I am back – Chapter 40

Still, I’m glad that Mom is healthy.

The clothes were ones I had never seen before. This meant that Mom’s situation had improved enough to buy a new suit. She didn’t look like she had just recovered, nor did she seem like she had any health issues.

I genuinely thought that was a relief.

I looked at Mom from a distance.

Mom exchanged greetings with us a few more times afterward. It seemed she had forgotten my name. Well, introductions at weddings are usually about what someone does for a living rather than their name, like “This person works in this office.”

It’s usually better to introduce someone as a colleague or a friend rather than just blurting out a name. It’s much easier to remember, and if we happen to meet again, it’s simpler to introduce them that way.

A lot of people seemed to know Mom at this wedding besides Older Sister Yu-ri.

People around Mom, of a similar age, greeted her warmly. Even Older Sister Yu-ri’s parents seemed to know Mom well. While Mom and Yu-ri knew each other’s faces, they probably weren’t close enough to recognize each other’s parents.

“Oh, this is someone who helped Yu-ri’s parents with their business. They’ve known each other since Yu-ri was in college…”

I see.

It seems that after I died, Older Sister Yu-ri helped Mom somehow.

I’m not sure how exactly she helped. It’s probably related to the company that Older Sister Yu-ri is working at now.

At first, it might have just been helping out a little, but it seems like it gradually became something she took on seriously, to the point where she’s quite busy now. Apparently, she took some time off for this wedding, but had to arrive late because a buyer changed an appointment at the last minute.

…What a relief.

Really, what a relief.

That’s what I thought.

“Ah-yoon.”

While we were eating, Mom put her hand on Older Sister Ah-yoon’s shoulder.

“Ah, yes, Mother.”

“Did you eat well?”

“Yes, I ate a lot.”

Older Sister responded with a bright smile to Mom’s words. Mom smiled back at her and gently rubbed her shoulder.

“I think I have to go now because I have a busy job. I’m sorry. I would have liked to talk longer, though…”

“Oh, it’s fine. Just seeing your face was nice. We can talk next time.”

“Let’s definitely meet for coffee sometime. Should I come to visit you?”

“Ah…”

At Mom’s words, Older Sister’s gaze turned to me. Mom noticed my stiff expression and smiled wryly.

“Oh, right, you’re not alone anymore.”

“Ah, no!”

I quickly interjected, as it seemed Mom was about to say something for my sake. For a moment, Older Sister’s face looked a bit stiff, almost as if she were scared.

It was a look that seemed to indicate how much Mom had struggled after I died, which hurt my heart a bit.

However, I wanted to say one thing for sure.

“If you want to visit, you can come anytime. There aren’t many customers on Tuesday mornings, so…”

I regretted speaking that last part.

Saying there aren’t many customers wasn’t something I should have said. In the bakery, Older Sister was my superior, so it was her judgment to make.

But still, if Mom came to see Older Sister, I’d get to see Mom too. It would give me even a little chance to say something. That’s why I hoped Mom wouldn’t avoid coming to the bakery for my sake.

Mom smiled softly at me.

“Thank you. Then I won’t hold back and will visit.”

Fortunately, Mom didn’t ask for my name separately.

“Then, let’s see each other next time. Enjoy your meal. After all, Yoori worked hard to find a tasty place.”

That must mean they searched for the best-tasting place under the limited options available. Even in a rushed wedding, they would want to make the best selection.

“Yes, it’s delicious.”

Older Sister glanced at me again. But this time, it wasn’t a stiff face, it was a smiling face. I was having such a good time eating. In fact, I could have eaten more, but I was trying to hold back, thinking it wouldn’t be good for my image if I ate too much in front of her.

“Alright then.”

Mom replied with a smile and gently squeezed Older Sister’s shoulder.

“Well then, I’ll go. See you next time.”

“Yes, see you next time.”

Mom slightly bowed her head toward me as well. I quickly stood up and bent forward a bit. Mom looked surprised for a moment and widened her eyes, then she smiled slightly and left.

I let out a small breath. I was able to talk to Mom without any big issues. My name might come up later, but by then, I should be able to have a proper conversation. I need to think of various ways to engage in conversation until then.

Like me, Older Sister let out a small breath too.

And then,

“Have you two met before?”

Older Sister tilted her head and asked me.

“Huh? Ah, no?”

If we’re talking about whether we’ve met or not, it would naturally be ‘yes.’ Of course, if she knew my real identity, she wouldn’t have asked such a question. It’s not a question you’d pose to someone who is a son and a mother.

However, thinking about what I told Mom, it made some sense for her to think that way.

“Right?”

But, I don’t think she truly believed that. It must have just been a passing instinct that led to that question.

We were meeting for the first time.

And if I were that close with Mom, she would recognize me too. Clearly, there was no intersection between the two of us. Even if I assumed I had met her somewhere she couldn’t see, there were too many inaccuracies.

“…Sorry for asking such a weird question.”

“No, it’s fine, that could happen.”

I replied to Older Sister like that.

…Later on, if I do end up revealing my true identity to her. If that ever happens, I thought I must apologize for today.

*

“Are you going on your honeymoon right away?”

Ah-yoon asked Older Sister Yu-ri, who had changed into a hanbok. Yu-ri nodded with a bright smile.

“Yep, right away. I already took my vacation.”

“Where are you going?”

As Older Sister asked with a smile,

“Hawaii!”

The answer came as a simultaneous shout from Older Sister Yu-ri and her husband, Park Hyun-seung.

Ah, for a moment, Park Hyun-seung’s youthful appearance overlapped in my mind. Well, even now, he looks quite young.

“Must be nice.”

Older Sister replied with a smile in return.

“I’ll send lots of pictures. Enough that you can refer to them when you visit later.”

“Okay, I’ll be looking forward to it.”

Older Sister nodded readily.

Older Sister Yu-ri left in a car, receiving warm send-offs from many people in addition to her sister. There were a few balloons attached to the white vehicle. It really looked like a scene you’d see in a movie or drama, which made me smile.

Watching their retreating figures, Older Sister seemed a bit lost in thought, her expression seemingly a bit melancholic.

…Someday.

I wondered if, someday, Older Sister would also get to have a wedding as blessed as that.

Surely, she would. On her happy day, all the good people around her would come to bless her.

Among them, I would be there too.

…Although I might not be able to sincerely congratulate her.

Still, I would wish for her happiness.

I sincerely hoped it would turn out that way.

*

On the way back.

Older Sister and I sat side by side on the bus, gazing out the window. The wedding hadn’t gone too late into the evening, so the sun was still shining brightly in the sky.

As I sat by the window and quietly stared outside, something soft settled on my shoulder.

“…”

Turning my gaze, I saw Older Sister leaning against my shoulder, eyes closed.

I could hear her soft and steady breathing.

Even though it was still bright out, Older Sister seemed a bit worn out.

Well, I was sitting somewhat awkwardly leaning back, but Older Sister had been actively greeting Yu-ri’s family and friends. She had greeted her college friends and was even chatting with those she met after Yu-ri left for her honeymoon.

Being a good person must mean that she attracts many people around her.

At times like that, Older Sister would try to finish the conversation quickly, being conscious of me, but I smiled at her and made way. When we left the wedding, Older Sister said sorry, but I thought it wasn’t necessary. If anything, it was me who wanted to tag along to the wedding.

And thanks to this attendance, I could gain a lot. I could meet old acquaintances and reconnect with Mom.

I had only taken the first steps, but I thought that was more than enough for today.

There was still plenty of time left.

Slowly, slowly, I would catch up to those who had gone ahead of me.

So that someday, I could stand side by side with them.