“The painter of this piece was away from this world for a while.”

 

Mi-ryung was explaining to Seo-yeon about a painting that had caught her interest among the new arrivals.

 

“Away? Does that mean they weren’t painting?”

 

Seo-yeon had never been interested in art or that world, but she had gradually become intrigued by visiting Mi-ryung’s gallery. Looking into the artists’ world was quite interesting in its own way.

 

“Yes. Do you know what they became engrossed in?”

 

Lately, when Seo-yeon looked at Mi-ryung, she sometimes forgot what she used to be like. Her clumsy but earnest efforts felt genuine. It seemed the old saying that time heals all wounds was true. She never thought she could forgive her, but here she was, facing her and listening intently to her words.

 

“Judging by the beoseon [Korean traditional socks] motif, is it something related to hanbok [Korean traditional dress]?”

 

Mi-ryung took her eyes off the painting and looked at Seo-yeon, surprised.

 

“Your eye and intuition are as good as any curator.”

 

Mi-ryung wasn’t smiling, but her eyes were soft. For some reason, Seo-yeon didn’t dislike that look today. It was also the first time she had praised her.

 

“They took up Korean dance. Before that, they only painted flowers. Now, they’re incorporating flowers and old objects into beoseon. It’s become much more popular than before. Do you like this painting?”

 

It was a painting of orchids blooming on worn-out beoseon. For some reason, Seo-yeon felt warmed by the sight of the old beoseon and the purple orchids blooming on them.

 

“Maybe it’s because I think of them as beoseon, but I like them much more than new ones… Mother.”

 

It was a rare occasion for Seo-yeon to call Mi-ryung “Mother,” and even then, she hesitated several times before saying it. But today, it was already the second time she had called her that. Mi-ryung looked at Seo-yeon for a moment, then slowly turned her gaze away and said quietly,

 

“Let’s have some tea. I got some good tea yesterday.”

 

“Yes, Mother.”

 

“I’m glad you like the painting. Isn’t it time to change the painting in the main living room? Take it with you when you go home.”

 

“No. You said it’s the most popular painting in this exhibition.”

 

“I bought it. To give to you.”

 

Mi-ryung poured the tea and replied curtly, as if to say no more.

 

“But you don’t have to go to the gathering today?”

 

“No. Mrs. Kim went.”

 

Today was the day of Tae-yul’s playgroup with his peers. Seo-yeon had come to Mi-ryung’s gallery while Tae-yul was playing.

 

“He’ll come here when playgroup is over. It’s been a month since you’ve seen Tae-yul.”

 

Because of Chairman Han, there was still no family interaction, so Seo-yeon occasionally brought Tae-yul to the gallery for Mi-ryung, who missed him. She hadn’t been able to bring him for a while because she was busy preparing for the exhibition.

 

“Is that so?”

 

Mi-ryung raised her voice and then looked at her white dress.

 

“If I had known.”

 

Mi-ryung muttered with regret.

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Nothing.”

 

Mi-ryung smiled bitterly, recalling what Jaehoon had said once.

 

‘It would be uncomfortable to hold a child in that outfit, wouldn’t it?’

 

Seo-yeon was bothered by Mi-ryung’s smile, but she didn’t ask any further.

 

“Clothes can be washed if they get dirty, right?”

 

“Yes? Oh, yes.”

 

Only then did Seo-yeon realize what Mi-ryung was concerned about. A white dress was indeed an inconvenient outfit for looking after a child.

 

“To realize that only now you’re quite something.”

 

Mi-ryung said casually as she drank her tea. But Seo-yeon could tell that her words were sincere. Seo-yeon tried to speak in a bright voice to Mi-ryung.

 

“I get angry sometimes too. Last time, he pulled on the ribbon on my dress and ruined it. It was one of my favorites.”

 

“And?”

 

“I should have scolded him for doing something wrong. But Tae-yul gave me a kiss and acted cute, so I ended up laughing. I’m wearing it again after sewing it back on.”

 

“I see, ribbons must be uncomfortable too.”

 

Mi-ryung said that and quietly removed the pearl brooch she had pinned on her chest. Seo-yeon smiled and lifted her teacup, filled with the fragrant scent of green tea. It was then. She had always enjoyed a cup of green tea every day, but the scent suddenly made her nauseous, and she was startled.

 

Seo-yeon tried to hold back the vomit, trying not to let Mi-ryung notice, but it wasn’t easy. She pressed her lips tightly together and put down the teacup. She wanted to run to the bathroom right away.

 

Mi-ryung, who had raised her head, wondering why Seo-yeon was putting down the teacup, was also greatly taken aback. Her face, which had been rosy just a moment ago, had turned pale.

 

“Are you not feeling well?”

 

“Mother, I need to go to the bathroom.”

 

Seo-yeon struggled to ask Mi-ryung for permission and ran to the bathroom. She only dry-heaved, with no particular issues. After a while, she rinsed her mouth at the sink and wiped the tears from her eyes.

 

“What’s wrong with me? Did something I ate for lunch upset my stomach?”

