Chapter 15

#15 <The Great Magician (5)>

***

“Oppa-! Prison Oppaaa-!”

Waaahhh-.

That little kid, Hong Soo-jung, finally bursts into loud sobs. Even as Yoo Se-ra holds her by the waist and she flails around, her shoes flying off, there’s no sign of her calming down.

If only she’d call me by my actual name.

‘Ugh, my head.’

The little brat, Hong Soo-jung, not only clung to Son Jin-hyeok all night but also stubbornly refused to let go. Both Jin-hyeok and Yoo Se-ra couldn’t hide their awkward expressions. Still, in times like these, only a mom can soothe her.

“Soo-jung-ah, sleep for ten nights, and then you can come see Oppa again.”

Ah, the infamous ten-night promise, ruthlessly crushing children’s dreams and hopes.

A notorious proposal with a 0.01% fulfillment rate. Jin-hyeok thought even chaebols weren’t much different.

But Hong Soo-jung wasn’t an easy kid to fool.

“Shi-deo-shi-deo-, Prison Oppaaa-!”

“If you keep this up, Prison Oppa won’t play with you again, okay?”

Even Yoo Se-ra is calling him “Prison” now.

Anyway, the Hong Soo-jung Jin-hyeok knew wasn’t the type to fall for such a lame threat.

*Thud.*

She stopped crying as if by magic, tightly closing her mouth. Her big eyes were still filled with tears.

Jin-hyeok comforted her.

“Soo-jung-ah, Oppa has to go to school anyway. When Oppa’s on break, I’ll come play again, okay?”

Nod nod-.

As Hong Soo-jung nodded vigorously, the tears that had pooled in her eyes fell like raindrops.

Without the West Coast Expressway and with poor road conditions, it takes at least three hours by car to get here. Even though the dads are close, it’s unlikely Hong Soo-jung will see Jin-hyeok often.

‘She’s still young. In a few days, she probably won’t even remember me.’

That’s just how life is.

Jin-hyeok knew that once Hong Soo-jung grew up a bit, she’d forget about him. Or rather, if she even remembers, that’d be impressive.

“I’ll come often!”

“Don’t come too often! Farmers are busy.”

After the dads said their goodbyes, the moms, still holding hands, couldn’t hide their disappointment. Han Yu-young’s eyes even turned red.

“No one’s ever shown me such affection······.”

“I’ll come visit often. Don’t be sad, Jin-hyeok’s mom.”

*Vroom-.*

Just when it seemed like she was holding it together, Hong Soo-jung finally burst into tears in the departing car.

“Oppaaaa—-!”

Whether the little brat cried or not, Jin-hyeok felt a sense of relief.

The pity, the fluttering heart, the regret he felt for Hong Soo-jung in his past life—he could finally let go of some of it.

*Sniff sniff-.*

This kid even drooled on my arm while sleeping.

As the car drove away, Jin-hyeok’s dad waved and asked him:

“Jin-hyeok-ah, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

A soldier? A president? A scientist?

Whatever it was, he was confident he could support him. He was young, and his son was smart.

Come to think of it, he never asked what his son wanted to do or what he liked. He was always the type to do things on his own.

Jin-hyeok’s heart raced.

With both mom and dad around, and even a cute little sister—

‘If I do well, everything will be fine.’

Watching Hong Ki-jun’s car disappear into the distance, Jin-hyeok looked up at his dad.

“Dad, I just want to live an ordinary life.”

“That’s fine.”

That’s the hardest thing to do.

Son Kwang-yeon smiled warmly and patted his son’s head.

***

September, the 1988 Seoul Olympics began.

Watching the final torchbearer, Jin-hyeok felt a lump in his throat.

A marathoner, who had climbed the podium under the flag of a nation that had stolen their sovereignty, stepped firmly on the track of his homeland, one step at a time.

“Oh my! What’s happening?”

A mother holding her baby was startled. It was because of the infamous live broadcast of the dove burning ceremony. Records later revealed that only one dove actually died. But who would believe that now?

Dad, who was watching with them, seemed to gulp, but maybe I misheard.

Somehow, I had a feeling that this winter’s vinyl house farming would fail too.

[Hand in hand-, over the wall-]

Listening to the Olympic theme song on live broadcast was a unique experience.

There were times when I thought peace and harmony were just someone else’s story. For a child whose heart was scarred by the cold winds, unable to find peace within, the word “peace” felt strange. But now, it seemed okay to turn my attention outward. Peace had finally found its way into Jin-hyeok’s heart.

After that, I had to check Olympic news only through the newspaper.

It was a choice made for Yoo Jin, who needed to sleep most of the day.

