A Return to Everyday Life
"That you've managed to draw his interest… remarkable."
The middle-aged man with a dignified presence expressed genuine admiration. It was only natural. Ever since last year's war, the underworld could be considered thoroughly pacified — and the one responsible for that peace was not himself, but the friend sitting right before him.
So who was this middle-aged man?
He was none other than Choi Min-ho, the president who led the Junganghoe.
"Can you tell me why?"
President Choi Min-ho was curious about what had drawn such attention.
"That man… he seems to be looking at me."
"At you?"
President Choi Min-ho's eyes widened. It was a truly astonishing claim.
"That's all you need to know."
The man smiled.
Seong-min worked hard every single day. Returning to his everyday routine and taking up gombang work again, he finally felt as though he had found his place once more. The money came in well, too. Just last week alone, he had pulled in over 3.5 million won. And if this week continued at the same pace, he looked set to clear more than four million. That would mean over seven million won in just two weeks.
With each passing day, Yoo Ji-ah's condition improved, and she seemed to be finding her peace of mind as well. This was exactly what Seong-min had hoped for. That was why, when he dealt with Yun Jong-gyu, he had brought Ji-ah along and made her watch it happen — to tie the knot cleanly and completely. Even now, Seong-min believed he had made the right call. There had been no surer way.
A week passed like that.
Over the weekend, he went out to the bustling downtown with A-reum and Yoo Ji-ah, and they had a wonderful time. He had been a little worried at first, but fortunately Ji-ah didn't refuse and came along. They even watched a movie for the first time in ages. Ji-ah said it had been a truly long time. After being sold off to the Yonggol Gang, she had never once been to a movie theater or enjoyed herself somewhere like this. So everything about the outing was a long-overdue leisure activity for her.
Then Sunday arrived. Seong-min went out with Yoo Ji-ah. They had a place to go together. Leaving Seoul behind and driving until they arrived, their destination was none other than Hanmaum Orphanage.
Ju A-ram was overjoyed at Seong-min's return visit. And when she saw that he hadn't come alone — that Yoo Ji-ah was with him — she was thoroughly surprised. She had never imagined the two of them would come together this time.
Of course, Director Kim Geum-rye also welcomed Seong-min and Ji-ah warmly. She had watched how Ji-ah, who had been Seong-min's class president when they were little, had looked after him and spent time with him. And now that same Ji-ah had come visiting alongside Seong-min.
They went to the director's office, talked for a while, and handed over the gifts they had brought for the children. Once again, Seong-min couldn't bring himself to arrive empty-handed, so he had prepared clothes, toys, and school supplies for the kids. Naturally, both the director and Teacher Ju A-ram were delighted.
After paying their respects to the two of them, they stepped outside. At last, the two of them climbed the hill behind the orphanage.
"I was surprised on the way here…"
Ji-ah looked at Seong-min.
"The landscape has changed so much."
"…I thought so too."
Seong-min had also been startled by how different the surroundings looked compared to when they were children.
They followed the hiking trail for a while before branching off onto a side path, pushing deeper in until they reached a place with a small burial mound. Haengboki's grave.
"Haengboki… I'm here."
Seong-min spoke first. Then he carefully laid down a single white chrysanthemum.
"Today… I'm not alone."
When Seong-min stepped aside, Ji-ah, who had been standing behind him, came forward.
"…It's been a long time…. Haengboki."
Ji-ah carefully bent her knees and sat down.
"I thought… I'd never see you again… but today I got to come with Seong-min…"
Gently clearing the weeds that had grown over Haengboki's mound, Ji-ah carefully set down the churu she had been holding next to the chrysanthemum.
"I brought a churu for you… thinking of you…"
When they had first built this little grave for Haengboki, Ji-ah had brought a churu. Haengboki had never gotten to taste one while alive, but she had prepared the treat cats loved so much and brought it along. After that, every time Ji-ah came, she would place a churu in front of Haengboki. Even three years ago.
And now, three years later, Ji-ah had found her way back here. Today, once again, she set a churu down before Haengboki.
