The Returner

Chapter 35: I will protect my own home (5)

Chapter 35: I will protect my own home (5)

“Ouch!! Let go of me!! Hey! Let go!! Let me go right now or else!!” (Ye-Won)

With her hair now tightly grasped, Yi Ye-Won began fighting back with all her might.

Argh, I really wanna smack her, but I can’t!! (Yi Ji-Hyuk’s inner monologue)

“And here I was, wondering why you haven’t come home yet!! Is this what you’ve been doing?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“It’s none of your business what I do and where I decide to do it!!” (Ye-Won)

Hah?!

What the, this rotten little girl? Listen to her back talk!! (Yi Ji-Hyuk’s inner monologue)

His personality dictated that he’d slap her face silly till kingdom come, and then abandon her on an uninhabited island in the middle of the Yellow Sea for a week all by herself, so he could enjoy the sight of her crying her eyes out as he enjoyed a packet of chips, but...

If I do that, though, mom might hang me upside down and practise her spike serve on me...

Did someone once say that a mother’s hand was the gentlest medicine in the world?

What a load of bull.

My mom’s hands are like nuclear warheads!

It’s as if she has lathered capsaicin all over her palms – whenever she’s smacking my backside, I’m like a dried up squid curling up on top of a hot-as-hell grill!! (Yi Ji-Hyuk’s inner monologue)

“Let go!! Let me go right now!!!!” (Ye-Won)

“Uh-whew.”

Right, I better drag this moron back home first, and let mom... (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

It was then – a male hooligan AKA unnecessarily brave moron stepped up to Yi Ji-Hyuk.

“Oii.”

“Yeah?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Why dontcha let her go when we are still being civil?”

....Huhuhuh.

Dumbfounded, Yi Ji-Hyuk could only let out a hollow chuckle.

Was this moronic delinquent really threatening him? Him, the man who was referred to as the Terror of Berafe? Really?

Yi Ji-Hyuk carefully appraised the dumba*s in front from top to bottom.

From the way this fool was dressed, to how he combed his hair, as well as that scowling expression.... This guy here was the perfect role model of how a delinquent should look like and no one would disagree on that.

And to think, he’d live long enough to experience the day when a wannabe tough guy was trying to intimidate him with ‘scary’ eyes and all that...

“Hmm, but I let go of her already?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk released his grip on Ye-Won’s hair ever so gently.

The thing was, though...

He felt a bit intimidated for some reason.

But, why? Why would he chicken out here?

Could this be the infamous built-in fear of high schoolers all adults manifest in their later lives?

Well, you know, that thing. That unexplainable mental state, where you thought the fellow students smoking in a dark alley looked a bit silly and pointless, but as soon as you graduated from the school and entered the society as a responsible working adult, suddenly the same sight came across as horrifying as a group of monsters emerging from a dungeon or something.

This kid in front was a hooligan’s hooligan, sure, and the guy behind him wasn’t even from a local gang either. Yet... Yet, that guy at the back had seriously scary face. It was super effective!

Huh. Someone with a weak heart might need to call for an ambulance straight away after seeing that scary scowl on him. Probably.

How come this rotten girl is fooling around with such scary kids?!

“Who the hell are you supposed to be?” (The clueless delinquent)

“I’m supposed to be this girl’s oppa.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Her oppa?” (The delinquent)

“Yes.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk replied quite politely.

“What the f*ck. Even if you’re her brother or whatever, why would you suddenly grab her hair like that? You think you’ll feel good if I suddenly grab your hair now?” (The delinquent)

“No, I won’t.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

The delinquent smirked derisively and grabbed Yi Ji-Hyuk’s collars.

Huh? Aren’t the things going a bit too far now?

“You should really go home when we’re being nice, you know? Or else, I might be tempted to...” (The delinquent)

With his collars being grabbed, Yi Ji-Hyuk was debating on how he should punish this little punk, so the story might get some screen time on the local TV news bulletin. However, there was a person here that helped Yi Ji-Hyuk’s dilemmas in one fell swoop.

POW!

A fist suddenly flew in and smacked the face of the delinquent.

Yi Ji-Hyuk wondered if that was another of the KSF’s men in black, but he was wrong.

The dude with a terrifying expression who stood back and said nothing until now, suddenly knocked the living daylights out of the delinquent and began to step on the fallen fool as if he was kneading a particularly tough dough.

