The air was warm with the golden haze of twilight. Laughter echoed across the dusty field as children darted and spun, their tiny feet kicking up clouds. Among them, Jain, lively and swift, led the chase, his smile wide with joy.
On the sidelines, a sleek black car sat in the shade of a cedar tree. Two men stood nearby: one tall and lean with sharp eyes — Ron, the other broad-shouldered, exuding silent authority in his crisp, dark attire — Kang Jin-ho.
Jain, looking over his shoulder while giggling at the children behind him, didn't notice the two men. With a sudden turn, he ran headfirst into something solid — someone solid.
Crash!
He ran straight into someone — a tall man just arriving at the field's edge. Jain bounced off the man's solid form and crumpled onto the dirt path, a loud thud marking his fall.
A cry split the air. "Mamaaa!!"
From their house not far off, Davey, sitting at the window, didn't hear the cry. He was scrolling through his phone, mind elsewhere. In the back, Shan was grinding roots, unaware.
---
[Field – Continuous]
The man Jain had collided with — imposing, refined, his dark coat brushing the dust — crouched at once, concern softening his usually unreadable face.
Kang Jin-ho: (low, gentle)
"Are you alright, little one?"
Jain's eyes welled with tears. He pointed at his knee, where blood trickled down the scraped skin.
Jain: (hiccupping)
"My knee! It hurts! Mamaaa…"
Kang:
"Let me see."
From behind him, a second man approached — lean, sharp-featured, in a crisp shirt. Ron. His eyes widened as he recognized the child, but he said nothing.
Kang (without looking back):
"Ron. First aid kit — it's in the trunk."
Ron: (instinctively)
"Yes, Master."
As he walked to the sleek black car parked by the road, he pulled out his phone, thumbs already moving.
---
[Davey's House – Simultaneous]
A soft buzz. Davey glanced down at the glowing screen.
Ron [Text]:
> It's been a while, hasn't it? How are you?
Davey sat straighter, fingers stiff over the keyboard.
Davey [Typing]:
> It really has. I'm okay. You?
---
[Field – Kang and Jain]
Kang kneeled and opened the first aid kit Ron handed over. Jain flinched as Kang touched the wound.
Kang:
"You're very brave. I'll clean this now. It might sting, but it'll pass."
Jain: (wincing)
"Owww… You're really nice, Mister…"
Kang: (smiling faintly)
"That's good to hear."
Jain: (studying Kang's face)
"You're handsome! Like my mama!"
Kang chuckled.
Kang:
"Your mama must be quite something."
Jain: (nodding seriously)
"Mama's not a girl. Mama is a boy like me! But still very beautiful. Just like you!"
Kang's hand paused slightly on the bandage. Something unreadable passed through his gaze, but he didn't speak it.
---
[Davey's Phone – Simultaneous]
Ron [Text]:
> I'm working under someone now. Big name. Calm guy. Keeps things neat.
Davey [Text]:
> That's good to hear. Where are you now?
Ron [Text]:
> You won't believe it. Osaki village.
Davey stared at the screen, his heart catching — but the text was casual. Ron didn't know.
Davey [Text]:
> oh I see .
---
[Field – Kang and Jain Continued]
Kang: (bandaging the wound)
"There. All done."
Jain: (sniffling but smiling)
"You're really cool, Mister!"
Kang: (offering a faint smile)
"What's your name?"
Jain:
"I'm Jain!"
Kang:
"Jain. That's a strong name."
Jain: (grinning)
"What's yours?"
Kang: (after a pause)
"Kang Jin-ho."
Jain: (gasping)
"Funny! Handsome Uncle's name is Jin-ho?! I'm Jain! We match!"
Behind them, Ron chuckled to himself and resumed texting, walking a short distance away.
---
[Davey's Phone – Final Texts in this Scene]
Ron [Text]:
> You know what's funny? We met this little boy just now. Scraped his knee running around.
Davey [Text]:
> Oh? Hope he's okay.
Ron [Text]:
> Yeah. Cute kid. Said his mama is a boy. Reminded me of you — loud and fearless.
Davey [Text]: (fingers trembling slightly)
> Haha. Sounds familiar.
