Chapter 107
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: The Cart to the Summit
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If someone woke you up by banging on the window in the middle of the night, you'd make exactly that face.
A look of utter confusion, like What the hell is that noise?
Even the great Han Aebom pondered the meaning of my words for a moment before tilting her head.
"Oppa, are home workouts not cutting it for you anymore? Your body's gotten amazing lately—I could tell during sex. Is that making you greedy for more?"
"It's not... Ah!"
A beat later, Han Aebom realized something and glanced at Yoon Sua.
She had seen me figuring out ways to transport people up the mountain.
"Huh? What's going on?"
Han Aebom spoke as Yoon Sua tilted her head in confusion.
"...Sua unnie's coming along too, huh?"
I nodded.
"Yeah. To be precise, our goal is to get Sua up to the summit."
Sorry to the two of them, but if things got dicey, I'd have them pull the cart too. I'd calculated I could do it solo, but you never know what life might throw at you.
Anyone else, and I might not have bothered. But since it involved Yoon Sua, I'd prepared meticulously.
From first aid to what to report to emergency services if we got lost or something happened on the mountain—everything.
If it were just my own life, I wouldn't have gone this far.
Funny how someone else's life weighed heavier on me. Had I always been this nice a guy?
"Me... hiking?"
Excitement bubbled in Yoon Sua's voice. Just the word "hiking" lit her up like that.
But that energy didn't last.
"...Nah, it's fine. My condition's improved lately, but hiking's still too much. Plus, I don't want to make things harder for you all because of me."
"How many things have you given up on like that?"
"...!"
I knew now.
Just coming to this studio apartment was already a life-risking gamble for her.
"If you've steeled yourself this far, let's get a little greedier."
Yoon Sua clenched her fists and bit her lip at my words. Watching her stirred something odd in me.
My chest ached fiercely. Damn. I'd never fought this hard for myself.
Even when I vowed during convenience store shifts to escape this rut and live like normal people, I'd half-turned from reality.
Now, I was pouring more effort into someone else than ever—and feeling greater fulfillment for it. Was I weird, or did humans just find deeper purpose in helping others?
"I want to show Sua as much as possible, let her experience it all."
I'd never felt more alive.
"But..."
Watching her hesitate despite all this frustrated me less than it hurt. Hiking—just that—was a hurdle she couldn't nod to easily.
How agonizing must that be?
And she'd hidden it for years, living without a hint of complaint.
"Sua unnie, it's okay. Trust Hyunwoo oppa just this once. He's prepared hard for today."
As expected, Aebom was the reliable supporter.
"Right, unnie! Oppa might seem unreliable sometimes, but when he steps up, no one's better. He gets it done when it counts! The Doer, Kim Hyunwoo!"
What was this backhanded praise? Compliment or insult?
Either way, their support seemed to crumble Yoon Sua's iron walls.
"So lately, you've been coming home late, always busy with something..."
"All for hiking with you, Sua."
Hearing that, Yoon Sua smiled through fresh tears.
"Then... I'll rely on you again this time."
Seeing that bittersweet joy, I vowed once more. Even if my body broke, I'd show her the summit.
Create another memory, bring her happiness—more than she'd ever given me.
Sunday morning.
I rose far earlier than the others, bustling about. To avoid disturbing anyone or risking theft, I retrieved the cart I'd hidden in a secluded corner.
I laid out the blankets I'd ordered ahead and positioned the neck pillow.
「Clunk! Clunk!」
Only after double-checking safety and sturdiness did I head back to the studio. Time to wake everyone—
But as I opened the door, Oh Hana was already up, yawning busily.
Han Aebom methodically checked hiking gear, while Yoon Sua hummed packing lunches: kimbap, inari sushi, fruits, all neatly stowed.
She looks so blissfully happy.
Yoon Sua, who'd barely attended school. No field trips or picnics for her.
Today was her first real outing, like a life's picnic.
"All set."
"Me too!"
"Same here."
Han Aebom and Oh Hana took the backpacks. I'd pull Yoon Sua's cart.
"I-I'll walk the early parts myself."
"No way. You said even car rides with family were tough before."
"True, but..."
"Even if your stamina's better now, it'll still be rough. Just lie back from start to finish."
