Chapter 37: Jeongjikhan's Time Passed Honestly
Jeongjikhan's time passed honestly.
Every morning, he exercised, applied for part-time jobs faster than anyone else when opportunities arose during the day, and worked at the "Café of the Deceased" in the evening.
He lived diligently day by day, not even noticing how time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, November ended, and even as December arrived, Jeongjikhan woke up early in bed as usual.
Leaving Seoul's bustling morning scenery behind, Jeongjikhan changed into his workout clothes and headed to Seoul Forest.
Since his body naturally woke up after just five hours of sleep, he could make use of the morning even if work ended late.
He always arrived at Seoul Forest at 9:20 AM.
Over the past month, the margin of error was less than five minutes.
The crisp winter air and the sharp scent of phytoncides.
Jeongjikhan closed his eyes tightly, spread his arms wide, and took a deep breath of fresh air into his lungs.
"Ah, that feels good."
With a clearer mind, he shouted "Fighting!" and ran through the park.
In the past, this would have been the time he spent hauling bricks and carts at construction sites.
Is this what they mean when they say life has improved?
Whether planned or unplanned, Jeongjikhan’s daily life was gradually changing as he worked hard.
After running two laps around Seoul Forest, he rubbed his tingling sides and sat down on a wooden bench to the right.
While taking a short break and checking his phone, he saw that his younger sister Jeong Suhye had sent him a message.
"-Brother, you’re coming home today, right?"
December 1st.
To celebrate Suhye finishing her college entrance exam (Suneung), they decided to have a family lunch together.
Just from her message alone, he could tell she was excited.
With a warm smile on his face, he replied.
"-I’ll be there by 1 PM, so get ready. Have you decided which laptop you want?"
Whoosh—
Suhye sent a message almost immediately after he replied.
"-Who carries laptops around these days? It’s all about tablets now!"
"Times have changed."
Jeongjikhan remembered how college students used to carry laptops their parents bought them at the start of a new semester.
Of course, Jeongjikhan never received one.
"-Alright then—whether it’s called a tablet or tabret—let’s get that too."
"-Thank youuuu, big bro!"
Reading Suhye’s message, Jeongjikhan chuckled softly, muttering to himself.
"Only love me when it suits you, huh?"
He put his phone back in his pocket, ran one last lap, and headed home.
He needed to shower and leave soon to reach the house by 1 PM.
"I’m home."
"Brother’s here?!"
As soon as he opened the door, Suhye rushed to greet him.
She was already ready to go.
Their mother followed, emerging from the bedroom with a gentle smile.
"Since you said you’d buy her a tablet, she’s been like this since morning," she sighed, shaking her head—though a faint smile lingered on her lips.
Mother grabbed her coat and approached the shoe cabinet.
"Are we leaving now?"
"Yes, let’s go. Everyone must be hungry, so hurry up!"
The place they took their mother to was Inback Steak House, where people often celebrated graduations.
Suhye looked dissatisfied, but Jeongjikhan’s expression remained bright.
"Anyway, Brother’s so old-fashioned."
"Why?"
"Who throws graduation parties at Inback these days?"
"Isn’t it delicious here? It’s like a graduation essential."
"That’s exactly why it’s outdated."
"I’ve always wanted to come here."
As Jeongjikhan spoke with a contented smile, their mother’s face grew somber.
Noticing this, Suhye cleared her throat and added,
"Well, people do say their tomahawk steak is tasty."
"Right? Let’s tear into the bone!"
During his middle school graduation, Jeongjikhan had envied classmates who entered Inback Steak House holding their parents’ hands.
Back then, he couldn’t even linger near this place. But what did timing matter now?
The important thing was that his family had finally come here together.
Though he felt childishly excited, he hid it and stepped inside calmly.
Ordering proved difficult.
He’d assumed you either chose a set menu or a single dish.
While ordering just the steak was possible, Suhye added pasta and drinks to go with the tomahawk.
From the steak’s doneness to pasta names he’d never heard of—Jeongjikhan’s mind spun from just selecting a meal.
Thankfully, Suhye’s quick thinking spared him embarrassment.
When the tomahawk arrived, he expected to tear into the bone himself, but the staff sliced it neatly.
This isn’t like what I saw on TV.
Jeongjikhan tensely alternated glances between the butchering meat and the employee, though he tried to hide it.
To onlookers, he must have seemed like a country bumpkin.
"Mmm! Amazing! So freaking good!"
Suhye stuffed a large piece into her mouth, chewing noisily.
Jeongjikhan drizzled sauce over the meat and offered the first bite to his mother.
"Try it, Mom."
"You eat first."
"I’ll only eat after you do."
"Well…"
Mother’s eyes widened as she put the T-bone steak in her mouth, covering it with her right hand. Though she didn’t speak, her expression betrayed deep astonishment at the tender, juicy flavor she was tasting for the first time. When Jeonghyeok also took a bite…
“Oh?”
