WWBU - 41

“Hyun-soo, noona.”

Perhaps it was because Hyun-soo’s expression had been growing darker. Han, brushing his hair back, finally spoke up.

“Huh?”

“To be blunt, that fire back then—it wasn’t your fault, right?”

“How… how do you know about that?”

Hyun-soo looked at Han in shock. Han exhaled softly and continued calmly.

“I just know.”

“Just… just know?”

“Yes. I’m certain.”

“This feeling is so strange.”

“Why? Why does it feel strange?”

“After meeting so many people who wouldn’t believe me no matter how much I tried to explain, seeing someone like you understand right away… I don’t know how to put it. I just… I’m grateful.”

“Grateful? Don’t be.”

“No, I really am. Thank you for believing me.”

Hearing the slight tremble in Hyun-soo’s voice, Han gazed at her intently.

“Have you had a hard time until now?”

“…Yeah, a little.”

“Why? Did people make things difficult for you?”

For some reason, tears welled up in Hyun-soo’s eyes. No one had ever asked her so gently before. The warmth of his words felt like a soothing balm to her soul. Clinging to the edge of her emotions, Hyun-soo forced a smile despite the tears threatening to spill.

“It didn’t matter so much what others said… but my family blaming me—it was unbearable. Have you ever experienced the accusing gaze of someone you love?”

“…”

“I wanted to bury myself alive.”

“…”

“And then even relatives blamed me. It became an accepted fact—everyone thought the fire was my fault. That two people died because of me.”

She had longed to pour out her heart like this to someone, hoping it would ease her suffocation and help her survive a little longer.

But why did it feel heavier now that she had finally opened up to Han? Her soul sank deeper and deeper, as if lead weights were tied to her heart.

“Do you think my mom believed I was an arsonist too? That I killed my youngest sister? Everyone talked about it at the funeral home. ‘That’s her, the one who killed her own mother.’“

It was maddening. The sharp stares, the cruel words, the pointing fingers—all of it. She desperately wanted to wake up from the nightmare that had haunted her relentlessly ever since.

Her fists clenched so tightly that her nails dug painfully into her palms. Seeing her like this, Han reached out and gently pried her hands open.

“I know it’s hard, but try to let go of it now. It’s been ten years already. Carrying that burden alone is too heavy. Don’t be so harsh on yourself because of ignorant people.”

“…”

“The truth is, neither you nor I deserve punishment for any crime. Neither of us.”

Han also carried guilt for not being able to save his mother—that’s why he turned pale whenever he heard fire alarms or similar commotions.

The words struck deep within Hyun-soo’s heart. Perhaps, she thought, this was something Han needed to hear himself say as much as she did.

“Yeah… thank you.”

Finally letting her tears fall, Hyun-soo whispered quietly to Han.

________________________________________

Later that night, Hyun-soo tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She tried counting sheep, tracing patterns on the wallpaper—nothing worked. Eventually, she got up and headed toward the kitchen, hoping a warm cup of tea might help her relax.

Walking carefully to muffle the sound of her slippers, Hyun-soo paused just outside the kitchen when she sensed movement. In the dead of night, voices could be heard.

The source of the noise came from none other than the dining room.

“I will never give up Da-in’s place.”

“Are you still going on about that?”

The conversation belonged to Ji-young, the chairman’s wife, and Yoon Guk. Though Hyun-soo hadn’t intended to eavesdrop, their voices carried clearly since the dining room was close to the kitchen.

“No matter how high and mighty you pretend to be, the dirty blood flowing beneath your shameless face is an undeniable fact!”

“You seem to know that well. If you’re so aware, why act so foolishly?”

“What did you say?”

“I pitied you losing a child, so I stayed quiet, but it seems you’ve completely misunderstood me.”

“...”

“Shut your mouth and stay quiet. I take good care of you, so what’s with all the complaints?”

“You… you ungrateful worm…!”

“Your voice is too loud. Do you want to wake everyone up?”

Ji-young’s agitated tone contrasted sharply with Yoon Guk’s dry, emotionless delivery. Listening to their exchange, Hyun-soo’s heart raced wildly.

Without even a sip of water, Hyun-soo hurried back to her room. Pulling the blanket over her chest, she lay down, but her agitation refused to subside.

To think Ji-young, who always seemed kind, and Yoon Guk, who appeared upright, had such a toxic relationship…

Now that she knew, she couldn’t un-know it. How should she face them moving forward? Maybe she should have stayed in bed and counted more sheep instead of coming out for tea.

