บท 27: CH27 - Home
Gimpo Airport, Seoul.
[Dear passengers, our flight will soon be arriving at Gimpo Airport. The estimated landing time is 1:35 PM. Please return your seatbacks and tray tables to their upright positions, and make sure your seatbelts are fastened. For safety reasons, please keep your window shades open during landing. We hope you make many great memories in Seoul. Thank you.]
Seok-won, who had been sitting in the spacious first-class seat, closed the book he was reading at the captain's announcement and turned his head to the side. Beyond the rounded windshield, he could see high mountains and fields stretching out beneath the thick layer of white clouds.
"Please fasten your seatbelt before landing."
At the sudden sound of English in his ear, Seok-won looked up to see a slim stewardess with reddish-brown hair smiling at him. As he reached for the seatbelt and fastened it around his waist, the stewardess nodded slightly with a smile.
"Thank you."
The stewardess moved on to repeat the same instructions to other passengers. As he listened, Seok-won checked his wristwatch.
"At this time, Father would be at work… and Mother would be at home alone."
He muttered to himself, a hint of nervousness appearing on his face. Though he had already seen his parents when they rushed to the U.S. hospital after he first woke up, the thought of seeing them again made him feel a mix of awkwardness and anxiety.
Considering that he now carried the memories of two people, he was worried that they might notice something different in his behavior or attitude. At the same time, he missed the warmth and love his parents had shown him during his hospitalization in the U.S.
As these thoughts of concern and longing swirled, the Delta Airlines flight carrying Seok-won began to descend slowly over Gimpo Airport. The plane lowered its landing gear beneath the wings and, following instructions from the control tower, gradually descended onto the wide runway.
With a thud, the plane's wheels touched down, and it safely landed. Looking out at the familiar sight of Gimpo Airport's terminal, Seok-won finally felt the reality of his return to Korea.
Without hurrying, Seok-won calmly disembarked from the plane, collected his luggage, passed through customs, and entered the spacious arrival hall.
Despite the rise in international travel since the easing of travel restrictions, flying abroad still required considerable effort and planning, so the airport wasn't crowded. Compared to the bustling scene at Boston Logan Airport during the Christmas holidays, Gimpo Airport felt relatively tranquil.
'Maybe it's because everyone here looks similar, but I feel a strange sense of comfort.'
Unlike in the U.S., where people of all races gathered, seeing only people with the same skin color and black hair made him understand what it meant to feel at ease in one's homeland.
Among the passengers who disembarked with him, Seok-won stood out due to his striking appearance, but he remained unaware of the attention as he looked around the arrival hall.
Behind the low fences on either side, people holding signs or waving their hands were waiting to meet their family members or acquaintances.
While dragging his suitcase and holding the Boston bag in one hand, Seok-won heard someone calling out to him and looked up.
"Young master!"
Stopping in his tracks, Seok-won turned to see a man in his early forties approaching with a welcoming expression. The man, of medium height with a friendly demeanor, was none other than Kim Hyung-gi, the chauffeur for Chairman Park Tae-hong, whom Seok-won had known since childhood.
With the memories of the previous body's owner now fully integrated, Seok-won could recall childhood memories as if they were his own without any sense of discord.
"Uncle! It's been a while."
Seok-won greeted him with a bright smile, and Kim Hyung-gi responded with a bow.
"Are you tired from the flight?"
"It was a comfortable flight."
"Even so, America is far away. Oh, my! Look at me. Here, let me take your bags."
Kim Hyung-gi quickly took the bags and suitcase from Seok-won and led the way.
"I've parked the car in the lot. Let's go."
Following him outside, Seok-won loaded his luggage into the trunk of the large black sedan and soon they were driving away from the airport.
As they merged onto the wide, straight road leading into Seoul, Seok-won turned his gaze to the window, taking in the view. The sight of low buildings sparsely dotting the landscape felt a bit unfamiliar yet comforting, as development had yet to reach this area. It was different from the bustling scene of tall apartment buildings and well-maintained streets he was used to.
Just then, Kim Hyung-gi glanced at him in the rearview mirror and asked, "Are you feeling better now?"
