Chapter 86

#86 <Misunderstanding Leads to Understanding>

In the yard, I burned some pine branches and twigs to make a fire, then added firewood. It was all to keep my promise to Yoo Jin that we’d have pork for dinner.

Eating wild animals felt a bit off, but as long as it’s cooked thoroughly, it should be fine. With that thought, I waited until the firewood turned completely into charcoal.

I prepared the ribs Jo Il-hun gave me. They were coated with some green powder that looked like crushed dried plants and a seasoning powder similar to ramen soup mix—probably to get rid of the gamey smell. The ribs I’d eaten during social gatherings were short, but these were long and arched, almost like dinosaur bones in a fossil exhibit.

Even Jang Gun-i, who had completely come down from his mushroom high, sat quietly next to Yoo Jin, basking in the warmth of the fire.

“Hehe, it’s gonna be so tasty.”

Hehehe.

Yoo Jin and Jang Gun-i squatted side by side, drooling. Their resemblance made Jin Hyuk burst out laughing. He patted their little heads and picked up the grill after a long time.

“Wow, there’s so much meat.”

“Wow, so much. Did Jin Hyuk oppa do this?”

“Yeah, Yoo Jin.”

Yoo Jin kept asking if it was the same pig we’d met on the mountain. Her determination suggested she wouldn’t forgive us if it was a different pig.

‘Damn, it’s hot.’

Even with double gloves, the heat from the charcoal was no joke. I kept switching hands while grilling the meat. As I struggled, Yoo Jin made a whining sound from the dark corner.

Is she pooping again? No way, Yoo Jin’s too well-mannered to poop in the yard like Jang Gun-i.

“Yoo Jin, what are you doing?”

“Oppa, is it hot? It’s hard. Use a brick.”

Ah, she meant to prop up the grill with a brick so I wouldn’t have to struggle. Was I this smart at her age? Jin Hyuk wondered but couldn’t remember. He quickly ran to grab a brick for his sister.

She must’ve picked up adult language, calling a brick “burokko,” but “it’s hard” probably means “it’s freaking hard.” Yoo Jin really is a language magician.

During vacation, when Jin Hyuk was working out:

With his back pain gone, Jin Hyuk was excited and did sit-ups with his feet under the sofa. Of course, Hong Soo-jung, Son Jin-hyeok’s clingy girlfriend, was right next to him.

-“Hnyanya—eek!”

-“Oppa’s doing sit-ups, unnie’s doing gum-ups, right?”

Yoo Jin said, poking at Hong Soo-jung’s toothless gums. The whole family burst out laughing.

Jin Hyuk sprinkled some sea salt on the well-grilled ribs.

Tatata-tak!

“Hahaha!”

Yoo Jin clapped and laughed, fascinated by the sound. Seeing her happy warmed his heart. But he didn’t let his guard down, thinking of Moon Seok-il and his crew.

‘What should I do about them?’

I told them to investigate and call as soon as possible. Once they find out who’s behind it, they’ll contact me. For now, the security team will help, but I’ll have to live with this unease until we figure things out.

‘I’ll have to tell Dad and Hong Ki-jun too.’

I don’t know how Hong Ki-jun feels about me, but I’m glad there’s someone powerful I can rely on. He’s a top-tier businessman in Korea and a close friend of Dad’s, so he’ll definitely help.

Living a quiet, ordinary life is so hard.

“Oppa, it’s on fire.”

“Huh?”

While deep in thought, one of the ribs caught fire and turned black. Jin Hyuk blew out the flames and scraped off the burnt part with a brick. He tossed it to Jang Gun-i without a second thought.

He’ll eat it once it cools.

Hehe—crunch!

“Eat it when it cools, dude.”

Jang Gun-i, who had been rubbing his snout on the ground, hurried off to drink water like he really had to go.

Jin Hyuk and Yoo Jin laughed together. It had been a tough day, but the happy time with his sister eased his worries.

“Ooh, it’s so hot.”

Watching Yoo Jin tear into the ribs with her bare hands despite the heat, Jin Hyuk thought about happiness again. Happiness—it’s not a big deal. Sure, Dad’s the richest guy in town, and his best friend is one of the most famous businessmen in the country, but seeing the little life next to me happy is the best reward.