“Ahck!! Ouch!! But, whyyyy?!” (The delinquent)

“Shut the f*ck up, you fool!!” (The dude with the scary face)

And when the dude with the scary face finished his job of turning the foolish delinquent into a piece of worn-out rag with his boots, he shifted his gaze towards Yi Ji-Hyuk’s direction.

‘Wowsers. He really has an ugly expression, doesn’t he?’ (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Shouldn’t he wear a mask while walking around so that small children wouldn’t scream and run away?!

Seriously now, the dude’s face was so scary, pregnant mothers and elders with weak hearts shouldn’t even take a look at him.

This dude with the scary face stared at Yi Ji-Hyuk with all his might, before suddenly bowing his head to the ground.

“Please accept my sincerest apologies, sir.” (The dude with the scary face)

He bowed his back 90 degrees and, quite unfitting that scary face of his, he began pleading with Yi Ji-Hyuk with a pitiful expression.

“It’s all my fault for not recognising the situation, sir. Please forgive us, I shall make sure to educate this idiot properly by beating him up for the next three days. I swear it.” (The dude with the scary face)

“Huh?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

And what is this guy muttering about now?!

“You know who I am?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Of course, sir!”

“You sure you’re not making a mistake?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“There’s no way, sir. You said you’re Ye-Won’s older brother.”

“Yeah, sure, I did say that. But, uh...” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Okay, so what is up with this situation now?

Sure, if this was Berafe, plenty of people there fainted with bubbles forming in their mouths when they saw me, but here on Earth, I made sure to behave myself and abided by the law. I really did, so, uh....

“Okay, do I know you from somewhere?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

When Yi Ji-Hyuk asked the dude with the scary face, the dude shuddered slightly before cautiously answering back.

“Hyung-nim, it’s Chang-Sik.”

“Chang-Sik.... Chang-Sik, huh....” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

And this mystery Chang-Sik should be....

“Ah!! You’re that Chang-Sik?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

This was that kid who used to bully Ye-Won so much (because he really liked her) which eventually led to that Brazilian Kick in the face from Yi Ji-Hyuk who came to his little sister’s rescue, and wound up waking up in a hospital all those years ago.

It was like one of the better chapters in Yi Ji-Hyuk’s memories were being re-read again.

“It is you, Chang-Sik. Yeah, you’re Chang-Sik, I can sort of tell... But, Chang-Sik, you...” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk took another probing look at Chang-Sik’s entire body, and with a trembling voice, he spoke up.

“You must have suffered a lot.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Eh?”

“I mean, back then, you looked so upstanding and presentable, yet now... Just what kind of suffering and hardship you must have gone through, I can only wonder...” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Eh?”

“Stay strong, kid. Living can be harsh and cruel like that. Don’t lose heart, okay?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Choi Chang-Sik looked like he got wronged somehow as he replied back testily.

“Hyung-nim, it’s not like that.” (Choi Chang-Sik)

“Then, why do you look this bad now?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“It’s just the genes...” (Choi Chang-Sik)

“You really shouldn’t blame your parents, you know.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“I am not blaming them!” (Choi Chang-Sik)

Chang-Sik let out a heated cry, before realising he made a mistake and quickly lowered his head.

“In any case, I’m truly sorry, sir. I will definitely double down on this idiot’s education, so please forgive us just this once. I’m begging you.” (Choi Chang-Sik)

“No, well. It’s not like I’m a local gangster or something, so I’m not gonna go around beating people up just because someone grabbed my collar, you know? It’s nothing much, really...” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Then, Yi Ji-Hyuk tilted his head slightly.

“But, now that I think about it, it is kinda irritating, too.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“That son of a b*tch!!” (Choi Chang-Sik)

Choi Chang-Sik quickly turned around and ran towards the delinquent on the ground, before proceeding to roughly step on him again.

Yi Ji-Hyuk listened to the very real cries of “Ahck! Ahck!” reverberating throughout the night sky as if it was the most enjoyable music in the whole world. Then, he pulled out another cigarette.

Click!

Choi Chang-Sik ran back faster than a lightning bolt and hurriedly lit Yi Ji-Hyuk’s cigarette with his lighter.

“Hey, you. You smoke too?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Ehehe.”

“You might get lung cancer at a young age.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“I’ll try to quit, sir.” (Choi Chang-Sik)

“Mm, sure. Well, that’s that, but...” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk looked at his little sister Ye-Won, who was still glaring at him with a pair of very large and p*ssed-off eyes.

