Time passes at a constant, indifferent pace, but the time we experience during our growing years is particularly dense and rich.
"Put on Your Pajamas" is the story of Su-an and Du-nyeong, who grow up together at their maternal grandparents' house during a sensitive and delicate time in their lives.
After her mother leaves home without a word, eleven-year-old Dullyeong is left in the care of her maternal grandparents in the countryside and meets her cousin Suan, who is the same age as her.
Su-an, a sensitive girl who loves books and is shy, and Du-nyeong, who loves knitting and quietly helps her grandmother.
After their initial awkwardness, they grow into indispensable cousins, friends, and perhaps even soulmates by the time they turn eighteen.
But as with all things, a peaceful childhood cannot last forever, and the child must become an adult.
When that moment finally came, they too would have wanted to ask someone.
When the good times are over, how should we live after that?

Lying in the yard, I looked up at the night sky, and countless stars twinkled.
Many family members lived at my maternal grandparents' house, but when I think back to the first two years I lived in Moam Village, the only family members I could feel a sense of connection with were Su-an and my maternal grandmother.
Others felt distant, like shadows, and their appropriate indifference and distance made me feel both lonely and comfortable.
--- p.41

“Why, do you still hate it even though you say you’re living well?”
The old woman asked me as if she was probing my mind, but I kept my eyes fixed on the dirty floor and didn't open my mouth.
I felt like it wouldn't work if I were the only one who was happy while Su-an wasn't.
No, not just Su-an, but if there is an average level of happiness that people obtain while living, I hoped that I would reach that level too.
I felt uneasy about being happier alone, and it felt like I was relying on other people's happiness, so I felt uncomfortable.
Looking back, there were days when I felt that the amount of joy and sorrow, happiness and unhappiness in the world was predetermined from the beginning.
If one person is very happy, the other person may be just as unhappy.
It took me a long time to realize the truth that increasing the happiness of others doesn't necessarily decrease my own.

--- p.51

At that time, the agave tree in the yard was on my side.
In the fall, when the agarwood berries ripened and turned red, they were so pretty that they gave me goosebumps on my arms. I used to pick a few and put them in my pocket before going to school.
(…) When something unpleasant or sad happened to me, I threw it on the agave tree.
The tree in the yard grew up accepting all the hearts I had thrown away.
Still, the agave tree did not get sick or wither.
After I fell asleep, the tree also carried away the heart I had abandoned during the day on the night breeze.
So the agave tree and I were able to breathe and grow together.

--- pp.68-69

We used to sulk when the other person easily guessed our words, feeling like we had been exposed, but when we couldn't guess at all, we felt upset because it seemed like our telepathy wasn't working.
I didn't know if it was because of the capricious adolescence that had come.

“I mean,
If there's anyone who wants to be my friend, I'd like to ask them to write down ten of their favorite words.
“I think I need to see at least five words I like there to be able to date.”
When Su-an spoke seriously, I thought that maybe that's why the girls at Moam Branch School didn't play with Su-an, but I didn't say anything.

--- pp.99-100

At that time, the child may have wanted to speak in a language that did not exist in the world.
I guess I wanted to find and learn hidden words that people are forgetting.
When you can't express something in the common language you always use.
When you want to learn a dead language, which is already dead.
As I live, there are times when I feel that way.
There are times when I feel like no language is adequate to express my feelings.
But I know that neither speaking nor writing is easy to create or learn, so at times like that, I just keep silent.

--- pp.109-110

I said, somewhere in a quiet joy.

“I will be the owner of the house with the tree next time.”
Miju nodded vigorously.

“That’s good.
If you want to have trees, you'll need a large yard.
“If the yard is large, it must be a rich house.”
“Even if you’re not rich, having a tree is enough.
“The tangerine hedge is also nice.”
Miju agreed, saying, "Okay, okay."
That somehow gave me great strength.
At that moment, I felt like I could do it.
It seemed that one day I would become the owner of a house with a large tree growing and a fragrant fence surrounding it.
I should sit on the porch every evening at that house, look out at my yard, and think about this day.

--- p.159

“What is that Chinese character?”
I didn't mean to be rude, but I ended up being rude without realizing it.
Chung-ha glanced at the book cover, seemed hesitant to answer, then opened his mouth as if he had given up.
I pursed my lips, but no sound came out easily.
Woo woo
"…excellence."
Philip Marrow's Excellence.
I thought you wouldn't say anything until the end, so it was unexpected, and on top of that, it was so hard to answer, so I feel a little better, even though I'm sorry to say it.

“You’re a detective.
“It’s a romantic name for a criminal.”
Chungha turned his head once like he was doing the national gymnastics neck exercise and tried again.
Tata
"eye."
"therefore."
“Tongue, tongue, detectives and Tata Detective are… all… all… all, different!”
After struggling to finish speaking, Chungha frowned and turned away.

--- pp.210-211

“I can hear the sound of a train in my ears.”
We were standing at the bus stop holding our school bags.
Su-an tilted her head and then spoke as if she finally understood.

“I had been wondering what that sound was all along, but I just realized it.
The sound of a train approaching from afar.
“Rolling the wheels along the railroad tracks, faintly.”
I wonder if I hear tinnitus.
Sometimes I hear a buzzing sound in my ears, but it quickly goes away.
My grandmother also said that sometimes she hears a sound like the sound of a temple bell.

“Do you hear the sound all day?”
"no.
I heard it and I didn't hear it.
“Perhaps this is a revelation telling me to take the train?”
Su-an said without even smiling, whether she was joking or serious. We stood there waiting for the bus.

--- pp.304-305

Chungha looked around the knitting department and left the auditorium without staying long.
I didn't even write in the guestbook.
I asked as I walked him along the brick-paved path to the school gate.

“Don’t you want to see other exhibitions?”
“I’m not really interested.”
“So you came only to see me?”
Chungha nodded.
Then he spoke slowly and forcefully.

“I’ve been thinking about it, and I think, among all the girls I’ve met in this town… I tend to favor you.”
Even though I was smiling, my nose was tingling.
I felt like crying, so I pretended to only pay attention to the bricks on the ground as we walked together.
The path from the auditorium to the school gate was too short.

--- p.386

“I’m going to look at rooms this weekend… Let’s go together.”
Su-an didn't look back.

“It’s the rooftop of a mill.
If you know, you can come and play.”
"…it's okay.
“I’m not going out to play.”
The quiet voice, as if it had closed its heart, broke my heart.
It was always all or nothing, as my cousin was.
Although those moments were difficult for me during the time we were together, I feel like I only have fond memories of those moments.
A damp wind blew, causing the paulownia wardrobe door to creak.

--- p.398