“Will you be okay?”
Even after arriving at the airport, Wang Han continued to express his concerns. He worried about Ja-kyung being alone while he and Wang Lun were leaving Korea. He feared that Chairman Kang’s remaining henchmen might pose a threat to Ja-kyung’s life.
“CEO Kang will be with him.”
Although Wang Lun tried to reassure him, Wang Han couldn’t shake off his worries. He repeatedly urged Ja-kyung to contact him immediately if anything happened. Wang Lun planned to sort things out and return to alleviate the pain of his broken heart.
“Make sure to contact me once you reach the island.”
Ja-kyung smiled helplessly. The two of them continued to fight over the issue of going to the island. Ja-kyung wanted to go hunting, catch fish, and enjoy life as it was in the wild, but the island Kang Il-hyun had reserved was more like a… honeymoon destination. He almost threw the tablet away when he saw the red petals on the bed.
“Take care and come back safely.”
The two brothers bid farewell with a hug and walked through the gate. Ja-kyung stood there watching them until they were gone, then turned away. He set the navigation to the neighborhood where he grew up after he found his car in the parking lot.
***
Ja-kyung bought a bottle of water from a small hole-in-the-wall shop in the neighborhood. An elderly woman with a hunched back was sitting on a bench, meticulously preparing vegetables. Climbing the uphill road was a little heavy. He didn’t know it when he came with Kang Il-hyun, but walking alone here reminded him of his childhood.
When he reached halfway, a worn-out green metal gate swung open, and five rough-looking young men poured out all at once. Their condition was visibly not good. They spat on the ground and glanced briefly at Ja-kyung as they passed by. Ignoring their stares, Ja-kyung continued his walk, but he heard muttering from behind.
Under the scorching midsummer sun, sweat trickled down his forehead. When he was halfway through his bottle of water, he arrived at the place he used to live at the neighborhood’s highest point. The flower garden was still well-maintained, and the house had been repaired, making it almost unrecognizable. A message arrived as he cooled off on the porch and finished the last of the water.
AD
It was Kang Il-hyun. Ja-kyung replied with his location and then walked toward the direction of the wall. As he climbed up and sat on the wall, he had a panoramic view of downtown Seoul. The scenery was quite authentic. He thought it would look beautiful once darkness fell and the city lights illuminated the night.
These were things he hadn’t enjoyed during his childhood. His phone rang while he was lost in nostalgic memories. His brows furrowed at the sight of the caller ID displaying “My Love.” Somehow, it magically changed even when he saved it by name.
[Why did you go there?]
His voice was gentle
“Just because. I came to hang out.”
[What are you doing now?]
“Sightseeing the city. The weather is really nice today.”
Laughter was laced at the end of the sentence. It was quiet on the other end of the line. Was it disconnected? Ja-kyung checked, but it wasn’t.
“Are you listening?”
“Yeah. I was just enjoying your voice for a moment.”
“What a pervert.”
The sound of laughter could be heard.
[I think I will be leaving work soon, shall I go there?]
Ja-kyung readily agreed without hesitation. After talking on the phone, he came down from the wall while watching the sun go down over the mountains. He opened the door, but couldn’t find any trace of the past. Every time he walked, the warped floor creaked. Then tiredness set in and he straightened up and lay down.
The blooming flowers beneath the wall caught his attention when he turned his head. A gentle breeze brushed his shaded hair now and then.
***
AD
Il-hyun, who was sitting in the back seat of the car with a cast on his left arm, opened the window while looking at the chicken and beer sitting next to him. When Lee Ja-kyung said he went to his old house, he bought chicken with the intention of drinking beer while watching the night view, but the smell was stronger than expected.
It was unpleasant for him because he didn’t like fried food that much. He regretted not putting it in the trunk and instead lit a cigarette. A smile spread across his lips as he approached the neighborhood. Tae-soo got out of the car and handed him the chicken and beer. Then he pulled out a gun.
When Il-hyun stared at him intently, Tae-soo added,
“The neighborhood is quite dangerous, so just in case, I prepared this.”
