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Becoming a father was never in your plans.

Much less to be so young and end up raising your child practically on your own. But life had decided to take you down a completely different path than you imagined.

Your son, Jiho, was six years old. He was a fairly quiet child, although once he felt comfortable he could talk for hours. He had inherited some of your traits, but he also had that knack for making friends that you had never had.

And, above all, Jiho had a favorite person: Bang Chan.

Chan had been your best friend for years. You had met long before Jiho was born, and since then, he had been present for practically every important stage of your life.

When you found out you were going to be a dad, Chan was one of the first people you told. He didn't judge you, he didn't ask what you had done wrong, he just stayed with you.

"We're going to fix this," I had told you that time. "You're not alone."

And, in a way, he had kept his promise.

Chan was there when you needed to vent after a terrible day. He was there when Jiho was sick and you needed someone to keep you company. He was there for birthdays, family gatherings, impromptu afternoons, and even those nights when you were completely exhausted.

Over time, Jiho began to see him as more than just "Dad's best friend".

To him, Chan was Uncle Chan, and Chan adored Jiho.

He would take him out to eat, play with him, buy him small gifts when he traveled, and always find time to ask him how his day at school had been. Sometimes it even seemed as if Jiho was his own son.

"Dad," I had said to you one night, "why does Uncle Chan come around so much?"

—Because he's my best friend.

Jiho had frowned.

—But best friends don't come around every day.

You didn't know what to answer him.

Because lately, you too were starting to wonder the same thing.