episode_0103

For living beings, rest is very important. Whether for the body or the mind, rest is necessary. After a hard day, it’s a time to recharge for tomorrow. It’s a natural rhythm of life for any living creature.

And the most representative method of rest is sleep. The importance of sleep has been endlessly emphasized throughout all times and cultures. However, many people have suffered from insomnia from ancient times until now. When you want to rest your body and mind, or when you want to forget everything and not think at all. You lie down to sleep, but your mind is wide awake, and your body tosses and turns all night. Sometimes, you’re so tired that you can’t even sleep. Hours spent wide awake in a pain that isn’t pain. It can be said to be a suffering difficult for those who haven’t experienced it to understand.

But I’m a little different.

“Mmm~” Sitting on the edge of the bed, I stretched and loosened the neck muscles that had stiffened overnight. As I stretched, I gently twisted my body here and there. Crack- thud- The refreshing sensation of twisting my cervical spine into place was invigorating. The feeling of muscles, dormant all night, twisting and stretching as they awakened. As a refreshing clarity came over my head, the drowsiness flew away.

Yesterday, I fell asleep as if I’d passed out. Having just had a deep sleep, my head was still a bit hazy, but my condition was good. I was satisfied with my body, feeling a light vitality.

In the past, I couldn’t sleep so soundly. Worries about an uncertain future, where tomorrow was always uncertain, only led to more sighs. I was told I worried unnecessarily, but that was the kind of time it was. It was the same when I fell to that other place. Putting aside the immediate issues of eating and sleeping, it was a dangerous place where my life was at risk. Naturally, there was never a day I felt at ease, and the stronger I became to survive, the harder it was to sleep.

Now, having overcome and surpassed all of that. I could sleep peacefully unless it was an exceptional circumstance. And I could greet such a vibrant morning.

“……Morning?” Clearly, I had eaten breakfast prepared by Grandmother yesterday and then fallen asleep in the afternoon. But now it’s morning? An entire day had been deleted. It seemed I had slept not just deeply, but to the point of passing out. I felt a bit hollow, but…

‘Does it matter?’ I didn’t have to go to work by a set time. I didn’t have any important or urgent appointments. Currently, I was free. The only bitter part was that it was thanks to the world being ruined by zombies.

Slowly, I got up from my spot and headed to the kitchen. I thought I might just gulp down some water for my slight thirst. Just then, meal preparations were in full swing in the kitchen. Shia, Bomi, and Kim Seonyoung were busy with Grandmother. To be precise, they were busy under Grandmother’s command. Anyway. Watching the four of them in such a domestic scene, I momentarily forgot my thirst.

‘…They look good together.’ I stood for a moment, silently watching the women cook. They all seemed a bit clumsy, but the sight of them focusing and cooking diligently felt peaceful. Suddenly, I thought that Shia looked good in an apron. Her struggling back as she stood in front of the fire was somehow cute.

As I was thinking that to myself, I heard Grandmother’s call. “Young man, are you up?” “Oh? Oppa, when did you get here?” Shia, who noticed me belatedly, spun around. Her long, gracefully curved eyebrows were pleasant to look at. The two women standing next to her also warmly greeted me good morning. Grandmother, who had been very busy, greeted me with a gentle expression.

“Seonghan. Did you sleep well?” “Yes. I came to get some water.” “Alright. The food will be ready soon, so just wait a bit.” Grandmother, who had been busily making something while directing the three women, handed me a glass of water and then refocused.

‘…….’ The Grandmaster’s hand movements were perfectly clean and efficient. Her hands, which seemed to carry years of experience, were extraordinary. Being able to witness such a sight first thing in the morning was a precious experience. More than anything, smelling the gentle, fragrant aroma of the food, I felt that helping the Choi family had indeed been a good choice.

After a little more time passed. Meal preparations were finished, and one by one, the group gathered and began to eat breakfast. But the situation was a little awkward.

“…Am I the only one eating this?” To my question, Grandmother replied as if it were obvious. “Everyone else is sick, you see. But I still cooked it deliciously.” “…Hmm.”

My meal setting was different from the others. I had a typical menu with grilled ham and a few side dishes. But the others all had porridge. Not just my family, but Private Kang Ilbyeong’s group and Dr. Jang Heeyeon’s group as well. It seemed like we had eaten porridge many times since I met the group.

