Seeing Manager Ha’s young face, I felt a surge of emotion. No emotion was visible on his face behind the glasses. He was one of my few allies.
Even after Chairman Cheon died, he stayed by my side until the very end, until he passed away in a mysterious car accident.
“It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Ha Myeong-hun.”
“Hello.”
Although he was expressionless, I noticed that his eyes behind the glasses held a slightly unusual glint.
“You aren't surprised?”
“Should I be?”
“No. I am someone who works under Chairman Cheon, Mu-hyeok's maternal grandfather. I came down on the Chairman's orders.”
“Maternal grandfather?”
“Yes.”
The future that hadn't changed. No, the changed future. Grandma is alive.
That is the most important fact to me.
“I had a maternal grandfather? This is the first I'm hearing of it, so I'm a bit taken aback.”
“Hmm... I heard you were seventeen, but you're quite calm for your age. I'll speak to the hospital and the school. Please get ready and come with me. The Chairman is waiting.”
He was the same when he was young, getting straight to the point without any preamble.
“You said you were Manager Ha, correct?”
“Yes.”
“My maternal grandfather... Am I in a position where I must go just because he calls for me?”
“...Mu-hyeok.”
Originally, I had followed without a word of complaint. It was only later that I learned that Old Man Cheon preferred people with strong convictions over those who were obedient.
“I don't know. I just found out that I even have a maternal grandfather, and it's strange that he's looking for me now after seventeen years of no contact. And I also don't understand you, Manager Ha, telling me to go just because my maternal grandfather summons me.”
“But...”
I cut off Manager Ha, who was about to say something.
“I think it's only right that he comes to see me in person. Please go back and tell him exactly what I said.”
“...”
“I don't know what possessed him to contact me so suddenly, but... if he wants to see me, tell him to come in person. And before that, tell him to visit the memorial hall where my mother is enshrined. That's all I have to say. I'm sorry.”
“Mu-hyeok!”
“Ah, and I'll take care of the hospital bills myself. I don't need any help.”
With those last words, I stood up, walked past him, and entered the hospital. Manager Ha called out to me again, but I didn't look back. When I arrived at the hospital room and saw Grandma, my foul mood lifted.
“Grandma.”
“My baby, what have you been up to? Have you eaten?”
“How are you feeling?”
“I'm all better because of my baby.”
“What about the tests?”
“They did this and that, but I don't know what's what. I just do what the doctor tells me.”
I sat on the edge of the bed, held Grandma's hand tightly, and buried my face in it.
“Don't worry about the money. Just focus on your health and do whatever they say you should. If you leave me, Grandma, I don't think I can go on living.”
“My baby...”
Grandma's rough hand stroked the back of my head. The person who embraced me with love, even though I'd been going astray since I was young. I'm so glad I was able to save her...
“But Grandma.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“Do I have a maternal grandfather?”
“...Did someone come looking for you?”
“Yeah, I just met someone in front of the hospital. He abruptly said my maternal grandfather was calling for me and that I should go, so I told him no.” “Aigoo, why would you refuse?”
“Why?”
“Do you know who he is...?”
I shook my head firmly at Grandma, who was looking at me with concern.
“I don't know him. For me, there's only you, Grandma. I don't even remember my mom's face. The only thing I remember is you carrying me on your back while you worked. To me, you're both my mom and my dad.”
Tears began to well up in Grandma's eyes again.
“Even if I have a maternal grandfather, it's not right for him to show up after seventeen years and send someone else to summon me. I told him straight. If he wants to see me, he should come himself. I told him to visit Mom's memorial hall first, and then come find me.”
“Mu-hyeok.”
“Grandma, don't think about anything else. I know how that man found me. You contacted him because you were worried about me before you died, right?”
“That's...”
“I'm going to live with you, Grandma. You have to see me become an adult. Live a long, long life.”
“Mu-hyeok... my poor baby, what is to be done...”
“What's there to be pitiful about? I have you, Grandma.”
I hugged my tearful grandmother tightly. This time, Grandma's life and my own... I will never let them slip away so meaninglessly like before.
