"Darling, you're home?"

"Daddy!"

"Well now. My princess and my prince. Have you both been good?"

"And you? Are you all right?"

Gyeong-eun said, touching his face.

"Daddy. Daddy. This. This."

Dong-min tugged at Seong-ho's trouser leg and thrust something out in his hand.

"And what have we here?"

Seong-ho took it and turned it over.

It was a jumble of paper and tape, but what Dong-min had made was recognizable at a glance.

"It's a throwing star, isn't it? Did our Dong-min make this?"

Dong-min nodded.

And his eyes shone with delight at being understood.

But then, caught between the wish to give it as a present and the reluctance of parting with a beloved toy, his face crumpled.

Seong-ho caught the feeling at once and held the star back out to his son.

"It's very impressive, but Daddy's all right. You keep hold of it, and if a bad man ever comes, you protect us with it."

Dong-min took it back with a face happier than he'd worn at seeing his father after so long, and — evidently afraid the offer might be withdrawn — vanished like a shot.

"Look at that little hoarder."

Gyeong-eun clicked her tongue at his retreating back.

"I've no idea where he gets it from, being so greedy."

"Ha ha ha. From you, or else from me."

Seong-ho watched his son's waddling run with love in his eyes.

Everything was a continuation of what he had lived through before — everything but Dong-min.

A child was the first joy that had ever come to him new.

"A reasonable amount of greed helps a person get through life. So don't scold him too much for wanting things."

"Aren't you rather taking your son's side?"

At Gyeong-eun's pout, Seong-ho pulled her into a light embrace.

"Even so, you're first with me."

"Really?"

"Of course."

Only then did her expression soften.

"Goodness, listen to me. Keeping you standing here talking. Come in. You must be tired."

"I'm fine. Seeing you, the fatigue's gone entirely."

He said he was fine, but exhaustion filled his face.

Seeing it,…