“Hey, man. Chang-Sik, were you the one to let her tag along?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Well, it’s not 100% correct to say I let her tag along, but... we hang around together, every now and then, sure thing. Just hanging out.” (Choi CHang-Sik)

Yi Ji-Hyuk wrapped his arm around the shoulders of Chang-Sik, who was at least a good head taller than him.

Choi Chang-Sik possessed a smart head on his shoulders, though, so he quickly lowered himself slightly to match the height.

“Hey, man.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Yes, sir!” (Choi Chang-Sik)

“I really don’t mind you guys fooling around. No, really, I don’t. However, you see the thing is, when this girl comes home late, this ol’ me ends up in a heap of trouble, you feel me? My mom has this hobby of making my life a living hell, you know?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Yes, sir.” (Choi Chang-Sik)

“Okay, so, here’s my phone, and I want you to save your contact numbers on it.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“My numbers?” (Choi Chang-Sik)

“That’s right, your contact numbers.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

While he seemed wholly unconvinced, Choi Chang-Sik still saved his contact numbers on Yi Ji-Hyuk’s phone.

As soon as that ended, Yi Ji-Hyuk immediately called that number.

Ringggg~

A short while of ringtone later, someone answered the call.

– “Hello?”

“Hello? By any chance, is this Chang-Sik’s phone?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

– “I don’t know any Chang-Sik, sorry.”

“Ah, is that so? Well, to be honest, even I thought it was odd, you see? What with Chang-Sik standing right here and all.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk turned to look at Choi Chang-Sik with a brightly beaming face.

Chang-Sik too smiled awkwardly.

“Ha, haha...” (Choi Chang-Sik)

“Hahaha... wanna die young?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Please, don’t kill me, sir.” (Choi Chang-Sik)

“Let’s try that again, shall we?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Choi Chang-Sik fought back the rising tears and saved the real contact numbers this time. After confirming that it was the real deal, Yi Ji-Hyuk smiled brightly and spoke up.

“Hey, Chang-Sik.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Yes, please speak, hyung-nim.” (Choi Chang-Sik)

“Whenever this kid is tardy in coming home on time, I’m going to give you a call.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“...Yes, sir.” (Choi Chang-Sik)

“If you think you can run away, then I dare you to give it your best shot. I will definitely find you. As I have done always!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“But, you haven’t done that, though?” (Choi Chang-Sik)

“Doesn’t matter!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Finding this situation somewhat unfair, Choi Chang-Sik tried to lodge a complaint.

“I do hang out with her, yes, but it’s not all the time, hyung-nim. It’ll be impossible for me to find her if she’s hanging out with other guys.” (Choi Chang-Sik)

“Chang-Sik-ah. There is this one truth this hyung has realised after living for a while. You see, a person can...” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“...A person can’t live while doing only the things he wants to?” (Choi Chang-Sik)

“Nope.”

Yi Ji-Hyuk resolutely shook his head.

“A person can’t live while doing only the things he is capable of. Even if it’s seemingly beyond your capabilities, sometimes you just gotta do it regardless, no matter what! You must uncover her whereabouts and drag her back home, you feel me?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Lightly tapping the despairing Choi Chang-Sik’s shoulders a couple of times, Yi Ji-Hyuk then grabbed the hand of Yi Ye-Won and began dragging her towards the direction of home.

“Well, see you around.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Hey! Let me go!! I said, let me go now!! I’ll walk there on my own!” (Ye-Won)

Choi Chang-Sik bowed once more as Yi Ji-Hyuk walked away.

“Have a pleasant journey back home, hyung-nim!” (Choi Chang-Sik)

When he could no longer see Yi Ji-Hyuk’s back, Choi Chang-Sik pulled out a cigarette and roughly shoved in his mouth.

“Ha-ah, f*ck this.” (Choi Chang-Sik)

While he angrily sucked on the cigarette, the delinquent from before cautiously approached him, as well as other idiots that stood around, wondering what was going on when Chang-Sik jumped in to save the day.

“What the hell, Chang-Sik? But why?” (The clueless delinquent)

“You’re being noisy, so shut up. I just saved your a*s today.” (Choi Chang-Sik)

“Huh?”

“Damn, now that I think about it more, you a*shole, I nearly ended up in my own funeral because of you. Jesus, that was a f*cking close call.” (Choi Chang-Sik)

“I have no damn clue what you are on about, man.” (The delinquent)

“You, don’t you know who that hyung was just now?” (Choi Chang-Sik)

“Who? You mean, Ye-Won’s oppa?” (The delinquent)

“Yeah.” (Choi Chang-Sik)

“Of course I don’t know.” (The delinquent)

Choi Chang-Sik groaned out and tapped his stupid friend on his shoulders.

