Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 151

151

Hyun-sung immediately asked,

“What’s wrong?”

– Hah, Grandma is acting strange.

“Grandma is acting strange? What do you mean?”

– Grandma has had a high fever and diarrhea since a little while ago…….

“The hospital?”

– That’s……, Grandma says she won’t go.

“Why?”

– Th-that’s…….

Kim Il-soo couldn’t bring himself to say it.

“We need to call 119 [the emergency services number in South Korea]!”

– …….

Kim Il-soo remained silent even at Hyun-sung’s urgent voice.

However, he couldn’t just wait for Kim Il-soo’s reply.

He’s only a high school sophomore, and he’s been raised by his grandmother since he was young. That’s why his shock must be even greater.

Besides, his grandmother is refusing to go to the hospital.

He couldn’t stay still any longer.

“Il-soo! I’m coming now!”

Click.

Hyun-sung hung up the phone with those words. Then, he immediately ran out of the store.

Huff! Huff!

Hyun-sung pedaled the bicycle with all his might. There are no buses at this hour. The only way to get there was by bicycle.

Fortunately, he wasn’t in his previous weak condition. There was no doubt that it was all thanks to the wild ginseng and plump deodeok [a type of Korean root vegetable] he ate in the mountains back then.

It was incomparable to the frail body he had in his past life.

Was that why?

The bicycle Hyun-sung was riding was running faster than ever before.

How long had he been riding?

Hyun-sung finally arrived at Kim Il-soo’s house.

“Il-soo!”

“Oh, you’re here?”

From Kim Il-soo’s expression, Hyun-sung could tell how scared he had been. He was just a big kid, still only a high school sophomore.

“Where’s your grandmother?”

“In her room, her fever is still the same…….”

Kim Il-soo couldn’t even finish his sentence.

Grandmother Shin Yu-bok’s condition was more serious than Hyun-sung had expected. She had a fever and was now complaining of abdominal pain.

“Grandma, what did you have for dinner?”

“Potatoes…….”

Shin Yu-bok barely managed to speak.

“Were they possibly spoiled?”

“Well, I steamed them this morning…….”

It wasn’t certain, but it seemed like spoiled potatoes were the cause. But the important thing wasn’t the cause right now.

It was that Shin Yu-bok was in pain.

Hyun-sung looked at Shin Yu-bok and said,

“Grandma, you need to go to the hospital.”

“Ah, no.”

Shin Yu-bok shook her head violently while clutching her stomach. Even then, her eyes were wavering.

She was scared.

Then, Kim Il-soo, who was next to her, looked at Shin Yu-bok and said,

“Grandma, is it because of the money?”

“…….”

Shin Yu-bok didn’t answer.

She just clutched her stomach and writhed in pain.

Only then did Hyun-sung think he knew why Shin Yu-bok didn’t want to go to the hospital. He had a hunch, and it turned out the problem was money.

It was the painful reality of that era.

The reality of poverty, where you couldn’t go even if you wanted to, where you had no choice.

Hyun-sung looked at Shin Yu-bok for a moment.

She was still groaning in pain.

Hyun-sung thought he couldn’t hesitate any longer and shouted at Kim Il-soo.

“Call 119!”

“What?”

“Call them. People come first. Hurry!”

Kim Il-soo didn’t know what to do.

Kim Il-soo was also scared. Even in this urgent situation, the young Kim Il-soo was worried about what Shin Yu-bok was concerned about.

That was poverty.

It was bitter, but he couldn’t afford to be sentimental any longer.

Hyun-sung jumped up from his seat. Then, he walked to where the phone was.

Hyun-sung picked up the receiver and immediately dialed 119.

Hyun-sung was dumbfounded after ending the call. There were no available vehicles or personnel to dispatch right away.

The reason was that a major traffic accident had occurred, and all personnel and equipment had been dispatched there. It was absurd, but it was the reality of that era that he had to face in the countryside.

He had no choice but to hang up after hearing that they would send someone as soon as possible.

Hyun-sung, who had hung up the phone, looked at Shin Yu-bok. She was still complaining of pain.

He didn’t know what the situation was, so he just felt sorry.

The nearest hospital was only a small clinic about 10km away. Other than that, there was only Hoengseong or Hongcheon downtown. Wonju was too far.

Hoengseong, Hongcheon, and Wonju were distances that couldn’t be reached without a car.

The closest place was the private clinic near the school.

Huff!

A sigh flowed from Hyun-sung’s mouth.

Hyun-sung fell into 고민 [a state of worry or contemplation].

What to do?

