For a minute, when he had spotted his father standing amid a horde of parents beyond the school gates, Minseok had thought that he would finally be going home.

Elated, Minseok had squealed in delight and run to his father, ready to tell him about his first day at kindergarten, and how much he had missed Mommy and Daddy and home. He had clung to his father’s neck as he had been hoisted into Daddy’s strong and safe arms.

“Are we going home, Daddy?”

“No, Minnie. We’re going to visit your mommy and Minseo.” His father had answered. All the joy he had felt upon seeing his parent had then crumbled. “Isn’t Minnie excited?”

Minseok had smiled and nodded in response, but secretly, he had been dreading yet another day with his aunt.

“Minseok, you haven’t eaten anything.” His uncle’s voice wrenched him out of his reverie.

In his present, he was seated adjacent to his uncle, who was at the head of the round dining table; across from Minseok was Hyoyeon, who was staring at him anxiously. Next to Hyoyeon was Joonmyeon, who was getting fed by his mother.

“You like cabbages and chicken, don’t you?” Minseok’s uncle asked kindly as he put a bowl of chicken in front of Minseok; he peeped up into his uncle’s face and nodded, thanking him politely, before gazing down at his plate, spooning some rice and chicken into his mouth. He yearned for his mother’s cooking.