episode_0239

The way back to the shelter was no different from the way there. It was just quiet, desolate, and eerie. But my mood was different. Fresh, relaxed, and leisurely. I’d relieved some stress, filled my inventory to the brim, and even picked someone up. Thanks to my good mood, even my clumsy driving felt enjoyable.

“…I never thought it would come to this.” My license was practically a paperweight, and I was terrible with cars. Yet here I was, driving a truck, not even a passenger car, late into the night. All I’d learned was how to roughly drive a beat-up Porter truck around the site. For someone like me, passing through narrow lanes so carefully, it felt like I’d improved a bit… Clang-! “Ugh…”

Creak- “Damn it…” Despite my caution, small scratches kept accumulating on the sides and rear. It seemed this was the limit of my current skill. ‘…Let someone else drive.’ It occurred to me again just how amazing Hyung and Young-cheol’s driving skills were. The poor cargo truck, having met the wrong owner, silently continued its journey.

By the time I passed Amsa Bridge and exited Yongma Tunnel, night was turning into dawn. Checking the sky, I pulled the slowly moving truck over at the intersection in front of the Fake House. After getting out, leaving Kim Hyunwoo still asleep, I immediately opened my inventory. ‘I should at least bring something.’ Sensing that I’d be screwed if I went in empty-handed, I hurriedly filled the cargo bed.

First, I took out a few wide, thin sheets of plywood and set up walls in the cargo bed. I propped up the bottom with heavy cargo to prevent the plywood from falling over. A temporary partition, precisely matched to the height of the truck’s roof. It was a sort of trick to load cargo higher and more abundantly. Naturally, if a police officer saw it, I’d get a ticket. But what did it matter now? The materials I had haphazardly taken from the Holy Sale’s loading dock were being used this way.

“This is how materials should be used.” I preferred this much more moderate use than consuming rebar as a weapon. Indeed, a man’s pockets ought to be well-stocked. I moved my body, feeling as if I were back on a construction site after a long time. At the bottom, I laid out a row of large, uniform boxes. On top of them, I filled it with fresh ingredients, including vegetables.

‘Eggs! I want to eat eggs!’ I’m crazy about egg dishes. Originally, two fried eggs per meal were the norm for me. I really missed eggs, which I hadn’t eaten in a long time. I’d even be happy with the exaggerated packaging of ‘Grade A fertilized eggs’. Starting with eggs, I moderately took out meat, fish, and other items. Mixing frozen and fresh ingredients in appropriate proportions. I greedily took out all the food I had stored but hadn’t been able to use.

“…Did I load too much?” When I loaded it precisely to the height of the plywood, the cargo bed sank a little. The chassis screamed from the unintentional overload, but… “I’m~ I’m fine. Oh-oh~ I’m~ I’m fine. Whoa-whoa~ Hyaaa~” Cargo is supposed to be packed in tightly anyway. The owner might not like it, but since I’m not the owner, it doesn’t matter. So, it’s all fine. I convinced myself as I replaced the roof with a green net and secured it.

By the time I finished preparing the gifts for my family, dawn was breaking. Tap tap- I lightly dusted my hands and got back into the car, resuming my journey.

“Kuh-oh…” “Seriously…” Even as I struggled alone, opening and closing the door, and after we arrived, Kim Hyunwoo was still sound asleep. His head was thrown back, mouth agape, holding a can in both hands… He truly gave off a feeling of pure innocence.

“Kim Hyunwoo-ssi.” “Kuh-oh~” “Kim Hyunwoo.” Splat- “Ack?!” “Wake up.” “Huh? Huh? *Slurp*- Where… where am I?” Kim Hyunwoo’s eyes were wide and unfocused as he looked around. Amusingly, even as he rubbed the thigh I’d hit, he didn’t let go of the can.

“We’re here, so get out.” “??” “If you don’t want to, you can stay here.” “Ah! Sorry! I’ll, I’ll get out! I’m getting out!” “The truck’s high, so take it slow—” Click- “Whoa?!?” Grab-! “…Wake up properly.” “Ugh… Th-thank you. The truck’s… high.”

I quickly snatched his top, preventing the unfortunate incident of him falling face-first. Startled, Kim Hyunwoo’s eyes finally cleared. But his bewilderment remained. “Um… where is this?” His voice, thick with sleep, trembled slightly. “It’s the shelter where I live.” “A shel…ter? Like an air-raid shelter?” “Similar.” “Woah…”

His pure reaction wasn’t bad, but… what should I say… He felt similar to Dong-woo, but a bit more scattered. Though Dong-woo could be playful, he had a certain maturity for his age. His dignified side wasn’t just limited to his appearance. But this one… “Can I go inside??” …He was just a big child.

