Chương 55: S.04 Memory of the Clock 10(02)

Scene 03. So-hui: ajeossi, you're leaving already? The detached annex on the central path. In the wide, modern-style 한복(Han-bok_Traditional Korean dress) house living room, Driver Lim was preparing to leave. As Si-yeon stumbled out of her room scratching her head vigorously, Gyeong-seo and Yeon-su were also coming down from the second floor. Driver Lim, looking startled, gestured for everyone coming out to go back and sleep more.

So-hui too looked as if she had only just opened her eyes, scratching her head with a comfortable face bare of any makeup. Driver Lim: I should. I had originally said I'd head back last night, but I drank in the evening and couldn't drive, ended up falling asleep too. Breakfast was good. So-hui. So-hui: You can just stay here from now on. Driver Lim: Don't worry about it. Once Ji-yeong and the rest of you have everything sorted, we'll all gather together — it won't be too late then either.

So-hui: Sis is coming later too. Driver Lim, having finished preparing to leave, looked steadily at So-hui. Driver Lim: I already saw her yesterday. So-hui: ajeossi, there's no need for you to feel sorry to us first. At So-hui's blunt voice, Driver Lim shook his head with a strange smile. Driver Lim: It's not that. So don't worry, sleep more. Don't come out. Driver Lim, who had already stepped through the front entrance, was met with deep bows from Yeon-su and Gyeong-seo.

Si-yeon and So-hui came outside and saw Driver Lim the rest of the way off. So-hui: Ah, jjom! I'm being serious. Driver Lim: Aigoo, I know. I know better than anyone. That you children aren't ones to give such looks over things like this — who would know that better than me, who used to go to PC bangs together with you. So-hui: Then why are you going. Stay and have lunch too. Driver Lim: Eating breakfast my fill is enough. It was good. And, the Bishop will be waiting too.

She said she has a schedule today and asked me to come. So-hui nodded with a reluctantly resigned look. Driver Lim waved and gave his farewells to the four people who had come out to see him off, then loaded himself into the driver's seat of the vehicle he had brought. It wasn't the vehicle I-sim used to ride in, but it was a fairly large mid-size sedan, and they watched it pull out of the parking lot. Gyeong-seo and Yeon-su, feeling the cold belatedly, scurried back inside.

Si-yeon, who had been watching the car as it disappeared from view, asked So-hui carefully when it was just the two of them. Si-yeon: Why is the driver ——? So-hui: Hmm. He's the only one who knew mother's intentions all the way to the end. I think ajeossi feels guilty, like he was the one who hurt us. Si-yeon: Ah. So that must be why he said what he did this morning. So-hui: Like he told you, I think he wants to take time and look back on himself. So I couldn't hold him longer.

So-hui resumed her halted steps, heading toward the annex. As Si-yeon followed So-hui toward the annex, Yeon-su, who had been inside, poked her head out past the front door and asked the two as they approached. Yeon-su: But, Gyeong-seo sis says she wants to drink. Are you in?? Si-yeon: Aigoo, jinjja, that crazy Mun Gyeong-seo is throwing another Jiral first thing in the morning. Scene 04. A deep grove of trees.

With the sound of knots splitting open, in some deep wood thick only with mist, a chilling breath was stirred. The still hush, where no one came, stretched out long. Within that chill mist where no one could come, faint screams and a metallic, blood-tinged air, holding pain within them, spread a desolate weeping through the mist-light. Though no wind blew, the tree branches transmitted their desolate movement as sound. A deep stillness filled the inside of the mist.

Wearing nothing different from her usual — a thin outer layer with hands tucked into the pockets — Ji-yeong moved her unhurried steps toward the inside of the mist. Her clean sneakers settled atop leaves that had not rotted through the long stretch of time. Stopping abruptly before a tall tree, Ji-yeong carefully ran her hand along the knot of the great tree. A desolate sorrow and a desolate longing flowed out from within.

As if answering Ji-yeong's gesture and expression of regret, the tree briefly drew back the stillness it had stroked through the long time. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it. It had been a steadfast time, the resolve to protect you. It had been a long-held wait, the vow to protect you. When I have filled out what remains of the waiting, I will no longer long for you, I will be able to hold you in my eyes. I will be able to atone before you.

I will be able to soothe everyone's pain. I'm sorry. Ji-yeong leaned her body languidly against the great trunk and slowly settled herself down. It was no place to rest. A bone-chilling air filled every direction. There was nothing but a stillness without even a rustle. But Ji-yeong could rest. She could rest, and could pass on her words. They were words that could not yet be heard, but she could pass on her own voice.

Even if they did not reach, she believed that the obstructed stuffiness within her would be silently received. Ji-yeong: I look ridiculous, don't I? Ji-yeong, having leaned her long hair against the tree, let a small monologue slip out. The tree did not answer. Among the deep mist where no wind blew, the branches that had moved with that strange sound moved no more. As if quietly listening to Ji-yeong's voice, only the deep stillness and the rough voice continued.

Ji-yeong: I'm still not used to it myself, so I figured how must it look to you. This was the place she had wanted to come to first. A vague guilt at not having protected her was felt. No matter that this was the road, it was a road she had not wished for. Ji-yeong, even though it had not been all that long, carrying a deep regret, passed on her monologue. Ji-yeong: So you wouldn't misunderstand, even if I look like I'm enjoying myself. That's why I came.

