Chapter 212

<Luck (9)>

***

Monday blues aren’t just for office workers.

In the past, I was always buried in books at school and the dorm, so I spent more time at the company than at home. But now that I commute from home, I realized even high school students get Monday blues.

For Jin-hyeok, this was quite the surprising discovery.

‘Is it because I’m getting old or younger? Why am I so sleepy?’

He got off the bus and trudged along, trying to keep up with Mi-kyung, who was yawning like she was about to collapse. Even though her house was right in front of her, she walked like a zombie who had just finished a full marathon.

“Ughhh… Just five more days of school, and it’s Sunday.”

Looking forward to Sunday from Monday? Mi-kyung was always overly optimistic.

“Hey, Jin-hyeok. Don’t you think Saturday is better than Sunday? You finish early, and there’s no night study.”

Jin-hyeok had to agree.

On Saturdays, he could go to the beach with Yoo-jin and take Jeong-won for a ride on the hills. Though the uncles seemed to enjoy drinking beer, watching baseball on TV, and gambling—what’s so fun about that ball game? Playing with Yoo-jin is way more fun.

“I like Saturdays the most. Sundays feel sad from the morning.”

I like Sundays, though.

Jin-hyeok silently walked while listening to his friend’s chatter.

“This morning, I gave my mom and dad carnations. They said, ‘Why do we even do this?’ but they were so happy. My brother’s face turns red every time he does it, hahaha. He’s so big but so shy.”

Guess that’s why daughters are great.

‘He must’ve been embarrassed too.’

Jin-hyeok could somewhat understand Tae-yang’s feelings. Still, seeing someone so big being so thoughtful made him seem delicate. Maybe that’s why Mi-kyung adores her brother so much.

Jin-hyeok had never missed this event since he returned. Even though it was embarrassing, he always mustered the courage to give flowers or a flower basket, saying, “It’s a blessing that you’re healthy.” His parents would act awkward but couldn’t hide their happiness.

Now that his younger sibling was older, they decided Yoo-jin would take over this year. A cute daughter would do better, right?

– “Unity!”

The mischievous Yoo-jin saluted her brother like a brave warrior given a great mission. Who taught her to salute? No idea.

“Hey, assistant manager. See you tomorrow morning.”

“Take a rest.”

Jin-hyeok, who had been silent the whole time, finally spoke and waved to his friend.

As he crossed Mi-kyung’s yard to head home…

Hehehek-. A wet bark cutting through the darkness.

Only one creature could make that sound.

Following the narrow path, a pair of paws came to greet him.

“Hey, why are you late today? You’ve been late a lot lately.”

Jang Gun-i’s greeting time had been getting later and later.

He used to come all the way to the bus stop, but now he only showed up here.

Worried he might be sick, Jin-hyeok had Yoo-jin check on him, but Jang Gun-i was healthy.

Could it be old age slowing him down? He’s not even ten yet. They even took him to Dr. Park, the vet. But Dr. Park always had the same reaction.

– “Oh my, this guy’s just lazy! In my 29 years of experience, I’ve never seen such a healthy mutt. Look at that shiny fur. He’ll outlive me.”

But could Jang Gun-i really outlive Dr. Park, who’s not even 60 yet?

It’d be nice, but reality doesn’t always go as planned. Knowing that, Jin-hyeok felt even sadder about fading life. That’s why he was so sensitive to Jang Gun-i’s small changes. No matter what anyone says, he’s his most precious friend.

Jin-hyeok squished Jang Gun-i’s cheeks comically and asked, “Hey, why have you been acting weird lately? You’re not sick, right?”

Woof!

“Be good from now on. Don’t make me worry.”

Woof!

What’s the point of talking when you can’t communicate?

Jang Gun-i probably had his own doggy business. Maybe he was playing with Pomi and came home late.

Still, out of concern, Jin-hyeok added, “If you’re sick, bark, okay?”

Then…

Hehehek-.

“Ugh! Fishy smell!”

Jin-hyeok pinched his nose and stepped back.

Heheheh-.

“Ah, you little rascal!”

So you were late because you were out fishing with Cheon-ma!

During the day, the adults would scold them, so they must’ve been sneaking fish from the stream at night.

The image of Jang Gun-i’s mischief played out in Jin-hyeok’s mind like a panorama.

“Good job-.”

Heheheh-.

