Chapter 163

<The Last Festival>

*

It was a summer camp where even the heat attacked the undercooked pork, but the athletes were revived in less than three days. This was a true miracle.

Though not a complete transformation, the kids were full of energy.

“Jeong Won-i’s acne is all gone, huh?”

“Really? Does it disappear when you’re sick?”

“…Instead, his eyes sunk in.”

Though it was a short time, the mountain running training was boldly skipped to avoid worrying about the joint injuries of the friends who had been sick.

Instead, they reinforced training for strengthening the quadriceps with squats and lunges.

In the last week, they only repeated track training, focusing on baton passes for the relay race and programs to improve instant speed.

Run, record, rest.

Run again, record again.

As Kim Young-tae taught them, it was more about syncing their breathing than shortening records.

“It feels like my body is heating up but not really…”

“Ah, my breathing’s off…”

Repeated sprints were the hardest, not being able to run freely made it boring, and the fear of dropping the baton kept them on edge.

There was a reason it was the final step.

Finally, the long training camp was over.

“You’ve worked hard. There’s less than a week left of vacation. Go home and rest. Manage your condition too.”

Since they had also completed the test papers given as vacation homework, the friends could truly relax.

“When you sleep, lie straight. When you sit, keep your back and shoulders straight. When you walk, push your chest out, and don’t lower your head too much…”

In another situation, if someone else had said it, it would have just been annoying nagging. But the kids didn’t let a single word slip by. It was the last bit of nagging they’d hear.

“I have to go. I need to see my grandma too…”

“I have to go, but…”

“…They’re building a soccer field at the training center.”

When will they ever get to do such hard yet fun training again?

Where can they go to eat delicious food to their heart’s content and laugh together?

Who will create such a comfortable space for teenage adolescents without nagging?

“I used to envy those kids in the national scouting thing, but now I don’t envy them at all.”

“Jin Hyuk, it’d be great if we could have a campfire in the yard next vacation.”

“…Thank you, President.”

That wasn’t what he expected.

At first, the friends were startled, but in the end, they enjoyed themselves, and that was enough for Jin Hyuk. But their reluctance at the end gave him a greater sense of accomplishment than any past project.

“Thank you all for doing so well until the end.”

Even Jin Hyuk, who believed in numbers, became thoroughly immersed in an unfamiliar emotion at this moment.

The kids with long basketball bags moved with steady steps.

Though their legs were full of energy, their steps were strangely heavy.

Moon Seok-il offered to drive them, but the kids chose the bus.

‘They probably have a lot to talk about on the way.’

For them, it would become a tale of adventure.

Who knows, it might become a memory they’ll never forget.

After seeing off his friends, Jin Hyuk trudged back home.

Observing the lingering regret pointing at his chest.

“Oppa! Jeong Won-i is talking!”

Yoo Jin, holding the baby from behind, raised her voice, worried Jeong Won-i might fall from the porch.

“Uh-huh.”

“Hahaha, did you just say ‘baby butt’?”

Jin Hyuk quickly ran over and scooped up Jeong Won-i.

The loud laughter of Jin Hyuk, with no trace of regret, made the cicadas, which had been crying as if the sky would fall, stop their noise.

“Do it again, do it again.”

“Baby boo.”

“No, that’s not it.”

“Baby boo.”

“That’s not it! Hahahaha!”

Jeong Won-i, floating high in the air, flailed his limbs but didn’t say what his brother wanted.

Oh well.

“Jeong Won, it’s okay to grow up slowly.”

“That’s right. Jeong Won, grow up slowly. Let’s play with your sister.”

“Baby boo.”

The terribly hot summer was coming to an end.

But that doesn’t mean it’s really over.

***

Jang Gun-i also settled under the oak tree today.

The tree shade blocks the sunlight, and the moist soil cools his belly.

He might get a few fleas, but since Son Wang-wang catches them, it’s not a big worry.

Son Wang-wang loves catching fleas, and a dog must endure fleas to be loved.

Jang Gun-i is a smart dog, so he can think strategically like that.

Eek-, ugh-!

It’s disgustingly bitter.

After leading Hong-shi on a hunt, Jang Gun-i brought back a mouthful of useless, tasteless grass.

It’s a long story, but it’s because of Cheon-ma and Gwang-ma.

Grrr-.

It’s also because of that damn old man Cheon-ong-ong.

Anyway, Cheon-ma and Gwang-ma, after getting a sip of grass water from Son Wang-wang, suddenly changed.

Woo-ahl-.

They turned into mad dogs.

That’s why Jang Gun-i hid under the oak tree.

Those guys didn’t even look at this tree, and when called, they just curled their tails and ran away. Stupid guys. Anyway, as Jang Gun-i, who had been betrayed, it was the right hiding spot.

Jang Gun-i turned his head and looked longingly at the house.

Gwang-ma on the first floor, Cheon-ma on the second floor.

