episode_0004

Episode 3: The Girl Guard, Han Seyeon

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Come in!”

She bows deeply to the class president.

Auntie with wrinkles and a kind face.

That was the position of the class president in the toil-filled classroom.

Though her rough tone and loud voice might lead to misunderstandings, she knows it’s the mark of time.

Seeing young people makes adults want to help for no reason.

It’s not out of a desire to criticize or act like a know-it-all but rather a sense of duty from knowing about their household situation and the life they lead.

“Bring some coffee mix and more bread!”

“Thank you, Class President.”

Han Seyeon bows her head once again.

Hands full of bread and drinks.

They were leftovers, but she was grateful.

It wasn’t just a simple task but the heart of an adult who wanted to provide something more.

Thus, Han Seyeon sincerely expressed her gratitude.

The meal expenses were set.

The subtly raised corners of her mouth provided a small joy in her weary life.

Starting work at 5:30 in the morning.

Leaving work at 4:30 in the afternoon.

That was the routine of her toiling day.

However, Han Seyeon could only leave the construction site after 5 o’clock.

It was to use the outdated shower facilities.

The construction site was filled with dust, sewage could splash, and the sweat-mixed dust hardened on her body, emitting an unpleasant smell.

The shower room labeled as welfare.

It was a space no one used.

No hot water, just a foul smell, so Han Seyeon was the only one using it.

However.

Only after drying her hair did she start preparing to leave work.

One might think she could just wash up at home.

“Sigh…”

Han Seyeon thought of a man.

Lucky enough to be seated on the subway.

Her family and blood that she had to take care of.

She pictured her younger brother, Han Sein, who had a three-year age gap.

If they were an ordinary family, they might have been enemies rather than siblings.

The subtle relationship between student and guardian and their unfortunate family circumstances made her mature beyond her years.

At the same time, it birthed something twisted within her.

The reason even she didn’t know.

Despite going round and round, it all boiled down to one reason.

To not show a bad side to her younger brother.

It was incredibly contradictory, yet she continued actions even she herself didn’t understand, citing it as basic human courtesy.

Uncomfortably showering at the site.

Although her home was also a neglected space, if given a choice, anyone would choose their home.

It was a happy day.

Yet, it was also a sad day.

The smartphone notification rang.

The reason for Han Seyeon letting out a deep sigh was evident in her hands.

[XX Bank Deposit Notification 2,843,200 won]

[MM Bank Repayment…]

[This month’s maintenance fee has increased, please deposit. -Landlord.]

She casually turned off her smartphone screen.

Han Seyeon gently closed her eyes.

She was engulfed by physical and mental fatigue.

There’s still 40 minutes to go.

So, taking a brief rest with closed eyes should be fine.

***

“Well, this is perfect.”

Han Sein nodded satisfactorily.

Five years of living alone. How much he had twisted himself for his girlfriend.

Such experiences remained as his cooking skills.

Time was approaching 6 o’clock.

The sound of the door lock being pressed as if there was an appointment.

He had expected it, but he looked nervously at the front door.

There were memories and a purpose.

Awakening in a new world, Han Sein felt extremely awkward.

Memories from past lives and the present intertwined, leaving him unsure of what to do.

If he hadn’t run simulations in his mind, he would undoubtedly be flustered.

-Click.

“…You’re here?”

“Oh, uh…”

Do not be surprised, he had promised himself more than ten times not to.

However, Han Se-in couldn’t hide his surprise.

To be precise, one could say he was absent-minded.

That’s understandable.

Han Se-in’s older sister.

Han Se-yeon’s appearance was much more beautiful than what he had known from photos and memories.

The pictures couldn’t capture everything.

Was it because of her boxing background?

There was a certain atmosphere about her.

Sharp eyes like a wolf.

A firm gaze.

Despite being involved in rough activities, her smooth skin resembled that of a celebrity.

It was a day when winter had barely set in.

Her hair, flowing without a single tangle, extended long into a ponytail, exuding a glossy sheen.

A moment of silence.

The atmosphere became slightly strange.

Han Se-yeon’s gaze fell on him.

She was wearing an apron and holding a ladle.

If there was something slightly odd, it was that she couldn’t meet his eyes.

In the fleeting glance they exchanged, guilt lingered.

Han Se-yeon felt uncomfortable, but Han Se-in empathized.

So,

Han Se-in was in 7th grade.

The incident occurred when Han Se-yeon was in 10th grade.

Adolescence made children sensitive.

Regardless of gender, it was a time when adults should care for and consider them.

However, Han Se-yeon did not receive such attention.

Instead, she found herself increasingly isolated, tiptoeing closer to the edge.

Their mother hit them.

