Chapter 42

“Jin-hyuk-aaaaa!”

Every day, Choi Tae-yang came over.

He said he would only come until the construction of the training camp was finished since he had to prepare for the college entrance exam. Choi Tae-yang said he was part of the last generation to take the old-style college entrance exam.

“Jin-hyuk. He’s here again.”

Son Kwang-yeon, who was playing Go with his son, shook his head.

At that age, shouldn’t he be meeting girls or worrying about his future? Spending time hanging out with elementary school kids in the neighborhood, he seemed like a peculiar high schooler to Son Kwang-yeon.

‘Who does he take after? He’s such a unique kid.’

Though it was understandable to be annoyed at losing time with his son, the kind-hearted Son Kwang-yeon still built a wrestling ring in the backyard and filled it with sand.

“If you’re going to do it, do it right.”

Hearing the words he always used coming from his dad, Jin-hyuk felt a lump in his throat.

While he was at it, Son Kwang-yeon also made a long jump practice area for Jin-hyuk. He cleared a 50-meter runway and called Jo Il-hun to compact it with an excavator.

Jin-hyuk couldn’t refuse Choi Tae-yang’s requests and ended up teaching him every time.

‘Is it right for me to keep teaching him?’

He pondered for a moment, but whatever. The world had already changed. He thought worrying about things he couldn’t control or understand was a waste of life.

Jin-hyuk gave his all, planting Choi Tae-yang into the sandpit. With plenty of sand, there were no injuries, and they didn’t push each other too hard, wary of getting hurt. The training mainly focused on strength and technique improvement.

“Wow, I can’t win a single match.”

Though he clicked his tongue, Choi Tae-yang’s expression was bright.

After finishing their workout, while drinking milk, Jin-hyuk cautiously gave some advice.

“Hyung, don’t gain too much weight.”

In the past, Choi Tae-yang had risen to the level of Baekdu Jangsa (a top-tier sumo rank). But as Jin-hyuk remembered, the process wasn’t smooth at all. Choi Mi-kyung, whom he met in Seoul, often talked about her brother, mentioning that he frequently suffered knee injuries. Remembering the sad expression Choi Mi-kyung, now a married woman, used to make when talking about her brother, Jin-hyuk felt a pang in his heart.

“How did you know I was gaining weight?”

“Everyone in the country knows sumo wrestlers gain weight.”

Of course, that was a lie. He knew well that in weight-class sports, everyone cuts weight. Jin-hyuk had brought it up out of concern for Choi Tae-yang’s future.

He assessed Choi Tae-yang’s specs. He was probably around 185 cm tall. His weight likely fluctuated around 90 kg. Even conservatively, 100 kg seemed like an appropriate weight.

‘At his peak condition like now, he’s at the Geumgang and Halla levels.’

He probably judged that the reason he couldn’t perform in higher weight classes wasn’t due to a lack of skill but a lack of weight. He kept gaining weight, eventually reaching Baekdu Jangsa and even challenging Cheonhajangsa. Exceeding his optimal weight, he must have lived with joint injuries. Of course, age also naturally increased his weight.

Anyway, Choi Tae-yang had a body more like a muscular model with long limbs and neck than a typical sumo wrestler.

“Do you want to become Cheonhajangsa?”

“Isn’t that every sumo wrestler’s dream?”

The dream of joining a professional sumo team, earning a decent salary, and winning various tournaments to make a name for himself. Even though he wasn’t the one dreaming it, Jin-hyuk could understand the sentiment and nodded.

“Win with technique. If your body gets too heavy, your joints will get damaged.”

“My joints are fine.”

“That’s because you’re young and light now.”

Jin-hyuk sighed deeply. He knew it wasn’t easy to change the mind of someone so stubborn, and he was at a loss for how to persuade him.

*Sigh*.

Even Jang Gun-i, who was drinking milk, sighed along with him.

“The coach said that starting next year, the rules for the Cheonhajangsa tournament might change.”

“How?”

“They say anyone who wants to participate can, even lightweight wrestlers. But it’s just hearsay, so it’s not confirmed······.”

Jin-hyuk, of course, didn’t know anything about this.

He wasn’t interested in sumo, and aside from Choi Tae-yang, he only remembered the names of a few famous wrestlers.

But he vaguely remembered hearing something about removing the restrictions for challenging Cheonhajangsa. Of course, it didn’t seem like lightweight wrestlers participated en masse and caused any upsets. In sumo, weight class differences are that absolute.

‘With his build and strength······.’

Even without gaining excessive weight, he might have a shot. Even Imanishi, who wasn’t a Baekdu-level wrestler but a Halla-level one, rose to Cheonhajangsa and gained fame.