Jang Gun-i wagged his tail like a propeller, something he only did when he was extremely happy.

You’re welcome, buddy.

***

“I’m home.”

“Welcome back-.”

“Brother, you’re back-.”

“Yay-, Daddy’s home-.”

His parents on the couch, Yoo-jin leaning on the incubator with her chin in her hands, and Jeong-won playing peek-a-boo with Mom—they all greeted Jin-hyeok.

Jin-hyeok couldn’t help but smile like a fool.

‘My Monday blues are gone.’

It’s a scene he sees every day, but his family smiling at him? What a sweet energy booster.

“Come sit here. Yoo-jin wrote a letter today, and we were waiting for you to open it.”

Mom’s patience was impressive. She must’ve been pacing around all day with that tiny pink envelope, waiting for her husband and eldest son to come home.

Yu-young opened the envelope and read the letter aloud in a clear voice.

「Dear Mom and Dad,

I am Son Yoo-jin, Class 1, Number 18, of Eodong Elementary School.

Hello, Mom and Dad. I am Son Yoo-jin, the class president of Class 1, Number 18.

I don’t have much to say, but my teacher told me to write a letter, so here I am, holding a pencil.

I can’t express how grateful I am for you giving birth to me and raising me.

Thank you for giving birth to my brother.

Thank you for giving birth to Jeong-won.

Do you like being married to Mom and Dad?

Goodbye.

Sincerely, Son Yoo-jin.」

Gulp gulp-.

Dad couldn’t even laugh out loud and just rolled on the floor, pounding it with his fists.

Mom was biting her lip, trying to hold back her laughter.

“Hehehe-. Why are you laughing?”

Sweet Yoo-jin was embarrassed but also a little upset. Her smile was awkward and unnatural.

Jin-hyeok quietly hugged Yoo-jin to comfort her.

‘What’s so funny? Why are they laughing like this?’

He had seen people like this before—both at work and at school.

People who laughed until they cried over things that weren’t even funny.

Like dad jokes, which were similar to kids’ jokes.

At least kids’ jokes are cute.

What part of this is so funny that grown adults are giggling? To Jin-hyeok, it just seemed like low-intelligence humor. He could never understand them.

Of course, he didn’t mean Yoo-jin’s letter was a joke or that his parents were reacting like it was a dad joke. He just felt a little, just a little, resentful that they didn’t consider Yoo-jin’s feelings.

Yu-young wiped her tears and comforted Yoo-jin.

“Oh, Yoo-jin, I’m sorry. I laughed too much. It’s just so similar to the letter your brother wrote when he was eight. I guess blood really is thicker than water.”

Huh?

Jin-hyeok’s face turned cold as he stroked Yoo-jin’s cheek.

Oh, so that’s why they were laughing? I almost misunderstood.

“Ah, my stomach hurts. Dad laughed too. ‘I don’t have much to say, but I’m writing because I was told to.’ It’s exactly like Jin-hyeok, exactly. Hahahaha-.”

Dad was lying on the kitchen floor like a flipped frog.

Huh-.

Jin-hyeok’s smile also turned awkward.

‘Wait, me?’

I don’t know.

I don’t remember at all.

Never.

***

Tsk tsk- click-.

On the morning of Teacher’s Day, Son Yoo-jin, who had been living in the living room for two weeks, woke up to a strange sound.

‘What’s that sound?’

Still half-asleep, her eyes wouldn’t open, but her ears perked up toward the sound. Finally, Yoo-jin’s eyes shot open when she found the source. It was an awakening that would make even Sim Bong-sa jealous.

“Ooh?”

Blue.

Like ripples on water, a faint vibration spread across the emerald surface.

At least, that’s how it looked to Yoo-jin.

To the life inside the egg, it was blue.

The little one struggled to break the shell, pecking with its head and beak, then resting, over and over.

‘What should I do? It’s too weak.’

The once vigorously beating heart was losing strength, and the body, which had been stretching, curled back into the egg. The head drooped, unable to hold itself up. It was exhausted.

Then.

A firm hand rested on Yoo-jin’s shoulder.

“Will Yoo-jin help?”

It was her brother, ready for school, with a calm, low voice.

“Can I really?”

“Don’t you remember? When you were in Mom’s tummy, I helped you too. When it’s hard to come out on your own, it’s okay to get help from outside.”

Maybe the little bird desperately wanted its mother’s help too.

