Brave Citizen Award 4
“Mr. Kim?”
“Yeah... I couldn’t pick up because I got caught up in some work.”
“No need to worry. It was a big deal, but it turned out okay in the end...”
“What happened? Well...”
“It’s not hard to talk about, but it kinda feels like bragging, so... My little brother’s friend got kidnapped right in front of me, and I didn’t have a moment to breathe. What? How old is my brother? He’s in elementary school now. You’re saying I should’ve called right away if something like that happened?”
“Yeah, you should have. I hate worrying Mom too. But it all happened so suddenly right in front of me... Anyway, because of that, I might be tied up for a while. It’s just a place I described over the phone—think you can find it?”
“Ah... I’ll be waiting. It seems like too many victims are getting hurt because of this...”
“Yeah. Thanks for your help. And if any extra fees come up, let me know right away.”
“Huh? Haha... You’re so quiet, Mr. Kim, it makes me talk too much. I’ll hang up now.”
With the call ending as I turned my back to the dark alley, I popped the ice cream from the black plastic bag into my mouth and casually opened the front door to head inside.
· · · · ·
As soon as I stepped in, a warm steam wafted over me, followed by Mom’s voice calling from the kitchen.
It was a comforting evening, just knowing Mom and my brother were home safe and sound.
“Joo-in?”
“Yeah.”
“We ran out of soy sauce all of a sudden... And this is...?”
“Picked up some snacks while I was out. Joo-shin, here’s your melon bar...”
“Whoa. You’re the best, bro.”
I ruffled Joo-shin’s hair as he beamed with delight, dodging Mom’s playful swats at my back while stuffing the snacks into the fridge. The black bag went on top of the neat fridge, but no one batted an eye.
“Didn’t I tell you not to buy Joo-shin candy?”
“It’s fine once in a while. He’ll stress out more if I don’t.”
Ignoring my excuse, Mom smacked my back a few times, but her hand felt much lighter than I remembered—enough to tug at my heart.
For the first time in ages, we dug into the braised pork ribs Mom had prepared with extra effort. Joo-shin’s eyes widened in joy.
“This is so good.”
“Eat up.”
Mom watched us tear into the ribs with a fond gaze. As the meal wound down, she finally spoke up, her voice heavy.
“Joo-shin, what do you think about transferring schools?”
“Transferring?”
Joo-shin, who’d been munching on the ice cream I’d saved for after dinner from the fridge, rolled his big eyes at Mom’s words.
“Where to?”
Mom and I exchanged startled glances.
“You want to transfer? You were dead set against it yesterday.”
“Well... Gi-joo’s transferring too, and she said most of my class might be gone next year.”
“School was closed today—how’d you hear that?”
Joo-shin glanced at me sheepishly before confessing to Mom. In his hand was a cell phone.
“This...”
Mom’s face lit up in surprise—she clearly hadn’t expected Joo-shin to have one. I jumped in quickly to follow up.
“I gave him the phone. Uncle said he’d buy one when he starts middle school, but after this incident, I figured it’d give me peace of mind if Joo-shin carried one.”
“Gi-joo got one too... Her dad bought it and told her to wear it around her neck. She reached out first since I’m the only one in class with a phone now.”
Mom’s shocked and annoyed expression softened into thoughtfulness.
“Joo-shin, where’d the money come from?”
Good, she’s letting the purchase slide.
“I bought it with the allowance from Great-Uncle.”
“And the bill?”
I want to say we’ve got it covered, but that’d probably earn me a smack.
“If allowance wasn’t enough, I was gonna get a part-time job...”
“Don’t you dare. Mom’ll cover it. Your brother got it for you out of worry, so I should handle the bills. So, you talked to Gi-joo?”
Joo-shin, who’d been bracing for a scolding, brightened up and chattered excitedly about their chat, his face full of anticipation.
“Yeah! The new school in Dun-bang has great facilities, and since only kids from nearby go, everyone gets close quick...”
“Gi-joo’s transferring to the new elementary school in Dun-bang?”
