Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 295

295

After Hyun-sung left, Lee Soo-hyuk was left alone.

“Hoo!”

A short sigh escaped him.

He thought it was the best option back then. A score of 50, he thought it was an insurmountable wall that he couldn’t overcome no matter how hard he tried for seven months.

So, the method he chose was to extend the time by another year. Commonly referred to as ‘taking another shot’ [retaking the college entrance exam], he had hoped that he might be able to surpass that score.

“Heh heh.”

Suddenly, laughter erupted from his lips.

It was the kind of laughter that came from disbelief.

The reason was simple. He realized today just how cowardly and pathetic the method he had chosen as the best back then was.

It was just a place to escape from reality disguised as ‘taking another shot.’ He had merely found a plausible excuse called ‘independence’ to extend the time for another year.

He shouldn’t have done that.

He gave up too quickly. He should have at least done his best for the remaining seven months. Only then, when it still didn’t work out, should he have taken out the card of ‘taking another shot’ as a last resort.

But he didn’t.

He ran away too early out of fear.

It’s a great relief he realized that fact now, before it was too late. Of course, all of this is thanks to Hyun-sung.

But there’s something strange. It’s what Hyun-sung said last as he left.

– Make sure you get into college this time.

‘This time?’

What does that mean?

***

It was when Hyun-sung was just leaving Lee Soo-hyuk’s house.

“It took a long time.”

A voice was heard from the darkness, it was Lee Soo-hyuk’s father, Lee Man-soo.

“Have you been waiting outside all this time?”

“It just ended up that way. Anyway, how did it go? What did our Soo-hyuk say?”

This is a parent’s heart. Waiting outside for hours for their child. Hyun-sung bowed his head towards Lee Man-soo without realizing it.

“Your legs must be hurting…….”

“I’m fine. But what did our Soo-hyuk say? Did he say he would definitely leave the house?”

“No. He decided to call it off.”

“Is that true?”

“Yes, so you don’t have to worry about that issue anymore.”

As soon as Hyun-sung finished speaking, Lee Man-soo grabbed Hyun-sung’s hand.

“Thank you. You saved me again. How can I ever repay this kindness?”

“You’re welcome. You must be tired now, so please go in and rest.”

“No, I’m not tired at all. I feel like I could fly away just hearing those words. By the way, could you briefly explain what happened?”

It’s about his child. How could he not be curious?

He would want to ask Lee Soo-hyuk directly if he could. But that’s not as easy as it sounds. A conversation between father and son, it’s not easy in reality.

Hyun-sung immediately opened his mouth.

“Ah, yes. Well, that is…….”

Hyun-sung began to explain in detail about the conversation he had with Lee Soo-hyuk. As Hyun-sung’s explanation grew longer, Lee Man-soo’s expression changed from moment to moment. He realized that Lee Soo-hyuk’s actions were different from what he had thought. And finally, when Hyun-sung’s explanation ended, Lee Man-soo immediately continued.

“Our Soo-hyuk was thinking about independence?”

“Yes, that’s right. He was thinking of going to Seoul right after graduation to take another shot.”

“Take another shot?”

“Yes, he thought he couldn’t go to the university he wanted with his current score. So, he was thinking of going to Seoul. He needs an academy anyway…….”

Hyun-sung’s story continued from there. He even explained that he was trying to practice living alone before going to Seoul. When the explanation was over, Lee Man-soo’s expression changed once again. It meant that Lee Soo-hyuk’s actions were more unexpected than he had thought.

When Hyun-sung’s explanation was over, Lee Man-soo spoke again.

“So that’s how it was.”

“Yes, I didn’t know Soo-hyuk had thought so much about it. He was really worried about it.”

“It’s disappointing…….”

“Yes?”

Hyun-sung couldn’t understand what Lee Man-soo was saying for a moment. Judging from his expression so far, he was just surprised that he didn’t know Lee Soo-hyuk was having such concerns. But suddenly, he said it was disappointing, so Hyun-sung couldn’t help but be surprised.

Out of curiosity, Hyun-sung asked first.

“What do you mean by that?”

“It’s not the right time now. I don’t know why he thought that way.”

“Time?”

“I’m talking about taking another shot. What is taking another shot? It’s really later…….”

Lee Man-soo’s explanation went on for a long time. Although the explanation went on for a long time, there was only one thing he wanted to say. That was that now is not the time to choose to take another shot.

In conclusion, it was too early of a decision.

Hyun-sung agreed with that part, so he had nothing else to say.

When Lee Man-soo finished speaking, Hyun-sung nodded and said.

“I agree with you on that part. That’s why I talked to him again.”

“It’s a pity.”

“Yes? What is?”

“If he had such concerns, he should have talked to his father sooner, but who can I blame now? It’s all my fault for not being good enough.”

“Why do you say that? It’s not anyone’s fault. Originally, the relationship between father and son is close but…….”

As Hyun-sung’s explanation continued, Lee Man-soo glanced at Hyun-sung. He seemed to think that it was a little out of place for a young Hyun-sung to say such things.

Hyun-sung, who couldn’t have known that, was there.

Pfft.

Hyun-sung laughed without realizing it.

“Was I being overly sentimental?”

“Haha, no. I’m just amazed that a young man like you has such thoughts. How can you know more than me, who has raised a child…….”

Lee Man-soo said a few more words, but the conclusion was words that could be easily predicted. Lee Man-soo just thought Hyun-sung’s appearance was a little awkward. It was like a child wearing an adult’s clothes.

But in the end, Lee Man-soo said something unexpected.

