I Became the Lousy Side Top - Chap 76
Late at night, one of the other gangsters woke Hyunjin up. He hadn’t been able to sleep deeply since arriving there, so he came awake nearly instantaneously.
“Ha, don’t look at me like that.”
Hyunjin glared at him warily. The corners of the gangster’s lips quirked up, but that was all. Normally he would have already raised his hand to Hyunjin, but for some reason he was holding back for now.
“Seems like you’re a lucky guy.”
He grumbled and pointed in the direction of the office.
“Boss Tank is calling for you. Go.”
‘What is he calling me for at this time of night?’
Hyunjin stood up, then left the flimsy room they were staying in and headed to the office.
Knock knock.
After knocking on the door, Hyunjin heard a response from the other side.
“Come in.”
Inside, Tank was sitting with a grim expression on his face.
“What do you need me for so late?”
At that, Tank let out a chuckle, saying something similar to the gangster from before.
“You’re one lucky son of a bitch.”
Lucky? If he was actually lucky, he wouldn’t be there. Without realizing it, Hyunjin’s expression twisted.
“As of now, you’re free.”
Whatever Hyunjin had been expecting Tank to say, it wasn’t that.
“What?”
Hyunjin was in such disbelief he couldn’t stop himself from speaking.
“You’re free! F-R-E-E!”
Even though he should have been happy to hear that word, Hyunjin’s face turned pale. He knew who was in control of everything.
“Why?”
“Who knows? Your debt’s been paid, so you can go wherever you want.”
“There isn’t anyone who could pay off my debt!”
“Why are you shouting? How should I know what’s going on? The boss told me to release you, so that’s what I’m doing.”
Since they were canceling out his massive debt, you’d think he’d have the sense not to argue about it. Tank waved his hand at him dismissively, but Hyunjin continued to question him.
“Was Choi Mujin, the director, the one to give the order?”
“Hey, show some respect. What do you think you are, friends?”
Now Tank was really starting to get annoyed.
“Stop arguing with me and get out of here!”
For a moment Hyunjin just stood there with his mouth open before abruptly turning around. There wasn’t any point in arguing further.
He returned to the dorm and grabbed his jacket and cellphone, then, after stuffing what little money he had into his pocket, left as quickly as he could.
When he’d first come here, he thought he would never be able to leave again. What on earth had happened?
‘No, please no…’
Hyunjin shut his eyes tightly. The truth was, he already knew. Who else could it have been? Someone who knew about his debt, and was constantly trying to help him. There was only one person that came to mind.
‘Jaewoo!’
It had to be him.
“Damn it, God damn it.”
Hyunjin paused, his hand on his forehead. He took out his cell phone and called Jaewoo’s number. He continued walking as it rang and rang, but Jaewoo never picked up, and his battery was getting low.
This time he tried calling his younger brother.
─ Brother!
Luckily, Hyeonu picked up.
“Hyeonu, is Jaewoo there?”
When Hyunjin asked that, his voice trembling, Hyeonu quickly answered.
─ No, he left a little while ago.
Hyunjin’s heart sank.
“Did he say where he was going?”
─ He didn’t.
Hyunjin sucked in his breath.
‘Why, why!’
Hyunjin shouted inside his head, not even sure who he was saying it to. Why was the world so cruel? He hurriedly searched through his pockets.
A taxi to Seoul was impossible, but he could probably afford a train ticket. Lack of money was always hindering him.
─ Brother, do you need me to do something?
“No, no. Can you call me if Jaewoo comes home?”
─ Yes, I will!
If Hyunjin was anxious, Hyeonu would become anxious too. Therefore, Hyunjin tried to speak as calmly as possible. After hanging up the phone, he tried Jaewoo’s number again as he walked. Finally he reached the bus stop and caught a bus to the train station.
Luckily there were still tickets left for the last train. After a short wait, Hyunjin was able to board. Even though it hadn’t taken very long, Hyunjin still felt like he was going to go crazy with anxiety.
It was the same on the train. He was so nervous he couldn’t stay still, so he wandered up and down the aisles, constantly calling Jaewoo.
‘Please answer the phone.’
He just wanted Jaewoo to pick up. At least then he could feel some peace. But Jaewoo never picked up the phone, and eventually Hyunjin arrived in Seoul.
The road home felt endless. As the night faded and dawn arrived, Hyunjin finally stood in front of the old gate once more.
Without hesitating, Hyunjin entered the courtyard. He checked the front door, but it didn’t open. It seemed as though the kids had locked it before going to bed. Seeing them put what he’d taught them to good use made him feel both proud and guilty.
Hyunjin made a fist and knocked on the door.
Thump thump.
A sound was heard inside. It seemed like the kids had woken up.
“Who is it?”
Woohee’s voice rang out. Since their last meeting, Hyunjin had been constantly thinking about the next time he’d be able to see them again. That time had felt like it was so far away that it might never come, but now his younger brothers were right there in front of him.
