Chapter 51
“I understand.”
“Thanks for understanding, son. If you’ve got more questions, well, those fellas over there will tell you what you need to know.”
The pervert pig gulped down his tea like it was a sweet drink, then got up from his seat claiming he was tired. He patted the men on their shoulders, telling them to keep up the good work, and I saw him slip something to them. A long white thing, looked like a cigarette. The men checked what they’d received and immediately brightened up, bowing respectfully.
He tried to slip a cigarette to Son Byung-chul too, but Son Byung-chul firmly refused and turned away. For just a brief moment, Son Byung-chul’s gaze landed on us—or rather, on Kim Doyun. After quickly looking him up and down, Son Byung-chul left without hesitation, opening the door and walking out.
“Always so prickly…”
The pervert pig tapped his thick belly while looking at the closed door, then said he needed to rest and went upstairs. The second floor, visible slightly from the staircase, seemed packed with… something.
As I sighed, I noticed Kim Doyun was still sitting, lost in thought. I wanted to leave him be, but the men who’d received cigarettes were staring at us more fiercely now, making it impossible to stay much longer.
“Doyun-ssi.”
“Ah, yes.”
Kim Doyun snapped back to attention and turned to me. His serious expression instantly transformed into a gentle smile when he saw me.
“I’m sorry. I was just thinking for a moment.”
“No, no. That’s understandable.”
Kim Doyun stood up and gently pulled me by the waist, taking long strides toward the door. The men who had been glaring at us now hesitated in front of Kim Doyun, looking uncertain. Was it because he knew “that person”? As I was wondering about this, one of the men cautiously asked Kim Doyun:
“Do you really know him? From before the accident?”
Kim Doyun didn’t answer but just tilted his head slightly. At his expression that seemed to ask why they would ask such a thing, the men cleared their throats with small “ahem” sounds and shook their heads.
“It’s nothing… Just wondering if you might have a message to pass on to him.”
I looked at them curiously, wondering why they would ask that, which made them quickly change the subject.
“Ah, he’s busy with important matters… We’re just worried he might rush back without finishing his work because of this.”
Then they started pushing us out, suddenly looking irritated and telling us to leave quickly. What the hell, why are they getting angry all of a sudden?
“Seriously, what’s with those people…”
Since it was the pervert pig’s house, I didn’t want to stay long anyway. I was planning to leave quickly, but being shoved out like that was still unpleasant. Kim Doyun patted my shoulder and smiled slightly.
“It seems this person they call ‘him’ is respected but not exactly welcomed.”
“What?”
Looking at Kim Doyun after his unexpected comment, he nodded toward the pervert pig’s house and whispered:
“Those men earlier, they seemed like they didn’t want ‘him’ to come.”
“Oh… really? Is that why they asked?”
Why would they cherish and revere “him” so much but not want him to come? As I pondered this, I spotted Son Byung-chul still standing near the house.
The moment I saw him, I somewhat understood why the men wouldn’t welcome “his” return. If “he” came back, the village’s privileges would revert to him. Son Byung-chul would welcome that too. If that happened, wouldn’t things like handing out cigarettes disappear? They probably didn’t like the idea of losing what they’d been enjoying.
I looked around the village. Here and there, people were chopping firewood or reinforcing collapsed buildings with wood. Even as they were busy with their tasks, their glances toward us seemed somewhat fearful. I could think they were looking at us, but… I sensed their gazes weren’t directed only at us. In this small village, under the title of “him,” the pig ruled like a king, with armed men pursuing their own interests on one side. Son Byung-chul was precariously balancing power against them, and the villagers surely knew this. Despite this, people either remained silent while chanting “his” name like a mantra or treated the pig as if he were “him.” They felt safe because the men had guns, clinging to the belief that “he” would return.
“This is so twisted… really.”
As I shuddered, I saw Son Byung-chul approaching us. Jang Jae-gyeong was nowhere to be seen, perhaps temporarily away. He had told me to call him if things seemed dangerous. Son Byung-chul still had his mouth firmly shut like someone who was angry. While watching him, a question came to mind.
“Excuse me…”
While observing Son Byung-chul, I wondered if I should voice what just occurred to me. It was completely out of the blue—should I say it? Son Byung-chul shifted his shotgun and glared at me. His look said to speak quickly if I had something to say.
“Are you married, by any chance? And kids…”
Calling him “ahjussi” felt awkward on my tongue. He wasn’t someone I’d normally address so casually. But I didn’t have any other appropriate title for him. As soon as I spoke, Son Byung-chul’s expression hardened as he examined my face. He seemed to be trying to figure out my intention. I tried to act as natural as possible to avoid provoking him.
“Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”
“Just… just because. Seeing a normal house suddenly made me think about family. I was wondering about you. I’m an only child, you know. My parents live far away… I just… miss them.”
“…Is that so?”
Son Byung-chul, after deliberating, answered with a somber face.
“I had children. A son and a daughter. My son would be about your age now.”
