Chapter 282

The Talented Ones (6)

*

Dugu Elil, reunited with Hong Ki-jun, said something like this.

Living to the best of your ability is what makes an ordinary life.

A life beyond your means is vanity, and a life restrained and castrated is deceit.

Yes, everything is relative.

Time, gravity, life.

You must take responsibility for your actions.

It was something Jin Hyuk used to say like a mantra. He drilled it into his younger siblings, so it became a belief he had to uphold.

The content of responsibility changes depending on the outcome of your actions.

For example, fame.

It’s fine to control and suppress like the dictator Hong Ki-jun.

If you can control it so that even dissatisfaction doesn’t bubble up, that is.

But that’s not Jin Hyuk’s way.

Even on the track, he runs with competitors, but walking the journey of life alone? That’s hardly believable.

Jin Hyuk decided to walk together.

Feeling the weight of his changed life.

As he stood in front of the camera, the interviewer with strikingly blue eyes and brown hair pushed the microphone toward him.

“Son, first of all, I want to congratulate you.”

“Thank you.”

The simple interview on the track wasn’t as simple as it sounded.

It was as burdensome as the weight of the medal around his neck.

Even the formal questions about his current feelings and future plans would spread worldwide, so he chose his words carefully.

Still, he wanted to be honest.

He revealed his innermost thoughts, which might sound like the delusions of a naive teenager.

“I’m happy. My goal is to step into the 8-second zone.”

Without the help of dark forces.

Even as he said this, Jin Hyuk didn’t smile or look nervous.

He was just calm.

It was the expression of someone who realized the reality of the responsibilities he would have to bear.

[Tonight, I am truly happy and joyful. As I have done so far, I will continue to work hard. I hope to finally walk into the eight-second area.]

Wooow!

The audience cheered as they watched the gold medalist’s face on the large screen and listened to his speech through the speakers.

Father Son Kwang-yeon also seemed to be handling a big deal.

Not just because of Jin Seon-kyu, who became the shoe ambassador.

“These shoes. It feels like I’m not wearing any. Made in Korea.”

It was a question that was bound to come up.

The media was already buzzing with interest in Jin Hyuk and Jin Seon-kyu’s couple spikes.

Questions about Jin Seon-kyu’s torn spikes also came up.

“They don’t tear. It’s just that my feet are too big.”

Jin Hyuk fueled the reporters’ enthusiasm for the high-tech shoes.

“The U.S. team is showing great interest not only in spikes but also in running shoes. If they had worn these shoes, maybe we wouldn’t be the ones being interviewed here.”

Wow.

The blue-eyed interviewer showed an unfiltered reaction.

Minions, huh?

Jin Hyuk might not know, but Jin Seon-kyu probably found it a bit difficult. Though he couldn’t bring himself to say it, Jin Seon-kyu, scratching the back of his head, seemed to already know.

Well, the Seoul dad will handle the rest.

A life taking responsibility for the consequences of actions.

I’m rooting for you.

The camera turned to Coach Kim Hyeong-tak, who was watching with a pleased expression.

“I believed in our athletes’ potential. In the future, Korean athletes will frequently appear on the Olympic and World Championship stages. Currently, Son Jin-hyeok has excellent juniors positioned in both short and middle distances. You can expect great performances from Korean athletes.”

In front of the foreign press who attended the on-site interview, Coach Kim Hyeong-tak didn’t forget to promote the foundation that would support future talents.

“There’s a capable foundation that raised Son Jin-hyeok. It’s sponsored and operated by the Saein Group. In the Olympics four years from now, we expect young Korean medalists to emerge in the 400m, 800m, and 1500m events, with full national support.”

If it doesn’t happen, so be it.

There’s a guy aiming to break into the 8-second zone, so the coach can say this much, right?

Watching Coach Kim Hyeong-tak and Jin Seon-kyu shoulder to shoulder after the interview, Jin Hyuk thought about the important qualities and abilities of a leader.