Seok-won was briefly puzzled before realizing what he meant, and he smiled.
"As you can see, I'm too healthy for my own good."
"That's a relief. We were so worried when we heard about the serious accident in the U.S."
"Thank you for your concern."
"Not just me—Madam was so shocked that she fainted after receiving the call."
"She did?"
Hearing this for the first time, Seok-won's eyes widened in surprise.
"Yes. Thankfully, she regained consciousness quickly. I drove her to the airport when she left for the U.S., and I still remember how worried she was that something might happen to you."
"I had no idea."
"Even the Chairman, though he didn't show it, was so anxious that he couldn't sleep on the plane. In all the years I've served him, I've never seen him so distressed."
Once again, Seok-won felt how deeply his parents loved and cared for him. Hiding his tumultuous feelings, he turned his head to look out the window, pretending to focus on the passing scenery.
***
Bubble, bubble!
As the lid was lifted from the pot on the gas stove, steam rose with a delicious aroma. Wearing an apron, Jo Deok-rye tasted the broth of the crab soup she had made, satisfied with the flavor.
"It's been a while since I made this, but it turned out well."
"Oh, Madam, your cooking skills haven't gone anywhere," said Mrs. Goon-san, who was busy boiling beef rump for soy sauce braised beef.
"Since Seok-won doesn't like big chunks, be sure to shred the boiled beef finely."
"Yes, Madam."
"Oh, and where's the pickled mustard greens I made last time? It's one of his favorite side dishes, so I mustn't forget to serve it."
"I already put some in the fridge, so don't worry."
Mrs. Goon-san observed Jo Deok-rye as she busily moved about the kitchen from early morning.
"You seem happy that the young master is coming home."
"Do I look like it?"
"You've been smiling all morning."
"Oh my, have I really?"
Jo Deok-rye shyly averted her eyes.
Mrs. Goon-san nodded to herself, understanding the reasons behind the Madam's excitement. Not only was her younger son always dear to her, but after his recent accident, it made sense for Jo Deok-rye to be more exuberant than usual.
Even Mrs. Goon-san recalled the shock she felt when she first heard about Seok-won being shot in the U.S. It was as if her heart had dropped. Even now, just thinking about it made her heart race.
'I need to make sure he eats well, given all he's been through.'
With renewed determination, Mrs. Goon-san set about her work with even more fervor.
Just as the two women had almost finished filling the dining table with Seok-won's favorite dishes, the doorbell rang.
"The young master must be here!"
"Quick, open the door."
"Yes!"
While Jo Deok-rye quickly turned off the stove, Mrs. Goon-san wiped her wet hands on her apron and hurried out of the kitchen to the front door.
"Who's there?"
She picked up the intercom receiver and asked, hearing a lively voice in response.
[Auntie, it's me.]
Mrs. Goon-san smiled brightly and quickly pressed the button to open the front gate. As Jo Deok-rye followed, she asked, "Is it Seok-won?"
"Yes, Madam."
Not long after, the front door opened, and Seok-won entered the house with Kim Hyung-gi. Seeing her younger son for the first time in nearly half a year since the shooting incident, Jo Deok-rye couldn't contain her joy and immediately opened her arms wide.
"Come here! My goodness, you've lost weight. Have you been eating properly? How's school? I keep telling you to call once a week, but you always say you're too busy!"
Tears welled up in Jo Deok-rye's eyes as she rattled off her concerns. Seok-won, too, felt an inexplicable surge of emotion upon seeing her.
Memories of her staying by his side through sleepless nights as he recovered after waking up in the hospital flooded his mind, and a warm feeling rose within him.
"I'm home."
Without thinking, Seok-won stepped forward and embraced his mother.
Momentarily taken aback by the sudden gesture, Jo Deok-rye soon smiled and gently patted her precious second son's back.
"Yes, you're home."
Seok-won was surprised at his own actions, but in his mother's arms, he felt warmth and comfort. The anxieties he had harbored faded away, replaced by a deep sense of belonging.
Mrs. Goon-san and Kim Hyung-gi looked on with fond smiles at the heartwarming scene between mother and son.