"Won't that tire you out too much, Hyunwoo?"
"Not at all!"
I flexed my fuller biceps with a grin. Today, I'd be her superhero.
No weakness shown.
"Up you go."
I gently settled the bashful Yoon Sua into the cart, fitting the neck pillow.
"Comfortable?"
"Super comfy."
Worth every penny and effort.
The sight was comical: a beauty with a neck pillow in a cart. Unheard of.
Church ladies handing out bread and wet wipes nearby eyed me strangely. Damn. What did they think now? Pervert to freak? Please, no reports!
If I'd pulled it alone, I'd have died of shame.
Thank goodness for my thick-skinned girl and reliable one flanking me.
"Alright! For Sua unnie, let's go! Let's go... Dory!"
"Go!"
I pulled with all my might.
"Let's go!"
Yoon Sua cheered happily. Cooped up in the studio forever, her head swiveled nonstop.
Just heading uphill from the apartment.
"Oh! There's a laundromat. And a pool hall..."
"Yeah. And a new rib joint."
"Look, a claw machine arcade."
Sights mundane to others were wonders to her.
「Rattle, rat-a-tat!」
Easier than expected. Even on this sloped incline—knowledge was power.
「Rrrattle, rat-a-tat!」
As we neared the mountain, streets filled: folks grabbing burgers to-go, gym-goers, grocery shoppers, kids rushing to the open elementary school field with balls.
"What's with that cart?"
All stared oddly.
First time.
Our trio's beauty couldn't overcome the weirdness.
[Cheonyeongsan]
[3.4km to Hansang University]
[10.9km to Summit]
The sign I'd checked obsessively appeared.
Endless uphill beyond. University path would've been flat and perfect, but summit trail? Relentless climb.
"Ha ha, that's how you climb? Impressive."
"Right? Cool, huh?"
"Yep. Keep it up!"
Sunday morning hikers—pro gear, packs—passed compliments.
Oh Hana fielded them cheerfully.
"Daddy, why's that lady riding that?"
"Waaah, I wanna ride too!"
Kids approached enviously, but parents handled it.
I focused on my task.
"Shall we head up?"
"Yes!"
As smiling Yoon Sua beamed, a message floated before my eyes.
[Epic Quest Initiated]
No turning back now.
"Gasp! Squirrel!"
About a third up the mountain. My wrists, back, thighs aching faintly—when Oh Hana shouted.
Everyone, including nearby hikers, looked where she pointed. A cute squirrel by a tree, lips twitching our way.
"Whoaaa! Squirrel!"
A kid rushed excitedly; the squirrel bolted lightning-fast up the hill. That's the spirit.
But...
"Oh my."
No food bait, yet two squirrels now perched on Yoon Sua's shoulder, munching eagerly. What? Beast tamer awakening? Like my quest?
Could she summon bears with a skill now?
"They must smell the nuts."
Yoon Sua pulled nuts from her pocket, offering her palm. They sat butt-down, chowing happily.
Hm.
Too comfy for just scent—like they'd come home.
"Whoa! Goat farm! Goats on a mountain?"
"First time I saw it, I was shocked too."
Real deal: No Entry sign on goat farm. Even a small veggie patch by the mountain owner, with a sad [Please Don't Steal] plaque.
People steal this? World full of weirdos.
About two-thirds up.
Despite high spirits, fatigue peaked. Oh Hana and Han Aebom sweated rivers too. Hiking's no joke, even for fit folks.
"M-Mountain rest area! Let's break there."
"Yeah. Eat some fruit, recharge energy."
Oh Hana whisked Yoon Sua to the waist-twister. Ordinary gear, but with them? Drama scene.
"Phew."
I slumped on a bench, chugging ionic drink—bam, banana appears. Han Aebom.
"Eat this. Bananas restore stamina."
"Thanks."
She handed it over, wiped my sweat before hers.
"You okay? Want a switch?"
"Nah, I'm good."
I massaged my left wrist with my right, feigning nonchalance. Slight tremor.
Can't falter yet.
Watching joyful Yoon Sua twist away, I thought: Must endure.
"Let's head out again!"
Short break—for Yoon Sua's stamina.
I reseated her, gritted my teeth.