Chapter 131

“The Unsent Season (6)”

***

“Whoa! When did Jin-hyuk grow up so much?”

Park Jae-seung’s eyes widened. His dark complexion made the whites of his eyes stand out even more.

After a brief moment of shock at Jin-hyuk’s changed appearance, Park Jae-seung, who was happy to see him, patted Jin-hyuk’s back and let out a deep sigh.

“With three national records in the school, what can we do? People think it’s some kind of specialized athletics school. Sigh, and so many people come to visit.”

Jin-hyuk, unintentionally becoming the center of attention, sighed along with him.

The school, which was under review for closure, had national record holders. Park Jae-seung compared it to a tavern with great alcohol but no customers, on the verge of shutting down. Whether it was records or school information, it was all easily accessible. It wasn’t strange to get phone inquiries.

But no matter how much he explained that there was no sports team and even fewer students, people didn’t believe him. Those who visited in person sometimes decided to transfer after seeing Park Jae-seung’s appearance.

“This is driving me crazy.”

Mr. Park Jae-seung, forgetting he was in front of parents and students, continued to lament.

“Hey, Jin-hyuk. What does my face say? People keep saying I look like a track and field coach. Are they crazy? Even after seeing the state of the school, they still say that?”

Park Jae-seung pointed to the cows leisurely wandering in the corner of the playground and laughed as if it was absurd.

He always looked like the guy next door.

Jin-hyuk covered his mouth with his fist, swallowing his laughter.

To anyone, he really did look like a track and field coach.

“Ah, whatever. We’ll take any students who come and train them as best we can.”

As he said this, Park Jae-seung glanced at Jin-hyuk.

His expression was similar to Jang Gun-i’s when begging for snacks.

‘As a bystander, I make others stand out.’

This was a phrase Jin-hyuk, now in his third year of middle school, had added to his identity and life goals as a bystander.

Moreover, he wasn’t the type to refuse a request for help from a teacher he had grown fond of.

“I’ll help you.”

“Really?”

Park Jae-seung asked in a subtle voice.

A sports program suitable for kids, how hard could that be?

There was already a program Yoo Se-ra had obtained from overseas. They could just translate and distribute it. Most of it was coaching programs to make sports fun and exercises to stimulate growth. With Mr. Park Jae-seung, who cared for the kids, they would surely teach it well.

Hearing Jin-hyuk’s plan, Park Jae-seung seemed relieved, his face relaxing.

“Even at Taeyang Elementary School, kids are flocking like that.”

“Ah, because of the baseball team?”

Jin-hyuk had heard about it too.

Taeyang Elementary School was starting a baseball team.

Park Jae-seung waved his hand.

“That’s not all. They even won a gold medal in track and field.”

Ah, right.

But still, something felt off. Track and field isn’t a popular sport, so why would so many athletes flock there?

“Are there really that many kids who want to do track and field?”

“Only a few are serious. The rest are just building basics before moving on to other things. Some kids from our school have already switched to gymnastics and shot put. They went to Chungnam Sports Middle School.”

Since track and field education included gymnastics, it made sense. People usually think of track events when they hear track and field, but there are also athletes who receive systematic training for the basics of other sports.

The most basic of basic exercises. If you’ve done track and field, you have basic physical strength and coordination. That’s why athletes with excellent physical conditions and sense often switch to other sports.

Every time Jin-hyuk thought about this, he sighed, thinking of Jo Seol-chan and Yeom Byeong-taek.

‘Their body balance is so off.’

How can we fix those bow legs and awkward strides?

Throughout middle school, he tried various posture correction methods, but there was no progress. Even though their joints weren’t fully developed yet, they always ran away whenever he suggested posture correction.

Even though they’re friends, they’re still others, so why should he care? But he hoped they could achieve something through sports because their future depended on it.

They hated studying so much that getting into Taeyang High School through exams was out of the question. Even though they were in different classes, Jin-hyuk tried to help them with their studies after school. But Jo Seol-chan and Yeom Byeong-taek could read words but couldn’t understand them. Their literacy wasn’t up to par, making it hard for them to grasp the intent of exam questions. From what Jin-hyuk observed, that was exactly why their grades were poor.