 

Seo-yeon, who had never experienced anything like this even when she had an upset stomach, stroked her chest up and down. Then, the nausea seemed to subside gradually.

 

“Why did it have to be the smell of green tea?”

 

Seo-yeon whispered softly, checked her face one last time, and returned to Mi-ryung.

 

“Are you okay?”

 

“I think something I ate for lunch upset my stomach. I’m sorry.”

 

Mi-ryung sincerely wanted to say, “What do you have to apologize for?” But Mi-ryung, who had never spoken with consideration for others, swallowed the words. Instead, she opened her mouth calmly.

 

“Professor Kim will be here.”

 

“Professor Kim, you mean Jae-moon?”

 

“Yes. Your face is very pale. I don’t think it’s just an upset stomach. You haven’t been feeling nauseous all along, have you? See him and then go.”

 

She wanted to go to the hospital with her, but Mi-ryung thought that Seo-yeon would be troubled if she suggested it. So, without thinking, she was calling Jae-moon.

 

“It’s okay, Mother. I’ll call you back and tell you I’m fine.”

 

“I don’t want you to be sick here. If Professor Kim says you’re okay, go home and rest. Let’s see Tae-yul again later.”

 

Seo-yeon realized that Mi-ryung was concerned about Jaehoon. It seemed she felt bad for having her come to the gallery when she was sick. Seo-yeon felt even more sorry, so she couldn’t refuse Mi-ryung’s kindness any longer.

 

“Jae-moon will scold me again for calling him for something like this.”

 

“It’s something a family doctor should do, so what.”

 

Seo-yeon didn’t think it was a serious illness and decided to do as Mi-ryung said. Mi-ryung’s nausea, which had subsided for a moment, came back as she looked at the tea set. To be exact, it wasn’t the tea set that was the problem, but the scent of green tea.

 

Mi-ryung tried her best to hold her breath and not smell it, but that was impossible. But if she ran to the bathroom again, Mi-ryung would worry a lot. She forced a smile and tried to calm her churning stomach.

 

Seo-yeon was embarrassed because Mi-ryung kept watching her face, and she couldn’t cover her mouth.

 

“Are you still not feeling well?”

 

“Well….”

 

Seo-yeon opened her mouth with difficulty, thinking it would be better to ask her to remove the tea set.

 

“I think the scent of green tea is the problem, Mother.”

 

Mi-ryung immediately had someone remove the tea set.

 

“The scent of green tea must have been strong. I guess the tea scent in this house has changed.”

 

“No. I have an upset stomach, so I’m a bit sensitive, but the tea scent is good.”

 

“That’s a relief.”

 

Just then, the secretary knocked and came inside.

 

“Chairman Han and Professor Kim have arrived.”

 

“Chairman Han…?”

 

Mi-ryung seemed to have momentarily thought of Chairman Han instead of Jaehoon. Then, realizing that he couldn’t have come with Jae-moon, she knew that the person who came with him was Jaehoon, and her expression turned heavy. Looking at Mi-ryung’s eyes towards Seo-yeon, she looked sorry for her being sick at the gallery. Seo-yeon held Mi-ryung’s hand tightly and smiled.

 

“Mother, I wanted to come.”

 

Regret and apology were clearly visible in Mi-ryung’s eyes. But she replaced her words of apology by patting Seo-yeon’s hand.

 

“You’re sick? Why didn’t you say so sooner?”

 

“She just said she felt nauseous. Keep your voice down.”

 

Jae-moon and Jaehoon’s conversation from outside could be heard inside, as if Seo-yeon wasn’t sick enough to have come with them. Finally, Jaehoon came inside and opened his mouth, looking at Seo-yeon first.

 

“Did you throw up?”

 

“No.”

 

“I called her to the gallery.”

 

Mi-ryung seemed to think it was her fault and said that to Jaehoon first.

 

“She was happy to go to the gallery.”

 

Jaehoon replied nonchalantly, as if Mi-ryung’s concern was unnecessary. His eyes seemed to say, “What does Seo-yeon being sick have to do with the gallery?”

 

“I think something I ate for lunch upset my stomach.”

 

Seo-yeon looked at Jaehoon with eyes that said, “Why did you even come?”

 

“I was nearby and thought I’d stop by to see Jae-moon, but she said she was going to the gallery, so I came along. I didn’t know you weren’t feeling well until I got here.”

 

From the conversation just now, it was clear that Jaehoon’s words were true.

 

“How are you feeling unwell?”

 

“It seems the scent of green tea made her nauseous.”

 

Mi-ryung answered instead of Seo-yeon.

 

“I told you, it’s just an upset stomach.”

 

Seo-yeon couldn’t help but laugh at Jaehoon, who was full of worry.

 

“You’re going to cry. Jae-moon will tease you.”

 

“I was already thinking of taking a picture and doing that. Now then, would the husband please step aside? Let me examine her.”

 

Jae-moon frowned at Jaehoon with a face that said, “Please get out of the way.”