Chapter 295

Karma (5)

***

“Wow~. What is all that~?”

Son Kwang-yeon let out a laugh mixed with a gasp.

Why wouldn’t he? Countless banners hung at every intersection, each one shouting, “Look here, look here!”

「The pride of Taeyang County! Son Jin-hyeok returns in glory!」 Taeyang County Youth Association.

「The pride of Taeyang Town, Son Jin-hyeok! Two-time Olympic track champion!」 Taeyang Town Commercial District Promotion Association.

「The pride of Taeyang High School···」 Taeyang High School Alumni Association.

「Welcome! Taeyang High Ssirum Club’s assistant manager returns in glory!」

This one was obviously hung by the Ssirum Club.

「The pride of Taeyang Middle School···」 Taeyang Middle School Alumni Association.

「The pride of Eodong Elementary School!」 Eodong Elementary School Alumni.

At this rate, even the kindergarten will have a banner.

But there’s no way Choi Mi-kyung and Kim Eun-jung would miss out on this fun.

「Proud of you, friend!」 Eodong Elementary School Kindergarten, Class of 2002.

Okay, that’s enough!

No matter how you think about it, it’s a blessing he was born at home.

If he’d been born in a hospital, even his nursery mates would’ve hung up banners.

‘It’s a bit tacky, but it feels good. Proud.’

Hmph~.

Jin-hyuk, who had been letting out a perverted chuckle, dropped his jaw when he spotted another banner as they left the town.

「Welcome to Jaedong Village, where the footsteps of the speedster live and breathe!」

What is this, a historic site?

Under the banner, there was even a friendly note: 「The path Son Jin-hyeok takes to school every day.」

“Ahahahahahaha!”

Son Kwang-yeon, oblivious to Jin-hyuk’s inner turmoil, burst into laughter.

That laughter reached its peak as they passed by the health center.

「Where Son Jin-hyeok’s personal doctor works.」

Wow, Yoo Jae-woon, seriously······.

“Ahahahahahaha!”

Even though Yoo Jin and Jeong Won, who had been sound asleep, woke up from the noise, Son Kwang-yeon’s laughter showed no signs of stopping.

With his fingers and toes curled in embarrassment, they finally arrived at the training center.

“Wow, so many people came······.”

“It’s a miracle the whole country didn’t show up.”

From the driver’s seat, Yoo Tae-hwa shook her head, once again realizing the scale of their achievement.

With this level of attention, it’s no wonder they’re planning a parade in downtown Seoul and treating him like a national hero.

Chairman Yoo Myung-sun wouldn’t have overdone it, but it seems he’s really nailed the art of spending money with style.

Chefs in white and red uniforms tirelessly put on a fire show, preparing a feast.

The training center’s courtyard, filled with rare delicacies you’d rarely see, was already bustling with residents celebrating.

‘If I run away because I’m tired, I’ll be a jerk.’

These are the people who cheered for me from afar.

Even if I’m not hungry, it’s only right to show my face and express gratitude. This is also a situation born from Jin-hyuk’s actions, so he should take responsibility.

「The fireflies do not fear the power I hold.

The power they fear, Hong Ki-jun’s power, comes from capital, technology, force, and connections.

But the ordinary people who make up the masses look up to and follow Hong Ki-jun.

My authority comes from taking responsibility.

You’d know this better than me.

To avoid taking responsibility for things he can’t handle, Team Leader Son Jin-hyeok has lived a life of celibacy······.」

This guy always hits where it hurts.

It’s not like that, okay? I just don’t like people, so I don’t form relationships.

Anyway, taking responsibility for one’s actions was something Jin-hyuk considered a fundamental human condition.

“Hey~! Jin-hyuk is here~!”

“I’m here too! I am Son Yoo-jin! I’m back~!”

Yoo Jin, who quickly stepped forward, greeted him with a bow.

Jin-hyuk also bowed repeatedly, expressing his gratitude.

“Thank you. Thank you.”

Like this······.

Back to reality.

On the track, he’s an absolute legend, but in the village, he’s just another neighborhood kid.

Starting with Cheon Gil-ryong, the village elder, Chairman Yoo Myung-sun, the senior citizens’ association president, the village chief, the neighborhood leader, the youth association president, the women’s association president······.

“Who’s that guy?”

“I’m······.”

