Childhood Friend of the Youngest Daughter of a Conglomerate Family

54 – Can you smile just once?

Sunsan owned by Daehan Group. A place where the people of the Daehan family, including the father of the current president, King Yoo Cheol, rest their souls.

Most of the family’s relatives objected to burying Han Seung-ah, the second wife of Yoo Jae-joon, who was born in humble circumstances, on this mountain, but…

“Lee, what are you talking about that can’t help the company! … Why don’t you just talk about the things that added even a dime to living in this sun mountain!”

“…… “

Everybody kept their mouths shut about the current chairman, King Yoo Chul. Not to mention the lower ones, and even his brothers and sisters could not protest.

It has to be.

Because it is Yoo Cheol-wang who has led the growth of Daehan Group since former chairman Yoo Soo-hwan was the chairman. Because the person named Yoo Cheol-wang is really Daehan Group itself without exaggeration.

Right now, King Yoo Cheol is standing at the bottom of Seonsan Mountain, looking up at the mountain.

In the spring, when the blue light was in full bloom, the breaths of the sleeping souls became the wind and blew his white hair.

Like that, King Yoo Cheol felt that the things of the world of the dead were getting closer and closer than the world of the living.

… It won’t be long before I too will be a part of them.

“Tell me and come.”

“… Yes, Chairman.”

According to King Yoo Cheol’s order, Cheri Han climbed the mountain. Now he went to someone’s grave instead of King Yoo Cheol, who had no energy to climb the mountain with a living body.

King Yoo Cheol, who was following her up the mountain with his eyes, was approached by his second son.

“You are late. Being later than my old father is like an unfilial child… “

“My father came too early for the appointment. Where did Chief Han go?”

“… That you don’t know Let’s sit down.”

Crackling the cane in his right hand, King Yucheol took the lead and led his son to the pavilion in front of the mountain.

Yoo Cheol-wang used to be in a wheelchair these days, but he was in good shape today. And more than anything else, I didn’t want to appear as weak as possible in front of my son.

As the cool breeze blew in the shade of the pavilion, Jaejoon realized how long it had been since he and his father had spent such leisurely time together. It was a feeling like I’ve never felt before in my life.

“Then why did you want to see me on the mountain? The one who didn’t come often on my grandfather’s anniversary.”

“Wouldn’t that be where I’ll be buried soon? I wanted to get used to the new house.”

“… You are saying things that are very uncomfortable for children to hear.”

“Are you the type of person who would blink an eye when I die?”

“How was your father? When my grandfather passed away.”

“… Right.”

King Yoo-cheol was convinced by his son’s wise answer. No matter how much you hate it, if you don’t have affection, that’s what family is.

It was a father and son relationship that never had any affinity with his father, but it is impossible to remain calm in the face of death.

Looking at Seonsan where the person he loved the most was sleeping, Jaejun lay down in the pavilion.

It was quite rare for him to have such a leisurely time after serving as president in place of his father for several years already.

“Ara, I heard that she visits her father often.”

“Yes.”

“It reminds me of Seung-ah. He took care of my father that way instead of my older brother and me.”

“… What do you want to say now?”

King Yoo Cheol glared at his son.

Do you want to criticize yourself? He said that he threw the woman who was good to him like that.

Jaejoon read the intent of his eyes and shook his head.

“I’m just telling you that things didn’t go well in the midst of silence.”

“Huh, ah, that’s why Seung-a is looking for me, and that’s a different reason.”

“… Do you remember what I said in the past? If Ara connects with Hansol, he will hand over the stake to his brother.”

“… There was something like that.”

King Yoo Cheol behaved like a completely forgotten person.

Betting like that didn’t matter to him anymore.

“I don’t care what happens. As long as my daughter is happy. Follow your heart. There were times when my heart was shaken, but… That’s enough.”

After speaking, Jaejun got up from the pavilion first.

It was unbelievable that it was the words of a son who was so engrossed in company work, but King Yoo Cheol was not surprised.

“Hmph, I don’t care what happens. Things like that.”

After sitting in the pavilion and waiting for a while, Cheri Han came down from the mountain.

After refusing to help him, King Yoo Cheol got into the car.

I saw Sunsan through the window again. And I asked the woman who was sleeping inside.

I wonder if my wish will come true before I go there.

———-

On the day of her birthday, Ara opened the gift box Minah gave her.

It’s been a few days since I received it, but I wanted to check it on the day of his birthday.

It contained rose-scented perfume. Was it given to commemorate the year he became an adult?

“… No kisses.”

Three things to celebrate Coming-of-Age Day. Roses, perfume and kisses.

Well, you can’t put a kiss in a box.

Kiss.

Ara remembered her birthday last year.

She arbitrarily stole the lips of Han-sol, who came to visit her that day.

I felt apologetic now, but when I heard that it was my first kiss, I was very happy.

Because I exchanged first things with someone I love.

‘Will Sol-i come to me on my birthday this year too?’

Last year, on Hansol’s birthday, I tried to visit Chief Lee’s house where he lives, but he did not meet me.

He said it wasn’t a promise to meet him until his birthday.

