The classroom buzzed with the usual dull hum of boredom when their class teacher, Mr. Dev, strolled in with that "I've got news that'll wake y'all up" energy.
Mr. Dev grinning,
"Alright, listen up! Sports Day is next week. If you want to participate, give your names to... ah, of course, our In-su."
He gave the boy a smirk.
"Because clearly, he has nothing better to do than fight, so he might as well carry a list. In-su, got it?"
From the last bench, In-su raised his head slowly like a zombie waking from a nap.
In-su (deadpan):
"Okay."
Then went right back to sleep on his desk.
A ripple of laughter moved through the class.
Aera, sitting beside him, couldn't help it. A tiny smile tugged at the corners of her lips. The way he said "okay" like the world didn't matter... it always made her smile. But as she watched him resting there, peaceful and unaware, a cold thought crept in like a shadow.
What if one day… I have to leave him?
The doctor's voice echoed in her head like a curse. "Not much time."
And just like that, the smile vanished.
She looked away quickly.
By lunch, most of her classmates had given their names to In-su. Excitement buzzed in the air, relay, tug of war, shot put, long jump... Everyone had something.
Even Lia dragged Aera by the wrist.
"Hey! 500m race. Come on, we'll do it together. Let's die side by side."
Aera half laughing,
"Wow, inspiring speech. Sure. I'm in."
They giggled, scribbled their names on the list In-su barely held, and went back to gossiping until class ended.
Evening came, and Aera's phone buzzed.
"Sweetheart, I'm sorry. I have to stay late at work again. I won't be able to pick you up."
Aera stared at the message. Not angry. Just... tired.
She looked over at In-su, who was lazily packing his bag.
"Hey. Um… can you walk me home today?"
He blinked at her once, then nodded.
"Yeah. Let's go."
Later that evening, just as the air in the house started to settle into an awkward silence, her father walked in like nothing ever happened. No apology. No talk. Just a neatly wrapped box in hand.
Aera was sitting on the couch, watching something dumb on TV just to distract her brain. Her mom was still not back yet.
He placed the box silently on the dining table and headed straight to his room.
Not a word.
Not a glance.
Like the argument, the insults, the storm of yesterday night, never even existed.
A few minutes later, her mother came in, looking drained. She spotted the box and blinked.
Her mom in confusion,
"What's this?"
Aera shrugged.
Her mom slowly opened the box. Inside was a delicate necklace, silver, simple, but elegant. Probably expensive too.
Aera watched her mom's face twist slightly between confusion and exhaustion.
And all Aera could think was
I don't get him. Like... at all.
One minute he's cold and harsh, next he's giving out jewelry like he's some softhearted romantic.
Is he pretending? Or is he really just... numb inside?
Whatever.
Her mom sighing softly,
"Aera, darling... could you bring me a glass of water? I'm so tired."
"Sure."
But instead of just water, she came back and gently sat behind her mom on the couch.
"You look like a truck ran you over."
Her mom chuckled weakly.
"Feel like it too."
Aera began massaging her scalp, soft and slow. Her mom relaxed into it like a plant finally getting sunlight.
Her mother's eyes closed,
"God... that feels so good."
They didn't talk much. Just stayed like that peaceful. A rare moment.
Later, the three of them ate dinner. No one brought up anything. No one mentioned the fight. No one even acknowledged the necklace again.
Just forks clinking. Silent chewing.
Then lights off.
And sleep.
But Aera lay in bed for a long time, staring at the ceiling.
Her mom's sigh.
Her dad's silence.
The necklace sitting quietly in its box.
What a strange family, she thought.
But deep down, she still hoped… maybe tomorrow would be better.