Chapter 225: Pursuing (10)

Chapter 225: Pursuing (10)

Kang Jin-Ho stared outside the window, slightly dazed. He came home early today since the cafe was practically devoid of customers. His father sent him home as soon as the evening rolled in despite Kang Jin-Ho's protest about how he had nothing to do at home. Kang Yu-Hwan's firm “You still have nothing to do here at the cafe, son,” forced Kang Jin-Ho to obediently accept his situation and retire for the evening.

'So... he's dead.'

Kang Jin-Ho half-expected that outcome, but it still felt like a bit of a missed opportunity.

'He shouldn't have died that easily, though...'

This feeling of frustration didn't want to leave him alone. The thought he had after running into countless many murderers was... When an individual had committed an unspeakable crime beyond human comprehension, a way to properly punish that person basically didn't exist. As an example, imagine Adolf Hitler not killing himself and surviving the Second World War. How should he be punished for his actions?

According to the modern era's law, it would be a measly little execution. But would one death be enough to compensate for all those other deaths? Kang Jin-Ho didn't think so.

That was why he tormented and hurt the Fallen. He physically hurt that serial killer, then even stole away that man's sight and hearing. He even promised to come again soon, so the Fallen had to have been trembling in fear while trapped in the darkness until his final moments.

'Every minute must've felt like a year to him...'

Kang Jin-Ho shook his head to get rid of the useless thoughts. Whether the punishment was adequate or not, well... It didn't matter anymore. The old 'Kang Jin-Ho' wouldn't have dwelt on the past for long like this. So, why couldn't he stop thinking about it?

Was it because he had gotten weaker? Or was he concerned about how he cruelly toyed with that serial killer? If that wasn’t it, then maybe...

It felt like something was missing—as if he was overlooking something...

'...I'm tired.'

Kang Jin-Ho quietly closed his eyes. Fatigue was washing over him. Since he didn’t feel physically tired, this had to be psychological. And it was also something he couldn't quite understand.

Quite a few incidents had happened to him recently, but they were nothing much to worry about compared to all the life-or-death struggles he had experienced back in Zhongyuan. He knew this, so what was the reason for his fatigue?

While he mulled over his situation, Kang Jin-Ho's phone buzzed. He picked it up. “Hello?”

- It's me, Jin-Ho.

“Hey, Yu-Min. What's up?”

- Are you busy?

***

Kang Jin-Ho waited for Park Yu-Min inside a cafe. He didn't have to wait for long as his friend stepped inside soon afterward and waved his hand.

Park Yu-Min walked up to the table and grinned. “You know, it feels like ages since we last hung out together.”

“Mm? But, haven't we seen each other not too long ago?”

“Even so. It just feels that way, right?”

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled and nodded slightly. “Yeah. Anyway, what's up? What did you want to talk about?”

“Hmm...” Park Yu-Min leaned against the bench's back while making a dissatisfied face.

Kang Jin-Ho cocked an eyebrow. “...What's the matter?”

“I know you're a terribly popular person lately, but to think I need a reason to talk to you... What a sorrowful reality this is, don't you think?”

“Mm...” Kang Jin-Ho awkwardly scratched his head.

Park Yu-Min was right. They were friends and could hang out and waste time together whenever boredom took over. After Kang Jin-Ho finished his military service, though, it felt like they weren't as close as before.

'I need to reflect on that, too.'

Relationships between humans didn't deepen when left unattended but would stagnate into nothingness. Unless one was family... No, even if one were family, failing to meet regularly to share their life stories would lead to the development of nearly insurmountable awkwardness. That was what humans were like.

Park Yu-Min chuckled. “You don't have to make that face, you know? I was just kidding.”

“Mm.” Kang Jin-Ho nodded, thinking that it didn't sound like a joke to him.

Park Yu-Min brought the drinks from the counter, then began sipping on his. “How are you? Have you been busy?”

“Yeah,” Kang Jin-Ho nodded. “I'm not doing anything in particular, but various things have been keeping me occupied.”

“I guess that's not that surprising. I mean, you must be in the middle of opening the new store, right?”

Kang Jin-Ho flinched inwardly. In all honesty, he hadn't paid attention to that matter at all, as he simply dumped the responsibility on Jo Gyu-Min's shoulders. What would his friend retort with if he revealed how he was killing his free time by working part-time at his father's cafe?