The important thing was that he couldn’t just wait for 119, which might not come at all. If something happened to Shin Yu-bok in the meantime, he would carry that burden for the rest of his life.

After a while.

Hyun-sung, who had finished 고민 [thinking], looked at Kim Il-soo and said,

“I’ll take her myself!”

“What?”

Kim Il-soo couldn’t believe his ears. The distance from here to the hospital was definitely not close.

It was at least 10km. Was it even possible to move a patient that distance?

Kim Il-soo asked again.

“Is that even possible?”

“Or are you just going to stay still like this?”

“That’s…….”

“If you just stay still and something happens to Grandma…….”

Hyun-sung couldn’t bring himself to say the rest. But Kim Il-soo knew what the rest meant.

Kim Il-soo looked at his grandmother, Shin Yu-bok. The sight of his grandmother struggling in pain caught his eye.

She was the only person who had raised him so far. He didn’t know the importance of his grandmother when he was young. But as he got older, he realized how grateful he was to her.

Like Hyun-sung said, if something happened to his grandmother, could he bear the guilt?

No, guilt wasn’t the problem.

It was a matter of life and death. And it was his only grandmother.

Kim Il-soo shook his head violently.

He was so resentful of himself for 고민ing [worrying] about what to do in this situation.

Kim Il-soo, who had come to his senses, looked at Hyun-sung.

The two people met eyes.

Kim Il-soo spoke first.

“Let’s go! I can’t just leave my grandmother like this!”

It wasn’t the same Kim Il-soo who had been 갈등ing [conflicted] a little while ago.

Kim Il-soo’s words continued.

“I’ll carry Grandma on my back.”

Hyun-sung waved his hand at Kim Il-soo.

This wasn’t a matter of will. It didn’t make sense for Kim Il-soo to carry Shin Yu-bok on his back and run with his 체력 [physical strength]. And the important thing was that he shouldn’t carry Shin Yu-bok on his back right now.

It was because Shin Yu-bok was complaining of 복통 [abdominal pain] right now. If he carried her on his back and ran, the shock would be directly 전달될 [transferred] to her abdomen.

Then there was only one way.

To hold her and run.

“No, that’s not it.”

Kim Il-soo 움찔 [flinched] at Hyun-sung’s 제재 [restraint].

Then Hyun-sung’s words continued.

“Grandma shouldn’t be carried on your back right now. If you do that, the shock will be 전달될 [transferred] to her abdomen and it might become more dangerous. We have no choice but to hold her. And with your 체력 [stamina]…….”

Kim Il-soo was speechless for a moment.

체력 [Stamina].

It was a part that he had to 인정할 수밖에 [admit].

He wished he could do anything, but Kim Il-soo knew better that it wasn’t a problem that could be solved with 욕심 [greed/desire].

He had no choice but to 끄덕였다 [nodded] his head towards Hyun-sung.

Then Hyun-sung also 끄덕였다 [nodded] his head as if he understood.

Hyun-sung, who turned around, approached Shin Yu-bok and said.

“Grandma, I’m going to hold you and run from now on. I’ll try to minimize the shock, but you’ll have to 감수 어느 정도 [endure it to some extent]. Got it?”

Shin Yu-bok was still 흔들고 있었다 [shaking] her head from side to side.

She was 거부하는 [refusing] to go to the hospital.

But unlike her actions, her 눈빛 [eyes] was 심하게 흔들리고 있었다 [trembling severely].

She was 두려운 [afraid].

Why wouldn’t she be? There would be no one who wouldn’t be 두렵지 [afraid] in the face of 고통 [pain].

‘This can’t go on any longer.’

Hyun-sung, who thought he couldn’t 지체 [delay] any longer, bent down and 힘껏 들어 올렸다 [lifted up with all his might] Shin Yu-bok.

Then Kim Il-soo, who was next to him, 가볍게 두드렸다 [lightly tapped] Hyun-sung’s back.

탁탁 [Tap tap].

“Hyun-sung, I’m 부탁한다 [entrusting] our grandmother!”

It was a moment when 간절함 [earnestness] was 묻어나는 [evident] in Kim Il-soo’s 목소리 [voice].

“I’m going!”

Hyun-sung 박차고 [kicked open] the door and 그대로 나섰 [went out] the 방 [room].

It was 결코 [by no means] short 거리가 아니다 [a distance]. Hyun-sung was 마찬가지 두려운 [also afraid]. But 신유복’s 고통 [Shin Yu-bok’s pain] was 우선 [priority] than that 두려움 [fear], who was a friend’s 할머니 [grandmother].

Hyun-sung’s 모습은 금방 사라졌다 속으로 어둠 [figure quickly disappeared into the darkness].