Slipping the two arms she had laid across her knees back into her pockets, she folded her two feet and sat cross-legged. The mist, so thick that nothing could be seen, did not even show its movement. Ji-yeong: There's responsibility. Now that I've actually taken the seat, I see it. Back when I was just helping mother out, I didn't know. So I felt self-conscious. Afraid someone might Jiral about me enjoying it on my own.

Ji-yeong, with a hollow smile drifting across her face, glanced at the tree she had set her back against. Ji-yeong: Yeon-hui, that day you stood in front of me saying you'd protect me, and here I am sitting in front of you, rambling nonsense. Ji-yeong, having looked at the silent tree, turned her face forward and slowly leaned against the tree. Ji-yeong: I'm sorry. Just wait a little longer. All of us will be able to meet again. Scene 05. A dim sunlight was approaching over Yu-seok's family home courtyard.

Yeon-jin, who had been standing in the corridor pondering something briefly, was about to grip her sword anew and walk toward the room she was staying in. The hulking Hong-sin approached, gave Yeon-jin a greeting, and whispered to her. At the whispered words flowing in low from Hong-sin, Yeon-jin nodded, then released a light exhale. Yeon-jin, having stepped into the cozy room of the 한옥(Han-ok_Korean Traditional house) where she was staying, asked Hong-sin in a slightly lighter voice to shift the mood.

Yeon-jin: By the way, the Deputy of the Province seat. How is it. Hong-sin: Honestly, when I came to my senses recently at the Master of the Province's place of business, I had no idea what was what. I couldn't grasp the intent of the former Master of the Province either, who had said out of nowhere that he'd hand the seat down. With all the business operations passed down to me as well, well — I'm just grateful, that's all. Yeon-jin: So what's the elder sister up to these days?

Hong-sin: It looked like she'd taken on some work from people she used to know in the construction subcontracting trade. Seems there's a bit of work coming up tied to the capital redevelopment project. Judging by how she was asking me to gather some muscle. Yeon-jin: Ah, forced demolitions. That used to be the elder sister's main line of business. Hong-sin: Yes. It looked like she was planning to take charge of the district where this redevelopment had been stalled.

It seemed she'd be handed the business rights soon as well. Yeon-jin: Good for her. The pine caterpillar gets to eat pine needles again. Yeon-jin stepped out first, beginning to walk slowly down the wood-built corridor. The hulking Hong-sin took up his place behind Yeon-jin and followed her heavy steps. Yeon-jin: As we agreed, the place of business the elder sister used to manage — you take charge of it. For the time being. Hong-sin: Understood. Yeon-jin: But. Don't go eyeing our places of business like last time.

Hong-sin: Eh, did I, ever do such a thing. At Hong-sin's slow question, Yeon-jin answered with a sneering laugh in place of words. Tucking the long sword tighter under her arm, she headed for the bed set in the middle of the room she was staying in. Following Yeon-jin, who had gone further in, Hong-sin stepped inside as well. Hong-sin: By the way, the Master of the Province's place of business right now —— Yeon-jin: Someone's watching it for me. Once this matter is over, I'll head back up. Hong-sin: Hmm.

The Executive Secretary seems to be setting the board bigger than I'd thought — you'll be able to make it back, won't you? Yeon-jin sat herself down on the bed and didn't even answer Hong-sin's misplaced worry. After laying the heavy sword across the bed roughly, she shot Hong-sin a sidelong glare. Yeon-jin: Are you waiting for my answer? Hong-sin: Well, yes. Truthfully, this is a first for me. And, when the Master of the Province drew her sword the other time, I really hadn't seen that in a long time.

Yeon-jin: What, afraid I'll sell you off and slip up by my lonesome self? Hong-sin: Well, that's not what I meant. Yeon-jin: Don't worry. Everything will be tied up reasonably well. Once we're back up, just have one house ready. Hong-sin: A house, for what reason —— Yeon-jin: A place for someone in flight to stay? Hong-sin: Hmm. Then, the size —— Yeon-jin briefly looked around the wood-built old hanok room. Yeon-jin: Somewhere like this would be even better.

Hong-sin, with a slightly furrowed brow as if he couldn't make sense of it, barely managed a reluctant nod at Yeon-jin's instruction. Hong-sin: Understood. Yeon-jin: Off you go. Have Monday well prepared. Hong-sin: Yes. Hong-sin folded his enormous belly with great effort and bowed deeply. He stepped out through Yeon-jin's room door, then closed the door firmly behind him. Yeon-jin, with a tired air, wrapped her own neck and rolled her head this way and that.

Yeon-jin's phone, which she had tucked inside the long coat, rang. With a slightly furrowed brow as if irritated, Yeon-jin fished through her pocket and answered. The number wasn't familiar to her eye, but figuring it must be a call she had to take, she passed an indifferent voice to the other end. Yeon-jin: Yes. It wasn't a familiar voice, but it wasn't a voice she was hearing for the first time. Yeon-jin nodded lightly and answered the caller in a courteous voice.

After the briefly continued phone call ended, Yeon-jin began undoing her coat and headed toward the clothing rack standing by the door.