Chapter 20

#20 <The Wind Blows (5)>

***

The stubborn mom was persuaded to visit a big hospital in the city.

Yoo Se-ra also helped out.

Suddenly, Yoo Se-ra started spouting strange logic, saying it was even weirder that she had suddenly gotten better.

“I’ll take care of Yoo Jin, so go when the weather’s nice.”

“Yes, unnie…”

Han Yu-young, who’s usually quiet but unyieldingly stubborn, turned into a meek lamb in front of Yoo Se-ra.

With Yoo Se-ra’s backup, Jin Hyuk dragged his mom by the arm. He thought to himself that Seoulites really are the best at shutting people up with their smooth talk.

Out of nowhere, they drew blood and collected urine.

They even took X-rays and did an ultrasound.

It could’ve been over-treatment, but Jin Hyuk insisted.

“Do it. Just do it. No matter what, do it. Dad will pay for it.”

Son Kwang-yeon nodded enthusiastically, his eyes saying, “I’ve got money.”

Unable to ignore Jin Hyuk and Son Kwang-yeon’s sharp gazes, the doctor asked all sorts of questions.

“Do you feel dizzy?”

“No.”

“Do you feel nauseous?”

“No.”

Han Yu-young shook her head firmly. She wasn’t actually sick. She’d already visited several hospitals just because she’d been coughing for a few days. Thanks to her husband and son’s persistence, she’d gotten six shots in her buttocks to the point where she couldn’t feel anything. One more shot, and she might’ve cursed.

After the consultation and various examinations, the doctor reluctantly spoke.

“Um… I’m sorry, but where exactly are you feeling unwell?”

“I’m really fine. These guys dragged me here. Doctor, please help me.”

As if she’d been waiting for this moment, Han Yu-young let out a desperate cry, clutching the doctor’s sleeve. She pointed at her husband and son with a look of injustice. It was a masterful performance, oozing with sorrow and desperation.

It was a natural reaction for someone who’d been dragged out of watching TV while peeling tangerines.

Especially after having her blood drawn.

To an outsider, it might’ve looked like human trafficking. Given the social climate where female trafficking was a hot topic, it wouldn’t have been surprising. Just last night, the evening news had covered a high school student kidnapping case.

The doctor sighed as he looked at the family, who all resembled each other.

“Um, well… If another hospital said it’s just a cold, you can believe them.”

He was practically begging them to listen.

People in this region tend to visit every hospital and still don’t believe the diagnosis, so they head to big hospitals. All for minor illnesses or colds. Plus, to the doctor, this patient looked healthier than him.

“Yes…”

“Sorry…”

Son Kwang-yeon and Jin Hyuk bowed their heads.

They learned a lesson: don’t underestimate rural hospitals. They’d come just in case, but all they got were disapproving looks for bringing in a healthy, young person.

‘What’s wrong with being overprotective? Why? What? I’ll overprotect my mom if I want to!’

They said coughs and colds are common in warm, dry winters. This year, there were especially many such patients. It seemed that keeping indoor temperatures too high for the baby was the cause.

However, the doctor couldn’t explain why the cough suddenly disappeared and her voice returned to normal.

“That’s… I’m not sure. Maybe some mistake…”

The doctor closed his mouth. It was because of the distrustful looks they were giving him, as if he were a quack.

Waiting for the blood and urine test results, the family of three left.

Though they got scolded, Jin Hyuk felt relieved after hearing the doctor’s opinion directly. The results would probably come out fine. Maybe he’d dragged his mom here just to reassure himself.

It was still weird seeing his dad get a shot in the buttocks, insisting on getting one since they were already at the big hospital.

“Ugh-! Sss…”

Is dad a pervert? Jin Hyuk narrowed his eyes as he watched his dad rub his buttocks with a grimace.

***

“Oppaaaaa-!”

Waaaaah-.

Hong Soo-jung pressed her hand against the car window and wailed.

Yoo Se-ra just shrugged it off, sitting comfortably in the passenger seat with her arms crossed.

She’s eight now, how long is she going to keep crying like this? If she’s going to cry like that, she shouldn’t have come. Jin Hyuk let out a long sigh, pretending not to care.

Seeing Hong Ki-jun’s family leave, it’s clear that school is starting soon.

The long but happiest fifth grade is coming to an end.

“Jin Hyuk, did you finish your homework?”

“Yes.”

He lied about not having finished his essay yet.

He didn’t want to repeat the pain of last summer vacation.

