episode_0209

The one who stopped the two rampaging women was none other than Miri’s belly alarm.

*Grumble grumble~*

“……”

She ruffled herself awake, wrapping her small belly with hands like young bracken fronds, a sight that was incredibly cute.

“So cute~♡”

“Cute~♡”

Shia and Heize, as if their previous behavior had never happened, suddenly changed and rushed towards Miri.

Their expressions, softening gently… truly…

“…I can’t tell who the child is anymore.”

“What does it matter? She’s so cute~”

“I want to bite her~”

“……”

Seeing the three small faces rubbing cheeks, I rescued Miri.

“Her face will wear out.”

“Ah…”

“Let’s go. Time to eat.”

Holding Miri in one arm, I strode purposefully towards the dining hall.

‘…Is her body temperature naturally high?’

The child’s body heat, emanating from my arm and chest, was quite warm.

She doesn’t seem hot, but it’s curious.

I gently stroked Miri’s head as she leaned quietly against my chest.

Her small, round head was, as expected, adorable.

Enjoying the unique cuteness and softness of a child, I entered the dining hall.

The savory and appetizing smell filled the air.

Perhaps still preparing, Grandmother and Bomi were moving busily.

*Bubble bubble-*

*Chop! Chop! Chop! Chop chop chop chop chop chop!*

‘Wow… Grandmother, seriously…’

Such rhythmic movements at her age, despite her small stature.

From Grandmother’s back, dominating the kitchen, I felt a sense of awe.

…And somehow, it felt warm and familiar.

Instead of words, various sounds echoed in the kitchen.

The sound of a knife hitting the cutting board and something boiling pleased my ears.

Still holding Miri, I sat on a chair and watched the lively kitchen.

The process of a dish being completed is fun to watch.

Into that gap, Shia stepped in and began to help…

“I help too.”

I stopped Heize, who was trying to approach the cooking area.

“Heize.”

“Huh?”

I threw an important question.

“Do you know how to cook?”

“Slightly? A little? Yes.”

Her confident demeanor, which caused me unease, forced me to make her sit down.

“It’s your first day, so just watch for now.”

“Oh… but…”

“It’s fine. Start tomorrow. More importantly, what happened to that?”

“Huh? Oh…”

Heize was about to play another mischievous prank, but seeing Miri in my arms, she erased her cunning expression.

It’s a relief that even when she’s playful, she knows her limits and boundaries.

“Compression bandage.”

“In Korean.”

“Wrapped it with bandages. Tight tight!”

She emphasized ‘tight tight’ while miming wrapping bandages around her chest.

“Isn’t that uncomfortable?”

“It’s hard. But I must. Men dangerous, uncomfortable when fighting.”

“Ah, I see…”

…It seems women have difficulties in many aspects.

“But now no need to do.”

“‘Dwae-n-da’.”

“Huh?”

“Repeat after me. ‘An haedo dwaenda’.”

“Ah. ‘An haedo dwaenda’!”

“Good. Keep learning and practicing Korean from now on.”

“Understood.”

“……”

“I said I understood.”

I quietly observed Heize, who was nodding and correcting her pronunciation.

Having showered and changed into civilian clothes instead of military uniform, it was immediately noticeable.

Heize was quite thin now.

Her skin had good color, but her exposed hands and arms were bony.

Her small, pretty face had deeply sunken cheeks, making her look like someone who had failed a diet.

Seeing her in a clean state, it stood out clearly.

She must have gone through a lot, yet she endured so well—

“My chest got smaller. Phew….”

“……”

Even now, she looks similar to Shia, but good heavens…

At Heize’s sigh, Grandmother approached.

“Why are you lamenting about your chest at the dinner table? *Gasp*?! Goodness gracious! What is this?!”

Grandmother stared with wide eyes at Heize’s chest area, which had made her gloomy.

“Oh dear~ This American girl was hiding something like this?”

“Grandma. No choice. Men just lick with eyes.”

“Oh my?!”

Shia was surprised by the somewhat familiar expression, and Grandmother was also surprised.

“Those crazy bastards. Oh… you’ve been through a lot. It must have been hard, right?”

“Yeah…”

Grandmother, who was about to say something about her chest complaints, suddenly changed the atmosphere.