"……"
Seong-min knew. Ji-ah had believed she would never be able to visit Haengboki again. Before being sold off to the Yonggol Gang, the last place she had come was right here — to Haengboki.
Suggesting they come see Haengboki together today had been Seong-min's idea. Not merely to visit the grave. This reunion — this moment of facing Haengboki again after three years — would become something special for Ji-ah.
After their visit with Haengboki, they said their goodbyes once more to the director and Teacher Ju A-ram, then got in the car and headed back toward Seoul.
"Seong-min…"
"Yeah?"
"I'll never forget. Everything you did for me. Finding me, saving me — all of it… I'll carry it carved into my heart for the rest of my life."
"That's what I want."
Ji-ah looked at Seong-min as he drove.
"Haengboki too… and my father."
"…Yeah."
Ji-ah would not forget. Never. She would not forget.
"Let's… come see Haengboki again."
"Yeah…"
When Seong-min had first suggested they go visit Haengboki, she had been surprised. But today they had come, and she thought she understood what he had meant by bringing it up.
Thank you, Seong-min…
A dark, withdrawn boy. A child mocked and tormented by the other kids for being an orphan. She had felt sorry for him. She had wanted to help, and she had actually done so. Always dark, always withdrawn — but that boy was no psychopath, no matter what the other children called him. He had known how to pity a sick kitten. And when the orphanage teacher agreed to let him care for the little cat he had brought in, he had known how to smile brighter than anyone.
Ji-ah, who had secretly watched that smile from hiding, had never been able to forget it. That pure laughter. It was from then on. She had wanted to see that smile one more time. She had wanted Seong-min to live not in darkness, but always smiling.
And now, Seong-min had appeared as a man more impressive than anyone. He had saved her when she had fallen into the abyss. The Seong-min who returned was no longer withdrawn, no longer dark. The boy in her memory had become a man who could smile brighter than anyone.
The orphan boy she had never been able to forget, even after they parted, had appeared like a prince on a white horse from a fairy tale and saved her. Just like a story from a fairy tale, Seong-min had stepped forward for her sake.
"Something on my face?"
Perhaps because she kept staring. Seong-min asked.
Ji-ah slowly shook her head.
"Just…"
Then she answered quietly.
"I was just… looking at you."
"You're something else…"
From the profile of Seong-min chuckling beside her, Ji-ah couldn't tear her eyes away.
Seong-min saw Ji-ah home. It was already past ten at night.
"Go in and get some rest."
"I will…"
She was slowly turning away when—
"Seong-min."
Ji-ah called out to him.
"……?"
He turned to look.
"…Thank you."
Ji-ah expressed her gratitude. And then — she smiled. Right there in front of Seong-min, Ji-ah showed him a smile.
Walking back down to the first floor after dropping her off, Seong-min felt good. He had wanted to make Ji-ah smile again. Back in the third grade of elementary school — he had wanted to see that smile again. And at last, Ji-ah had shown him that smile.
Driving home afterward, Seong-min's mood was wonderful.
Arriving home, he slowly parked the car beside the wall by the front gate, turned off the engine, and unbuckled his seatbelt. For a moment, he didn't get out.
I just need to start over. That's all it takes.
He would help her so that she could. With that thought and a light heart, Seong-min stepped out of the car.
As he walked toward the gate—
"Excuse me."
Someone spoke from behind him. He turned to look. There stood a young man in a clean suit — tall, unmistakably handsome by anyone's standards.
"Who are you?"
A man he had never seen before.
"You're Lee Seong-min, correct?"
"I am… Do I know you?"
Seong-min eyed him warily.
"Not well. But… we will come to know each other well soon enough."
"What?"
What on earth was he talking about? The unmistakably handsome young man smiled with his eyes.
"Do I sound strange?"
Of course he did. Coming to know each other well soon enough?
"Shall we talk somewhere quiet for a moment?"
"I think identifying yourself comes first."
He couldn't just follow some unknown person. He watched the young man with caution.
"Fair enough. I should start with my name. I am… Kang Jung-gil. I came here regarding Miss Yoo Ji-ah's matter. Is that… sufficient?"