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Chapter 24

Eun-woo, standing beside Seok-eon, fidgeted nervously and moved over to Yeong-nam and the rest of the team.

"No matter how low the tier, a match you step into is still a world where people fight for money. Chairman Jung invested in you based on your potential—results are only natural. This isn't about saving face. What are you all standing around for? Move!"

At Hoon-jeong's shout, everyone hurried toward the van. Eun-woo glanced back nervously, but soon they all boarded and disappeared from sight.

"Hurry up and get ready for training!"

Hoon-jeong turned sharply, leaving Seok-eon standing alone, watching the van disappear. He couldn't shake the image of Eun-woo's anxious face as he kept looking back from the vehicle.

Soon, dressed lightly, Seok-eon entered the gym. Hoon-jeong was waiting for him in the ring. As he'd said, Seok-eon's first professional match as a fighter was approaching.

The opportunity had come sooner than expected. Realizing that, a strange tension pricked at his chest. It was clearly different from the regulated tournaments he'd competed in out of habit.

How could he describe the feeling of being thrown into a raw world with nothing promised? After putting on his headgear and boxing gloves, Seok-eon stepped into the ring and began light striking practice on the heavy bag.

"No matter how good your kicks are, they're just one technique among many. If you ever face a grappler who's strong on the ground, your skills won't mean a thing."

Hoon-jeong relentlessly provoked Seok-eon with cold words. Driven by an inexplicable stubbornness, he gritted his teeth. His nonstop movements soon left sweat dripping onto the floor. After the bag work, he immediately moved on to pad drills with Hoon-jeong.

"Keep your upper body lower! Never drop your guard until the bell rings! If you can't attack, get out fast!"

At Hoon-jeong's booming shouts, Seok-eon gritted his teeth and moved his feet. After throwing a series of light jabs, he suddenly extended a straight punch, striking Hoon-jeong square in the face.

Hoon-jeong quickly leaned back, but his balance was already broken. In that instant, Seok-eon grabbed his collar and swept his ankle. Thud. Caught off guard, Hoon-jeong fell to the floor.

Contrary to expectations, Seok-eon didn't follow up with an attack—he extended his hand. A bit taken aback by the unexpected sportsmanship, Hoon-jeong eventually took his hand and got up. Then he clapped his gloves together and shouted for more. Their sparring session resumed.

---

As autumn set in, a chill began to envelop the surroundings. Returning home directly from school, Hae-ju carried a tray from the kitchen to the main room.

"Auntie, please eat."

She set the tray down and carefully helped Ja-young, who was lying down, sit up. After some coaxing, she managed to put a spoon in her hand.

"I have no appetite..."

"You just got back from the hospital yesterday. The doctor said you need to pay special attention to your diet. And I promised Seok-eon I'd take good care of you. So you have to eat well."

After chemotherapy, Ja-young would lose her strength for a while, so Hae-ju prepared meals focused on recovery.

"How long has it been since Seok-eon came by?"

"A little over two months now."

Lost in thought, Ja-young let out a deep sigh.

"I see. But why does it feel like ages?"

"He'll be back soon. He said he'd come often once the match is over."

Ja-young looked at Hae-ju, who was trying to ease her worries with gentle care. Though not talkative, she had always looked after her without complaint—consistent as ever. In this bleak situation, with no real son around, Ja-young found comfort in knowing Hae-ju was by her side.

As the meal drew to a close, Hae-ju placed the medicine packet and a cup of water on the tray. After Ja-young struggled to swallow her pills and drink the water, Hae-ju helped her lean against the wall and propped her back with a large pillow.

"You know you shouldn't lie down right after eating, right? Once I finish the dishes and clean up, we'll go for a walk together. Okay?"

"Hae-ju."

As Hae-ju tidied up, Ja-young called her name softly. The clear-eyed girl met her gaze.

"Yes?"

"Come here."

At her call, Hae-ju came over readily. Ja-young looked at her and opened her lips with effort.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

Ja-young took Hae-ju's hand.

"What I said last winter—it's been weighing on my mind."

At Ja-young's darkened expression, Hae-ju's face also grew quiet. She answered as if it were nothing.

