H

ONG EUNWOO grew up with two people he called Mother and Father. They were loving figures, though they always kept a distance from the outside world. This small family lived by a set of strict rules: never get too close to strangers, never talk about their origins, and always be ready to move to a new place. Eunwoo accepted it all without much question, as it was the only life he had ever known.Yet, there was always something that felt off. His parents never showed him photos from the past or talked about other relatives. When Eunwoo asked about extended family, they would only reply briefly, "You’re the only one who matters to us."Nights were often filled with whispered conversations behind closed doors. Occasionally, Eunwoo caught fragments of sentences like, "They must keep believing this," or, "We can’t let him find out." But each morning, they would return to being the loving parents he knew, as if nothing had happened.

That day, Eunwoo was asked to go to church earlier than usual. His mother handed him a package of food to share. "You’re a good boy, Eunwoo," she said as she slipped the meal into his bag. "Take your time there; don’t come back too soon." His father only offered a faint smile, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder before sending him off.When Eunwoo returned later that afternoon, the air felt wrong. The acrid smell of smoke filled his nose, making his steps falter. The house that had always been his safe haven was now reduced to ashes. Flames still licked at the remains, sending thick black smoke into the sky. “No... This can’t be happening...” he whispered, his eyes wide with horror. Dropping his bag, he ran toward the house, even as the searing heat from the fire threatened to burn his skin.There was no one around. Their home was secluded, nestled deep within a quiet forest. Eunwoo’s chest tightened, his mind racing with questions—what had happened? Amid the ruins, his eyes caught sight of something untouched by the flames: a small metal box. With trembling hands, Eunwoo picked it up. The box was heavy, and inside he found a USB drive and a handwritten letter.

The letter was written in a hand he recognized.

Eunwoo, if you’re reading this, it means we’ve failed to protect you. We are not your real parents, but we loved you as if you were our own. Your true parents entrusted you to us so that you could stay safe. You already learn and know everything you need to keep you safe. Don’t come back. You are the key to something far greater than yourself!
– Mother and Father

Eunwoo’s world crumbled around him. His hands clutched the letter tightly, his body trembling amid the ruins. Yet, beneath all the fear and loss, one burning question refused to leave his mind: Who am I, and why has my life been so carefully orchestrated from the very beginning?

WHERE I BELONG?

One Step

you are with me

At a Time

01

The soft hum of the ocean breeze carried through the grand hallways of a house that felt like a dream. Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a golden glow on the marble floors. Outside, the sound of laughter echoed in the air—light, innocent, and filled with warmth.Eunwoo sat by the window, watching the waves crash against the shore, his heart swelling with a quiet kind of happiness. A hand slipped into his, warm and familiar. Misul, The love of his life. He smiled at him, and for a moment, everything felt complete.In the distance, the sound of tiny feet running across the yard made him turn. Their child, full of life and wonder, playing without a care in the world. No shadows of the past, no weight of fear or regret. Just the present, peaceful and untainted.

ㅤ❝ㅤ You are faithful now and always you will be. I will remain faithful to you. ㅤ❞ㅤ

He had let go. The nightmares that once haunted him had faded into whispers he no longer listened to. The scars of yesterday no longer defined him. He had forgiven, not for them, but for himself. And now, he was free.Somewhere in the city, Daisuke and his family continued their lives, and though they were miles apart, the bond remained. There was no bitterness, only gratitude for the role they had played in his life. The house that his parents had left for him, stood tall, not just as a shelter but as a symbol of everything he had survived. A place that once felt foreign was now home. Eunwoo closed his eyes, letting the warmth of the sun kiss his skin. This was everything he had ever wanted. And yet, when he opened his eyes, the reality was still the same.The house was gone. The laughter was just an echo of something that had never been. Misul, their child, the peace, only fragments of an imagination too hopeful to die. With a quiet sigh, he stood, pulling himself back to the present. Maybe one day, this dream would no longer be just a dream. Maybe one day, it would be real.