Chapter 154

< Walk >

***

The first week, which could be considered the toughest period, was safely overcome.

Even though it’s not easy for anyone, even athletes, to wake up unused muscles and push lung capacity to the limit, the Taeyang Middle School track team reached the first milestone without a single dropout.

Proud of his friends, Jin-hyeok wanted to give them a special treat.

“Make sure to come back. Gather at my house by 7 PM.”

The special treat was giving them a chance to train even harder and stronger······.

There was a hint of distrust in his words as he spoke to his friends heading home for the weekend. It was natural that training could only happen if the athletes gathered, but still······.

“Don’t worry! I’ll be back by Sunday evening, riding the bus-!”

“Will the noona recognize me? I’ve gotten so tanned.”

“President, have a nice weekend······.”

Seeing the overly bright expressions of Byeong-taek and Sang-ki, Jin-hyeok felt the flames of distrust toward humanity spreading. So he added,

“If you don’t come, I’ll come get you.”

At that moment, Jin-hyeok saw it.

The way their pupils shook.

‘So they were thinking of running away.’

No matter how far you run, you can’t escape Buddha’s palm, you brats.

“I’ll definitely come back!”

Seol-chan, who boarded the bus first, shouted energetically.

Seol-chan, who had been devoted to Jin-hyeok since elementary school, showed a determination to enjoy himself to the fullest while worrying about his grandmother throughout the training camp. A friend who was both dark and bright, Jin-hyeok thought that perhaps the light and shadow within a person could never be separated.

‘Just like my past and present.’

Unaware that Mi-kyung was watching from the second floor of a nearby house, Jin-hyeok waved until the bus was out of sight. Wagging his buttocks like Jang Gun-i.

The friends, now free, chatted on the bus, talked about training, and even gossiped about Jin-hyeok, strengthening their bonds.

Friendship is friendship.

‘Hehehe, try running away.’

Chasing after runaway friends seemed like it would be fun.

It would be as easy and fun as when Yoo Jin ran away to Mi-kyung’s house after being rejected for trying to wear oppa’s underwear.

The saying “no matter how far you run, you’re just a flea” must apply here.

With just one word, uncles ready to mobilize are always on standby. And who else could catch fleas as well as Jin-hyeok?

Hehehe-.

Even now, Jang Gun-i is wagging his tail.

He hates baths but loves being brushed.

“The weather’s hot, and Jang Gun-i really worked hard helping with training. I’ll catch fleas for him when we get home.”

They walked through the quiet fields as if on a stroll.

“Our Jang Gun-i is the best coach.”

Not only that, but even with a new trained large dog around, he remained unshaken and still acted like the boss. It was admirable.

Jin-hyeok poured affection into his brushing.

It was a rare moment of rest.

Even while attending school, he managed SSS and Sein Group, and during vacations, he juggled training and tutoring.

Under a starry sky, sitting side by side with a man and a wolf. With only Jang Gun-i left, a fantasy emotion only Jin-hyeok knew welled up in his chest. Well, there was no campfire, the sky was cloudy, and Jang Gun-i was more of a mutt than a wolf, but appearances aren’t everything.

“Our Jang Gun-i is the most admirable and cute.”

The fact that he gave his heart was special.

Jin-hyeok never held back praise when he was with Jang Gun-i.

Hehehe-.

As if enjoying the praise, Jang Gun-i rolled over, exposing his belly.

It was something he only did with Kwang-yeon, Yu-young, and Jin-hyeok.

“Oh, you little rascal, aren’t you embarrassed? Showing your belly like that?”

If Yoo Jin tried to touch his belly, he’d growl and show his teeth. Only Jin-hyeok and the adults could guess the hierarchy Jang Gun-i acknowledged.

“You’re not hurt anywhere, right?”

Woof-.

Seems like it.

Well, Yoo Jin touches him every day, so it must be good for his health.

Having burned through about half his life, is he middle-aged now?

With a rare calmness, Jin-hyeok carefully examined Jang Gun-i.

“Hmm······, you look young? No different from five years ago.”

Except for more muscle, Jang Gun-i is still healthy and mischievous.

Jin-hyeok was even happier about that.

Though he’s not fond of the fleas, it’s the fate of a furry beast.

