Chapter 33
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 033
Chapter Title: Brilliant Sky END (1)
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The next day, right after wrapping up the shoot for the independent film, a brief moment of free time opened up.
The morning the drama Brilliant Sky's finale aired.
"Mom! Dad!"
Shin Yi-han didn't miss the chance and rushed straight down to his parents' house.
"We're here!"
With his sister, no less.
PD Kim Geun-tae had granted the junior staff a special holiday to celebrate Brilliant Sky's last episode, making it all possible.
Shin Yi-han and Shin I-rim couldn't stop grinning.
Ding-a-ling-!
It was exactly thirty minutes before opening time. The siblings pushed open the door to their parents' chicken shop and stepped inside.
"Daughter! Son?!"
Their mother's eyes went wide at the surprise visit, followed by...
"......!"
Their father bursting out of the kitchen, frantically setting down the chicken he'd been frying.
But it seemed he was happier to see his daughter.
"Ugh! H-Ha-neul...!"
The moment he laid eyes on his son, their father started renaming him on the spot.
"No matter how tough things get, a kid has to live! You think your life belongs only to you?! Ugh!"
He patted his son's back hard, his face twisted in genuine heartbreak.
No, seriously—how religiously did you watch Brilliant Sky?
"Dad. Ha-neul's just a high schooler, so he couldn't bring stuff like that."
In the end, Shin Yi-han gave a sly smile and playfully pointed toward the door behind him.
They hadn't come empty-handed, after all.
"What, did you return something?"
"Huh...?"
Behind Shin Yi-han and Shin I-rim stood a delivery guy holding a massive refrigerator.
Ta-da, surprise.
Wasn't it about time to replace the shop's ancient fridge?
"Oh my... what's all this?"
"Oh, oh dear! The youngest of the Shin family, Shin Yi-han! Our precious son!"
This time, their parents' eyes really bulged. Even their son's name was back to normal.
"But still! Yi-han, where'd you even get the money for this?!"
"Psh. Between my appearance fee this time and the signing bonus from the agency contract, I'm loaded now. Totally rich."
Satisfied with his parents' over-the-top reaction, Shin Yi-han grinned.
This was just the beginning.
A brand-new washer and dryer were set to arrive at the house tomorrow morning.
Thinking of his parents' joy made not a single won feel wasted.
And of course, even more would be possible going forward.
"Alright, shall we get to business?"
Of course, there were things he could do right now. Shin Yi-han rolled up his sleeves and said.
"Okay. The kids will handle everything today! Mom, Dad, you rest!"
His sister, Shin I-rim, was on the same page.
Of course, this was after Shin I-rim had pulled an all-nighter at the broadcasting station the night before, and Shin Yi-han had stayed till the very end at the independent film's wrap party.
But it had been ages since they'd visited their hometown, so the siblings happily took over for their parents.
Shin Yi-han fried the chicken with practiced ease.
Shin I-rim wiped down the tables for customers.
Meanwhile, their parents were too busy admiring the new fridge to help. Laughter poured nonstop from the kitchen.
And Shin Yi-han loved every second of it.
His lips curved up on their own.
If things had stayed as they were...
He wouldn't have heard laughter like this for a long while.
Back then, his parents—covered in burns—would've been holed up in a room with their son, unable even to smile.
They must've hesitated a hundred times before knocking on his door.
Just praying desperately that their son wouldn't die.
Hoping against hope that he'd step outside.
...Gotta do even better.
With that thought, Shin Yi-han prepared to open the chicken shop.
And the moment business officially began...
A few customers placing orders spotted Shin Yi-han through the kitchen pass-through and froze in shock.
Eh?
That face they'd only seen on the drama they'd been glued to was right there in front of them.
Eh, ehh?
H-Ha-neul?!
Even the regulars who frequented the shop jolted upright at the sudden appearance of Shin Yi-han.
Gasp. It's really Shin Yi-han...!
Gasp! Chicken fried by Shin Yi-han!
Everyone was flustered at first by the unexpected guest star. But that passed quickly, and they ended up eating their chicken with wide-eyed curiosity and delight.
Maybe it was because Brilliant Sky had blown up so huge.
The rumor that Shin Yi-han was at the chicken shop spread like wildfire—way faster than ever before.
Crazy. Guys.
It hit even the die-hard regulars in no time flat.
Fi-finally! Chicken shop son!
Eh...? Right now?!
Gasp! The real deal this time?!
Eventually, word even reached the nearby girls' high school.
Insane! Did he just get discharged?!
What are you talking about? That was ages ago. Didn't you watch Brilliant Sky?!
Eh...?
The school erupted in an instant.
We're seniors. Of course we didn't.
......
...Wh-what! You have to watch it! Or at least Fireworks! That's where Chicken Shop Son debuted!
Whaaaat?!
Shin Yi-han had always been famous around the neighborhood for his looks.
The one time he'd shown up before, the girls from the high school had piled on so much they'd gained who-knows-how-many kilos... but no one dared mention it.
Last time they said he came, we found out too late to go...! Not missing it this time!
Chicken delivery for dinner?!
Caaaall!
So naturally, when school let out, the students swarmed the chicken shop.
"Kyaa! Congrats on your debut!"
"Autograph please! You're basically already a superstar, right?"
"Wow. The buzzcut from your military days suited you so well... but with hair? Overwhelmingly, insanely handsome, oppa."