「”Ben Johnson too?” The world is shocked, the biggest doping scandal in history··· Where is the world record for the 100m?」

「Increasing drug use··· Ruining athletes’ careers. Doping and performance, seen through the “Ben Johnson shock”」

History repeated itself.

Sadly, it was clear Ben Johnson would never step on the track again after this incident. But thanks to this, the doping testing technology of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology became known, allowing us to conduct doping tests for major events like the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the 2011 Daegu World Championships. At least, that’s what I heard. But there’s no way to confirm. It might just be a rumor fueled by national pride.

Everywhere, there’s light and shadow.

The same goes for the society section of the newspaper.

‘Only articles about the lively festival.’

Not a single line about the weak.

Now, as the son of a family that has risen to power, but in my past life, wasn’t I one of the weak, unprotected by anyone? When I encountered the tears of those hidden in the shadows of the festival as an adult, I found some selfish comfort in knowing my life wasn’t the only sad one.

Flipping through the newspaper with a serious expression, Dad patted the back of Jin-hyeok’s head.

“You can change the world, or destroy it. But you can only do anything after you’ve built your own world first.”

What does he know? Dad’s clearly not an ordinary person.

Jin-hyeok silently nodded. Just being able to have this conversation with Dad was enough to make him happy.

“Dad, want to play Go?”

“Uh······, I need to go to the field for a bit. Let’s play in the evening.”

Dad, who hasn’t won a single game against Jin-hyeok.

Once, Jin-hyeok picked up a Go record that fell out of Dad’s pocket. He must have been practicing Go with a pencil on paper by the field. By late September, there’s not much to worry about in the rice fields. Typhoons are a concern, but natural disasters are hard to prevent. Most of the water has been drained, so there’s less worry about pests. The scarecrow and shiny ribbons keep the sparrows away.

“Take care.”

This is a good time to give him some alone time.

Dad, who cherishes time with family, must have had a reason to go practice alone.

‘Should I have gone easy on him?’

No.

The world of competition is ruthless.

Even Jang Gun-i runs desperately, so how can humans take it lightly?

‘I suggested playing for Dad’s sake. I should have let him choose what he’s good at.’

But what is Dad good at?

Cuckoo flying?

***

The loneliness, longing, and sadness of my past life.

As if to compensate for all of it, Jin-hyeok’s life was filled with happiness.

Jin-hyeok’s day started with jogging.

Waking up early and running to the top of Gubong Mountain, several kilometers away. Even for an athlete, it’s not easy, but he did it to stimulate his growth plates.

‘I was too short when I was young. My sister will grow soon too, so I need to make sure no one bullies her.’

Because I’m the older brother.

The famous Shih Tzu, Jang Gun-i, still ran ahead and behind Jin-hyeok. True to his breed, Jang Gun-i was unmatched at the start, but Jin-hyeok had the upper hand in sprinting and endurance.

Several vacations passed.

Contrary to expectations that they’d rarely see each other again, Hong Soo-jung clung to Jin-hyeok every vacation. Jin-hyeok thought of the leeches that stuck to his ankles when he followed Dad to the fields.

Leeches don’t let go until they’re full of blood. No matter how much you stomp on them or hit them with a shovel, they don’t burst or cut easily.

‘That’s why they’re called sticky leeches.’

The moms also became close, boasting a sisterly bond that put real sisters to shame.

“Unnie, rest well. Don’t bother looking for a homestay.”

“Thank you so much, Yu-young. Soo-jung keeps begging to see Jin-hyeok Oppa-.”

Jin-hyeok’s house was expanded into a fancy three-story building.

Thanks to Dad’s knack for making money.

Anticipating crops that would see a surge in demand or a shortage, Dad hired workers, walked around to find merchants who’d pay more, and made a fortune. Dad, Son Kwang-yeon, used his business skills to earn money, buy land, and even build a new house. The interior was finished with yellow soil. Because Jin-hyeok, with memories of his past life, insisted that yellow soil is beneficial for the body.

“Has Soo-jung already gone to Jin-hyeok?”

Han Yu-young looked around for Soo-jung, but the little Seoul kid had already disappeared.

Hong Soo-jung, after greeting Jin-hyeok’s mom, immediately lit up and searched the house.

“Jin-hyeok plays with our Soo-jung better than her cousins.”

“He’s always been very caring towards Yoo Jin. Soo-jung must feel like a little sister to him.”

Hong Ki-jun’s family often stayed for over a week every vacation. Hong Ki-jun, despite his clumsy skills, helped Son Kwang-yeon with farming, showing off their friendship.

Kindergarten student Hong Soo-jung also showed unwavering attachment.

*Thud thud-* Climbing the wooden stairs, Hong Soo-jung immediately clung to Jin-hyeok on the second floor, a perfect sticky leech.

“Oppa, I’ll be in elementary school next year.”

“Are you excited to go to school?”

