Hayi walked slowly as she struggled to carry groceries, dinner, and her work bag towards their building. It was drizzling, and the sky made the early evening look a little bit later than it should on a summer day. To Hayi, it was even a surprise that she was off from work this early, that she didn't mind the rain at all.

Her mother called to tell her that both she and her father were to dine out for a client meeting. She tasked her to pick up dinner for herself, and, remembering Chaerin, called her up to take her order too.

"Quesadillas, baby sister. Thank you!! I'll be home in an hour." Chaerin said gratefully into the phone. Hayi knew just how hard at work Chaerin is in the next city, so it was a small thing to buy her a treat once in a while.

She nodded to the guard who opened the door for her, and smiled graciously when he also proceeded to press the elevator button for her. She waited until the car pinged to her floor, and eased herself out.

She opened the door to their apartment and the lights. She was exhausted to the bone. Still, she sighed, I'm home earlier today. That, in itself, is a joyful thing for her.

Half an hour later, all cleaned up and dressed in comfy jogging pants and sweater, she grabbed her dinner from the table and the TV in their living room. She drew the curtains open, reveling in the pretty lights of the city. She loved seeing the lights from the window, and since she was small, she loved to look over the city at night.

"Hayi-ah, do you see those lights down at the street? And in the cars...and down there at your favorite bread store?" Chaerin asked tenderly as she combed Hayi's hair. At age twelve, Chaerin loved being the baby sitter to Hayi. She loved how Hayi hung on to her every word, her eyes shining in anticipation for what her big sister will say next. She loved making Hayi's hopeful eyes shine.

"You know, those lights," she paused, allowing Hayi to turn to her in quiet excitement, "Those lights are very pretty, but you know what? They're even prettier when you think of people who are in them, people staying with them."

"For me, when I see a light on, I feel warmth. I think, 'Oh, someone alive is in that car, or in that house or store.' I feel somehow, that person's heart is beating. And it makes me happy to s