The genres his dad threw at him were too much for Jin Hyuk to handle.

***

The warm winter weather suddenly turned cold as spring break approached.

After the very positive test results, the chill his mom gave off was even harsher.

The only accomplice free from that chill was Yoo Se-ra, who had left for Seoul.

Even though the spring chill usually starts during spring break, this year, as Jin Hyuk was entering sixth grade, it was particularly severe. Even if it rained or snowed, Jin Hyuk, who used to climb Gubong Mountain, stayed indoors, spending time only with his younger sibling.

‘They say three cold days, four warm days. Is it still winter?’

On the third day of his seclusion, Jin Hyuk went outside to exercise but shook his head. It was still cold. The temperature was around -10°C, but the wind chill was seriously low. The sudden drop from warm to freezing made it feel even worse.

Even though it’s good for health and growth, climbing a mountain in suddenly cold weather could be dangerous.

So, Jin Hyuk decided to clean up dog poop instead.

‘Impressive.’

He inwardly marveled as he shoveled up the elegant poop left by Jang Gun-i.

It hadn’t even been a few minutes since it came out, but it was already frozen solid like a rock. If it’s this cold, the chances of sparrows sneaking into the warm vinyl house are very high.

Dad’s going to drool again.

‘Lock the doors tight!’

He checked the vinyl house. All clear.

Jin Hyuk has been worried lately.

Jang Gun-i used to have a designated spot for his business. But lately, he’s been doing it near the doghouse. It’s not just because of the cold weather, as he’s been displaying his poop around the house long before the cold set in. As if to show off.

“Jang Gun-i, you’ve changed.”

Heheh-.

Even as Jin Hyuk expressed his disappointment, Jang Gun-i just wagged his tail and giggled. They say dogs sing after pooping. Maybe that’s why Jang Gun-i exists.

‘He’s not sick, so why is he doing this?’

It’s not a good feeling to watch a smart dog suddenly forget where to go. Two days ago, he even called a vet to the house. The vet, who was visiting Kim Eun-jung’s cow for artificial insemination, agreed to check Jang Gun-i.

– “Oh my- this guy’s so handsome. Stay still, okay?”

The vet thoroughly examined Jang Gun-i’s eyes, nose, teeth, and even his butt. When he poked Jang Gun-i’s butt with a thin plastic stick and sniffed it, the whole family frowned.

But the vet was a pro, and pros are different. He closed his eyes, slowly shook his head, and sniffed like a perfumer. Even without the name Park Bu-ro, his expertise was evident.

Park Bu-ro finally gave an impressive diagnosis.

– “Wow, in my 25 years of experience, I’ve never seen such a healthy poop dog. I’d believe it if you said he’s a lion.”

Regardless of the vet’s opinion, Jin Hyuk felt relieved seeing Jang Gun-i growl at being called a poop dog. It meant there were no communication issues.

Anyway, he’s as precious as family, so it’d be troublesome if he got sick.

But why did this guy change his bathroom spot?

It’d be great if he could read minds. Jang Gun-i understands Jin Hyuk, but Jin Hyuk doesn’t understand dog talk.

“Do it over there, dude.”

Heheh-.

He scolded Jang Gun-i, pointing at the original spot, but Jang Gun-i just stuck out his tongue and wagged his tail.

*

The next day, the weather cleared up as if it were lying.

Maybe the three cold, four warm days are real.

The melted icicles dripped, creating a collision zone under the eaves.

After cleaning up after Jang Gun-i, Jin Hyuk headed to Gubong Mountain.

Jang Gun-i seemed to understand Jin Hyuk’s words and was sprawled out in the usual spot.

‘Did he understand?’

Probably not.

He was just lying in the spot Jin Hyuk pointed to, still displaying his poop around the house. Jin Hyuk meant for him to do his business there, not just lie down. The lack of communication frustrated Jin Hyuk.

Back when he worked at Sain Group, he’d harshly judge people in his mind if they didn’t understand after one explanation. He never showed it, though. Now, he realizes he might’ve treated them like dogs or monkeys for not understanding. Even though he knew they were just pretending not to understand to avoid work, he felt a surge of contempt.

Either way, it wasn’t a generous thing to do. He thought it wasn’t something a person with character should do.

‘How embarrassing.’

Maybe it’s the hormones, but thinking about it made him reflect on his past again.

What’s the big deal about dog poop?

Why is dog poop making me reflect like this? Is this why they call it dog poop philosophy?

