Chapter 8
Chapter 8 -Dark Day of the New Moon
“Used me…? What do you mean?”
Jiyoon’s big eyes blinked as she looked at the director . The director could understand the feelings of the men chasing after her . Jiyoon had a special quality . Her looks and behavior had the power to make other people’s heart beat faster .
“Most of the men here today aren’t here to volunteer . They are here for Ms Jiyoon, right?”
“…”
Jiyoon shut her mouth . If she answered this question, she would be put in an awkward spot . She wanted to be truthful and say ‘yes’ . However, this was about an embarra.s.sing problem she had with men . It would also sound like a boast . The director might think she had the Princess syndrome . Still, she didn’t want to say ‘no’ and lie to the director .
The director let out comforting smile as if she understood Jiyoon’s dilemma .
“That is why I a.s.signed the hardest tasks to you today . This would make the young men want to show off in front of you, so they’ll be diligent in doing all the hard work . ”
When she heard the director’s words, she understood why the director was apologizing to her . If taken the wrong way, Jiyoon might have been really offended at what the director had done . However, Jiyoon just shook her head .
“It’s fine . We are all here to volunteer . The result of your actions just made us do more volunteer work . In fact, I should apologize to you . I wasn’t able to much work today . ”
“Hoo hooh . Ms Jiyoon is a good child . ”
Good child . How long had it been since she heard such a compliment? Recently, she had been called pretty and cute . It had been a really long time since someone referred to her as being a good child .
“It must be tough, right? Your appearance is too outstanding . ”
“That’s…”
She was again put in an awkward spot when she was asked this question . Jiyoon hesitated . She looked so cute that the director burst out laughing, and her face turned slightly red .
“Oh my . I’m sorry . It was just pointless small talk from an old lady . ”
“Ah! It’s ok . I don’t really mind . ”
Jiyoon was quick to say those words . This was the first time meeting the director, but it had been awhile since she was able to talk to anyone in a relaxed manner . Aside from her family, she hadn’t been able to put her guard down . This was why she was thankful . She didn’t hold any negative emotions towards the director .
“I’m glad that’s the case . ”
The director looked forward after she said those words . Jiyoon followed her gaze, and she saw kids having fun on the playground . She hoped her actions would help these children even a little bit . She worried about them, yet she knew she had helped them in some way . This fact warmed her heart .
The director secretly glanced at Jiyoon . When she saw the expression on Jiyoon’s face, the director could guess what emotions Jiyoon was feeling at that moment .
‘She is pretty, but her heart is beautiful too . ’
If she still had an unmarried son, she might have done something unsightly like trying to make Jiyoon her daughter-in-law .
“When I was a young woman, I wasn’t as pretty as you . So I cannot completely understand what you are going through right now . ”
When Jiyoon heard her words, she turned to look at the director .
“However, I’ve lived a long time, so I am a good listener . I am good at listening to young people talk . It doesn’t have to be for volunteer purposes . You can visit this place any time if you are having a hard time in life . It will be a boon for me if you’ll be my conversation partner . I also wouldn’t mind if you bring a labor force full of men . That’ll be a plus . ”
As she spoke those words, she smiled, and her whole face wrinkled . She was old and her face was wrinkled, yet she looked beautiful to Jiyoon . Jiyoon thought that if possible she would like to age like the woman in front of her .
‘The fact that I was able to meet this person makes this trip all worth it . ’
The trip was worth so much to her that it felt as if she should give the orphanage money to balance the cost .
The two of them continued to talk to each other, but their work wasn’t done, so the conversation wasn’t too long . However, it was enough to buoy Jiyoon’s slightly downed feeling .
She felt better as Jiyoon was given time to recharge herself . She was about to return to her work when one child caught Jiyoon’s eyes .
The child was sitting alone on a bench far away from Jiyoon . The girl was staring blankly at the front gate of the orphanage . The sight was so heart wrenching that Jiyoon’s eyes were automatically drawn towards the little girl .
The girl was very cute . It wouldn’t be surprising if she was the center of attention amongst the boys her age . However, there seemed to be a wall between her and the other children having fun on the playground . The girl looked lonely .
“Who is that child?”
Suddenly, she asked the director a question .
The director’s gaze followed Jiyoon’s eyes . When she confirmed that Jiyoon was looking at the girl, she let out light sigh .
“Her name is s.h.i.+nhae . ”
“s.h.i.+nhae?”
“Yes . Woo s.h.i.+nhae . She’s a child that came to us not too long ago . ”
Jiyoon could feel clear concern in the director’s words .
“Is there some problem with that child?”
“She is being treated as an outcast . ”
“…she is such a cute child . I would think she would get along with the boys . ”
She wasn’t talking about the children of the same s.e.x as her . She knew how a cute girl was treated amongst other girls . Jiyoon had experienced it, so she knew what she was talking about .
However, the director just shook her head .
“That isn’t what is tormenting her . The problem is her family . ”
“Family?”
Wasn’t this an orphanage? In normal orphanages, they only took in children with no parents and close relatives . This was why Jiyoon was a bit surprised . .
“Sometimes, our orphanage takes in children from families with significant financial difficulties . They are several thousand times better than the people that abandon their children . At the very least, these people haven’t given up on their children . It is the same for that child’s father . He has no means for rearing that child, so he put her in our care . ”
“He’s a good person . ”
A person had to be in dire straits if one had to give up one’s child to an orphanage . Still, the father hadn’t given up on his child, so Jiyoon had a favorable opinion on the father of the child . But it still didn’t make sense as to why s.h.i.+nhae would be bullied by other kids because of this .
“Yes, he is a good person . He comes every month to see his child . He also bows to us, and he shows good manners . However, it means that her father visits her, and he treasures her . What would the parentless children think when they see such a sight?”