She gently stroked Heize’s back, offering small words of comfort.

At that, Heize seemed to become somewhat quieter.

Grandmother told her to wait a moment and then started moving busily again.

Heize remained quiet, her gaze fixed on Grandmother’s back.

Her appearance was somehow poignant, so I couldn’t just leave her be and quietly spoke to her.

“How’s Lawrence?”

“A little tired. So lie on bed.”

“Is she not hurt anywhere?”

“Yeah. Just a little tired.”

“Okay.”

While we talked briefly, dishes began to be placed on the table.

Heize’s eyes followed the colorful and neatly arranged dishes as they were placed.

…That poignant feeling was just my imagination.

A laugh escaped me as I saw her eyes sparkling and her gulping down saliva.

‘She’s like a little glutton.’

Just then, Hyuk hyung appeared, leading everyone.

Miri slipped out of my arms and toddled over to her parents, who had arrived late.

Once everyone sat down, there were many people.

As everyone made happy faces in front of the warm and delicious-looking food.

“As much as I’d like to have a celebratory drink for your return, we’ll postpone it for a bit.”

At Representative Choi’s playful tone, we all let out a bittersweet laugh and picked up our spoons and chopsticks.

It was Grandmother’s homemade cooking, enjoyed after a long time.

I quickly pushed a large spoonful of rice into my mouth.

‘Delicious…’

“So tasty!”

“……”

It seems Grandmother’s cooking skills appealed to foreigners too.

Heize kept muttering “Delicious!” with her mouth full.

She skillfully wielded her chopsticks, unconcerned by the Korean-style menu.

“…You know how to use chopsticks too?”

“?? Of course?”

*Chop chop-*

I let out a small chuckle at her movements, skillfully using her chopsticks as if to show off.

Lawrence, sitting next to Heize, also skillfully used her chopsticks as if to show off.

Her deft hand movements alone made her seem like a Korean.

Perhaps I had underestimated the two of them too much.

Others, perhaps not knowing that the two foreigners were so good at using chopsticks, watched them with curiosity.

“More rice, please!”

…Heize quickly finished a bowl of rice in a short time.

“This American girl eats so well and deliciously. Does the food suit your taste?”

“Suit my taste??”

“She’s asking if it’s delicious.”

“Ah~ Yeah yeah! Grandma’s food delicious.”

“Oh dear~ You speak so prettily. Come on now~ Eat plenty~”

“Thank you! Grandma~”

Bright and cheerful Heize displayed her appetite without reserve.

‘……’

Suddenly, Lawrence’s gaze caught my eye.

Lawrence’s gaze was fixed on Heize, who was happily munching.

Her soft and affectionate gaze was full of gratitude and apology.

It had a moistness as if tears would flow if one were to just lightly poke her.

A spoonful of rice, a glance at Heize, a side dish, then another glance at Heize.

“Why??”

When Heize, whose gaze met hers, asked, Lawrence just gently shook her head.

Heize then put a well-grilled piece of Spam on her rice, telling her to try this too.

Lawrence took a big bite and quietly continued her meal.

Looking at it this way, it’s clear Heize took great care of Lawrence.

Though not as much as Heize, Lawrence also seemed to be eating calmly, so there didn’t seem to be any problems.

Fortunately, she doesn’t seem to be picky about food.

Especially the seaweed soup, it seemed to suit her taste as she was on her second bowl.

No shadowy emotions or anxiety were visible on her face.

With the feeling that both would adapt well here, I finally felt a little relieved.

And the same went for Miri’s dad.

Despite his arm discomfort, he sat his daughter on his lap and ate.

He was prioritizing Miri over his own meal.

Miri’s mom looked busy taking care of the two of them, but all three of them seemed incredibly happy.

Warm food, warm scenery, and warm people.

‘This is good.’

The reviving atmosphere of Konkuk University Shelter was good, but this place was the real deal.

Isn’t this what a human living atmosphere should be like?

My heart, hardened by continuous tension, slowly began to relax.

Accordingly, my appetite seemed to be reviving…

“Would you like more rice?”

Shia asked, seeing my bowl completely empty at some point.

I politely offered her my bowl as she gently stood up.