The ability to reduce psychological distance with athletes is important, but…

Speech.

It’s a skill required for both con artists and leaders.

Planting dreams in their heads, making them obsessed and desperate, so in the end, their work is similar.

Still, in terms of social benefit, leaders are obviously much better.

“Coach, do you have any athletes who can really compete in middle distance at the next Olympics?”

“Hey, Seon-kyu. What does it matter? I’m in such a good mood right now.”

Even if the lie is exposed, you won’t go to jail.

‘Sigh, I just like running. Crowds are tiring.’

The chaotic and scattered winner’s ceremony ended safely.

Now, time to go to my younger sibling.

Kyaaaah! Kek-kek.

Hey, stop that.

You’ll hurt your neck.

Still, a big heart over my cute sibling’s head!

Kyaaaah!

Oppaaaaa!

Yes, to Soo-jung too.

Oppa- I’m sooo-!

Someone should stop that mom.

But I can’t leave her out, so one more heart.

Kyaaaah!

Yoo Se-ra, who received the gold medalist’s heart, jumped around like a shaman.

“Let’s go.”

“Yeah, let’s go. Whew-. This is the first time I’ve felt like I’m shortening my lifespan while running 100 meters.”

Then, a staff member stopped Jin Hyuk and Jin Seon-kyu from behind.

“Excuse me. Could you return the medals?”

It was more of a request than a suggestion, quite polite.

“What’s he saying? Is he calling for a medley?”

“He’s asking for the medals back.”

“You give and then take?”

What are you talking about?

They probably want to give them back at the official award ceremony tomorrow.

Jin Hyuk even took the medal from Jin Seon-kyu’s neck and handed it to the staff.

“Thank you, Son.”

I’m the one who should be thankful.

I left bite marks, so don’t think about swapping them.

I bit it when no one was looking.

***

Back at the mansion, after recovery training, I called home.

Since everyone was gathered in the auditorium for a celebration, one call was enough to talk to my parents, Chairman Yoo Myung-sun, and friends like Choi Mi-kyung.

“Did you get some sleep?”

– Yes. We went home to sleep and came back early.

– Yeah. Tuka-tuka-hae-dda-i-ae-o. Umma, appa, I miss you-. Mai-mai, I miss you-. Oong-oong-hae-ddeo-.

I could hear Jeong Won babbling in the background.

It’s on speakerphone.

– Jeong Won, you should say you cried.

“Uh…”

– I miss you, say it-.

“Uh…”

They’re still talking to each other, forgetting the person on the other end of the line.

– Our Jeong Won, you promised to sing for your brother. Do it.

“No…”

It’s time to sleep.

Yoo Jin is already fast asleep, and Jin Seon-kyu disappeared into the kitchen with Min Yong-rak to drink celebratory drinks.

– Goom-teh-mari-ga-han-dip-eh-i-ddeo. Yeah, gom, noo-ya gom, ae-gi gom-.

At least he’s not singing as weirdly as Yoo Jin.

– Yeah, gom, doo-doo-hae, yeah, gom, doo-doo-hae-, yeah, gom, doo-doo-hae-ae-.

“Ahaha.”

Ah, Jeong Won. That’s not it.

This is the first time I’ve heard such a mercilessly beating nursery rhyme.

Even weirder than Yoo Jin’s song!

I know exactly who taught him.

Listening to baby Jeong Won’s song, I pursed my lips.

The emotions I had been holding back surged to the tip of my nose, thrilling.

It’s not exactly homesickness, but it’s a similar feeling.

‘I miss you.’

Still, it’s a relief I’m not alone.

Yoo Jin and Hong Soo-jung’s family are here with me.

Yoo Se-ra might have brought so many people along to care for Jin Hyuk’s mental state, who might still long for his family.

– Hdeuk! Eudeuk! Ja-a-ran-da-.

“Wow- my sibling is sooo- good-.”

I gave an exaggerated response to my sibling’s enthusiastic singing.