“Ah… what about your son? Did he come to the village with you?”
“No, he’s dead.”
Son Byung-chul’s blunt statement made it impossible for me to continue the conversation. I wanted to ask about his daughter’s whereabouts… Regardless of my silence, Son Byung-chul’s eyes drifted to somewhere distant. His dreamy face, seemingly wandering through the past, was etched with sorrow and anger.
What should I say to him? I anxiously rubbed my fingers together. Any words to someone who just said his son was dead would seem inadequate and transparent in intent. While I hesitated, Son Byung-chul gripped his shotgun tightly and walked away. I had many questions but couldn’t stop him from leaving. However, before he moved completely out of earshot, Son Byung-chul spoke to me.
“Hey, you.”
“Uh, yes?”
“Don’t forget to keep that shotgun with you. The world is like this now. Nothing more important than that. Understand?”
His bulging eyes and rough face were intimidating. His mouth was smiling, but because of his eyes, it didn’t look like a smile at all. I unconsciously took a step back. But as if waiting for an answer, Son Byung-chul’s gaze wouldn’t leave me.
Despite my hesitation, I slowly had to nod. Son Byung-chul looked extremely satisfied with my response and then walked away.
The hazy sky couldn’t seem to clear away the clouds. Because of this, people didn’t come out of their houses, and only pairs of men with shotguns were wandering around. I sighed deeply. Son Byung-chul had complicated my thoughts. In my mind, I was connecting related pieces, but without evidence, I couldn’t definitively say whether I was right or wrong.
I don’t know. Now that we’ve met “him,” maybe I could escape from this village with Kim Doyun. But something troubled me, preventing me from doing so easily. I looked at the house not far away, where that child was.
“Oh, you’re out already.”
While I was lost in thought, Jang Jae-gyeong approached, waving his hand. He must have gone to the bathroom or something. With Jang Jae-gyeong’s appearance, my heart, which had been unsettled by Son Byung-chul and “him,” became a little more at ease. The problem was… Jang Jae-gyeong was ignoring Kim Doyun, and Kim Doyun turned his head away the moment Jang Jae-gyeong appeared…
Oh, I give up. If they dislike each other, I can’t force them to reconcile.
Jang Jae-gyeong grumbled at me, saying I was too bold and asking if I thought I could leave him behind without consequences. But the concern evident in his complaints actually made me feel good.
“What about you, Jae-gyeong-ssi? You said all that but you left me too.”
“Just for a very brief moment, very brief. And you know how good my hearing is? I can hear you from far away.”
I laughed briefly and quickly tried to move toward Jang Jae-gyeong, intending to add a joke or two. But then I saw Jang Jae-gyeong stiffen suddenly, staring intently at something. It wasn’t the face of someone who had been joking around just moments ago. Had a monster appeared? My heart sank.
As I swallowed dryly and turned my head, a hand suddenly emerged from behind me.
“Doyun-ssi?”
Kim Doyun’s hand was firmly holding my arm. The gentle smile on his handsome face was truly beautiful.
“What, what is it?”
I involuntarily gulped. Sweat formed on my tightly gripped hand, and my heart pounded. It was different from my heart racing in fear of monsters. It was strange. Why had I been feeling this tingling sensation every time I saw Kim Doyun lately? Unable to bear it, I rubbed my chest with my palm.
“It seemed like Seongho-ssi had forgotten about me…”
Kim Doyun slightly drooped his shoulders. Just that was enough to convey a clear sense of dejection. What is he saying? Me forgetting Kim Doyun? How could I forget someone with such a strong presence?
“Why would I forget you, Doyun-ssi?”
“But you weren’t even looking at me…”
His smiling face tilted slightly toward me. It was a smile, but his face full of melancholy gripped my actions again. My heart pounded. Just like when he smiled earlier, and the tingling feeling… I’d never been attracted to good-looking people before, so I didn’t realize it, but am I… unknowingly weak for handsome faces?
As I stole glances at Kim Doyun’s face, I tried to hide my flushed cheeks. The moment I realized it, the tingling became unbearable. I felt embarrassed and awkward.
“What bullshit.”
I turned around in shock. Jang Jae-gyeong was looking at Kim Doyun, twisting one corner of his lips. His displeasure was so evident, he looked like he wanted to spit. Kim Doyun glanced at him from the corner of his eye but didn’t look at him properly. My face heated up again, but for a different reason this time.
Was Jang Jae-gyeong… acting like this because of me? Did I look that strange? I thought about how I must have appeared. Thinking about it, it was quite embarrassing—blushing and trembling in front of another man… Feeling awkward, I ran a hand over my face. The heat on my face wouldn’t subside.
“Ahem, hmm.”
“I wasn’t talking about you.”
When I just cleared my throat, Jang Jae-gyeong’s voice softened a bit. He pouted slightly and lightly tapped my shoulder. Thanks to Jang Jae-gyeong’s words and actions, the heat sticking to my face subsided a little.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