Just a few days ago, it was a place Jang Gun-i ruled.

Hong-shi was also chased away with her mother.

Eeeek-.

My daughter is suffering a lot.

Hong-shi got her butt bitten and lost a chunk of fur while protecting Jang Gun-i from the two guys’ joint attack.

Eeeek- eeeek-.

Perhaps because of the sadness of losing the house, Hong-shi shed tears.

Huff huff-. Crunch crunch-.

Even if it’s bitter and tasteless, I have to eat it.

To fight those guys and reclaim the house, and to restore Jang Gun-i’s dignity, it’s unavoidable.

Cough cough cough-.

Following the bitter smell carried by the wind, Jang Gun-i finally found motherwort at Jo-kaeng-kaeng’s house and, along with Hong-shi, stole and ate the grass.

If Son Wang-wang were here, he would have helped Jang Gun-i.

The kid who had been staying at the house for a while put on his backpack again and didn’t come home yesterday.

Woo-ahl-.

Son Wang-wang wouldn’t abandon the house, but Jang Gun-i is worried he might not come back.

After all, he’s the best friend.

– “I’ll be back from the competition, so take care of the house.”

Even if he didn’t understand other words, Jang Gun-i understood the command to guard the house.

Even without the kid’s request, Jang Gun-i would protect this place.

Because it’s the world Jang Gun-i rules.

So he wants to go find the kid, but he holds back. Just like a few years ago.

Jang Gun-i and the kid, back when they were small. Remembering the days they hugged affectionately and slept in the yard still makes his mouth water. That’s why he’s waiting. It’s not about loyalty or anything.

Anyway, he can’t just wait for the kid to come back.

Because Jang Gun-i is an independent dog who doesn’t depend on humans or offer loyalty.

He has to overcome this crisis on his own.

To do that, he has to chew and swallow this bitter, tasteless grass.

Because Cheon-ma and Gwang-ma also became fearless dogs after drinking the juice from this grass.

Ugh-.

It’s disgustingly bitter.

If he were alone, he might consider living as a subordinate, but because of Hong-shi, he can’t. If Jang Gun-i dies later and Hong-shi is left alone, how much would she suffer?

Looking at Uncle Son-mong-mong, even stupid and insignificant humans live hard for their descendants, so a noble dog like Jang Gun-i can’t live worse than humans.

I think I’ve eaten enough.

He ate all the stolen motherwort.

Ugh, next time I’ll eat when the kid gives it to me.

There’s a saying that it’s better to drink the juice first, and it’s not for nothing.

Woof!

Let’s go, daughter!

With Jang Gun-i’s shout, the two dogs, big and small, charged.

To end the unexpected festival and restore the glory of the noble dog.

Woof woof woof-!

Bring it on, you mutts!

*

Bark bark-!

Grrrr-!

It’s time to bare teeth and bark fiercely.

Cheon-ma and Gwang-ma rolled their eyes and drooled.

Green juice, like blood, dripped from Jang Gun-i and Hong-shi’s mouths.

The winner will be decided by which dog bites the other’s neck or head first.

While Hong-shi restrained the two, Jang Gun-i watched for an opportunity.

This way, that way. Here and there.

He’s not fooling around.

It’s the movement of a predator aiming for the enemy’s throat.

Then it happened.

Thud-.

“Oh my! Kids, what’s going on!”

The owner’s wife, Han-aeng-aeng, came running with wide eyes.

When dogs fight, humans usually don’t dare to approach, but her running over means she’s not afraid.

Jang Gun-i is a smart dog, so he knows that too.

This is an opportunity!

A quick-witted dog knows how to seize an opportunity.

Yelp-! Yelp-!

Jang Gun-i put on a show with all his might.

He yelped as loudly as he could towards the sky, glancing sideways.

Once at Han-aeng-aeng, once at Cheon-ma, once at Han-aeng-aeng, once at Gwang-ma.

Yes, the auntie’s face turned scary.

Even Uncle Son-mong-mong can’t move when she makes that face.

“Which one of you is bothering our Jang Gun-i!”

Wow, what a great line.

The auntie grabbed a broom and charged at Gwang-ma.

I’ve heard humans say Gwang-ma looks the scariest.

He’s the gentlest among us, but humans are stupid, huh?

“You brats! Bad brats!”

Yelp-! Yelp-!

Cheon-ma and Gwang-ma were swept away like fallen leaves by the broom swung by the auntie.

Those guys are really overacting.

The broom hit the ground, but they’re making such a fuss.

Yelp-!

Oh no, Hong-shi! Hong-shi, who was minding her own business, got hit on the butt.

Hong-shi is on my side!

With the timely intervention of reinforcements, they achieved a one-sided victory.

Jang Gun-i quickly went up to the second floor and declared to Cheon-ma and Gwang-ma, who had run far away.

Woof woof woof-!