“Fill it up.”

“Yes~”

Shia chuckled, though I didn’t know what was so funny, and made me a beautifully heaped bowl of rice.

Perhaps the rice was particularly well-cooked today, as it tasted delicious even by itself.

“How is it? Is it delicious?”

Shia, seemingly finished with her meal, looked at me with sparkling eyes and asked.

“Yeah. It tastes good even by itself.”

“And what else is delicious?”

“The soup, and this, and this.”

Without hesitation, I chose the seasoned shiitake mushrooms and the shredded radish salad.

They were very much to my taste.

As I emptied my bowl while Shia was briefly asking, Grandmother, as if she had been waiting, handed me a large serving bowl filled to the brim.

“Eat plenty, young man.”

“Thank you. The rice must have turned out well today.”

“Hmm~ Is that so?”

“Yes. I’m starting to envy Grandfather for having eaten rice like this his whole life.”

At my words, Grandfather and Grandmother burst into loud laughter.

“Seonghan. No matter how much you envy, I can’t give up our old woman.”

“Again! Again! That Old Man, there’s nothing he won’t say at the dinner table, truly.”

Grandmother slapped Grandfather’s arm repeatedly, but it seemed she didn’t completely dislike it.

…They say a woman’s heart is so complicated, and it really seems to be true.

Thanks to that, I enjoyed a hearty meal in a pleasant atmosphere.

A proper feast after a long time.

“……”

“…Why are you looking at me like that?”

As I completely cleared the rice and side dishes in front of me, Heize was looking at me with surprised eyes.

“Han… eats incredibly well.”

Shouldn’t you be the one not saying that?

“Oh? Oh, I guess I am.”

“Didn’t know.”

Heize seemed surprised by my true appetite, which I had revealed.

“Back then, there were many people and not enough food.”

“But, still….”

“That’s why I’m eating well now, aren’t I? Did you eat your fill?”

“Yeah. Full.”

Her protruded belly, on her pretty figure, was particularly noticeable.

“Grandmother’s cooking skills are excellent, so look forward to it in the future.”

At my words, Heize’s and Lawrence’s eyes filled with anticipation.

As a bonus, Grandmother’s shoulders rose slightly as she shrugged.

Personally, I was already looking forward to the next meal.

The combination of canned goods and MREs I had during the last outing was truly…

‘…Even thinking about it again, it’s f***ing awful.’

I mentally fought off the terrible taste that made my appetite plummet just by thinking about it.

Now that the meal was over and everyone was dispersing.

I called Representative Choi, Hyuk hyung, and Miri’s dad over.

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

“…Shall we move to another place?”

At Representative Choi’s suggestion, we moved to his personal study.

The study, like a set from a drama, still had a dignified charm.

“It’s completely different from Representative Pyo’s office.”

“Is that so?”

“Looking at it again now, it’s even more so.”

Representative Choi, understanding my meaning, smiled softly.

Seeing his expression that he didn’t dislike the compliment, I settled onto the antique sofa.

Representative Choi paused briefly, then calmly began the conversation.

“It seems this is also something difficult to bring up easily.”

“Hmm… yes.”

“Is it related to zombies?”

“Why do you think that?”

“Well… you didn’t bring up zombies when you talked about what happened outside.”

That’s correct.

I hadn’t brought up any stories about zombies while recounting what happened during the mission.

Hyung was faithful to the listener’s perspective.

He seemed to have roughly guessed what I wanted to say.

“You’re right, Hyung. It’s about zombies.”

“…Is it really bad?”

“Hmm…”

“Shall we hear it first?”

Everyone’s eyes held seriousness.

Though Miri’s dad had a slightly bewildered expression.

I slowly began.

The encounters and engagements with zombies that I hadn’t told others.

A large group of zombies swarming in one section of Yongsan Base.

And even what happened while returning to Konkuk University Shelter.

The short but heavy story ended plainly.

“A horde of over 10,000 zombies…”

Representative Choi leaned back, stroking his mouth.

Hyung also seemed quite surprised, his mouth closed.

“To think Yongsan Base was in such a state…”

Miri’s dad, who had vaguely known about the existence of Yongsan Base, couldn’t hide his absurdity.

