Chapter 24
Chapter 24
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Out into the World (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The clerk sorting through the mail found something interesting. Though called the "director," he was really the only administrative staff member there.
Since it was an official notice about sports, he went looking for the school's sole PE teacher, Park Jae-seung.
"Teacher Park Jae-seung, got an official notice here."
"Lemme see."
Park Jae-seung, with his fierce eyes and prominent cheek muscles, showed rare interest in the unusual mail. His wild warrior-like appearance and sharp voice were at odds with his surprisingly gentle speech.
"What the heck's this say?"
"Well, y'see, they're holdin' the Chungcheongnam-do Youth Athletic Meet in May, and they want reps from the county. But since we're a rural school with no sports teams, they're askin' us to send someone anyway."
"No sports teams? What players we gonna send? No wrestling team, no soccer team."
"Track and field you can do solo."
"Just regular kids here. Who they expectin' us to send?"
"They're sayin' it's a chance even for ordinary kids. Who cares who we send?"
There was no good reason to refuse. Park Jae-seung chuckled.
"Y'know who. That smart, tall kid. Chairman's pick."
"Who else?"
Son Jin-hyuk.
Everyone knew the ordinary student.
Early to mid-April brought warm spring sun and gentle sea breezes that coaxed up the sweet sprouts. Known as "tti" grass shoots or "ppibi," these tender greens hid sweet, white flesh inside. Even with junk food everywhere these days, they were still a welcome spring treat for country kids.
"Gotta save some for Mom and Yu-jin."
Even Jin-hyuk, who ran everywhere, walked home when the sprouts were up.
He scanned the roadsides and rice paddy banks like a hawk. Hunting for those guys hiding tight in their green jackets, white flesh tucked away.
Focus, and they weren't hard to find. Not many sprouts up yet. The contrast of dark soil, brown grass, and green shoots made it easy.
"Jin-hyuk, got a bunch already?"
Here came awkward teen Choi Mi-kyeong again.
She could see the handful in his grip but asked anyway. Eyes narrowed like a thrush spotting prey. Mouth nonstop munching sprouts.
Her old habit of wearing a bowl on her head while picking wild strawberries hadn't changed.
Born in the city, she'd be chewing gum. Jin-hyuk narrowed his eyes back. But no winning a staring contest with Mi-kyeong.
"Sigh... gonna get robbed again today."
He was fastest, but her jaw outpaced his hands.
She ate faster than he picked.
Handing over the sprouts willingly, Jin-hyuk wondered if she'd turn into a cow after puberty.
"Half for me. You said for Yu-jin."
Oh, how generous. Not taking all meant Mi-kyeong was a good friend.
Well, he'd share with any kid who asked. Kids, right?
"Gotta hold back 'til the medical results anyway."
They said it'd take over a month. Just hoping no one found out about the stool donation.
Jin-hyuk arrived home with General, who came to greet him, walking side by side.
He rinsed the sprouts shell and all. The flesh was clean inside, but better safe for his sister.
Sitting on the porch, he peeled them one by one and fed her.
He tried putting one in her mouth at first, but it was too big. Yu-jin broke it to bite-size with her own hands and popped it in.
Watching, Jin-hyuk figured she was a genius. Other babies crammed whole ones in, even pushing with fists. Choking hazards. But Yu-jin ate carefully like an old pro. She spat out the skin after the juice, but to her brother, it screamed genius.
Mom said babies shouldn't, but seeing Yu-jin, she marveled at how un-baby-like she was.
Yu-jin, loving the sweet taste, smiled at her brother every time.
"Eee-hee."
Her baby teeth not all in yet. Gummy grin with eyes vanishing—Jin-hyuk's heart melted. Mom called it the "goofy baby laugh." Pure goof, but the cutest in the world.
Jin-hyuk turned goofy too.
"Heh heh heh. Yu-jin, yummy?"
She nodded, bouncing her butt on the floor while sitting. Her happy dance. Jin-hyuk's gut twisted along with the rhythm. Not sad, but heartstrings tugged. Strange, wondrous feeling for him.
"Grow slow, okay?"
Back in kid mode, he'd found time boring.
But with a sister like this, slow time was fine. Family together—even frozen time wouldn't suck.
"Yu-jin, chilly. Inside time."
"Yeah."
He scooped her up and headed in.
Rich bean pod roasting smell wafted from a distant empty field. Homey.
With planting season ramping up, Son Gwang-yeon was squeezing every minute.
Flicking abacus beads, tapping calculator, scribbling in the ledger. Muttering to himself.
"Not even playing baduk—Dad's focus is insane."
To Jin-hyuk, Dad looked like he enjoyed the work.
Peeking over his shoulder, the ledger crammed with paddy/field acreages, equipment needs, labor schedules, dates.
