Soyeon has a school sports day.

Young-ja goes to cheer.

The teacher says, "You are Soyeon's grandmother!"

Young-ja says, "Yes! Her biggest fan!"

Soyeon runs a race.

She gets second place.

She runs to Young-ja. "Did you see me?"

Young-ja hugs her. "Yes! So fast!"

Soyeon says, "Say it in English, Grandma!"

Young-ja says, "I am so proud of you!"

Soyeon smiles. "Your English is good!"

Young-ja laughs. "I have a good teacher — you!"

Young-ja goes to Soyeon's school sports day.

Her daughter cannot come, so Young-ja cheers alone.

Ms. Johnson greets her. "You must be Soyeon's grandmother!"

"Yes! Her biggest fan!"

Ms. Johnson says, "She talks about you all the time. You are her hero."

Young-ja's heart fills with warmth.

The race begins. Young-ja grips the fence.

"Go, Soyeon! Go, go, GO!"

Soyeon finishes second place and runs straight to her grandmother.

"Grandma! Did you see me?"

"I saw everything! Number two! So fast!"

"Say it in English, Grandma!"

Young-ja thinks for a moment. Then clearly:

"I am so proud of you, Soyeon."

Soyeon's eyes shine. "Your English is getting so good!"

Young-ja laughs. "I have a very good teacher."

The school field was loud and bright with colored jerseys and parent voices

when Young-ja arrived, ten minutes early, and claimed a spot near the fence.

Her daughter had been apologetic." Work emergency, Mom. I'm so sorry.

But Soyeon will be so happy you're there. "

Ms. Johnson spotted her near the starting line.

"You must be Soyeon's grandmother! She's talked about you so much this year."

"Yes — I am Young-ja. Her biggest fan today."

Ms. Johnson leaned in with a smile. "You're her hero. She told the class."

Young-ja looked away for a moment to compose herself.

The fifty-meter race was third on the program.

Young-ja found Soyeon at the starting line, ponytail bouncing, face serious with concentration.

Soyeon spotted her grandmother and broke into a grin — then quickly reset her expression.

Young-ja bit her lip to keep from laughing.

The whistle blew.

"Go, Soyeon! Go, go, GO!"

Young-ja gripped the fence with both hands, not caring at all

that the other parents were looking at her.

Soyeon ran with everything she had — arms pumping, sneakers barely touching the ground.

She crossed the finish line in second place, panting and grinning.

She ran straight past the finish line marshal and threw herself at her grandmother.

"Grandma! Did you see me?! Did you see?!"

Young-ja held her tightly, breathless herself.

"I saw everything. Every step. You were so fast."

Soyeon pulled back. "Say it in English, Grandma. Properly."

Young-ja looked at her granddaughter's shining, expectant face.

She took a breath.

"I am so proud of you, Soyeon."

Soyeon went very still for just a second.

Then she buried her face in Young-ja's shoulder.

"Your English is getting really good, Grandma," she said, her voice slightly muffled.

Young-ja stroked her hair.

"I have an excellent teacher," she said. "She just doesn't know it yet."