Chapter 21: Lee Mina-3
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 21: Lee Mina-3
It was past nine o'clock by the time we left the office.
The night air, still carrying a lingering chill, greeted Mina and me.
She flatly ignored my suggestion to head home since it was late, grabbing my wrist and dragging me along while insisting she’d buy me dinner.
That was how we ended up at a gukbap restaurant.
Feeling a bit too full for something heavy like sundae-gukbap, we both settled on bean sprout rice soup.
Spicy, clear broth, rice soaked just right, and a soft-boiled egg perched on top. It’s the kind of meal that hits the spot regardless of the season.
While I crunched on some crisp cabbage kimchi, she broke the soft-boiled egg with her spoon and mixed it into the soup.
Oh, she knows how to eat.
As we warmed ourselves with the hot soup, we picked up the conversation we’d started at the cafe earlier that afternoon. Throughout our talk, her eyes curved into crescents like new moons, and I didn't spare a single thought for useless things like dimension transferring.
*
After finishing their meal, they walked back slowly.
Since they lived in the same general direction, the man had intended to walk her home, but she had ended up seeing him to his door instead and was now on her way back.
The long day’s sun had finally set completely, leaving the night pitch black. Like spring flowers that had forgotten their time to fade, the orange glow of the streetlights bloomed along her path home.
With an indescribable fullness in her heart, she headed home with a light step.
Buzz—
The vibration from her handbag brought her skipping steps to a halt. Checking the caller ID, her excited expression turned cold.
"Yes."
A short reply.
[Yeah, it's me.]
A raspy, metallic voice. She squeezed her eyes shut.
"What is it?"
[What, do I need a reason to call? We're family.]
Family, my foot.
She bit her lip to keep the retort from bursting out.
"I assume you're doing well? I'm fine too. Goodbye then."
A voice called out to her from the phone as she pulled it away.
[Send some money for living expenses.]
"Do I owe you? I just sent some three weeks ago."
Irritation seeped into her voice. Regardless, the voice on the other end remained indifferent.
[It's been almost a month. Just send it. And your brother... he said the tuition for that civil service academy went up, so add a bit more for that.]
"He's a grown man with all his limbs; he should get a part-time job. How long is he going to keep asking for handouts?"
[How can he work a job while studying for the civil service exam? You're his older sister; you should take care of him. We're family.]
"Then who helped me when I was working three jobs and going to school?"
[...Just send it.]
Click.
The line went dead. She stood frozen in the middle of the street. She had been in such a good mood just moments ago, but now she felt as if she’d been shoved into the mud.
"Sigh... Honestly."
She didn't cry over things like this. Her emotions were too worn down to cry over something so routine. It was a constant cycle: a family that demanded money as if it were their right, and her, inevitably sending it. Lee Mina had already adapted to this treadmill.
After standing with her head bowed for a while to swallow her feelings, she started walking again, only for her phone to ring once more.
Buzz—
Seeing the caller, she answered quickly.
"In-ho?"
[Ah, Mina. I was just calling to see if you made it home okay.]
"Not yet. I'm just taking a night stroll."
[I see. Still, you should head in soon. It's getting late.]
Despite the distance that prevented any physical warmth, she felt a sense of heat in his voice.
"I will. Thanks for worrying about me."
[Right. And, uh...]
"???"
[Have a good night.]
"...Thank you. You have a good night too, In-ho."
She hung up, feeling her face flush. She stared blankly at the dark screen for a long moment before moving again.
"I don't feel so bad."
Usually, a call from home would sour her mood for a week, but not this time. Thinking of In-ho, she headed home. Her steps along the path seemed a little lighter than before.