Huff! Huff!

Hyun-sung’s 호흡은 일정했다 [breathing was steady].

누가 봐도 이건 말이 안 되는 상황이었다 [To anyone, this was an impossible situation].

신유복이 아무리 체중이 못 나가도 50kg은 넘는다 [No matter how little Shin Yu-bok weighed, she was over 50kg]. 그런 사람을 안고 뛴다는 것이 말이 되는가 말이다 [To hold such a person and run, was that even possible?].

그런데 중요한 건 그 불가능한 일을 현성이 지금 해내고 있다는 것이었다 [But the important thing was that Hyun-sung was doing that impossible thing right now].

처음엔 현성도 불안하고 겁도 났었다 [At first, Hyun-sung was also anxious and scared].

과연 할 수 있을까 [Could he really do it]?

하지만 그 걱정은 말 그대로 기우였다 [But that worry was, in fact, unnecessary].

신기한 경험을 했다 [He had a strange experience]. 그건 다름 아닌 현성 자신의 몸이 어떤 상황에 대처하는 적응 능력이었다 [It was none other than Hyun-sung’s own body’s ability to adapt to any situation].

현성이 긴장을 하자 몸에서 알아서 에너지가 분비되듯 체력이 따라준다는 것이었다 [When Hyun-sung tensed up, his body released energy on its own, as if his stamina was keeping up]. 마치 기다리기라도 한 듯 몸에서 에너지가 분출하기 시작한 것이다 [It was as if his body had been waiting, and energy began to gush out].

지금까지는 한 번도 겪어보지 못한 일이었다 [It was something he had never experienced before].

얼마나 시간이 지났을까 [How much time had passed]?

“괜찮냐 [Are you okay]?”

김일수가 뒤에서 뛰어오면서 물었다 [Kim Il-soo asked, running from behind].

“끄떡없어 [I’m fine]!”

“대단하네. 어떻게…… [Amazing. How……]?”

김일수는 뛰면서도 고개를 갸웃거렸다 [Kim Il-soo tilted his head, even while running].

벌써 집을 출발한 지 30분이 지났다 [It had already been 30 minutes since they left the house]. 그렇다고 속도가 느린 것도 아니다 [It wasn’t as if the speed was slow either]. 맨몸으로 따라가는 자신이 힘들 정도로 빠른 속도다 [It was such a fast speed that he himself, running with his bare body, was having a hard time keeping up].

그런데도 현성은 조금의 흔들림도 없이 처음 속도 그대로 달리고 있는 것이다 [And yet, Hyun-sung was running at the same speed as the beginning, without the slightest wavering]. 무슨 철인도 아니고, 이게 가능한 일인가 말이다 [What kind of iron man was he? Was this even possible]?

체력이 예전보다 좋아졌다는 것은 느꼈지만 이 정도로 강한 줄은 몰랐다 [He felt that his stamina had improved compared to before, but he didn’t know it was this strong].

그때 현성의 말이 이어졌다 [Then Hyun-sung’s words continued].

“난 괜찮은데 할머니가 괜찮으신지 모르겠다 [I’m fine, but I don’t know if Grandma is okay].”

현성의 말이 끝나자 신유복이 괜찮다는 듯 고개를 살짝 끄덕였다 [As Hyun-sung’s words ended, Shin Yu-bok nodded slightly as if to say she was okay]. 혹시라도 뛰는 데 방해될까 봐 현성의 목을 끌어안은 팔에 힘을 더 주는 신유복이었다 [Shin Yu-bok was giving more strength to the arms that hugged Hyun-sung’s neck, in case she would hinder the running].

현성의 말이 다시 이어졌다 [Hyun-sung’s words continued again].

“할머니 이제 한 시간 정도만 더 가면 되니까 조금만 더 참아요 [Grandma, we only have about an hour left, so please bear with it a little longer].”

여전히 고개로 대답하는 신유복이었다 [It was still Shin Yu-bok who answered with her head].

얼마나 더 달렸을까 [How much further did they run]?

뒤에서 따라오던 김일수의 호흡이 가빠지는 게 느껴졌다 [He could feel Kim Il-soo’s breathing becoming heavy from behind].

헉헉 [Gasp gasp].

그런 김일수를 향해 현성이 소리쳤다 [Hyun-sung shouted towards such Kim Il-soo].

“야, 정신 차려 [Hey, get a grip].”

“어 [Uh]!”

힘들게 겨우 대답하는 김일수였다 [It was Kim Il-soo who barely managed to answer with difficulty].