Ron [Text]:
> Felt weird. Like old times, y'know? Talking to you again.
I kinda missed this.
Davey swallowed hard, fingers loose. No hint of suspicion. Nothing overt. But his heart was pounding. He closed his eyes briefly, whispering to himself: Please… don't let him find out. Not yet.
Scene Continues: The Storm Gathers
The messages stopped, but Davey's chest still heaved with shallow, rapid breaths.
Ron's tone had been casual — warm, even. But Davey had known him too long. That warmth was deceptive, like the calm wind before a typhoon. Jain's innocent words, mirrored in the text, rang too close to the truth.
"Said his mama is a boy."
Davey stared out the window again, but the field was hidden by the treeline. He couldn't see Jain. He couldn't see anything.
He jumped to his feet.
"Shan!" he called, walking fast toward the back room. "Where's Jain?"
Shan looked up from his mortar and pestle, fingers stained green from crushed leaves. "I thought he was playing near the fields. He usually comes back before sunset."
Davey glanced at the wall clock. It was already past four. The sun was beginning to dip.
"That's late." His voice cracked slightly. "That's later than usual."
Shan stood up, brushing his apron clean. "I was just about to go look—"
"No!" Davey said sharply, more forcefully than he meant to. Shan blinked, taken aback.
Davey exhaled and tried again, gentler. "I mean… I'll go. You should finish the medicine. It's almost drying time, right?"
Shan's eyes lingered on Davey's face. "You're acting strange."
"I'm just—worried," Davey said quickly. "He scrapes his knees all the time, but today… I don't know. Just let me go, okay?"
Shan didn't press. He nodded slowly. "Alright. Be safe."
Davey left in a rush, feet pounding against the dry earth as he ran toward the field.
---
[At the Field – Just Before Davey Arrives]
Jain had calmed down, his bandaged knee now only a dull throb. Kang had helped him to sit on a large stone near the field's edge, crouching beside him patiently. His calm, steady presence had soothed the other children too.
Kang (to Jain):
"So, do you live nearby?"
Jain (nodding):
"Yes! My mama says we shouldn't talk to strangers, but you're nice. You helped me."
Kang chuckled. "Smart advice. Your mama's protective."
"Because I'm small," Jain said, puffing his chest. "But I'm growing!"
Ron watched, arms folded, his eyes occasionally flicking to Kang's face. Something about how his master looked at the child unsettled him, but he said nothing.
Suddenly, Kang's attention shifted. A figure was approaching from across the field, running fast.
A Lie for Love: Davey's Desperate Choice
An Emotional Narrative Scene
Davey stumbled out of the house, his chest aching, heart thrashing wildly like a beast in a trap. His legs carried him without direction, his eyes wide, frantic, scanning the sunlit fields now darkened by the descending dusk. He couldn't see clearly through the sweat and the panic. Every shadow looked like a threat, every breeze whispered fear.
"Jain… Jain…" he muttered under his breath, his voice ragged with dread.
And then he saw him.
There—under the sprawling banyan tree at the field's edge—was Jain. Laughing. Spinning around with a stick in one hand, the hem of his shirt flapping in the wind like a small flag. And beside him stood Kang Jin-ho, tall, composed, watching the child with a kind of stillness that made the air feel heavier. Not far from him, Ron stood silently, his expression unreadable.
Davey's blood froze. His instincts screamed: Get Jain. Now.
He cupped his hands around his mouth, voice breaking from the force of it. "Jain! Jain, come here!"
The boy's head snapped up. That radiant smile—so like Shan's—spread across his face. "Unc… Davey!"
But that second part, "Uncle," was swallowed by the breeze, lost before it could reach Kang's ears. Ron caught it—his eyes flicked toward Jain sharply—but Kang remained unaware, still watching with curiosity.
Jain ran to him, all excitement and innocence, his injured knee seemingly forgotten. As he reached Davey, arms outstretched, Davey bent down and caught him in a tight, almost crushing hug. He dropped to his knees, pulling Jain close, his voice trembling as he whispered urgently against the child's ear.
"Son… listen to me, okay? We're going to do a drama. A special game. And then… I'll tell you even more stories about your father. The best ones. Promise."
