A Scorching Day Chapter 46

After seeing Ki Joon off, Gawon came back inside and tidied up the house. He washed the ramen pot and dishes they had used, then went into the bathroom. He took out the laundry he had put in the old washing machine in the corner that morning.

Carrying the pile of wet laundry, he set up the drying rack, and the room became full. As Gawon carefully shook out each piece of laundry and hung it up one by one, his expression gradually grew somber.

When was the last time his mother’s clothes had been mixed in with the laundry here? Come to think of it, it had been nearly a week since his mother had come home.

‘…She must have found a man.’

The bright mood he had felt just moments ago while with Ki Joon instantly turned complicated.

Having taken on so many customers, it seemed that with some of them, feelings would sprout and relationships would develop. Gawon thought that it wasn’t his place to pass judgment on that itself. If his mother met someone who cherished her and became even a little more comfortable and happy than she was now, there could be nothing more fortunate than that.

But unfortunately, the number of men his mother had continued relationships with so far was pitiful. So much so that it was often hard to tell whether they were gangsters who had come to monitor his mother or her lovers.

He didn’t wish for anything else—he just hoped they wouldn’t lay a hand on her. If he could be a little more greedy, he wished for a man who could protect his mother from the gangsters who constantly beat and threatened her….

Gawon let out a deep sigh, finished hanging the wet laundry, washed a rag, and simply wiped the floor of the room as well. Having eaten lunch and done the housework, it was now time to head back to school.

Unlike his house, where sweat poured even with the fan on, the school study room was cool all day long. There was no greater sense of pride and refreshment than when he studied at school until late at night and came home.

He took out the math problem sheet he had solved that morning and gathered other subject problem sheets and reference books. As he was putting his error notebook into his bag, he suddenly noticed a reference book he had bought at the beginning of the first semester of his first year.

He suddenly wanted to take it out and flip through it. He turned the pages quickly and took in the meticulous notes he had made in the past. Then, a postcard that had been tucked into the last page popped out.

“This is…”

A refreshing emerald green filled the small piece of paper. Glittering like jewels, shimmering ripples were engraved upon it. It was a postcard with a printed photo of waves.

A bitter smile came to him. Because he knew what kind of heart he had tucked this postcard in here with.

I want to go to the sea. I want to jump into the huge waves and embrace them. I want to swim freely within them until I finally become sea foam and disappear without a trace….

Since he was very young, he had vaguely harbored the sea in his heart. The sea shown on TV was so beautiful it made him lose his mind.

In fact, he knew where that feeling came from. The small boy, who had lived only about ten years, had been eagerly waiting for his life to end from that time on. Because to that boy, the world had been nothing but cruel.

Ordinary people take for granted—a life that continues on. A future that will become a little brighter than the present.

Even the kids around him all dreamed glittering, beautiful dreams. They said they wanted to go here and there after their exams were over, and they’d paste beautiful foreign landscapes in front of their desks.

But Gawon had tucked the postcard away for the exact opposite reason. To delay death even a little. To desperately find a reason to extend this detestable life. The reason he had tenaciously clung to this stubborn life was one thing.

He wanted to live an ordinary life, just once, like other people did. To go to work at a normal job, come home, fix dinner, live that kind of ordinary life, and then spend his final moment at the sea. Since he couldn’t choose where he was born, he wanted to at least choose a beautiful place to end his life with his own hands.

But how strange, Gawon murmured to himself. He had unexpectedly confronted the dark feelings he had secretly harbored, yet strangely, his heart didn’t waver.

Why, even when looking at the sea photo, didn’t he want to die?

Why, even when looking at this photo, instead of himself becoming sea foam on the dark blue waves as he had long wished, he imagined himself running cheerfully across the sandy beach with Ki Joon…

‘Gawon, hurry! Run faster!’

Ki Joon, hopping about excitedly like a puppy, naturally appeared before his eyes. Since he was tall and sturdy, if he wore a swimsuit and walked along the beach, he would draw many people’s eyes. That was a little unpleasant… He’d just have to make him wear a rash guard. He couldn’t show Ki Joon’s body—which he himself hadn’t even properly seen (except when treating his wounds)—to just anyone.

Gawon smiled without realizing it and continued his imagination. Splashing in the water to his heart’s content, riding a tube, and when tired, lying on the sandy beach… and they could eat delicious raw fish too.

All of that… someday, it would become reality.

“…So wonderful.”

He murmured out loud. His small voice was so full of joy that even he found it embarrassing.

His steps as he packed his bag and headed outside were busy. To turn such beautiful imaginings into reality, he had to be more diligent today than yesterday, and more diligent tomorrow than today.

∞ ∞ ∞

Riding in the taxi, Gawon got off at the place Ki Joon had told him. The building where the competition was being held was larger than Gawon had vaguely expected.

A pleasant breeze blew. The banner hung at the bottom of the building, reading “[20XX 64th RODEN FC Ring League & Youth League],” fluttered vigorously.

