episode_0142

It took some time, but the conversation concluded on a positive note.

Perhaps due to shedding his anguish, Director Jang seemed like a different person.

His condition wasn’t exactly great, but his aura had changed.

No longer a suspicious old man, only the image of a detached and steadfast doctor was visible.

‘…Was this his true self?’

I felt like this was his authentic appearance, the one that earned him renown as a brilliant doctor among the local residents.

‘As expected, I can’t just leave it at this.’

Since he had already made up his mind, I had no intention of forcing anything.

I should go back and consult with everyone…

‘Ah…!’

I had been so engrossed in Director Jang’s story that I’d forgotten.

The fact that I had stormed out after causing a ruckus at home.

“Your face suddenly stiffened, are you okay?”

My brother asked cautiously, perhaps seeing it clearly on my expression.

“I think I need to go back quickly.”

“What? What’s wrong?”

“…Because I stormed out after causing such a commotion yesterday.”

“Ah! Hahahaha. That’s right. A sinner must be escorted quickly.”

“No, come on, I’m not a sinner, am I?”

“You are. The sin of making everyone’s hearts pound with anxiety.”

“…Honestly…”

Thinking of the others who must have worried, I couldn’t retort.

Director Jang, who had been listening to our conversation, smiled faintly.

“Oh dear, I’ve held you for too long.”

Following Director Jang as he discreetly rose and tidied up, we all exited the lounge.

Quite some time must have passed, as sunlight was now streaming in through where the windows had been.

“Ah… all the windows…”

“It seems it was due to yesterday’s explosion, but fortunately, no one was hurt.”

“Will you be alright? I wonder if you can stay here like this…”

Perhaps because of that lunatic who exploded in mid-air, there wasn’t a single intact pane of glass.

Thanks to that, the cold wind blew in unimpeded, making it quite chilly.

However, Director Jang wasn’t too worried.

“Everyone here and the people from the market pitched in to help. And they’ve also promised to carry out repairs and take measures. You don’t have to worry.”

“In that case.”

Director Jang accompanied us down to the first floor to see us off.

As we descended the stairs, I subtly asked something I was curious about.

“I’m late in asking, but is that doctor alright?”

“It was a severe injury with a lot of bleeding, but there’s no danger to his life. He safely passed the slightly critical point, so he’ll be fine. It also helped that the wound didn’t deepen further, and Dr. Jang’s timely intervention made a huge difference.”

Seeing him calmly confirm it, it seemed the man’s life had been saved.

Indeed, a professional’s confident demeanor inspires trust.

“That person. I really hope he gets a successful blind date.”

“Hm? Ah! Hahaha~ I see. This old man will have to put in some effort.”

Recalling the conversation we had in the operating room, Director Jang and I shared a hearty laugh.

As we stepped out of the building, the bright morning sunlight and cold wind greeted us.

The street still looked bleak.

It was time to return to our shelter.

Dr. Jang Heeyeon and the two nurses decided to stay a little longer.

They said it would be too much for Director Jang to care for patients alone.

Agreeing with that, we prepared to get into the car.

“We’ll be going now. Please go inside.”

“Seonghan-ssi.”

Director Jang, who briefly stopped me as I made my short farewell, carefully made a request.

“I ask that you not hate the survivors from the market.”

“……”

“I heard the story. The market people also came to Jihyeok-ssi to apologize profusely and pleaded with him to convey their words to you.”

“Well…”

“People were afraid. Just as I nearly lost my reason and couldn’t think straight, they were swayed by the fear of hunger and the threat to their lives. There was no malice involved. Everyone hasn’t forgotten the fact that Seonghan-ssi saved them.”

“It didn’t seem that way to me.”

At my dry words, Director Jang gave an awkward smile.

“You don’t have to worry about it, Director-nim.”

“I can’t help but be concerned, as I too receive a lot of help from the people in the market. It’s a reciprocal relationship. Although they made a mistake once, they truly regret it. Sincerely.”

“……”

“I’m not asking you to forgive them. I’m just asking you not to hate them.”

