Chapter 170

<The Unchanging>

***

“Teacher, can we fit a bicycle in the car?”

“Huh? Of course. A Bongo van can carry anything.”

I wanted to hurry back to my hometown to see my siblings. From the vacation to the national competition, I had been so focused on external events that the time I couldn’t spend with my siblings felt unbearably long.

Time really wields the sword of anxiety when family isn’t around. Hearing their voices daily is some comfort, but it’s nothing compared to seeing and touching them in person.

Still, as the older brother, I couldn’t show up empty-handed in a city with a department store. I asked Lee Byeong-se to stop by the department store. Even though I had bought toys for Yoo Jin in Gongju, buying something in Seoul felt different.

Even if it wasn’t silk shoes, I wanted to give Yoo Jin a pair of pretty shoes.

‘The department store smells different from the start.’

Yeom Byeong-taek and Jo Seol-chan headed to the women’s clothing section, saying they wanted to look at clothes.

Hey, you guys! What are you even looking at?

…But I couldn’t scold them because Lee Byeong-se’s excited, twitching glutes looked way too happy.

‘Dorks.’

Jin Hyuk sighed and decided to buy sandals for Yoo Jin first.

Yoo Se-ra, holding Jin Hyuk’s arm, walked with him.

“If we go to our department store, there are even better things. It’s not far either.”

“I didn’t think of that.”

Still, Yoo Se-ra didn’t seem disappointed and continued browsing with him.

Her gentle smile as she looked up at him made Jin Hyuk press his lips together. Someone kept coming to mind.

Yoo Se-ra was just Yoo Se-ra.

To Jin Hyuk, she was just an adult he knew, but to others, it seemed different.

When a middle-aged man who looked like a high-ranking department store manager came running over, Jin Hyuk realized once again how impressive the person he was walking with was.

“President Yoo Se-ra, if you had called ahead, I would have come to greet you-.”

“Ohoho-. Just focus on your work. I’m here with my son to buy something.”

I’m not a snitch-. Yoo Se-ra muttered like a fool, her eyes curving into crescents.

They picked out white sandals and a four-wheeled bicycle for Yoo Jin, and a tricycle for Jeong Won.

A toddler’s bicycle was something Jin Hyuk had never owned. But since Choi Mi-kyung, who was a toddler at the time, often let him ride hers, he never felt the lack of one. They say ownership brings worry, but Jin Hyuk had no material desires. That’s why, even though he earned a lot of money in his past life, he never bought a car.

‘I didn’t need one. I lived near the company, so what would I need a car for…?’

Yoo Se-ra made a suspicious move.

While Jin Hyuk was looking at other items, she approached the clerk and whispered.

“How much is it?”

It was less of a whisper and more like the croak of a frog at dawn during the May rice planting season.

Jin Hyuk, who had recorded perfect hearing in both ears for nine consecutive years during physical exams, couldn’t possibly miss such a loud frog sound.

Jin Hyuk firmly told the clerk, “If you take money from her, I won’t buy it.”

“Tsk-. Caught, huh?”

Yoo Se-ra, who had tried to pay first, stuck out her tongue.

“I want to buy the bicycles for my siblings myself.”

“Alright. Then I’ll go look for a bra for our Soo-jung-. She’s been growing so much lately, oh my-, her development is just…!”

You really didn’t have to say that…

Why do you have to say things like that so loudly? There are bodyguards and reporters around.

Watching Yoo Se-ra walk away, Jin Hyuk let out a shallow sigh.

‘Many people change, but she hasn’t changed at all.’

Is there some law of eternal foolishness?

Once a fool, always a fool…

But thanks to Yoo Se-ra leaving, Jin Hyuk gained some freedom.

He could have dragged them along, but bending over to do so would have been a hassle, so he carried the two bicycles like trophies in both hands and headed to the pet section.

“Do you have dog toys?”

There was a bone-shaped toy that Ppo-mi used to chew on, which I brought from Seoul, but it gradually wore down and mysteriously disappeared. Who on earth ate it?

Maybe it was Jang Gun-i, hoping a toy tree would grow.

“Is this all the bone-shaped ones you have?”

“We have more in the warehouse, sir.”

“Do you have a box?”

“Huh?”

A brief exchange of glances ensued.

‘There are twenty in a box…’

‘I have a dog at home that poops plastic.’

The clerk, meeting Jin Hyuk’s serious gaze, quickly wiped the panic off his face. The clerk nodded with a determined expression and headed to the warehouse. Even his posture exuded a sense of solemnity.

While the clerk was away, Jin Hyuk picked up a frisbee.

‘Ten dog bowls should be enough, right?’

He bought a box of bone-shaped toys and a frisbee. The cardboard frisbee wouldn’t last a day. These guys would drool all over it and chew it up.

