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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Simzy
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I got into the car and set the navigation to head for my parents’ house.
“Gangnam-gu Dogok-dong…”
– Guiding you to your destination.
As soon as I entered the address, the navigation started. The route appeared on the screen.
“Oh, wow. This is good, isn’t it?”
I was genuinely amazed by the greatness of the navigation system. If there were no nav system, I, someone not good with directions, would never even have thought about driving. It’s not for nothing that chauffeurs in the past were treated almost like professionals.
Anyway, as I was about to back out and move the car, following the nav’s instructions.
‘What’s that guy up to…?’
Suddenly, for some reason, Ahn Sung-hyun came to mind. Why did he pop into my head out of nowhere? I wondered myself, but there were more than enough reasons to connect him.
Ahn Sung-hyun was my closest friend when I was little, and at the same time, someone directly and indirectly connected to my trauma. If I told Mom and Dad that I had reconciled with Ahn Sung-hyun, wouldn’t they be happy?
No, they definitely would be happy.
This is one hundred percent certain.
Because more than Ahn Sung-hyun and I being close, our parents were also very close. Especially my father and Sung-hyun’s father were such close friends that they called each other “brother.” It got to the point where our mothers would playfully get jealous of their husbands’ friendship. Of course, it was all in jest.
Anyway, that close relationship broke apart because of me. As the children, who were the link between the two families, grew apart, the parents also became awkward with each other. Furthermore, not long after I started refusing to go to school, our family moved again, completely severing the relationship.
I thought for a moment, then sent a text to my mother first.
– Can I bring a friend?
= A friend? Of course! You can bring ten friends!
A reply came back immediately. She seemed a little excited.
‘I don’t have ten friends. No, wait, maybe more?’
If I count my older brother and sisters as friends, it might even be over ten. There are club members too. I haven’t specifically counted, but I guess I’ve made a lot of friends now.
Anyway, after getting my mother’s permission, I called Ahn Sung-hyun. The call connected before the dial tone even rang twice.
– Hello? Cheol-jin, what’s up?
I could sense the surprise in Ahn Sung-hyun’s voice. He probably didn’t expect me to call first. Even though we had reconciled, we hadn’t contacted each other personally or met up just the two of us.
“What are you doing? Busy?”
– No, I was just walking Cookie…
My eyes widened instantly.
“Cookie? Cookie, as in that Golden Retriever?”
– Uh-huh, yeah, that’s right. You remember.
“Of course, I remember!”
My voice got a little louder with excitement.
Cookie was a Golden Retriever Ahn Sung-hyun had raised since he was in fourth grade, meaning 11 years old.
I asked, a mix of fondness and concern in my voice.
“Is Cookie still healthy? He must be pretty old.”
– Yeah. He’s 10 now, so he’s an old dog, but he’s super healthy. He goes for lots of walks, and they said he doesn’t even look like an old dog in his recent health check-up.
“That’s a relief. I’d like to see Cookie again after all this time.”
– If you’re okay with it, come visit sometime. Cookie would be happy to see you too.
“Nah, how would he remember me? It’s been years.”
– No way. Our Cookie is super smart, he’ll remember! You and I used to go for walks together every day.
He was right. Back then, I was so smitten with Cookie that I visited so frequently it was hard for Cookie to tell who his owner was, me or Sung-hyun. One time, I even got scolded by my mother for persistently begging her to buy me a dog because I was so jealous of Sung-hyun.
Thinking about that time makes me want to see Cookie even more.
“Speaking of which, can I come see him now?”
– Huh? Now?
I could sense his surprise at the sudden suggestion, but I didn’t care. Show me Cookie!
“Don’t you have time?”
– No, it’s not that. You’re going to come all the way here?
“Yeah. Actually, I called to ask if you had time to grab a meal. I’ll pick you up there. And while I’m at it, I can see Cookie.”
– That’s fine, but… what do you mean by ‘pick you up’? Do you have a car?
Now that I think about it, my friends don’t know I own a car. It was natural since I’d never driven it to school.
“Send me the address via Kakaotalk.”
Anyway, I made plans with Sung-hyun and started the car.
“Ugh, it’s been too long since I drove.”
My driving experience is very limited.
Once, when I moved into my studio apartment.
Once, a round trip to borrow my father’s camcorder for a group project with Sister So-yeon.
This was my first time driving since then.
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Fortunately, the distance from school to Sung-hyun’s house is relatively short. It takes about an hour by public transportation and about 30 minutes by car.
When I arrived nearby and called, Ahn Sung-hyun came out to meet me.
“Cheol-jin, over here!”
I stopped the car on the side, and Ahn Sung-hyun got into the passenger seat. He looked around the car’s interior with curiosity and said,
“Wow, you really have a car?”
“Of course, it’s real.”
Would I have lied?
When I chuckled and spoke, Ahn Sung-hyun shrugged his shoulders.