“As expected, it’s you!”

“Yes?”

“It means my eyes weren’t wrong. When I first saw you last year, I knew that you were clearly different from other friends. How should I put it……, strangely, I felt a deep maturity from you, anyway, I had a strange feeling.”

I guess it can’t be helped. I didn’t even try to show it on purpose, but I unconsciously showed habits from my previous life in my words and actions.

Maybe it’s natural.

I didn’t want to deny it. Hyun-sung knew that the best thing to do in this case was to keep his mouth shut.

“…….”

“You’re not denying it, so it means you know it yourself?”

“I sometimes hear that I’m an old soul, haha…….”

When it’s awkward, just laughing is one way.

When Hyun-sung laughed, Lee Man-soo also laughed slightly. Before he knew it, the anxious look that Lee Man-soo had on his face was nowhere to be found.

That’s good enough.

I felt like my mouth was itching to just turn around. There’s also something I want to say last.

Hyun-sung opened his mouth again.

“Please trust and watch over him.”

“You’re talking about our Soo-hyuk?”

“Yes, that’s right. Anyway, Soo-hyuk had a hard time this time. He must have felt a lot because of that. But he will still seem very lacking in your eyes. But please trust and watch over him. I don’t know what the result will be, but at least you won’t be disappointed.”

“Haha, thank you. I’m really glad that you’re our Soo-hyuk’s friend. Anyway, thank you for your hard work until late at night. Be careful on your way home.”

Lee Man-soo bowed his head slightly towards Hyun-sung.

***

Lee Man-soo was left alone after Hyun-sung left.

At first, he was just anxious that he was going to live alone. But it was inevitable that he felt strange that it was not just a matter of living alone, but a process for independence.

Independence…….

Has he already grown up this much? He just thought of him as a child in his arms. But before he knew it, he had grown up and was thinking of becoming independent on his own.

“Haha…….”

A hollow laugh came out of Lee Man-soo’s mouth without him realizing it.

Lee Man-soo, who came into the house, hesitated for a moment and headed to the kitchen.

A little later.

Lee Man-soo knocked on Lee Soo-hyuk’s door.

Knock knock.

It was Lee Soo-hyuk who was surprised. It’s not an everyday occurrence for his father to visit his room at this time, past 12 o’clock.

“Father!”

“Oh, yes. I don’t know if I’m bothering you.”

“No, it’s okay. But why aren’t you sleeping at this hour…….”

Lee Soo-hyuk asked, pretending not to know.

In fact, he already knew since his father opened the front door a little while ago.

After all, it was his father who called Hyun-sung. Then it would be his father’s duty to send Hyun-sung away.

Of course, he wouldn’t have just sent Hyun-sung away. He would have asked about the contents of the conversation with him, and Hyun-sung would have explained it appropriately because there was no reason to hide it.

Then there’s no need to explain it further.

Lee Man-soo awkwardly held out the bowl he was holding to Lee Soo-hyuk.

“Drink this.”

“What is this?”

“It’s honey water. There’s nothing better than this when you’re tired late at night.”

It’s the first time. It’s the first time his father has personally made honey water and brought it to him. That means his father was also very worried about him this time.

Why wouldn’t he be? He suddenly said he was going to leave the house and live alone.

Gulp gulp.

Lee Soo-hyuk deliberately started drinking the honey water his father gave him, making a loud noise.

That’s because he thought that was the best he could do for his father right now.

Was that why?

His father’s expression seemed to be brighter than before.

Watching that, Lee Soo-hyuk opened his mouth.

“I’m sorry.”

There was no need to explain the reason. His father would already know everything.

“No, I’m the one who’s sorry.”

It was an unexpected answer.

Even if you think about it briefly, his father didn’t do anything wrong. He made all the decisions himself. He didn’t even consult with his father. Rather, when his father asked him why he was doing that, he didn’t even explain the reason properly.

He couldn’t bring himself to say that he was preparing in advance to take another shot. He didn’t want to show a disappointing side. Of course, he would know later, but he wanted to postpone that time no matter what.

But now that he thinks about it, all those processes were his fault.

Maybe if he had consulted with his father from the beginning, he wouldn’t have come this far. It’s his clear mistake.

“No. I was short-sighted.”

“It’s okay, it’s already in the past, and I didn’t know you had so many concerns. I should have noticed when you said you were going to leave the house, but I didn’t. This father…….”

Lee Man-soo’s words grew longer.

It was as if he was trying to say all the things he hadn’t been able to say.

The words were long, but the conclusion was one.

Thank you.

He said thank you for holding on well.

Lee Soo-hyuk learned a new fact.

That was his father’s interest. Honestly, he knew that he had some interest so far, but he didn’t know that he was paying such close attention. He even knew which subjects he was weak in. He couldn’t help but be surprised when he talked about that part.

Lee Man-soo’s words continued again.

“Just remember this one thing.”

“……?”

“That your father is behind you. I will trust you no matter what you do. And I will always support you. So don’t worry about anything and fly as you please.”

“Yes, Father. I will be a son who will not disappoint you.”

Tap tap.

Lee Man-soo lightly patted Lee Soo-hyuk’s shoulder.

At that time.

Hyun-sung arrived at the store.

It was when he opened the store door and stepped inside.

Ring ring.

The phone rang.

“What?”

It was natural for Hyun-sung to be surprised. It’s past 12 o’clock at night. The fact that he called at this time means it’s an emergency.

‘Who……?’

Hyun-sung hurriedly answered the phone.

“Hello!”