Director Jang made his request courteously, in his usual gentle tone.

However, I was skeptical about that request.

A person who has once bared their fangs can always do it again.

People don’t change.

They are only temporarily corrected by physical means.

But the words that left my mouth were a little different.

“…I’ll think about it.”

“Thank you, Seonghan-ssi.”

Director Jang gave a bright smile even at my vague words, which weren’t a definite answer.

I’m sorry, but I truly only intended to think about it.

It was a reply based on the calculation that it would be best to maintain a somewhat good relationship with Director Jang.

Not immediately, but a moment might come later when Director Jang would be needed.

Especially when revealing the background and cause of the zombie outbreak.

When hunting down the people involved in it.

‘Living evidence.’

There was a probability that a moment would come when Director Jang would be needed.

I respected his insistence on staying.

I respected his desire to help people.

I also respected his resolve to plunge into enemy territory to meet his friends.

I respected Director Jang’s choice and will, but I never said I wouldn’t do anything.

‘Because he’s like living bait, tempting them.’

People can’t easily give up on a benefit that seems almost within reach.

They are creatures truly loyal to their greed and infinitely weak.

Those bastards will surely return here.

I don’t need to go look for them; I just need to wait.

What kind of expression would Director Jang make then, when he learned the truth?

Director Jang, unaware of my thoughts, simply smiled brightly.

I, too, smiled back and exchanged greetings.

After that, we got into the Porter, our preferred vehicle.

My brother and I got into the cargo bed, entrusting the driving to the younger ones.

As the car gently started to move down the quiet road, my brother groaned.

“Ugh… it’s c-cold.”

“You should’ve gotten inside.”

“Ah, no. Hmph~ Aren’t you cold?”

“I can manage.”

“…It’s good to be young, I guess…”

“Aren’t you still young enough to say that, hyung?”

“No. I can feel myself getting older.”

The shelter’s resident handsome man was shivering in the cold.

I slowly observed my brother, who was trying to fill the air with his incessant chatter.

His complexion looked good, and he seemed in good condition.

Seeing him bundled up in layers of clothes to maintain his body heat, I realized that we were definitely unprepared for winter.

‘I need to go look for clothes.’

Now, nothing is not precious.

I should move more while I can and while it’s possible.

Even though I was returning to the shelter, I was already thinking about going out again.

I let out a small laugh, sensing that busy days lay ahead.

While my brother and I chatted, the Porter, driven by Dong-woo, smoothly advanced.

After passing through a few procedures (?), we arrived at our home.

It had only been a full day since we left, but it felt like we hadn’t been back in a long time.

That meant the density of the past day had been high.

The car stopped, and as I approached the entrance, I organized my thoughts.

I was tired and hungry, but my priorities were set.

‘First, I need to clear the air…’

The moment I reached for the doorknob.

*Click-*

“Oppa! Where have you… been?”

“Why that reaction?”

“W-what’s with your appearance?”

Shia’s words, which followed her initial joyful greeting, made me narrow my eyes.

“What’s wrong with my appearance?”

“No, this is… Ugh, anyway, just come in quickly. What on earth were you doing wandering around?”

“Don’t pull. Dust is falling off.”

Shia grabbed my hand and walked briskly ahead.

Some flakes indeed fell from areas where dried blood had caked.

But Shia paid no mind and pulled me along.

Behind us, Dong-woo and Incheol pushed us forward.

The moment I passed through the entrance, a warm current of air enveloped me.

A soft warmth spread through my entire body.

I felt a strange sensation, as if I had truly returned home.

Amidst the chaotic commotion, I was pulled along powerlessly.

An awkward laugh escaped me due to unnecessary embarrassment.

…It was a little mortifying.

I was listlessly dragged into the living room, where all the shelter residents were gathered.

Everyone’s attention focused on me.

“Welcome back.”

“…I’m back.”

Starting with Leader Choi, who greeted me with a soft welcome, everyone offered their greetings.

Although they didn’t show it overtly, it seemed they had worried about me quite a bit.

I felt grateful for their consideration towards this grown-up child who had impulsively stormed off.

