Idol of the Heavenly One - Chapter 62.2
“Yes! My friends always exchange gifts on their birthdays…”
The child trailed off, then suddenly laughed louder and added,
“I finally got one too…!”
I couldn’t reply. From the small child who seemed not even ten yet, I caught a fleeting reflection of myself. The loneliness in his young eyes pierced my heart in a strange way. Perhaps when I was his age, this was how I looked to others too.
I slowly raised my hand and gently patted his head. The coarse strands of hair brushed against my palm vividly.
“Treasure it. That’s my favorite character.”
“…Okay!”
The child’s bright smile as he nodded looked so beautiful. That innocent grin quickly warmed my heart, and at the same time, it reminded me of someone. That smile, that laughing face. He was still too young for his features to be fully defined, yet somehow he seemed to resemble someone I knew.
“You, kid. You’d be really popular if you became a celebrity. You’re good-looking.”
“A celebrity?”
“Yeah. Like those idols kids your age like these days.”
“An idol…”
The boy quietly repeated the word with his small lips. He murmured it for a while, then lowered his gaze. I stood up abruptly. The sun had already dipped lower, and the shadows had grown longer. I looked down and saw the snack bag folded neatly in my hand like a paper card. That’s right. I’d said I’d eat it because my teeth were cold.
“Get home safe.”
“Yes…!”
I waved at the small back of the child. He turned around once more at the corner of the alley and waved both hands at me. The gesture was so endearing that I couldn’t help but smile. Only after the boy disappeared down the alley did I turn toward home.
A few days ago, the child protection center I had reported to called to say they would soon visit the boy’s home and arrange protective measures. I was relieved. Starting next week, I would be working at another school, and it would be hard to look after him any longer.
“Mister—!”
“Hm? You haven’t gone yet?”
The boy ran toward me again. Just like before, he had started walking away, then suddenly dashed back. The sound of his quick breathing and small footsteps echoed sharply in my ears.
“Mister, you too…!”
“Me? What about me?”
“You’re handsome too!”
“Me?”
“Yes! You too, let’s be idols together!”
Ha ha ha ha. I couldn’t help but burst out laughing at his random comment. I laughed so hard that my stomach hurt. At my age, being an idol would definitely make headlines. But the child’s gaze was serious. His bright eyes sparkled as he earnestly cheered me on.
I ruffled his hair playfully.
“I’m too old for that.”
“No, you’re not…!”
The boy hesitated for a moment, then shouted more firmly that I wasn’t. His small but sincere heart was so endearing. I nodded and whispered softly.
“Thank you.”
“…I mean it.”
“Then I’ll do it in my next life.”
At that, the boy pouted briefly, then broke into a wide grin and nodded with all his might.
“Okay!”
His voice echoed loudly through the alley bathed in the glow of sunset. That laughter and answer lingered in my ears for a long time, as if etched into my heart, refusing to fade.
“Myeong-hyeon, son?”
“Yes…?”
“Wake up. Eat dinner, then go back to sleep.”
“Oh, okay…”
“Wake Jae-heon up too.”
My mother’s soft whisper stirred me awake. I had fallen asleep when the sun was still high, but when I opened my eyes, dusk had already settled. She must not have woken us for lunch, wanting to let us rest, but now she wanted us to eat before sleeping again. I nodded and turned my head toward Baek Jae-heon.
Then I froze.
In the narrow single bed, Baek Jae-heon and I were practically wrapped in each other’s arms. I wondered how startled my mother must have been if she saw us like this. Thankfully, my hand wasn’t in any strange place.
“Baek Jae-heon.”
I hadn’t meant to speak quietly, but my voice came out low and rough. Jae-heon was lying on his side facing me, the fading sunset shining softly across his face. I wanted to let him sleep a little longer, but since he ate well, it seemed better to wake him up for dinner before letting him rest again. I carefully placed a hand on his shoulder.
Then, as tears slipped from his closed eyes, a choked voice escaped his lips.
“…Where are you?”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