“Yep.”
So he wants to follow Gi-joo wherever she’s going?
Mom and I locked eyes, sharing the same thought, smiles tugging at our lips.
“If we move to the apartments in Dun-bang and transfer you there, it’d be easier for school commutes. Sound good?”
“The elementary school in Dun-bang?”
“Yeah.”
“Let’s get the exact name. Gi-joo just said ‘that one.’”
“Sure.”
We shared another look and chuckled. Mom’s face relaxed, relieved it had gone smoother than expected.
“Your brother’s getting the Brave Citizen Award at his end-of-term ceremony. Wanna come along, Joo-shin?”
“Yeah! For saving Gi-joo.”
I stroked Joo-shin’s head, grateful I’d saved her.
If I hadn’t, it would’ve traumatized him.
Savoring the simple joy, I drifted into happy sleep—unaware of what awaited me tomorrow.
Maybe because summer break was right around the corner, the third-years weren’t pushing us, so we grabbed our light bags and headed home right after class.
“Library?”
“The cop bought me lunch yesterday. Mom sent this as thanks.”
“What is it?”
“Ugh... looks gross.”
“Hong sam juice. Good for you. Cops like this stuff, apparently.”
“Hong sam extract?”
“Yeah. Said to pass on her thanks when I drop it off...”
“So we’re heading to the library area again today...”
“Pretty much.”
“We should hit a PC bang at least once. That new game...”
Beep beep.
“Isn’t that an ambulance?”
“Over by An-nam Mountain, right? Some hiker get hurt?”
“Police cars too?”
A unusual buzz from the An-nam Mountain trail reached us as we headed toward the library.
Murmurs everywhere.
Curiosity drew us closer until a bystander’s shout made us freeze.
“That’s... a body, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. But did he roll down while hiking?”
“Too much blood splattered everywhere for that.”
“What a mess.”
Something under a white sheet on a stretcher emerged from inside, flashes popping from reporters up front as their questions flew. Jong-hyuk, Kyung-soo, and I froze.
“Is this Baek-sin Middle School PE teacher Han something-or-other?”
“No comment—it’s under investigation. This way, please. Everyone step back.”
“Heo Soon-kyung, keep the reporters out. Brief the residents too.”
A detective-like figure yelled, blocking the scene with his hand. We halted in shock.
“What? PE teacher?”
“Must be a mix-up.”
“Didn’t the cops haul him off?”
“He got out on a settlement, right?”
“What?”
“That’s why he was protesting in front of the school. Hasn’t shown up since the report, though.”
“So shameless.”
“If PE guy’s dead, maybe one of the victims got revenge?”
“But he was huge. By smaller girls?”
“Or family?”
“Dunno, but we were supposed to meet Heo Soon-kyung today.”
“You don’t think...”
“Not now, obviously, but we could swap shifts?”
“True... Standing around staring at the air all day is punishment enough.”
“Wait here?”
“Too conspicuous. They’re already coming to shoo us uniform kids away.”
We turned back, still chatting. The cop approaching us went back to blocking the crowd.
“He’ll head to the station after anyway. Let’s wait there.”
“What do you think happened?”
“Couldn’t see much...”
“I hate the PE guy, but dead? Weird.”
“What’s weird? Scum like that deserves it.”
“Yeah, but... Like in movies. Good guy avenges against total evil, turns criminal, ends up in jail...”
“What was it called?”
“Watched so many lately, can’t remember. Anyway, left a bad taste. Got the point, but emotionally? No buy-in.”
“So you hate stories where victims judge unpunished criminals themselves and become the bad guys.”
“Ah... Yeah. Just punish ’em right from the start.”
“Dad says laws are earrings if on ears, nose rings if on noses.”
“Huh?”
“Powerful folks made it that way to slip free. Smart crooks exploit it. Regular folks suffer without laws...”
“Ah... That’s why you didn’t like it.”
“So, title?”
“Who remembers titles of movies they hate?”
“Fair.”