I sighed softly and quietly cautioned him. “There are other people inside.” “Ah.” “It’s still early, so follow me quietly.” “Yes, sir.” I led the bright-eyed Kim Hyunwoo into the building.

“……” My heart softened as I was greeted by the familiar warmth. It seemed I had indeed grown fond of this place. I quietly took off my shoes and tiptoed past the entrance. The moment I passed through the short hallway and arrived at my room near the entrance. ‘You startled me!’ Calming my surprised heart, I spoke calmly. “…You haven’t slept?” “……….” Shia appeared without a sound in the dim darkness. And then, in a pleasant, soft voice, she spoke quietly. “Welcome back…” “Oh, yeah.”

Her voice seemed a bit weak… “You must be hungry, right? Just a moment, please.” Grab- I immediately grabbed Shia’s arm as she was about to turn away. Her voice was normal, but the moment I heard it, I instinctively knew. And seeing her face up close, I was certain. “…Are you angry?” “…….” Her lips were tightly pressed, and her expression was stiff. Her avoiding my gaze confirmed it. It was a new experience seeing her angry face after always seeing her gentle, smiling one. And it was scary.

‘…Me…?’ I hadn’t gotten angry or said anything harsh, yet a tingling sensation ran down my neck. The feeling of my heart seizing up from the suppressed tension, as if something was about to burst. It was a feeling similar to, yet different from, the variant’s killing intent that pierced to the bone, and I swallowed dryly. Breaking the brief tension, Shia moved. She gently placed her hand on my gripped one and weakly pushed it away. “I have to make food…” It’s not like she’s a maid or anything… Anyone could see she was demonstrating, ‘I don’t want to talk right now.’ I didn’t let go and pulled her slightly towards me.

“Shia.” Squeeze- “Look at me.” “…….” “…Um, well…… I’m sorry for being late.” I immediately offered an apology, just as I’d learned from countless experienced people on the internet. For some reason, my body reacted on its own. Me, who had barely ever said ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘I apologize’ in my life. Yet, it wasn’t awkward, it didn’t feel bad, and the words just popped out of my mouth. Fortunately, it seemed to have an effect. Shia slowly looked up at me with her large eyes. Indeed, the experiences of countless married men were worth listening to.

『Master. Now is the time.』 My instincts screamed. “I didn’t mean to be late…” I spoke softly, but with overflowing sincerity. It looked a bit funny, actually. I even wondered why I was acting like this— Trickle- “…….” “I-I’m sorry. W-why am I doing this… Oh, I’m being ridiculous…” …Fuck, forget everything else, I was definitely in the wrong.

A single tear welled up in Shia’s large eyes, which had been quietly listening, and then flowed down. That single tear soon became a stream, wetting her small, slender face. I shivered at the unfamiliar feeling of my heart plummeting. “Uh…” “Waaah…” Her eyelids trembled, then squeezed shut. She bowed her head deeply, covered her face with both hands, and her shoulders began to heave. “Hic… *Sobs*…” If she just cried freely, it would be better, but seeing her desperately hold back her tears left me speechless. Once her tear ducts opened, there was no sign of them stopping.

“…….” Unconsciously, I slowly approached Shia. I gently extended my arms and softly embraced her trembling, small shoulders. Flinch! Taking advantage of the momentary pause in her sobbing, I whispered softly. “…Don’t cry.” “Hic! *Waaaaaah*!!” …It backfired. But I didn’t panic. “Why are you crying like this?” “Waaaaah…” “I’m sorry for being late.”

When I apologized again, Shia removed the hands covering her face. Instead, she wrapped her slender arms around my torso. She tightened her grip, squeezing my body tightly. She pressed her body close and buried her face in my chest. Thump~ The sweet, soft scent of her skin wafting up instantly made me dizzy. Her flowing hair tickled my chin. The soft sensation clinging to my entire body, and the gentle touch on my fingertips. It wasn’t something to think about when someone was crying, but Shia’s body felt incredibly good. I slowly closed my eyes.

‘Until the East Sea’s waters and Mount Baekdu run dry and wear awaaaaay!!!’ Along with the feeling of my blood boiling, my oblivious ‘junior’ was trying to make its presence known. I suppressed my body, which was reacting contrary to my pure intentions, with desperate resolve.