“Jin-hyeok.”

“Yes?”

In the sweltering season after the rain, when all creatures struggle, In-rang approached, fanning himself with a red hat.

“Tomorrow’s Saturday, why are we resting?”

“It’s Sunday.”

“Ah······. So I’m resting from training starting tomorrow too?”

In-rang scratched his neatly trimmed head.

“Yes. Next week, Uncle Heon-chang said he’d join us. But you’ll still do morning exercises with us, right?”

“Yeah. I will. Then I have something in town······.”

“Do you have a date with Myung-ja noona?”

“Whoa-!”

In-rang gasped like a thief caught in the act.

Jin-hyeok’s half-opened eyes narrowed further.

“Why so surprised? You’ve been making calls on the secure phone whenever you get a chance during training.”

Not just that.

In-rang drove out every day after training.

Even though he lives nearby.

“Hahaha-. You’re sharp. But it’s not Myung-ja.”

“Hmm-, someone from the countryside has good taste.”

Even a slug has a mate, and straw sandals have their uses. With all those calls and night drives, he must have found someone.

Jin-hyeok grinned happily.

With skills like that, maybe he could learn dating tips from Uncle In-rang later.

“Do you have money for dates?”

“Hey, kid! You really say anything to adults.”

Thud-.

“Ouch-!”

In-rang, who had just smacked Jin-hyeok’s head, waved his hat and walked away.

With a monthly salary from Sein Security Systems three times that of an average office worker, why would a little brat worry about his love life funds?

Sigh-.

Rubbing his head, Jin-hyeok raised his voice.

“What do you do on a date?”

He was genuinely curious.

Where do men and women go besides love motels, and what do they do besides talking face-to-face?

With little experience in emotional exchanges, the only romance Jin-hyeok knew was the instinctual act of reproduction. Well, since the world of past lives has disappeared, no need to worry about the D drive. Son Jin-hyeok was a vigorous man. His only flaw was knowing only exercise as a way to vent.

“Watch a movie!”

“What movie!”

“Jet Li’s ‘The Bodyguard’ just came out!”

Romance or drama would appeal more to women than action, right?

He had to stop this!

With some half-baked knowledge, Jin-hyeok jumped up.

“That won’t do! Watch ‘Free Willy’!”

“She said she wants to watch a cool action movie!”

This is unusual. He thought women didn’t like action movies.

Reality must be different from what online armchair experts say.

‘Or maybe looks matter more than what you do······.’

Still, a drama would be better······.

Not sure who’s worrying about whom, but he felt uneasy.

Sigh-.

Anyway, Uncle In-rang’s hand is really strong.

Even after getting a knuckle sandwich, Jin-hyeok felt good, as if confirming their bond. He crouched down again and picked up the dog brush.

But he had to stand up quickly at Yoo Jin’s shout from the living room.

“Oppaaaa-! Jeong Won pooped!”

“Uh-! I’m coming! Oppa’s coming!”

Busy, so busy!

While his friends went home for a sweet break, Jin-hyeok still had work to do.

Since his parents had left earlier for errands in town, Jin-hyeok became the guardian of his siblings.

“Oh my, it’s fragrant.”

Laying Jeong Won down in the living room and opening the diaper, Jin-hyeok let out an old man’s sigh. His dad always made that sound when changing Jeong Won’s diapers.

“It’s not fragrant. It stinks.”

“Baby-. Gurgle-.”

Still clumsy, Yoo Jin watched her brother closely and chimed in, while Jeong Won, having relieved himself, rolled his tongue, feeling refreshed.

“It’s irony. I said the same when you were a baby.”

“Oh, really? I don’t remember.”

“Baby-?”

Of course not.

He never said that.

‘You didn’t breathe, so you wouldn’t remember the smell.’

But Mom and Dad left all dressed up and are late.

Knowing where they went and why they’re late, he took it as a good sign. With Myung-hyun and Tae-hwa along, there’s no danger.

Looks like dinner will be with the siblings.

After washing Jeong Won in the bathroom, drying him thoroughly, and sprinkling baby powder.

Hmm-, the smell of baby powder-.

This scent always calms Jin-hyeok and makes him feel good.

After putting on a fresh diaper, he asked Yoo Jin, who was watching intently.

