Chapter 46.1
Chapter 46.1
Chapter 46.1
The Meaning of Family (1)
Caught in the middle of farming, Sang-Ho turned to us with a puzzled expression. Although he was covered in soil, it just made him look hardy rather than dirty. Unable to believe his eyes, he grabbed Sang-Beoms face between his hands and then pulled the boys cheeks with his fingers.
Oh my god. What on earth are you doing here
Hyuuung-
Sang-Beom bit his lip as he tried to choke back a sob, but the more he tried to keep them in, the more tears ran down his cheeks. Sang-Beom started beating his brothers chest with his fists.
Why! Why didnt you call me! Idiot!
Ow ow! Just hang on one second.
The way that Sang-Beom was berating his brother looked just like a mother scolding her child. All his pent-up anger and frustration was pouring out like a dam inside him had burst open.
Even with his younger brother appearing so enraged, Sang-Ho seemed happy to see him as he couldnt restrain his laughter.
Im sorry. Even though I couldnt call you, I really did want to see you, but I have my reasons for not doing so. But wow, what a surprise. It looks like our father has answered my prayers.
Ugh. Fuck.
I grabbed my aching head. Of all things, to think that Sang-Beoms hyung would be in a place like this. If I recall correctly, this island was
What are you talking about? Anyway, if it wasnt for hyungs friend, searching for you could have been a disaster. How else would I be able to come all the way here to Jeju by myself?
A friend? Who?
As one, the two brothers turned to look at me. While wiping away his sweat with a towel, Sang-Ho examined me closely. However the look in his eyes showed that no matter how hard he tried, he just couldnt recognize me.
That was obvious. After all, this was also my first time meeting him. We exchanged awkward glances with each other.
Sang-Beom broke the silence and almost spilled the beans, But he said that he was hyungs friend. A po-
I quickly slapped my hand over his mouth. Then putting some strength into this grip, I pulled Sang-Beom over towards me.
Mph! Mph!
A po-? Sang-Ho asked in confusion, but Sang-Beoms muffled cries covered up the question.
I smiled cheerfully and shook my head.
Ha-ha. A poor student who also went to the same high school in Gyeonggi Province. Thats what he was trying to say. I transferred to Seoul soon after I got in, but I used to be in the class next to yours.
Ah is that so? Im sorry. I cant remember you. Even though I dont think Ive ever seen someone as handsome as you.
Thats because it was all a long time ago. My name is Go Ji-Hun. Somehow I just ended up helping your brother and that led us here.
We exchanged polite greetings.
Chief Kim had a puzzled expression, but I sent him a signal to just ignore it. Sang-Beoms face was flushed red and it looked like he couldnt breathe, so I finally dropped my hand from his face.
Gasp! Hey really! What was that for?
Enough. Now what? Since youve met your hyung, decide what you want to do, diverting Sang-Beoms attention away from my actions, I urged him.
Now that weve confirmed that his brother is alive, should we just return to Seoul, or would he rather stay with his brother? I was pushing him to make the choice.
The boy clung to his brothers arm affectionately and asked, Hyung. Are you living here now? Do you intend on never going back home?
When you see him like this, you cant help but feel that hes too mature for his age. Instead of blindly asking him to go home together, Sang-Beom was trying to understand his brothers position.
Sang-Hos expression darkened slightly at his little brothers words.
Picking up the hoe and the shovel that hed been using to dig, he said, I will never return to that house.
But
This has worked out well. I also wanted to visit and ask you to come here and live with me, but since Im still in training, Im not allowed to leave the island. Another reason for delaying it was that there isnt a school here.
His words kept on revealing some subtle incongruities. Noticing these, Sang-Beom frowned.
Hyung. Starting from a while ago, youve been saying a lot of things that I cant understand.
It was at that moment. A few other people appeared at the entrance to the village. They looked like theyd been about to come and work the fields alongside Sang-Ho, as they were carrying farming implements and a few snacks. Upon seeing all the strangers, they halted in their tracks and hesitated. But soon, they walked over towards us.
Who are they?
Does Sang-Ho know these people?
With their rough skin and lined faces, they looked like plain and rustic folk, but something in their expressions revealed a deep compassion.They were the common sort of elderly people that you could often meet upon visiting any country village. Though they were showing both curiosity and a sense of vigilance. Since outsiders were so rare, it was a normal reaction.
Sang-Ho introduced us with a smile, This boy is my younger brother. Then theres my classmate from high school and these are
Sang-Ho looked embarrassed upon failing to introduce Chief Kim and Ji-Hye.
Ji-Hye helped him out by warmly greeting the villagers, Im his younger brothers friend. And this is his friends friend.
N-nice to meet you, Chief Kim greeted them with a nervous smile.
Previously he had been so nervous that it was like he was expecting ghosts to appear, but now that he saw that the villagers were only ordinary people, it looked like he had finally stopped holding his breath.
How did you all end up here?
It was very difficult to find our way here. We had to ask a few people from the neighbourhood where Sang-Ho used to work.
When one of the men asked a question, I answered on behalf of my companions. Our group consisted of a secretary from a conglomerate, a future con-artist, and an intelligent student. Since all of them had quite sharp wits, they kept quiet as I spoke. It looked like they had noticed something strange was going on from my behavior.