The midday sun beat down relentlessly as Do-hoon crouched beside the car, sleeves rolled up, grease staining his hands. Hari sat a short distance away, drinking water, watching the heat shimmer above the road.
"Pass me the wrench," he said without looking up.
She handed it to him and stood beside him, shielding her eyes as he tightened the last bolt. A moment later, he straightened.
"Try starting it."
Hari slipped into the driver's seat. The engine came to life smoothly.
She smiled. "You should've been a mechanic."
"And fix whose car?" Do-hoon laughed. "No one here even owns one."
They shared a quiet moment before he gestured toward the road. "Want to go for a ride?"
"Sure."
They drove off.
The bus rattled gently as it wound through the narrow roads leading into Sanda, a small town tucked quietly within Joja City. Jin-wook sat by the window, headphones resting over his ears, his music low enough to let the outside world seep in. He rested his head against the glass, watching his reflection blur with the landscape. Few hours later, Jin-wook stepped off the bus, headphones still on, he paused to take in the familiar scenery he hadn't seen in years. The town felt smaller than he remembered, but warmer somehow, after the vastness of the big city he had just returned from in the US.
"Oh, my son."
Mrs. Yoo rose from the bench where she had been sitting, her eyes lighting up as she rushed toward him. Before he could react, she pulled him into a warm embrace, holding him tight as if she had been waiting for this moment her whole life.
"Honey, our son has arrived," she said, her voice trembling slightly with relief.
Jin-wook felt a pang of nostalgia. It had been years since he'd returned home like this. He followed her gaze toward the supermarket, where his father appeared, stepping out to greet him. Instinctively, Jin-wook bowed.
"Hello," he said softly.
"Have you been well?" His father's voice was steady, comforting, as he drew Jin-wook into a firm hug.
"Yes," Jin-wook replied, returning the gesture with a small, tired smile.
Mrs. Yoo guided him to the bench outside the store. "Come, sit down. I'll get you something to drink."
She disappeared inside, leaving him alone with his father for a few quiet moments.
"How was your journey?" Mr. Yoo asked.
Jin-wook let out a small smirk. "Good… but exhausting."
The sound of his mother's footsteps brought him back to the present. She returned with a cool drink, setting it carefully in front of him before sliding onto the bench beside him.
"Thank you," he murmured, accepting the drink.
"You must be tired," she said, brushing a stray strand of hair from his forehead and lightly touching his shoulder.
"It was a long journey," Jin-wook admitted, taking a sip. The cool liquid was comforting, grounding him in the present.
"Shouldn't we go home? I'll make you something to eat," she suggested.
"I'm not hungry. I just… need to rest," he said quietly.
"Really? Alright." she replied with a gentle smile.
Jin-wook nodded and left the bench. The walk home was quiet, the town itself seeming to hold its breath as he approached the familiar house. Inside, he dropped his bag and a suitcase as he just entered his bedroom.
He lay down on the bed, the weight of the journey pressing against him. As the window let in the soft evening light, he closed his eyes, lost in thought. Memories of the past, the people he had missed, and the life he had temporarily left behind swirled in his mind.
Hari closed the car door and gave Do-hoon a brief wave.
"Goodbye."
The engine started, and the car disappeared down the road. Hari turned toward the house.
As soon as she stepped inside, her mother's voice reached her.
"You're back?"
"Yes," Hari answered softly, slipping off her shoes by the door.
Mrs. Kang glanced at her from the kitchen. "Go take a bath. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes."
"Alright."
Hari headed toward her room.
Few minutes later, dinner was ready. They ate in silence until the question came.
"Are you going to keep working at Do-hoon's farm?" Mrs. Kang asked.
Hari didn't answer immediately. "Why?"
"You can't avoid work forever."
"I told you," Hari said quietly. "I'm not ready."
"you should remember you are not getting any younger."
Hari stood up and left the table. She retreated to her room, locking the door behind her, the familiar weight pressing against her chest.