With a softened expression, Jin Hyuk called Jang Gun-i.

“Jang Gun-i, let’s go exercise with me.”

Was there an emotional gap between the dog and the human? Jang Gun-i didn’t even glance at Jin Hyuk.

It was blatant doggy disregard.

Even as Jin Hyuk ran up the hill, Jang Gun-i stayed put.

Jin Hyuk felt unnecessarily disappointed.

It was natural to feel that way after being ignored by Jang Gun-i, who used to exercise with him every day. Maybe it’s the hormones again.

“I should stop scolding him.”

Muttering to himself, he sprinted towards Gubong Mountain.

As he ran, he rotated his shoulders and threw punches. He was releasing the disappointment and guilt he felt towards Jang Gun-i into the air. With each punch, he heard the sound of the wind tearing.

Gubong Mountain has more rocky sections than dirt. Meaning, the course isn’t flat. Hence, it’s a mountain even the old woodcutters avoided, let alone the elderly. In the year Jin Hyuk has been climbing Gubong Mountain, he’s only encountered a handful of people. That says a lot about how few people visit. Not that there are many hikers anyway.

He stopped by the spring to drink water and admired the view from the summit.

The city was visible to the northeast, and the sea lay to the west.

To the southwest is the village where Jin Hyuk lives.

‘No one’s here, right?’

With the mindset of an armed guerrilla, he glanced around briefly.

It’d be embarrassing to shout loudly when no one’s around to say anything.

He’s still not used to showing off his existence.

Ahem! Ah-. Clearing his throat.

“Yahoo-!”

Yahooooo-.

The mountain is the only thing that understands Jin Hyuk’s words as they are, without distortion.

The child’s voice echoed throughout the mountain.

“Heheh-.”

Making sure no one was watching, he glanced around once more.

It’s thrilling, like stealing, but also fun. Back in the day, they said not to shout to avoid scaring the mountain animals. Soon, there’ll be news about that again. Before it becomes common sense, he should torment the mountain animals to his heart’s content.

Even though no one’s around to say anything, the thought of committing a deviant act made his heart race.

‘It feels empty.’

Without Jang Gun-i, who used to howl like a wolf beside him, he felt lonely. It’s all because of those darn hormones.

Having shouted, it’s time to go home. He should give Jang Gun-i some dried fish.

Perhaps because of the warm weather, a thick fog began to roll in.

Even though it wasn’t even noon yet, the blue sky turned as dark as dusk.

‘Weird weather.’

It’s a phenomenon often seen near the coast. Still, for safety, he decided to hurry back.

As he passed a steep slope and reached a flat midsection, he encountered a familiar face. Someone he never expected to see.

“…Grandma.”

It was Choi Mi-kyung’s grandmother.

She was climbing the mountain without a cane, looking comfortable and without any signs of fatigue.

Her attire exuded a noble grace, reminiscent of the winged robes from old fairy tales about woodcutters and fairies.

‘Did she get up from her seat?’

He’d heard his dad say something recently.

Mi-kyung’s grandmother had been bedridden for over a month.

Unlike usual, she stood straight, and her wrinkled skin was now elastic. Her brown skin, tanned from a lifetime of farming, was now as white and beautiful as if she’d been powdered. Even though she looked so different, Jin Hyuk recognized her instantly. It wasn’t just because she resembled someone; it was pure intuition.

“It’s our Jin Hyuk.”

Choi Mi-kyung’s grandmother smiled at Jin Hyuk.

Suddenly, a chilly wind blew.

Jin Hyuk felt like the voice calling him was buzzing.

The sudden change in weather, the grandmother’s otherworldly appearance, and his hazy consciousness as if drugged. His mind turned cold with anticipation.

‘Maybe it’s fate.’

He remained calm, without fear.

After all, he’s already experienced death and returned to the past. There couldn’t be anything more mysterious or fateful than that.

With a strong heart, Jin Hyuk decided to satisfy his curiosity rather than run away.

“Where are you going? It must be tiring.”

“I’ve got somewhere to go, so I dressed up and came out.”

The grandmother sat on a wide rock and patted the space beside her.

As Jin Hyuk cautiously sat down, she began her story as if she’d been waiting.

“I was born in a village called Motbat beyond this mountain. At fifteen, I married to escape those people… My friends were taken by them…”

Suddenly, the flood of stories made Jin Hyuk’s face turn dumb.

He looked like a country bumpkin from Seoul.