Miri, held in her mother’s arms, also gazed at me intently.

As the welcome from the others subsided, Reporter Kim quietly approached.

His expression was a bit somber and stiff with tension.

“Seonghan-ssi, that—”

“I apologize.”

“…Yes?”

I offered an apology first.

“I got needlessly agitated and ruined the mood. It wasn’t Reporter Kim-nim’s fault… I’m truly sorry.”

At my sincere apology, Reporter Kim stammered.

Seeing that, I gave an awkward smile.

“I have something to say… How about we talk for a bit?”

“I, I’d like that.”

“Then…”

“Just a moment.”

Just as I was about to talk seriously, Shia interrupted again.

“Talking is good, but how about you shower first?”

“Ah…”

“Miri is scared of you too, you know.”

At her words, I turned my head and saw Miri still looking at me.

But…

“She doesn’t seem particularly scared?”

“Yes, she is! Oppa, your body is cold right now. Go wash up quickly.”

“Ah, no, wait. Don’t pull.”

Shia, who hadn’t let go of my hand since the entrance, pulled again.

At our playful bickering, people started to chuckle.

Even Reporter Kim, who had been awkward, covered her mouth and turned her head.

And then she began to shake her shoulders.

“I’ll go. Everyone’s laughing. Miri’s laughing to… huh?”

I caught a glimpse of Miri subtly smiling.

She was definitely laughing at Shia and me as we struggled.

When I stopped to look, Miri’s small mouth was curved into a beautiful, albeit slight, smile.

“Oh? Oh my! Miri!”

“Wow! Miri, you’re so pretty when you smile!”

The child’s mother’s eyes widened, and Shia squealed about how cute she was.

Everyone gathered in a circle to see the laughing child.

Though her gaze was still blurry, Miri, smiling sweetly and faintly, looked nothing but comfortable.

The sight of the child laughing in her mother’s arms created a soft and fluffy atmosphere.

The pure smile of a child had that much destructive power.

The atmosphere instantly shifted.

The person who calmed the boisterous atmosphere was the grandmother.

“Stop! You’ll scare the child. Everyone, sit down. And young man.”

“Ah. Yes.”

“You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

“No. I’m hungry.”

“Everyone hasn’t had breakfast, so let’s eat together. Go wash up quickly and come out. All the men who were out, wash up and come out!”

At grandmother’s decisive order, the men started to move.

I was no exception.

“…I’ll quickly wash up and come out.”

“Wash up slowly. I’ll set the table.”

“I’d like a drink too…”

“Alright. Shia, quickly go wash him up.”

“Yes~”

At grandmother’s command, I was dragged along again and didn’t refuse.

Soon, we arrived at the door to my room.

“Oppa. Wash up slowly and come out.”

“…I understand, but can you let go of my hand?”

“Yes? Oh? Ah…”

Perhaps she hadn’t realized, as she was startled belatedly and her face flushed.

Seeing Shia like that, a mischievous urge arose in me.

“Th-then I’ll head to the kitchen…”

“Wait.”

Shia, who had taken a step back at my words, paused.

I grinned mischievously and said softly.

“Why are you just leaving?”

“…Yes?”

“Aren’t you going to wash me? Grandmother told you to.”

*Whoosh!*

As soon as she heard that, Shia’s small face turned as red as a ripe tomato. Seeing even her neck and ears change color, it was a perfect reaction.

When I put on the sly smile Dong-woo often wore, Shia ran away without looking back.

*Pfft…*

Her girlish reaction made me laugh.

I took off my gear and clothes, piled them in one spot, and headed straight for the shower.

*Whoosh—*

As the clinging blood and unpleasant sensations washed away with the hot water, I let out a deep breath. It felt like the day was finally winding down.

‘It was soft.’

The hand, pretty to look at, had felt warm, soft, and pliant when I held it.

I briefly looked down at the hand that had been held, then diligently washed my body.

The ingrained stench and blood didn’t come off easily.

It took a long time and several washes before I could get myself clean.

A slightly longer shower.

During that time, the softness left on my hand did not fade.