. And the heart starting to walk again. As if all of that was contained in his voice, the audience naturally quieted down –

And applause erupted as the song ended.

The lights slowly brightened, and the emcee walked back onto the stage.

“Thank you, Mr. Song Gihwan. This performance wasn’t just a song, but a time that captured how a family endured and overcame a long and difficult period. Today’s final segment is the ‘Sharing Stories of Recovery’ program.”

Before the emcee could finish, the lighting staff turned the lights towards the side of the stage.

Eunseo and her mom, bathed in the spotlight, stood up.

“And so, we’d like to invite the people who will share their stories directly to the stage. Mr. Song Gihwan, along with Eunseo and her mother, please come up to the stage.”

The moment the family stood together on stage, the lights softly enveloped them.

Someone in the audience whispered softly,

“Huh? I thought there would be a few more songs since they mentioned musicians and recovered families. Didn’t the organizers put in a lot of effort? It’s just ending with one song?”

Another person sitting next to them said,

“There are children here, and it would be tiring if the program was too long, so they probably shortened it. With this atmosphere… well, this is enough.”

The person who nodded at those words looked back at the stage.

A small child stood in the center of the stage, holding her father’s hand tightly.

The emcee gave a brief greeting and asked Eunseo’s mom to share a few words.

She carefully held the microphone and spoke briefly, but with sincerity.

Eunseo stood silently for a while.

Clutching the hem of her skirt with her small hands, her eyes were fixed somewhere on the stage floor.

She occasionally looked up at her mom,
but her gaze didn’t linger.

The hushed atmosphere of the audience seemed a bit overwhelming for the young child.

Still, she didn’t run away.
Just by quietly standing there, Eunseo was doing her best.

The emcee suddenly spoke to Eunseo,

“Eunseo… would you mind for a moment?”

The emcee bowed gently and spoke to the child.

Eunseo flinched and looked up.

The emcee smiled and asked,

“I heard your favorite person these days is your unni. Is that right?”

“…Yes?”

Eunseo’s face froze for a moment.
She tilted her head, looking at the emcee.

And at that very moment.

The lights on the stage slowly dimmed.

The audience began to murmur.

A momentary blackout.

And on the other side of the stage,
a single spotlight slowly descended.

There was a silhouette bathed in that light in the darkness.

A figure calmly walking towards the front.

As if staged, the light slowly revealed her face and body.

Full stage makeup seemed to add a mythical touch to a face that already transcended human beauty.

Meticulously shaped eyes and subtly glossy lips.

That face, revealed under the light,
was something that could no longer be described simply as ‘beautiful.’

The dress was a pale silver silk, rippling softly like waves with every movement.
It subtly followed the curves of her body, and that delicate restraint only added to a breathtaking elegance.

The sound of someone gasping could be heard from somewhere in the audience.

A painted smile appeared on her lips as she walked silently and stood before Eunseo.

“Eunseo, unni is here.”