episode_0024

From the moment the door to the room was firmly shut, the air outside became subtle.

Of course, Hyeji wouldn’t have noticed because she was fiddling with tools in the basement, but Cheondeuk, Hwalyeon, and Lina noticed that something was going on.

Although Cheon Deuk was not very social, he was able to notice such changes thanks to his long career as a doctor and the many patients he met.

The other two, Hwa-ryeon and Lina, were women like Dan-hwa, so there was no way they could not catch the strange atmosphere coming from Dan-hwa.

However, the three of them did not show it outwardly. Do-Hoon was the only one among them who did not notice the change.

They also agreed that Do-Hoon was a great helper and supporter, but they also had some sympathy for his lack of tact, so they did not tell Do-Hoon about the changes in Danhwa.

What if I tell you a story and it backfires? The already delicate atmosphere will completely sink into chaos.

“How long have you known Do-Hoon oppa and Dan-Hwa unnie? They seem to be very close.”

The unspoken taboo was suddenly broken by Lina’s mouth. Cheon-deuk and Hwa-ryeon looked uneasy, but they were also curious, so they did not stop Lina.

Do-hoon put his hand on his chin and slowly recalled his memories as he listened to Lina’s words. The three of them listened, expecting the story that would come out of Do-hoon’s mouth.

“It’s special…well, that’s true.”

Everyone was a bit taken aback by Do-hoon’s concise words. So, wasn’t he asking for an episode that led to the formation of such a relationship?

Do-Hoon also noticed the signs belatedly and felt sorry.

“It’s been about 3 years since I’ve been with Danhwa. Oh, Mr. Cheon-deuk. Can I speak more comfortably?”

“Yes, of course. To be honest, I was also very curious about this. I think the kids will find it easier to approach it.”

“If you’d be considerate…”

After asking for Cheon-deuk’s permission, Do-hoon continued the story in a calm voice.

“The first time I encountered it was at Yongma Square. It was a mess because of a horde of zombies that came from nowhere. I was passing by there because I had some business with an adult I knew. I saw a girl who had been crushed by a zombie.”

“That was a short story.”

Hwaryeon accepted the words.

“That’s right, to be honest, I didn’t plan on saving him from the beginning. No, I wanted to save him, but it would be more accurate to say I wasn’t sure if I could handle what happened. Even if I could save his life right away, I wondered if I could save him and get out of there.”

“Um…”

The three of them pictured the situation at that time in their heads. No, they didn’t need to. They were also people who had experienced the early days.

I just reflected on my own experiences and tried to figure out what actions I had taken at the time.

Run away, turn away.

They ignored their neighbors who were crying out for help and prayed that the monsters that were taking their lives would not turn towards them.

Even if I went back in time, I don’t think I would risk my life for a complete stranger, unless it was my family that was in danger.

“It’s a difficult but easy decision. Most people would choose to save their lives. I did too. Until I saw Danhwa just lying there with his eyes empty, giving up everything. Not even fighting back, as if he was telling me to take his life.”

Do-Hoon took a bite of the appetizingly cut brownie. Strangely, a bitter taste came up.

Do-Hoon said, “It looks like Lina accidentally burned the outer part,” and brushed it off.

“I ran. The moment I came to my senses, I was already running. More than the cries of help pouring out from those around me, it was that one look in her eyes that made me move. All I could think was that a girl who couldn’t even reach my chest shouldn’t have those eyes.”

“ and…”

The three people couldn’t agree with Do-Hoon’s decision. They were just taken aback.

It was a moment when they reconfirmed that Do-Hoon, who had taken them in, was definitely a special person, different from ordinary people.

“I can’t forget what Danhwa said to me back then. I thought I’d hear a thank you.”

“What did you say?”

Lina and Hwa-ryeon couldn’t help but wonder. Was Dan-hwa back then as rough as she is now? Or was she completely different?

I kept making these guesses and waited for Do-Hoon to open his mouth.

“He asked me why I saved him. Those were the first words I blurted out when I came to my senses.”

The three nodded and said, ‘Even then, short shoes were short shoes.’

“I didn’t get angry after hearing that. Instead, my determination to save her became stronger. Why? Why was that? Was it because I was determined to hear her say thank you?”

There was no way other people could know the reason that Do-Hoon himself didn’t know. Because it was Do-Hoon who was there at the time, and not them.

“I think about it now. At that moment, I must have decided, ‘I have to give myself a reason to live.’”

Of course, that was also just Do-Hoon’s guess. Do-Hoon still couldn’t understand why he did that at the time.

