Double Junk - 62

“Well, just, taking care… Uh, helping Ms. Flower wash up, feeding her…”

-Stop it. Go and live a good life. Treating me like I’m on my deathbed when I’m perfectly fine?

“Hey, why are you talking like that… Is the hospital warm?”

-It’s warm. The gangsters gave me a fantastic room. It’s very spacious; they told me to use it alone. The window is big, and the sunlight comes in well.

“Oh, really? That’s a relief.”

-And these gangsters are making a fuss, wondering how I’ll eat when I’m not around. They’re probably trying to earn some favors by providing me with meals while I’m not there.

Ajin chuckled softly. Although his voice sounded a bit weak, he didn’t seem to be in pain. Ajin felt his heart, which had been pounding heavily, relax a bit.

Licking his dry lips, Ajin asked subtly, avoiding Seokju’s eyes once again.

“Really… Do I really not need to go?”

-Why come? To mumble and complain again? Did I come all the way here for you to criticize me? I want to rest a bit now, so don’t disturb me. I’ll rest elegantly, eating meals provided by others in this spacious room.

After that, Ms. Flower continued to share various situations. She received a menu, and it seems meat dishes are served every time. The corridor is quiet, which she likes, and there’s a peaceful view of a large tree outside the window. Even though the gangsters are somewhat reasonable, they’ve generously provided her with this place. She asked for coffee, and they quickly brought it, which she appreciated. Each word was comforting, making Ajin feel grateful.

Ajin nodded his head repeatedly, and when Ms. Flower seemed about to end the call, Myungjin appeared.

“Uh, Ajin. I’m Myungjin. Say bye to Seokju.”

Ajin handed the phone back to Seokju. Before Seokju put the handset to his ear, he gently stroked Ajin’s head and asked.

“Is she okay?”

“…Yes.”

Ajin nodded with a slight smile. Seokju smiled faintly and continued the call with Myungjin. Ajin returned to the sofa, sat down, and looked at his fingertips, which he had bitten and roughened.

Ms. Flower, who had suggested going out immediately, now told him to stay at home. Strangely, that statement lingered in his ears.

A week passed. As soon as it was seven o’clock, Ajin emerged from the kitchen.

“Ajin! Where are you going when you’re so busy!”

Isunyi shouted, but Ajin didn’t turn back. He walked straight through the corridor and quietly entered Seokju’s room. Seokju, who was smoking and looking at documents, smirked and gestured for him to come. Ajin, familiarly, climbed onto Seokju’s lap.

Seokju hugged Ajin, securing his slim waist. Then, he reached for the phone. Ajin’s hand was given the handset, and Seokju dialed the number.

Ajin brought the handset to his ear. After the familiar signal tones, a friendly voice reached his ears. Ajin’s eyebrows arched upward all at once.

“Ms. Flower! Yeah, it’s me, Ajin. Yeah. Did you have dinner?”

Seokju chuckled at Ajin’s lively voice and gently stroked his cheek. Ajin pressed his cheek against Seokju’s warm palm.

Every morning and evening, Ajin called Ms. Flower at the hospital. The hospital examination revealed something in Ms. Flower’s chest. Seokju seemed to know the diagnosis, but he didn’t share the details. Nevertheless, he assured Ajin that it wasn’t a severe illness and could be easily cured with surgery.

Upon hearing this news, Ajin was so shocked that he wanted to rush to the hospital immediately. However, both Seokju and Ms. Flower persuaded him not to go, and he ended up staying home.

Instead, he spent each day talking to her on the phone. Seokju had even placed a phone in Ms. Flower’s hospital room, making it more convenient for them. Thanks to this, Ajin felt somewhat relieved.

“Yeah. Oh, I was a bit busy today. It’s Myungjin hyung’s birthday. You know? Yeah. Without Mom, we can’t make other dishes, so we’re just grilling meat together. Still, I think I should make seaweed soup. Yeah. No, I just started boiling it. Right, it would have been delicious if I had started cooking it since lunch…”

Ajin rambled on with various stories. He laughed intermittently, and at times, his lips puckered as if he was scolding someone. Seokju, meanwhile, held Ajin in his arms, sorting through documents. Occasionally, he would write something with a fountain pen. He didn’t forget to lift Ajin’s shoulder to bring his scent to his nose.

Whether he was talking or not, Ajin was focused on Ms. Flower.

“Mom, you’re having surgery tomorrow… Aren’t you scared? How can you not be scared when they cut open your stomach? Anesthesia? Even with anesthesia, it’s scary…”

Tomorrow was Ms. Flower’s surgery day. The surgery required a significant amount of money. In addition to that, there were expenses for meals and medication in the hospital. It required a large sum.

