It was a hot day at the end of June. The sun teased those without hats or sunglasses, making them wrinkle their faces and mutter, “Oh boy, it’s hot!” Those who stayed in the shade had it easier.

The elderly preferred cool places, while children ran wild outside. Their laughter echoed throughout the neighborhood, making the elders sigh and smile — remembering what it was like to be young. Some children played hide-and-seek, others tag. Their pure joy spilled across the blocks, lifting everyone from their daily worries and reminding them that summer had arrived once more, bringing with it a fleeting glimpse of happiness.

The kids ran toward the harbor, where fishermen worked despite the scorching weather. Though most elders stayed in the shadows, a few still sat under the playful sun, fishing along the shore.

Among them was a young man who also enjoyed fishing as a way to pass time. The shimmer of sunlight on the water, the soft breeze, and the distant cry of seagulls — that was the kind of peace Seo-jun loved. His float gently swayed on the shining surface.

“It sure is hot this year,” said the old man to Seo-jun’s right, eyes fixed on his float. “Feels like last June wasn’t this bad.”
The man to Seo-jun’s left hummed in agreement.

“That’s just your imagination, old man. Last June was just as hot — I can tell.” Seo-jun glanced at his tanned arm. “Got sunburned that year, and it was annoying.”

It’s worth mentioning that Seo-jun was a young man with skin kissed — or blessed — by the sun.

“Don’t you get sunburned every year? You’re always dark!” the man on the left teased.
“Yeah! I’ve never seen you pale!” the man on the right agreed.

“That’s because I’m always in the sun,” Seo-jun murmured, unbothered by their remarks. A stronger breeze blew, tilting his straw hat forward and blocking his view. He simply hummed.

“We can tell. You barely wear anything during summer — just some ragged shirt!” the man on the left added, and the other nodded.

Seo-jun smirked lazily, adjusting his hat. “Oi, you two! Don’t get too jealous that your wives spend time at my tea shop. You can’t pick on me like that!” He dramatically pressed a hand to his forehead for effect.

“Oh, you think that’s a problem, boy? If anything, that’s a blessing!” the right man exclaimed.
“Yeah! Take them for as long as you want. The longer, the better — at least we get some peace!” the other man added, laughing.

“Oh, I see how it is. You two are hopeless,” Seo-jun said with a chuckle. The men were always teasing — a little rough, but always affectionate.

The small community near the shore treated one another like family. They trusted each other, and playful talk like that was nothing unusual. The district they lived in belonged to the working-class part of the city, yet despite their hardships, the people stayed warm and open. They had learned that they only had one another to rely on. That bond created a strong sense of family — not everyone shared it, but most did.

Then, suddenly, a fearful scream cut through the summer air. It echoed across the harbor, freezing everyone in place.

Seo-jun’s head snapped toward the sound. A little girl had fallen off the cliff road into the water. Her friends stood paralyzed, eyes locked on the spot where she disappeared.

Seo-jun dropped his fishing rod and hat, sprinting toward them. His long legs carried him swiftly — in seconds, he reached the cliffside. The children, upon seeing him, felt instant relief. To them, Seo-jun was like an older brother.

“Big brother, help! Sun-hee fell into the water! Please, save her!” cried a girl, tears streaming down her face.

Seo-jun gently pushed the children back from the edge. “I’ll save her, Mi-hi. Stay here and wait.” He kicked off his sandals and jumped into the sea.

The two elderly men who witnessed the fall forgot about fishing entirely. They leaned forward, watching anxiously.

“I give him two minutes,” one said, tossing down a few spare coins.
“Nah, five,” said the other, doing the same.

Seo-jun was a strong swimmer — growing up by the sea had shaped him that way. He swam whenever he could, and during middle and high school he was part of the swim team, even competing at events.

And just as the first man’s bet reached its limit, Seo-jun surfaced with the little girl in his arms. The old men cheered.
“Ha! See? I told you — two minutes!” one shouted triumphantly.
The other groaned. “My wife’s gonna kill me for that money…”
“Say hi to Jae for me—”
“Oh, piss off, cheater!”

Seo-jun swam to the sandy beach below the cliff, carrying the girl. The kids raced down the path to meet them. On the shore, both Seo-jun and Sun-hee lay on their backs, gasping for air.

It had been a long time since Seo-jun felt that rush of adrenaline — not since military training or high school competitions. Normally, he was calm, almost gentle, but now his heart pounded wildly. Still, he smiled faintly, looking up at the bright sky, where faint clouds drifted lazily above.

Little Sun-hee coughed up the water in her lungs, then gazed up at the same sky. The fear was gone now — because she was with big brother, and that made everything okay.

“Big brother! Sun-hee!”
The three children came running and crashed onto Seo-jun in a heap, making him grunt.

“Careful, you’ll squash us!” he laughed, patting their heads. But when he noticed their teary faces, his smile softened. “Now, now, it’s alright. She’s safe — and so am I.”

“We were so scared! You and Sun-hee were underwater for so long!” Mi-hi sobbed and threw her arms around his neck. Sun-hee followed, crying too.

It melted and ached Seo-jun’s heart at once. He gently placed a hand on each girl’s head, rubbing softly. The two boys stood awkwardly nearby, mumbling, “Oi, hyung, do something about these two.”

“Mi-hi, Sun-hee, look at me,” Seo-jun said softly. His voice was low and warm — comforting, but firm. The girls sniffled and looked up into his crimson eyes. Despite his long dark hair, there was nothing cold about him. His gaze held only care and quiet worry.

“I know playing is fun — especially tag — but you have to be careful near the cliffs. It’s dangerous, especially on this road. I’m not always here, so promise me you’ll be more careful, alright?”

He gently rubbed their foreheads with his thumbs, soothing them. The girls nodded, giggling through the last of their tears. “We will, Big Brother! We promise!”

They got up, waved goodbye, and ran off with the boys.
“Thanks again, hyung! We’ll go to Sun-hee’s house now! We’ll be careful this time!”

Seo-jun waved after them, then leaned back on the sand. The sun shone bright, and seagulls called above. Waves brushed against his feet while the breeze played with his damp hair.

The sunlight touched his face, making him squint and laugh. “Damn,” he muttered, “it is hot today.”