"Ack! Gotta pee bad! Holdin' it!"
"..."
Mom away, and Dad turned wild.
As Dad bolted to the outhouse hollering, Jin-hyuk examined the ledger closely. Ready to casually correct any errors. Regressors use knowledge to change the past, right?
Hubris.
Son Gwang-yeon wasn't just any farmer.
"Dad was humanities major, right?"
Forgetting his own lit background.
Back at Sein Heavy Industries, he'd compared construction plans and schedules, managed processes, calculated progress. Coordinated civil, building, mechanical, electrical to avoid clashes, keep timelines smooth. The invisible hand of the site. Sometimes the most powerful practical guy. Could shift schedules with authority.
"Thought I knew a lot."
Mapping complex construction to farming was absurd, but Dad's plan was near-perfect. Even past weather notes for contingencies. Who farms at this planning level?
"Wasted talent."
Not dissing farming, but too good for rural rot. Flip side: this skill made him prosperous.
"Numbers off here. By Dad's formula, laborers..."
Swish-.
Farming genius washing hands in the outhouse.
Jin-hyuk quick-erased and rewrote the figures.
Moments later, Son Gwang-yeon whistled cockily, shaking off his hands.
"Whew. My plan's perfect!"
Jin-hyuk nodded inwardly. Minor calc errors, but no big advice needed.
A chuckle escaped.
Regressed, yet no place for talent or knowledge. Unneeded.
Time to trim toenails.
"Shy toenails. Pull one, will it grow pretty?"
Dangerous thoughts.
Next day, third period, Park Jae-seung called Jin-hyuk to the field.
Two guys waited: mid-30s in gym clothes, and a mid-20s guy.
"Teacher Kim Young-tae?"
Hard to miss. Saw him every PE class after transferring to Tae-yang Elementary in town back then.
Park Jae-seung explained. Nothing special.
"Our Jin-hyuk's got speed. Fastest runner, right?"
Jeans and button-up okay for running? He ran like this anyway. Jin-hyuk nodded.
"Hey, Jin-hyuk. Look here. That teacher's flag goes up, you start. Got it? No shakin', boy! Deep breath, deep breath!"
"Yes."
Somehow, Park Jae-seung looked more nervous than Jin-hyuk.
Jin-hyuk was chill.
County prelims. Each school timed 100m for reps. All on sand fields, no tracks—fair. Host school's track coach visited everywhere, no disputes.
Kim Young-tae, from the host school, noted Jin-hyuk's form wasn't ordinary. Tall like a middle schooler, balanced build like an athlete.
"Weird. Kid like that in this backwater?"
No high hopes. He knew all local prospects. Wouldn't miss talent. Just formal measuring for the hosts.
Jin-hyuk set starting line with thumb and index. No gun—flag signal, so head up, eyes forward.
"Never tense before."
Thwack-!
Flag up.
Whoosh-!
Jin-hyuk's feet slammed sand viciously.
Thud-thud-thud-!
Kim Young-tae doubted his eyes and ears.
Perfect form.
Knees to chest, elbows high. Precise stride for sprint. Hooves-like thunder.
Thud-thud-click-!
Stopwatch as ground shook.
Whoosh-.
Gust blew past.
12.52.
"Impossible!"
Unbelievable time.
In jeans and flapping shirt. Regular sneakers. Awkward gear should've slowed him. Elementary nationals finals level.
"Kid, one more?"
"Sure."
No huffing, back to line light-footed.
"Timer's busted."
Kim Young-tae spun to the young teacher behind.
Too fast—young guy flinched from daze.
"Teacher Lee Cheol-min, time with me."
"Yes, sir."
Cross-check. With student teacher Lee Cheol-min. But not the stopwatch—tested against electronic. Kim knew.
"He was fast for real."
Eyes met Jin-hyuk's glare from stance.
Flich-. Kim shrugged instinctively.
Elementary kids full-sprint 100m? Puke city, especially non-athletes. So no repeats, for safety.
But Kim wanted another.
"Body's a monster."
Sometimes those kids existed.
Middle school athlete physique. Explosive power beyond peers.
Unexpected thrill pounded Kim's heart.
Jin-hyuk felt odd excitement too.
Held back at sports day or PE for friends, but racing for record? Genius blood boiled.
"This is fun?"
Thump-thump. Hope no slip start. Sand too slick.
Hands down, eyes locked ahead.
Thwack-!
Flag up.
Splat-!
Warmed up, Jin-hyuk's legs exploded harder.
Sand flew, dust rose.
Thud-thud-thud-!
Whoosh-. Fierce wind rose from ground. Bushy-haired Kim's mop tousled wild.
Click-click. Stopwatch late?
Kim and Lee Cheol-min's eyes met on the watch.
They read each other's gaze.
Same thought.
"No way."
Thirteen.
It was spring.