"Right? This is true eye candy! Wow, can you hear my eyesight improving?!"
So many showed up that the shop was absolute chaos.
"No but seriously, why'd you come back now! We waited through your whole military service, you know?!"
Was that true? Seeing these faces after so long, Shin Yi-han couldn't help but tease back with a laugh.
Just thinking about all the chicken they'd bought made him want to comp them extra.
He felt nothing but gratitude toward these students welcoming him first.
"Oh right! It's the finale today!"
"I'm watching live for sure! No doubt!"
"Me! Starting a full binge-watch today! If I'd known oppa was in it, I would've watched ages ago, ugh. Now I know."
As they chattered, the fried chicken, seasoned chicken, soy chicken, green onion chicken, cheese balls, and tteokbokki sides vanished in seconds. Shin Yi-han smiled at the sight.
"Thanks, kids, but save it for after your CSAT. You're seniors, right?"
"Ahh...!"
"Savage!"
One joke and the students collapsed in mock agony, chaos ensuing. Even the other customers burst out laughing.
The raucous energy felt amazing.
"Ah, and eat up—more if you want. It's on me today."
His treat announcement sparked total pandemonium.
"Crazy! Re-really?!"
"Epic big-spender chicken shop son! The best!"
"As expected, God Yi-han!"
These girls had once been the shop's top sales drivers. This was the least he could do.
"Kyaa! Oppa, can we add two more fried chickens and a spicy seasoned one?! And a little more fries and tteokbokki...!"
"Eh... Di-didn't have enough...? I'll fry some up quick."
But the girls' high schoolers' appetites were shockingly bottomless.
At this rate, they might close early.
And amazingly, they did—exactly ten minutes before Brilliant Sky aired at 10 p.m.
Thanks to the girls' high schoolers, Shin Yi-han closed up early with his family and headed home.
"Gasp! It's starting!"
"Hurry, turn on the TV!"
The moment they got home, they plopped down on the floor in front of the sofa and scrambled to switch on the television.
"Crazy! One minute left! Everyone hurry! Not the time for the bathroom!"
"G-Gonna go!"
The family was united as one over this drama. They all stared at the TV in a frenzy.
Meanwhile, Shin Yi-han stole a glance at his family.
What could he say? All his fatigue melted away.
How long had it been since the four of them cozied up like this to watch TV?
Ah, of course, it felt like ages only to him.
Counting the time back to the past, it had been an eternity for him.
But watching his family neck-deep in anticipation for the ads to end, Shin Yi-han just chuckled.
Yeah. This moment was too precious for getting all emotional.
"It's really starting!"
Soon, Brilliant Sky's finale aired.
Every episode had been a massive topic, so this last one was bound to hit peak ratings.
Brilliant Sky had shattered records from episode one.
Ratings climbing with every installment had left other dramas in tears.
And now.
It was time for all the vengeance to reach its conclusion.
The family completely forgot their son—who shared a face with Ha-neul—was sitting right there, utterly absorbed in the finale.
True to form as the finale, the episode kicked off with a whirlwind of plot.
By mid-episode, it barreled toward the climax.
Mom, Heo So-ra, was no longer alone.
Dozens stood fighting alongside her.
So that her revenge could finally end.
So that everyone could find happiness.
It might seem detached from reality.
But within the drama, the revenge unfolded with exhilarating, perfect catharsis.
Cornered, the perpetrators turned on each other, biting and clawing to save their own skins.
They begged for forgiveness, clung desperately—even if too late.
But.
Just as they had in the old days.
There was no mercy.
Someone who'd spewed threats without a care had their mouth torn open, robbed of their voice.
Someone who'd delighted in another's agony went blind.
Someone who'd swung fists to flaunt their power lost the use of their limbs.
And amid their screams...
The final target of revenge.
The one who'd stolen a life back then.
Was finally abandoned by the parents they'd thrashed for love.
Ignored by the wife and child—the first family they'd ever known.
When they'd climbed to the very top...
They plummeted in ugly ruin.
Heroically enough to lose their life.
Thud-.
With a bone-rattling impact.
......Now they would live the same hell as her.
At that realization, Mom could finally smile—even if faintly.
Now it was all over.
"In-insane..."
"Shh!"
"Honey! Quiet! It hasn't ended yet!"
His father gasped in awe, only for his sister and mother to clamp his mouth shut.
As expected, the story had a little more to go.
The scene shifted to black. The camera panned back to the protagonist.
She stood now.
Teetering on the edge of the rooftop.
The very building her son had fallen from. Mom gazed at the last sight her son had seen.
Vain and horrific. Sad yet exhilarating.
Her eyes swirled with tangled emotions as she peered below.
And the people watching beyond the screen held their breath.
Worried she might tumble over the edge.
That after revenge, she'd end her life to reunite with her son.
They hoped not—but half-expected it anyway.
Yet Mom lifted her head at last.
As if she'd never intended to jump, drinking in the sky.
The sky that shared her son's name.
Then the protagonist's narration flowed.
Mirroring her son's from the opening scene.
Son.
You know. We... might've been pretty brilliant, after all.
Someone told Mom.
Not a single moment
was ugly or dirty.
Not horrific.
It shone blindingly, brilliantly.
Look.
How beautiful you were.
How lovable you were.
And.
How brilliant the sky is right now.
⟨ Brilliant Sky END ⟩
That was the end of Brilliant Sky.