“Yoo Jin, what do you want to eat?”

“Egg rice.”

Turning on the stove and taking eggs from the fridge, Jin-hyeok muttered.

“I hope Mom’s doing well······.”

Even though Myung-hyun and Tae-hwa went along, Jin-hyeok still worried about his parents like they were kids left by the water.

Lately, Mom’s been sighing a lot, and he wondered if he’d given her unnecessary courage.

***

The place where she gathered courage, encouraged by her son, to visit.

Her husband told her to think of it as a casual stroll, but can one’s heart be controlled so easily?

Han Yu-young’s eyes reddened, moist with tears as she looked at the person before her.

“Make me egg rice. When I came home from school, you used to make it for me. I want that. Rice with a raw egg, sesame oil, soy sauce, and sesame seeds.”

Her voice, carrying moisture, trembled slightly.

Despite the content, her tone felt cold.

Kim Eung-nyeo, head bowed, only fidgeted with her apron, unable to meet Yu-young’s eyes.

When the elegant couple entered the café looking for the owner, Eung-nyeo, seeing them from the kitchen, suppressed the urge to flee.

She bit her lip painfully at Yu-young’s first greeting.

– “Unnie, how have you been?”

A shy, awkward greeting, as if meeting after months.

And so.

Eighteen years later, she sat face-to-face with her stepsister across a table.

Even if called a thief, she had no words.

She couldn’t stop her mother’s misdeeds, and when her husband threatened her sister with a knife, she was too scared to intervene.

An accomplice and bystander, her conscience pointed fingers.

“Memories are funny. I was so scared and shocked back then that I hated everything until recently. But as I grew older, had kids, and lived life, I remembered how much you loved and cared for me when I was little. I also remember you hugging me, trembling, saying you’d protect me······. Honestly, when I had our third child, I wished you were there.”

The fragments of emotions, spoken softly, almost laughing, almost crying, dug into her heart, and Eung-nyeo cautiously spoke, still not raising her head.

“······I’m sorry······.”

“What are you sorry for?”

Yu-young retorted sharply.

“You’re the one who called and hung up without saying anything, right?”

Eung-nyeo couldn’t answer, only nodding slightly.

Tears fell heavily from her bowed head.

Her wrinkled hands trembled, and tears streamed down the grooves between her fingers.

Seeing this, Yu-young’s eyes grew wetter, a sharpness in them. A face her husband and children had never seen, one that could be called frightening.

“If you missed me, you should’ve said something!”

As his wife shouted, Kwang-yeon flinched. Knowing he shouldn’t ruin the mood or interfere, he quickly adjusted his expression. He didn’t hold his wife’s hand, just quietly touched his coffee cup.

“I don’t have a mom! If I had a baby, you should’ve been my mom! If you abandoned me like that, you should’ve lived well at least!”

It was more of a scream.

Amid the torrent of words, sobs mixed in.

Eung-nyeo, covering her face with her apron, finally broke down, shoulders shaking as she wept.

She was the sister who had watched over Yu-young from infancy to high school. Not a drop of blood related, but Yu-young had adored her like a mother.

The child she saw every day until they parted, now returned after years, throwing a tantrum, her words sharper than any blade. Hotter than lava, colder than frost, they mercilessly stabbed her chest.

“Ugh······.”

Eung-nyeo, with trembling hands, clenched her fists and beat her chest.

She wanted to say something, but only seal-like sounds came out, and the pain in her chest grew fiercer.

Yu-young stood up, approached Eung-nyeo, hugged her, and patted her back.

“Why are you crying! What did you do to cry! Did you abandon me to cry!”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’m a terrible person······.”

Yu-young pulled Eung-nyeo’s head into her chest, and Eung-nyeo clung to Yu-young’s waist.

As if never letting go again.

*

Kwang-yeon, with an awkward expression, glanced at Myung-hyun and Tae-hwa in the corner, not daring to speak. A man who loved jokes and talking, he knew this wasn’t the time.

‘I need to pee, but I can’t get up······.’

After two cups of coffee, the diuretic effect kicked in.

Wiping his reddened eyes, Kwang-yeon fiddled with his coffee cup.

It seems they’ve cleared up their misunderstanding, so I hope they make up soon······.