The Weight of Ordinary Life 2
I just wanted my family by my side and everyone around me—friends included—to be happy. It wasn't some grand ambition like the lofty ideals of Hongik Ingan. Just enjoying a peaceful daily life, and maybe...
Do I finally have the leisure to look around me?
That's why I couldn't brush off Dae-baek-gong's warning.
I've finally gotten a chance to live without falling for the lie of 'ordinary,' and now the world might end.
"How serious is he? Look at his face."
"The game's backstory feels too real."
"If it's not a major title, don't you have to hunt for Easter eggs like that to clear it?"
"Yeah. Even in an apocalypse game, balance means there has to be a way to stop the end."
"Right?"
"Of course. It might be hard to find, but maybe through the GM or a helper NPC."
"Or on the forums."
Should I work out a plan through Dae-baek-gong after all?
"But dude, can you really zone out like this? Even if you're hooked on the game, you can't lose touch with reality."
"Yeah, lose that and boom—you're a gaming addict in a heartbeat."
Jong-hyuk and Kyung-soo's words snapped me back, like ice water flooding my head.
Right. The destruction Dae-baek-gong mentioned isn't happening right now. If I don't live the present properly and just flail around, I'll end up with nothing but regrets, just like before regression.
With a bit more calm settling in, I could finally tune into the conversations around me: Jong-hyuk and Kyung-soo geeking out over their game, the class buzzing with chatter, the musty smell of old desks unique to classrooms, the warm presence of people...
"You looked half-asleep earlier, but you seem more with it now?"
"Uh... tell your dad thanks for me today. I would've been late for real otherwise."
"During a funeral wake, perfect attendance is basically the prize, right? Only a few days left—slipping up now would suck."
"Yeah... thanks."
As we chatted with Jong-hyuk, I noticed Kyung-soo struggling to act normal, his face pale. I asked, "What's up? You look rough—like you almost overslept, not me."
"In-ha..."
"What about In-ha?"
"Not confirmed or anything, but I heard she tried to kill herself right after coming to yesterday."
"That's why the kids are talking gym class but dodging In-ha?"
"What?"
Now that I was paying attention, the class was huddled in groups, gossiping about yesterday's gym class victim—not In-ha.
"But how'd you know that?"
"Hyun-jin... on his delivery route today, some reporter hounded him, asking if he was from Baek-sin Middle School, and In-ha came up."
"They can just grill students without verifying facts?"
"Sigh... so?"
"Was gonna ask when you guys got here."
"Huh?"
"The owner's your uncle, and he's a doctor there."
"Oh..."
"Probably not used to the cell phone yet."
When I looked surprised, Jong-hyuk clapped like I'd done something impressive.
It felt weird, but not worth getting mad over, so I ignored it and stepped into the hallway to call amid the noisy classroom.
After a few rings, my uncle's characteristically soft voice came through the phone.
"Hello. Uncle..."
"Joo-in? I told you to call more often... took you long enough."
"Haha, sorry. Things have been crazy lately. Anyway, about In-ha who got admitted yesterday—how's she doing?"
I checked the screen, thinking the call dropped. It was still connected.
"Haa..."
A deep sigh came through. Uncle spoke calmly but firmly.
"I can't disclose patient info to anyone but guardians."
"What?"
Stunned, I must've looked it—Kyung-soo snatched the phone and pressed it to his ear, asking urgently, "Why? Something wrong?"
"Police got sent packing by a lawyer yesterday, but reporters are snooping everywhere, harassing staff. I warned everyone that leaking patient info violates ethics rules and means discipline. So I have to follow it too. Can't give details. Just know she's recovered enough for visits. But since you're friends worried enough to rush over yesterday, I'll tell you visiting hours."
"Then."
"Anyone can request, but whether she accepts is up to her. Don't get hopes up..."
In the end, the call only confirmed In-ha's visiting hours and that she was well enough for them. Plus...
"How can a guy like that even be called a dad?"
"She's hospitalized, police came and went, and the guardian hasn't shown? For real?"
"A whole day in, and... whew."
Me, Jong-hyuk, and Kyung-soo vented in disbelief until we concluded Jong-hyuk's mother stepping in was a blessing.
"Even Uncle was shocked. Good thing Jong-hyuk's mom acted fast on the bills at least."
"Jong-hyuk's mom handles stuff at warp speed."
"I thought Mom just had big hands for cooking... turns out her hands are quick too."
"Totally capable."
"Yeah, Dad would believe her even if she said red beans make the best meju."
"That's different from this."
"Anyway, straight to the hospital after school?"
"Yeah. You good, Joo-in?"
"Mom hasn't quit the mart yet."
"Wasn't she wrapping up...?"
"Tried, but Mom's clinging to some fortune teller saying not to quit."
"Why?"
"Didn't know, but turns out she's been handling manager duties too."
"What? Manager-level work means better pay, right?"
"Think so? Probably started small when she took over training, saw she was good, and piled it on. Folks thought the manager was just dumping on her out of favoritism and badmouthed it. But when she said she's quitting, they realized how much extra she did."
"They talk a lot behind backs when someone's working. So?"
"Still told her to quit. No extra pay for the hassle, and once Joo-shin transfers, commuting that far's impossible."
"Yeah, even now, after moving near Jong-hyuk's, she complains about the distance."
"Overheard her saying shorter commute means more time with Joo-shin."
"How?"
"Asked your mom to give her a push."
"Our mom?"
"Yeah. Quitting a steady job ain't easy, no matter what I say. Mom's been..."
Dad died, and she'd run nonstop without looking back. Telling her to stop suddenly—easy? Maybe staying buried in busyness was her way out of a harder life.
"Not just quit—get her own shop."
"That's why she's torn. Seems drawn to that mini-stop I mentioned, but..."
"If she's covered manager work there, she could handle a mini-stop solo?"
"I think so too. That's why I asked Jong-hyuk's mom for a nudge, but seeing her hesitate... felt like I was pushing too hard."
"Nah. Better sort it now. If she quits, manager begs her back, and she goes—what about the other staff?"
"Manager's holding on 'cause she helps with his load?"
"That mart's full of gossipy ajummas."
"How do you know?"
"It's big, Mom shops there often. She was bummed for a while after hearing talk."
"What'd they say?"
"She won't tell... so I don't know."
"Anyway, chatty place."
"Guess she adjusted hours a lot for me and Joo-shin... probably rubbed 'em wrong."
"Then... clean break while it's on the table."
"Told her that, but manager calls her 'important' and clings—must stroke her ego."
"Yeah, being needed feels good."
"Mom's so nice, maybe she'll quit if they beg?"
"Not nice—too soft-hearted."
"Sudden acceleration?"
"This time too—push like she said, but she's weak to pleading, so off she goes for a day or two."
Jong-hyuk and Kyung-soo gaped. "For real?"
"Manager hates losing help—obvious—but she can't call him out..."
"Makes our mom seem amazing."
"Why?"
"Insurance work, right?"
"Deals with all sorts, but Mom's ruthless when needed. Sharp as a blade."
"Seems nice."
"Not bad—just cuts off bad fits."
"Don't insurance folks let stuff slide?"
"Nah, she drops shady ones cold."
"Don't most avoid bad eggs?"
"She says it's tough in sales... takes guts at her level."
"Impressive."
"Is it?"
I added to Jong-hyuk's puzzled head-tilt, "Dunno much, but social life's brutal that way. Hardest part's cutting those gray areas."
I know it well... in society, that's the killer—severing the maybe-not-quite-rights when they're fuzzy.