"What do you mean? I don't really remember."

Knowing the girl was trying to brush it off, Ja-young still faced her own shame.

"I think I've known for a while—that Seok-eon is especially conscious of you."

At the unexpected words, Hae-ju caught her breath.

"At first, I thought it was just unfamiliarity. I thought that as you lived together, you'd grow comfortable like siblings—like real family. But... I didn't realize that time would also make you grow up."

"Auntie."

Ja-young had already known about the turmoil Hae-ju had thought was hers alone. Realizing that, her face grew hot. She squeezed Ja-young's hand tighter.

"I liked you, Hae-ju. I really wished you were my daughter. When I thought about adopting you, part of it was my own pain—but honestly, I wanted to be a good mother to you, who was struggling through life. I..."

Ja-young couldn't finish. Understanding her conflicted heart, Hae-ju held her hand quietly and forced a smile.

"You were already a good enough mother to me. More than enough."

At her words, Ja-young's eyes glistened with tears as she smiled.

"How much longer do I have?"

"Auntie!"

Ja-young laughed through her tears and reached out to stroke Hae-ju's cheek.

"When I think about it, everything feels so futile. And now I've even started having shameless thoughts. Hae-ju... would you take care of our Seok-eon for me?"

Startled by her sudden words, Hae-ju's eyes widened. She held the hand that was stroking her cheek. A sudden fear gripped her—the fear that Ja-young might leave her side, just as her father had.

"Don't say that. Without you, neither Seok-eon nor I could go on. You know that!"

"Hae-ju. Can you watch over Seok-eon?"

"Please stop!"

Hae-ju pulled Ja-young into a tight embrace. Ja-young let out a soft laugh and patted her back.

"I'm sorry for being selfish. But I think I'd feel at peace knowing that. What should I do?"

At Ja-young's whispered words, Hae-ju's tears welled up as she held her tighter, shaking her head. When she finally pulled back and looked at Ja-young, she was still wearing a sad smile. But she seemed to have let go of a heavy burden, taking a deep breath and settling in to rest.

---

Ding—

[Ms. Kang Hae-ju, I would like to sincerely apologize for your dismissal last time. If you have time, could you stop by our restaurant?]

As she was leaving school after class, Hae-ju stopped at the unexpected message. It was from the restaurant that had fired her two months ago.

---

"I apologize for the unilateral dismissal last time. I acted rashly because I was so shocked that day. So, if you're willing, I'd like you to come back to work at our restaurant. What do you say?"

With a sincere apology, the owner made an unexpected offer.

"Me, again?"

"Yes. Manager Min-kyung spoke highly of you, and the VIP guest from that day also asked that you be allowed to continue working—he was gracious enough to intervene on your behalf."

The owner was the type who needed everything to be perfect. Even though it had been an accident and her mistake was clear, the owner was now apologizing and offering her job back—Hae-ju couldn't understand her true intentions.

Seeing her doubtful expression, the owner finally revealed her real reason.

"To be honest, the person I hired after you made so many mistakes... You know how hard it is to find good help these days. I really missed having you."

Rubbing her temple and shaking her head, she seemed to have been under a lot of stress.

"The customer himself kindly asked for leniency, so I figured it was pointless to hold onto my pride. That's why I'm asking you—though it's not easy for me. Will you come back? I'll raise your hourly wage as an apology."

A strange satisfaction rose in her heart at this apology from the woman who had coldly dismissed her. She should have turned down the offer lightly, wanting an even more satisfying outcome.

But reality was harsh. She hadn't found another job yet, and with tuition to worry about, the owner's new offer was quite attractive.

"Welcome back. Good to have you."

As she entered the locker room, Min-kyung greeted her warmly. A few people sneered, as if to say she'd come running back quickly, but it didn't matter. This place was familiar, and Min-kyung was here.

"Excuse me, Manager."

"Yes, what is it?"

"The guest I made the mistake with that day—do you think I'll have a chance to see them again?"

At Hae-ju's question, Min-kyung smiled knowingly.

"Great instincts, Hae-ju. As it happens, that guest has a reservation this weekend."

"What?"

Hae-ju stared at the manager with a surprised expression at the unexpected answer.

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