Chapter 17

Life never goes the way you want it to.

Not even when it’s something just ten seconds away.

Take a simple example: crossing a crosswalk. No one knows what might happen in that brief span of time.

In those few seconds, a car accident could occur.

Just a matter of seconds. And if we extend that to minutes?

That saying about not knowing what’s right in front of you exists for a reason.

"Life is all about swings and roundabouts…"

"Isn’t that a bit mature for someone your age, Ha-Eun?"

The teacher interjected, but I didn’t hear a thing.

"Ugh…"

"Are you sure you’re okay?"

"Do I look okay to you…?"

I felt completely drained. This situation was miles away from anything I could’ve predicted.

Fine. I’ll admit it—having my parents show up was within expectations. Okay.

And yes, I’m technically the victim here. Okay.

This should’ve been a simple matter of receiving an apology and wrapping it up neatly.

But instead—

"I don’t understand this. Are you telling me my son is being treated as a victim for no reason whatsoever?"

"No, sir, that’s not it—"

"Not it? My child, who has nothing to do with this, is—!"

My dad’s angry voice echoed through the principal’s office. The teachers flinched as they tried to calm him down.

Sigh. Yeah, that tracks. My normally mild-mannered dad is a completely different person when it comes to his family.

While he was lashing out at the adults, Mom…

"……"

…just silently observed the situation, but her eyes were unmistakably sharp.

‘She looks ready to take someone down.’

"They tried to pin all this on a child who doesn’t know a thing—what kind of parent would let that slide?!"

Dad glared daggers at Kim Byung-Jun’s parents.

If this were happening somewhere else, I swear he might have thrown a punch.

‘Please don’t raise your fists.’

I was genuinely worried he might hurt himself, gripping his hands so tightly that his nails dug into his skin.

"I apologize… I’ll find a way to make amends."

From the moment my parents arrived, Byung-Jun’s father hadn’t straightened his back.

His elderly wife trembled, and their son looked so pale I thought he might faint.

"And what’s this about Ha-Eun assaulting someone? Does that even make sense? Look at the size difference!"

Dad delivered the facts without hesitation. If the circumstances weren’t so serious, I would’ve stood up and applauded.

He was practically repeating what I’d said yesterday.

There’s no way I could beat someone that much bigger than me.

"And cheating? Where did that even come from? Ha!"

Dad let out a bitter laugh, utterly exasperated.

The teachers were drenched in nervous sweat, and the principal tried desperately to improve the situation.

"It seems that Byung-Jun’s mother misunderstood—"

"Misunderstood? Oh, for f—! Ha."

Oh no. Dad, there are kids here. Sure, 10-year-olds might naturally know a few swear words, but still.

There’s an ethical line, you know?

"And what if my son had a mental issue? What if he’d simply agreed to everything the principal said earlier?"

Dad brought up a hypothetical scenario.

"Who would’ve taken responsibility for that?"

His voice dropped to a menacing low tone.

The truth was already clear by this morning. But if I’d confessed to something, I would’ve been labeled as an accomplice.

And unfortunately, things like this have happened before.

There was a case abroad: a man believed to be a criminal turned out to be mentally ill, completely unrelated to the crime.

He had repeatedly confessed during questioning, and despite being innocent, he was sentenced to death.

An innocent man died.

In some ways, Dad’s anger is completely justified.

Not everyone would agree, but at the very least, Dad was deeply wounded by this incident.

And it wasn’t just him.

‘Ugh. Where did the cheerful mom who came to the hospital with me this morning go?’

In her place stood a queen of frost…

"It’s my fault for raising my child poorly. I take full responsibility."

"And your wife?"

Dad pressed further, not letting the father off easily.

"My wife is also at fault. I sincerely apologize for her behavior as well."

The ones who messed up were the wife and son, yet the father was the one bowing.@@novelbin@@

The world sure works in funny ways. A real piece of work, this world.

"We don’t need an apology."

With a resigned look, Dad let out a long sigh.

"The one who should be receiving the apology isn’t me—it’s my son. And the one apologizing isn’t the right person either. What more could I even want?"

Though his words were cutting, no one dared to lift their heads.

"There will be no settlement."

With that, Dad turned toward me.

"Son, let’s leave early and go home. I’ll treat you to something good."

But I just got to school.

Then Dad crouched down to my level, looking me in the eye. How could I refuse?

The gentle tone he used with me was a stark contrast to the one he’d used with the adults.

I nodded instinctively.

As I stood up, holding Dad’s hand, I glanced at Mom.

The person who hadn’t said a single word since arriving.

‘…Yeah, I’m definitely going to hear about this later.’

At this moment, Mom scared me more than anyone else.

While sighing internally, the teacher approached us.

Then, smoothly—

"Ha-Eun, don’t forget your phone."

"Oh, right."

When did she manage to get that from the staff room? She’s like a ninja.

"Take care on your way home. See you tomorrow~."

Even in this situation, the teacher kept smiling. Honestly, she might be the real MVP here.

After bowing, I left the principal’s office with my parents.

The suffocating silence followed us. Ugh, what am I supposed to do now?

"Oh, I left my bag in the classroom. I’ll go get it."

I just realized I hadn’t brought my bag. For some reason, it seemed extra precious today.

"Don’t run. Take your time and say goodbye to your classmates."

Dad waved with a faint smile. Maybe his mood had improved a little. I hope so.

