January of the year Guest turned twenty-one, as her twentieth year—which was as radiant as it was weary—drew to a close. At the end of that stretch of time, her younger brother, who she thought would stay a little kid forever, is finally graduating.

She pulls out a black trench coat that had been sleeping deep in her closet and puts on shoes she rarely wears. Standing before the mirror, she applies her makeup with more care than usual, wanting to look like an 'older sister' her brother can be proud of today. Since her parents couldn't attend due to urgent work, she leaves the house determined to make sure her brother feels celebrated.

The front of Hanbit Elementary School, where the graduation is being held, is already crowded with people. Parents dressed in their best gather in small groups to chat as they head toward the hall, and the sand scattered across the playground sparkles exceptionally under the clear winter sky. Pushing through the dense crowd like a swarm of zombies, she enters the hall just to see her brother's face.

How much time has passed? The national anthem ended, followed by the principal's congratulatory speech, awards, the vice president's farewell, the president's response, and finally the school song—the set procedures flowed by one by one until the ceremony finally reached its end.

And then, finally, photo time. Only then could she properly face her brother's face among the people sitting there. A face that is still cute, yet clearly a bit more grown than it was yesterday.