Miss Park Jihyo
If Park Jihyo could describe her life in one word, it would be gray.
She was 31 years old, working at a big law firm in Seoul with a big paycheck, which to Jihyo didn't matter much. After all, it was very hard to impress yourself with a few luxuries when you were used to living like that.
She was also married, Sungbin, 30 years. They had been dating since Jihyo was 18, they were in love and Jihyo didn't think twice when Sungbin proposed, it was the most natural next step and Jihyo thought he was the love of her life.
She thought a lot of things back then
When she was little she also thought that her 30s were going to be the best years of her life, to travel, to explore, to settle down, to raise a family. Now she can't remember the last time she even felt anything else towards Sungbin than resentment
However, there was a small part of her day that she enjoyed, something she almost longed for at the end of the day.
Even if she thought her life couldn't get any worse with Sungbin, Tzuyu was always there to remind her that all was not lost.
“Tzuyu ah” Jihyo called as she took off her coat and hung it on the door ”Where are you?” She called back to her as she set her briefcase on the front table and made her way through the house.
It was a nice house, even if Jihyo said so. She wasn't much into extravagant things but the one thing she did let herself be noticed in was her house, it was big, rarely a mansion but beautiful.
“Mommy!” suddenly shouted a high pitched voice, Jihyo turned just in time to look at the little girl as she ran as fast as she could on her short legs to her mother.
“Hi!” exclaimed Jihyo as she bent down to catch the little girl in her arms and twirl her around ”How was your day, hmm?”
“Very fun!” Said the little girl “Daddy bought me a new toy!”
“Ah, really?” asked Jihyo as the little girl in her arms nodded quickly ”Did you have dinner yet?”
“No” She said as she stirred and Jihyo had no choice but to let her go ”Daddy said to wait”
“Woah” Jihyo said ”And where is he?” She was going to kill him as soon as she saw him
“Upstairs, he stopped by to pick me up at Chaengie's and said he had a few things to do”
Jihyo nodded and bowed a little “Well then what do you say you and I go do some quick shopping, eh Tzuyunnie, would you like to?”
“Yes!” Exclaimed the little girl excitedly before running into the living room “I'll go get my toy!”
Jihyo smiled, that little girl really was the light of her life.
With a heavy sigh she started walking upstairs. She didn't know when things had changed for the worse, when she stopped wanting to get home to her husband.
Or maybe she did know, maybe she had let her life become a monotonous affair from which there was no way out. She knew divorce was not an option, she couldn't let Tzuyu go through that, her life was fine as it was.
Sungbin was an excellent father, or so Tzuyu thought. Jihyo could differ on many things about him.
She climbed the stairs until she reached the large hallway and walked to her room, where the sound of the television blared distantly.
She clenched her jaw and, without further ado, opened the door.
Sungbin was there, lying in a corner, his suit already discarded and his computer on his lap
“Oh!” He exclaimed “Jihyo, honey, when did you get here?”
“A few minutes ago” She said, doing her best not to explode there, not with Tzuyu nearby
“Woah, I guess I lost track of time” Said the boy “I didn't notice when it got dark”
“Yeah” Jihyo snorted sarcastically, walking to her closet to grab a couple of things so she could change out of her uncomfortable outfit ”When did you get here, hmm?”
“A couple of hours ago” She replied ”I picked up Tzuyu from her friend's house. How did it go at work?”
“Fine” Jihyo replied ”Same old, I guess. You know that.”
Jihyo finally turned to look at him, “Where are you going?”
“To buy a couple of things” She replied, walking over to another drawer to pull out a pair of shoes.
“Since when do you do that?” sneered Sungbin and that made Jihyo's blood boil.
“Since it's the second night this week that I've come home and Tzuyu tells me she hasn't had dinner” She replied, her tone venomous.
“You know I get distracted a lot Hyo, I don't have time and it's not my fault that-”
“It's not your fault that Tzuyu is hungry? You're her father, aren't you?” Jihyo blurted out ”You have time to buy her toys she doesn't need but not to feed her, don't you? You have time to lock yourself in here and ignore her for hours.”
“Are you going to start already?”
“Yes, Bin” Jihyo said ”Because the only thing I would like would be to come home to a well cared for daughter and an attentive husband”
“I'm an attentive husband” Said Sungbin ”I work too Jihyo, I do things too.”
He wasn't lying, Sungbin's work meant he spent a lot of time outside. Traveling for weeks, months even.
“I'm not saying you don’t do it” Jihyo cut him off with a sigh “Forget it, I have to go before Tzuyu comes up here” She replied and walked to the door with her stuff in hand.
“How do you expect me to be an attentive husband if you haven't let me see you naked for months?” This made Jihyo stop abruptly.
“What does that have to do with anything, Sungbin?” She asked “That's your excuse? That's what you're going to say to justify yourself?”