“The doctor said light food was best.” “Everyone’s bodies are in a very weakened state.” Dr. Jang Heeyeon, who was kindly explaining, also had porridge in front of her. …Everyone had food in front of them, but they were looking at me.

In the awkward situation, I quietly encouraged them to eat. “Grandfather, Grandmother, please eat. I’ll eat well.” Smiling bitterly at the situation I couldn’t get used to, I picked up my spoon. It was good that they thought highly of me, but it was burdensome for the two elders to act like that. For me, having learned Confucian etiquette, the situation where the hierarchy was reversed was difficult. I should talk to them quietly soon.

As I continued eating with such thoughts. “Mmm……” I felt sorry for everyone eating vegetable porridge, but my simple breakfast menu was incredibly delicious. The salty ham was always tasty, and the other side dishes were good too. More than anything, the bean sprout soup and rolled omelet suited my palate perfectly. As I instantly emptied a bowl of soup and a plate, Grandmother smiled contentedly.

“Young man. Want some more?” “Oh, yes. It’s really delicious. Ah! Please give me a lot.” At my unintentional flattery, Grandmother seemed not displeased and chuckled. Thanks to that, the meal atmosphere was peaceful and warm.

Of course, with so many people, there was someone who wasn’t like that. “…Why am I….” “Eat what you’re given. Men don’t complain about their food.” Dong-woo, who was also shoveling down porridge next to Grandmother, made a tearful face. Dong-woo, who wasn’t even sick, seemed very aggrieved. The situation ended simply with Grandmother’s single remark, but seeing someone of that build complain was somehow amusing.

Suppressing the laughter that had erupted because of Dong-woo, I continued eating. Perhaps because I had used my body so much, I ate like a mukbang streamer. Thanks to that, people were a little surprised, but the meal concluded in a quiet atmosphere mixed with faint laughter.

Immediately after the meal. I briefly asked Dr. Jang Heeyeon. “How is Byeongsu doing?”

“Ah. Kim Byeongsu regained consciousness early this morning. He’s sleeping again now.” The doctor’s words, delivering good news with a faint smile, had the power to bring relief. I, too, smiled slightly upon hearing the good news. My hard work had paid off.

Even though Dr. Jang Heeyeon was a doctor, she herself wasn’t in good condition. It was incredibly grateful that she had put in so much effort for the group, day and night. Feeling Dr. Jang Heeyeon’s thoughtfulness, I surveyed the faces of the group. My family still looked sick, but they were noticeably better than the day before yesterday. Dr. Jang Heeyeon and the two nurses showed some traces of assault, but seemed to be managing. Private Kang Ilbyeong seemed perfectly fine, perhaps because he was a young active-duty soldier. The child’s mother also showed some signs of hardship, but her expression was bright.

The problem was the two injured people. “It’s basic treatment, but we’ve done everything we can for now. We’ll have to monitor their progress, but they should recover without much difficulty. However…” She said that due to makeshift treatment and prolonged overexertion, their injuries had worsened. Dr. Jang Heeyeon added that even after recovery, they would suffer for a while. She seemed dissatisfied with the current situation, where proper treatment couldn’t be provided. She soon composed her expression and quietly continued.

“…We believe Miri has aphasia….” So the child’s name was Miri. She cited the severe psychological shock from the continuous stressful situations as the reason.

“It’s not my specialty, so I can’t say more… I apologize.” “No, not at all. I know you’ve done your best even now. Thank you.” In a situation like this, being able to receive medical attention from a doctor was something to be profoundly grateful for. It was clear that it wouldn’t be easy for a doctor to care for this many people with just her body, in a situation without equipment or medicine. Wouldn’t it be like a soldier fighting a war bare-handed? I was simply grateful to Dr. Jang Heeyeon and the nurses who had done their best despite the harsh conditions.

The child I looked at after hearing the explanation was very thin. But unlike when I first saw her, she was clean, and there was a slight hint of color in her skin. Sadly, her eyes still lacked vitality.

‘…No need to worry about Dong-woo, then.’ Dong-woo, sticking tightly to his grandparents, didn’t seem to have any aches or pains. Even Jihyeok hyung had been groaning, so it was a relief that at least Dong-woo was fine. Bomi wasn’t visible, perhaps attending to Byeongsu. Shia’s sunken cheeks had returned a little.