After a while, Jo Deok-rye pulled back slightly and stroked Seok-won's face with a look of concern.
"Your face has gotten so thin. Have you been eating properly in America?"
"Of course. I've been eating well. Maybe it's because I've been working out and lost some fat, which makes it look that way."
In reality, Seok-won, knowing the importance of physical fitness in any endeavor, had been diligent in maintaining his health. Besides cycling around campus, he jogged every morning and did strength training whenever he could.
His roommate, Roy, had teased him about joining the sports team, but he had just ignored it.
"Are you just saying that to stop me from worrying?"
Suspicion tinged her voice as she responded to Seok-won's reassurances. In reply, he flexed his arm and showed off his muscles.
"Not at all. Look at this muscle here. I've been working out hard."
Encouraging her to feel his arm, Jo Deok-rye couldn't help but exclaim, "Oh my, oh my," in amazement.
Unlike her eldest son, who resembled his father in being focused on work and not particularly affectionate, her second son had always been more demonstrative and warm. It made her feel especially attached to him.
Even now, grown up and having served in the military, Jo Deok-rye couldn't help but be charmed by his playful demeanor. She beamed and said, "You've certainly gotten cheeky since going to America. You must be tired from the flight. Why don't you go upstairs, wash up, and rest a bit before coming down for dinner?"
Seok-won sniffed the air, detecting the delicious scent wafting from the kitchen.
"That smells great. Did you make something special?"
"It's your favorite, crab soup."
"Oh, I was craving something hot and spicy, especially with the cold weather. My mouth's already watering."
"You and your father both love soup."
Pleased with the effort she had put into cooking for her son, Jo Deok-rye said proudly, "I've prepared a lot of other dishes too, so hurry upstairs and come back down."
"Alright, looks like I'm going to have a feast tonight."
With that, Seok-won headed up to the second floor, while Jo Deok-rye watched him with a smile. After so long with just the two of them in the big house, having him home made the place feel lively again.
"Ah, I still need to finish cooking. Mrs. Goon-san, come quickly!"
With thoughts of quickly setting the table for her son, Jo Deok-rye hurried back to the kitchen with Mrs. Goon-san.
Meanwhile, on the second floor, Seok-won entered the room he had used before leaving for the U.S. The room was spacious, over ten pyeong (approximately 33 square meters), with a large bed and desk, and even a separate bathroom and dressing room.
As Kim Hyung-gi, who had carried up the luggage from downstairs, set the bags down, he said, "Please rest well, Young Master."
"Wait a moment, Uncle."
"Yes? Do you need something?"
Seok-won opened his Boston bag, pulled out a shopping bag with the logo of an American department store, and handed it to Kim Hyung-gi.
"What is this?"
"It's a Walkman. Your eldest daughter is graduating from high school soon, isn't she?"
"Yes."
Kim Hyung-gi nodded, surprised that he remembered.
"I couldn't come back to Korea empty-handed. Please give this to her as a graduation gift."
The Walkman, the first portable stereo cassette player made by Sony, would later become as coveted by students for graduation or entrance gifts as smartphones.
"Oh, there's no need for that."
"Come on, don't say that. I've known Mi-joo since she was little, so she's like a little sister to me. Please, make sure she gets it."
As he insisted, Kim Hyung-gi hesitated briefly, then accepted the gift with genuine gratitude.
"Well, I'll accept it then, thank you."
"Please tell Mi-joo I said congratulations on her graduation."
"Yes, I will."
With that, Kim Hyung-gi bowed and left the room, closing the door behind him.
Placing his hands on his hips, Seok-won slowly stood in the middle of the room, looking around. Even though it had been empty for quite some time, it was spotless, thanks to regular cleaning.
"Strangely, it doesn't feel unfamiliar."
Though it was his first time in this room since waking up in this body, it felt more nostalgic than foreign. He even felt confident that he could accurately guess what was inside each drawer.
Walking slowly, Seok-won picked up one of the small picture frames on his desk, a photo taken with his parents at his Harvard entrance ceremony.
With his gaze softening as he looked at the image, he lifted his head and muttered to himself, "I'm really home."
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