Chapter 55: A Fresh Start

The new year of 2002 dawned. The magpies chirped, announcing the morning of the new year.

Snow that had piled up overnight began to melt along the icicles on the roof, and one by one, the icicles that stretched from every house fell to the ground and shattered into pieces.

A quiet and peaceful morning began just like that.

I became a senior in high school, and Da-hye moved up to the second year of middle school. Time flowed on without pause, and before I knew it, the first day of the new year had arrived.

The first project of the year was to set up an atelier for Go Dae-sik.

Dae-sik had always crouched over the desk in the corner of his room, drawing comics. When I thought about how diligently he’d worked in that cramped space, piled high with books, school supplies, and stacks of paper, I felt grateful but also carried a constant heaviness in my heart.

So, as the first step this year, I decided to gift Dae-sik a comfortable environment.

Of course, I couldn’t do it alone, so I brought Mom along. She welcomed my idea and went with me to look for an office.

We focused on places that weren’t too far from home and school, and weren’t isolated.

After pounding the pavement for a few days, we spotted a three-story commercial building directly across from Da-hye’s middle school. On the first floor, a fruit store, a stationery shop, and a snack place were lined up, and we headed to an office on the second floor, where the school’s athletic field was clearly visible.

It was about 20 pyeong in size. Windows lined every wall, and sunlight poured in evenly.

The walls didn’t seem to need much work, either.

For an old building, it was decent.

“This looks good, sir. We’ll take it.”

I told the real estate agent right away that we’d take it.

Given the location, the deposit and monthly rent weren’t bad.

“Please keep it in white tones, make it as bright and clean as possible. The lighting should be soft—please, nothing too glaring.”

After the contract, I immediately contacted the interior decorator and placed the order for renovations.

The work took about five weeks to finish, and we opened on the Monday of the fourth week in February, after Lunar New Year.

“Wow… Really, am I going to work here now?”

Dae-sik gaped as he looked around the office.

The white-toned space was equipped with all kinds of gear. The desk was a wide, dedicated work table with electric angle adjustment. On top, high-resolution dual monitors were lined up.

Along the wall stood a large color printer and a copier.

“Is this… Am I really allowed to use all this? I’m in a daze.”

“I bought it for you to use, so of course you should.”

I smiled and placed my hand on Dae-sik’s shoulder, who still wore a disbelieving expression.

“I’ve invested this much, so work hard without lacking for anything. For your goals and dreams.”

Those who work hard deserve a fitting reward.

Hoping for the day Dae-sik would be able to soar freely, I fixed my gaze on a spot on the wall.

[When you stop, opportunity disappears.]

[Running now will someday become our business card.]

There, on the wall, were words that held my beliefs and promises.

Rather than choose to stop because it’s hard, I want to achieve my goals with the mindset that hardship makes it worthwhile.

I hoped Dae-sik, too, would press on to the end and not give up halfway.

---

During the break after the first period, I was passing by the teachers’ office on my way to the bathroom.

In front of the office, I saw Hye-in and her homeroom teacher.

“Hye-in, aren’t you going to pay the lunch fee?”

Then came the voice of Hye-in’s teacher.

By chance, I witnessed Hye-in talking with her teacher about the lunch fee problem in front of the teachers’ office. Her expression was very dark.

……

Because we usually ate together before lunch, I hadn’t thought much about it, but only then did I realize—Hye-in was so poor she couldn’t even pay the lunch fee.

She missed the payment every time, and whenever she did, she was dragged to the teachers’ office and scolded by her teacher.

It’s possible someone can’t pay the lunch fee, so why embarrass kids like that every single time? I couldn’t understand it.

I couldn’t help but resent Hye-in’s homeroom teacher.

Why couldn’t an adult try to understand a student’s circumstances?

Our family had been poor once too, so I prided myself on knowing better than anyone else how embarrassing this was for Hye-in.

“Teacher, here’s Hye-in’s lunch fee.”

Angry at the teacher for embarrassing my friend, I couldn’t stand it any longer and stepped forward. I pulled two ten-thousand-won bills from my wallet and held them out to the teacher who had embarrassed Hye-in.

The teacher said I was being rude and glared at me, but I ignored it all and led Hye-in out of the teachers’ office.

I hadn’t done anything wrong, so there was no reason to put up with the teacher’s words.

“D-Da-hye, what are you doing all of a sudden? I have money. I just left it at home.”

I heard Hye-in’s voice from behind.

“My brother said so. Lying is bad. But worse is not taking care of your family and friends.”

It was something I’d heard so often since elementary school that I was sick of it. If you’re really struggling, that’s one thing, but if you have the means, never ignore the hardships of family and friends.

I was angry with myself.

I was angry that I’d known my precious friend was economically disadvantaged and hadn’t helped her properly. I was angry a second time that I hadn’t taken care of Hye-in first.