Il-hyun smiled as he slipped it into his belt.
“I’ll come to pick you up later.”
“It’s okay. I’ll just go back with Lee Ja-kyung.”
“ I understand.”
Il-hyun began walking up the alley after Tae-soo had left. The hills were steep, dimly lit, and noisier at night than during the day. The sound of fighting could be heard everywhere, as well as the sounds of arguments and breaking objects.
Il-hyun continued to climb the hill while humming a tune, and a shadow from above gradually merged into one and moved upward. There were five men, and the smoke from their cigarettes blew toward Il-hyun. They swaggered and spat on the ground all the time. One of them, whether drunk or high on drugs, couldn’t control his body and staggered.
“Walk straight, you asshole.”
“Hey! But are you sure that he’s really rich?”
“Don’t you see? If he drives an expensive car and wears expensive clothes in this neighborhood, what else could he be? It’s obvious.”
“I wish he had a lot of cash in his wallet.”
“Shall we go to the club today and use that bastard card?”
AD
They laughed among themselves, enjoying the moment. Il-hyun’s steps slowed down. He had a rough idea of where they were headed. Lee Ja-kyung seems to have become the target of the thugs in this neighborhood. He followed after them with an interesting look, and one of them looked back.
He looked ahead again, as he had also informed his companion. But they didn’t stop there. Il-hyun could hear their murmur.
“Fuck. Why did he keep following us?”
“Isn’t he with the guy up there?”
“Did you see his face?”
“No. It’s dark, so I can’t see.”
“He is so damn tall.”
“Don’t mind. He’s just an arm cripple.”
Il-hyun chuckled as he looked at his casted arm. Once they arrived at the topmost house where Lee Ja-kyung was staying, they peered inside through the wall. Il-hyun passed them by, opened the gate, and went inside. A confused voice is heard from behind. What the fuck. Are they really together?
Startled by the sound of the door opening, Lee Ja-kyung, who had been lying on the porch, quickly sat up, his eyes widening in surprise.
“Huh?”
Il-hyun held up the beer and chicken in his hand.
“A gift.”
Ja-kyung’s gaze was drawn to the men standing in front of the gate. He thought it was an employee brought by Kang Il-hyun, but they were dressed completely differently. They swarmed in, and upon closer inspection, they were the same guys Ja-kyung had seen earlier in the day in the alley. Il-hyun loosened his tie and placed the chicken and beer on the table. His eyes were filled with curiosity.
Ja-kyung, who understood the situation, asked.
AD
“Why did you bring them?”
The answer was unexpected.
“Weren’t they your friends?”
“Where did you get that?”
“They look like troublemakers.”
As if to confirm his words, the men in front of the gate drew their knives. “Close the door! Stop them!” they shouted. Ja-kyung stood up and took out his wallet from his pants pocket. He approached the men after withdrawing some cash and handed it over.
“Is it enough? Take it and never come here again.”
The dumbfounded men changed their expressions to triumphant ones as if they had misunderstood that Ja-kyung had given the money out of fear. One of them drew a folding knife and pointed it at Ja-kyung’s throat.
“If you don’t want to die, hand over your wallet.”
Ja-kyung looked at the knife under his neck with an annoyed expression and sighed. They were probably in their early twenties at most. Ja-kyung couldn’t understand why they would risk their lives for something like this. Meanwhile, Kang Il-hyun was leaning against the table, smoking a cigarette and enjoying the scene with a delighted expression.
“Babe. Do you need help?”
As Ja-kyung glared at him, Il-hyun pulled something out from his pocket. He thought it was a wallet, but it turned out to be a gun. His eyes widened. Il-hyun rarely carried a gun around. The men who saw the gun also froze simultaneously. What’s this? Is it a real gun? What the hell! It’s not a toy!
Il-hyun pointed the gun at them.
“Which one’s head should I shoot first?”
Ja-kyung beckoned him to clean it up, but he didn’t make a move. Kang Il-hyun’s expression gradually becomes mischievous. He stood up, holding the gun against his temple, contemplating which head to shoot first, looking at each of them with a calculating expression
Ja-kyung scowled in annoyance.
