The Returner Chapter 158

"What’s going on?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
When Choi Jung-Hoon spoke to himself while staring at the distant front, Seo Ah-Young shouted out loudly in irritation.
"Hey! Don’t you dare change the subject, you hear me!" (Seo Ah-Young)
"N-no, I’m not doing that!" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Choi Jung-Hoon desperately denied it.
"Pedo! Lolicon!" (Seo Ah-Young)
"That’s not truuuuuuue!!" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
I’m not that kind of a guy!!
I just find this kid very admirable for the fact that she somehow turned out to be modest and well-behaved even after growing up in such an environment!! (Choi Jung-Hoon’s inner monologue)
"You’re over a dozen years older than her!! Criminal!" (Seo Ah-Young)
"I’m telling you, I did not look at her that way! Stop painting me as something I’m not!!" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"Hmph! The look on your face was lewd!" (Seo Ah-Young)
"That’s not it!!" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
I looked lewd?!
Someone accused me of being sleazy in the past, but this is my first time ever being accused of being lewd in my entire life! (Choi Jung-Hoon’s inner monologue)
"You better stop dreaming, or else!! She’s still a kid!" (Seo Ah-Young)
"Stop! It’s not like that!!" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
It was then, Yi Ye-Won opened her mouth.
"Well, is there a reason why one shouldn’t?" (Ye-Won)
"….Eh?" (Seo Ah-Young)
Seo Ah-Young’s dazed eyes landed on Yi Ye-Won next.
"I mean, isn’t such an age gap rather common nowadays?" (Ye-Won)
….The age gap of 15 years is common?
You, which country were you living in until now? (Seo Ah-Young’s inner monologue)
Sensing something awry was afoot, Seo Ah-Young quietly sized up Yi Ye-Won.
Could this kid be…..?
"Ohohohoho." (mom)
Just before Seo Ah-Young could say something, though, Park Seon-Duk’s laughter came from behind her.
"I agree. Nowadays, well, the age gap of 15 years isn’t all that much, isn’t it? People with 30 year difference can get married in today’s society, after all." (mom)
"Even still, she’s a minor…." (Seo Ah-Young)
"In the past, she might be with a child already." (mom)
This mother-and-daughter duo….
The proverbial fire was lit in Seo Ah-Young’s eyes.
So, this was the reason for the sudden desire to go to a theme park!
Seo Ah-Young alternated her gaze between the two females.
Didn’t this look like the mother was accompanying her daughter to this so-called date? And, it didn’t really seem quite normal…..
‘Well, uh, they are Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk’s family, so…..’ (Seo Ah-Young)
Seo Ah-Young inwardly accepted this fact and, while forming an unreadable ‘smile’ of sorts, spoke to Park Seon-Duk.
"Eiii~. Even then, it’s better to live with someone closer to your own age, don’t you think so?" (Seo Ah-Young)
"No, not really. One’s age isn’t important, but the compatibility with the other person is." (mom)
"The closer in age you’re, the better the compatibility." (Seo Ah-Young)
"Mm. Maybe it’s because Miss Ah-Young isn’t really well experienced in relationships? You seem to hold a strange world view." (mom)
Not experienced in relationships??
Being struck with a low-blow akin to an ice pick stabbing her in the heart, Seo Ah-Young began trembling, hard.
"R-relationships?" (Seo Ah-Young)
"I just thought that you are already at the right age to be married and have a family. But, if you continue to think that way, you won’t ever find the right guy for yourself." (mom)
"Right age to be married?!"
A large hammer just fell on top of that ice pick still stuck in her heart. A vein popped up on Seo Ah-Young’s forehead.
"You, your words sound a bit excessive, don’t you think?" (Seo Ah-Young)
"Oh my gosh. I only spoke out of concern, but if you feel offended, I’m very sorry. I apologise." (mom)
But, that’s not an apologetic face, is it? This ahjumma really dares to?? (Seo Ah-Young’s inner monologue)
Currently, Park Seon-Duk’s sharp glare was directed in Seo Ah-Young’s face.
Wasn’t she proving to be an unexpected hindrance here? For the sake of her family’s stability and her daughter’s happiness, mom simply had to get such a hindrance far away from the operations area as much as possible.
"Well, I have some familiarity with Miss Ah-Young’s type…." (mom)
"Pardon me?" (Seo Ah-Young)
"I know of a guy who’ll suit you really well, so should I introduce him to you?" (mom)
"How can you even suggest a thing?!" (Seo Ah-Young)
In the end, Seo Ah-Young lost her cool from the ahjumma’s unique skill of making other people mired in completely random nonsense.