Although she didn’t hit them every day, the fact that she drank meant she practically did.

Han Se-yeon was also human.

For her, who excelled in boxing, fate played a cruel joke.

A significant event occurred.

She put down her gloves.

Pushed to her limits, becoming more sensitive, Han Se-yeon found solace in Han Se-in, a bright presence.

It must have been inevitable.

There was no one else she could trust with her heart and burdens except her sister.

Once an immature girl, Han Se-yeon briefly began to resemble their mother.

Blood ties and circumstances forced this resemblance upon her.

In the darkened room, shadows cast by moonlight took on monstrous forms.

A hand rose beside her head and struck down like lightning.

The loud thunder startled the boy and the girl.

Her cheeks flushed as if lit by fire.

The girl, flustered, fled the scene without a word of apology or explanation.

Time marched on.

After that, Han Se-yeon never hit Han Se-in again.

“Have you eaten?”

“Not yet…”

“Let’s eat together.”

“Yeah…”

An uncomfortable and ambiguous relationship.

Entangled under the complex web of responsibilities and emotions that came with being siblings, Han Se-in and Han Se-yeon were like intertwined threads.

They couldn’t figure out how to untangle themselves.

But reality forced them to face it.

Emotions and relationships entwined like a tangled ball of yarn.

Though twisted and knotted, life goes on.

The chilling reality spoke volumes.

“Are you going to eat and shower?”

“Yes.”

Separately,

Today was a good day.

Han Se-yeon felt a bit excited.

Perhaps that’s why?

Even though she saw a slightly different side of Han Se-in today, she didn’t feel anything special.

Well, she did sense a subtle shift in the atmosphere.

There were heated glances, but she couldn’t meet them.

Han Se-in knew she worked diligently.

It was a white lie born out of goodwill, not wanting to worry him unnecessarily.

Anyway,

That’s how the meal began.

Soybean paste soup and side dishes.

There was no meat, but it wasn’t a tasteless spread.

It was delicious enough to empty two bowls.

No words were exchanged during the meal.

Since their only guardian, their mother, had disappeared,

Within the framework of family,

Han Se-yeon felt a responsibility to protect Han Se-in,

While Han Se-in held onto hope to escape from their environment.

Amidst conflicting emotions.

Though it might seem like discord, they both dreamed of the future.

“Uncomfortable changing clothes?”

“…No.”

Han Seyeon’s expression darkened.

If there was something unfamiliar, it was silence.

She forced herself to swallow her food.

She wanted to say something, but couldn’t bring herself to.

As the perpetrator and protector, she found it difficult to step forward willingly.

She tried to voice her discomfort but to no avail.

A male and a female.

Soon-to-be academy students and adults.

They were within the framework of a family, but that fact remained unchanged.

Yet, another mistake was made.

Though spoken out of consideration.

The air grew colder and more uncomfortable.

While Han Sein didn’t actually care much, Han Seyeon felt uneasy.

Blaming herself internally.

Perhaps it would be better to speak up.

The taste of the food suddenly seemed off.

However…

Change came suddenly.

“Pfft…”

“…?”

Han Seyeon was taken aback.

There were many things to establish in their relationship, but it could be summed up in one word based on the current atmosphere: awkward and difficult.

But then, Han Sein let out a laugh.

It was something unimaginable from her perspective, so she just faced him without saying anything.

How long had it been?

The face of the sleeping Han Sein.

Not the face of Han Sein seen from afar.

Sitting across the table.

Seeing Han Sein face to face as person to person was refreshing and hopeful.

“Ah…”

Han Seyeon sighed.

It felt like a warm breeze was blowing.

Spring breeze.

In the days just before March, amidst the end of February.

At the semi-basement table, she felt spring.

It wasn’t a bright smile.

Just a slight lift at the corners of her mouth.

Close to expressionless, yet more colorful than ever.

After several years, Han Seyeon faced Han Sein again.

Internally, something stirring was felt.

In the busy and exhausting life.

In an environment that tires people out.

For Han Seyeon, it was a small ripple she had never felt before.

Too small and insignificant to define immediately.

Words that made her heart flutter.

Surely, it was excitement.

“Why are you like this?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Thank you for the meal.”

“I-I need to use the restroom…”

Like a prisoner seeking permission from a warden, Han Seyeon held onto the restroom request.

Awkward and out of place, but Han Sein simply nodded.

A family with blood ties.

To describe it as excitement was too heavy a shackle.

Han Sein headed towards the restroom.

And then…

“Eugh…”

As the door closed.

The smell that made her face flush involuntarily tickled her nostrils.

There is not always paradise where you flee.

That saying didn’t always hold true.