[Sim Daejung]

At the ripe age of seventy-three, and after living most of my life in chaos and turmoil, the last thing I expected to find is peace. Causing and getting out of trouble all the time might've been gratifying to me, but it's time for me to calm down.

I'm sure my sons and daughter are grateful to the good memories we've built together and look forward to what's left of my life. On the other hand, I understand them when they say I've made their lives hard.

I might've guided them to mischief all my life, but I have no regrets. They've all come so far through the hardships. It costs me a lot to admit it, I know. I'm proud of them. Truly I am.

***

"So, what do you plan to do, Daejung? Is it yet another plan of yours?" Daehwa shakes her head. She also seems to be done with turning everything into a sort of adventure. I don't blame her for that. We're getting old now.

"Another plan? Daehwa, don't you know me anymore? This is the Final Plan. I promise you it's nothing serious. Do you believe me?" I grin at her. She initially frowns and retreats back, only to give in when I kiss her cheeks.

"Stop it! You little big-"

I laugh loudly. "Hahaha! Admit it, you're too tired to even come up with an insult! Jokes apart, I love you." She sighs and sits next to me at the dining table.

"Okay, about the 'Final Plan,' what's my part in it?" Her annoyance leaves room for curiosity, much to my delight. She stares at me with dreamy eyes as I pick paper and a pen, and start jolting down something. She doesn't see what I'm writing. That's for the better. I want it to be a surprise.

***

To my shock, Himchan and Seju are early, while Daegwang is late. Usually, it's the other way around. I guess nothing is granted when it comes to them.

When my middle son arrives, he's in a rush. He bows frantically ten times. "Sorry, I overslept! I shouldn't have forgotten to set the alarm!"

Himchan elbows him. "Stop being dramatic, for God's sake! I'm a lot more tardy than you!" Those two will never change.

"Come on, guys, let's see what Mom and Dad have in store for us." Another thing that surprises me today is Seju's eagerness to see what I prepared for her and the others. I wonder what made her become curious about my plans. She used to hate the idea of getting dirty to save my ass.

I hand them an envelope and instruct them to open and read it aloud. Daehwa and I take seats. I expect them to bicker over who should read first or stuff like that. Instead, they take turns to open the letter.

"I feel like crying already! I need tissues!" exclaims Seju.

Daegwang offers to read first, with no opposition from Himchan or Seju.

'My dear folks,

It's been a hell of a journey. For nearly thirty-five years, I've experienced the joys of parenthood, along with the expectation of a bright future for the three of you.

In all honesty, I can say I'm satisfied. You've all come so far. You've overcome the obstacles life presented you with wit and grace. You never gave up, even when you were on your breaking point. Yes, you've all made it your way.

Personally, I believe you deserve a sincere apology. All my life, I've been reckless, always trying to find solace in meddling and sorting out other people's issues, all while brushing off my own. Through this process, I've dragged you into chaos for years, and I'm sorry for that.

Whether you choose to forgive me or not, please don't forget that it might take years to build walls around oneself, but it takes just a moment to break them. When to break those walls, it's only up to you. No-one else should have a say on that.

Lastly, I want to thank you for reading this sappy letter. I know, I'm not the kind of person who writes down his feelings that easily. At least, I found my inner peace. Now, it's your turn.

Be who you want to be, and nothing short of that.

Yours, Daejung.'

As the letter is over, everyone apart from myself cries rivers. I can't believe how much power words can hold over a person. Ever since I was born, I've thought emotions are something that can be controlled. And that comes from someone who hardly ever follows plans by heart.

As I gather the rest round for a hug, I myself start sobbing.

***

"Your eyes are still wet, Daejung. I think this is the first time in many years I saw you cry." As Daehwa points out correctly that I've retained tears for too long, I consider teasing her for that, but change my mind. I don't think she's ready to face another shock.

"I don't think I'm ready to go to bed yet," she continues. "Why don't we watch some TV? I remember it was you who made me dig down deep the hole of trash reality shows." She's right. Hadn't I done so in the past, she wouldn't be a fan of TV today.

"Okay. What do you want to watch today, Freeze Cash or Smash the Kitchen?" I don't know what she'll pick since she's unpredictable. Nonetheless, as long as she enjoys her choice, I'm happy.

"We've watched plenty of both lately, Daejung. What about House of X instead?" Oh, I know that because of Himchan. He recommended it to me three months ago. However, I've only had time to watch the intro pilot. Nothing much.

"Then House of X it is." As I find it on demand, I try to warn my wife. "It's super spicy. Do you think you can handle it?"

"I handled you for thirty-eight years, and let's not count the long period before marriage." Touché.

"Let's just watch, okay?" As much as I have to admit defeat, I suggest our focus turn on the TV.

***

With Daehwa off to bed after five straight episodes of House of X, I decide to stop watching. I don't want to rush through the show and, especially, watch it without her. At the same time, I don't feel like sleeping either. I need something to keep my mind busy, or to induce sleep. Either option is fine.

That's when I extract a bunch of photo albums from the cupboard opposite the TV. Some of the pictures inside are very old, they date back to forty or even fifty years ago. I open one of the photobooks. The faces I've encountered through the years startle me.

I remember my period at Haute Heights, where I launched the Face game with some neighbors to discover some secrets. That was what gave me the impulse to dig down deeper into mischief. And how can I forget when, in the middle of saving a troubled woman from her past, I ended up in a plot to crash a wedding?

But the most poignant moment has to be when I crossed paths with Daehwa again since we left Seoul. The more I tried to run away from her, the more she'd chase after me. After years of us playing cat and mouse, Fate decided to bring us together.

It couldn't have made a better move.