Jin-hyuk poured the remaining milk into the dog’s bowl and stood up.

“Let’s do one more hour.”

“Huh? Isn’t it time for your running?”

“Special training.”

Choi Tae-yang followed Jin-hyuk without a word.

How many times had they rolled in the sandpit?

Choi Tae-yang shook the sand off his head.

“Somehow, the leg sweep keeps confusing me.”

“Once you get used to it, it’s not a difficult technique at all. It’s no different from a hip throw. The reason it’s confusing is that you’re not catching the opponent’s changes in time.”

Choi Tae-yang usually relied on strength and preferred relatively easier techniques. It was natural for him to struggle with other techniques, Jin-hyuk thought.

“You have to lose your balance to read the reaction······.”

Oops. Jin-hyuk scratched the back of his head.

Even in judo, they intentionally get caught in techniques and take falls during training, but he had been trying to teach techniques without ever losing. Choi Tae-yang’s reaction was understandable.

*Chuckle*. He laughed for no reason.

“Ahem! Well, I didn’t suggest sumo in the first place.”

He had become quite shameless.

It seemed like he was finally taking after his dad’s personality.

“That’s true.”

“From now on, I’ll take the techniques while practicing.”

“I’m grateful. But where did you learn sumo?”

“Well······.”

Good question. When did I learn it?

Living alone, the only time he watched sumo was during holiday tournaments. His friend’s older brother had competed. The mixed martial artist Bob Sapp said he learned fighting techniques by watching action movies. Maybe Jin-hyuk was like that.

‘Can’t even explain being strong and fast.’

Once again, Jin-hyuk couldn’t find an answer and just scratched the back of his head.

*

“Jin-hyuk-aaaa! Let’s wrestle!”

Contrary to their initial agreement, Choi Tae-yang kept coming with his sumo belt even after the training camp construction was finished. He never forgot to bring milk every day. Even though Jin-hyuk told him he didn’t have to, Choi Tae-yang insisted it was tuition. Since Jin-hyuk often let him win while teaching techniques, he seemed even more enthusiastic.

“Come on, don’t worry about the sand, let’s have fun!”

Son Kwang-yeon, Han Yu-young, Yoo Jin, and even Jang Gun-i were excited.

With two wrestlers sumo wrestling almost every day in the backyard, it had become a spectacle.

“Wow, Tae-yang’s body is like Rambo’s.”

“Well, if I took my clothes off, I’d look like that too.”

“Ew-.”

“Hahaha! Dad, mom said ‘ew-‘!”

Even his wife and daughter. It was the first time Son Kwang-yeon had been snubbed by women.

He’s going to get warped. Son Kwang-yeon pulled his knees to his chest and hugged them.

*Thud*!

Jin-hyuk, with both legs in the air, fell flat on his back.

“Hahaha! Oppa lost, right? Ate dirt, right? Hyung won, right?”

Yoo Jin seemed to laugh no matter who fell.

‘For Mi-kyung’s sake, I should do well.’

Jin-hyuk did his best as Choi Tae-yang’s training partner.

On weekends, they spent half the day together, and on weekday evenings, even if just for an hour.

Even in the fall.

“Jin-hyuk-aaaaa! Let’s playyyyy!”

At school, he hung out with Choi Mi-kyung, and at home, with Choi Tae-yang.

Even in the winter.

“Jin-hyuk-aaaa! Achoo-!”

Jang Gun-i didn’t even come out of his doghouse when Choi Tae-yang visited anymore. He just gave a look that said, “That guy’s here again.”

‘Does this guy have no friends? The training camp construction is done, so why does he keep coming?’

Still, having someone to talk to and exercise with made Jin-hyuk happy.

***

Hong Ki-jun spent more time on business trips abroad, even in the U.S., than at home.

Even at home, he was often awake late at night making international calls.

“······ discuss it again later.”

Well, it sounded like they’d talk in detail when they met.

If that’s the case, why are they talking for over 30 minutes at this hour?

‘Isn’t that what women do?’

Yoo Se-ra, who had woken up, scratched her neck and blinked her puffy eyes. When she looked over, her husband was in the living room, clutching the phone. He started an investment firm, but what kind of investment requires this much effort?

‘Since when was he so good at English?’

On their honeymoon, he hid behind her. Oh, that was in Germany and Italy, so it made sense. Thinking that a top university graduate should be at least this good, Yoo Se-ra shrugged.

After months of studying and researching, Yoo Se-ra finalized her plans for a talent development foundation and a sports agency. She excused that it took a while because she was juggling hotel and department store management. But the truth was, she fell asleep as soon as she saw paper and text.

“Well······, looking closely, it’s nothing special.”

Saying that, she suddenly had a nosebleed.

