Kim stepped into the warmth of the house, and immediately, the comforting aroma of his mother’s cooking filled the air. It was a smell that had always meant home to him, but tonight, it felt different—more special. His younger siblings, Kim Ji-sung and Kim Ji-yeon, heard the door creak open and came running into the hallway, their excitement evident. They tackled him with tight hugs, their small arms wrapped around him as if they hadn’t seen him in years.
“Hyung! How was it? How’s university?” Ji-sung asked, his voice eager and filled with curiosity.
“Tell us everything!” Ji-yeon added, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and for a moment, it almost made Kim forget the pressure that weighed heavily on him.
Kim smiled warmly, hugging them back. “It was good,” he said, keeping his tone light. He didn’t want to burden them with the realities of what he was experiencing. “A lot of new things, but I’m getting used to it.”
He kept the truth hidden behind a well-practiced smile. The tension, the isolation, the discomfort—it was all too much to explain to them, and he didn’t want them to worry. He had to be strong for them. They were still so young, and they looked up to him with such pride, believing that university would change everything for him—and for them. They didn’t need to know about the struggles yet. Kim couldn’t afford to let them see the cracks in his armor.
As they reluctantly let go of him, Kim’s father, Kim Joon-seok, appeared in the doorway of the living room. His presence was commanding, and there was a softness in his eyes that always reassured Kim. He held up a hand and gently reminded the children, “Wait a bit. Let your brother eat first, then we can talk.”
With a quiet nod, Kim followed his father to the dining room. The scent of the meal grew stronger as they entered, and his eyes immediately landed on the table. His mother, Lee Mi-sook, stood at the head, smiling as she placed a steaming bowl of rice and his favorite dishes in front of him. There were savory sides, tender meats, and vegetables he hadn’t had in weeks—all his favorites, carefully prepared with love. Kim's heart swelled with a mixture of gratitude and guilt. His mother knew exactly how to make him feel at home, and the meal before him was a clear sign that she had put in a great deal of effort to make it special.
Kim looked at her, his throat tightening. “Eomma,” he began, his voice thick with emotion, “Why did you make this? You didn’t have to go through all this trouble.”
Lee Mi-sook smiled, her expression tender but with a touch of pride. “Today is a special day, Kim,” she said, her eyes shining. “It’s the first day of university for you. We wanted to celebrate. You’ve made it this far. We’re proud of you.”
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Kim’s chest tightened, and he quickly looked away, hoping his parents wouldn’t see the tears that were threatening to form in his eyes. The realization hit him hard—this meal, these dishes, the effort his mother had put into preparing them—they were more than just a celebration. They were a sacrifice. The ingredients, the time, the energy—it all came at a cost. His family had given up so much to send him to university, and Kim couldn’t help but feel that this meal, though delicious, was a symbol of their hopes and expectations. His mother had probably spent more than they could afford, stretching their already limited resources to make this moment special.
Kim's hands trembled slightly as he reached for the chopsticks, but he steadied them. He didn’t want to show weakness, not now. His parents were already giving everything they could to make his dreams a reality. The last thing he wanted was to disappoint them, to let them see how heavy the weight of their sacrifices felt.
“Thank you, Eomma,” he said quietly, his voice low. “This means a lot to me.”
His mother beamed at him, clearly pleased by his words. As they began to eat, Kim felt a sense of deep appreciation for everything his family had done. They had sacrificed so much just for him to get this far, to step into a world that felt so foreign and overwhelming. He was the only one in his family who had the chance to go to university, and he couldn’t afford to waste it. His future was tied to their sacrifices, and he could never repay them for what they had done. But he could make sure that their sacrifices weren’t in vain. He could prove to them that all of this, all their hard work and dedication, would pay off.
As the meal progressed, Kim felt the warmth of his family’s love surrounding him. Ji-sung and Ji-yeon laughed, sharing their small victories and challenges from school, their innocent chatter filling the air. His father, Kim Joon-seok, offered the occasional piece of advice, his calm voice providing a steady rhythm to the conversation. His mother, ever the nurturing force, smiled as she watched her children interact, her love for them evident in every glance.
Kim stayed quiet for most of the meal, only speaking when prompted. His mind was preoccupied with everything that had happened at the university, but he pushed it aside for the moment. This was their time, their chance to come together as a family and celebrate the small victories they had. He couldn’t allow his troubles to overshadow this.
But even as he smiled and ate with his family, the guilt gnawed at him. They had worked so hard, and yet he still felt as though he was failing them. The wealth and privilege that the other students had at the university—they were things he would never have. And yet, here he was, being celebrated for taking a step into a world that seemed so far removed from everything he had known. The disparity, the distance between his reality and theirs, was something he couldn’t ignore.
As they finished the meal, Kim couldn’t help but make a silent vow to himself. He would do whatever it took to make his family proud, to give them the life they deserved. No matter how hard it became, no matter the challenges he faced, he would find a way to succeed. His family’s happiness, their well-being, depended on him. And he would carry that responsibility with him every step of the way.
The promise he made to them—one made in the silence of his heart—would drive him forward, no matter the cost.