“Let me give you a piece of advice, my man. When you see that hyung in the future, I advise you to start running away before you get within the 100 metre radius of him. That guy... You shouldn’t get involved with him, understand?” (Choi Chang-Sik)

“But, why? Is he an ability user? I haven’t heard that Ye-Won’s oppa is a user, though? No, wait a minute, I didn’t even know she had an older brother in the first place.” (The delinquent)

“An ability user, my a*s. Sh*t, it’d have been better if he was a godd*mn user. Those b*stards get arrested the moment they harass civilians, after all.” (Choi Chang-Sik)

“Okay, so he’s not even an ability user, so why?” (The delinquent)

“In this world, there are even worse people than ability users, got that? You should ask your own older brothers about Yi Ji-Hyuk later on, okay?” (Choi Chang-Sik)

“His name is Yi Ji-Hyuk? I think I might have heard of that name before...” (The delinquent)

“Whatever, it’s for the best not to get involved with that guy. Hah, screw this. I was relaxing easy when I heard he went missing, but why the hell did he have to return?!” (Choi Chang-Sik)

Choi Chang-Sik repeatedly spat out long groans. He felt like his mind might crumble to bits just thinking about that rotten SOB being there and waiting to ruin his day whenever he’d try to get in touch with Ye-Won in the future.

“What are the grim reapers doing? Not taking away people like that...” (Choi Chang-Sik)

Well, the truth was.... he did get taken away. But he came back.

Regretfully so.

*

Yi Ye-Won continued to shout out at the top of her lungs as they arrived in front of the apartment.

“I said, let go of my hand!!” (Ye-Won)

“Seriously, have you really lost her dang mind?!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk threw the hand down and began angrily pointing at her.

“What is your problem?! Did I tell you to not come home and waste time like this? Ah? Why get p*ssed off at me for?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“I can do whatever I want!! Butt out of it, you loser!” (Ye-Won)

“Loser?! What the hell, I say nothing out of consideration and you start behaving like that now? Why can’t you address me properly like everyone else??” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Why should I? What, you wanna suddenly act like an oppa after going missing for five years?” (Ye-Won)

“Aigoo, Ye-Won-ah...”

Yi Ji-Hyuk spat out a long, long sigh.

“Why are you so hell-bent on making your oppa’s life miserable? You were never like this back then. Just where did it go wrong for you?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“What?” (Ye-Won)

“That’s right!! What happened? I wanna know!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ye-Won exclaimed out loudly as if she found him utterly ridiculous.

“Why the hell would there be a reason for me to go wrong?!” (Ye-Won)

“Huh?”

“You go the wrong way, because that’s just the way you’re! Is this a TV drama? Are you shooting a movie?! Why would there be a reason??” (Ye-Won)

Huh. She’s got a point there.

She’d make a great politician, wouldn’t she? (Yi Ji-Hyuk’s inner monologue)

“That’s why!! Leave me alone and stop bothering me!! Why do you keep harassing me!” (Ye-Won)

“You think I’m doing this because I want to bother you?!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Then, why are you doing this?” (Ye-Won)

The person who answered Yi Ye-Won’s queries was actually someone else.

“I ordered him to.” (mom)

Yi Ye-Won couldn’t help but tremble from fear when she detected an ominous aura right behind her and she slowly looked back.

“M, mom...” (Ye-Won)

SMAAAASH!!!

“Kkyaaachk!!” (Ye-Won)

When mom’s “back smash” splendidly landed on Yi Ye-Won, she began painfully twerking around, just like a dried-up squid on a grill.

Madam Park Seon-Duk simply grabbed the back of twisting Yi Ye-Won’s neck and dragged her wayward child inside the building.

“Let’s talk inside since we’re inconveniencing the neighbours.” (mom)

“Mom, mom! It’s not what you think!!” (Ye-Won)

“Shut your piehole, you rotten girl!!” (mom)

Yi Ji-Hyuk also trembled from fear while watching this scene unfold.

“Mom’s even more scarier than a demon lord...” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

He could faintly understand how his little sister turned out that way. Just about.

Yi Ji-Hyuk suddenly recalled what Choi Chang-Sik said earlier on.

....It’s just the genes....

No, it better not be.

It must never be.

I hope...

< 35. I will protect my home -5 > Fin.