“Don’t do it. They’re just kids.”
Il-hyun chuckled playfully.
“If they’re over twenty, it’s fine even if they die.”
Without bothering to argue with such nonsense, Il-hyun aimed the gun and pulled the trigger. A gunshot rang out as the bullet hit the iron door. Startled, Ja-kyung turned around. What if he actually shoots? Il-hyun had a disappointed expression on his face.
AD
“Shit. I missed.”
As Il-hyun try to shoot again, the guys blocking the way screamed and run out of the gate. Ja-kyung looked out and found them running down the hill at full speed. Ja-kyung frowned, picked up the money they had spilled, and stood up.
After returning to his usual self, Il-hyun tossed the gun aside, grabbed a beer, and offered it to Ja-kyung. Ja-kyung accepted it and leaned against him.
“Ah, I suddenly feel tired because of those bastards.”
You’re the worst among them. But there’s a greasy smell somewhere. Looking around, Ja-kyung spotted the chicken and quickly went to grab it.
“Oh, it’s a chicken!”
Kang Il-hyun’s body leaned sideways as if he were about to collapse, and his expression became fierce.
“You like the chicken more than me? Should I be reborn as a chicken next time?”
“Don’t make a fuss. I’m hungry.”
After opening the lid, Ja-kyung closed his eyes, smelled it, and smiled broadly. His stomach was empty because he hadn’t eaten anything during the last meal with his brothers during the day. Il-hyun’s fierce eyes softened at Ja-kyung’s expression of enjoyment.
Ja-kyung picked up a chicken leg first and held it out to Il-hyun.
“Eat this.”
A cool breeze blew from somewhere to cool off the midsummer night’s heat. He took the leg that was offered to him to eat. The smell of oil he didn’t want to smell before had changed. Il-hyun smiled after taking a bite.
“Is it delicious?”
He nodded. It was a night where nothing could go wrong when you were with someone you like.
“Will you be okay?”
Even after arriving at the airport, Wang Han continued to express his concerns. He worried about Ja-kyung being alone while he and Wang Lun were leaving Korea. He feared that Chairman Kang’s remaining henchmen might pose a threat to Ja-kyung’s life.
“CEO Kang will be with him.”
Although Wang Lun tried to reassure him, Wang Han couldn’t shake off his worries. He repeatedly urged Ja-kyung to contact him immediately if anything happened. Wang Lun planned to sort things out and return to alleviate the pain of his broken heart.
“Make sure to contact me once you reach the island.”
Ja-kyung smiled helplessly. The two of them continued to fight over the issue of going to the island. Ja-kyung wanted to go hunting, catch fish, and enjoy life as it was in the wild, but the island Kang Il-hyun had reserved was more like a… honeymoon destination. He almost threw the tablet away when he saw the red petals on the bed.
“Take care and come back safely.”
The two brothers bid farewell with a hug and walked through the gate. Ja-kyung stood there watching them until they were gone, then turned away. He set the navigation to the neighborhood where he grew up after he found his car in the parking lot.
***
Ja-kyung bought a bottle of water from a small hole-in-the-wall shop in the neighborhood. An elderly woman with a hunched back was sitting on a bench, meticulously preparing vegetables. Climbing the uphill road was a little heavy. He didn’t know it when he came with Kang Il-hyun, but walking alone here reminded him of his childhood.
When he reached halfway, a worn-out green metal gate swung open, and five rough-looking young men poured out all at once. Their condition was visibly not good. They spat on the ground and glanced briefly at Ja-kyung as they passed by. Ignoring their stares, Ja-kyung continued his walk, but he heard muttering from behind.
Under the scorching midsummer sun, sweat trickled down his forehead. When he was halfway through his bottle of water, he arrived at the place he used to live at the neighborhood’s highest point. The flower garden was still well-maintained, and the house had been repaired, making it almost unrecognizable. A message arrived as he cooled off on the porch and finished the last of the water.