“This place is huge and has so much delicious food, right? Is someone getting married?”

“Yeah······.”

Jeong Won, who’s about the same size as him but talks a lot, exchanged greetings with all the other neighborhood kids without missing a beat.

And then.

Woo~!

Can’t forget Jang Gun-i.

‘Did they bring all the neighborhood dogs?’

Hehehe~.

“Yeah, yeah. Oh, our Jang Gun-i! I missed you!”

Finally, after petting all the dogs Jang Gun-i brought along, he plopped down in a corner.

Hometown folks are really something.

They treat you like a rare guest, but once the greetings are over, they go back to their usual spots, laughing and chatting like always. It’s a stark contrast to the school friends who glance over or the fans who try to make eye contact.

It’s not just the difference between adults and teenagers.

Even Choi Mi-kyung and Kim Eun-jung each punched Jin-hyuk in the stomach once and went back to their own conversations. Choi Mi-kyung was talking about trigonometry, and Kim Eun-jung was discussing the hidden conspiracy behind the plummeting calf prices.

‘It’s like everyone’s shouting, “I’m the protagonist of my own life.”’

That’s why it’s not burdensome to hang out with them.

They always treat Jin-hyuk not as the main character but as just another person around them.

“Jeong Won~! Let’s play tag~!”

“Dadadadadada!”

Watching Yoo Jin and Jeong Won run around the training center’s fountain playing tag, Jin-hyuk once again felt the reality of being back.

‘Home really is the best.’

That’s why they say home is the best, and you only realize its value when you leave it. Even when he’s at home, Jin-hyuk misses it, and even when he’s not going anywhere, thinking about his hometown makes him ache. Like a stray life on the road, abandoned and longing for love.

As Jin-hyuk smiled contentedly, Jo Seol-chan approached.

“Jin-hyuk~.”

“Yeah. Did you eat a lot, Seol-chan?”

“Stop eating and let’s go make a boat~. My stomach feels like it’s stepping on my eyes, and nothing’s going down.”

Should I just run away?

***

Back in the day when Jin-hyuk was a company employee, there was a reporter who suggested that going to work briefly on Sundays could help cure Monday blues, and he got roasted for it.

‘There were also those who reported that sausage bread is the thing to eat on rainy days, right?’

But when Jin-hyuk actually tried it, it did help with the Monday blues.

Of course, the downside of losing precious weekend rest is obvious to everyone.

Anyway.

The best way to return to daily life without aftereffects is to go back to doing what you always do.

Tap tap tap~.

A day passed.

“Oppa~. Are you making a boat?”

“Yeah. I promised Yoo Jin, remember?”

A month went by.

“Oppa~.”

“I’m working on it~.”

Two months passed, and even after three months, despite the cold wind blowing.

“Yay~. Are you making a boat~?”

“Yeah. I’ll take Jeong Won too. It’s cold, go inside~. My baby’s nose is running.”

“Okay~.”

Even when snow was pouring down.

“Lericoo~ Lericoo~.”

“Jin-hyuk, what song is that?”

“Ah~. Seol-chan, Red Sun! Forget it!”

Even after switching to a new calendar, Jin-hyuk devoted himself to boat-making whenever he had time.

It was partly to keep his promise to his sibling, but also because the desire to go on an adventure, sparked by his trip to the U.S., was deeply rooted in his heart.

But boat-making was just one of his daily goals; it couldn’t be his top priority.

He’s still a student, after all.

He remained diligent in his school life.

He attended classes with his friends, took exams, and presided over student council meetings.

“Everyone, our secretary, who’s taking notes, must have a sore wrist, so please slow down your speaking speed a bit~.”

“Hey, president. We’re all from Chungcheong Province; how fast can we possibly talk? I’m about to pass out waiting for you to finish.”

“Ah, is that so? Please continue. Sorry.”

Having dinner before night self-study and taking a walk near the school with friends is also precious. Thanks to their consistent patrol-like walks, the troublemakers who used to bully or extort money from students near the school disappeared. Securing the safety of students near the school was also a responsibility for Jin-hyuk, who had abolished the student guidance committee.

“It’s still cold even after the semester started. It’s because of the chemtrails sprayed by the UFOs. They’re trying to bring on an ice age and wipe out humanity.”

“Eun-jung, my brother said high schools are cold until the next student council president is elected.”

“Huh? President! Isn’t that a flasher?”