Even though it was an amateur league, it was hosted by the largest MMA organization in the country, so the scale was quite large, they said. Unlike smaller regional matches, famous coaches and fighters often visited to commentate or observe. As such, it was also regarded as a stage for rookies dreaming of going pro to make their debut or get scouted, Ki Joon had explained.

‘But why don’t you go pro? With your skill, you could do it right away, couldn’t you?’

‘That’s true, but my father was too adamant about it.’

Ki Joon had said that with an awkward smile. Even right after his father collapsed, Ki Joon hadn’t immediately resumed training. It was only after the one-year ban he had previously agreed upon with his father that he started going back to the gym.

Even though Ki Joon could now turn pro if he wanted, he didn’t. Instead—

‘I can do that later. I want to enjoy a fun college life with you first.’

How could he not love Ki Joon, who said that and stroked his head so tenderly?

Now at the beginning of September, every day left until the college entrance exam was more precious than gold to Gawon, but watching Ki Joon compete was far more important than that. It would be an unforgettable day for both Ki Joon and himself in many ways.

Holding the bouquet he had secretly prepared for Ki Joon, Gawon stepped into the competition venue building. People’s gazes flickered between him and the bouquet, which was a bit embarrassing, but he didn’t care. Just as confident as Ki Joon, Gawon was also certain of his victory. Even if others laughed at him for being old-fashioned… he absolutely wanted to congratulate him.

Just then, his phone rang. Gawon happily pressed the phone to his ear.

—Are you here? Gawon. Are you on the first floor? I’ll come up.

“No, I’ll come to you. Where should I go?”

—Then can you come to the basement floor? As soon as you come down, the waiting room is on the left.

Heart pounding. Gawon mixed in with the crowd and got on the elevator. The moment the doors opened, he could immediately spot a familiar face. Ki Joon, wearing a sports rash guard and shorts, saw Gawon holding the bouquet and opened his eyes wide with delight.

“Wow, what’s this? Did you bring that for me?”

“No, it’s for that fighter over there.”

Seeing Ki Joon grinning with his mouth wide open, Gawon felt like teasing him a little. Gawon gestured with his chin toward one of the fighters passing through the corridor. He had pointed at random, and it happened to be a tall, handsome fighter. …Nowhere near as good-looking as Ki Joon, though.

As soon as he heard that, Ki Joon’s beaming face instantly hardened. Looking quite shocked, he raised his hand and pressed it to his chest.

“Gawon… I… my heart just dropped.”

“Ahaha.”

“Ha… just let me meet that bastard in the ring. I’ll really tear him apart. Break every one of his limbs so he can never fight again.”

With a crazed expression, he glared at the innocent fighter’s back and spewed terrifying words. Gawon patted Ki Joon’s shoulder as if soothing a child and held out the flowers.

“Oh my… I’m too scared to even joke around. Of course it’s for you, who else would it be for?”

Ki Joon, who had been muttering like someone off his rocker, soon relaxed his expression, smelled the flowers, and smiled.

“You knew I’d win, so you brought this, right? That’s amazing sense, really.”

“Of course. If you don’t come back with a trophy, I’m calling you a loser starting today.”

He pulled out the word Ki Joon had used a year ago when he had been unfairly beaten by the seniors. Ki Joon laughed out loud, “Hahaha.”

“Whoa, shit. That can’t happen. Yoon Gawon’s boyfriend has his pride.”

“Then do well and come back.”

He wanted to say something more affectionate, but he was embarrassed and kept speaking jokingly. Yet Ki Joon smiled with a sweet expression as if his heart were melting.

“I’m so happy, Gawon. That you came.”

The hand stroking his bangs was warm and gentle. Suddenly, Gawon’s heart swelled. The boy standing before him felt endlessly tender to Gawon.

Ki Joon, who had broken his promise with his father because of him. Ki Joon, who hadn’t been able to go to the gym he loved for a year. Ki Joon, who, even though everything was because of him, held a simple bouquet and smiled as if he had the whole world, without a hint of resentment.

—Ah, ah. Attention. The break is over. The male high school division semi-pro matches will now begin. Light heavyweight and heavyweight fighters, please enter the waiting room. Once again, we repeat…

The venue announcement rang out. Gawon walked with Ki Joon across the corridor lined with flower wreaths celebrating the opening and entered the arena. Ki Joon took Gawon’s hand and led him to the very front row.

“You can see well, right? Just sit here.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Cheer for me a lot. I’ll draw strength from your voice.”

Ki Joon smiled innocently. Gawon took a breath and placed his hand on his chest. The one actually fighting was Ki Joon, yet Gawon himself was finding it hard to endure his steadily escalating heartbeat.

Actually, for the past few days, he had been watching mixed martial arts matches whenever he had time. He had looked them up out of curiosity about the general atmosphere. And then he had been shocked. He had expected it, but still, it looked too intense and dangerous.