AD
It was Kang Il-hyun. Ja-kyung replied with his location and then walked toward the direction of the wall. As he climbed up and sat on the wall, he had a panoramic view of downtown Seoul. The scenery was quite authentic. He thought it would look beautiful once darkness fell and the city lights illuminated the night.
These were things he hadn’t enjoyed during his childhood. His phone rang while he was lost in nostalgic memories. His brows furrowed at the sight of the caller ID displaying “My Love.” Somehow, it magically changed even when he saved it by name.
[Why did you go there?]
His voice was gentle
“Just because. I came to hang out.”
[What are you doing now?]
“Sightseeing the city. The weather is really nice today.”
Laughter was laced at the end of the sentence. It was quiet on the other end of the line. Was it disconnected? Ja-kyung checked, but it wasn’t.
“Are you listening?”
“Yeah. I was just enjoying your voice for a moment.”
“What a pervert.”
The sound of laughter could be heard.
[I think I will be leaving work soon, shall I go there?]
Ja-kyung readily agreed without hesitation. After talking on the phone, he came down from the wall while watching the sun go down over the mountains. He opened the door, but couldn’t find any trace of the past. Every time he walked, the warped floor creaked. Then tiredness set in and he straightened up and lay down.
The blooming flowers beneath the wall caught his attention when he turned his head. A gentle breeze brushed his shaded hair now and then.
***
AD
Il-hyun, who was sitting in the back seat of the car with a cast on his left arm, opened the window while looking at the chicken and beer sitting next to him. When Lee Ja-kyung said he went to his old house, he bought chicken with the intention of drinking beer while watching the night view, but the smell was stronger than expected.
It was unpleasant for him because he didn’t like fried food that much. He regretted not putting it in the trunk and instead lit a cigarette. A smile spread across his lips as he approached the neighborhood. Tae-soo got out of the car and handed him the chicken and beer. Then he pulled out a gun.
When Il-hyun stared at him intently, Tae-soo added,
“The neighborhood is quite dangerous, so just in case, I prepared this.”
Il-hyun smiled as he slipped it into his belt.
“I’ll come to pick you up later.”
“It’s okay. I’ll just go back with Lee Ja-kyung.”
“ I understand.”
Il-hyun began walking up the alley after Tae-soo had left. The hills were steep, dimly lit, and noisier at night than during the day. The sound of fighting could be heard everywhere, as well as the sounds of arguments and breaking objects.
Il-hyun continued to climb the hill while humming a tune, and a shadow from above gradually merged into one and moved upward. There were five men, and the smoke from their cigarettes blew toward Il-hyun. They swaggered and spat on the ground all the time. One of them, whether drunk or high on drugs, couldn’t control his body and staggered.
“Walk straight, you asshole.”
“Hey! But are you sure that he’s really rich?”
“Don’t you see? If he drives an expensive car and wears expensive clothes in this neighborhood, what else could he be? It’s obvious.”
“I wish he had a lot of cash in his wallet.”
“Shall we go to the club today and use that bastard card?”
AD
They laughed among themselves, enjoying the moment. Il-hyun’s steps slowed down. He had a rough idea of where they were headed. Lee Ja-kyung seems to have become the target of the thugs in this neighborhood. He followed after them with an interesting look, and one of them looked back.
He looked ahead again, as he had also informed his companion. But they didn’t stop there. Il-hyun could hear their murmur.
“Fuck. Why did he keep following us?”
“Isn’t he with the guy up there?”
“Did you see his face?”
“No. It’s dark, so I can’t see.”
“He is so damn tall.”
“Don’t mind. He’s just an arm cripple.”
Il-hyun chuckled as he looked at his casted arm. Once they arrived at the topmost house where Lee Ja-kyung was staying, they peered inside through the wall. Il-hyun passed them by, opened the gate, and went inside. A confused voice is heard from behind. What the fuck. Are they really together?
Startled by the sound of the door opening, Lee Ja-kyung, who had been lying on the porch, quickly sat up, his eyes widening in surprise.
“Huh?”
