Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 24

Choi Mi-yeon looked at Hyun-sung and asked,

“What’s up with you, Kim Hyun-sung?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve become strange during the vacation. You didn’t used to talk much.”

“Really?”

Hyun-sung simply pretended not to know.

He knew very well what Teacher Choi Mi-yeon was talking about. It was a situation where he couldn’t explain it even if he wanted to. He didn’t want to, and there was no need to, anyway.

After all, it was Hyun-sung’s old self. And that won’t be a problem in the future. What matters is the future.

Then, Teacher Choi Mi-yeon looked at Hyun-sung and asked again,

“Kim Hyun-sung, do you know how surprised I was earlier?”

“I suppose so. How surprised could you have been?”

“That’s not what I’m talking about…….”

“Yes? Then is there something else?”

Teacher Choi Mi-yeon paused for a moment before continuing,

“How could you run out so quickly in the waiting room earlier? What if you had gotten hurt by those guys?”

“Ah, I wondered what you were talking about. It’s because you’re my teacher.”

“What? What does that mean?”

“It’s because you’re none other than Teacher Choi Mi-yeon. That’s the only reason. If it were someone else, I would have ignored it.”

Upon hearing Hyun-sung’s answer, Teacher Choi Mi-yeon didn’t know what to say for a moment.

‘What’s with this kid?’

Could it be?

Teacher Choi Mi-yeon became cautious about saying anything. A sophomore in high school, possibly at a very sensitive age.

Huh!

But why did she suddenly feel heat on her face?

She must be crazy.

Sip, sip.

Teacher Choi Mi-yeon started sipping cider, as if her throat was dry.

Then Hyun-sung smiled and said,

“You’re not thinking strange things, are you? Like, maybe I’m doing something to the teacher or something like that.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“But why is your face turning red?”

“When did I?”

Teacher Choi Mi-yeon’s strong denial looked even more awkward.

Smirk.

Hyun-sung smiled and continued,

“Don’t worry. I already have a wife.”

“What? You have what?”

“Her name is Yoon Ji-soo, she’s seven years older than me, and she’s the one who makes kimchi pancakes [savory pancakes made with kimchi] on rainy days.”

After saying that, Hyun-sung missed his wife, Yoon Ji-soo, even more. But he still had to wait at least 15 more years to meet her.

Teacher Choi Mi-yeon was just dumbfounded by Hyun-sung’s absurd words. It had to make some sense to even respond, but this was just nonsense.

When Teacher Choi Mi-yeon didn’t say anything, Hyun-sung spoke again.

“Was that a little too much nonsense?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about…….”

“Right! I was just talking nonsense for a moment.”

It wasn’t nonsense or gibberish. It wasn’t just becoming an adult by accident, but regressing, and there was no way to explain it.

Teacher Choi Mi-yeon, who had been silent for a moment due to Hyun-sung’s nonsense, spoke again.

“Anyway, let’s continue what we were talking about earlier. Why was it obvious because it was me?”

Choi Mi-yeon was curious.

It was clearly a dangerous situation. Yet, she clearly saw Hyun-sung running out without hesitation.

Everyone shrinks away in the face of danger.

But he didn’t? That means there’s something to it.

Teacher Choi Mi-yeon wanted to know the reason now.

Hyun-sung looked at Teacher Choi Mi-yeon and continued calmly,

“You were different, Teacher. That was reason enough for me.”

“What does that mean?”

“Do you remember? A long time ago…….”

Hyun-sung brought up a long-ago memory to Teacher Choi Mi-yeon and told her about it.

It was probably a few days after the start of the second grade new semester. Hyun-sung was very sick.

So he couldn’t go to school for a week.

There was someone who called home then. Just one person, and that was math teacher Choi Mi-yeon. Even the homeroom teacher didn’t contact him.

Of course, it’s nothing special. It’s not an obligation.

He didn’t want to blame anyone. It was a situation where it could happen, so there was nothing to say.

But remembering is also Hyun-sung’s freedom. Because he was grateful.

Hyun-sung continued,

“You were the only one who contacted me.”

“Well, as a teacher, I was worried…….”

“That’s right. You were the only one who worried about me then. So I’m grateful.”

“Why do you remember such things? And I think the homeroom teacher had some circumstances…….”

“That’s all in the past.”

Teacher Choi Mi-yeon vaguely remembered when Hyun-sung mentioned it. She asked the student affairs teacher and was told that they had received a call from his parents saying he was sick.

At that time, Hyun-sung’s homeroom teacher was not at school due to family matters.