이 속도로 계속 달린다면 얼마 못 가 김일수는 더 이상 현성의 속도를 따라잡을 수 없을 것이다 [If they continued to run at this speed, Kim Il-soo would soon no longer be able to keep up with Hyun-sung’s speed].

그렇다고 속도를 줄일 수는 없었다 [But he couldn’t reduce the speed]. 지금 중요한 건 김일수가 아니라 신유복의 고통이 우선이었기 때문이다 [Because what was important now was not Kim Il-soo, but Shin Yu-bok’s pain was the priority].

아니나 다를까 [As expected].

조금 더 달리자 뒤따라오던 김일수와의 거리가 점점 더 벌어지기 시작했다 [As they ran a little further, the distance between Kim Il-soo, who was following behind, began to widen more and more].

어차피 예상했던 일이다 [It was something he had expected anyway]. 그 몸으로 여기까지 따라온 것만으로도 어쩌면 대단한 일이었다 [It was perhaps a great thing that he had followed this far with that body].

고민할 문제가 아니었다 [It wasn’t a problem to 고민 [worry] about].

현성은 김일수를 향해 소리쳤다 [Hyun-sung shouted towards Kim Il-soo].

“야, 나 먼저 간다. 병원으로 와 [Hey, I’m going first. Come to the hospital].”

다른 말은 굳이 필요 없었다 [There was no need for other words]. 지금 상황에서 가장 중요한 건 신유복을 1분 1초라도 빨리 병원으로 데리고 가는 것이기 때문이다 [Because the most important thing in the current situation was to take Shin Yu-bok to the hospital as quickly as possible, even if it was just one minute or one second].

김일수도 알았다는 듯 손짓을 하며 겨우 말을 이었다 [Kim Il-soo also gestured as if he knew, and barely continued to speak].

“미, 미안하다. 도저히…… [S, sorry. I can’t……].”

현성은 김일수의 말이 채 끝나기도 전에 속도를 올렸다 [Hyun-sung increased his speed before Kim Il-soo’s words were even finished].

얼마쯤 더 달렸을까 [How much further did he run]?

현성의 목을 감싸고 있던 신유복의 팔 힘이 점점 빠지는 걸 느낄 수 있었다 [He could feel the strength of Shin Yu-bok’s arms, which were wrapped around Hyun-sung’s neck, gradually weakening].

현성은 신유복을 불렀다 [Hyun-sung called Shin Yu-bok].

“할머니 [Grandma]!”

“으…… [Ugh……].”

“조금만 더 참으세요. 이제 이 고개만 넘으면 병원 나오니까 앞으로 10분이면 돼요. 힘들어도 그때까지만 참아요 [Please bear with it a little longer. Now, if we just get over this hill, the hospital will come out, so it will be 10 minutes from now. Even if it’s hard, please bear with it until then].”

신유복은 대답 대신 팔에 힘을 더 주는 것으로 자신의 의지를 전달했다 [Shin Yu-bok conveyed her will by giving more strength to her arms instead of answering].

Huff!

드디어 병원에 도착한 현성은 1층에 설치된 벨을 눌렀다 [Finally, Hyun-sung, who arrived at the hospital, pressed the bell installed on the first floor]. 그러자 잠시 뒤 3층에 불이 켜지면서 의사가 내려왔다 [Then, after a while, the lights on the 3rd floor turned on and the doctor came down].

그때 당시엔 시골에서 작은 의원은 이런 식으로 운영됐었다 [At that time, small clinics in the countryside were operated in this way]. 응급 환자일 경우에는 이런 식으로 비상벨을 눌러 의사를 호출하곤 했었다 [In the case of emergency patients, they would call the doctor by pressing the emergency bell in this way].

“응급입니다 [It’s an emergency]!”

현성이 소리치자 의사 김선우는 서둘러 1층으로 내려와 병원 문을 열었다 [When Hyun-sung shouted, Doctor Kim Sun-woo hurried down to the first floor and opened the hospital door].

“어디가 어떻게 [Where and how]?”

“그게…… [That’s……].”

현성은 신유복의 증상을 자세하게 설명했다 [Hyun-sung explained Shin Yu-bok’s symptoms in detail]. 그러자 김선우는 알았다는 듯 고개를 끄덕이며 신유복을 침대에 눕힌 후 진찰하기 시작했다 [Then Kim Sun-woo nodded as if he knew, laid Shin Yu-bok on the bed, and began to examine her].

역시 예상대로 상한 음식이 원인이었다 [As expected, the cause was spoiled food].

