episode_0296

“Welcome.”

Leader Choi and the other group members warmly welcomed the new arrivals.

The three were only a little awkward at first, but they soon exchanged greetings and tried to naturally blend in.

Even the usually blunt Park Moojin offered a slightly softer greeting, clearly showing considerable effort.

Seeing that, one could guess he had spent time with many people.

The first things done for them were hot showers and medical examinations.

Thanks to this, Park Moojin and his group, who were already surprised, repeatedly found themselves amazed.

Park Moojin’s usually expressionless face, slightly faltering, was quite a sight to behold.

“Hyung! Do you want help washing?”

“……”

“Sorry.”

Choi Kang-doo, flinching from a gaze so icy it felt like salt dissolving, disappeared into a room, his expectations for the hot water rising.

Seohee also seemed subtly expectant, as she didn’t come out of the shower room for quite a long time.

The adults moved on their own…

The still-sleeping child was carefully looked after by Dr. Jang and Miri’s mother.

‘She’s definitely different.’

Perhaps because she was an experienced mother, Miri’s mother handled the child with incredible skill.

A short while later, when everyone had finished washing, they had transformed into quite presentable individuals.

Those who emerged with clean skin and better complexions were extremely satisfied.

And then came the medical examination.

Dr. Jang Heeyeon, who was in charge of our health, meticulously examined each person.

“The treatment went well. As long as you manage it properly, you’ll recover without issue.”

“……”

“You said your name was Seohee, right? There won’t be any scars. I’ll be thorough when applying the medicine, so don’t worry.”

“…Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. Please make yourself comfortable and relax.”

Everyone was surprised when they first saw Seohee’s face.

But no one particularly pressed her for the cause.

It was the same now.

Instead of worrying, they offered small comforts, saying everything would be fine.

At this, Seohee also offered a faint smile.

Indeed, perhaps because it was another woman treating her, the atmosphere felt quite different.

Seonyeong, still deep in sleep, was kept warm while her condition was monitored.

“Why don’t you rest a bit? You haven’t been able to sleep properly.”

“…I’m fine.”

Park Moojin was stubborn on this point.

Claiming his spot, he refused to move, wanting to stay by the child’s side until she opened her eyes.

When Seohee also stayed by their side, Park Moojin clumsily expressed his gratitude and did not refuse her presence.

From the moment they arrived at the shelter until now.

The briefly chaotic atmosphere settled, returning to its usual state.

Leader Choi looked at Park Moojin, who was guarding the child, and spoke softly.

“I wanted to hold a welcoming party, but it seems we’ll have to wait until the child wakes up.”

“Hmm. I suppose so, right?”

“There’s no need to rush.”

A situation where rest and time were needed.

We habitually dispersed to our respective rooms for our own time.

No, we *tried* to disperse.

Grab- Clench-

“?”

“Oppa, where are you going?”

“I’m going to my room, why?”

“Did you forget what the doctor-nim said?”

“Ah…”

They were smiling, but their eyes weren’t.

The two of them, as if apprehending him, linked their arms through his from either side and dragged him straight to Dr. Jang.

“Pfft!”

“……”

“Patients should listen to their guardians.”

Dr. Jang, who burst out laughing at my predicament, continuously chuckled as she examined and treated my wounds.

Seeing my wounds healing very smoothly, Dr. Jang showed curiosity but stopped right there.

The way she subtly let it pass without making it obvious made me feel thankful once again.

The bandages would be re-wrapped after the shower, and…

…the last new group member.

“Sit.”

“……”

“Woof-!”

“Whine…”

It was a large black retriever, not sitting but lying down and curling up.

Dr. Jang, watching this from beside, her eyes sparkled.

“What a clever dog.”

“Teacher-nim. Um, perhaps…”

“Ah~ I’ve studied a little. Let me take a look.”

She could handle internal medicine, some surgery, care for pregnant women, and even treat animals.

At this point, isn’t she Super Doctor J?

Before that, the dog needs a bath too…

“I’ll do it!”

“Oh, okay…”

Heize volunteered for the difficult task.

After she excitedly took the dog inside.

The inside became eerily quiet.

However, it wasn’t a chilling silence but a pleasant tranquility, which put my mind at ease.

‘Oh, right.’

Before showering, I approached Grandmother, who was busy in the kitchen.

“Huh? Young man, are you hungry?”

“Haha, no, it’s not that.”

I always feel good when I face Grandmother, who is always trying to feed me something.

“Grandmother.”

“Hm?”

“From now on, if you need anything, please tell me anytime.”

“Something I need?”

“I heard from Shia.”

Grandmother, who was chopping, turned around at my words. Then she nodded and gave a warm smile.

“Are you perhaps uncomfortable?”

“Not at all. How could I be?”

“Alright. I’ll tell you whenever I need to.”

Having said that, Grandmother once again began busily working with her hands.

‘Well, this is something else…’

Long explanations weren’t necessary for Grandmother.

She accepted it naturally and moved on without fuss.

Feeling the hidden consideration in her nonchalant reaction, a sense of gratitude naturally welled up in me.

I returned to my room without creating any awkward atmosphere.

After a quick wash and changing into comfortable clothes, it felt just like coming home from work.

‘…Nice.’

Coming back out to the reception room and lounging on the sofa, it was simply comfortable and cozy.

‘This is what real rest feels like.’

The comfort was brief, however.

