Sweet Little Goodbye

Minjun had been home for a few days—

granny’s warm meals,

Watching his mother’s moods shifting like storms,

Jaehee hiding behind her textbooks like they were shields.

He’d been visiting on and off for two years—quick weekends, rushed holidays.

Yet even now, he still felt like a guest in his own home.

[Minjun steps into the living room. Aunt Teena is visiting for the week.]

Minjun: Aunt… we need to talk.

Aunt: You arrive two days ago and already this tone? What is it now?

Minjun: It’s about Jaehee.

I want to take her with me. I’ll raise her myself.

Aunt: …Take her? Why?

You left us so suddenly back then.

How do I know you won’t leave her too?

Minjun: You know how things were when I was young.I’m not running anymore.And I’ll always be grateful you took care of Mom.

Aunt: I can take care of Jaehee too.

I’ll give her what she needs.

If anyone should take her, it’s me.

Minjun: Aunt… think about her future.

There’s nothing here for her.

You already have a big family to manage.

You love her, I know, but she deserves more.

Aunt: Minjun, enough.

She’s ten. She needs a woman’s guidance.

And I won’t let you use her in the name of your acting career.

(Minjun’s jaw tightens, but he forces himself to stay calm.)

Minjun: I just want her to live somewhere safe.

To grow up happy.

Is this chaos good for her?

A bipolar mother who hits her…

A grandmother with failing health…

And you who only visits and sends money?

Aunt: (angrily) That’s enough!

Don’t lecture me.

Just be a guest like you always are—and leave.

Minjun: …Please think about it again, Aunt.

[Little Jaehee has been standing near Granny, silently listening. Minjun kneels and pulls her into a hug.]

Minjun: Don’t worry, Jaehee-ya.

Oppa and Aunt are just talking.

We’ll play tomorrow, okay?

Jaehee: Where are you going?

Stay here…

Minjun: Oppa has urgent work.

I’ll come home late.

Eat well and sleep early, okay?

Jaehee: …Okay.

[Minjun leaves.]

Later that night…

[Aunt and Uncle talk quietly in their bedroom.]

Aunt: Minjun wants to take jaehee with him.

Uncle: Dohyun told me.

Teena… maybe you should let Jaehee go with him.

She’s bright.

He left long ago, yes…

but for the past two years, he’s been responsible.

Let him raise her.

We already have two kids.

Aunt: (voice softening) I… I know.

But after the trouble he caused…

How can I trust him now?

He left the country, vanished…

and suddenly wants to take his sister?

Uncle: But she loves him. You see it.

And Minjun loves her too.

He cared for Jaehee and even for Dohyun.

Let her chase a future beyond this town.

She deserves that chance.

(Aunt closes her eyes. The room falls silent, heavy with regret, fear… and hope.)

Next day

Aunt: Minjun-ah… I know you can provide for your sister.

But taking her with you and raising her alone… it’s not easy.

You’ll be busy all the time.

How will you manage Jaehee’s wellbeing? Her needs? Her morality?

Aunt: She’ll grow up… reach puberty…

There are things only a woman can teach her.

Can you handle all that without help?

You’re not even married yet.

What if you marry someone someday and Jaehee becomes a burden between you two?

Minjun, you’re only 25.

And she’s just 10 years old.

Minjun: Aunt… I’ve thought about all of this.

I’m not planning to marry for years.

Right now, all I want is to raise her well.

I don’t want Jaehee to go through what I went through.

She’s gifted. She’s special.

I won’t let her waste that.

I promise you… I’ll take care of her.

Aunt: Jaehee-ah…

Do you want to go with your oppa?

(Little Jaehee nods shyly.)

Aunt: Then… take care of her, Minjun.

She’s just like you, you know?

She won’t bother anyone.

Even if she wants something, she won’t ask—

just like you and your mother.

Minjun: I know, Aunt.

That’s why I want to protect her.

I don’t want her to grow up regretting that she didn’t have good parents.

[A few days later — at the airport]

(Aunt Teena is in tears, hugging little Jaehee tightly.

(Jaehee is excited — it’s her first time on a plane.)

Aunt: Jaehee-ah… call Aunt every day, okay?

Tell me what you’re doing, what you ate, everything.

And hit your brother if he does anything stupid, huh?

Jaehee: Aunt… I love you.

Bye-bye.

Aunt: Minjun-ah…

If anything goes wrong, bring her back home.

Please keep your eyes on her 24/7, okay?

You know how things are in the States.

**Minjun: **I will, Aunt.

And please… take care of yourself.

Don’t overwork.

And don’t hesitate to ask me if you need money.

Bye, Aunt.

(She whispered goodbye the way people do when they’re afraid their voice might break if they speak any louder.)

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***