Chapter 26…………………………………………………
Sure enough, Dowoon had clearly been to places like this many times before. Chohui became certain in the lengthening silence.
Just as disappointment was about to swallow her, a familiar discomfort brushed past from the far edges of her memory.
{By the way, have you heard, Minamoto-san? That the American company Martha has entered the railroad business?}
Once, when she had briefly worked at Hongwongak, Chohui had overheard Dowoon speaking with a Japanese man.
Thinking back now… that man had been Minamoto.
“So actually, Hong—”
That was Minamoto.
If it really had been him, then that gathering could not have been a simple entertainment affair. It must have been a place where he extracted information—so much so that he even inserted himself into gatherings of ladies.
With that thought, Chohui closed her mouth.
So he’s not a lecher… he’s someone obsessed with gathering intelligence.
How desperate could he be?
Why would something like his country’s independence matter so much?
She couldn’t understand it. To Chohui, the independence of the homeland was nothing more than an unrealistic dream chased by idealists.
Why was he this earnest? Why so impatient?
“What do you mean, actually? Where have you seen me?”
Dowoon pressed again.
Should I say it… or not?
Dowoon still didn’t know that she was aware of his true identity. She couldn’t judge whether revealing it would benefit her or harm her.
“…Actually, I saw you at Hongwongak.”
“Hongwongak? That is a pleasure house… Why were you there?”
“Before I saw the flyer looking for a private tutor, I worked there doing chores. Laundry, cleaning… things like that.”
This much should be safe to tell. Chohui answered vaguely, as if it were nothing.
“…You even worked in a place like that?”
“I didn’t have money.”
“What kind of brother…! What brother sends his sister off alone with nothing in her hands?”
“Don’t insult my brother. The situation was urgent.”
“No… no matter what, I cannot understand how he could leave you like that.”
“It would’ve been the same even if I’d stayed in Gyeongseong. Actually… I lost my job when the academy closed.”
Chohui answered deliberately bravely. Come to think of it, coming to Sinuiju might have been luck. In Gyeongseong, no one wanted to hire her.
“So… I’m a little grateful to you. Because you’re the first person who’s ever needed me.”
Dowoon, looking conflicted, dragged a hand down his face.
*
“Before I saw the flyer looking for a private tutor, I worked there doing chores. Laundry, cleaning…”
Laundry and cleaning?
When he had looked into her background, he’d been told she was a teacher at an academy.
To think she’d done menial work like that…
Now that he thought about it, she’d said she knew how to do laundry when they first met.
How desperate for money had she been?
Anger toward the brother he’d never even met—Seong Chihun—boiled up inside him.
If he truly treasured his sister, he wouldn’t have abandoned her like this.
If it were me…
If it were me?
Do I even have the right to think that?
When I was the one trying to use her?
Use her, get angry, misunderstand her selfishly…
The clear mind he’d had moments ago began throbbing again.
*
The next morning.
Chohui decided once again to secretly leave the house, following Dowoon.
“Like yesterday, wait in front of the wall and come out quietly.”
“Do we have to do this every morning?”
“Just for now… please endure it. I beg you.”
At the word beg, Chohui sighed and agreed.
Whatever had happened between mother and son, she could tell one thing clearly: Dowoon was determined not to let his mother see her.
Creeeak—
She opened the door and tiptoed down the stairs.
“Here, miss.”
Waiting for her at the foot of the stairs was none other than Madam Na.
Chohui swallowed hard.
He had told her not to speak with her at all. But with her standing so openly, it was impossible to ignore her.
[Good morning, ma’am.]
“Really… you can’t speak Joseon at all?”
[Good morning. Please forgive me for rambling on in English like this.]
“Hm. Well, it doesn’t matter.”
Madam Na linked arms with Chohui.
Startled, Chohui’s eyes widened, but Madam Na calmly pointed between herself and Chohui, mimicking the gesture of two people walking together.
“Stay with me today.”
Oh no.
Chohui understood everything, but she forced a smile as though she didn’t.
How do I escape this?
Before she could think, Madam Na pulled her outside.
As they passed through the gate, Dowoon stood beneath the stone wall.
He looked down at them, hands on his hips, as though trying to understand the situation.
“…Mother. What is this?”
“Didn’t I tell you? I said I’d borrow your private tutor for a while.”
“…Must you do this?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“She helps me with my work. Don’t do this.”
“She helps with your work? Then I suppose I should tell your father as well.”
At the mention of his father, Dowoon’s expression turned noticeably cold.
As though she had touched a forbidden nerve, he didn’t even try to hide his hostility.
What kind of relationship do they have?
“…Will half a day be enough?”
“Yes. Then there’s no need to inform your father.”
“Do as you please.”