‘Even if I tell them to borrow books from the school library, they just hate books.’

Anyway, since academic performance couldn’t be expected, he hoped they could get into a good school as sports specialists.

These friends were so carefree that they didn’t even worry about their future.

At least they were humble and aware of their shortcomings, which is why Jin-hyuk could stay close to them. Some kids proudly flaunt their ignorance, thinking everyone else is at their level.

But still, as friends, Jin-hyuk had grown to care about them. It was a significant growth for him.

After the reunion with the welcoming Mr. Park Jae-seung, he headed to the kindergarten classroom.

“Parents, please wait outside.”

The kindergarten teacher had changed too. When Jin-hyuk attended, it was an elderly lady, but now a young female teacher was in charge.

Jin-hyuk watched his younger sibling through the window. He worried if they would look around for their mom or feel awkward with new friends. It was a natural concern as a guardian of a young child.

‘I think I cried saying I wanted to play with mom at home.’

Seven-year-old Jin-hyuk had tried the horizontal bar after the preliminary gathering. It was probably due to his young mom’s curious suggestion. The move was to put his stomach on the bar and spin around once, but with no arm strength or technique, he fell face-first into the sand. His mom, who helped him onto the bar, had let go of his arms too soon.

‘I cried so hard that day.’

Thinking about that day made his nose ache.

Memories he didn’t even know he had came flooding back like waves. Experiences like these could be recalled with just a small hint.

Han Yu-young seemed to have the same thought.

His mom, now much smaller than him, held Jin-hyuk’s hand.

“Heh, I remember bringing our son here.”

What must his mom have felt, sending her son to kindergarten at twenty-six, braving the cold January to visit the school? Life was harder back then than it is now. The memory of falling from the bar and crying faded, replaced by gratitude towards his mom.

Mother and son held hands and watched the kindergarten classroom.

After the greetings with the teacher, the kids freely roamed the classroom. Yoo-jin touched toys, flipped through picture books, and even pretended to know a boy named Lee Dong-ho.

Where other kids blocked the path, she politely bowed and asked for understanding. It seemed like such manners were innate in kids, as if they were pre-equipped.

A strange emotion brushed over the faces of mom and brother.

A baby born in a humble house in midsummer had now taken the first step into socialization. Since they were born together, their emotions must be the same.

‘Can we even send her off to marriage like this?’

Jin-hyuk’s chest felt inexplicably lonely.

Whoever it may be, a gate that couldn’t be easily crossed had risen for Yoo-jin’s future partner. A gate that stared at the kindergarten classroom like a Sphinx from beyond the hallway.

***

After exchanging glances with other parents and letting Yoo-jin visit the school’s snack shop, they got into the car.

“We need a school bus.”

“Hmm. That would be good, right? There seem to be more kids than when Jin-hyuk was here.”

Thirty kids in a rural kindergarten.

Twelve friends came from the same direction as Yoo-jin.

“We could start from the inner village and pass through the orchard.”

Han Yu-young nodded at Jin-hyuk’s explanation.

She had been worried about the dangerous road for the kids’ commute.

The school didn’t have a bus, but one minibus could solve other parents’ worries too.

“I’ll talk to dad at home and contact the school.”

If they relayed it, the school would inform each household.

Jin-hyuk nodded.

It was a blessing to have someone who actively executed ideas when they aligned. His mom seemed like a capable team member.

The car carrying Jin-hyuk sped off as coolly as time.

***

Four more SSS agents were assigned.

It wasn’t due to a vacancy. They were just replenished for smooth shift work.

“Uncle, focus on your work. This is my job.”

“No, I’ll help.”

Though they were bodyguards, they spent more time pulling weeds in the garden in spring. With Han Yu-young left alone at home, carrying the baby with difficulty, no one could turn a blind eye.

Even without the bodyguards, Jang Jin-nam and Min Yong-rak were always by Han Yu-young’s side, filling her time with laughter.

“Madam’s back is hunched from carrying the baby, but Yong-rak, your belly is bulging.”

Jang Jin-nam used his usual strange tone to tease Min Yong-rak frequently.

Though Yoo-jin often pointed it out too, for Min Yong-rak, who loved food, losing belly fat was harder than discussing things with Jin-hyuk.