“Still, it’s amazing. I thought you wouldn’t have a car since you live alone.”
“Hmm. That’s true. I don’t really have much use for it.”
My parents bought me the car as a gift for getting into university, but since I live alone, I don’t really have much need to drive. Honestly, it’s a waste of money. My parents bought it and even paid the insurance, so I just happily accepted it.
‘Maybe they bought it so I’d visit home more often?’
Thinking that, I realized I was a terribly undutiful son. I’ve only visited home once since moving out, and that was to borrow my father’s camcorder. From now on, I should visit more often.
Anyway, I parked the car following Ahn Sung-hyun’s directions and went inside the house. Since I was here, I had to see Cookie. And say hello to Uncle and Aunt.
‘What should I say to them?’
Thinking about seeing them after such a long time made me a little nervous. I used to see them so often when I was little.
“Come in.”
I followed Ahn Sung-hyun into the house.
But Uncle and Aunt weren’t there.
“Sung-hyun, where are your parents?”
“Huh? Oh, I didn’t tell you. They went on a trip.”
“A trip? Just the two of them, without you?”
“Yeah. I passed on it because it’s a hassle. Well, Mom and Dad probably prefer going just the two of them anyway, right?”
“I see…”
Suddenly, all the strength drained from my body.
I had been so worried about how to greet them.
Just then, I heard a “Woof!” and a large dog came bounding over.
“Cookie, shh! Sit.”
“Woof. Pant, pant…”
Cookie sat down, following Ahn Sung-hyun’s hand gesture.
I looked at Cookie with a somewhat touched feeling.
Golden, wavy fur.
Gentle eyes that didn’t match his large size.
The Golden Retriever from my memories was exactly as I remembered.
“Cookie, do you remember your older brother here? We played every day when you were little.”
“Ah, hello, Cookie. Long time no see.”
I lowered myself and looked at Cookie. His gentle, black eyes stared back at me. I slowly extended my hand towards Cookie.
Sniff, sniff.
Cookie sniffing my hand.
They say dogs remember people by smell, so I was a little worried. It had been a long time; would he remember me?
After a few seconds of Cookie sniffing.
“Woof! Woof woof! Wooooooof!”
My worries were for naught; Cookie quickly showed his joy. He wagged his tail like a propeller, moving side to side, then charged at me.
I fell backward and hugged Cookie.
“Haha, you rascal. You remember your older brother!”
“Wooooof! Pant, pant!”
Cookie licked my cheek. His wet tongue touched me, but it wasn’t unpleasant at all. Rather, I was grateful. I was touched by this rascal who still remembered and welcomed me despite how much time had passed.
I hugged and stroked Cookie, then suddenly came to my senses and looked to the side. Sung-hyun was looking at us with a very contented expression.
“Wh-what are you looking at, you idiot.”
“Oh, nothing, it just looks nice.”
“Ahem. Stop talking and hurry up and get ready. I have to drive again.”
“I’m all ready. We can go right now.”
“…”
This guy, he got ready unnecessarily fast. I wanted to play with Cookie a bit more.
I looked at Cookie with a regretful expression and stroked his head. This little guy, his fur is the same color as A-reum’s hair. What a cute fellow.
“Cookie, your older brother will come to play again.”
“Woof!”
“Hey, I said I’ll come again!”
As if he knew I was about to leave, Cookie put his paws on my shoulder and clung to me. It seemed he was sad to part so soon after seeing me for the first time in a while. Hey, little guy, my feelings are your feelings.
“Hey, I’ll buy you some expensive treats later. The top-grade kind. Huh?”
“Heh heh. Our Cookie will be happy.”
“…”
Oh, this guy, it’s really annoying having him next to me.
I cleared my throat and got up. It would take quite a while to get from here to my house. It was time to leave.
“Let’s go.”
We got into the car and exited the apartment complex.
Once we were on the road, Ahn Sung-hyun finally asked.
“Where are we going? I was so distracted I forgot to ask.”
“To eat something delicious.”
“What delicious thing are you going to eat that we need to drive for it?”
My lips curled into a smirk. I had intentionally not told Ahn Sung-hyun where we were going. Let him be surprised.
I searched the navigation and pressed [My Parents’ House], which I had registered earlier.
– Guidance will now begin.
And Ahn Sung-hyun’s eyes, seeing the navigation, widened like lamps.
“W-wait a minute! Your parents’ house? We’re going to see Uncle and Aunt?”
“Yeah.”
“No, I just dressed casually! And I came empty-handed!”
“It’s fine, it’s fine.”
“What do you mean ‘fine’! Hey! Why didn’t you tell me!”
Chuckles escaped me.
How many years has it been since this guy called me ‘Hey!’? I think it’s the first time since we reconnected.
I ignored Ahn Sung-hyun, who was asking to be let out, and drove the car.
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