I learned from raising Yoo Jin that you have to overdo it when praising babies.

Even though my throat tightened, I now know that you have to muster courage when needed. Regret is always too late, no matter how fast.

“Mom, Dad, I love you, Jeong Won.”

– Kyaaaah!

I heard the screams of friends hiding around the family.

Ah, this doesn’t seem to be on speakerphone?

Is it connected to the auditorium speakers?

“Friends too.”

– How much! Specifically! How far can you go!

– Wahaha!

That rascal Choi Mi-kyung…

She’s grown a lot, but her brain development is still lacking.

In the growth race, her height reached the finish line first, but her brain is still catching up.

– Be careful of Nevada’s Area 51. There’s a UFO graveyard there.

Surprisingly, Kim Eun-jung the alien was quite composed.

There are many adults here, so that’s probably why.

– Jin-ah, come quickly. It’s fun making boats alone-.

– Oh my, Josul, the godfather. Telling someone who went to the Olympics to come back early is like telling them to fail quickly-.

– Wahaha!

Jo Il-hun’s jokes and the villagers’ laughter are both nostalgic and heartwarming.

By the way, Josul, I’m worried about leaving that clueless and naive guy alone. What if Kim Eun-jung does something stupid?

– Uh, Son Jin-hyeok? This is MBC reporter Kim Yu-deok. Can we talk?

Is he the only reporter in Korea?

I’ve been familiar with his name since prank calls to Mokpo Airport.

Ah… But what’s this all of a sudden?

The entire call isn’t going to be broadcast, is it?

Then Jeong Won would be advertising to the whole country that our brother is fat?

– It’s a recording. We haven’t started yet.

“Ah, yes. Then.”

Thank goodness.

– One, two…

Static-.

After the countdown, there was a brief noise.

– Yes! The call is connected! Son Jin-hyeok! First of all, congratulations on winning the gold medal! How do you feel right now, and could you say a word to the citizens who supported you?

“…I sincerely thank the citizens who supported me. I will strive to achieve results in the 200 meters as well…”

– Yes! Congratulations once again. We hope you prepare well for the next race and give a performance you won’t regret. We’ll be cheering for you!

“Yes, thank you.”

– We’ve met Son Jin-hyeok. Next, we’ll interview the village chief-.

The chief?

Surely the chief won’t say anything strange.

Click-.

I hung up with an uneasy heart.

Whew, that was a dynamic call.

I felt like I had been scammed, even though I’ve never been scammed.

I also called Seoul, but Chairman Hong Ki-jun didn’t answer. When I called the office, the secretary said he was away on important business.

What could be unimportant among the things he does? Still, it was disappointing that I couldn’t reach him after making the effort to call.

*

The next day, after the official award ceremony, I took a day off.

While watching Hong Soo-jung and Yoo Jin play in the water, I cleaned my spikes. Jin Seon-kyu had worn them once, but thanks to their elasticity, they still fit well.

‘I should erase the “peak” now.’

They’re my shoes.

As I listened to the Olympic broadcast on the TV installed in the garden while cleaning my shoes, Jin Seon-kyu, wearing a bronze medal, approached.

Jin Seon-kyu said he would stay to be a training partner for Jin Hyuk’s upcoming 200m race, not rushing to return home.

It’s all good, but it would be nice if he didn’t wear the medal everywhere.

“Jin Hyuk, you know what?”

“What?”

Are you going to say we’re soulmates or something?

“Isn’t this the revival of Sohn Kee-chung and Nam Sung-yong after 60 years?”

“Huh?”

What are you talking about?

Jin Hyuk, who had rarely widened his eyes, was shocked.

Why is this senior reviving people who are still alive and well?

Is this kind of twisted thinking also a personal talent?

“Hey, but we…”

Why are you twisting your body like a constipated teenage anaconda?

“Are we taking a charter or a private jet when we return? Thanks to my talented junior, I’m living the high life-.”

You stayed to be a training partner!

Just leave!

