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It was the end of a school week and since the following day was a weekend, Hoon was allowed to stay in school for a while longer so that he could play with his friends in the playgrounds within the school premises.
"My Appa says this weekend is a long weekend so we're going camping!" one of Hoon's friends, Uju, shared.
"I've never been camping," Hoon said. "Is it fun?"
"Yes! I love it because Appa puts away his phone and it's only our stories that we talk about," Uju said.
"But, isn't it boring to not watch videos and play games?" Hoon asked.
Uju thought about it. "A bit... but I love spending time with my Appa more, so it's okay."
"Lucky you," Hoon told his friend. "I would keep my phone in my bag for many days if I had an Appa, too."
Uju put his arm around his friend. "Why don't you have an Appa?"
Hoon shrugged. "I don't know about my real Appa and Eomma. But it's okay... I have a new Eomma now and I love her very much. Maybe one day I'll have an Appa who can take me camping."
Jang Joo Hee stood a distance away, but heard the exchange which broke her heart. What a life this little boy has had, she thought.
Jang Joo Hee had her personal struggles, with her mother having dealt with cancer when she was still in university and her father leaving them. She understood that there were pressing reasons why parents would decide to abandon a child -- perhaps life in the orphanage was the best the parent could offer or perhaps they had no other choice. Still, it triggered Joo Hee's protective streak.She saw the effect it had on one of her best friends, Cha Mi-jo, and now with Hoon. If there was one thing Jang Joo Hee would change in this world, she would make sure that children did not suffer any heartbreak.
"Hoon!" Jang Joo Hee called out, enthusiastically waving at the little boy.
"Hi Auntie Joo Hee!" Hoon greeted, happily running to her. "You're picking me up today?"
"Yes because your Eomma still has a patient," Joo Hee told him. "She says we can have a snack before I bring you to the clinic."
"Okay, Auntie!" Hoon replied. "Do you think Agent Dae-sik will be at the clinic?"
Joo Hee shrugged. "I'm not sure about the patient list today, Hoonie. Why?"
"I miss the Agent," Hoon admitted. "Eomma helped me send video messages to him but I miss talking to him in person."
Before Joo Hee could say anything, Hoon added, "And Eomma doesn't show me the videos when I want to watch it again! But I catch her watching Agent Dae-sik's video messages ALL THE TIME."