That day, on her birthday, she asked Ara why she didn’t come to visit her on her own birthday, and she answered that way.

Obviously trying to avoid himself. The kiss that day must have been a very unpleasant thing for him.

It bothered her, Ara was not sure if Hansol would come by her side today.

“Araya, happy birthday to her!”

After reading the announcement in the group chat room, I went to her class room and my classmates congratulated Ara on her birthday.

Cakes and message cards. If it was her other classmates’ birthdays, she wouldn’t have gone this far, but Ara’s birthday was special because she is an idol of the Department of Korean Language Education.

All motives were gathered except for those who like individual play or who have special promises.

I noticed Hansol, who was awkwardly looking at me from a little behind.

“Sorry, I have a part-time job at night… “

To the classmates who are planning to have a drink this evening, Hansol alone declared that he would not attend.

“Ah, what is it~ Get out of here today!”

“It’s work. It’s not okay to indulge in personal circumstances like that when it comes to making money.”

Perhaps he could have fallen out, but Hansol did not.

Still, Ara was okay even with that.

After the part-time job ends, if he comes to see you even for a moment when there is only a little bit left for today, that’s enough.

But Hansol didn’t even allow that.

Ugh-

“… Uh?”

In the evening, while drinking with her classmates, Ara’s cell phone vibrated.

A message from Hansol. The content that I don’t think I will be able to see my birthday this year.

If I wanted to meet you, even if it was late, I would be able to meet you.

Ara got it. That this is his refusal.

Her hard-faced woman immediately rose from her seat.

“… Guys, I think I’m a little drunk.”

———-

When I entered college, I gave Ara the address and password of my room.

If you ever get into trouble, you can always use this room even when I’m not there.

The reason I went all the way to Korea University in the first place was to protect Ara by her side.

So, this is what happened.

“Sol, sit down for now. I must have been tired from working. Ah… Should I change my clothes first? Can I go to the bathroom somewhere?”

“Why are you here?”

“… You said It’s a promise.”

It was a voice without confidence.

Ara herself knows that too. That I had a refusal. Even so, she was forced to come here on the pretext of her promise in her childhood.

I sighed and asked Ara to turn around.

The smell of her alcohol wafted from her ara as she nodded happily that I had accepted her.

“Did you drink a lot?”

“No, how can I get drunk without worrying about Sol?”

“I have never been drunk. Anyway, I did well that I didn’t drink too much.”

I changed into comfortable clothes and sat down on the bed.

He invited Ara to sit on the chair at her desk and took out an ionic beverage from the refrigerator.

“… So, what are you going to do now? I understand why you came, but why did you come? Her birthday present… You gave it to me.”

“… That’s not a gift for our promise.”

“…… “

Is it his wish again?

I’m a little… No, I was quite nervous.

I kissed Arra last year as well.

“I’m telling you in advance, if you’re going to do something weird like last year… “

“I met Mina a few days ago.”

“…… ?”

What do you mean all of a sudden?

A word that goes against the flow of conversation. And yet, it was also an amazing word.

As far as I know, there shouldn’t have been any more exchanges between Ara and Minah after that… How did i meet you

“Well, we talked about a lot of things. Talking about happy birthday or talking about staying in touch again… But he said something like that. I want us to be happy.”

“Happiness?”

“Yes, happy. Let’s talk about how we can be happy.”

“… How are you? How can I be happy?”

Happiness. After all, the promise I made with Arra and the promise I made with Han Seung-ah were ultimately for Ara’s happiness.

As if to answer my question, Ara put a soft hand on my cheek.

I thought for a moment whether we were going to kiss like last time, but it wasn’t like that.

“Sol, I am happy… Will you grant me a wish?”

“… What wish?”

“… Will you smile just once?”

“What… ?”

It was such an unexpected story. That’s all I wish…

For Ara, seeing me smile has become a wish. We have come all the way to this place.

Ara’s face in front of me was so sad.

“It’s been so long since I saw you smiling. Let Sol smile at you just once. Huh?”

“… Baby.”

“Ooh, don’t cry, Sol… “

“You are the one crying… “

My vision was blurred, but I could clearly see Ara’s face, which was less than a span away.

Tears flowed from her kind eyes, like my mother’s.

We were so over-emotional that we didn’t say anything anymore.

Even though I couldn’t speak, I forced my facial muscles to move.

She desperately raised the corner of her mouth for Ara who wanted to be happy for her sake.

I can’t confirm what my face looks like, but the pouty mouth must have looked pretty ugly.

Even with such a face, Arra struggled to raise the corner of her mouth as if she was satisfied. And she lowered her head as if she couldn’t stand it any longer.

I must have spent too much time with you.

More than anyone else in the world, my heart beats the loudest for you.

———-

“… Thank you, Sol.”

After crying for a while, Ara left.

Would she be happy seeing my smile? At least it didn’t seem like it to me.

Why did we end up like this?

Happiness. How can we be happy

How can you be happy? How can I become happy when I only get sick when I see you?

In the end, I couldn’t find the answer to that.

Maybe I found a way to not get sick instead.

———-

One night. I told Kim So-yi, who was making eye contact with me.

“I love you so much.”