“I'm your husband, Jihyo” He said “You think I don't try? You think I don't get hurt? It seems like every time I touch you, you get burned. And now you won't even change in front of me?”
“I can't do this right now” She replied, she was tired ”We'll talk later”
“Whatever” Was the last thing Sungbin replied before Jihyo left the room.
She walked to Tzuyu's room at the end of the hallway, closing the door behind her and quickly took off her uncomfortable outfit.
Once done, wearing casual pants and a white shirt, she walked out of the room and down the stairs only to see little Tzuyu sitting on one of the couches playing with what appeared to be a doll.
“Hey, cutie” Jihyo said, catching the girl's attention ”Are you ready?”
“Yes” She replied with a big smile ”What about daddy?”
“He'll stay here, he's busy, yes sweetie?” Tzuyu didn't need to hear any more.
“Okay” The little girl replied as she took Jihyo's hand, ready to leave.
Jihyo smiled and walked to the door, opening it and walking out with her daughter.
She smiled warmly at Tzuyu before opening the car door. She helped the little girl into her car seat and buckled her in securely. As Jihyo climbed into the driver's seat, she glanced back at Tzuyu in the rearview mirror. "What would you like for dinner, sweetheart?" she asked gently.
Tzuyu gazed out the window thoughtfully for a moment. "I don't know," she replied in a small voice.
Chuckling softly, Jihyo started the car and pulled away from the curb. "That's alright. How about we stop by the market and I'll find things to make something yummy?"
Tzuyu's eyes lit up. "Okay!"
The drive to the supermarket was mostly quiet as Tzuyu soaked in the scenery outside. When they arrived, Jihyo parked and unbuckled the girl from her seat. Tzuyu eagerly hopped out, her little hand reaching for Jihyo's larger one. They began walking through the automatic doors together, Tzuyu glancing around in wonder at the rows upon rows of food. Her smile was infectious, and Jihyo couldn't help but grin too.
She liked it when life was like that, simple.
Being with Tzuyu was always comforting, it made her remember why she did everything, why she woke up every morning, why no matter how mentally tired she was she always wanted to go home.
She pushed the cart down the aisle, looking for ingredients as Tzuyu tagged along close by, her small hand in Jihyo's grasp. Lost in thought, Jihyo began tossing items into the cart, momentarily distracted from her surroundings. Something caught her eye from across the way, drawing her attention. When she turned back to Tzuyu, the little girl was gone.
"Tzuyu?" Jihyo called out, panic rising in her chest when she received no response. She called Tzuyu's name louder, worry flooding her veins.
Jihyo began hurriedly pushing the cart up and down the aisles, calling Tzuyu's name frantically as she went. Her heart pounded in her chest as moments passed without any reply.
Turning the corner swiftly, she froze at the sight before her. There, halfway down the next aisle, was Tzuyu holding hands and walking cheerfully beside a young woman.
Jihyo let out an enormous sigh of relief, feeling the panic that had gripped her chest rapidly vanishing. She hurried over and scooped Tzuyu into her arms, hugging her tightly. "Don't scare me like that!" she scolded
“Mommy” Tzuyu said ”I want chocolate!”
Jihyo sighed deeply, leaving Tzuyu and stepping back a little “I'll think about it sweetie” She said and finally turned to look at the girl Tzuyu was coming with.
Any words and logical thoughts left her mind when she met the girl's gaze, she was tall, just a little taller than her. Her hair was brown, long, her eyes were big, very bright and she had a big, sweet smile plastered on her face.
She was beautiful
Jihyo swallowed saliva and looked down quickly, feeling silly and shy “Tzuyu, where did you go?”
“I got bored and wanted to see the backpacks!” Tzuyu replied “Then I didn't see you but my new friend helped me find you!”
“Oh yeah?” Jihyo asked and Tzuyu nodded quickly. Walking away from her mom and walking up to take the stranger girl's hand happily, pulling her closer.
“She's my friend!” the little girl exclaimed with a big smile.
“Hello” Smiled the girl
“Thank you so much for helping her” Jihyo replied, finally looking her in the face ”I don't know what I would do if I lost her”
“It was nothing!” Replied the girl and Jihyo hid a grimace, the girl was very nice, sweet. “I wouldn't want anything to happen to her.”
Jihyo sighed “Tzuyu is very curious, it's not the first time this has happened, but I hope it's the last, right little lady girl?”
"Yes!" Tzuyu exclaimed proudly, her big smile making the woman laugh.
Jihyo glanced at her watch. "Well, it's about time we finished up here and got us home." She turned to the stranger. "Thank you again for your help."
"It was no trouble at all," the woman replied kindly.
Impulsively, Tzuyu dashed forward and wrapped her tiny arms around the woman in a hug. "Thank you!" she said shyly, waving as she scurried back to Jihyo's side.