After meeting with Kim Mu-hyeok, Manager Ha had returned to Chairman Cheon's mansion in Seoul. Sitting before him was an old man whose face clearly showed the passage of time, and who looked quite stubborn. It was Chairman Cheon.
“So you're saying that's what the boy said?”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“Hmph. What a bold young man.”
Chairman Cheon let out a hearty laugh. Manager Ha, who seemed to hesitate for a moment, added.
“It felt like I was talking to a peer... no, to a middle-aged man who has been through all sorts of hardships. He seemed completely different from the past we investigated.”
“Hmm...”
Chairman Cheon stroked his chin with one hand, lost in thought.
“Didn't you say he lives like a thug?”
“Yes, according to our investigation, he's a known troublemaker in Busan... ah, my apologies. A delinquent. Fortunately, one of his friends has parents in the police force, so he has avoided legal punishment, but he apparently gets into enough fights to be a regular at the local police station.”
“Anything besides fighting?”
“There are no other problems. Unlike other kids, it seems he hasn't extorted money from anyone.”
The room was engulfed in silence. After some hesitation, Chairman Cheon asked.
“...Where did he say Mi-sook is?”
“...He said the Young Lady was cremated and enshrined in a memorial hall in Busan.”
“That foolish girl... If she was going to run away and live like that, she should have at least lived a long life...”
Drenched in regret, Chairman Cheon stared into the empty air. His eyes, looking into the distance, were tracing the face of someone he missed. But that was only for a moment.
Chairman Cheon soon composed himself and gave an order to Manager Ha.
“My grandson is calling for me, so I must go. When is my schedule free?”
“You have no appointments next Wednesday.”
“Let's go then. Myeong-hun, how old are you this year? Are you over thirty?”
“I am thirty-two.”
“Twenty years have passed.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
Chairman Cheon, who had been deep in thought with his eyes cast down, finally parted his lips.
“Look more into my grandson's surroundings, and if there's anything that could become a problem, take care of it in advance.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“You may go and attend to your work. I need to rest a bit.”
After Manager Ha bowed and left, the face of the old man, now alone, grew faint with memory. Without realizing it, tears were flowing from the old man's eyes.
The doctor said that Grandma's overall health was poor due to old age, but there were no lasting effects from the heart attack. Still, they recommended a week of absolute rest, so we decided to continue her hospitalization. And then, the first day of exams.
The moment I received the test paper, the memories in my head came flooding back. Three years, and then another four in university... The memories of the time I studied so hard I got nosebleeds, all to gain Old Man Cheon's acknowledgement, remained completely intact within me.
Dongseong Technical High. The questions here were easier than those from a prestigious high school, no, easier than those for a third-year middle school student. I quickly wrote the answers on the test paper.
Time flew by like that, and the three days of exams came to an end. After leaving school, I arrived at the hospital where Grandma was, just as I always did. As soon as I saw the car parked in front of the hospital, I knew.
Old Man Cheon was here. Manager Ha, after confirming it was me, got out of the car, approached, and greeted me.
“Just as you requested, Mu-hyeok, the Chairman has come in person. He is waiting in the car. Please get in.”
“Just a moment. I'll go say hello to my grandmother and come back down.”
I went up to the hospital room and told my grandmother.
“Grandma, the man who is my maternal grandfather has come. Do you want to see him too?”
“No. He is not a man that someone like me can meet. You go and see him. It will be helpful to you.”
“What's wrong with you, Grandma? Why do you keep saying that?”
“Hurry up and go. He's waiting.”
Unable to refuse my grandmother's urging, I left the hospital room. Manager Ha was waiting at the hospital entrance.
“Please get in.”
“Yes.”
Through the car door he opened, I could see Chairman Cheon. As soon as I was inside, Manager Ha closed the door. Even the driver who was in the driver's seat got out.
“So, you are Mu-hyeok?”
“Yes, I am Kim Mu-hyeok. You are my maternal grandfather. Have you been to see my mother?”
“Ho ho... You look just like Mi-sook... Yes, I have been to see my daughter. You told me to come in person, didn't you?”