급성 장염에 설사로 인한 탈수 증세까지 겹쳤다고 했다 [He said that she had acute enteritis and dehydration due to diarrhea]. 거기다 기력도 많이 쇠한 탓에 몸이 버티기 힘들었을 것이라는 소견이었다 [In addition, it was his opinion that it would have been difficult for her body to withstand it because her energy was also very weak].

다행히도 다른 큰 병은 아니라는 말에 현성의 입에선 자신도 모르게 한숨이 흘러나왔다 [Fortunately, at the words that it was not another major illness, a sigh flowed from Hyun-sung’s mouth without him knowing].

헉헉 [Gasp gasp]!

병원으로 뛰어 들어온 김일수는 현상을 보자마자 물었다 [Kim Il-soo, who ran into the hospital, asked as soon as he saw Hyun-sung].

“우리 할머닌 [Our grandma]?”

현성은 손가락으로 입술을 막으며 조용히 말했다 [Hyun-sung blocked his lips with his finger and said quietly].

“조금 전에 막 잠드셨어. 항생제하고 진통제 맞으셨고 탈수 증세가 심해서 수액을 맞아야 한대. 그러니까 오늘은 여기서 자고 아침에 할머니 모시고 집으로 가 [She just fell asleep a little while ago. She got antibiotics and painkillers, and she has severe dehydration, so she needs to get fluids. So sleep here today and take Grandma home in the morning].”

“병명은 뭐래 [What’s the diagnosis]?”

“급성 장염이래. 아무래도 그 감자가 상했었나 봐. 그리고 할머니가 기력이 많이 떨어진 상태래. 그래서 더 아팠던 거고 [He said it’s acute enteritis. It seems that the potatoes were spoiled after all. And Grandma’s energy is very low. That’s why it hurt more].”

현성이 천천히 설명을 하자 김일수의 눈에선 어느새 눈물이 고여 있었다 [As Hyun-sung slowly explained, tears were already welling up in Kim Il-soo’s eyes].

침대 옆으로 다가간 김일수는 조용히 신유복의 손을 잡았다 [Kim Il-soo, who approached the bed, quietly took Shin Yu-bok’s hand]. 오늘따라 움푹 파인 주름이 더욱더 깊게만 느껴지는 김일수였다 [Kim Il-soo felt that the deeply sunken wrinkles felt even deeper today].

“할머니, 많이 아팠지…… [Grandma, it hurt a lot, didn’t it……]?”

혼자 속삭이듯 중얼대는 김일수, 그의 눈에서 굵은 눈물이 뚝 떨어졌다 [Kim Il-soo, muttering as if whispering to himself, a thick tear fell from his eyes].

병원 밖으로 나온 두 사람 [The two people who came out of the hospital].

현성이 먼저 김일수를 보며 말했다 [Hyun-sung spoke first, looking at Kim Il-soo].

“나, 간다. 할머니 아침에 잘 모시고 가. 그리고 이거 [I’m leaving. Take Grandma home safely in the morning. And this].”

현성은 주머니에서 봉투 하나를 꺼내 김일수한테 내밀었다 [Hyun-sung took out an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Kim Il-soo].

“이게 뭐야 [What is this]?”

“할머니 병원비 내고 남는 건 고기라도 좀 사드려. 기력이 많이 쇠하셨다고 하더라 [Pay for Grandma’s hospital bill and buy some meat with the rest. He said her energy is very weak].”

봉투를 확인한 김일수는 현성을 빤히 쳐다봤다 [Kim Il-soo, who checked the envelope, stared at Hyun-sung].

“야, 무슨 돈을 이렇게 많이……, 이걸 내가 어떻게 받아 [Hey, why so much money……, how can I accept this]?”

“받아 둬. 그거 그냥 주는 거 아니야. 나중에 요리사 돼서 월급 타면 열 배로 갚아 [Keep it. I’m not just giving it to you. Later, when you become a chef and get paid, pay me back ten times].”

“…….”

김일수는 할 말이 없었다 [Kim Il-soo had nothing to say].

지금까지 살면서 누군가로부터 이렇게 큰 호의를 받은 적은 한 번도 없었다 [He had never received such a great favor from anyone in his life]. 항상 혼자라 생각하고 살아왔는데…… [He had always lived thinking he was alone……].

현성의 뒷모습을 바라보던 김일수는 자신도 모르게 눈가가 촉촉해짐을 느꼈다 [Kim Il-soo, looking at Hyun-sung’s back, felt his eyes getting wet without him knowing].

“고맙다! 김현성 [Thank you! Kim Hyun-sung]!”

사라지는 현성을 향해 큰소리로 외쳤다 [He shouted loudly towards the disappearing Hyun-sung].

152

회귀해서 건물주 [Returning and Becoming a Landlord]