As I climbed the stairs, I overheard Mom and Dad talking.

…Nothing good ever comes from eavesdropping, right?

Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

But more than anything, I didn’t want to hear the sound of Mom crying.

***

I grabbed my bag.

Ha-Soo-Yul and Choi Ye-Seo looked worried when I told them I was leaving early but waved goodbye as they wished me well.

...For some reason, I had a feeling I’d see Ha-Soo-Yul again this evening.

And it’d be 100% with her mom. Ugh, that’s going to be a headache.

When I came down the stairs, I saw Mom crying softly in Dad’s arms.

‘Man, my timing really sucks. I should’ve come down later.’

Too late for that now. Dad had already spotted me.

"Shall we go?"

Mom quickly composed herself and turned to me.

To be honest, there wasn’t much Mom or Dad could ask me.

I didn’t even know what this whole mess was about. How could I have any answers?

Mom’s eyes were slightly red, but I pretended not to notice.

"But isn’t it a bit soon to eat something right now?"

Mom tried to change the mood.

"Ah, you’re right. Haha. I guess it hasn’t been long since lunch."

"Then how about some shaved ice? There’s that new café by the apartment complex. It has something similar."

"Oh, I saw that place while passing by. It looked pretty busy."

"It should be fine at this time of day. And look at this weather—it’s boiling out here."

Mom fanned herself with her hand.

Dad chuckled at her antics, and I couldn’t help but enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.

"Well, I brought the car, so we can get there quickly and comfortably."

Dad, always the reliable one. I love you, Dad.

‘Even though it’s just a few minutes away.’

Not that it matters. What’s important is that we’ll get there comfortably and in cool air.

Car air conditioning is a gift from the gods.

"What about Yoon?"

"She’s still at daycare, isn’t she?"

Mom, who had chosen to sit in the back seat with me instead of the front, answered.

"Won’t we feel a little guilty eating without her?"

"Oh, come on~. She won’t know if we don’t tell her!"

I was glad to see Mom back to her cheerful self, but… was that really okay?

"We can just pack something for Yoon later~."

Dad started the car and turned on the air conditioning as he spoke.

That works, I guess. But won’t Yoon be heartbroken when she finds out she wasn’t there to eat with us?

...Hmm.

‘I’ll just keep quiet about it.’

As long as none of us say anything, it’s a perfect crime.

We can just pretend we thought of her and brought it back as a nice surprise~.

And so, the three of us headed off to have a shaved ice party without the youngest.

That’s what you get for going to daycare. No one forced you to go!

***

Lee Seonghak popped open a can of beer sitting on the table and downed it in one go.

"Ssshhh... haah."

He wasn’t particularly fond of alcohol, but whenever life threw him into turmoil, he found himself drinking on occasion.

Exhaling, he let the carbonation escape, and with it came the faint scent of alcohol creeping upward.

"Ugh. I still don’t get why people drink. Especially soju—what’s the appeal?"

He crushed the now-empty beer can in his hand and grabbed a peanut from the plate in front of him.

His wife, Kang Eunchae, sitting next to him, chuckled softly.

"Some people can’t even drink if they want to. Are you teasing me right now?"

"No, no, that’s not what I meant..."

Lee Seonghak’s face instantly turned into that of a deer caught in headlights.

Kang Eunchae couldn’t drink because her body couldn’t handle alcohol.

So, every time her husband had a drink, she’d use it as an opportunity to poke fun at him.

"Haah..."

The furrow on Lee Seonghak’s brow deepened, his face turning unmistakably serious.

Seeing the shift in his mood, Kang Eunchae’s expression followed suit.

Though her lips smiled faintly, her eyes drooped with sadness.

It was 11 p.m. Their children had long since fallen asleep.

This rare moment alone should have been their time to relax.

Yet the heavy atmosphere hung over the couple like a shadow.

"I want to protect Eun, but it’s not as easy as I thought," her husband said, laughing bitterly.

"I just want to do whatever I can to keep Eun safe."

But this damn, messed-up world keeps getting in the way.

Kang Eunchae understood the unspoken words in her husband’s trailing sentence.

How could she not? She was the one who had brought Ha-Eun into this world.

If it were up to her, she would keep her son in her arms forever.

If only he were small enough to carry around in her pocket.

Unfortunately, Lee Ha-Eun didn’t seem to share her sentiment.

"And what kind of lunatics have decided to target Eun? Ha."

His twisted smile was chilling to witness.

Kang Eunchae didn’t respond. She merely gave a wistful smile of her own.

"I should be the shield," he muttered.

But it wasn’t easy. It never was. The shield always came up too late.

What’s the point of raising a shield when your body is already riddled with arrows?

"I feel so guilty toward Eun. It feels like I’m failing to protect him."

A tear finally slipped from Kang Eunchae’s eye.

Lee Seonghak reached over and pulled her into an embrace. His face, hardened with determination, was one he rarely showed.

Finally, he made a decision and picked up his phone.

"…Hyung. Do you still have a spot available?"

That night, after a brief phone call, everything changed.

The following week.

Lee Seonghak took the position of department head for IT security and communications at S Group.

Though he had always been an unassuming salaryman, his true potential was known only to his college senior.

He could have easily entered a major corporation, but he had chosen a simpler path.

All because he wanted more time with his family.

Now, even the department head position was just a means to protect his loved ones.

To Lee Seonghak, money was just paper.

There were plenty of ways to make it, after all.