“Yeah! But there’s so much to do, right? Homework, piano, swimming-.”

*Blah blah-.*

Why did I even ask? Jin-hyeok sighed softly and closed his book.

“Soo-jung-ah, want to go pick wild strawberries with Oppa?”

“Yeah! They’re delicious.”

“Soo-jung-ah, want to go to the stream?”

“Yeah! Let’s catch fish.”

“Soo-jung-ah, want to go to the beach?”

“Yeah! Let’s catch crabs.”

“Soo-jung-ah, want to build a snowman with Oppa?”

“Yeah!”

“Soo-jung-ah, want to go sledding in the fields?”

“Wow! That sounds fun!”

She’s a kid who doesn’t know how to say no.

Hong Soo-jung even followed Jin-hyeok during his morning and evening runs. With those short legs. Eventually, she had to be carried home on Jin-hyeok’s back.

When carried, she got excited and swung her legs.

“Oppa, do you like running that much?”

“Yeah.”

I feel like I’ve heard this question before.

The difference is that Jin-hyeok answered this time.

“Do you like running because of Soo-jung?”

What are you talking about, you little brat.

Jin-hyeok closed his mouth again.

I thought it was fate, but maybe it’s a curse.

Suddenly, I felt old.

“Oppaaaaaa—-!”

She still cried when it was time to leave.

***

The daughter, who had been throwing a tantrum in the car heading to Seoul, finally quieted down. Yoo Se-ra, sitting in the back seat, shook her head as she looked at Hong Soo-jung, who had fallen asleep with her neck tilted. She even forgot to hold her forehead.

“Ugh-, who does she take after to act like that?”

A comment that could spark a marital fight, but Hong Ki-jun said nothing. He just alternated between looking at his crumpled little daughter in the back seat and his sighing wife in the passenger seat.

Daughter once, wife once.

Daughter once, wife once.

Then his eyes met Yoo Se-ra’s.

The woman sitting in the passenger seat, who looked just like the little brat Hong Soo-jung who threw a fit over not wanting to leave Prison Oppa, stared back at him.

The troublemaker woman, who had been staring at Hong Ki-jun, raised her chin when their eyes met.

“What.”

“Ugh-.”

“What’s with that sigh?”

Her cat-like eyes glared at Hong Ki-jun.

“Nothing. I must’ve eaten too much.”

You have to lie to survive. The balance of power in their relationship, swayed by Yoo Se-ra’s hands and background, hadn’t been stable for long. Hong Ki-jun pretended to loosen his belt and sighed again.

Yoo Se-ra nodded.

“Jin-hyeok’s mom is really good at cooking.”

And pretty too.

“She looks familiar, but I can’t place her.”

“Isn’t it because we see her often?”

“She looked familiar from the first time I saw her.”

“Is it because she’s pretty?”

Hong Ki-jun quickly pressed his lips together.

But Yoo Se-ra, her mind elsewhere, didn’t take issue with his comment.

“Hmm, did she run away with Kwang-yeon Oppa after being an actress?”

Yoo Se-ra crossed her legs and folded her arms. It was a gesture she made when she wasn’t in a good mood. Anyway, Hong Ki-jun, having survived the crisis, sighed in relief.

“We’ll keep coming every vacation to see Oppa’s family, right?”

“What about work?”

Hong Ki-jun, gripping the steering wheel tightly, asked out of the corner of his eye.

Since his wife was also busy with company work, having taken on a major role within the group.

“Just take one more vacation.”

Well, being the chairman’s daughter and son-in-law, who’s going to stop them?

Just take one more vacation in winter.

“Thinking about it again, the world is scary.”

Yoo Se-ra’s way of speaking is like this.

She cuts to the chase and drops a line. People around her sweat trying to figure out the context and meaning, but if you know what she’s thinking, it’s not that hard.

“Yeah. Who would’ve thought Kwang-yeon would be living in a place like that.”

Hong Ki-jun was unparalleled in reading Yoo Se-ra’s mood. That’s how he defeated countless competitors and won the beauty of the century. Hong Ki-jun still felt his heart boil when he thought of the day Yoo Se-ra accepted his proposal.

“But it’s too far, driving must be tough for you.”

“The roads are still inconvenient, but it’s about 100 kilometers.”

“I wish we had a broom.”

“A broom?”

“To fly around on.”

Who else but the Great Magician’s mom?

Whether she was really imagining flying on a broom, Yoo Se-ra narrowed her eyes even more, still with her arms crossed.

From the back seat, the sound of a kitten sleep-talking could be heard.

“Ugh-, I want a broom too. Prison Oppa.”

Oh boy.

Who does she take after? Yoo Se-ra muttered.

Hong Ki-jun couldn’t even respond and nervously scratched the side of his head.