March Novel (Completed) - Chapter 93

“You want me to go to the intersection in front of the park by 4 o’clock?”

“Yes. In front of the traffic light there.”

“Ugh, this is frustrating. There are tons of people coming and going there, aren’t there? You need to tell me who I’m supposed to meet, you little brat.”

“I don’t know the details myself… but you’ll know right away when you see them. That person will be looking for someone too.”

“What? Hey. Isn’t this mission too difficult for the money you’re paying? You say I’ll just ‘know’?”

“Hmm, I can’t be sure, but there’s a high probability it’ll be someone who looks a bit older.”

The hesitant addition was worse than saying nothing at all. The man stared at Sehwa as if dumbfounded, then let out a hollow laugh.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake…! Fine, let’s say I meet some old man or grandpa, then what am I supposed to do?”

“Please tell the person waiting that I won’t be coming here, and that I’ll try to hold out a bit longer in Sector 2. If no one comes after 10 minutes, you can just leave.”

It was yesterday. The day he was supposed to meet Oh Seonran. Sehwa agonized over it the whole time and didn’t go to the meeting place. Still, he felt a pang of conscience because it was true that Oh Seonran had helped him greatly. The fence had gotten him safely to Sector 2 not just because of the badge he had. It was probably out of consideration for Commander Oh Seonran as his backing.

Because he was grateful for that, he wanted to convey that he wouldn’t follow her, that he wanted to do well on his own… at least that much. He couldn’t just leave someone he owed a debt to waiting indefinitely.

So, he had just asked a restaurant employee, who was similar in build to him, to go in his place.

Of course, he knew it wasn’t a safe choice. This person might just take the money and not go. But in Sehwa’s current situation, there was no other way. The fortunate thing was that Oh Seonran’s rank was Commander, which was higher than a Brigadier General… so even if Gi Taejeong followed, he probably couldn’t harm Oh Seonran, who had helped him.

“Oh, could you wear this when you go out?”

“Huh? Isn’t that your old shirt?”

The man took the shabby shirt, laughing as if dumbfounded.

“Hey. This is a different story. You’re asking me to pretend to be you. If I go out like this, I could die in your place.”

“…I don’t think it’ll be dangerous, but I understand if you don’t trust me. Then just,”

“Enough, give me triple.”

“…What?”

“It clearly smells suspicious, and you were trying to get it for free without hazard pay?”

The man slapped Sehwa’s sideburns a few times, looking annoyed.

“You’re too young to be so rotten already. Who’s desperate here? You or me? Huh?”

Straightening his crooked gas mask, Sehwa needlessly swept his hand through his empty bag. As if that would make money appear.

“…I gave you all the money earlier, so I don’t have any left.”

Hesitating, Sehwa pulled out a small amount of crumpled money from his pants pocket and offered it to the man. In truth, he had emergency money and a badge hidden in the other pocket. But as the man said, he couldn’t use precious items for such an uncertain task. Especially the badge, he was truly sorry to Commander Oh Seonran, but it was for Saessak. He had to hold onto it until the very end, in case of an unexpected moment.

“Are you kidding me?”

“You know my situation.”

“You’re lying. What’s in your other pocket?”

“It’s not money.”

“If not, what is it? Let me see.”

“…Let’s just forget about it. Give me back the money.”

“What? This bastard, really…!”

“Young man, it’s time to go.”

It was Ms. Song who saved Sehwa from being hit by the man again.

“Huh? No, you’re old enough, why are you bothering a young kid?”

“Auntie, why are you out here at this hour? Aren’t you taking a nap?”

The man, who had been shaking Sehwa by the collar, awkwardly stepped back.

“Wait a minute. Oh Taek, what’s that money? You didn’t take it from the young man, did you?”

“No, I didn’t take it! He gave it to me for an errand!”

“You still haven’t learned your lesson! Huh?”

Ms. Song gritted her teeth and mercilessly kicked the man’s shin.

“You have nothing better to do than steal snot-nosed money? And from people who are clearly in a tight spot?”

“N-no! He’s calling that an errand fee, it’s an absurd amount!”

Ms. Song was a terrifying person. She wrung out the dishtowel on the counter, wetting her hands, then ran straight to the man and smacked him repeatedly on the back. Then she swung a mop-like pole, finally snatching Sehwa’s paltry sum back.

“Grow up, will you! Young man, follow me quickly! You said you’d be my porter for the day!”