‘…Seems like they’ve gotten much better.’ Byeongsu’s crisis had been safely averted, and the group’s condition was improving. The tension and fear of the streets that had constricted their bodies. The physical burden that had eaten away at their minds. Perhaps because they had escaped these negative elements, vitality was slowly filling everyone’s eyes. Only after personally witnessing these positive changes could I finally breathe a sigh of relief.

I didn’t get up immediately after finishing the meal. Now, everyone was seated, chatting and blooming into conversation. For a moment, I silently watched the scene.

Suddenly, my gaze went to the child named Miri. ‘…Have I seen her somewhere…?’ I hadn’t realized it due to my state of mind, but she seemed a little familiar. Did she misunderstand my curious gaze as a glare? The child burrowed deeper into her mother’s embrace.

“Oppa. What’s wrong?” “…It’s nothing.” Shia, who had always sat next to me during meals since some time ago. She was subtly paying attention to me. Even now, she was filling my empty glass with a drink. I idly twirled the sufficiently filled cup.

“…Thank you.” “? It’s nothing, for this~” Her carefree smile had a clear, innocent feeling reminiscent of a young girl. Taking in her pleasant smile, I drank the beverage she had poured and made up my mind.

‘I should tell them.’ Even if not everything, I needed to talk about the situation outside. But before that, some preparation seemed necessary. Because the truth, facts, aren’t always easy to accept without consequence.

After finishing my drink, I looked at Jihyeok hyung and Commander Choi. They still showed faint signs of illness, but looked much better. ‘…First, to those two….’ If I were to bring up the topic, those two seemed capable of handling it, so they should be first. Opening up to everyone else would be after that. My stomach was full, and there was no need to delay.

“Hyung. Commander Choi.” “Hm?” The two men turned their gaze at my call. “Could you two talk with me for a moment?” Hearing my low, subdued voice, the two men, who had looked puzzled, soon nodded and stood up.

As I headed to the study, led by Commander Choi, a thought came to mind. ‘How will they take it….’ Hyung would probably be the person among the group who could judge most calmly. I was curious about the reaction of Hyung, who was calm and mentally strong. I wondered how he would react. Only then would I be able to decide what I should do afterward. With those thoughts, I silently followed behind Commander Choi.

***

After Seonghan headed to the study with the two men. In the kitchen, cleanup was in full swing. At Grandmother Park’s words that the patients should rest, everyone had dispersed. Even though Grandmother Park herself was a patient, in the kitchen, she seemed like an ironwoman. As if to demonstrate this, her movements were full of vigor. And Lee Shia was helping Grandmother Park.

Perhaps it was because she was a professional among professionals. With Grandmother Park’s skilled hand movements, cleanup didn’t take long. The two women made and drank the instant coffee Seonghan had obtained and brought, taking a breather.

“This coffee is truly sweet.” “I know. I never knew it could be this delicious.” Slurp- The common and ordinary luxury of a cup of coffee. Now, it had become a moment of luxury. That’s why Grandmother Park and Lee Shia found this moment precious.

In the quiet tranquility, Grandmother Park subtly began to speak. “So, how do you feel?” “How I feel?” “I mean, how does it feel to have cooked for the first time?” “Ah….” At Grandmother Park’s words, Lee Shia’s face slowly flushed.

“Did you see earlier? The young man specifically chose to eat it. He ate all the soup and the rolled omelet by himself.” “…….” “It seems your cooking suited the young man’s taste. That’s good. Very good indeed~” Lee Shia chuckled softly at Grandmother Park’s slightly mischievous tone.

‘It was worth learning from Grandmother-nim.’ It was only a couple of simple dishes, but it was a first step. It wasn’t that Lee Shia had never cooked before. But it was the first time she had cooked something with such care and dedicated it to a man. And the result was very successful. Seonghan ate all the soup and rolled omelet Lee Shia had made. And he ate it heartily, saying it was delicious.

“Shia, as you’ve seen, Seonghan isn’t very talkative.” “That’s right.” “He’s hardly ever said anything was delicious until now.” “Oh….” “Do well in the future.” Grandmother Park, patting Lee Shia’s back with a pleased smile, seemed joyful somehow. Lee Shia simply bowed her head, her face turning red. She recalled Seonghan, repeatedly saying ‘It’s delicious’ without knowing anything. A deep smile bloomed on Lee Shia’s lips as she lowered her head.