He also picked out some dog treats.

“Are these snacks?”

“Yes, made from Australian beef, very tasty-.”

What are you even saying? Have you tried it?

Then and now, Jin Hyuk felt that department stores didn’t suit him. There were too many clerks spouting nonsense.

“I’ll take a box of these too.”

“Shall I gift-wrap them?”

Would Jang Gun-i like it if it were wrapped?

“Sure.”

Well, a gift is a gift.

*

‘I’m several times more tired than after exercising.’

Finally, at the toy section, he bought two ray guns for Yoo Jin’s friends. Having grown up without many toys, Jin Hyuk was clueless about toys and just nodded along with the clerk’s recommendations.

Yoo Jin was so thoughtful that even when returning from the Gongju competition, she asked for gifts for her friends. Remembering her kindness, her older brother decided to be generous once more.

“Shall I gift-wrap them?”

“Yes.”

Seeing the dog treats wrapped up, they looked quite presentable. The kids receiving the wrapped toys would probably like them even more.

Shopping should be quick and to the point!

About 20 minutes in the department store, and it seemed like he had bought everything he needed.

From attending the competition to the contract and the department store trip. Grateful for Yoo Se-ra’s kindness, he treated her to a cool drink.

“Don’t stress about contracts or anything. Just do what you want to do. This mother will always support you.”

“Thank you. I’ll work hard.”

She always looks at me with such affectionate eyes. That’s probably why I feel good when I meet her gaze. Her black eyes have a particularly calming effect.

After finishing shopping and chatting with Yoo Se-ra, his friends who had finished browsing the women’s clothing section joined them.

Jin Hyuk’s eyes narrowed as he saw his friends carrying shopping bags full to the brim.

What on earth did you guys buy?

“Grandma’s clothes and tracksuits.”

“I got a game console, tracksuits, a hat…”

Conscious of Jin Hyuk’s gaze, his friends listed their purchases.

Fortunately, there was nothing weird. Like a mumbling mouth cover or something…

“Let’s go home.”

“Yeah-. Grandma’s legs are all swollen, and the weekend’s over-.”

“Ugh-, I miss my sisters.”

Home.

Having a place to return to, and people waiting for you there, is truly a blessing.

The children’s faces were filled with peace at the end of their long journey.

Even in the midst of busyness, they bid farewell to Yoo Se-ra, who had stayed by their side without interfering.

Despite having appointments with reporters, she stayed by their side without meddling, a gesture not everyone could make.

“Jin Hyuk, why don’t you stay overnight? Soo-jung would love it.”

Jin Hyuk, who usually wouldn’t hesitate, paused for a moment.

When he talked to Hong Soo-jung, who was disappointed about coming in second at the kendo competition, he smiled like Yoo Myung-sun, feeling so proud. He even felt like pinching her cheeks and playing around.

“I have school tomorrow…”

With so much to carry, it would be better to move together while they had the car, and since they came with friends, it would be nice to return together.

“I’ll call Soo-jung again later.”

He felt strangely uneasy.

Not exactly ominous, but like something might happen.

‘It’s probably nothing.’

I just wanted to go home.

***

Han Yu-young sat in the living room rocking chair, knitting.

From Son Kwang-yeon’s sweater to Jin Hyuk’s vest, Son Yoo-jin’s gloves, and Son Jeong-won’s hat. There was so much she wanted to knit, but there were other things to do too. So, the time she could dedicate each day was limited.

‘Let’s see, if I want to finish before it gets cold…’

Even though it didn’t really add up, she squinted her eyes and counted on her fingers.

She quickly finished the calculation.

‘Well, if I knit diligently, I’ll manage to finish.’

She pierced the needle, wound the yarn, and pulled it out again. With her daughter Son Yoo-jin’s voice as background music, she nodded her head and kept her hands busy.

Even though it was Sunday, Son Yoo-jin, dressed in her kindergarten uniform, held the phone and chattered away.

With all the sports and extracurricular activities, it’s hard to imagine anyone busier than Hong Soo-jung, but Hong Soo-jung always made time to take Son Yoo-jin’s calls.

“Today? Did my sister go to the athletics competition too? My brother went the day before yesterday and today.”

– No, no, it’s not that. Your sister’s mom went to the athletics competition. Your sister was talking about going to school yesterday. Today, there was a kendo competition.

Hong Soo-jung patiently untangled Son Yoo-jin’s jumbled words.

It could have been frustrating, but Hong Soo-jung was a sister full of patience and kindness.

“Ah-, I see. I went to kindergarten yesterday too. My brother quit school. He’s starting again on Monday.”

– That’s not starting, it’s returning to school. Your brother was absent for a while because of the competition.

“Ah-, I see. Sister, come by bus tomorrow.”