Unable to emerge from the shock, Representative Choi finally pulled out a cigarette and lit it.

The remaining two men also lit cigarettes.

“Um… please keep this a secret from Miri’s mom…”

“Understood.”

Even in this situation, Miri’s dad still worried about his wife’s reaction… truly…

Anyway.

The four of us could only continue our conversation after silently finishing a cigarette.

“Seonghan. How on earth did you deal with such a large number?”

“I set them on fire with Molotov cocktails.”

“Molotov cocktails??”

“Yes. I also gathered gunpowder there and used it as a substitute for bombs.”

I recounted the makeshift plan and the process of dealing with them at the time, and the three men were astonished.

“…You really…”

“It seems you’ve been through a whole war.”

“Still, I gained something from it.”

“…What is it?”

I repeated the information I had previously told at the Konkuk University Shelter.

The three men who heard the story had their expressions harden seriously.

“Yes… that thing that chased us back then is exactly as you described. I really… miraculously survived.”

Representative Choi seemed to recall that time, as he swallowed hard.

“Anyway… it’s difficult, but they can be killed, right?”

Hyung, serious but not losing his grip, asked me back.

“If there’s enough firepower.”

“Haa… I feel dizzy… If other people hear this…”

“No, we’ll have to convey it, even if we soften it.”

“Junseong hyung-nim… that’s true, but…”

Hyung frowned slightly and rubbed the back of his neck.

Then Miri’s dad quietly spoke.

“…I believe we should convey the facts as they are.”

At his firm tone, Representative Choi and Hyung’s gazes turned to Miri’s dad.

Miri’s dad, however, met my gaze.

“You called me because you needed my opinion too, right?”

“…I’m sorry for making you recall painful memories.”

Miri’s dad shook his head.

“Don’t say such things. Just tell me what to do if I can be of any help.”

Miri’s dad showed a resolute mindset.

It was clear that it wasn’t just individual courage.

“Perhaps… did something happen?”

Hyung, observing the mood, cautiously asked.

“Miri’s father was at Jamsil Shelter just before meeting me.”

“Jamsil Camp, you mean?”

“Does Representative Choi know?”

“I heard about it in passing, as a rumor. I only heard it was quite large… but with radio broadcasts being unreliable…”

His trailing words meant he wasn’t certain.

Miri’s dad confirmed it to Representative Choi.

“Jamsil Camp definitely existed.”

At this, Jihyeok hyung narrowed his brows.

“…It’s in the past tense.”

“…Yes.”

Miri’s dad, in my stead, recounted the process of Jamsil Camp’s collapse.

And everything, including meeting me and surviving during the escape.

Immediately after the story ended, the three men were silent.

Just like the leaders of Konkuk University Shelter, they were quite shocked by the fact that a large group had collapsed so meaninglessly.

To that extent, Representative Choi and Hyung hardened stiffly.

“This is truly… dismal.”

Hyung muttered calmly in a heavily subdued voice.

I could understand Hyung speaking like that.

I was already f***ing dizzy from it, so how much more would he be?

Miri’s dad lowered his eyes and kept his mouth tightly shut.

He had just reunited with his family, so he wouldn’t want to envision a bleak tomorrow.

Representative Choi took out a handkerchief and dabbed his forehead and neck.

It seemed he was sweating cold…

“Perhaps the situation might be even more serious.”

Representative Choi’s words just spoken could not be taken lightly.

“What do you mean?”

“…Jamsil won’t be the only place that collapsed. No, it’s certain.”

“What?”

Representative Choi seemed hesitant to speak, as he opened and closed his mouth.

But eventually, he spoke with difficulty.

“There were other large-scale shelters, though not as big as Jamsil.”

“……”

“Especially ‘Sangam-dong Shelter’ was one of them.”

This was a new piece of information.

And it was exactly as Jihyeok hyung had pointed out a moment ago.

“It’s in the past tense.”

“Yes…”

Representative Choi, wiping cold sweat from his temples, quietly said.

“Sangam-dong Shelter must have collapsed too.”

“……”

“…Other places probably too…”

Even without hearing Representative Choi’s last words, it was clear.

‘F***…’

We had just confirmed that there was a floor beneath the floor.