Jain blinked at him, puzzled but intrigued, nodding eagerly. "Drama? Stories? Yes, Uncle Davey! I'll do anything you tell me!"
Davey's hand gently cupped the boy's cheek. His lips barely moved as he whispered again, every word forged from terror. "Call me mother. In front of them. Say 'Mother,' Jain."
The boy's eyes widened. It was strange, but not scary. It was a game. He loved games. And he loved stories. And he loved Davey, who always kept him safe.
Jain (with a serious nod):
"Yes, Mother!"
He grabbed Davey's hand and dragged him cheerfully back toward the banyan tree.
Jain (loudly, to the others):
"Look, Mother! This is Kang Uncle! He helped me when I fell. And that's Ron Uncle! His earrings are cool!"
Davey stiffened. Ron's eyes flicked up sharply. Kang's head tilted slightly, his gaze on Jain, then shifting to Davey with curiosity.
Ron (slowly, almost testing):
"…You're… the mother?"
Davey (lifting his chin, forcing his voice to stay steady):
"Yes. I'm Jain's mother."
Ron's brows twitched. His lips parted, but he said nothing for a moment. Then…
Ron (softly, a strange tone in his voice):
"You moved on."
The words hit Davey like a slap. He held Ron's gaze for only a second before looking away. Kang stepped forward then, voice low and steady.
Kang:
"This boy… he's your son?"
Davey (a pause, then a firm nod):
"Yes. My son."
Kang's expression softened. He looked at Jain, then back at Davey with something gentler in his eyes.
Kang:
"I didn't know. He bumped into me earlier. Fell. Hurt his knee a little. I—didn't realize he was that young. I'm sorry."
Davey (quickly, eyes flicking to Jain's knee):
"It's fine. He's always tripping over himself. He's… a handful."
Jain (grinning up at Kang):
"But Kang Uncle picked me up like a giant! You're very strong, Uncle!"
Kang smiled slightly, crouching to Jain's level.
Kang:
"You're brave. You didn't even cry. Just like your—"
He caught himself. Then glanced at Davey.
"Just like your… mother, I suppose."
Ron's arms were crossed now. His eyes never left Davey. His voice was quiet but pointed.
Ron:
"Interesting. You never mentioned you had a child."
Davey (forcing a smile):
"There were… reasons. It's complicated."
Ron (dryly):
"It always is, with you."
Jain tugged Davey's hand again, still in character.
Jain:
"Mother! Are we going to do the drama again at home too?"
Davey (softly, eyes still on Kang):
"Yes, darling. We'll keep playing when we get home."
Kang (rising):
"I hope I didn't frighten him. He's a bright child."
Davey:
"No, not at all. Thank you for helping him."
Ron (finally speaking again, measured):
"So… where's the father?"
Davey's jaw tightened. The lie pressed like thorns in his throat.
Davey:
"Gone. Long gone. It's just been me and Jain."
Ron's stare was too knowing, but he didn't push. He just nodded once, slowly. Kang, on the other hand, seemed content with the answer—for now.
Kang:
"If you ever need help with him… I mean, it's not easy raising a child alone."
Davey (shaking his head, a bit too quickly):
"We manage. We're fine."
There was a flicker—something unreadable—in Kang's eyes. Not suspicion. Not yet. But… curiosity.
Jain (excited):
"Mother, can we tell them the story about the storm and the cave?!"
Davey (placing a firm hand on his shoulder):
"Another time, Jain. It's getting late."
Kang (smiling faintly):
"You tell good stories?"
Davey:
"I've had to. Jain likes them before bed."
Davey turned to leave, scooping Jain into his arms, heart pounding. Jain giggled, waving at the two men behind them.
Jain (yelling back):
"Bye, Kang Uncle! Bye, Ron Uncle! That was a good game!"
As they walked away, Ron finally pulled out his phone, typing quickly. Kang remained still, gaze fixed on their retreating backs.
Ron (texting to Davey):
> "That wasn't just drama. I really don't believe that you became mother, I know I think I am late but congrat because of your motherhood
Davey (reading the message later, breath catching):
> thanks ( in his mind -"For Shan. For Jain. I'll be the ghost if I have to.")