The moment I heard that, I couldn’t accept my decision, and I kept thinking, “I could have just left it behind.”

“There was such a story…”

When it seemed as if Do-hoon’s story was over, Lina said so and grabbed the dishtowel she had taken out to wipe the table.

I squeezed it so hard that I thought I had squeezed all the moisture out, but it started to soak my hand.

“I heard it well. It seems like Mr. Do-hoon and Ms. Dan-hwa have been great since the beginning. I respect them.”

“You’re cool. If I were you, I would have been angry in that situation.”

“Haha, it’s not that great. I just acted according to my mood at the time. There was no great heroism or anything. If I had, I would have tried to save everyone there and died.”

Do-Hoon said that and then suddenly realized that he had forgotten something.

Hanmaum Church, a few mornings ago, we received a letter from you begging if you could accept just one request.

‘Brother Kwon Do-hoon, how are you? This is Pastor Lee Won-sang of Hanmaum Church.

The thing is, there are repeated testimonies from the butlers that they hear strange sounds coming from the orchard.

Fortunately, since it is the beginning of winter and there is no work being done in the orchard, there were no damages to the saints, but I am worried that there are some who are shaking in fear every night.

As the season is what it is, it’s not urgent, but… if you have time, I earnestly request that you stop by sometime…’

After that, there were many stories about how they would give him the title of honorary elder just for stopping by, and how they said that since he was still single, they wanted to ‘bring together good-looking men and women in the name of the Lord Jesus’.

Maybe it was a cult?

Do-Hoon also vaguely knew that they were not a healthy religious group.

However, I am not bound by the prejudice that it is a pseudo-religion because I believe that survival is everyone’s desire and that keeping the members alive is justice and good.

In that respect, Do-Hoon saw that Hanmaum Church could be called a healthy group of survivors.

It’s winter now, and the fact that you’re asking for a helping hand means that you’re desperate.

After all, if that kind of situation continues for several days, it is understandable that the members, including the religious group, would become anxious.

Although it would be an embarrassing story for Danhwa, I decided to go.

And as he made up his mind, the image of Danhwa scolding him for thinking of going out again in the winter began to appear in Do-hoon’s mind.

There, Do-Hoon could also notice that Dan-Hwa had not been keeping up with Dan-Hwa’s requests and promises recently.

Even though I said it wasn’t my intention at one time, I didn’t think it would be an excuse for someone who ended up making a mistake.

First of all, I should apologize… How can I not make you feel better?

She’s not the type of person who’d like to be given clothes or shoes as a gift from a shopping mall or something… It’s hard, it’s hard…

Do-Hoon wrapped his head. But no good idea came to mind.

“I’m sorry, but I have a little something to talk about, so I’ll be back in a bit. Mr. Cheon-deuk, is that okay?”

“Oh, yes! Of course. Besides, we are not the ones who are qualified to tell them to stay…”

*

Do-Hoon went into Dan-Hwa’s room and the three of them remained at the table and watched the situation.

Every time the sound of Angkaljin’s voice pierced through the door, they flinched without realizing it.

It seems clear that they are angry at Do-Hoon, but doesn’t it seem like it is directed at them?

The situation in the room was like a roller coaster. The voices seemed to die down, then rose again, repeatedly.

What was going on? The three of them wanted to keep their ears glued to the door and watch the situation more closely, but they couldn’t bring themselves to do so because they thought that the short story might strike at any moment.

As time passed, the sound of flesh being slapped and heavy breathing began to be heard from inside the room.

“Shorts…! Huh! Gulp!!”

“You piece of trash. You’re dirty. Die.”

Lina and Hwa-ryeon wondered what this meant, and so did Cheon-deuk.

Of course, some kind of speculation did pop into Cheon-deuk’s head. However, he never thought that it would be like that.

“Shouldn’t that be said?”

“Dohun oppa…”

Cheon Deuk felt relieved as he saw his daughter and Lina having expectations that were completely different from his own, thinking that they were still innocent.

You’re getting old and reckless. Your brain is rotten.

Common sense tells you that there’s no way you’d have sex with someone outside, especially if the only thing that can be soundproofed is a wall and a door.

“You don’t have to worry. Hwaryeon, you saw Dohoon’s size. I’ll just take it quietly until he calms down.”

At Cheon-deuk’s words, Hwa-ryeon seemed to let go of her worries, but Lina was different.

“Sister Danhwa… Oppa…”

Ugh.

Lina muttered as she bit her nails.

“This kind of thing…is fatal.”