A small crease formed between the child’s brows.

Tie asked uncertainly:

"But why is Grandma worried about that? It has never once been hard for Tie because of Grandma!"

"Really? But yesterday you cried because of Grandma."

"That’s not true! It’s just...!"

"Not true? Then why did you cry?"

Tie closed her mouth.

Tesetan gently stroked her head.

"It would be nice if you told Papa in secret why you felt sad."

Hesitating, Tie slowly lowered her gaze.

She stayed silent for a long time, and only after a while did she quietly speak:

"Because..."

Her large eyes looked at Tesetan.

"I keep wanting to stay here."

"..."

"But Tie has to go back. Everyone is waiting for Tie."

"..."

"And I keep worrying about Grandma and Aunt who are here..."

Tesetan couldn’t help but look at his daughter with a different expression.

There was something in her eyes he had never seen before.

Uncertainty, anxiety, deep hesitation.

As if she were holding back thoughts that could not be put into words.

It was both touching and worthy of respect.

Tesetan reached out and stroked her head.

"Tie. Everyone has scales like this in their heart."

The child held her breath.

"And Tie has them too. So when you have to make an important decision, you can first weigh everything there. What matters more to you."

Tie lowered her gaze to her chest.

Tesetan paused briefly and continued:

"Whatever decision you make—it’s all right. Whatever you choose, Papa will be on Tie’s side."

Astie stayed silent for a long time.

How much time passed—no one knew.

In the room filled with morning light, she suddenly said something Tesetan did not expect at all:

"But Papa, you can’t decide only by Tie’s scales."

Tesetan’s eyes widened slightly.

"If you decide only by Tie’s scales, then can you take care of other people’s scales?"

The child’s eyes sparkled in the sunlight.

"Tie’s scales say we should go back to Tallocium. If we stay here, it will be hard for Papa, and in Tallocium there are other family members."

"..."

"And Tallocium is important to Tie too. Agavert is there, Uncle Basto, Brother Bale, Grandpa Nordix, Raul, and Brother Enzo..."

Gradually, a smile appeared on the child’s face.

As if their names themselves were a spell that brought happiness.

"So Tie’s scales say to go back to Tallocium. But Tie doesn’t want to part with Grandma and Aunt. And first..."

Tie looked at Tesetan.

"I thought—maybe I could suggest that Grandma and Aunt come with us."

Seriousness appeared in her green eyes.

"But Grandma and Aunt’s scales would probably choose Jongno, not Tallocium..."

Tie understood.

The house was small and cramped, but Grandma loved this alley very much.

Of course, there had been sad and difficult moments.

But there were probably more happy ones—that was why she stayed.

It was the same for Aunt.

Familiar neighbors.

A favorite park, a familiar life.

And even the rooftop of Gold Yeonrip’s house, filled with flowers that Aunt loved more than anything.

"...It wasn’t sad."

The child smiled—a little sadly, but calmly.

Tesetan watched her in silence.

"It’s a pity... but it’s not sad at all."

Murmuring that, Tie looked out the window.

Beyond the bars,

she could see the neighboring brick building.

Between tangled wires and antennas, sparrows were flying.

"...Can I come back here again later?"

Tie asked.

Tesetan hesitated, then lifted her into his arms and walked to the window.

"I don’t know."

Together, they looked at the morning alley.

He could have said yes.

That they could return.

That even if it was difficult, someday they ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) would find a way.

But for some reason.

At that moment, Tesetan did not want to say even a small lie.

It felt like he shouldn’t.

"...So small."

Looking at her childlike profile, he thought.

But strangely—Tie had grown.

Not outwardly, but inside.

Even in the tangled flow of time.

While he had stood still, her heart had continued to grow.

"Actually... even if we never come back, Tie will still be okay."

Tie said.

As if explaining it to herself, she continued calmly:

"If Tie and Papa are happy in Tallocium, then Grandma and Aunt will also be very happy here."

"..."

"The scales in Tie’s heart say the most important thing is for everyone to be happy."

The sparrows chirped.

After a while, Tesetan said softly:

"I wonder who my daughter takes after to be this kind and smart?"

Tie turned her head.

Her surprise turned into a smile.

She laughed quietly and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Papa!"

"Really?"

"Yes! Tie takes after Papa—the kindest and smartest!"

"Is that so? But Papa feels a little sad. It feels like you’re growing up too fast."

Tie tilted her head.

"Is growing up fast a bad thing?"

"It is. Both baby Tie and little Tie are too precious to Papa."

"But I’m not a baby anymore!"

"That’s why it’s sad. What if you grow up soon and say you want to live separately?"

Tie’s face became serious.

After thinking, she answered:

"I’ve already thought about that."

"You have?"

"Tie already became independent once early—at four, when Papa forgot her!"

"That’s true."

"Then when I grow up, I don’t have to become independent!"

Tesetan’s eyes widened.

And he smiled.

"Is that so?"

"Yes! Everyone is small first, then grows up and leaves! But Tie already left when she was small, so when she grows up, she won’t leave and will stay with Papa!"

Tesetan burst into laughter.

Soon his gaze turned playful.

He looked at Tie and said:

"Alright. But if Papa tickles you like this, you still won’t leave?"

And he began tickling her sides.

Tie burst into laughter, squirming.

Tesetan lifted her by the legs and spun her in the air.

Then gently laid her down on the bed.

Her eyes shone with joy.

"Papa."

"Yes?"

"Tie is hungry!"

At that moment, a quiet rumble sounded between them.

Tesetan glanced thoughtfully toward the kitchen.

And then—

"Tie’s Papa, are you there?"

Someone knocked on the door.

Muttering could be heard from outside:

"Listen to me... ‘Tie’s Papa.’ I should have said Mister Kim, since his memory hasn’t fully returned. Wait... I heard his name yesterday, didn’t I? What was it... Te... ugh, forgot again..."

Tesetan and Tie looked at each other.

Both struggled to hold back their laughter.

"In any case, are you there?"

Jeong Myeongcha knocked again.

Tesetan stood up and opened the door.

She entered with a mix of concern and awkwardness on her face.

"Sorry so early in the morning. I just heard downstairs that you were awake. I thought the child should be fed..."

"Auntie!"

Tie ran over and hugged her.

Myeongcha blinked as she looked at the child.

"Our Tie... did you sleep well?"

There was worry in her voice because of yesterday.

But Tie answered brightly:

"Yes! And last night Papa got better!"

Myeongcha’s eyes widened.

"Better? What do you mean?" 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Smiling, Tie pulled Tesetan closer.

"Papa remembered Tie again! And Auntie and Grandma too!"

Myeongcha’s mouth fell open.

Her face immediately lit up with joy.

"Really?! I was wondering why you were talking so cheerfully! How did he remember? So suddenly? It must have been temporary! Definitely temporary!"

"Yes!"

"He’s better?! Mister Kim is better?!"

And soon, another figure came up from downstairs.

It was Chae Boksu, holding a spatula in her hand.

Tie and Chae Boksu’s gazes met in the air.