Hyunjin pressed his hands to his watery eyes and answered.
“It’s your brother.”
Then…
“Brother!”
The door opened and Woohee rushed towards Hyunjin, his face alive with joy. Through the doorway, Hyunjin could see a sleepy-looking Hyeonu looking towards them. The only one missing was Jaewoo.
“Where’s your older brother?”
“Do you mean Uncle Jaewoo?”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t know. He hasn’t come home yet.”
Hyunjin worried his lip, then carefully separated himself from Woohee and turned to leave again. He needed to find Jaewoo right away. But when he turned around, he found a person standing right behind him.
Wearing a jacket, standing there awkwardly, was someone Hyunjin knew well.
“Jaewoo!”
“Hyunjin.”
Jaewoo’s eyes crinkled as he smiled. Hyunjin took a step forward and hugged him tightly. The tears that he’d been holding back the whole time burst forth.
“Is this a dream?”
“It’s not a dream. Look.”
Jaewoo reached out and wiped the tears from Hyunjin’s eyes.
“What happened?”
“Well, um… It’s a long story. Before that…”
Jaewoo’s warm hand wrapped itself around Hyunjin’s cold one.
“Shall we eat first?”
“Sure?”
Hyunjin had answered randomly, but as soon as he spoke, a rumbling sound was heard. His empty stomach was protesting, begging him to eat some food as soon as possible.
“Let’s go in.”
Jaewoo tugged Hyunjin behind him, and Woohee grabbed hold of his other hand.
The room was hot. As soon as Hyunjin took off his jacket and sat down on the floor, he could feel the heat rising through the floor tiles.
“Just wait a moment.”
After saying that, Jaewoo entered the kitchen. But Hyunjin couldn’t bring himself to wait quietly, and followed along behind him.
“It’s the middle of the night, what sort of meal is this?”
“I can’t hear you over the sound of your stomach.”
Jaewoo pursed his lips and started to make a simple porridge with some leftover rice.
“Plain rice is fine.”
“No. Eat some porridge first. You’ve gotten so skinny, look at your cheeks! What were they feeding you?”
Hyunjin raised a hand and felt his cheekbone. It was true that he hadn’t eaten a full meal since he left, but had he really become so thin?
Meanwhile, Jaewoo let out a soft sigh as he looked through the refrigerator.
“I have to go grocery shopping tomorrow, I need to buy some beef bones and make a lot of broth. It’s the best for your health.”
As he looked at Jaewoo fussing about food, the corners of Hyunjin’s mouth slowly turned up. He’d been missing this sight the whole time he was gone. It felt like warmth was seeping back into his chest again, pushing away the cold that he’d been feeling ever since he left.
“It’s done.”
Jaewoo scooped up a large bowl of porridge and added some side dishes to the tray.
“Brother, make sure to eat a lot!”
As the meal was carried to the dining table, Woohee urged Hyunjin on from his place beside him.
“That’s right. Why did you get so skinny?”
Hyeonu agreed as well. Hyunjin silently lifted his spoon, a bitter expression on his face. The white porridge, seasoned with sesame oil, was still very hot, but delicious. One spoonful, then two, then a third – once Hyunjin started eating, his spoon never stopped.
“It’s good.”
“It’s just a basic porridge, why do you like it so much?”
“I don’t know. It’s just delicious.”
As soon as he scraped the last bit of porridge off the bottom of the bowl, Hyunjin felt full. For the first time in a long time, his hunger was satisfied, and he could finally relax.
“Do you want to get some sleep?”
Hyunjin shook his head at Jaewoo’s question. He felt like if he fell asleep now, all of this would disappear like a dream. But no matter how he tried, the warmth from the porridge combined with the warmth from the floor tiles made him feel like he was melting. Now that his stomach was full and his body was comfortable, his eyes became heavier.
“Brother, I laid out a blanket!”
Hyeonu had even prepared the bedding. When his younger brothers reached out sincerely to guide him to the bedroom, Hyunjin couldn’t bring himself to resist. He lay down just for a moment.
‘I shouldn’t sleep.’
But his eyes were already starting to shut.
“Jaewoo.”
Hyunjin said, extending his hand.
“Hold my hand.”
It was something he’d never have said if he was thinking clearly, but he was so tired his sense of shame had vanished. A small chuckle was heard from above him.
‘Ah, Jaewoo is laughing…’
Jaewoo reached out to hold Hyunjin’s hand. Woohee clung to him on the other side, and Hyeonu lay down next to Woohee.
“I need to turn off the lights.”
Gradually, his thoughts were becoming less and less coherent.
“I’ll get it!”
A lively voice was heard, and then the room went dark.
“Good night.”
Hyunjin couldn’t help but smile at the sound of that dearly-missed voice.
‘I didn’t even wash up…’
He’d remembered that a bit too late; there wasn’t anything to be done about it now. All he wanted to do was rest. Even if he wanted to, his eyes refused to open again.
For the first time in a long while, Hyunjin slept happily.