No matter how widely acknowledged within the circle of ability users she was, when that facet of her was taken away from her, she was simply a twenty-something with not much social experience in the modern world.
There was no way she could last long as Park Seon-Duk’s opponent.
"No, no, wait. Meeting lots of people actually is important. I saw enough cases of people who didn’t date a lot and after getting married, they regret their choices, you know? So, how about it? I know a few lawyers and doctors, you see?" (mom)
"I-I’m fine!" (Seo Ah-Young)
"No, you shouldn’t say that, and…" (mom)
As Park Seon-Duk grasped Seo Ah-Young’s hand and dragged her away, she didn’t forget to signal her daughter.
‘Do it, my little girl!’ (mom)
‘Ng, mom.’ (Ye-Won)
Seeing Seo Ah-Young and her slumped shoulders get dragged away by Park Seon-Duk, a cat-like crafty smile formed on Yi Ye-Won’s face.
With that, an obstacle was removed from her path.
"I wonder, what is Dah-Som doing right now?" (Kim Dah-Hyun)
….With the exception of this idiot, of course.
Why was this good-looking blonde guy a total loser? No wonder he still didn’t have a girlfriend until now.
His looks were heavenly enough, but his actions seemed a bit heaven-defying, too!
"Please go." (Ye-Won)
"Mm?" (Kim Dah-Hyun)
"Just because you’re in our group, doesn’t mean you must stay." (Ye-Won)
"R-right?" (Kim Dah-Hyun)
"Yes. Also, we have Ah-Young unni with us, too. I’m sure there wouldn’t be a big problem just because you left, oppa." (Ye-Won)
"M-hmm! In that case, I’ll be back in a jiffy….." (Kim Dah-Hyun)
After witnessing the final hindrance disappear at the speed of light, Yi Ye-Won formed a smile of pure contentment.
"Everyone’s gone." (Ye-Won)
"Looks like it." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
With that, only those two remained.
"My oppa always says that you’re someone really trustworthy." (Ye-Won)
"Mister Ji-Hyuk said that?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"Yes." (Ye-Won)
"Now why would he say something like that….?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Seeing Choi Jung-Hoon’s rather odd ‘moved-to-tears’ expression, Yi Ye-Won felt her heart quiver a little in guilty conscience.
The truth was, Yi Ji-Hyuk’s honest impression of him was ‘An old bachelor with too much nagging tendencies who just so happened to be way too handsome for his own good’.
Still, lying for a good cause was entirely justifiable, no?
"Aren’t you planning on getting married, oppa?" (Ye-Won)
"Mm? Well, yeah. Sure, I’m not getting any younger, so I should think about it. But, you can’t get married to yourself, you know? I don’t have anyone in mind at all." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"But, with your level, I thought you’d be chased around by lots of girls, though…." (Ye-Won)
"It’s not the issue of meeting a woman I like. I simply don’t have the time to meet anyone, period. I mean, I only go back home once every three days, you know." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"Oh…."
What is this?
What is up with this bizarre feeling, like the one you get when you switch the channel to watch a romcom, only for a tear-jerker human drama to play, instead? (Ye-Won’s inner monologue)
In order to rein in the worsening atmosphere, Yi Ye-Won quickly changed the topic.
"Even still, you must have someone you’ve been thinking about." (Ye-Won)
"I don’t have anyone, actually." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"Maybe, you have high standards?" (Ye-Won)
"No, well, that’s not it…." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Choi Jung-Hoon smiled awkwardly and explained himself.
"I graduated from a boys’ middle- and high school, and in the first year of university, I ended up passing the civil servant exam and had to go to the army right away. After I was discharged, I had to study and work at the same time, so I didn’t have any time to date a girl at all." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"Oh….."
"And, after I got hired, I was transferred into a weird department where I couldn't even go home on time, and just when I think I might have a little free time on my hands, they order me to write up some stupid report instead, which leaves me with…." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
For some reason, the edges of Choi Jung-Hoon’s eyes seemed wetter than usual. Must’ve been a mistake, or so mused Yi Ye-Won.
"In that case, could it be that you’re a…." (Ye-Won)
"…..Keep it a secret, okay?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"I’ll never tell anyone." (Ye-Won)
What a pitiable person he was.
Yi Ye-Won formed a satisfied smile.
Although it was a sad tale indeed, it also meant that he didn’t have much interaction with the opposite sex, and therefore he was an innocent little lamb all ready for the taking.
