166 The Boy Reminisces Fond Memories (1/2)

At a columbarium outside of Seoul.

Gun and Yeo Ri stood in front of a shelf slot where an urn containing the cremated remains of Han Yeoreum was placed. An old photograph of their mother and Yeo Ri when she was a baby was also added into the small box-sized space.

Yeo Ri glanced quietly at Gun, whose eyes were growing misty as he silently mourned for the dead woman. Just like Hwang Se Jin's sister, Han Yeoreum was finally able to rest in peace as well.

After several moments of silence, Gun finally snapped out of his daze and turned to look at Yeo Ri. The girl handed him the bouquet of white flowers that he had gotten for their mother. Carefully, he arranged it neatly next to the urn.

After completing the rites, the two decided to take a breather outside of the columbarium before going home. Yeo Ri took out their packed lunch and they had a little picnic at the park surrounding the columbarium.

”Here,” Gun said as he handed a beverage he bought from a nearby vending machine to the girl. Yeo Ri accepted it gratefully.

”It's so peaceful here,” Gun remarked as he breathed in a lungful of fresh air. The air here was different—more refreshing and clean—compared to the air in Seoul.

”Yeah,” Yeo Ri agreed with a nod.

”...”

The atmosphere around them were somewhat melancholic. It was a given since they had just came back from visiting the dead.

”Oppa, I have a question,” Yeo Ri suddenly said.

Gun's hand that was reaching for a gimbap paused. ”What is it, Yeo Ri-ah?”

”Do you ever miss your mom, Oppa? Your birth mom, I mean.” She hugged her knees and lowered her gaze in a thoughtful manner. She stared at a random stalk of grass as she waited for his answer.

”...My birth mom?” Gun muttered, also in thought. ”I don't know. I don't remember her much since she died before I was old enough to think. Why?”

”Nothing,” Yeo Ri replied softly.

”...” Gun observed her carefully. Yeo Ri seemed to be emitting an air of loneliness.

”Oppa, do you remember what she was like?” She threw another question after a long silence.

”Mom?” Gun's eyes travelled to her face, startled.