Il-hyun held up the beer and chicken in his hand.
“A gift.”
Ja-kyung’s gaze was drawn to the men standing in front of the gate. He thought it was an employee brought by Kang Il-hyun, but they were dressed completely differently. They swarmed in, and upon closer inspection, they were the same guys Ja-kyung had seen earlier in the day in the alley. Il-hyun loosened his tie and placed the chicken and beer on the table. His eyes were filled with curiosity.
Ja-kyung, who understood the situation, asked.
AD
“Why did you bring them?”
The answer was unexpected.
“Weren’t they your friends?”
“Where did you get that?”
“They look like troublemakers.”
As if to confirm his words, the men in front of the gate drew their knives. “Close the door! Stop them!” they shouted. Ja-kyung stood up and took out his wallet from his pants pocket. He approached the men after withdrawing some cash and handed it over.
“Is it enough? Take it and never come here again.”
The dumbfounded men changed their expressions to triumphant ones as if they had misunderstood that Ja-kyung had given the money out of fear. One of them drew a folding knife and pointed it at Ja-kyung’s throat.
“If you don’t want to die, hand over your wallet.”
Ja-kyung looked at the knife under his neck with an annoyed expression and sighed. They were probably in their early twenties at most. Ja-kyung couldn’t understand why they would risk their lives for something like this. Meanwhile, Kang Il-hyun was leaning against the table, smoking a cigarette and enjoying the scene with a delighted expression.
“Babe. Do you need help?”
As Ja-kyung glared at him, Il-hyun pulled something out from his pocket. He thought it was a wallet, but it turned out to be a gun. His eyes widened. Il-hyun rarely carried a gun around. The men who saw the gun also froze simultaneously. What’s this? Is it a real gun? What the hell! It’s not a toy!
Il-hyun pointed the gun at them.
“Which one’s head should I shoot first?”
Ja-kyung beckoned him to clean it up, but he didn’t make a move. Kang Il-hyun’s expression gradually becomes mischievous. He stood up, holding the gun against his temple, contemplating which head to shoot first, looking at each of them with a calculating expression
Ja-kyung scowled in annoyance.
“Don’t do it. They’re just kids.”
Il-hyun chuckled playfully.
“If they’re over twenty, it’s fine even if they die.”
Without bothering to argue with such nonsense, Il-hyun aimed the gun and pulled the trigger. A gunshot rang out as the bullet hit the iron door. Startled, Ja-kyung turned around. What if he actually shoots? Il-hyun had a disappointed expression on his face.
AD
“Shit. I missed.”
As Il-hyun try to shoot again, the guys blocking the way screamed and run out of the gate. Ja-kyung looked out and found them running down the hill at full speed. Ja-kyung frowned, picked up the money they had spilled, and stood up.
After returning to his usual self, Il-hyun tossed the gun aside, grabbed a beer, and offered it to Ja-kyung. Ja-kyung accepted it and leaned against him.
“Ah, I suddenly feel tired because of those bastards.”
You’re the worst among them. But there’s a greasy smell somewhere. Looking around, Ja-kyung spotted the chicken and quickly went to grab it.
“Oh, it’s a chicken!”
Kang Il-hyun’s body leaned sideways as if he were about to collapse, and his expression became fierce.
“You like the chicken more than me? Should I be reborn as a chicken next time?”
“Don’t make a fuss. I’m hungry.”
After opening the lid, Ja-kyung closed his eyes, smelled it, and smiled broadly. His stomach was empty because he hadn’t eaten anything during the last meal with his brothers during the day. Il-hyun’s fierce eyes softened at Ja-kyung’s expression of enjoyment.
Ja-kyung picked up a chicken leg first and held it out to Il-hyun.
“Eat this.”
A cool breeze blew from somewhere to cool off the midsummer night’s heat. He took the leg that was offered to him to eat. The smell of oil he didn’t want to smell before had changed. Il-hyun smiled after taking a bite.
“Is it delicious?”
He nodded. It was a night where nothing could go wrong when you were with someone you like.