The woman waved and smiled. "It was lovely to meet you, Tzuyu. Be good for your mother now!"
Tzuyu beamed and took Jihyo's hand, ready to check out.
—
“Daddy!” was the first thing Tzuyu shouted when they got home ”We're here!”
“I'm coming honey!” He replied from upstairs
Jihyo said nothing, walking past into the kitchen and leaving the groceries on the counter “Tzuyu, go wash your hands, okay?”
“Okay” She said as she ran with her little legs to the bathroom.
Jihyo smiled and nimbly started taking things out of the bags. Soon she started to hear footsteps and followed by that Sungbin came in with little Tzuyu in hands.
“She was very cute daddy, like an angel!” Tzuyu exclaimed laughing.
“That's what it sounds like, little one” He replied
“Mommy, I'm telling daddy about my new friend!”
“Oh yeah?” replied Jihyo, with a big smile ”I didn't even ask her name!”
Sungbin smiled indulgently. "It sounds like she helped you and Mommy out."
“Yeah!” Tzuyu said “I want to see her again!”
"We’ll think about it, now why don't you go play for a bit before dinner?" Sungbin suggested.
Tzuyu nodded and scampered off. An awkward silence fell between Jihyo and Sungbin in the kitchen. Their marriage had grown distant, and words failed Jihyo.
Sungbin cleared his throat. "Can I help with anything?"
Jihyo met his eyes briefly before responding. "Yes"
Sungbin nodded and began helping prepare ingredients in silence. After a while, he cleared his throat nervously.
"I'm sorry. I've been tired and taking it out on you unfairly," he said quietly.
She continued working, still not quite meeting his eyes. Finally Jihyo sighed. "I know. But I need help, Sungbin. I can't do this all alone anymore. I just want—" She broke off, hesitating before finishing in a near whisper—"I don't even know what I want."
Sungbin sighed deeply too, at a loss for words. An air of melancholy hung over the kitchen as they worked together without speaking further.
Dinner after that was quiet, Jihyo would not describe it as awkward, years ago she had learned to let go of that word, she no longer felt awkward, just empty.
Jihyo was so grateful that Tzuyu didn't notice the tension between them and would break the silence from time to time by talking about her day, her toys or really whatever first came to mind.
Dinner wrapped up quietly, as Jihyo cleared the table. From the kitchen, she watched Sungbin playing with Tzuyu, losing herself in the scene momentarily. A sigh escaped her lips - this was all for Tzuyu now, only for her daughter's happiness.
As Jihyo finished washing up, nightfall came swiftly. Steeling herself, she went to tell Tzuyu it was bedtime.
The little girl pouted “Dad said i could stay up!”
"Sweetie, it's almost 10pm. You have school tomorrow," Jihyo said gently but firmly. Tzuyu kept protesting her father's permission.
"She can stay up a little longer, can't you Tzuyu?" Sungbin interjected lightly.
"No, it's well past her bedtime," Jihyo stated firmly. But Tzuyu began to whine, clinging to her father's words.
Hoping to appease her, Sungbin said, "Be a good girl and go to bed now, and I'll buy you candy tomorrow."
Tzuyu cheered, scampering off excitedly while Jihyo bit her tongue to avoid causing a scene. She forced a thin smile. "Go brush your teeth, honey. I'll be up soon."
As soon as she was out of earshot, Jihyo rounded on Sungbin. "We discussed her bedtime. You shouldn't undermine me in front of her."
Sungbin sighed. "I was just trying to calm her down. You know I can't say no to that face."
"Well I'm the parent enforcing rules. Not everything is a negotiation," Jihyo said tightly, weary of constantly feeling outvoted in her own home.
"I said I was sorry earlier. What more do you want from me?" Sungbin replied, raising his voice.
Jihyo pinched the bridge of her nose. "I want consistency for Tzuyu. Is that too much to ask?"
"Tzuyu is only 7. She doesn't need such strict rules," Sungbin retorted.
"That's exactly why I'm establishing consistency now," Jihyo said firmly. "Bad habits form early if left uncorrected."
"You're overreacting," Sungbin scoffed.
"I'm not," Jihyo insisted. "The behaviors she learns here influence her actions elsewhere, like at school. Did you know her teacher pulled me aside this morning about an issue with sharing?"
Sungbin frowned. "And how is that my fault?"
Jihyo sighed in frustration. "How is it not partly your fault when you constantly tell her those toys are all for her alone and no one else can touch them? What do you expect her to learn from that?"
Sungbin rolled his eyes. "Fine, whatever. I'm done arguing if you're just going to blow things out of proportion like always."
Biting back a sharp retort, Jihyo only sighed wearily. She was too exhausted to continue fighting a losing battle. Without another word, she ascended the stairs to check on Tzuyu, leaving the tension between her and Sungbin unresolved once more.
