Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Hug Hug (3)
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Son Gwang-yeon and Hong Gi-jun each rented convertibles and toured Oahu Island.
It was a free-spirited trip unbound by time or route. The coastal road was as empty as their hometown roads, so they could cruise along at a leisurely pace without a care.
“Wow! Oppa, doesn’t this remind you of the old days?”
Yu Se-ra, who loved driving, chattered away happily, getting Hong Gi-jun all excited too. The thrill of their dating days came rushing back, making him feel young again.
‘It was great. Dodging the tails following us was such a rush.’
Son Gwang-yeon was thrilled too. It was his first overseas trip, and sharing it with his wife made it perfect.
People fishing in waters so clear you could see everything underneath. Swimmers, sunbathers. Oh, that woman up there isn’t wearing a top. She was face-down on a sunbed, which was a shame, but he caught plenty of glimpses while driving. Still, nothing beat watching his wife in the passenger seat beaming with joy—that was his ultimate happiness.
“Ah, this is too good. Is this what heaven looks like?”
“Should we buy some land in Hawaii?”
“You can do that?”
“Of course. Anything’s possible.”
They’d actually discussed it over dinner with Hong Gi-jun the night before—spending their golden years together in Hawaii. Everyone who visited seemed to dream of living here at least once. Even Son Gwang-yeon, on his first overseas trip, and Hong Gi-jun, whose passport was filled with stamps from constant business travel, were completely smitten with the islands.
“And inheritance?”
“Naturally.”
If it wasn’t straightforward, they’d find a way.
Thinking about inheritance already—she’s still got the kids at home on her mind even now. Sometimes it’d be nice if she just enjoyed herself for once. But Son Gwang-yeon, who always put family first, understood her completely.
“Maybe put it all in Jin-hyuk’s name.”
“Oh, that’s a great idea.”
Son Gwang-yeon resolved to buy land in Hawaii through Hong Gi-jun as soon as they got back.
But what kind of farming could you do here?
The pineapple from breakfast had been divine.
Even after dinner, when Hong Gi-jun left to meet a business associate flying in from the mainland, Son Gwang-yeon and Han Yu-young kept talking about land.
Strolling Waikiki Beach.
“Land!”
“Land!”
Over dinner.
“Land!”
“Laaaand!”
Yu Se-ra watched the couple in front of her with fascination.
‘Land this, land that all day long.’
Didn’t they ever get tired? They seemed obsessed. But listening in was entertaining, like watching kids at play.
“It’d be nice to buy next to Gi-jun’s place.”
“Then talk it over with Su-jeong’s dad. You might like different areas.”
Hong Gi-jun, back from his meeting, chimed in.
“Why buy separately? Just get a big plot in Jin-hyuk’s name.”
It came out so naturally, like they were all one family.
For whatever reason, Son Gwang-yeon and Han Yu-young nodded in agreement—it was a good idea. Yu Se-ra clapped like a seal, praising her husband’s decision-making skills.
They were such natural people.
Thinking of the kids again, Han Yu-young’s eyes wavered.
“I wonder if Yu-jin’s missing Mom.”
“Your brother’s probably smothering her in hugs. Focus on vacation. Su-jeong’s at Grandpa’s without siblings too.”
It didn’t really comfort her, but at least she wasn’t the only “bad mom” thanks to Yu Se-ra.
Meanwhile, Son Jin-hyuk—who’d suddenly acquired land in Hawaii—wrestled a wild boar in a desperate embrace.
‘Ugh... this feels gross.’
Had he ever clung to someone this tightly before? With these skills, he’d have been a stalker in romance. The only time he remembered grabbing someone like this was ssireum wrestling at the sports festival. Judo? He never really went for pins or chokes.
Anyway, the boar charged, barreled past Jin-hyuk, and lunged straight at Yu-jin.
It was a fatal mistake—the wild beast’s instinct to target the weak.
Yu-jin had frozen in fear at the unfamiliar monster, but Jin-hyuk’s eyes blazed. Touching his family, the tripwire of the landmine that was Son Jin-hyuk? Unforgivable.
“How dare you!”
Who do you think you’re messing with?!
Jin-hyuk instinctively wrapped his arm around the boar’s neck. It felt like hugging a boulder—the mountain beast was overflowing with power. He got dragged along for a moment.
But only for a moment.
Getting dragged meant he couldn’t protect his sister. He planted his feet, pushed against the thick tree roots jutting from the ground, and braced his body low. Locking his ankles and knees, turning his legs to logs—his thighs swelled like they’d burst.
Jin-hyuk’s long arms weren’t quite enough for the boar’s thick neck—one arm couldn’t encircle it. It barely even had a defined neck. He hooked one wrist with the other and locked tight.
Squeeeal—! Squeeee—!
The boar thrashed.
“Urk! Hngh!”
Jin-hyuk poured everything he had.
‘Die! Die!’ He screamed it in his head so Yu-jin wouldn’t hear and get scared.