“Da-hye…”

“Not having money isn’t a crime. So don’t hide it. Hiding it is worse.”

“I-I just…”

“Don’t be ashamed. It’s not your fault. If you don’t have it, I’ll help you.”

“…Da-hye.”

Hye-in stared at me blankly for a moment, then quietly lowered her head. Receiving help didn’t mean she was any less than me.

“Hey, I’m loaded. My allowance even went up. My brother makes good money now, so he increased my allowance. I can afford to take care of you. So don’t feel burdened. My brother says environment shapes people. I’ll make your environment, so hold your head up high.”

“…Thank you.”

Hye-in pressed her lips together, then whispered a soft thank you to me.

Seeing her so hunched and small made my heart ache.

Neither Hye-in nor I was born to be despised because of poverty, and yet the world always seems to side with those who have, as if being poor is a sin.

If my brother hadn’t succeeded as a writer, wouldn’t I have lived just like Hye-in?

That thought crossed my mind.

“Don’t even thank me. I’m helping because I can, and because we’re friends.”

“…But.”

“Hey, stand tall. Did you commit a crime or something?”

“N-No, it’s just… I’m grateful and embarrassed…”

“If you’re grateful, sing me your favorite song. You’ve wanted to be a singer since elementary school.”

Hye-in loved to sing, and she was truly good at it.

I first realized just how good she was during a music class performance exam, when Arin played the piano and Hye-in sang beside her.

When she sang, Hye-in shone brighter than anyone.

“A-ah, no. It’s just a hobby.”

“There you go again, lying.”

“It’s just that…”

“I told you, I’m rich now. If you need money, just say so. I’ll cover you.”

I declared myself Hye-in’s sponsor.

“So don’t give up on your dream.”

I hope Hye-in doesn’t let go of her dream, and that she achieves it in the end. That’s my honest wish.

I remember the way Hye-in’s eyes sparkled every time she sang, the clear voice that filled our classroom during music class. Not just as a friend, but as a true fan, I dream of the day Hye-in stands on stage and sings with all her heart.

I know just how hard it is to achieve a dream. Especially if you’re not financially secure, you can’t get by on passion alone.

I learned that from my brother.

Seung-hyun went out of his way to find an office for Go Dae-sik, set up the equipment, and prepare the space. He didn’t expect anything in return—he just wanted Dae-sik to be able to show his talent, and not give up.

Watching that, I realized something too.

Helping a friend is truly a precious thing.

So I made up my mind to help Hye-in.

It wasn’t just about giving money. It was about helping her rediscover the dream she’d forgotten, and cheering her on so she could take each step forward.

“Do you really think I can do it too?”

At first, Hye-in hesitated, but as I kept telling her—again and again—she began to change.

“Of course. You have plenty of talent. Don’t hide it. Now it’s your turn to show the world.”

“Thank you, Da-hye…”

After my repeated persuasion, a faint but definite spark ignited in Hye-in’s eyes.

I believe it. That someday, Hye-in will stand on stage, singing to applause.

And on that day, I’ll be the first to cheer for her with all my heart.

“Hye-in, I’m in the mood. I’m not feeling great today, so let’s go shopping. I’ll buy you the perfect outfit for your audition!”

Truly, nothing lifts a gloomy mood like shopping.

Today, I’ll make sure to cheer us both up by dressing Hye-in beautifully.

---

Now that I was a third-year high school student, school had started again. When I entered the classroom, a homeroom teacher I’d never seen before was standing at the front, introducing himself.

His name, major, subject, and his general plan for running the class followed.

I sat by the window, quietly listening, then turned my gaze outside.

Sunlight traced a long line across the classroom floor through the window.

Amused by the sight, I smiled faintly.

【Hey, big news! They’re holding a writing contest here! You should try entering too.】

Dae-sik, who somehow always had the scoop, came to me and urged me to enter the contest.

“Hm, a contest…”

I had never once entered a writing contest before. These days, Dae-sik was so enthusiastic about anything related to me that he’d throw himself into it completely.

I didn’t feel much about it, but Dae-sik was more excited and fired up than I was.

Even when he brought this to me.

【Does everyone get to win a publisher’s prize? Who cares if your novel’s a different genre? Submit it, and if you don’t win, no big deal. If you do, that’s great. In the end, isn’t writing all about whether readers have fun or not?】

He said this, giving me a light punch and a dead-serious look.

Now that I think about it, he wasn’t wrong. No matter how different your work is, the unchanging rule is that you have to give the reader ‘enjoyment’.

“Well, it’s not like I’m in any position to be picky.”

I have to succeed as a writer.

If I don’t, I’ll lose my memories of my little brother.

But the problem is, I don’t know what counts as ‘success’.

That’s why it’s important to try everything, no matter what.

This time, I resolved to enter the contest.