– I have to go to school tomorrow-.

Han Yu-young, listening to her daughter’s conversation, chuckled.

Being a girl, she was quite talkative, but the unpredictable topics made it hard for adults to keep up. Listening made her head throb, but somehow, the kids seemed to understand each other. Hong Soo-jung and Yoo Jin’s friends didn’t seem bothered.

‘The world of children is complicated.’

They chatter non-stop, fight, scream, and then, as if nothing happened, quickly shift their focus to something else.

“Mooooo-.”

“Did Jeong-won poop? I’m coming! Ah, I think Jeong-won pooped. Sister, hang up.”

Even now, seeing Jeong-won walking around the living room pretending to take off his diaper, she changed her stance. Training, competitions. For over a month, she seemed to see her busy brother as a substitute, obsessing over calls with Hong Soo-jung, but when it came to her younger brother, she was always ready to step up.

‘Yoo-jin will grow up in no time.’

Children change from morning to evening.

Her eldest son, who had returned from Gongju, was amazed at how much Yoo-jin had grown. He said she had shot up in just a few days.

It’s not just a matter of time.

Even when they trip over rocks, get stung by bees, or bitten by ants, children seem to find opportunities for growth.

They make mistakes, think, realize, and eventually express it in words.

The impact of a single event on a child’s growth is immeasurable.

Her son Jin Hyuk also suddenly grew when he was nine, so she thought Yoo-jin wouldn’t be far behind.

As a parent, it’s something you have to accept, but losing their cuteness is a shame. It’s probably a contradictory feeling all parents have. You want them to grow up enough to take care of themselves, but at the same time, you wish they could stay as cute as babies forever.

“Jeong-won, change your diaper and play with mommy. Your sister has to meet her friends.”

“Yoo-jin, since your uncles aren’t here, you know you can’t go far, right?”

“I know.”

At least she doesn’t whine like other kids and is smart, so that’s a relief.

Her way of speaking is strange, though.

“Yoo-jin, there are a lot of bees these days. Be careful, okay?”

“Yes-. If a bee stings, it hurts. You have to put soybean paste on it.”

Han Yu-young, who had been smiling all along, felt a headache coming on.

It’s good that her daughter is smart, but she also says some strange things.

Choi Jang-hwan said so.

Jo Il-hun abandoned several kids in the neighborhood.

Han Yu-young had been watching for over 15 years, and it’s impressive how consistent he is in trying to influence the neighborhood kids at his age.

***

Three children in yellow clothes sat around the porch of Son Yoo-jin’s house.

Kim Ho-jin from the inner village and Lee Dong-ho from Snake Valley had come to play.

Sitting in the shade, drinking tomato juice made by mom and eating rice puffs, Son Yoo-jin was happy. Dad said having many friends is a good thing, and he must be right. He also said friends are the greatest treasure.

“Kim Ho-jin and Lee Dong-ho, take one each.”

“What’s this?”

“Our friend, what is this?”

The object that Kim Ho-jin and Lee Dong-ho questioned simultaneously was a toy that looked like a camera. When you pulled it with your hand, the lens part protruded, and when you looked through the viewfinder and pressed the shutter, it made a clicking sound, and the pictures changed in order.

“Wow-. They don’t even have this at the Terminal toy store!”

Even Lee Dong-ho, who was relatively knowledgeable about city culture, was impressed by this new gadget.

It was a toy her brother had brought back as a gift from the city, which Son Yoo-jin had asked for her friends. Before returning from Gongju, her brother had called home and asked to speak to Yoo-jin, struggling to get the words out.

– D-d-do you, my beloved Yoo-jin, want anything?

– “Hehehehehe-! I’m fine with Ajji Gom.”

Whether it’s because she has a baby or because of gas in her stomach, her belly is chubby, but Gom Team Leader Ajji said that even if it’s just a little, it’s still Gom.

Instead, she asked for gifts for Kim Ho-jin and Lee Dong-ho, who she played with every day.

Her brother is rich, so he can afford to do that.

Son Yoo-jin is a smart kindergarten student, so she knows these things.

She already knows that 5,000 won is five 1,000 won bills.

Her brother said that when he was in kindergarten, even 10 won could buy sugar-coated jelly, and he was happy. Son Yoo-jin thinks having more than 10 won is better. Hong Soo-jung said that mothers hide money so kids can’t choose their own Children’s Day gifts.

That’s why she asked her brother. He doesn’t hide money like mom, and he’s rich.

Jjorang Ajji said that if you want to become a chairman later, it’s good to feed people in advance. If you do it in a hurry later, they’ll get indigestion. Or was it arrested?

Anyway, that’s why she’s giving these guys juice, rice puffs, and toys.

‘Eat up, future voters.’