A child who looks like me

After the prosecutor sat down, the judge said, “Defense counsel, please present your final arguments.”

The momentary expression that had appeared on Eun-yeop’s face quickly vanished. As the defense attorney rose from his seat, Eun-yeop transformed her expression once again into one of innocence and helplessness. Jeong-o felt a chill run down her spine at the sudden change in demeanor.

“The defendant has grown up under the guidance of a father who has dedicated his life to upholding the law as a Supreme Court justice and a mother who is a professor at a law school. She became a lawyer who understands the sanctity of the law better than anyone. After becoming a lawyer, she has worked several times as a public defender, standing up for the innocent and powerless. This human rights lawyer has been embroiled in cases where the evidence was meticulously fabricated, leading to her unfounded accusations.”

Jeong-o turned her head to look at Eun-bi. Eun-bi had removed her sunglasses, but her eyes revealed no emotions.

“As I have stated repeatedly, the defendant has no connection to the Cheolwangpa organization, and I cannot comprehend why Kim Jin-goo’s cell phone was found in her home. She merely met Kwon Bae-il out of sorrow over her father’s death and exchanged a few harsh words. However, she acknowledges her wrongdoing in making such reckless comments and is willing to accept her punishment. As for the unfortunate incident with Kwon Bae-il, she simply feels regret. The defendant was just looking for her friend, Jeong Ji-heon, when she unexpectedly faced harm. Moreover, please consider that the defendant was in a mentally unstable state when she entered the hospital room of Jeong Ji-heon’s mother, Jang Young-mi.”

After the lawyer finished speaking, Chae Eun-yeop stood up.

“If I could turn back time, there are many things I would want to change. Of course, it would be best to go back to when my father was alive, but even if that is not possible, I wish to go back to a time before anyone was harmed because of me, no matter how big or small. Since I cannot turn back time, all I can do now is offer my heartfelt apologies. It was never intentional, but I still hope that those who were hurt because of me recover quickly. I am truly sorry.”

Jeong-o trembled with anger at Eun-yeop’s insincerity, clenching her fists tightly. Ji-heon held her hand firmly.

“Ah, I shouldn’t get worked up thinking about our little one.”

Jeong-o reminded herself to calm her heart by recalling the baby inside her.

With Eun-yeop’s final remarks, the trial came to an end. As Jeong-o left the courthouse with Ji-heon, Eun-bi ran up to her. Ji-heon took a few steps to the side, sensing that Eun-bi had something to say to Jeong-o.

While Jeong-o could recognize another mother-to-be, Eun-bi’s thin figure made it hard for others to suspect her pregnancy. Nevertheless, Eun-bi habitually wrapped her arms protectively around her belly.

“We’re not here to help your brother’s defense.”

Eun-bi, now without her sunglasses, spoke to Jeong-o. She seemed concerned that others might see her as being as shameless as Chae Eun-yeop.

“Mom has decided to live for herself now. My brother has become an obstacle in my life… and he is no longer needed since he hasn’t realized his mistakes.”

Eun-bi’s flat tone suggested that she did not seek any sympathy from Jeong-o.

“You probably don’t understand my feelings because you have a good family.”

However, seeing the despondent look in Eun-bi’s eyes, which appeared so dull yet sad, Jeong-o felt an urge to say something but remained silent.

“Anyway, I think my mom just wants my brother not to receive a death sentence. I feel the same way.”

“……”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to see my brother sentenced. I’m planning to leave for the U.S. soon. Everything is already prepared. Mom wanted to see his face just once before leaving, so that’s why I came.”

“……”

“I’m sorry.”

After a stream of information that was hardly intriguing, a sudden apology followed. It felt like a concealed admission wrapped in layers of words. The tone was flat, but one emotion shone through clearly:

Shame.

“Well, I’ll be going.”

Seeming unable to endure her own embarrassment, Eun-bi turned on her heels and left without another word.