Dowoon forced the words out, then met Chohui’s gaze.
I’m sorry.
His feelings were clear in his eyes.
It’s okay. I’ll handle it.
Chohui answered silently.
With Dowoon’s reluctant permission, Madam Na hesitated no longer and immediately headed with Chohui toward the new district of Sinuiju.
“Teacher, can you really not understand Joseon at all?”
[Please forgive me for lying, madam.]
“Hm. It is a little inconvenient.”
Her words pricked at Chohui’s conscience, but she had no choice. To keep her story aligned with Dowoon’s, she had to lie.
Trying to appear cheerful, Chohui smiled brightly and approached Madam Na in a friendly manner.
[Still, I’ll show you around the city well. I haven’t been here many times myself, but…]
Madam Na spoke in Joseon, Chohui replied in English, yet somehow they seemed to understand each other.
Chohui dragged her through shop after shop, preventing her from asking questions—starting with the Obok store Dowoon had taken her to, and many others.
Fortunately, Madam Na seemed distracted enough to forget questioning her.
“Teacher Lucia, my legs hurt. Shall we rest?”
Madam Na pointed somewhere.
Following her finger, Chohui saw a lavish hotel café.
[Sounds good, madam. I was thirsty anyway.]
Inside, Madam Na ordered coffee as though familiar with it.
Chohui followed suit, pretending she was equally accustomed.
If she were Lucia from Europe, she would be.
She had never tasted coffee before, but she had heard academy teachers speak of it often.
As Chohui savored the deep aroma, Madam Na stared at her intently before speaking.
“Since you can drink coffee, I suppose you’re not pregnant yet.”
“Pfft—!”
Chohui choked violently.
She’d heard Madam Na suspected something between her and Dowoon, but hearing it said so bluntly made her flush in embarrassment.
Madam Na narrowed her eyes.
“…Did you understand that?”
“Cough, cough!”
Chohui quickly covered it with coughing, forcing an empty smile as though she understood nothing.
Madam Na’s gaze returned to normal.
“Hm. No, I suppose not.”
[It’s a misunderstanding, madam.]
“Looking at your body… you’re a bit thin, but you could still bear three or four children.”
[Please… what are you saying?]
“Your complexion is dark. You must not be sleeping well. Did you spend all night doing that again? My son may be mine, but truly, he has endless energy.”
[Where in the world does this misunderstanding even come from…]
Madam Na, now fully convinced Chohui couldn’t understand, spoke shamelessly aloud.
Chohui was dying of embarrassment but fought desperately not to show it.
So much so she feared her smile might cramp.
{Your order is ready.}
A waiter arrived carrying a plate piled with sandwiches and cookies.
Chohui cheered inwardly—Madam Na finally stopped talking.
But to her dismay, Madam Na continued observing her closely even while eating.
“If I’d known my son’s taste was like this, I would’ve looked for more delicate young ladies.”
[What do you mean?]
“You must know—despite my son’s fine conditions, he’s had no luck with women.”
[Really? That’s surprising.]
“He dislikes this woman for this reason, that woman for that reason. He’s broken off engagements more times than I can count.”
[Him? He didn’t seem like someone who hated women…]
“He can be so cold even to women he claims to like. Honestly, for a while I wondered if perhaps he had… another preference.”
[Another preference?]
“You know… these days, don’t foreigners say male love is fashionable?”
Chohui was inwardly shocked.
Dowoon? The smooth man who spoke sweetly to ladies?
It was hard to imagine him being cold.
Or perhaps the Dowoon she saw was different from the Dowoon his family knew.
“So… I’m grateful to you, miss.”
At those words, Chohui’s hand froze mid-sip.
Grateful?
She had assumed Madam Na disliked her, that she would try to separate her from her son.
But gratitude was the last thing she expected.
Madam Na continued, unaware.
“I’m saying this because you can’t understand. After that incident, I was terrified my son might make an extreme choice.”
[That incident? An extreme choice? What in the world…]
“But when I see his expression around you, he looks at ease. I felt relieved. Like… perhaps he’s alright now.”
Chohui drank her coffee slowly, confused.
What happened?
Something serious enough that she feared he might end his life…
Her thoughts grew heavier—
When suddenly, loud Japanese voices rose from the next table as new guests sat down.
{-They say a new set menu has come out, Sakura-san.}
{Yes, I see.}
A strangely familiar voice.
Chills crept up Chohui’s neck.
Slowly, she turned her head.
{Oh my, isn’t that Lucia Lee?}
The speaker was Hiranishi Sachiko, the woman from the ladies’ gathering.
And beside her stood Minamoto Sakura.
Minamoto, Hiranishi… and Madam Na’s gaze all fixed on Chohui at once.