“Hic… Oppa alone… stopping da-dangerous people…” “Ah.” Hyuk hyung… He didn’t do his job properly. I won’t forgive him. “You said you’d be back soon… But… but… *Sobs*…” “No, that’s…” “What if you got hurt… if you couldn’t come back because you were injured… and Sunbaenim just kept saying you were fine…” “…….” “Why is it always Oppa… I really… I was so worried… *Sobs*…” Thump-!

Shia silently wept, sobbing piteously. In contrast, she squeezed her arms tighter and buried her face deeper. …It seemed she wasn’t just angry about me being late, but worried that I might have gotten hurt. Though there was no way I’d get hurt… Stroke- Stroke- I carefully stroked the back of Shia’s small, cute head. I gently patted her slightly trembling back. And then I whispered softly. “…I’m sorry.” “…….” I felt sorry for Shia, but I couldn’t suppress the faint smile forming on my face. I felt incredibly good. Something warm blossomed softly from deep within my heart. A complete stranger, another person, was genuinely worried about me. That fact made the sharp edge I had kept hidden soften. My face felt hot, like a slight arrhythmia had just passed. As I continued holding her until Shia’s crying subsided.

Flash-! Suddenly, the lights flickered on. “Han!” Thud thud thud thud! Hug-! “Gasp?!” “Why are you only just getting back?!” “You, you hit my Adam’s apple…” “You’re late! I was worried!” Rub rub- “St-stop it!” “I was worried. I missed you.” Heize wrapped her arms fiercely around my neck and rubbed her face against me. Her flowing golden hair tickled my face.

‘On Mount Namsan, that pine tree, clad in armour—armouuuur!!!’ The softness I felt all over my body made me dizzy. Their bodies, pressed close as they clung to me, sent strong signals. The vivid plumpness of the female body felt through the thin fabric. Especially the squishy softness felt from her chest and arms, pressing against me… ‘Weren’t bras supposed to make it hard?! Weren’t they?!’ Just when I had managed to forget Shia’s softness with a feeling of emotion, it was instantly a crisis. I gritted my teeth at the clearly felt, immense and ferocious softness. Not to be outdone, Shia also started rubbing her buried face against me. Twitch- Just as my peripheral nerves were about to activate.

“…Having fun?” “…….” “While someone was interrogated all night, you’re here filming a heartwarming melodrama. *Hah*~ Good thing your shoulders are broad, huh?” I was dumbfounded seeing Hyung, with his hollow eyes, smirking with his arms crossed. “You’ve got a lot of energy for early morning. If you have anything good for you, don’t eat it alone, share some.” “St-stop it…” “What was that? Huh?” “…….” Hyung, who had been smirking slyly, immediately changed his expression and snapped.

“What time is it now?! You said you’d be back soon! You said you’d be back soon!! You really, you—!” “Ah, no, that’s…” “Do you know how worried everyone was?! I seriously!! Ugh!” “Haha.” “You’re laughing? You find this funny right now? You—! Ah… my blood pressure…” Hyung dramatically clutched the back of his neck, swaying. Even Dong-woo and Incheol, who were beside him, supported Hyung, playing along. The area in front of my room instantly turned into a chaotic mess. As everyone offered both sharp words and welcome, Heize, still clinging to my neck, opened her mouth.

“Han.” “Hm?” “Who’s that?” “Ah.” I forgot. Reacting to Heize’s question and my realization, people finally turned their gaze behind me. ‘Had he been hiding behind my back this whole time?’ Thinking how clever that was, I called Kim Hyunwoo out. “…Come out this way.” “Yes, sir…” Kim Hyunwoo hesitantly revealed himself, bowing from the waist.

“Hello! My name is Kim Hyunwoo!” The moment he straightened up from his vigorous bow and greeting. “Hyun, Hyunwoo?” “S-Sunbaenim!” “Hyunwoo!!!” Thump thump thump thump!! Hug-! “You, you…! You!” “Sunbaeniiiiim~ *Sniffle*~~” “You bastard!! You were alive! Huh! You were alive!!!” Releasing the fierce hug, Hyung’s expression, as he scrutinized Kim Hyunwoo from head to toe, was uncharacteristically broken. Hyung, who had been examining Kim Hyunwoo with uncontrollably trembling eyes, even had tears welling up.

“I missed you so much… Sunbaenim… *Sobs*…” “You… you did well. Huh? You did well coming here! You rascal… *Gasp*!” Hyung’s emotions burst forth, and his reaction was intense. ‘…It was true.’ Everything Kim Hyunwoo had said was true. And it seemed their bond was even more special than I had thought. It was the first time I had seen Hyung express such intense emotions. “Hyunwoo!” “Sunbaenim!” Hug-! Squeeze! …It was truly fortunate I hadn’t touched him.