After Eun-bi left, Ji-heon returned to Jeong-o’s side. The event had unfolded so quickly that Jeong-o only snapped back to reality after taking a few more steps. With her eyes still blank, she subtly lifted the corners of her lips.

“Oppa.”

“Yeah.”

“I think hearing an apology is a hundred times better than not hearing one.”

“……”

“There was no clear reason for the apology, like ‘I’m sorry for this’ or ‘I’m sorry for that,’ but just that single word ‘sorry’ makes me feel so relieved.”

With Jeong-o’s sentiment, Ji-heon let out a quiet sigh.

“So, are you satisfied?”

“Yeah. Extremely.”

Eun-bi, my Jeong-o is such an easygoing person.

You, with your half-hearted apology, have been brushed aside so gracefully by her.

Ji-heon hoped that, even after a long time, Chae Eun-yeop would come to realize that while she may have no luck with brothers, she had considerable luck in other aspects.

***

On the Same Day.

Young-mi sat in a café, waiting for Bae-il.

She had heard about Bae-il from Ji-heon—everything that had happened until now and how Bae-il was doing. Young-mi expressed her intention to visit him.

This morning, she called the phone number Ji-heon had given her, and Bae-il answered. Young-mi told him she would wait for him at a café near her house. She didn’t want to force him to come; she simply said that if he didn’t show up before the café closed, she would leave.

Bae-il arrived not long after.

“Hello. It’s nice to meet you for the first time.”

Bae-il greeted her somewhat stiffly. That was the best he could manage.

He had lived for decades resenting someone he had never met. He had grown to hate Young-mi, even resent his friend Ji-heon.

After his mother passed away, he had gone through such a bleak childhood that not a single happy memory came to mind. As he grew taller, so did his hatred. He needed someone to blame, so he directed his anger toward Jang Young-mi and Jeong Ji-heon without restraint.

It likely wasn’t just one reason; it was the outcome of many choices. Yet he believed Ji-heon and Young-mi were the sole reasons for his suffering and let his hatred run wild.

He lived a life akin to a novice’s Go board.

When cornered, he had lost hope first. All the stones were laid out according to the will of the player holding them. Every stone had its own role and created a web of cause and effect, but he only blamed the opponent who had cornered him.

Even the stones that were useful became traps and blunders in his eyes. He hadn’t even tried to revive the game or think back on it.

It was only now that he understood.

“I’m sorry for coming here now.”

Young-mi spoke politely.

She apologized sincerely for the pain she had caused, for the difficulties she had inflicted, and for forgetting them all these years. She repeated this apology several times.

Bae-il couldn’t find any words to respond. He felt embarrassed to accept an apology since he too had many faults.

“If you need my help with anything, just let me know—be it labor or money.”

“I’m fine.”

That was all Bae-il could muster as a reply. He couldn’t say anything warmer.

“Then can I leave now?”

Bae-il stood up from his seat.

As he turned to leave, he managed a faint, fragile smile.

Surely, Mrs. Jang Young-mi must have come to apologize at her son’s request. I envied that heart, that love. It was a feeling I could never have again. I had no mother like that.

So, Ji-heon, I’ll be a little petty.

Forgiveness takes time. Now that I’ve received an apology, it was time for Bae-il to face things on his own.

I hope you can understand this time too.

***

The leaves that had colored the trees above had now fallen to the ground, marking the change of seasons.

And it was the day of Chae Eun-yeop’s sentencing.

Something even more significant happened for Ji-heon’s family: Ye-na was going to participate in the Go tournament again.

This time, both Jeong-o and Ji-heon had decided to accompany Ye-na. However, the day before the tournament, Jeong-o persuaded Ji-heon to attend the sentencing hearing instead. Ultimately, Ji-heon would attend the trial as the family representative.

“Ye-na, I’m sad that I can’t go.”

On the way to the tournament venue, Jeong-o spoke as if there were unavoidable circumstances preventing Ji-heon from attending, despite being the one who wasn’t going.