Moon Seok-il found the abandoned training facility on an uninhabited island in the marine national park, as Jin-hyuk had told him. When he recommended it to Hong Ki-jun as an SSS training ground, things progressed swiftly. After checking the generator and water facilities and preparing living supplies, it was ready for use.

Though he had to handle various tasks ordered by Jin-hyuk and Hong Ki-jun, Moon Seok-il was living the most leisurely days since entering society. Above all, he felt at ease.

“If it’s okay, bring your family to live here. There’s plenty of land to build a house.”

“Thank you, brother.”

Thanks to Son Kwang-yeon’s consideration, they had been living like brothers for over a year, and Moon Seok-il finally decided to move to the countryside. Nothing could make Moon Seok-il’s heart more at ease.

Those who wanted to live in the countryside decided to build houses and move, while those who preferred the city weren’t forced.

Everyone has the right to live as they wish.

Moon Seok-il living nearby was also an advantage for Jin-hyuk.

Whether it was winter, summer, or even with a new sibling, or his dad becoming a boss, Jin-hyuk never neglected his training, and his uncles always ran with him.

“Whew, he’s too fast.”

They never suggested running together, but they always showed up when Jin-hyuk trained, saying they needed to take care of their bodies, only to suffer. Even Moon Seok-il with his steel legs and the SSS couldn’t match Jin-hyuk’s stamina and speed.

“In-rang, let’s take a break.”

Kim In-rang, holding his knees, couldn’t even answer, gasping for breath.

“Where did Jin-hyuk go?”

Too exhausted, they had already lost sight of Jin-hyuk, only looking at the ground while running.

Hehehe.

Jang Gun-i and Hong-si circled around the struggling humans, teasing them.

Jang Gun-i’s long tongue seemed to say, “You weaklings.”

Still, Jin-hyuk was glad to have someone to run and train with. He didn’t show it, though.

Unlike the tough old days, he no longer delivered newspapers and spent his school days quietly and peacefully. A normal routine of morning training, hanging out with friends after school, and then heading home.

Climbing to the top of Gubong Mountain, he thought of Hong Soo-jung’s family, who hadn’t come during winter break. Maybe because they were dear to him, he felt a void in his chest without seeing them. It was a feeling he hadn’t known before.

‘I miss Soo-jung.’

She loved sledding; she must have been bored playing only with the baby during the break.

He also remembered the past drunkard.

On snowy days, he had cautiously asked:

– “Manager, want to go to Myeongdong?”

Jin-hyuk, who disliked crowded places, had politely declined.

Why did he do that back then?

Was Myeongdong coated with honey?

***

At the start of the third grade, the student council election schedule was set.

Naturally, Jin-hyuk wasn’t interested.

But some friends’ interest was focused on him.

Chae Kyu-ho, not even in the same class, came to see him.

“Class president, are you running for student council president?”

This guy had called him class president since first grade. Even though they weren’t in the same class.

Doesn’t he know his name?

Jin-hyuk shook his head.

“No.”

“Why?”

Pimple-faced Chae Kyu-ho blinked his big eyes.

Even if he stayed still, he stood out, so if he ran for student council president, he’d get all the votes. Why wouldn’t he want to?

“You run, Kyu-ho. I’ll give you my vote.”

“I don’t want to.”

If he doesn’t want to, why is he telling me to run?

Middle schoolers are truly an incomprehensible species, Jin-hyuk thought, as Chae Kyu-ho awkwardly laughed.

“If the class president becomes student council president and gets busy, maybe I can be top of the school once.”

So that was the reason.

Still, an incomprehensible species. Even if he became student council president, Jin-hyuk wouldn’t lose his top spot, but why aim for being top of the school?

Actually, Jin-hyuk had a clear reason for not wanting to run.

‘I’d have to give speeches, make promises, and keep them.’

To do that, he’d have to negotiate with the school.

In elementary school, there was nothing to do, so he just went along with it, but middle school was different.

‘It’s annoying.’

Even as a company employee, he had to endure meetings, discussions, and fierce negotiations to get better conditions. And now they want him to do that at school?

He shook his head vigorously.

But, as Jo Il-hun said.

Trouble always follows the troublemaker.