Park Yu-Min continued, “I was wondering how you were doing lately. I thought it was kinda weird to ask you on the phone, so... I figured if you have time, might as well meet up.”

“I see. Good call.” Kang Jin-Ho nodded in acceptance.

“And the kids at the orphanage seem to miss you, too.”

“...Oh.” Kang Jin-Ho quickly avoided making eye contact with Park Yu-Min and sighed inwardly.

'I... can't even deal with this matter, huh.'

A little while later, outside the cafe...

Kang Jin-Ho asked first. “How about stopping for a bite to eat?”

Park Yu-Min shook his head. “Nah, no need. You've probably had dinner already, right?”

“Mm...” Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded.

“Forget food, Jin-Ho. Let's go play some games.”

“...Games?”

“Yeah. You've been way too busy lately. I bet you forgot to vent some steam until now.”

“...Vent some steam, is it?”

“Even if you're made out of solid steel, humans need to blow off their built-up steam, Jin-Ho. Otherwise, it gets harder and harder to hold on, you know?”

Could that be it? Kang Jin-Ho furrowed his brow. This seemed to make sense. Why would he feel fatigued lately despite not facing too many 'serious' physical issues unless the cause was built-up stress?

“You can stop by at the orphanage maybe some other time. I'm not telling you to come and do some sundry jobs, though. The way I see it, that place might be a more comfortable place for you to hang around.”

Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head. “...More comfortable, you say?”

“Yeah. I mean... Those kids want nothing from you but still welcome you with open arms, right? Because they like you as who you are. That can provide solace to people, you see. It might sound weird as a comparison, but they are kinda like puppies in that regard?” Park Yu-Min cackled like a naughty kid.

Kang Jin-Ho stopped walking and slowly raised his head to look at the night sky.

'Was that why?'

After Sister Yi, the orphanage's director, passed on, Kang Jin-Ho consciously avoided going to the orphanage. Because 'it' was too heavy and too big for him to carry. What she left behind for Kang Jin-Ho was already a heavy load to bear, and he lacked the confidence to make it happen, too.

Maybe, Kang Jin-Ho had been comforted by those little kids at the orphanage all along. They were... neither his enemies nor allies, just people he could hang out with. They were different from his family, something he wasn't capable of describing just yet.

Kang Jin-Ho quietly called out to his friend. “Yu-Min?”

“...Yeah?”

“Director Yi told me something before she passed on.”

Park Yu-Min didn't say anything and slowly nodded.

“She asked me to become someone capable of reaching out to weaker people than me.”

“I see...”

Kang Jin-Ho stopped talking and remained lost in his thoughts. Park Yu-Min didn't urge him on even as seconds continued to tick by.

“Can I... become someone like that?”

Park Yu-Min unhesitantly nodded away. “Yup. You definitely can.”

Kang Jin-Ho pouted slightly. “You could've given it some thought before answering, you know?”

“Nope. No need to waste time thinking about it when it doesn't need any thinking in the first place, Jin-Ho. Do you know why?” Park Yu-Min suddenly held his shoulders and shivered as if something deeply cringey began assaulting his senses. “I've already seen you do just that, you know? Reaching out to someone, I mean. You've already done it before, so what's stopping you from doing it again?”

“Mm? I've already reached out to someone?”

“Yeah.”

“When did I do that?”

Park Yu-Min chuckled in dismay. He then raised his hand and pointed himself in a very exaggerated manner. “With me.”

Kang Jin-Ho saw his friend's weird smile and couldn't stop himself from laughing as well.

“So, stop worrying about useless stuff and get ready to taste the bitterness of defeat today,” Park Yu-Min harrumphed proudly.

“...Oh, you've become a big man these days, haven't you? Mister Park Yu-Min?”

“It's been a while, so how about a round of Galaxy? The loser picks up the bill for the PC Room fees.”

“Sounds like you've got some money on you?”

“Let's go!” Park Yu-Min energetically shouted and took the lead.

Kang Jin-Ho watched his friend's back and quietly smiled.

'...It's gotten a little less awkward, hasn't it?'

He glanced up at the night sky again and thought he could see the smiling face of Sister Yi.

'...I'll try a little harder, Sister.'

‘Don't let yourself get shaken up and keep walking, Kang Jin-Ho. If I do that, I'll eventually reach the goal.’

That would be when Kang Jin-Ho stopped questioning himself.