Chapter 45: The Birthday Balloon
The early afternoon sun hung gently above the neighborhood, casting long, soft shadows on the sidewalk. It was one of those rare spring days when everything seemed a little more forgiving—where the breeze was just cool enough, the sunlight just warm enough, and time moved just a little slower.
Lee Jihoon had just finished a quiet lunch at a small diner run by an elderly couple a few blocks from his apartment. The food was simple but warm, and the kind smiles from the owners were enough to lift anyone's mood. After paying, Jihoon decided not to head straight home.
Instead, he took the longer route—passing the park, weaving through back alleys with flower boxes, and letting his mind wander. With a can of cold barley tea in hand, he made his way to the riverside park, one of his favorite spots for a post-lunch walk.
As he strolled along the cobbled path, he felt at peace. The park was alive but not crowded—children playing on swings, joggers moving rhythmically to the beat in their headphones, and elderly people feeding pigeons on the benches. The smell of fresh-cut grass lingered in the air, mingled with distant hints of cotton candy from a nearby vendor.
Jihoon walked slowly, soaking in the moment. Every now and then, he sipped his tea and let his eyes drift upward to the trees swaying gently above.
Then, a flash of red caught his attention.
Floating above him, bobbing playfully in the air, was a single helium balloon. It danced between the branches of a tall sycamore tree before becoming tangled in the upper limbs. The red string dangled below, twisting with every gust of wind.
Curious, Jihoon followed the string's direction back to the source.
A few meters away, near a sandbox, stood a little girl in a pale pink dress. She looked to be around five or six years old, her cheeks flushed and her small hands clutching the frayed end of a balloon string. Her large eyes were brimming with tears.
Beside her knelt a woman—probably her mother—trying to comfort her with a soft voice and gentle touches.
"It's okay, sweetie," the mother said. "We'll get you another one."
"But I wanted to show Daddy…" the girl whispered, her voice cracking. "He said he'd look at it when he got home…"
Jihoon stopped walking.
It was just a balloon, sure. But he could feel the weight of disappointment in the little girl's voice. A child's sadness always seemed heavier than it looked.
The balloon wavered in the branches above—visible but just out of reach.
He looked up.
Then at the girl.
Then back at the tree.
Ding!
[New Kindness Challenge]
Bring back a small joy before it floats away.
Reward: 36,000 KRW
He sighed, amused. The system always had a way of showing up at exactly the right moment.
Jihoon stepped off the path and approached the pair.
"Excuse me," he said with a warm smile, speaking gently so as not to alarm them. "Mind if I try to help?"
The mother blinked, surprised. "Oh—no, not at all. But it's okay, really. It's just a balloon."
Jihoon turned his gaze to the little girl. Her tear-filled eyes looked up at him with cautious hope.
"It's important to her," he said softly.
Her mother gave a nod of appreciation and stepped back.
Jihoon looked around and spotted a sturdy wooden bench nearby. He walked over, dragging it carefully under the tree without a word, checking the angle as he glanced up at the balloon.
The little girl wiped her face with the back of her hand and watched in silence.
He stepped onto the bench and reached upward. Still too far.
Jihoon exhaled, looked up again, and carefully jumped to grab the lowest branch. His fingers curled around the rough bark, and he pulled himself up slowly, the branch swaying slightly under his weight. He climbed until his feet found a firm resting point where the trunk split.
The balloon had wrapped itself around a thin, brittle-looking twig. It swayed gently, its string tangled just enough to stay stuck.
Jihoon reached out, moving slowly, careful not to tug or pop the balloon. The branch bent under him slightly, creaking.
Just a little closer.
His fingers grazed the string. Missed.
He steadied himself, leaned in again—this time catching the string between his fingers. With a gentle tug, he loosened the knot and freed the balloon from the tree's grasp.
Holding it carefully, he made his way back down. He lowered himself onto the bench, then stepped down to the ground, balloon in hand.
The little girl's eyes widened in pure wonder.
He held it out to her. "Better hold it tight this time."
She gasped and hugged the balloon close to her chest, beaming. "Thank you, mister!"
Jihoon smiled. "You're very welcome."
Her mother gave him a deep bow, her voice warm with gratitude. "That was very kind of you. Thank you so much."
"It's just a balloon," Jihoon replied lightly. "But I figured it meant more to her."
The woman hesitated before explaining. "It's her birthday today. Her dad had to work and couldn't be here, so he sent that balloon this morning… She wanted to hold onto it until he came home."
Jihoon looked at the little girl again—still holding the balloon close, her earlier tears forgotten.
"I'm glad we saved it," he said quietly.
Ding!
[Kindness Opportunity Completed!]
Reward: 36,000 KRW
The little girl fidgeted with her pouch and suddenly held something out.
A lollipop.
"It's for you," she said, her voice shy but steady. "Thank you for helping me."
Jihoon took it with both hands, bowing slightly. "Then I'll enjoy it with care."
She smiled proudly and ran back toward the sandbox, this time skipping, her balloon floating happily behind her.
Her mother gave Jihoon one last grateful smile before following.
Left alone again, Jihoon looked at the lollipop.
Blue raspberry.
Not his favorite, but somehow—it tasted like a small victory.
The sun broke fully through the clouds then, illuminating the park in soft, golden light. Jihoon resumed his walk, twirling the lollipop between his fingers.
His phone buzzed in his pocket.
[Daily Kindness Reflection]
"Sometimes, a small act can lift someone's whole world back into the sky."
Jihoon smiled to himself.
Yeah.
That sounded about right.
One small act at a time.
End of Chapter 45
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