“I didn't think it was right for you to summon me now after never looking for me all this time. And I didn't want to leave my grandmother's side while she is ill.”
“...”
It was a somewhat disrespectful tone, but I deliberately did not thank him for coming.
“I am living just fine with my grandmother. I have no intention of ever living apart from her, and even though you've come now as my maternal grandfather, it honestly doesn't feel real.”
“A sharp one, you are.”
“I would like for us to get to know each other slowly.”
As the old man's observant gaze fell upon me, old memories resurfaced, and I couldn't help but feel myself shrink back. That feeling lasted only a moment. I raised my head and met his gaze confidently.
“You're confident. I wonder if you take after your mother, or that worthless father of yours... Do you happen to know anything about me?”
“I don't. I first heard from Manager Ha, and when I asked my grandmother, she didn't tell me the details. However, based on the car you came in and the title of Chairman that Manager Ha uses, I have my guesses.”
“Hmm...”
Hearing my answer, Chairman Cheon fell into thought. I waited silently for him to speak.
“My name is Cheon Tae-san. I am the father of your mother, Cheon Mi-sook, and I run a small loan business in Seoul. Is that a sufficient explanation?”
“Yes. You're my maternal grandfather, and you have a lot of money, right?”
“Hahaha. Now you sound like a boy your age. Yes, I have a lot of money. Is there anything you want?”
“...”
What should I say here? For my plan, I needed to start gathering funds now. Funds that Chairman Cheon's sons didn't know about; without that, nothing I planned would be possible.
But completely different words came out of my mouth.
“Please just get us a small house where I can live with my grandmother. She's the one who suffered for seventeen years to raise me.”
“...Is that all?”
“Yes. I don't think you're the type of person to grant any request I make right now. But I thought a request like this would be acceptable.”
“Hahaha, that's right. Every transaction requires a contract. A house to live in with your grandmother... I understand.”
“Thank you.”
“Is this really all you want?”
“Yes, for now.”
Chairman Cheon reacted to the words "for now."
“It sounds like there's something else you want.”
“I will tell you next time.”
“Hahaha, next time. I wonder what commodity you'll bring to trade with me.”
“Three years. Please wait just three years. I will get into the best university in Seoul. I'll tell you what I want then.”
This was something my grandfather had demanded of me in the past, but now, I was the one proposing it to him. It was the moment Chairman Cheon's gaze turned into that of a gambler.
“Oh? Are you confident?”
“Yes. And the gift you'll give me when I achieve it will be very large.”
“Interesting. I accept that bet. If you win, I will give you what you want. But, if you fail to achieve it... from then on, you will do as I say.”
“Yes.”
“Hahaha. It's been a long time since I've had this much fun.”
“I will come see you again next time.”
“When can I see you again?”
“I will visit during winter break.”
“Alright...”
My conversation with Chairman Cheon was over. I bowed and opened the door to leave. Just then, I saw Park Dong-soo admiring the car in front of Manager Ha.
“Wow, what a killer car! This isn't something you see in this neighborhood. I was wondering who was inside, and it's a little kid? Were you a rich kid all along?”
Seeing his reaction, I sighed in spite of myself.
“Manager Ha, the conversation is over. Please escort him back.”
“Yes. Then I will see you again next time.”
Manager Ha and the driver got in the car, started the engine, and drove off.
“What's this? Looks like you're really something, huh?”
“Mister.”
“What, mister? You little pipsqueak.”
“Hah... Let's have a little talk.”
I went up to the rooftop with him. Seeing Park Dong-soo, the people who were smoking on the rooftop exchanged glances, then put out their cigarettes and went downstairs.
“Why? What kind of talk? I prefer conversations with our bodies rather than our words.”
“Should I call you Mr. Park Dong-soo?”
“...You crazy bastard. Just call me mister.”
I decided to save this man, Park Dong-soo. He would become the first person to be used in my future plans.
“Disappear for just three months. You already know something strange is in the air, don't you, mister? The president is going to declare a War on Crime himself. When that happens, I think there's a high probability you'll be arrested.”
Whether he would believe the words of a young high school student he'd just met a few days ago was his choice.