[Today, we planted a banyan tree that Jenice likes and a peach tree that Ji-an likes. The azaleas bloom with a pink hue, and the pear blossoms display subtle white flowers. Finding solace in their similar flowering times, we hope that like the trees blooming side by side, Jenice and Ji-an can live together with full blossoms. While planting a tree…]

In the midst of this, Jenice, who was reading Jaeyoon’s diary, suddenly stood up and dashed out to the yard.

She hugged the tree planted side by side with the apricot tree, which had shrunk in height due to excessive pruning.

Ji-an, who also came out to the yard, smiled brightly as flowers bloomed on the branches that were pruned last time, showing a face full of joy.

The two similar-looking flowers had different colors.
On the first tree, vibrant pink flowers were blooming, and on the adjacent tree, white flowers were in full bloom.

Jenice pointed to the pink and white flowers in turn and spoke.

“Peach. And this one is a pear.”

“How did you know?”

“It’s written in Dad’s diary. You like peaches, and I like pears, right? Do you know how delicious Korean pears are?”

Ji-an looked at the flowers and suddenly gave Jenice a skeptical look, wondering why the conversation took such a turn. Then, she listened to Jenice’s praise about ‘pears’ for a while.

Around the time the empty frame was almost filled, Jenice opened her mouth while looking at a photo from her first contest.

“Actually, I really wanted to learn the violin, so I pestered Mom. At that time, you were a tiny little baby. If I had endured a bit, maybe Mom and your relationship wouldn’t have become like this.”

Ji-an, hearing about the story of being left at a daycare within a hundred days, looked at Jenice with resentful eyes.

“How can you steal a mom from a baby? It’s so unfair… Is it okay if I curse just once?”

“Curse?”

As Ji-an nodded her head, Jenice reluctantly nodded as well.

“You bad girl.”

“This doesn’t suit you, Unnie.”

Jenice gently tapped Ji-an’s forehead. Even the gesture of tapping was elegant, and Ji-an chuckled as she looked at her.

When dinner was prepared, and Eun-ji was awakened, the deep night had fallen in the yard.
When Eun-ji looked at the rice bowl and utensils set at the dining table, arranged by Jaeyoon, she turned her head to the living room and saw the frames that Ji-an and Jenice had filled.

Thinking of the words she heard in her half-asleep state, she chuckled softly.

Eun-ji also had an older sister. Unlike other sisters in different households, the relationship with her sister was different; the sister who imitated everything her older sister did was Eun-ji herself.

Since her sister was good at playing musical instruments, Eun-ji started playing the piano following her sister and even went to a music college. However, due to a lack of talent, she faced constant comparisons.

She felt like she knew the answer to Ji-an’s question, “Why did Mom dislike me so much?”

Perhaps it was because she didn’t want Ji-an to become like her.

The greed she displayed when Ji-an was still young and the accumulated resentment within might be her fault.

Releasing all those emotions at once seemed too overwhelming.

That night.

Four pillows were neatly arranged in the living room of the rural house.

Despite being afraid of her mom, Jenice brought Eun-ji to the living room and made her lie down in the middle.

Ji-an observed the scene with mixed feelings, thinking that perhaps her sister was stronger than her concerns.

Due to Jaeyoon’s schedule adjustments for retirement preparations, Jenice’s overseas performance schedule was significantly reduced.

Hearing the phrase “the most leisurely year in one’s life,” Ji-an awkwardly stared at the ceiling, wondering if her sister, despite her worries, might be the stronger one.
Then, I brushed off Jaeyoon’s pillow, which was placed next to me. When I turned my head the other way, I could see Eunji’s back, who was my mom.

Only then did the vague image of the master bedroom in the apartment where Jenice lived together before going abroad come to mind. It was a time when our four family members gathered to sleep.

If I turned my head, I could see my mom’s back, and if I turned it again, I could see my dad.

‘But still, I slept between mom and dad.’

On a night when comfort was found in trivial matters, the deepening night offered solace.

Seoul ESports Permanent Stadium.

The host reflected on the large screen announced the Eagles League Championship Open, hosted by the Play Round Korea.

“Here is the site of the Eagles League Championship Open, hosted by the Play Round Korea. The team captured by the camera is last year’s champion team ‘ORGE.’ And also, the emerging ‘Hero’ team, gaining attention in other leagues, is also seen.”

With the release of a new version, it was the day of the Eagles League Championship Open hosted by the Play Round, separate from the regular league held in the United States, where the Eagles’ headquarters is located.

Unlike the past when they had to hide their appearances, being able to host the tournament was a significant event for Danwoo.

After the official event, Danwoo and Taeyoon watched the opening game from the box seats.

While watching the game, Taeyoon brought up the topic of the modifications.
“I hope you get to meet Lee Sujeong.”

“Me?”

Sujeong was recovering at the house Danwoo had prepared after being discharged from the hospital.

The reason why Sujeong, who had decided to leave Korea, wanted to meet Danwoo was unknown.

After finishing the observation of the opening game, Danwoo entered the house where Sujeong was staying with Taeyoon.

Danwoo, who insisted on a house instead of a villa, had doubled the security personnel due to stubbornness.

Danwoo’s trainer, Seonhoo, who is staying with Sujeong, got up and bowed to him.

“You’re here?”

Danwoo, hearing Sujeong’s high-tone greeting, covered his laughter with his hand in disbelief.

“How have you been?”

“Good. …By the way, do you know? The bodyguard uncle hates me so much. He looks at me like I’m a bug.”

“He’s originally someone with an extraordinary sense of justice. That’s the only way it can be.”

Although Sujeong knew that it was a remark pointing to her fault, she didn’t show it and just shrugged, stretching her shoulders long.

“Would you like a cup of tea?”

“…….”

Seeing Danwoo’s puzzled look, she went into the kitchen, clearly visible from the living room, with a cheerful smile.

A little later, Sujeong handed Danwoo a cup of tea with flower petals floating in a transparent glass. The fragrance of flowers rose from the tea with floating petals.

“Try it. I made it.”

As Danwoo raised his eyebrows, Sujeong pointed to the trees in the yard. Then, she let out a somewhat awkward and exaggerated laughter.
“Jopop tree. What’s a Jopop, anyway? Anyway, this is Jopop tree flower tea. Somehow, it seems like something you won’t see for a long time.”

“…….”

“Try it. I learned it a long time ago; it’s a flower that can be used for cooking. It’s not poisonous. I’m afraid the bodyguard uncle might scold me.”

Danwoo raised an eyebrow, put the teacup to his lips, and took a sip, dispelling his doubts.

At that moment, Sujeong lifted the corner of her mouth slowly.