Then Hyun-sung said something meaningful.

“Kindness is remembered by the receiver.”

“Remembered by the receiver?”

“Yes, I think so. The giver may not think much of it, but from the receiver’s point of view, the situation can be very different.”

“That may be true. The value of a bowl of rice can’t be the same when you’re hungry and when you’re full.”

Teacher Choi Mi-yeon nodded and agreed with Hyun-sung’s words.

Then Hyun-sung continued,

“That’s right. It’s especially true when someone is sick. Oh! Come to think of it, I was too shy to say thank you back then. It’s late, but thank you so much.”

“Haha, you’re saying all sorts of things. But are you really the Kim Hyun-sung I knew?”

Teacher Choi Mi-yeon felt like she was seeing a different person even though she was looking at him right in front of her.

No matter how she thought about it, it wasn’t the old Kim Hyun-sung. He couldn’t do it back then, but he’s doing it now? It doesn’t make sense logically. It’s only a few months difference.

For Teacher Choi Mi-yeon, who didn’t know that Hyun-sung had regressed, it was a natural thought.

Then Hyun-sung said again,

“It must have been from then.”

“What?”

“Studying math.”

“Ah, I see.”

Teacher Choi Mi-yeon felt like she could finally understand why Hyun-sung’s math scores were so good.

Somehow, it felt a little strange. His class attitude was basic, and his test scores were noticeably good.

“Back then, that was my way of expressing myself.”

“I see…….”

“From now on, I’m going to try to express myself with words. If I’m grateful, I’ll say thank you, if I’m disappointed, I’ll say I’m disappointed. That way, the other person will know.”

Hyun-sung smiled and looked at Teacher Choi Mi-yeon. Then he made eye contact with Teacher Choi Mi-yeon.

At that moment, Hyun-sung’s playfulness was triggered without him even realizing it.

Wink.

Hyun-sung closed and opened one eye.

Then Teacher Choi Mi-yeon’s voice rose.

“Youuu?”

Hyun-sung suddenly thought of actress Kim Ha-neul at that moment.

‘I’m the teacher and you’re the student.’ [A popular movie title]

A saying that was quite popular at one time. Of course, it’s something that will happen much later…….

Hehehe.

Hyun-sung laughed alone.

At that time, the last bus heading to Seo-myeong started entering the terminal.

“Let’s go, Mi-yeon.”

“You keep…….”

Hyun-sung took the lead, and Teacher Choi Mi-yeon followed behind. Anyway, Hyun-sung felt like he had solved a pending homework assignment, and his steps were light.

***

After about two hours, the bus arrived at the Seo-myeong bus stop. Hyun-sung sent Teacher Choi Mi-yeon off first, then stopped by the butcher shop before heading home.

“I’m home.”

At Hyun-sung’s voice, his father and mother opened the door and ran out. He could imagine how long they had been waiting all day. The day must have been very long.

Mother and father looked at Hyun-sung and said almost simultaneously,

“Dinner?”

“You must be hungry.”

It was unexpected.

He thought they would ask about the results of going to Seoul first. But instead, they took care of their child’s dinner first, and Hyun-sung had a new thought.

Indeed! Parents’ love for their children is endless.

And who is Hyun-sung?

Anyway, he’s Hyun-sung, who has lived for over 50 years. He’s not a clueless kid who would eat first, knowing that his father and mother would be curious.

Hyun-sung looked at his father and mother and said,

“Sit down over here first.”

Hyun-sung started explaining to his father and mother about the results of going to Seoul. Then their mouths dropped open.

As expected, his mother’s reaction was quick.

“Really?”

“Mother, it’s true. Would I ever talk nonsense?”

Hyun-sung put down an envelope and a Nonghyup [National Agricultural Cooperative Federation] bankbook in front of them. The envelope contained the cash to repay the loan shark Park Hee-cheol, and the remaining amount was the same as what was deposited in the bankbook.

To be honest, he had some concerns.

After settling the debts with Nonghyup and Park Hee-cheol, the remaining amount would be about 2 million won [approximately $1,500 USD].

It’s by no means a small amount. But it’s also an ambiguous amount to do anything with.

And anyway, he’s a high school student now, so there are too many restrictions.

He had many concerns, but in the end, he came to the conclusion that it was right to give it to his parents.

There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. He thought it would be enough to start after graduating from high school and becoming an adult.

Father and mother were just looking at each other, unable to readily confirm the envelope and bankbook that Hyun-sung had handed over.

Why wouldn’t he know their feelings?

