* * *
Auntie An patted my head and said,
“Madam can’t just stay here. It would be a big problem.”
Why?
“Because Madam never sets foot in the annex.”
But she comes quite often.
Auntie An smiled at me.
“It’s a miracle. She comes because you’re adorable.”
Well, let’s just say it’s because of the lemongrass scent.
‘Addiction takes time to build.’
Someday she’ll come around.
But even considering that, she was a truly difficult person.
At that moment, I heard lively footsteps.
I grabbed the railing and stood up.
Mom burst through the door.
“Kongja!”
I smiled.
Mom picked me up and spun me around.
“Mama!”
“I missed you! My angel. How was your day?”
Mom brushed her fingers against my cheek.
When I held her hand and rubbed my cheek, her smile deepened.
“Ah, Kongja therapy! Kongja, I wanted to take a break from my schedule, but it was impossible.”
What for?
‘It’s better to strike while the iron is hot.’
Anyway, it looks like our mom is doing well.
“Auntie An, how was Kongja? Did he play well today?”
“Yes. He ate well and played well today. Kongja doesn’t get sick at all.”
“Oh. It’s a relief that he’s healthy.”
You’re happy about something so trivial, Mom.
Then Mom said,
“Then, would it be okay for you to come to my premiere tomorrow?”
Wow, Mother.
‘What a windfall!’
A premiere!
A place with people and cameras!
‘If it goes well, I might appear on entertainment news programs!’
If this face appears on TV, the path to celebrity is assured.
But Auntie An frowned.
“Kongja is still young. Is it okay for him to be in such a noisy place?”
“Right? He’s been okay so far. But the premiere team suggested it. They said let’s have an event with Kongja.”
Auntie An’s frown deepened.
“No, what do they plan to do with such a young child?”
“I was going to refuse right away, but they just want him to wear a pretty outfit, carry a flower backpack, and let me hold him.”
Only then did Auntie An’s expression soften.
“Oh, is that all?”
“They insisted. They said they planned it after seeing Kongja’s magazine photos, probably just to get some articles.”
Mom patted my back.
“What do you think?”
“Since Kongja was in the movie too, I think it’s fine.”
“Yeah. Plus, I’d like to get some congratulations for Kongja. But…”
Mom whispered softly.
“I’m worried. Will it be okay?”
Of course, it will be very fine, Mother.
‘Don’t worry!’
Though I understand her feelings.
Considering me, such concerns are natural.
“If Kongja feels shy, we can just skip it.”
Auntie An shook her head.
“No.”
“I felt it when taking the magazine photos. Kongja seems to take after you.”
Oh.
“Oh, did you feel that too, Auntie An?”
“Yes. He looked like a fish in water during the photo shoot.”
Mom looked down at me.
“What should we do?”
“Pa-bbu-ah!”
I want to go!
‘If I miss this opportunity, I’m not Kongja but a fool.’
I smiled brightly. If anything went wrong, I planned to use a coin.
Mom smiled a little seeing me.
“My gut tells me. Kongja wants to go to the premiere.”
Wow.
I clapped my hands and flapped my arms.
“Ppyu-ah!”
Great. Absolutely great.
“Hahaha! Kongja is so cute! You really want to go to Mommy’s premiere, right?”
“Ppa!”
Yes!
Mom held me and patted my bottom.
“You’re so cute I could die. What makes my angel so adorable?”
Milk and baby food.
Auntie An shook her head.
“It’s the love and care from Miss.”
Oh, that’s important too.
I smiled broadly and swung my legs.
‘There are many babies in the world, but not many receive all that.’
So I was very grateful to this person.
I looked at Mom.
Actress Ma Soo-jung, who became my mom, was very beautiful.
‘The City of the Dead will be a huge success.’
Moreover, it was a popular work even when it lacked a ‘warrior woman’ character arc.
Now that the most regrettable part was filled, the result was clear.
‘Mom.’
I grabbed Mom’s hand and kicked my legs.
‘I’ll do better.’
I noticed that raising a baby costs a lot of money.
‘Look forward to it!’
I smiled broadly and said.
“Mama!”
“Oh, my Kongja! So cute!”
Mom hugged me and spun around.
“Thanks to Kongja, Mommy feels so strong. Kongja, did you know? Mommy can do anything for her baby angel.”
Wow.
‘No need to go that far, really.’
Mom put me in the cradle and whispered softly.
“Yes. Anything.”
Oh.
‘This sounds like a personal resolution.’
I tilted my head. Mom loosened her fingers and put on leather gloves.
‘Oh, it’s still cold, but why the leather gloves?’
I wasn’t the only one curious. Auntie An asked.
“Miss, what are you doing?”
“Going to deal with Lee Yoo-gyeong.”
Oh, if it’s Lee Yoo-gyeong, the one who spoke carelessly back then?
‘I did give her a tongue lashing.’
Mom stretched her shoulders.
“Caught some nasty internet comments and recognized someone familiar.”
“Oh my.”
Auntie An covered her mouth and sighed.
“So… you’re going to the mansion to hit the second daughter-in-law?”
“Yes. I’ll deal with her.”
Mom tied up her hair.
“Ah, no, miss! But still!”
“It’s okay.”
Mom smiled brightly.
“I brought a bat with me.”
Wow. A bat. What a beautiful weapon.
‘My mom. She’s amazing.’
But then again.
‘Will it be okay?’
I looked at mom’s arm. It was toned from working out, but it was still slender like an actress’s.
‘Even if she puts in strength, can she even swing it? No, wait! No matter what, she’s still the second daughter-in-law, and a bat?’
Mom stretched her shoulders confidently and walked outside.
She didn’t forget to flash a V sign and wink as she left.
I sighed.
“Phoo.”
“Oh dear.”
I turned to look beside me. I met eyes with Auntie An.
There was no need for words.
Auntie A wife and I sighed simultaneously.
“Young master, don’t worry too much.”
Right, isn’t it?
No matter how much she hates her, it’s family.
She wouldn’t really hit her with a bat, right? Right?
“She shouldn’t overdo it though.”
…Huh?
Auntie An looked at me and shook the mobile once.
A clear bell sound was heard.
“You don’t know how the miss grew up.”
Of course, I don’t.
“She started with rhythmic gymnastics and learned ballet.”
‘She learned something beautiful!’
“Then she went to learn Taekwondo, boxing, and kickboxing.”
Oh my.
“After that, whenever she was stressed, she swung a bat. She probably still hits tires these days.”
Wow.
I imagined mom swinging a bat at a tire.
‘She learned strong and beautiful things.’
But I was still worried.
‘Will she really hit her?’
Hmm.
‘Was her name Lee Yoo-gyeong?’
She was the one who annoyingly welcomed us when we first came to this house, right?
‘Hmm, if she really gets hit, I’ll provide aftercare with my coin.’
But will she really hit her?
Auntie An continued mumbling as if she didn’t know my thoughts.
“She shouldn’t hit too much. The compensation will cost a lot.”
Huh? Is that already decided?
‘Hmm, I hope she doesn’t hit her.’
She could get hurt by a rebounding fragment if she hits wrong,
‘My mom’s face is precious.’
Auntie An kept worrying.
“Oh dear, miss. She should hit cleverly where it doesn’t show. Can she control her strength after such a long time?”
I had no words for a moment.
But the conclusion was clear.
‘Hmm, my mom is amazing after all.’
I smiled and prayed for the safe return of my mom who went on an expedition with a bat. It felt like I should.
* * *
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