“Yeah.”

“Dad will go.”

Ji-heon, slightly annoyed, stubbornly stated that he was determined to watch the sentencing before joining them.

“Ye-na, tell Dad you’ll do great at the tournament!”

“Dad, I’ll get first place! You should hurry and go to work!”

“But I’m going, you know?”

Jeong-o and Ye-na looked so close that Ji-heon felt a pang of jealousy. After dropping them off at the tournament venue, he headed toward the courthouse, feeling anxious even before the trial began.

What did that brat Chae Eun-yeop do to deserve so many crimes?

If it could just be over in five minutes, that would be great, but the lawyers familiar with the case all agreed that it would take at least an hour for the judge to read the verdict. If it hadn’t been for his wife’s order to share the experience afterward, he wouldn’t have taken this road.

“Ji-heon.”

But unexpectedly, he found a companion on this lonely path. Bae-il had appeared.

“Bae-il.”

Bae-il, whom he hadn’t seen in a while, seemed to be in quite good spirits. It looked like he had finally put down the burden he had carried for years and felt much more at ease.

“Did you come alone?”

“Yeah. Jeong-o went to the Go tournament with Ye-na.”

“Oh, I see.”

“I want to hurry up and see my daughter too.”

“I’ll keep an eye on things for you. You should go quickly.”

“No, I need to see Chae Eun-yeop get sentenced with my own eyes.”

Bae-il chuckled at Ji-heon’s serious response. After hesitating, he finally shared something that had happened a few days earlier.

“I met your mother the other day.”

“Oh, really?”

Ji-heon feigned ignorance, pretending he hadn’t heard anything from Young-mi, and responded nonchalantly. Bae-il smiled slightly but didn’t pry into whether Ji-heon had asked his mother for anything. Ji-heon felt relieved.

Soon, Chae Eun-yeop and the judge entered the courtroom.

“From now on, we will proceed with the sentencing of defendant Chae Eun-yeop.”

The judge announced. Ji-heon checked the time.

There must be no light punishment. A proper verdict must be delivered. But he hoped it wouldn’t take an hour for the verdict. He wished the judge would read the sentencing quickly like a machine gun so that it could end sooner.

***

Back at the Olympic Handball Arena.

Upon arriving at the familiar venue, Ye-na shrank back slightly. Her memories of this place were not particularly pleasant, so Jeong-o hugged her tightly.

The woman who had lured Ye-na outside the Go academy long ago, Pyo Ji-ae, turned out to be Bae-il’s acquaintance.

It was a woman who had feelings for Bae-il who helped him. Even now, thinking back to that incident still sent chills down her spine and stirred up feelings of resentment, but Jeong-o’s family had decided to bury it all.

‘Before I knew it, I’ve become an icon of forgiveness…’

Reflecting on the past, Jeong-o chuckled to herself.

While she was lost in thought, Ye-na spoke.

“Mom, now I’m going in.”

“Okay! Do well! I’ll be watching from here.”

“Okay!”

The child waved cheerfully and left.

Korea’s Go prodigies gathered in one place.

This tournament followed a similar knockout format as previous ones, divided into lower and upper grades. Seven-year-old Ye-na was placed in the lower grade division.

“Jeong Ye-na.”

“Yes.”

Ye-na responded when the supervisor called her name. The supervisor verified her name tag and her face.

Group B, Jeong Ye-na. Just a few months ago, her name had felt so awkward at the Go tournament, but now it was a name familiar to her ears and eyes. As the name became familiar, the situation felt more comfortable. Although she had joked with her dad, she truly felt like she might be able to get first place.

Just then, someone at the next table spoke up.

“Are you back for the tournament again?”

At the sound of the voice, Ye-na turned her head.

It was Hong Jae-in, Hong Su-in’s older brother. Jae-in scanned Ye-na up and down with a dismissive smirk.

“Are you here to embarrass yourself again?”