Fortunately, Seokju decided to cover all the expenses. Ms. Flower was included in what he referred to as ‘my people’ and ‘family.’

According to Ms. Flower, there were organization members guarding her room all the time. Although they had no visible faces, they occasionally came in to play cards or read newspapers. Some even came with chrysanthemum buns to share. Ms. Flower complained about the noise they made, but there was a subtle hint of laughter in her voice.

Ajin couldn’t bring himself to tell Seokju that he wanted to go to the hospital again. Although Seokju wasn’t that kind of person, just in case… Just in case he decided to abandon Ms. Flower and him.

Even if Ajin emptied all the money he had saved throughout his life, it wouldn’t amount to more than 30,000 won. If Seokju were to take his hands off her, there would be no solution. So, he had to show Seokju that everything was going well.

After chatting with Ms. Flower for a while, Ajin reluctantly put down the phone and sighed deeply. Even though he talked to Ms. Flower every day, it felt like he was exchanging imaginary stories.

“Is Ms. Flower’s mom okay?”

Seokju asked, stroking Ajin’s chin.

“Yes. She doesn’t seem worried even though the surgery is tomorrow. My heart is pounding, and I can’t even eat properly…”

Ajin stuck out his lower lip with a wry smile. Seokju chuckled. He was about to say that as you get older, you become used to such things, but he sounded too much like an old man, so he refrained.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door. Ajin got off Seokju’s legs and stood up. Seokju replied, “Come in.” The door opened, and Myungjin, who was celebrating his birthday today, smiled and greeted them.

“Hyungnim, the meal is ready.”

The gathering of organization members in the living room was lively. The scent of grilling meat wafted through the night breeze. If the weather had been a bit warmer, they might have spread a tent in the yard, but the winter wind was not ordinary, so they settled in the living room. Ajin tied his robe tightly up to his neck. Seeing this, Seokju, standing beside him, asked with concern.

“Is it cold?”

“I’m fine. Have your meal.”

Ajin pushed him gently with a lowered head, gesturing for him to sit at the head of the table. Seokju, who had pulled his lips into a small smile in response to Ajin’s reassurance, took his seat. Ajin, smiling again to signify that everything was okay, helped with the dishes as the servants brought them.

If Ms. Flower were here, there would probably be a more elaborate feast, including yukjeon (pan-fried meat) and bulgogi. However, there was no one as skilled in cooking or as quick-handed as her, so today’s table was modest. It consisted of seasoned green onions, pickled onions, tofu, and pumpkin, with a well-seasoned soybean paste stew sprinkled with red pepper.

The organization members seemed to enjoy it, laughing heartily. When the piled-up meat finally made its appearance on the table, they made beast-like sounds of excitement.

Seokju tapped the table. It wasn’t a loud sound, but the organization members immediately closed their mouths and straightened their backs. If Ms. Flower had seen them, she might have thought they were all acting like gangsters to an unnecessary extent.

“I’m sure you all understand, but today is Myungjin’s birthday. He always works hard for the family, so I hope he can relax today. Happy birthday, Myungjin.”

Seokju, sitting next to Myungjin, patted him on the back of his head. Myungjin blushed shyly. Seokju took out a black box that he had placed under the table and handed it to Myungjin.

“This is a birthday present.”

Myungjin widened his eyes and scratched under his chin.

“Oh, hyungnim… This is not something we can just casually do, and what kind of gift is this.”

Even as he spoke, his hand reached towards the box. Inside the box was a sparkling gold watch, accompanied by a warranty certificate with elegant writing. The nearby organization members, just by looking at it, said it was expensive, mysterious, gleaming, and each added a word. Even a distant organization member, who was initially indifferent, gathered around to admire the watch. Myungjin showed off the watch proudly.

Seokju looked at them with a satisfied expression. However, noticing a slight sign of embarrassment, he casually opened his mouth.

“Enough of that. Let’s eat meat.”

At his words, the organization members quickly returned to their seats. Seokju raised his glass. The organization members followed suit. Seokju looked at Myungjin and spoke.

“Myungjin, say something.”

“Ah… Yes. Um… Our family. Um, I love you all so much.”

Myungjin laughed awkwardly, raising his shoulders. His cheeks subtly reddened. Ajin, who had been watching the situation from a distance, let out a forced laugh. There was a time when Seokju described Myungjin as cute; now he wondered why he had described that scruffy guy in such a way.

With Myungjin’s words, the organization members took sips of alcohol. Then, they each threw a few words towards Myungjin.

“I love you too, hyungnim!”

“Congratulations, hyungnim!”

“Congratulations on getting another year older, Myungjin hyungnim!”

“Oh, Myungjin hyungnim, your head must have caused your mother a lot of trouble.”

“Nonsense! Your head is small!”

The organization members chuckled.