“Ah, yes…”

Sehwa dusted off his loose-fitting top and followed Ms. Song. He hadn’t promised to carry her luggage, but it seemed like she was creating an alibi since there were many eyes watching. It was fortunate for Sehwa. He wanted no one to know he had left the restaurant until the moment he boarded the ship.

Adjusting his gas mask, before stepping out the back door… Sehwa stroked his old cross-body bag, which he had carried since childhood, a few times, then tossed it into the trash can. It wouldn’t do to have something that clearly identified him after asking Ms. Song to get him clothes.

“Get in quickly.”

The car parked behind the restaurant was, well… It looked more like a cart used for collecting waste paper than a car. It was dented and broken in many places, making him doubt if it would even run properly.

“This car is a bit old, but it’s registered for entry, so the inspection procedure is simplified. They said you only need to go through a few simple things.”

“There’s an inspection?”

“Oh, it’s not like showing your face and getting your ID checked. It’s more like scanning for illegal weapons or something? It would be a big problem if there was a fire or a big fight at the port.”

Her voice, reassuring him that he was just going as a general laborer, not a technician, was generous. He felt as if the distance between him and Ms. Song had significantly narrowed since he brought up the debt last time.

Although they would forget each other completely in a few days, knowing that, he still found Ms. Song strange for showing a little warmth to a complete stranger.

Perhaps Ms. Song missed people. Indeed. When one is poor in both body and spirit and pushed into a corner, just being able to give to someone can make one feel a little better. Sehwa had been like that too. Perhaps… she might have been thinking of her son.

Sehwa lightly patted his belly without Ms. Song knowing. Saessak, what if. If I give birth to you safely, and we can stay together after that… will I also become a warm and brave person like that auntie? Will I be able to bother myself to help others because I think of you?

“But, you don’t have a luggage bag? Surely a plastic bag isn’t all you have?”

“I didn’t have much to pack…”

“No, but still…”

Inside the black plastic bag on his wrist were patches and tranquilizers. Yesterday, when he asked Ms. Song, no, Auntie, she said there was a medical team stationed on the ship. So he probably didn’t need to pack syringes. He could get clothes somehow… He didn’t want to bother packing his shabby belongings. It was funny to think like this when he had nothing, but he wanted to throw everything away and start anew.

“Oh my, it feels good to drive a car and see the sea after a long time.”

Auntie told stories of her heyday. The house she lived in in Sector 4, the big business she ran, her college days… a past like a withered bouquet.

As the sun began to set, no matter how high the air conditioner was turned, the old car couldn’t overcome the residual heat and began to break down. Auntie fanned herself continuously, wondering why it was so hot even though it wasn’t midday, and Sehwa, hidden behind his gas mask, stuck out his tongue and panted like a puppy.

“We’re almost there.”

After a long while, they somehow managed to drive well along the winding roads of Sector 2, finally reaching the outskirts.

“Ah, is that the checkpoint? Looks like we just drove right through it.”

It was just as Auntie had said, nothing special. It was only a checkpoint in name, almost like a toll booth on a highway. Sehwa, who had been glancing around repeatedly through the grimy side mirror, finally relaxed, his shoulders slumping.

“Ugh, this old thing…”

Upon reaching the port, Auntie’s, no, Auntie’s acquaintance’s old car stopped several times for no apparent reason. Each time, their upper bodies lurched forward, and Sehwa couldn’t help but laugh at the colorful curses Auntie let out.

“Still, we made it just in time. The ship said it leaves at 9. We have an hour and a half, so that’s enough.”

Sehwa lowered his body and peeked through the front windshield. The cargo ship was so massive, like a mountain had been moved there, that its hull wasn’t even visible from this angle.

“It’s really big, isn’t it?”

“It is…”

“Private cars can’t go any further. Originally, you shouldn’t even come this far, but they allow families to come help with luggage on the day of departure.”

“I see… Thank you.”

Then an awkward silence fell. Family… They weren’t close enough to consider each other family. Strictly speaking, he had no relation to Auntie.

He knew it, but… he just regretted the insufficient time they had, so much so that he couldn’t even define their relationship. If they had known each other a little longer, they surely could have relied on each other and gotten along well.

“Isn’t it strange? Looking at you, I keep thinking of my son.”

Auntie, as if regretting, squeezed and released Sehwa’s hand several times.

“Even if that son of mine were alive, he wouldn’t have lived as diligently as you. It would be a miracle if he hadn’t borrowed more money… I know that, but it still feels strange.”