They couldn’t just be happy, and there was a sense of self-blame as parents, and so on.

There must be many thoughts.

This is torture.

It’s not because his father and mother are incompetent or lazy. Poverty is not a crime.

Hyun-sung, who was watching them, spoke first.

“This envelope is to repay Mr. Park, and the bankbook contains the entire remaining amount.”

“How can I…….”

Father was still just fidgeting with his hands, no different from before.

After a moment of silence, Father spoke with difficulty.

“I’m sorry that your father is incompetent.”

“Father, why are you saying that? I know better than anyone that you’ve lived hard. Don’t say that and please accept it with a good heart.”

Then, Mother, who was next to him, hesitated and looked at Father and said,

“……That’s right, honey. Hyun-sung worked hard to make it, so let’s gratefully accept it. That way, Hyun-sung will feel rewarded and happy, right?”

“Even you…….”

Father was still just fidgeting with his hands.

Hyun-sung thought.

It would be difficult for his father to just accept it given his personality. Dragging this out any longer would really be a sin against his father.

It’s not because Hyun-sung himself is great, but just because he regressed that he got it.

Then he has to change this atmosphere.

After thinking for a moment, Hyun-sung nodded.

‘Okay!’

Hyun-sung jumped up from his seat.

“Father, Mother, let’s go!”

Surprised by Hyun-sung’s sudden action, the two stared at Hyun-sung. They were asking where he was going.

Then Hyun-sung said again,

“Let’s go to Mr. Park’s place.”

Only then did the two realize what Hyun-sung was saying.

This time, Father confidently accepted Hyun-sung’s words as if he had made up his mind.

“Okay! Let’s do that. Now that it’s come to this, let’s clear the debt with a good heart.”

“That’s my father.”

“I’m sorry, son. Your incompetent father was just unnecessarily asserting his pride in front of his child. In the end, I’m going to receive it like this.”

Father was ashamed even as he spoke.

He felt shameless.

He wondered what he was doing to his young child already…….

But the problem was greed.

He couldn’t say it, but the fact that he thought he could get out of this terrible debt if he just had that made his heart waver.

Still, was it his last bit of conscience?

He couldn’t bring himself to check the bankbook until the end.

At that time, Mother lent a hand to the atmosphere.

“Hyun-sung, lead the way.”

“Yes, Mother!”

Hyun-sung deliberately answered energetically and took the lead.

Then Mother immediately followed Hyun-sung, and Father soon began to take steps as well.

After walking for a while, Mother linked arms with Father and said,

“Honey!”

“Why?”

“Keep your shoulders straight and be confident like this, okay?”

“Okay…….”

It was a short conversation, but it was enough to feel the current feelings of the two.

Hyun-sung pretended not to hear and quickened his pace, replacing his heart. It was a desire to get them out of the shackles of debt as soon as possible.

After a while.

“Is the boss here?”

Father shouted loudly as soon as he entered the yard of loan shark Park Hee-cheol. Father, who had always been shrinking in front of Park Hee-cheol.

But today, such a figure could not be found anywhere.

Park Hee-cheol, who was in the room, wondered what was going on.

“Who is it? ……Oh, what brings you here at this hour, Dong-saeng [term for younger brother or close male friend]?”

“I have something to discuss. Come out for a moment.”

Park Hee-cheol, who came out to the Maru [wooden floor or veranda], said with a sullen expression when he saw Mother and even Hyun-sung.

“Oh, Je-soo-ssi [term for brother’s wife] is here too. Hyun-sung came too?”

“Yes.”

“No, what brings the whole family here?”

Park Hee-cheol looked around Hyun-sung’s family again and was still with a sullen expression. That’s because the memory of being attacked by Hyun-sung a few weeks ago was still intact.

That was only for a moment.

Park Hee-cheol smiled at Hyun-sung.

Leeway?

No. That was just ridicule.

Hyun-sung, who couldn’t possibly not know the meaning of that smile.

Smirk.

Hyun-sung lightly laughed it off.

He even felt a sense of pity. After all, isn’t it a life that has only a few days left?

Was that why?

“Tsk tsk…….”

Hyun-sung even clicked his tongue.

Then Park Hee-cheol asked as if he was dumbfounded.

“What’s so pitiful?”

“You, Ahjussi [term for middle-aged man].”

“Me? Why me?”

“There’s something. I can’t help but sigh.”

It was true. Thinking about the sight of his family carrying the bier [a frame or stand on which a coffin or dead body is carried] because there would be no one to attend his funeral, he didn’t even want to say anything more.