His eyes reflexively widened like lanterns. So this is why everyone raves about steak.
“Mom, how is it? Good?” Jeonghyeok asked, chewing and swallowing.
“So delicious. Thanks to you, I get to indulge like this,” she replied.
“Good. Eat up. We can order more if it’s not enough.”
Mother picked up the thickest slice and offered it to Jeonghyeok, urging him to eat first. As he accepted, she smiled contentedly and took a bite of pasta. In return, he handed her another piece of meat. If he didn’t, she’d likely fill up on pasta alone. Before she could, he wanted her to savor the expensive, delicious meal.
“Wow! Oppa, this is insane! So good!” Suhye blurted through a mouthful of steak, her grin wide. Her delight was another layer of joy for him.
After the satisfying meal and buying Suhye’s desired tablet, they strolled the dimming streets. The air had turned crisp after sunset. Mother shivered, tugging her collar closed.
“Cold, Mom?”
“Hm? No, I’m fine,” she said, cheeks flushed as she shook her head.
Spotting a lit clothing store to the left, Jeonghyeok entered and bought a scarf and gloves. He chose gray, fearing bright colors might embarrass her.
“Here, Mom.”
“Keep them. I’m not cold.”
“Stop trembling and let your son care for you.”
“Your hands are red too. Why didn’t you buy yourself something? Want me to?”
“I’m fine. This chill is nothing to a man.”
He slid the gloves onto her hands and wrapped the scarf around her slender neck. She fiddled with it, then smiled softly.
“Feels warmer since my son gave it.”
“Just say the word! I’ll buy everything in there for you.”
“Thank you, son.”
Though Mother smiled, Jeonghyeok’s heart sank. Her joy didn’t comfort him—instead, he felt shame for his past neglect. Why hadn’t he done this sooner? What fear had stifled his affection? Why had he tied filial duty to success?
Her wrinkled eyes and deep laugh lines spoke of time’s cruelty. Her hair, he realized, had silvered greatly. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he spoke.
“Mom.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t age too fast.”
At Death’s Café, he was articulate—yet with family, he faltered. He’d always masked vulnerability, striving to seem strong. Over years, this stifled his expressions and distanced his heart.
- Care for them while you can. Don’t wait to “succeed” before showing love.
- Time won’t wait.
Park Sang-bong’s earnest advice echoed in his mind. He’d start now, avoiding future regrets. Today… he’d grow accustomed to this awkwardness.
Mother didn’t answer, lost in memories of vanished years. She smoothed her thinning hair.
“Mocking your old mom?”
“I just… want you to slow down until I earn enough to take you to department stores, buy designer bags like others do. You can’t carry one as a hunched granny.” Avoiding her gaze, he rambled.
She took his hand, smiling.
“Then I’ll age slowly to carry that bag.”
“…Right.”
Her hand felt startlingly small—so fragile he looked away, sniffing once.
“Oppa! Look!” Suhye yelled from afar, ice cream in hand as she pointed at a character-printed tote.
Mother watched her, then murmured:
“I need to see you wed… and Suhye too.”
“…”
“To have stories—and complaints—for your dad in heaven.”
Her wistful gaze reddened his eyes. He exhaled sharply before his chest tightened.
“To see Suhye marry… you’d need an immortality elixir, Mom.”
“What’s wrong with her?”
“Nothing. Just… who eats ice cream in winter?”
He forced a laugh, shaking her hand before calling to Suhye:
“Pick what you want, quick!”
“Really?! No take-backs tomorrow!”
“Before I change my mind!”
“Yes!”
After a warm family day, Jeonghyeok returned to the café the next evening. He opened shop as usual, prepping briskly. The day off had lightened his body and calmed his mind like a boat adrift in cosmos.
Ding-a-ling—
The door chimed, revealing a familiar face.
“Early as ever, Jeonghyeok.”
“Welcome, Manager. The usual americano?”
“Please.”
Cha Seung-pyo settled by the window. Soon, Jeonghyeok brought a steaming cup.
“Did you rest well at home?”
“Yes, thanks to the day off.”
“That was your leave, not my doing.”
“Ha! Working here’s made me grateful for everything.”
Seung-pyo sipped, raising a brow.
“Improved the brew?”
“Maybe you drank Manager Cha’s coffee yesterday?”
“Ah.”
Cha Ye-won had covered the café yesterday. For a month, she’d practiced brewing nightly—yet her skills stagnated oddly. Though she seemed earnest, her coffee remained harsh.
Seung-pyo sighed.
“What’s her issue?”
“Leveling and dosing. She presses too hard.”
“Affecting taste?”
“Water can’t pass through over-tamped grounds. Of course it changes.”
Seung-pyo scratched his brow, tongue swiping his lip.
“She solves everything with force. Even exorcisms.”
“Strength has merits… but maybe another substitute?”
“I’ll consider it.”
