The video call had been emotional, but meeting Soo-bin in person felt different.
Three years had passed.
The frightened eight-year-old was now an eleven-year-old girl with longer hair, bright eyes, and a shy smile that seemed to disappear whenever too many adults were watching.
When Nia entered, Soo-bin stood.
For several seconds, she stared.
Then whispered.
"언니."
Nia smiled.
"수빈아."
The child hurried toward her.
They embraced.
For a moment, Nia closed her eyes.
She remembered the station.
The smoke.
The little pink backpack.
And the trembling hand that wouldn't let go of hers.
Now the girl was laughing against her shoulder.
"진짜 보고 싶었어요."
I really wanted to see you.
Nia felt tears gathering.
"나도 보고 싶었어."
I wanted to see you too.
Min-jae stood nearby, smiling.
Ji-eun began crying.
For several minutes, the room filled with laughter, tears, and overlapping Korean conversation.
Nobody mentioned the wager.
Nobody discussed the development.
It was simply a reunion.
And to Nia, that was more valuable than anything the restaurant video had brought into her life.
Soo-bin wanted to see where Nia taught music.
The following morning, they visited East River Music House.
The girl wore a cream sweater and carried a small notebook filled with drawings and handwritten Korean phrases.
When they entered, Mrs. Park recognized the language in her greeting and began speaking with her immediately.
Soon Soo-bin was sitting beside Lena at the piano.
The two girls were shy at first.
Lena was four years older and initially nervous about meeting the daughter of a wealthy businessman.
But music made the conversation easier.
Soo-bin asked whether Lena knew any Korean songs.
Lena nodded.
Then played a few measures of a piece she'd been practicing.
Soo-bin smiled.
She knew it.
Within minutes, the two were talking about favorite artists, school, and the difference between performing for friends and performing before strangers.
Nia watched from the doorway.
Min-jae stood beside her.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then he looked toward his daughter.
"She hasn't been this comfortable in a new place for a long time."
Nia smiled.
"Sometimes music makes a room feel familiar."
He nodded.
Then asked whether Soo-bin might join the center's upcoming community performance if she wanted to.
Nia hesitated.
She didn't want the child's presence to become a fundraising attraction.
So she suggested asking Soo-bin privately, without promising an audience anything.
Min-jae agreed.
When they approached the girls, Soo-bin looked surprised.
She considered the invitation.
Then asked whether Nia would be there.
"Of course," Nia answered.