Sigh-, it’s not hard to understand.

Once you’ve been on a private jet, even business class on a regular flight feels inadequate. A customized private jet? It’s only natural to be tempted.

With a serious expression, Jin Hyuk suddenly stood up from the sunbed.

“Let’s go train.”

“Huh? You said we’re resting today?”

“Seeing Michael Johnson run the 400m, I can’t rest comfortably.”

Wooow.

On TV, Michael Johnson’s 400m preliminary race was being broadcast.

[Johnson! Johnson! Michael Johnsoooon-!]

A name that seems to symbolize America itself. A strong 200m champion candidate, he walked the track leisurely after finishing the 400m race, wearing his signature golden spikes.

Jin Seon-kyu, who had been watching TV, nodded.

“Then let’s warm up a bit?”

“Sure-.”

Warm up, my foot.

Let’s see you die once, you chicken bastard.

I’ll bring you back to life.

***

After training, when we returned to the mansion, Jin Seon-kyu got out of the car and sprawled on the lawn like a zombie.

“I’m not… running the 200 meters…”

Since I’m not running, I can overdo it-.

Jin Hyuk, from Jin Seon-kyu’s blind spot, wiggled his upper body like a dancer, teasing him.

“Aren’t you… tired…”

“I’m tired.”

Jin Seon-kyu, lying down and looking at the sky, had a somewhat sad expression.

The guy who says he’s tired looks so fine, his physical and recovery abilities are almost inhuman.

‘He’s been training lightly because of me.’

Two years ago, Jin Hyuk’s friends went through some intense training. Jin Seon-kyu, who didn’t know about it, missed home. With only two days left until the 200m preliminaries, he thought, “How hard can it be?” and became overconfident.

‘There are still two days left…’

Where does this monster-like strength come from? Is he born with it? God is unfair. I used to envy him, but that was a wrong thought.

Jin Hyuk’s ability clearly comes from insane amounts of training and intensity.

So, he created his own ability.

Focusing on training without distraction, surpassing himself every day. Ordinary people can’t do that because it’s annoying, tiring, and uncomfortable.

While Jin Seon-kyu was struggling not to lose consciousness, Yoo Jin came running from behind the mansion.

“Oppa! Oppa!”

“Oh my-, did you have fun playing with your sister?”

He picked up Yoo Jin, who came running in her swimsuit.

No matter when you see them, they look like an uncle and his niece.

“Yeah, hehe-. Oppa’s record is a world record, right?”

“Yes. That’s what they say.”

“It won’t be broken for 50,000 years, right?”

“Probably not that long.”

“Aww-, then do it again-.”

“You can’t redo a race that’s already over. You have to challenge it in the next competition.”

Yoo Jin tilted her head. She noticed the zombie sprawled on the lawn and giggled.

Then, as if she remembered something, she ruffled her brother’s short hair.

“Hmm, you know what? Yoo Se-ra said there’s a secret? A method to set a record that won’t be broken for 50,000 years?”

“Really?”

Jin Hyuk’s eyes widened.

Not because such a method exists, but because Yoo Se-ra said it.

I knew she was smart, but to develop such a training method? That’s beyond her.

Satisfied with her brother’s reaction, Yoo Jin smiled slyly and narrowed her eyes.

“Hmm-, I shouldn’t tell you.”

“Oh? You won’t tell me even if I do this?”

“Kahahahaha-!”

He tickled her mercilessly. It’s an excellent way to make your sibling talk.

Yoo Jin, who has been ticklish since she was a baby, once laughed so hard she peed.

“Save meee-.”

Struggling, Yoo Jin escaped from her brother’s arms and ran off to the mansion.

“Stay there!”

“Kahahahaha-!”

After the siblings’ heartwarming reunion.

“Ugh…”

The abandoned zombie crawled on the lawn.

“50,000 years… that method… what is it…”

Ugh…

Tell me too.

Ugh-.

Take me with you-.

Oh, prison god-.

Quo Vadis.