During their walks, they often spotted perverts.

When they reported it to the police, they were told it’s because there’s a girls’ high school nearby. They didn’t understand that they were asking for action, not analysis.

So now, instead of reporting, Lee Seung-hoon charges in like a wild rhino.

Thud thud thud thud~!

He overtakes the suspicious person and flips open the flasher’s long coat.

It’s not that the kind Lee Seung-hoon relies on his near-superhuman strength.

“Wow! Look at this guy! He’s got a tiny thing and he’s showing it off! Everyone, look here~!”

Lee Seung-hoon, being the smart honor student he is, launches a psychological attack.

“Sir. Sir, you should have something worth showing off to brag about~.”

“Where? Where? Seung-hoon, let me see! Let go~!”

“An alien? Let me observe~. President, move. Please, just once~. Ugh~.”

Every time, it’s Jin-hyuk’s job to shield and block Choi Mi-kyung and Kim Eun-jung.

One arm for each. They struggle to break free, but their resistance is as cute as a flailing chick.

“······Hold on. That guy’s running away crying.”

“Ah, my shoe~!”

Thanks to Jin-hyuk and his friends, the area around the school remains peaceful.

*

“Seol-chan, I’m going to a competition, so don’t make it alone.”

“Uh~, okay.”

As the new year began, Jin-hyuk and Yoo Se-ra agreed that he would participate in domestic competitions more often.

The words of his peers at the competitions were the starting point for that decision.

“It’d be nice to see you more often.”

He thought they’d avoid him because of the skill gap and his fame. You know, jealousy and all.

But the other athletes thought differently.

“More people come because you’re participating. It’s like a field trip.”

“It’s motivating for us too.”

Linford Christie, whom he occasionally talks to on the phone, said it’s the power of having a role model within reach. It’s no different from a child growing up to be a great adult by emulating their parents’ exemplary behavior.

– People think, ‘Oh, they’re from some faraway country or the moon,’ right? But imagine a medalist right in front of you. You start thinking, ‘Maybe I can be like that too.’ The ostriches from Trinidad and Tobago or the Rocketman from Canada are big kids to me, meeting at the same competitions. For Son, it’s even more special for Korean athletes. They’re the same age and live close by. I guarantee it, Korea will dominate the track soon. Coaches? Not needed. One idol is enough. Americans aren’t good at basketball because they have a lot of coaches. They have basketball courts, basketballs, and a lot of idols who succeeded in basketball, so they keep getting better.

The phenomenon of kids running races just because there’s an open field is proof of that.

So, participating more often and competing harder is the right thing to do.

[Bang~!]

Wow~!

「Competition Record: 9.65」

「Korean Record: 9.65」

「World Record: 9.65」

「Taeyang County’s Son Jin-hyeok」

The fact that the Korean record is also the world record instilled pride in the nation and a sense of elevation and challenge in the athletes.

It’s not like the others aren’t trying, so a number of young athletes have emerged, breaking into the 9-second range in the 100m.

「Chuncheon City’s Kang Yoon-dan, 100m in 9.95 seconds!」

「Gyeongnam Sports High’s Jeong Hyun-seop, 100m in 9.89 seconds!」

An American columnist even commented that Asian track and field has become Americanized.

The biggest credit, without a doubt, goes to the athletes themselves, who gritted their teeth and dedicated themselves to training. Inspired by Jin-hyuk, they trained even harder, to the point of being called crazy.

The influence of training methods developed by watching videos, correcting form, studying breathing, and finding more efficient ways to use joints and muscles also played a part.

But the story wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the spike shoes, the essential gear for track and field. Global media highlighted the efforts of several companies that quickly moved behind the scenes in collaboration with General.

「Here lies the secret to the flood of new records.」

The headline of the column shook the sports world.

The interest in Jin Seon-kyu and Jin-hyuk’s colorful spikes, which had cooled after the Olympics, reignited.

「······The secret begins here. From a company that has taken over a small Korean city······. This is a strange symbiotic relationship reminiscent of a drug cartel······. The company’s name, General, evokes the image of a dictator······.」

What are these idiots talking about?

We’re not monopolizing; we’re just receiving royalties.

As Jin-hyuk read the column, he wiped his face with his palm.

‘The domestic media is just going to translate this as is······.’

This was completely unexpected when he suggested the business to his dad.