Sunday afternoons had a special kind of stillness in Jihoon's neighborhood. It wasn't the emptiness of silence, but rather a calm that settled over everything—like the city itself had decided to take a nap. The breeze was light, carrying the subtle scent of blooming cherry blossoms from the nearby park, and the streets were lined with dappled sunlight as it filtered through the canopy of pink petals.
Jihoon walked leisurely down the sidewalk, a small reusable tote bag in one hand. He had just returned from the weekend market, where he picked up a handful of fruits, some fresh greens, and—of course—a couple of cans of premium tuna for Hodu. He hadn't intended to spoil her, but she had been particularly affectionate that morning, curling up in his lap and pawing at his cheek until he got up.
He smiled to himself at the memory.
As he neared the park entrance, he slowed his pace, allowing himself to enjoy the view. Cherry blossoms drifted gently through the air, swirling around like soft confetti. Some had landed on his shoulders, others on the pavement, creating a delicate pink carpet underfoot. The park was calm—families spread out on picnic blankets, couples strolling hand in hand, and children running about with joyful squeals.
It was then that he heard it.
A loud clatter of metal against pavement.
He turned his head just in time to see a small green bicycle tip over on the path near the edge of the playground. A young boy—maybe seven or eight years old—tumbled with it, landing awkwardly on his hands and knees. His mother rushed over from a nearby bench, crouching beside him immediately.
Jihoon, concerned, approached slowly.
From where he stood, he could see the boy trying hard not to cry. His lower lip trembled, and his eyes were glossy with unshed tears. The training wheel on the right side of the bike was clearly askew—bent outward and dangling by a loose bolt.
The mother's face was filled with worry as she gently dusted off the boy's hands. "Are you okay, Minjae? Did you hit your elbow?"
The boy shook his head stubbornly. "I didn't fall 'cause I was bad. The bike just tipped."
Jihoon stepped a little closer and offered a warm smile. "Mind if I take a look?"
The mother glanced up, slightly startled, but then relaxed when she saw Jihoon's kind expression. "Please, if you don't mind. It just… I don't know what happened. He was doing so well until now."
Jihoon crouched beside the bike and inspected the damage. The bolt on the training wheel had loosened significantly, causing the wheel to shift and destabilize the entire bike. He gave the bracket a gentle push and winced.
"Looks like the bolt's almost completely out," he said. "It probably came loose during the ride. Nothing serious—but definitely unsafe."
The mother sighed. "I tightened it just yesterday, but I don't have any tools with me."
Jihoon reached into his tote bag and pulled out a small, foldable multi-tool kit. "Lucky for you, I always carry this around. Comes in handy more often than you'd think."
He got to work right away. Carefully, he repositioned the training wheel, slid the bolt back into place, and used the wrench to tighten it securely. He adjusted the bracket slightly to realign it and then gave both wheels a spin. They turned evenly.
The boy had crept closer now, crouching beside Jihoon with wide eyes. "You know how to fix bikes?"
Jihoon smiled as he wiped his hands on a handkerchief. "I used to crash mine all the time when I was your age. I had no choice but to learn."
The boy let out a small giggle.
"Wanna give it another try?" Jihoon asked, standing and stepping back.
Minjae hesitated. He glanced at his mom, then at the bike. He took a deep breath and climbed on.
With a slow push of his foot, he began to pedal. At first, it was shaky. His hands clutched the handlebars tightly. But after a few meters, he steadied. His legs moved more confidently, and the bike glided forward without wobbling. He made a wobbly loop and returned, his face now glowing with pride.
"I did it!" he said, beaming. "It's not tipping anymore!"
The mother placed a hand on her chest, visibly relieved. "Thank goodness… Thank you so much."
Jihoon waved it off modestly. "Happy to help. He just needed a little support—like we all do sometimes."
Ding!
[Kindness Opportunity Completed!]
Reward: 37,000 KRW
Minjae reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out something small—a slightly melted candy wrapped in shiny crinkled foil. He held it out with both hands.
"It's my favorite. You can have it."
Jihoon accepted the candy with a smile and a slight bow. "Thanks, Minjae. I'll save it for a sweet day."
The boy grinned from ear to ear.
The mother gave Jihoon one more thankful nod. "Really, I appreciate it. You saved our afternoon."
"Glad I was nearby," Jihoon said, lifting his tote bag again. "Take care, both of you."
He resumed his walk home, the foil candy tucked safely in his pocket.
When he reached his apartment, the familiar sound of paws pattering against the floor greeted him at the door. Hodu was already waiting, her tail upright and eyes locked on the bag in his hand.
"I didn't forget," Jihoon laughed, holding up the can of tuna. "Don't worry."
Hodu gave an approving meow and trotted after him into the kitchen.
As Jihoon set the groceries down, his phone buzzed softly.
[Daily Kindness Reflection]
"Helping someone stay upright—whether on a bike or in life—can be the push they remember forever."
Jihoon glanced at the small candy still in his hand.
Yeah.
That sounded about right.
One small act at a time.
End of Chapter 51
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