The flailing boar’s tusks gouged his side and belly. Luckily, only his clothes tore—no wounds or blood.
The boar was bewildered.
It had left the nest that morning, following wind and mushroom scents to new territory. The other pigs warned that beyond Mt. Gu-bong was danger. But venturing out, grunting along paths—no dangers, no adventures.
Following instinct, it entered a dark forest rich with rotting wood smells. Bursting with its favorite mushrooms. It didn’t know their names, just that they made it feel good. Pale round ones, bright yellow wide-caps loaded with edibles, white-and-light-brown mixes, and more.
Beasts didn’t know humans called them hallucinogens and avoided them.
Rumors said a deer OD’d and drowned, but self-control? That wasn’t pig. In the wild, you gorged when you could.
Maybe too many? Head spinning, blood racing, breaths ragged, heart pounding. Still, it ate. Then spotted a two-legged human.
Big, dark, strong-looking.
Blood boiling, breaths heaving—it wanted to fight. Prove its strength, claim this mushroom haven as boar turf for all to know. No backing down.
The humans and dog were intruders. Battle cry rising, saliva dripping, guttural growls from deep within.
Unavoidable fight—charged the big one.
Then spotted a small one with its back turned. Weak— one hit would drop it. Straight line, easy target switch.
But the big human countered the ambush faster than a squirrel. Wrapped around the boar’s neck.
They struggled long. More like choking thrashing than fighting.
Air running out.
The boar begged the human.
Squeeeal— I’m sobering up, let me go?
No comprendo pig, or no mercy.
Squeeeal—! The boar roared, summoning all power. Spring-stored energy converging. This’d break the iron grip!
Blast.
Riiiip—.
Squeeeal—! The boar suddenly let out a horrific screech.
Startled, Jin-hyuk cranked harder, as if snapping his own arms.
Mid-struggle, a thick, foul shit-stink hit him.
Dying beasts shit themselves, right? Grandpa Cheon-gil-ryong’s words flashed—gave him strength. How long did he hold?
Squeeee—.
The boar finally collapsed.
‘Burned it white.’
Jin-hyuk’s gut churned, bowels heavy with urge.
Exhaustion’s aftermath—he’d squeezed every ounce for no short time.
‘Gotta shit... need to shiiiit.’
Shit or not, pants be damned—he crumpled down.
“Aigoo, what a scare. C’mere, baby. You okay?”
“Yeth, hehe.”
Arms out, Yu-jin ran into them.
So warm.
Her comforting back pats melted his heart—eyes welled up.
‘Wasn’t even scared? Tougher than me.’
It must’ve terrified her, yet she grinned ear to ear.
Another wonder: her hug warmed not just heart but body. Breathing steadied quick. Slack gut tightened right up.
‘Ooh, family power.’
Sister felt even dearer.
Jin-hyuk gazed heavenward, touched, fingering tusk-gouged belly.
Son Yu-jin tilted her head at oppa. Hand on belly, grim face—looked bad. Like Dad groping Mom at night. Must be from rolling with the poo-poo.
Hand on his scratched belly.
“Oppa, owie here?”
“Haha, it’s fine. Just stings a bit.”
“Yu-jin make no owie?”
“How?”
No way you... Eyes lit briefly.
Ptoo— Yu-jin spat in her palm, rubbed his belly.
Hey, wha— Jin-hyuk hid shock.
Serious face, no joke.
‘Grandma remedy.’
Watched her—disappointment quick. Saliva glistened, but pain and scratches unchanged.
Hoped maybe... got stinging spit instead.
Her attention shifted.
“Oppa, what’s this?”
“Pig. Wild boar.”
“Piggy?”
Tilting head, eyes wide—pig memory?
Then beamed.
“Piggy yummy? Mom, piggy, sizzzzz!”
Waved hands cooking mime.
“Haha, yeah. Pigs are yummy.”
Didn’t know boar taste, but pigs were.
Drooling meant whatever dish, delicious.
“Baby scared lots?”
“Oppa beat piggy?”
Shocked yet beaming.
But what to do with this boar?
Taking down a huge beast. Adrenaline from saving sis—now cleanup loomed.
‘Dead?’
Finger probed thick neck for pulse. Right spot? Bristly fur pricked like needles—not hedgehog.
Definitely dead.
‘How to handle...’
Hot day—left out, maggots and flies galore. Good for forest life as food/fertilizer, but not for Jin-hyuk the human. This was his childhood playground.
‘Bury it.’
Aesthetics, hygiene—and respect for a worthy foe.
Come dawn, grab shovel. Resolve made, he stood.
“Yu-jin, let’s go. Yu-jin...?”
But his knightly burial vow fizzled. Fearless sis squatted by boar, poking snout with stick.
Mumble mumble—
“Ah, yummy... gonna... be.”
Ah, Yu-jin...
Crystal clear, not mumble.
Big eyes up at oppa, seeking agreement.
“Oppa, piggy yummy too?”
Twinkling eyes—demand, not request.
Say no, she’d smack him.