Saturday mornings were usually Jihoon's sanctuary—slow, quiet, and wrapped in small comforts. It was the one day of the week when time didn't feel like a race. His usual routine involved waking up without an alarm, preparing a simple breakfast, and watching Hodu paw at the morning light streaming through the windows.
That morning, Jihoon stirred awake to the sound of birdsong outside his open window. The breeze carried in the scent of spring—fresh grass, damp earth, and the faint sweetness of blooming azaleas from the park nearby.
He stretched his arms overhead and sat up, glancing down at the foot of his bed.
There she was.
Hodu lay curled up like a fluffy crescent moon, her tail twitching in slow motion as she dozed in her usual spot on the blanket. Jihoon chuckled and reached down to scratch under her chin, eliciting a soft purr.
"Lazy girl," he muttered. "You've got the right idea."
After a leisurely breakfast and a bit of light reading, Jihoon stepped out into the sun, deciding to take a stroll to the convenience store for a cold drink and perhaps a snack.
But the moment he reached the main street, he noticed something was different.
The air had a distinct energy—not hurried or tense, but purposeful.
Cars lined both sides of the road near the community center. A few volunteers wearing bright sashes stood by the entrance, holding signs and waving politely to passersby. Groups of neighbors walked in and out of the building, many holding their ID cards or folded voter pamphlets.
Election day.
Though Jihoon had already cast his vote during early registration a few days prior, the sight still stirred something in him—a quiet pride in the ordinary act of showing up. He watched an elderly couple slowly make their way up the stairs together, one supporting the other, and a college student with headphones tucked behind his ears carefully reviewing something on his phone before going inside.
After picking up a drink and snack, Jihoon chose to take the long way home, cutting through the narrow school field that bordered the back of the polling center. It was quieter here, lined with shady trees and small benches.
And that's where he saw him.
A teenage boy sat alone on one of the benches near the school gate, hunched over with a small voter information booklet in hand. A student ID lay in his lap. His backpack sat by his feet, and he kept nervously adjusting his grip on the booklet.
His leg bounced in place, and his eyes flicked repeatedly toward the polling center in the distance—then back down again.
Jihoon slowed his steps. The boy's nervous energy was unmistakable.
After a brief pause, Jihoon walked over and stopped at a respectful distance.
"First time?" he asked gently.
The boy looked up, startled. His round glasses were slightly fogged from the heat of his breath. After a second, he nodded. "Yeah…"
His voice was quiet, as if admitting something he was unsure of.
Jihoon gave him a small, understanding smile and sat on the edge of a nearby planter, careful not to intrude but close enough to talk.
"I remember my first time too," Jihoon said. "I stared at the form so long, I thought I was going to faint. Everyone seemed like they knew exactly what to do, and I was just… frozen."
The boy let out a shaky laugh. "Yes! That's exactly how I feel. I was so confident earlier this morning, but when I got here, I felt so out of place. I thought… what if I mess it up? What if I look stupid?"
"You won't," Jihoon replied calmly. "You're not alone. Everyone in that line? They were once exactly where you are. You're doing fine."
The boy looked down at his hands. "My parents had to go out of town last-minute. They told me I could handle it. And I thought I could too. But now that I'm actually here..."
Jihoon gave a reassuring nod. "It's okay to feel nervous. It just means you care."
The boy was silent for a beat, then asked, "What if I don't remember the steps? What if I mark something wrong?"
"There are volunteers inside who are trained to help," Jihoon said. "You can ask anything. They won't laugh or judge. They want you to get it right."
The boy's shoulders eased slightly, the tension beginning to leave his body.
Jihoon continued, "It's not about knowing everything perfectly. It's about showing up. Taking that step. That's what matters most."
The boy slowly stood up, gripping his ID with more certainty.
"Okay," he said. "I think I'll give it a try."
Jihoon smiled. "You'll do great."
The boy bowed lightly. "Thank you… hyung."
Jihoon nodded and watched him walk toward the building. His pace was still slow, but now it carried intent.
Ding!
[Kindness Opportunity Completed!]
Reward: 38,000 KRW
Jihoon lingered for a few moments under the shade of the tree, sipping his drink as a breeze rustled the leaves above. He felt no rush to head home. That one moment—one simple conversation—had been worth the entire day.
Eventually, he made his way back to his apartment.
When he walked in, Hodu was perched on the windowsill, tail swishing as she followed the movement of a butterfly fluttering just beyond the glass.
Jihoon placed the cold bottle of water on the table and sat beside her.
"You know," he said to the cat, who was only half-listening, "people are amazing when they try. Even when they're scared."
Hodu blinked lazily and let out a soft meow, as if humoring him.
Jihoon's phone buzzed gently.
[Daily Kindness Reflection]
"Sometimes, the bravest step is just showing up. And a kind word can carry someone the rest of the way."
He leaned back, eyes drifting toward the soft afternoon light spilling across the floor.
Yeah.
That sounded about right.
One small act at a time.
End of Chapter 50
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
🔥 Hey legends! Quick updates! 🔥
💥 Support me on👉 patreon.com/cyci07
✨ Power Stone Challenge! ✨
If we hit 100 power stones, I'll drop 2 bonus chapters! Let's see if you guys can make me suffer! 😂
💬 Enjoying the story? Leave a review and let me know your favorite moment so far! It helps the novel grow and reach more readers!
Thanks for all your support—you guys are awesome! ❤️