‘If it weren’t for those troublemakers, life would be just fine. It’s all ruined.’

He took a bite of the grilled ribs.

Jo Il-hun, the rib expert, really did an amazing job removing the gamey smell. It was a bit tough since it didn’t have time to marinate, but there was no weird smell, and it tasted good. The indescribable smoky flavor and the burst of juices brought back nostalgic memories.

‘I crave soju.’

Better than beer, smoother, and more thrilling, but off-limits to minors. But sneaking a drink would be awesome. It’s nostalgia for past and future experiences.

Sigh. Remembering the days of drinking alone without a care, he savored the taste.

What a long day.

Fighting a wild boar, then dealing with human mind games… Moon Seok-il and his crew probably think differently, but whatever.

A warm breeze from the distant sea enveloped the siblings squatting in the yard.

The salty wind teased Jin Hyuk’s tear ducts. Just thinking about that day still makes his chest ache and his heart race.

‘I miss Mom and Dad.’

Yoo Jin, carefree, tore into the ribs with a smacking sound.

Then she stared at her brother, looking like she had something to say.

“Yoo Jin, what is it? Do you have something to tell me?”

“Heehee.”

Yoo Jin, with meat juice smeared around her mouth, gave her goofy smile. It’s something she does when she’s happy, but also when she has something hard to say.

“…There’s no soy sauce in the fridge, right?”

Ah, Yoo Jin.

Her eyes and tone suggested she’d cry if I said no, but her face already looked sad, as if she knew the truth.

“Not right now. Oppa will buy some next time.”

“Okay, hehe.”

Jin Hyuk was puzzled.

He felt like he’d promised Yoo Jin a Coke at some point, but he couldn’t remember making such a promise.

Anyway, it’s good she’s not upset. She doesn’t whine when it’s time to sleep, except when she wants meat.

After brushing Yoo Jin’s teeth, the eventful day would finally end.

‘No, not yet. There’s still something to do.’

Jin Hyuk stared at his feet.

Under the bright moonlight of Chuseok, a thick shadow swayed, even catching the charcoal’s glow.

‘You… who are you?’

Entering puberty was confusing, but growing pains helped him mature physically and mentally. It wasn’t just a guess—it was a reasonable suspicion based on evidence.

Even if I call myself slow or clueless, Jin Hyuk isn’t stupid. When people look at me, their eyes aren’t on me but above my head. Even in serious situations.

Jin Hyuk knows how to confirm it.

*

In this world, there are things you understand with your head but can’t accept with your heart. Or the opposite. How many times have you seen something and still couldn’t believe it?

Late at night, after Yoo Jin fell asleep, Jin Hyuk went to the rooftop. Even Jang Gun-i, the sniffer dog gnawing on pig bones in his doghouse, was called out in the middle of the night.

The result was a bust.

Even after meditating to clear his mind, Jang Gun-i didn’t growl. He just sat at Jin Hyuk’s feet, wagging his tail. The dog who barks at the full moon was oddly quiet.

“Jang Gun-i, is there nothing?”

Hehehe. He just stared blankly, not even tilting his head.

Thinking of another approach, Jin Hyuk tried talking.

Staring at the shadow at his feet.

“Come out.”

Calling.

“You’re 20th century.”

Insulting.

“Is your IQ two digits?”

Even personal attacks didn’t make the suspected presence appear.

He almost said, “You only take after your dad’s toes,” but decided against it. It might bring harm to the family.

Even on the day Choi Mi-kyung’s grandmother ascended to heaven, and when Cheon Gil-ryong visited, he felt their unusual gazes.

Moon Seok-il’s sudden change in attitude was the final clue. Even if his pupils shook, there was no reason he couldn’t meet my gaze. Clearly, Moon Seok-il was looking at something behind me.

“Hmm. I’m not confused now.”

It’s not baseless suspicion. It’s not puberty or delusions.

But I can’t just wait around. I have to protect my sleeping sister.

The time I set for myself isn’t long. With no one to consult or confide in, I have to do my best alone.