Ah… Auntie’s son died.

“Is it because I haven’t seen a young person in a long time?”

Sehwa clamped his lips shut like a clam and merely nodded curtly. It wasn’t an affirmation. It was a gesture of sincerity, indicating he was listening to her story. Auntie must have understood the meaning of this nod.

What could he say in front of a parent who had lost a child? Moreover, Auntie had mentioned earlier that her son had borrowed an enormous amount of money through gambling, which led them to move down to Sector 2.

Even without asking for details… it was obvious. He only hoped that it was an unavoidable accident rather than having his organs taken by loan sharks.

“…Thank you.”

Sehwa hesitated, then clasped Auntie’s hand. Perhaps the messed-up life of Auntie and the death of her son might have been caused, even slightly, by the wicked schemes Samwol had pulled off while living miserably in the Sector 4 house… He thought it might be okay to just empathize with Auntie’s sorrow this much.

“You’re so kind… what will you do, falling for people so easily, young man.”

Auntie, knowing nothing, stroked Sehwa’s messy hair.

“Whatever your situation, have a safe trip. When you disembark and come find me, I’ll make you something delicious.”

He knew the answer the kind Auntie expected from him. “I’ll definitely contact you,” “See you later.” Such ordinary farewells filled with hope.

“Auntie, you said there are borders in the sea too, didn’t you?”

But he felt sorry that whatever he uttered would be a lie, so Sehwa hesitated and changed the subject.

“That’s right.”

“…That’s a relief.”

The ship, as massive as a whale, seemed to glide smoothly forward. How far would it have to go to reach the waters of another country? He wished he could leave this place quickly. He wished he could go far enough that Gi Taejeong couldn’t carelessly deploy people and chase him.

Sehwa gently rubbed his lower belly, which kept aching. Still, it was a huge relief that the sky route to Sector 2 was completely blocked. How reassuring it was that Gi Taejeong couldn’t mobilize the things he used like toys… for example, flying cars or helicopters.

“…It’s thanks to you, Auntie.”

“What is?”

“Being able to leave Sector 2 so quickly. I wasn’t even expecting it, but things worked out so well thanks to you that I’m a bit dazed right now…”

Auntie chuckled, calling it nonsense, then gently pushed his shoulder. It was time to go, she said. It was quite a walk from here to the ship, so he had to walk diligently.

“Then… I’ll get going.”

“Alright.”

Sehwa nodded several times in greeting, then closed the car door and stepped out, bowing deeply. He watched the old car vibrate like a rusty washing machine and reverse for a long time before finally moving his feet. He didn’t know why this separation, which wasn’t his first, felt so sad. He was so upset that he even wanted to blame Gi Taejeong for this.

“…Let’s go, Saessak.”

Ah… now that he thought about it, Auntie had kept the window slightly open even though the air conditioner was on while they were coming here. She must have been considerate of him. Knowing he didn’t want to show his face, she clearly made an excuse for him to wear his gas mask even inside the car.

A sense of indefinable melancholy and pity, and a warmth he had momentarily forgotten, washed over him. Sehwa kept stopping and wiggling his toes even as he walked towards the ship.

The humid, salty wind clung to his forearms. The loading was long since finished, and people dressed in comfortable clothes like him were gathered in the ship’s shadow. Looking at them, the staff and the laborers were clearly distinguished.

People who had finished their cigarettes were heading towards a small iron staircase, and it seemed they were checking IDs there before entering the ship, as there was a queue. It was a relief that there was no commotion, indicating it was merely a formality… Sehwa ran his fingertips over the badge and cash in his pocket, and the crudely made ID.

“Wow… what is that?”

People everywhere gasped in admiration, looking up. Sehwa, who had just stepped into the shaded area, also unconsciously raised his head. And… he froze.

Something was flying through the sky in the distance. A helicopter? A jet? A car? The unknown object elegantly glided through the sky, framed by the sunset that seemed about to plunge into the sea. It soared vertically through the precarious sky, then fluttered like a butterfly through the black dust and smoke.

“…Ah.”

And Sehwa knew the only person who could move a craft like that at will.

“How… why…”

He let out hollow sighs and lost questions repeatedly. Even though nothing would change… The helicopter, which had seemed no bigger than a finger, grew larger and larger. It meant it was getting closer.

Sehwa, who had briefly stiffened like a robot with tangled wires, then threw everything he was holding and ran without thinking. His body moved before any word, sentence, or familiar face could even form in his mind.