Sighing deeply, Hyun-soo tugged at her hair in frustration. Beneath the blanket covering her head, her face twisted into a grimace.

________________________________________

About a week later, on the anniversary of her mother and Mrs. Ah-san’s passing, the morning sky was overcast. Heavy gray clouds loomed low, promising a fierce rainstorm.

Yoon Guk, Han, and Hyun-soo had set off early in the morning, driving steadily along the road. With Hyeon-seo unable to join due to an unfinished project, only three of them made the trip to Damyeong.

Yoon Guk and Han sat in the driver’s and passenger’s seats respectively, while Hyun-soo took the backseat.

Though she had volunteered to drive, her brothers wouldn’t relinquish control of the wheel. As a result, Hyun-soo spent the entire ride drifting in and out of sleep.

After four hours, they arrived at Damyeong, which remained unchanged. Despite being a small city easily accessible from Seoul, its gloomy weather mirrored the capital’s impending rain.

“Want to grab something to eat? Either of you hungry?”

“Not really.”

“Me neither.”

Aside from coffee and water, no one felt particularly hungry. Given the somber day, appetites were nonexistent. Nodding, Han suggested heading straight to the memorial hall.

“Sister, we’re going to Damyeong Hanul Memorial Hall, right?”

“Yeah, that’s correct.”

“It’s the only decent memorial hall here. Let’s go together.”

Without a word, Guk steered the car toward the memorial hall. The vehicle moved smoothly forward after stopping at a red light.

A moment later, Guk glanced at Hyun-soo through the rearview mirror. Their eyes met briefly.

“...”

“...”

Hyun-soo braced herself, ready to accept if Guk suddenly demanded she get out. After all, his mere presence during the journey was surprisingly generous.

But ultimately, he said or did nothing. He simply stared at her occasionally, as though trying to pry open her mind and uncover every thought swirling inside.

In the end, it was Hyun-soo who broke eye contact first. She lacked the emotional capacity to endure his piercing gaze, especially today of all days.

Turning deliberately toward the window, she noticed droplets of rain beginning to fall. Soon, the roads darkened and shimmered under the wet surface, while the taillights of cars ahead glowed red.

Guk gradually increased the car’s speed, causing the passing scenery to blur chaotically. Before long, they entered a long tunnel, and a dull humming sound filled their ears.

Far ahead, a tiny sliver of light shone faintly at the tunnel’s exit.

Located on a mountainside, Damyeong Hanul Memorial Hall was larger than expected and relatively well-maintained given its location.

“It’s quiet.”

Han, sitting in the passenger seat, observed the surroundings first. Hyun-soo leaned forward belatedly to peer out the windshield. Indeed, aside from a few cars scattered around the vast parking lot, the weekday morning was deserted.

“We’re here. Thanks for the effort, hyung. Let’s get out, noona.”

“Yeah. Thanks for driving.”

“...”

Guk glanced briefly over his shoulder at Hyun-soo’s hesitant gratitude. Without responding, he unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out of the car.

“He doesn’t mean anything by staying silent. Just understand, okay?”

“Yeah... let’s get out. Oh, and you too—thanks for driving earlier.”

“My pleasure.”

Han joked lightly before stepping out, followed closely by Hyun-soo.

As soon as she exited the car, a shadow fell over her head—a black umbrella shielding her from the rain. It was Guk.

“Thank you.”

Han, who had been shielding his head with his hand, shot a disgruntled look at the two.

“Hyung, what about me?”

Guk locked eyes with Han momentarily before striding past him.

“What about me? Your younger brother!”

“Care to share?”

“Do you think I’m upset because of the rain? No, I’m hurt because of you, hyung! Yoon Guk!”

Ignoring his protests, Guk had already walked ahead to the steps leading up to the memorial hall. Hyun-soo tilted the umbrella further to cover Han.

“Let’s hurry. Guk’s waiting.”

“Guk?”

“Oh, Yoon Guk.”

“You’re calling him rather casually.”

One of Han’s eyebrows quirked upward in disbelief.

“It just slipped out.”

“The unconscious mind can be scary.”

“Come on, let’s go.”

The tall Han required extra coverage, tilting the umbrella precariously. He hesitated, opening his mouth as if to speak, but then started walking briskly instead. Watching him, Hyun-soo quickly caught up, matching his pace. Together, their figures receded toward the memorial hall, cloaked under the slanted umbrella.