The air was still, soft with the late afternoon sun. The town wasn’t much—quiet streets, small homes, people who didn’t ask questions. That was why you came here. After surviving the Squid Game, after escaping everything, you and Myung-gi needed somewhere to disappear. North Korea wasn’t far, but it felt like another world. A new life, one that didn't involve fear, blood, or games.

You lived in a simple house now. No big rooms, no luxury. But it was enough. And more importantly, it was peaceful.

You stepped out onto the porch, drying your hands with a towel. Myung-gi sat on the steps, shirt sleeves rolled up, focused on fixing a small wooden toy. His hands were steady, but you could still see the scars from everything you both went through. Some wounds didn’t fade, but at least here, they weren’t getting worse.

He looked up when he heard your footsteps and gave you a small smile—the kind he only gave to you. The one that said, I'm still here. I'm still yours.

You sat beside him and leaned your head on his shoulder. “Did you see Je-hun?” you asked softly.

“Not yet,” he replied, his voice calm, low.

“She said she was going to give you a present for Dad’s Day.”

He paused. “She remembered?”

You nodded.

Just then, the door creaked open behind you. Je-hun peeked out, her little eyes bright with excitement. She was hiding something behind her back.

“Appa,” she whispered, trying to be sneaky. “Close your eyes!”

Myung-gi blinked, then played along, covering his eyes with both hands. “Okay, I’m ready.”

Je-hun giggled and stepped forward. Carefully, she placed something on his head—a crown, handmade from paper and colored with crayons. It had stars, a heart, and the words #1 Dad written in messy handwriting.

“Now open!”

Myung-gi opened his eyes and looked up. He touched the crown gently, like it was something precious. For a second, he didn’t say a word. His eyes softened.

You could see his chest rise slowly, like he was holding something in. And then he smiled—not the fake smile he used to wear to survive, but a real one. Small, but real.

“Do I look good?” he asked, pretending to be serious.

“You look like a king,” Je-hun said proudly.

“A lucky king,” he corrected, pulling her into a warm hug.

You watched them, your heart full. This life wasn’t perfect. You still had to be careful. You still had to hide. But there was love here. Real love. And for two people who had once fought to survive in a world that saw them as nothing, that meant everything.

You leaned closer to him and whispered, “Happy Dad’s Day, Myung-gi.”

He looked at you, then at Je-hun, and nodded slowly.

“Thank you… for giving me this life.”

And for the first time in a long time, everything felt right.