“……”

Just as my eyelids grew heavy with the oncoming fatigue.

A small commotion arose from Dr. Jang’s examination room.

Just in case, I moved closer, and inside, a wonderfully heartwarming atmosphere was being created.

“Mister…”

“Seonyeong. Do you recognize me?”

“Yesh.”

“……”

Park Moojin’s eyes were starting to well up.

“Mister, did you come find me? I waited a lot…”

“I’m sorry I was late.”

“It’s okay. You came to pick me up, after all.”

“…Because I promised.”

Park Moojin gently brushed the child’s forehead with a slightly trembling hand.

“Auntie… what happened to your face?”

“Huh? Oh, this? I fell.”

“You should be careful. Falling hurts a lot.”

“Yes. I’ll be careful. Our Seonyeong, are you not hurting?”

Seohee, her voice slightly moist as she checked on the child, firmly held the child’s hand.

“I’m okay. But…”

“Yes. Tell me. Is anything bothering you?”

Seohee gently stroked the child’s hand and leaned her face closer.

“My body has no strength…”

“Mm-hmm.”

Grrr-

“…Heh.”

“Pfft…”

Everyone burst into laughter at the adorable growl of her stomach.

“I’m strangely hungry.”

“Oh, really~?”

“Yesh. But, where’s Uncle Kang-doo?”

“That guy…”

“Moojin-ssi.”

When Seohee gave him a sharp look, Park Moojin cleared his throat.

“…Kang-doo is…”

“Uncle’s right here~!”

“Uncle~”

“Our Seonyeong! Did you miss Uncle?”

Choi Kang-doo appeared with a swish from behind and made the child laugh.

“Mister… where’s the puppy?”

“It’s washing right now.”

“Hehet. That’s a relief.”

Head Doctor Jang’s words about feeling lethargy were accurate.

It didn’t seem to be particularly painful, but there was absolutely no vigor.

Dr. Jang, who checked the child’s condition by asking various questions, smiled with relief.

Only then could the adults finally relax.

“Where is this?”

“Ah…”

“Th-that is…”

“It’s Seonyeong’s new home.”

I spoke instead of the two whose tongues seemed tied for a moment.

“…Who are you?”

“I’m someone who’ll be living here with you. My name is Seonghan.”

“Ooh… Hello.”

“Yes, hello?”

Even with several unfamiliar people around, Seonyeong showed curiosity rather than shrinking back.

While examining the new faces, she also looked around the examination room.

Fortunately, she wasn’t scared in this unfamiliar place.

“This place is really nice.”

She’s young but has a pretty good eye.

“Oh, really? We’ll all be living together from now on.”

“Really?”

“Yes. A big dog too.”

“Whoa~”

“Once you’re all better, we’ll eat meat too.”

“Meat?!”

“Yes. Meat. I’ll grill a lot for you, so you have to listen well to the pretty teacher-nim here, okay?”

“Yesh~”

“Seonyeong is good.”

‘That’s a relief.’

The child, who appeared to be around Miri’s age, still had that distinctly childlike quality about her.

I had worried that she might be hurting like Miri, but there was no sign of it.

‘Phew…’

It feels like something has finally been resolved.

Now I can finally relax a bit.

Everyone was captivated by the adorable, brightly smiling child.

“Please step aside a bit. Young man, you come out too.”

Grandmother brought food on a tray.

This must have been why she was so busy in the kitchen.

“Oh? Hello.”

“Oh my~ How adorable~ How can someone be this cute~”

“Oh, my goodness~”

Everyone burst into laughter once again at the child’s charming reaction.

She has a brighter personality than expected.

“Child. What’s your name?”

“Seonyeong. My name is Bae Seonyeong.”

“Alright. Seonyeong, are you hungry?”

“Yesh. Very hungry.”

At her childlike answer, Grandmother couldn’t hide her pleasant smile.

“Here. Let’s eat this first.”

Porridge served in a small, pristine white bowl.

Grandmother offered vegetable porridge mixed with very finely chopped meat.

“Oohh…!”

A single bowl of porridge, clean and neatly prepared, was enough to make the child’s eyes widen.

It seemed Park Moojin, who subtly checked the food since it was for the child, was also impressed, as his eyes glistened slightly.

“Oh dear.”

Instead of the child, who couldn’t properly lift the spoon, Seohee moved her hand.

“Auntie will do it for you. *Phew~ Phew~* Ah~”

“Nom~”

The two of them seemed quite used to this.

The child, munching with her small mouth, drew a pleasant smile.

“It’s delicious!”

“I made a lot, so eat plenty.”

“Thank you, Grandmother~”

“Alright.”

While the child ate the porridge, Grandmother sent the adults out.

At her words that staring so intensely would cause indigestion, everyone moved without complaint.

The examination room became a private space for Park Moojin, Seohee, and Seonyeong.

‘…’

I quietly closed the door and left for their sake, giving them their time.

It felt like a moment that shouldn’t be disturbed.

Dr. Jang, who followed out, briefly reported on the child’s condition.

“There are no other abnormalities. Seeing that she also has an appetite, you can rest assured.”

The expert’s confirmation was reliable.

There was no longer any need to worry.

As I listened to the explanation and nodded, Grandmother approached me.

“Young man.”

“Yes.”

“You’ll eat meat, right?”

At Grandmother’s simple question, the corners of my mouth curled up uncontrollably.

“Of course.”

The enjoyable time begins now.