Jiyoon finally understood it .
“Is it jealousy?”
“Yes . We do our best to make sure there is no direct bullying, but that doesn’t mean we can make them become friends . We are talking about emotions of children . It isn’t something that can be manipulated by adults . Still, that doesn’t mean I can ask the father not to come meet his own child . It is a bit of a problem . ”
“So that child keeps watching the front gate, because . . . ”
“She is waiting for her father . ”
Jiyoon’s eyes were filled with pity . The little girl couldn’t befriend the other children, and she only waited for a father that she didn’t know when to expect .
“Is there a solution?”
“I’m not sure . The other teachers have a lot of work on their plate, so they can’t take full charge of her . In many ways, it is a problem . ”
The director stared at Jiyoon as if she just had a good idea .
“Would Ms Jiyoon like to look after her for awhile?”
“Me?”
“Yes . You don’t have to come often . Would you like to get along with that child when you are here to volunteer? What do you think?”
Jiyoon looked at s.h.i.+nhae again . The spring winds were still cold, yet the child was wearing an old worn coat . She was hugging herself as she continued to watch the front gate .
“I’ll try it out . ”
Jiyoon stood up from the bench . She looked a bit awkward as she walked up to s.h.i.+nhae .
It was as if s.h.i.+nhae could sense her presence, and she turned to look at Jiyoon . Jiyoon felt her heart ache when she saw the child’s sad expression . Children should laugh and play around . They should be energetic . A child shouldn’t have such a sad expression on her face .
“h.e.l.lo, are you s.h.i.+nhae?”
She bent her back forward a little bit as she lowered herself . When she got on the same level as the child, she let out a smile .
s.h.i.+nhae withdrew a little bit when she saw a stranger appear in front of her .
“Who are you?”
“I’m an unni that came here to work today . May I sit next to you?”
s.h.i.+nhae was taken aback, so she looked around her surroundings . She met eyes with the director, who was a bit away from her . The director had a benevolent smile on her face as she nodded towards Jiyoon . It was as if the director was giving her permission that she could get along with Jiyoon .
s.h.i.+nhae’s guard came down a little bit at the director’s action . s.h.i.+nhae moved towards the center of the bench, so Jiyoon could sit next to her . Jiyoon carefully sat next to s.h.i.+nhae .
“Why are you sitting here alone?”
“…I’m waiting for my dad . ”
Fortunately, s.h.i.+nhae answered Jiyoon’s question . s.h.i.+nhae was hesitant at first, but she spoke pretty well .
“I see . However, it is a bit cold here . Why don’t you wait inside? When you father comes, the teachers will immediately notify you . ”
s.h.i.+nhae shook her head from side to side . Jiyoon could feel s.h.i.+nhae’s will . She wasn’t going to move an inch from this spot . This was how much she wanted to see her father .
“Are you sure?”
s.h.i.+nhae nodded her head . Jiyoon didn’t plan on forcing s.h.i.+nhae to go inside . She also didn’t try to get close to her by talking to her continuously .
“Then I’ll wait with you . ”
She spoke those words then she stared at the front gate with s.h.i.+nhae .
For a brief moment, there was silence . The sound of children playing nearby could be heard, but there was a stillness around Jiyoon and s.h.i.+nhae . However, this stillness didn’t feel cold or dreary . If one could describe the atmosphere with a color, it was a warm orange color .
“…what is your name, unni?”
s.h.i.+nhae broke the silence . Jiyoon put on a bright smile as she spoke her name .
“My name is Jung Jiyoon . Your name is Woo s.h.i.+nhae?”
“Yes . ”
Those words were only the beginning, and a conversation slowly started to bloom between the two . The director looked pleased by the sight .
* * *
Jiyoon was diligent in going to the orphanage as part of her volunteer club . The male members continued to do all the troublesome tasks for her . However, it was worthwhile for her to put up with them . She got over her annoyance .
Also, she was able to get closer to s.h.i.+nhae . Even when she wasn’t volunteering with her club, she visited s.h.i.+nhae sometimes . s.h.i.+nhae was still unable to make friends, so Jiyoon’s interest in her was probably a big source of comfort to her .
It happened one afternoon .
She had come out to volunteer today, and she caught sight of something unique . When Jiyoon wasn’t here, s.h.i.+nhae spent most of her time sitting on the bench at the playground . But that day, s.h.i.+nhae was acting differently . She was very excited .
“What’s going on?”
They had become quite close, so it wasn’t diffiicult for her to ask s.h.i.+nhae a question . s.h.i.+nhae didn"t hesitate to give Jiyoon the answer .
“Dad is coming today!”
“Oh my! Really?”
She had only heard about s.h.i.+nhae’s dad, and it seemed he was coming to the orphanage today . It wasn’t too long ago that s.h.i.+nhae had acted reserved and guarded . That child was nowhere to be seen . She acted her age as she moved around in an animated manner .
Jiyoon looked pleased as she watched s.h.i.+nhae . This was probably s.h.i.+nhae’s normal personality .
‘Yes . A kid should act like that . ’
She was a bit sad that she was being ignored . However, Jiyoon didn’t expect or want s.h.i.+nhae to put Jiyoon over her dad . She wasn’t that conceited . She decided to work hard today as a volunteer, but she would keep an eye on s.h.i.+nhae .
The director called Jiyoon over when she was about to start working .
“Ms Jiyoon, may I bother you for a moment?”
“Yes . What do you need?”
Jiyoon had been scrubbing the floor with a cloth, and she got up .
“May I ask you for a favor?”
“What’s the favor?”
“Could you take s.h.i.+nhae to her father by any chance?”
It was a totally unexpected request .