Unless it clearly refused, it’s okay to help someone who can’t even ask for help. Like first aid.

That’s what Jin-hyeok thought.

“Then, for Haengun-i-.”

Yoo-jin opened the incubator.

It was still warm and cozy, like when she rolled the egg every day.

“Try this.”

Yoo-jin took the popsicle stick her brother handed her.

Tap- tap tap-.

Carefully, she tapped, afraid of hurting the bird.

“It’s not working-.”

“Pulling back is harder than pushing. That’s true for everything.”

Her brother always said that when writing a diary, it’s better to use simple expressions that come from the heart rather than difficult or fancy words. He called it “pulling back.”

Encouraged by her brother, Yoo-jin took a deep breath and bit her lip.

Tap- tap- tap-.

Following the cracks Haengun-i had made, she tapped a few more times.

Squeak- squeak-.

Pieces of the shell fell away, and finally, Haengun-i’s voice escaped.

“Good job. Keep going.”

Her brother, kneeling behind her with a hand on her shoulder, continued to encourage her quietly without taking any action.

Her brother was behind her.

For Yoo-jin, there was no greater support.

Holding her breath, she put her other hand into the incubator.

“Okay, now you can peel it off with your hands.”

With her brother’s unwavering support, she slowly peeled away the shell.

It was a holy moment.

Yoo-jin’s heart raced, and her eyes grew moist.

She had saved it, brought life into the world. What words could describe the emotions of this young heart?

Squeak- squeak- caw-.

A translucent red body with eyes as big as marbles. Finally free from the egg, the bird, still unable to open its eyes, began to cry weakly.

Afraid the baby bird might get startled, Yoo-jin whispered, not taking her eyes off it.

“Brother, what do we do now?”

“Feed it. This should last a day.”

Yoo-jin obediently took what her brother handed her.

Tweezers and a can of mealworms.

Ah, so he had prepared this in advance.

“Wow-, it’s swallowing without even chewing.”

“Yeah.”

No need to explain that birds don’t have teeth.

Yoo-jin already knew that.

She was just so moved she was saying anything.

“Will 25 degrees be enough?”

Mumbling to himself, her brother lowered the incubator temperature from 37 degrees and slung his backpack over his shoulder.

“Good job, Son Yoo-jin.”

As he patted her head and left, Yoo-jin thought, ‘I didn’t write a letter to Brother.’

Why didn’t I think of that on Parents’ Day?

Brother is like a parent too.

Since it’s Teacher’s Day, I’ll write one today.

Using the emails we often exchange would be good!

“Haengun-i, eat a lot.”

After school, I’ll write a letter to Brother and go catch some bugs.

Yoo-jin’s smile never left her face.

***

「A Letter to Brother」

The same title as always.

Before bed, Jin-hyeok habitually opened the email from his sister.

「My dearest, Brother」

Jin-hyeok’s eyes widened in surprise as he read the subject line.

Oh, this seems different and full of sincerity from the start.

‘What’s this…’

The content was different too.

Usually, it was about what she ate at school, how the weather was, or who fought with whom.

「Hello. This letter originated in the capital of England and has been circulating 192 times a year, bringing luck to its recipients. Now it has come to you. You must send this letter to seven people who need luck within seven days. You can copy it. Though you may think it’s superstition, it’s true…」

Ah, Yoo-jin.

Did you have to do this to me?

The letter went on about how someone in England won the lottery after sending it, and how President Kennedy ignored it and was assassinated three days later.

‘She meant well.’

What does a kid know about committing such a crime?

Anyway, Son Jin-hyeok isn’t the kind of man to fall for such superstitions.

‘If you send this letter, you’ll have seven years of luck. If not, three years of misfortune…’

…That’s what past-life Son Jin-hyeok would say.

Look at him now. His eyes are filled with conflict over the ominous words.

People with a lot to lose get startled by even the slightest breeze. Even a lucky letter can shake their hearts.

Let’s see.

Who can I send this email to?

First, my best friend, Mi-kyung, the troublemaker-.

Tap tap tap-.

Jin-hyeok’s fingers danced across the keyboard, performing a triple axel faster than a 1,000-typing practice session. Copy-pasting would be easier, but typing it out is more fun.

「This letter originated in the capital of England…」

Heheh, you troublemaker. Take this lucky letter from me!

Go!