Oaths of Loyalty and Children's Laughter
Sitting with Chief Aide Kim, I heard that Assemblyman Han Seong-su had come to visit and stepped out. But it wasn't just Han there—four other assemblymen I didn't recognize well, all wearing the National Assembly pins on their suit lapels, were with him.
"Assemblymen, come on in."
I guided them to the organization department head's office and asked Jeong-ah to prepare some tea. Since Han was a third-term assemblyman running for supreme committee member, I offered him the seat of honor, but he flatly refused and insisted I take it instead.
"I've pledged my loyalty to you, Assemblyman Park. How could I possibly sit above you?"
"Assemblyman!"
I raised my voice without thinking, trying to stop him in front of the other four, but the cat was already out of the bag.
"Assemblyman Park, they already know. That's why they've come here—to join you."
Han spoke, and the others nodded in agreement. Confirming it, he continued.
"As you know, our party is split into two major factions. Not just me—these gentlemen here are in the same boat; we don't belong to either. Their networks are so tight-knit that even if we bow down, we'd just end up wiping their asses. We're outsiders who can't do anything no matter how hard we try. And there's no strong leader with real grassroots support to win over the party members."
What he said made sense on the surface. Unless you were one of the sacred bones of a faction, the rest were just lackeys cleaning up after them—that was the reality. For a third-termer like Han, bending the knee must have felt humiliating.
"Assemblyman Park, I came to you at first because I wanted that supreme committee spot. But not anymore. Help us rally the assemblymen like us—full of drive but sidelined, unable to work. We'll support you with everything we've got."
"Assemblyman, I'm just a first-termer—the ink on my election certificate hasn't even dried."
"No, I believe you can do it. If you step up, you could pull together ten or more at this convention."
Ten or so. That was no small number—if it happened, it'd be huge. Twenty could form their own negotiating bloc in the assembly. Add Han's ten, me, Assemblyman Park Seong-hwan, Supreme Members Kim Seong-gap and Jeong Sang-won, their close allies, and the ones I had on a leash... we could form the party's largest faction. Of course, the non-runners' shelf life ended with this assembly.
With the convention prep bringing tons of assemblymen through this office anyway, I'd meet them gradually and test the waters if it seemed feasible. If it worked, I'd aim for party leader—and secure those three supreme spots without a hitch, variables be damned.
Once Han finished, Kim, the sturdy assemblyman from Gyeonggi-do, spoke up.
"We've already decided to pledge our loyalty to you before coming here."
It was absurd. I accepted their words with a mix of bewilderment and curiosity—could this really happen? Even if I never took the Blue House, I couldn't go it alone forever in politics. I needed backers, and binding them into a faction was a solid way. I'd exclude anyone with fatal flaws, but Kim Sil-jang would screen them and pass me the intel—no sweat for me.
The real test of their loyalty? A month tops. Before the convention, give each district's assemblymen orders on candidates; their results would tell all. Factions only mattered in these moments—if they flopped at convention time, it was just casual buddies chatting over drinks, nothing more.
"I understand completely. But as a first-termer, I'm not thrilled to take on this burden. Give me a day or two; I'll get back to you."
Don't snap up every sticky rice cake offered—you might choke on a hot pebble disguised as one, scorching your throat. A polite demurral was proper etiquette, so I wrapped it there.
If Kim Sil-jang cleared them as spotless, they'd be my heavenly host. And they'd get to push their agendas through our budding faction—a win-win.
No urgent business, so I headed to Busan. I left the office to Kim Sil-jang and made for Seoul Station.
"Not too busy?"
"No matter how busy, how can I not miss my wife?"
"Eww~ But hearing you say that still makes me happy."
I called on the train; Ara came to meet me at the station. We stopped by her parents' first—night had fallen, so I just greeted Mother briefly—then headed home. Mother-in-law must've heard from Ara; despite the late hour, dinner was waiting.
"Come in, son-in-law."
"I could've grabbed something quick—why go to all this trouble?"
"You don't eat at home every day. I have to feed you properly when I can."
She fussed like crazy over meals. Thanks to her, I filled my empty stomach and crashed with a full belly and warm back—pure bliss.
"Going somewhere?"
"Yeah, hospital day today."
"Hospital?"
"I told you last time. Reading to the kids there."
She'd already started.
"Which one?"
"Starting at Baek Hospital in Gaegum. We'll expand once more volunteers join."
"Want me to drive you?"
"That'd be great, honey."
Curious about turnout and how she'd play with the kids, I tagged along under the pretense of dropping her off.
In the lobby, women clustered in a corner; Ara headed there, and I followed.
"Assemblyman, welcome."
"Thanks. How've you been?"
A few recognized me and greeted. I expected party members, but many were strangers. After hellos, Ara and another woman rounded everyone up, pairing into twos for rooms. They scattered to their assignments.
"Assemblyman, come with us."
"Me too?"
"You didn't come just to watch, did you?"
"C'mon, honey~"
I'd only come to observe her with the kids, but now I was roped in.
"Hello."
"Come on in."
Guardians welcomed us warmly as we entered.
"Who's he?"
"Oh, that's Park Maru, Assemblyman—husband to our Seo Ara."
"Ara's married to an assemblyman?"
They looked shocked; I smiled and bowed.
"Park Maru here. Just tagging along to supervise my wife today."
Courteous nods, then Ara's partner sat by the window with the kids, who gathered eagerly from their beds on either side.
"But what grain? Forget grain—piles of shit rain down on rich man Kim's head: thick log shits, squelchy watery shits, hard shits, soft shits, sour shits, fresh shits, bloody shits, egg shits, gut shits, dog shits, cow shits, chicken shits, horse shits, pig shits, rabbit shits, goat shits—pouring down relentlessly!"
Her partner read with relish, kids erupting in giggles at every "shit." Moms beamed contentedly.
Why so much poop in a book? But the kids never tired, slapping beds and cackling. The somber room bloomed with laughter, thanks to it. Hospitals could turn on mood—better or worse. If true, this joy might heal these kids a bit.