***

The year passed, and finally, it was time to graduate from elementary school.

〈Two Nae-ri’s pride, Choi Tae-yang! Wins the 3rd 〇〇 National Sumo Tournament’s Warrior Class!〉

On a windless day, the banner hung tightly at the village hall shone in the sunlight.

‘Warrior class······, so Tae-yang hyung is a warrior?’

Defeating demons and princesses?

Muttering nonsense, Jin-hyuk got into Son Kwang-yeon’s car, which smoothly drove off.

It was early February, but the sunlight was warm.

Thanks to that, the graduation ceremony was held on the playground instead of in the classroom.

[Son Jin-hyuk-.]

His name was called repeatedly. He received his diploma and awards.

Top honors, perfect attendance, school development award, merit award, excellence in all subjects, and even a scholarship from the rural village head. He received over five albums as prizes. Son Kwang-yeon, who had taken countless photos and developed them, smiled broadly while looking at the albums.

[Um-. I hope my seniors and oppas study hard in middle school too. Um-, when you become middle schoolers, wash well······. Um-.]

Listening to the cute underclassman’s speech, Jin-hyuk had a dad-like smile on his face.

After the speech, Jin-hyuk stepped onto the podium.

It was his turn to give the representative speech for the 30 graduates.

[Hello.]

As his clear voice spread through the speakers, the noisy playground quieted down. Though not great at socializing, Jin-hyuk never faltered in front of a microphone. It was thanks to the experience gained from presentations. It could even be called seasoned.

[······ We are weak beings staying in a very small world. This school was just the smallest of those worlds. But because of this small school of ours. Because of our friends, juniors, and teachers. In this safe and cozy world. We stayed happily, and as we leave, we feel indescribable gratitude······]

His tone was calm but emphasized the key points. It was a habit ingrained from countless presentations.

Kang Jin-soo chuckled, and Yook Seong-chan sniffled.

Choi Mi-kyung looked proudly at her childhood friend.

Even Hong Soo-jung, now nine, came to the rural school with her parents for the graduation ceremony.

“Oppa, congratulations-!”

Hong Soo-jung handed Jin-hyuk a bouquet and crossed her arms. Then, with a triumphant expression, she made eye contact with each of Jin-hyuk’s female classmates. Her face seemed to say, “I’m a city girl, and I even kissed him,” full of confidence.

Though not as tall as Jin-hyuk, who had grown significantly over the winter break, Hong Soo-jung was also quite tall for her age. Still, she was unmistakably a little kid.

“Soo-jung came too? Oh my, how cute.”

Choi Mi-kyung patted Hong Soo-jung’s head. Then she took Jin-hyuk’s empty arm.

Hong Soo-jung, unable to say anything, turned away and shed tears of frustration.

And so, the ordinary graduation ceremony ended.

‘The world has changed.’

Jin-hyuk realized once again that the winds around him had shifted.

It was unfamiliar but warm.

He took a deep breath.

His family and Hong Ki-jun’s family were all looking at him.

He took them all in.

‘This is good.’

How long had he dreamed of this scene?

Everyone looking at him with affectionate eyes. A gentle smile on his lips.

It was a new future.

Son Kwang-yeon interrupted Jin-hyuk’s thoughts, spreading his arms wide to gather everyone.

“Alright, since we’ve had the graduation ceremony, let’s go eat jajangmyeon!”

“These days, in Seoul, they don’t eat jajangmyeon for graduation. Let’s go eat tonkatsu.”

You’ve become such a country bumpkin, you don’t even know that. Hong Ki-jun laughed and teased.

At the same time, Jin-hyuk’s face turned pale.

‘Tonkatsu is dangerous!’

Jin-hyuk hurriedly tightened his shoelaces.

Seeing this, Son Kwang-yeon and Han Yu-young held their stomachs and laughed.

Hong Ki-jun didn’t understand, but since his friend was laughing, he thought it must be a good thing.

“Let’s take a picture here before we go.”

At the school gate, Jin-hyuk gathered his family.

The small, modest rural school gate was lined with the families of graduates.

Jin-hyuk also waited his turn with his family.

〈Congratulations on your graduation〉

The narrow gate, just wide enough for a van.

The short banner was as warm as the gate’s width.

Hong Ki-jun held the camera.

With the school name in the background, mom and dad linked arms with Jin-hyuk on either side, and younger sister Yoo Jin stood in front of him. Jang Gun-i, whom Jin-hyuk insisted on bringing, also posed next to Yoo Jin. Standing slightly to the side, with only his head facing forward, he struck a handsome dog pose.

“Alright, taking the picture. One, two-.”

Jin-hyuk was happy.

As happy as he was, he smiled brightly.