—
When Jihyo opened her eyes, Sungbin was still asleep beside her. She sighed softly, slowly sliding out of bed and padding into the bathroom to take a refreshing shower.
After quickly washing and drying off, she got dressed for the day. Emerging freshly made up and ready for work, Jihyo then went to Tzuyu's room to gently rouse her daughter for school. This was their daily routine - wake up, help Tzuyu prepare, drop her off, spend the day at her office job among distant colleagues, pick up Tzuyu, cook dinner together, then start it all over again the next morning. It was a familiar pattern, but sometimes Jihyo wondered if this was all life had in store for her.
When she was younger, Jihyo thought that by the time she got older, she'd be living life to its fullest.
She had no regrets, even if it seemed otherwise - she didn't regret marrying Sungbin. He had been kind, sweet, handsome and attentive. Those were among the first things Jihyo had fallen for during one of their university nights out when Sungbin found her. And after all, Sungbin had given her Tzuyu.
She couldn't ask for more than that.
Jihyo bid Tzuyu goodbye at the school gates, telling her daughter to have a good day in class. Tzuyu waved hastily and scampered off to catch up with Chaeyoung, her tiny best friend.
Jihyo smiled fondly at the pair before sighing as she returned to her car for the commute to work.
Jihyo drove to work on autopilot, the familiar route taking hardly any time at all. She parked and took the elevator upstairs, riding it alone with her swirling thoughts.
When she had described her life as "grey," it truly wasn't an exaggeration. Even as a successful lawyer who had graduated two years early and worked as managing partner at one of Seoul's top firms, Jihyo did love her job. But everything felt grey - the daily routine, her marriage, even her accomplishments held little vibrancy anymore. Life had become a monotonous series of tasks rather than moments of passion, adventure or deep connection.
As the elevator doors dinged open, Jihyo straightened her shirt and put on a polished smile, ready to face another day.
Her work was always stellar; it was what lay beyond the office walls at night and on weekends that felt devoid of purpose these days. But for now, duty called.
Jihyo strode to her office, sitting down with a sigh and letting the tiredness seep from her shoulders. She had so many cases to review, reports to draft - the never-ending workload consumed her first hour alone.
When a gentle knock eventually came, Jihyo called for entry in a flat tone, briefly irritated by the interruption. But her annoyance melted away as Momo, her cheery secretary and right-hand, poked her head in with a beaming smile.
Momo had joined the firm a few years prior as Jihyo's intern-turned-protégée. Though a few years younger, Jihyo surprisingly found the girl's energy and enthusiasm refreshing.
“Hi, Mrs. Yun” She said, knowing how much Jihyo hated being called that way
Jihyo sighed in response "Not today Momoring, I’m not in the mood"
Momo smiled knowingly. "Yeah, yeah. We can talk about it later- for now, I need your help with something."
Rolling her eyes, Jihyo protested, "I'm far too busy. The Hwang case reports are due today and I-"
"I'll take care of the reports,” Momo interrupted smoothly. “Now come with me, you forgot didn't you?"
Jihyo frowned in confusion. "Forget what? I have a million things to do, this really isn't the best time-"
"The new intern starts today and as managing partner, you need to meet with her," Momo reminded her gently.
Jihyo cursed under her breath, abruptly remembering. "How could I forget that? Thanks for catching me Momo." She stood and straightened her clothes. "Please see to those reports for me. And send the new girl in, I'll meet with her now."
Momo beamed and whisked away, ever efficient.
Jihyo sighed, mentally preparing herself. While Momo had a way of wiggling past her carefully constructed boundaries, Jihyo kept most colleagues at arm's length professionally. It wasn't that she disliked people - her position simply required detachment.
"Come in," she called, donning her most approachable demeanor.
The door opened promptly and Jihyo strode around her desk, hand already extended in greeting before she looked up.
"We're delighted to have our new intern joining us. As managing partner, I'll be overseeing your training here and ensuring you learn all you need to know about our firm. I hope that you-"
Jihyo stopped short as her eyes landed on the girl standing before her. It was the same woman who had helped Tzuyu in the supermarket just yesterday, now dressed primly in a striped black skirt and white blouse.
Jihyo froze momentarily as she took in the familiar face before her. The girl seemed equally taken aback, but recovered quickly, extending a smooth, warm hand.
Jihyo's pause continued - it had been so long since she'd felt such a gentle, comforting touch. The girl smiled brightly. "It's lovely to see you again."
Snapping out of her trance, Jihyo composed herself. "Likewise”
“I didn't expect to see you again so soon, miss park” Smiled the girl.
“It's Yun, actually” Jihyo said, although she hated to introduce herself by her husband's last name, she was so used to doing it that it was already natural for her ”But I guess you can call me Park, Miss...?”
“Minatozaki” She smiled ”Minatozaki Sana.”