“If you don’t come out, I’ll starve? I’ll jump from the third floor? Should I call a shaman for an exorcism? Eat ten heads of garlic daily? Eat with a silver spoon? Hold my breath for five minutes?”

Using every exorcism trick I knew, even threatening without breathing, the shadow remained silent.

“I’ll show you the video in the master bedroom.”

Oops, maybe I shouldn’t have said that.

Trying to bribe it, Jin Hyuk only made himself more uneasy.

“You’re not coming out? Are you a voyeur?”

Muttering, Jin Hyuk noticed Jang Gun-i tilting his head but ignored him, staring at the shadow. Once he suspects something, he digs deep.

“I know you’re there. Were you with me in a past life? Is that why I came back? Do you know Hong Ki-jun’s true identity?”

Despite his efforts, all he saw was the shadow cast by the moonlight, and all he heard was the early chirping of crickets. Nothing moved around him.

Mutter mutter.

Until the full moon tilted west and he started yawning, Jin Hyuk paced the rooftop.

Unable to bear the lonely silence, Jin Hyuk finally raised the white flag.

“I don’t know why you’re attached to me, but don’t harm people. You don’t have to force yourself to help me. Humans live among others, but they must also stand on their own two feet.”

With those final words, Jin Hyuk glanced sideways at the shadow with half-closed eyes.

Maybe if I move it, it’ll confess? But the unresponsive shadow only made him feel more awkward.

“Hmm. Did I overdo it again?”

Maybe I misunderstood.

Scratching the back of his head, he headed back to the first floor. His steps were sluggish, but he shrugged. Whatever.

Hehehe.

Jang Gun-i didn’t follow, instead sticking out his tongue and gazing at the full moon. It’s a sight you can see more than twice a month, so nothing special.

When he carefully opened the front door to enter the house.

“Eek!”

Yoo Jin had crawled to the front door and was sleeping in a frog-like position.

I definitely put her in the master bedroom. How did she get here? Normally, she sleeps at the top of the stairs outside my room, but no one could explain how she ended up here.

What a strange kid.

***

The rest of the holiday passed peacefully, without meeting any wild boars or weaker troublemakers.

I woke up early, washed Yoo Jin, and dressed her in a colorful hanbok.

She’ll outgrow it soon, so I’m just putting it on her now. There’s a time for everything, and wearing a hanbok is one of them.

“Oh my, our baby is so pretty.”

Holding Yoo Jin’s hand and carrying a box of pears Dad bought, we headed to Choi Mi-kyung’s house. She called to invite us for breakfast. At her house, besides Choi Jang-hwan’s family, Cheon Gil-ryong was also there.

Kim Soon-bok brought out steaming galbi-jjim. I was a bit nervous it might be wild boar, but it turned out to be beef ribs.

“Jin Hyuk and Yoo Jin, eat a lot, okay?”

“Thank you.”

“Okay, hehe.”

Cheon Gil-ryong’s eyes widened.

“Oh, so you’re Jin Hyuk?”

“Yes.”

Looking at Cheon Gil-ryong’s childlike eyes, Jin Hyuk felt hopeful.

But Cheon Gil-ryong just smiled, remembering the delicious wild boar from last night.

“Ahem. I’m Cheon Gil-ryong.”

“Yes…”

Well, it’s Chuseok, so introductions are in order.

Even though I already knew the name, Jin Hyuk politely bowed.

Contrary to Jin Hyuk’s expectations, Cheon Gil-ryong showed no reaction. He just focused on eating rice with beef soup and kimchi.

‘There’s definitely something. Can’t Grandpa see it either? I’ll have to figure it out on my own…’

Well, some things are unavoidable, but I’ll uncover the truth eventually.

I’ve decided to confirm everything clearly from now on.

“Yum yum, it’s so good.”

Yoo Jin was being fed by Choi Mi-kyung.

Feeling hungry from Cheon Gil-ryong’s appetite, Jin Hyuk also shoveled a big spoonful of white rice into his mouth.

Rice is the best.

“Jin Hyuk, are you going to Seonnyeo Rock today?”

“Mhm.”

With hamster-like cheeks, he could only nod.

Why does Mi-kyung ask these things while I’m eating? Just wipe the rice off my face.