This is my house, you mutts!

Woof woof woof-!

Did Cheon-ong-ong tell you to do this!

Woof woof woof-!

Come in. Come in! Come in and see! Country bumpkins!

Though an unexpected variable appeared, it was something Jang Gun-i had anticipated.

Really.

Jang Gun-i is a smart dog, so he can predict such strategic moves.

***

“Oh my, my shoulder hurts from swinging the broom.”

Han Yu-young awkwardly smiled at Yoo Tae-hwa, who had been guarding her just in case. She rotated her shoulders as she spoke.

Yoo Tae-hwa simply smiled to encourage the hero.

“I’m scared of dogs, but Madam, you’re amazing.”

Jang Jin-nam, who had been hiding behind the entrance and peeking out, stuck out his tongue.

“Even if I’m scared, what can I do? It’s our house, so I have to maintain order. Those bad guys must have been bullying Jang Gun-i because he’s small.”

Before entering the house, she glanced back and saw Cheon-ma and Gwang-ma flat on the ground behind a tree, watching cautiously. Hong-shi went inside and quietly groomed her fur, while Jang Gun-i barked madly, the sound and rhythm reminiscent of fireworks. It was lively.

‘Well, it’s fine. Even good kids suddenly bark and fight.’

Han Yu-young spent the day like any ordinary housewife.

Seeing her husband off to work, sending her daughter to kindergarten, feeding her baby son, and even breaking up a dog fight with a broom…

She thought about spraying water but didn’t have the time and was worried Jang Gun-i, who hates water, might get upset. All dogs are cute and special, but Jang Gun-i is extra special.

She also exchanged greetings with her sister, who calls almost every day after their reunion.

Hwang Yeong-mo, who had refused hospital treatment knowing there was no hope of recovery, was admitted to the hospital by the people Han Yu-young sent, and the doctor said he was holding on.

Though he often sighed, Kim Eung-nyeo’s voice wasn’t too subdued, which Han Yu-young thought was fortunate.

“Is it okay not to see him?”

Jang Jin-nam, who was having tea with her, cautiously asked.

As someone who had seen Hwang Yeong-mo, he knew his life was nearing its end. Of course, he didn’t know the details of the story.

“It’s better not to go. My sister wants it that way too.”

Kim Eung-nyeo also subtly discouraged Han Yu-young from visiting, saying that the sinful rascal’s journey should be seen off by his family alone, and that Han Yu-young’s visit shouldn’t be seen as forgiveness by this unworthy man, allowing him to die in peace.

“I heard Jin Hyuk is doing well.”

Yoo Tae-hwa, noticing Han Yu-young’s dark expression, changed the subject, and Han Yu-young’s face brightened as if nothing had happened. Yoo Tae-hwa, who had been with the family for years, knew that Han Yu-young always smiled when talking about her son, so it wasn’t hard for her to gauge Han Yu-young’s mood and steer the conversation.

Jin Hyuk, who participated in the athletics competition, passed the preliminaries in the 100m, 200m, and relay races. According to Min Yong-rak, who accompanied him, he had no rivals in the 100m and 200m.

“He’s very disappointed.”

“Because the relay record didn’t go as planned?”

Han Yu-young smiled and shook her head.

The relay isn’t an individual event; if he’s dissatisfied with the relay results, it would end up blaming others, but Jin Hyuk isn’t that kind of kid.

“It’s just Jin Hyuk. He feels like he could run faster, but his strength isn’t there.”

“Ah, I heard that too. It’s like having an itchy nose but not being able to sneeze.”

Yoo Tae-hwa nodded as she listened to their conversation.

Though she started with gymnastics, her foundation was in athletics, so she had experience with such things.

“I also grew tall at Jin Hyuk’s age.”

“Tae-hwa, you’re still tall.”

“Ah, that’s not what I meant. I meant that there were times when my strength didn’t keep up with my growing body.”

Han Yu-young thought that made sense, and Jang Jin-nam pouted his lips. How much more strength does that monster need to be complete, he wondered.

“But will you help with the training camp next time too? Wasn’t it hard this time?”

“No. It wasn’t hard at all.”

Han Yu-young chuckled and replied happily.

“This family eats so much that my hands have gotten bigger. And I wonder if there will be a next time.”

“Is he quitting athletics?”

“No. He said he’ll have to do it alone in high school. There are no teammates…”

Han Yu-young remembers the lonely back of her son seeing off his friends.

It resembled the back of the yellow dog left behind after pairing up with Jang Gun-i, waiting for the owner who had left first.

‘He looked sad.’

To the point where it was hard to find a more appropriate analogy, Han Yu-young’s son looked lonely.

If a mother can’t gauge what the time spent laughing and chatting with friends meant to a child who usually only spent time with family, she’s not much of a mother.

‘Maybe…’

The day she has to let her son go might come sooner than she thinks.