By humouring him just a little bit, it seemed like he’d fall right into her hands all on his own.
Now that she could see the ray of hope, Yi Ye-Won was about to feel very good about herself, but then, Seo Ah-Young managed to shake free from Park Seon-Duk and desperately ran to where the duo was.
"Ng?" (Ye-Won)
Park Seon-Duk was busy shouting at Seo Ah-Young while chasing after the younger woman.
"I’m telling you, it’s really okay!" (mom)
"I won’t do it! I won’t! I’ll just grow old and die, alone! Mother, don’t do this, please!!" (Seo Ah-Young)
After getting all fed up by Park Seon-Duk’s unending verbal attacks, Seo Ah-Young clung onto Choi Jung-Hoon and pleaded for her life.
"Please tell her to stop." (Seo Ah-Young)
Choi Jung-Hoon smiled jovially and whispered to her.
"If you were to name one person that no one can do anything about in this world, that would be Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk, but if you need to name the second person, then that lady would be that. So, just give up, ma’am." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"In that case, you want me to go on potential marriage dates?!" (Seo Ah-Young)
"Pardon me? Well, as long as the guy isn’t that bad, you…." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Stomp!!
"Keuheueuck?!"
Choi Jung-Hoon began trembling hard after the pain of his foot getting stomped on by a 'hammer' filled him up in an instant.
Did this woman lose her dang mind?!
Why did she have to step on someone else’s foot!?
Seeing that Choi Jung-Hoon was writhing in pain, Yi Ye-Won realised what was going on and quickly shouted out.
"Why are you stepping on his foot?" (Ye-Won)
"Oh my, did I? I made a mistake. I’m sorry, Mister Choi Jung-Hoon. Hoho." (Seo Ah-Young)
"You did that deliberately, didn’t you?" (Ye-Won)
"No, I didn’t. Nope. Never." (Seo Ah-Young)
Seo Ah-Young’s and Yi Ye-Won’s glares collided in mid-air and spectacular sparks flew off to everywhere.
‘How dare this ahjumma?!’ (Ye-Won)
‘How dare this little brat?!’ (Seo Ah-Young)
The two females, having figured out the other party’s less-than-honest intentions, promptly declared war on each other.
"Hey, you. Is it fine for you to come here and waste time like this? Aren’t you supposed to be studying at your age?" (Seo Ah-Young)
"Of course. Still, shouldn’t I enjoy a break every now and then? Studying everyday without proper rest only decreases effectiveness. Or maybe you were too much of an excellent student yourself, unni?" (Ye-Won)
"Oh, my? Can’t you see from where I work? If you study hard, you may get a job in a place like mine when you grow up." (Seo Ah-Young)
"But, when looking at my own oppa, I don’t think you need to study all that hard either, though?" (Ye-Won)
"………."
Seo Ah-Young became utterly speechless.
Hey, kid. Your oppa was picked for his physical abilities, and I got here by possessing intelligence on top of that too, you know?
But, how am I supposed to explain that to this girl? (Seo Ah-Young’s inner monologue)
"Seeing that someone like my oppa can work there, I’m guessing that you guys don’t hire based on intellect, yes?" (Ye-Won)
"Euh….."
Those were some seriously damaging attacks. But to think, she’d use her own oppa as a sacrificial pawn in that attack!! What a heartless b*tch!!
"What the heck! You…!" (Seo Ah-Young)
"Hold on." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Before Seo Ah-Young could shout something out, Choi Jung-Hoon stopped her.
"Are you taking her side?" (Seo Ah-Young)
"Silence!" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
When Choi Jung-Hoon’s voice became extra low, Seo Ah-Young stopped her complaints right away.
She might do whatever the hell she want these days even with Yi Ji-Hyuk around, but if Choi Jung-Hoon was this serious, then the story would change drastically.
"Something’s wrong." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"Eh?"
Hearing those words, she turned her attention in the direction he was looking at.
"Ng?"
….Didn’t I just hear someone scream?
Now, wait a minute? (Seo Ah-Young’s inner monologue)
"Did something happen?" (Seo Ah-Young)
"Hold on. Looks like I’ll have to call…." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
It was then. They saw a groups of people running towards them in a maddened frenzy from the gaps of the buildings. Seeing that spectacle, Seo Ah-Young’s expression crumpled in fright just a little.
"What is that?!" (Seo Ah-Young)
Didn’t those people look like they were running away from something? But, nothing of note could be seen behind them, though?
"Did a small monster appear or something?" (Seo Ah-Young)
Seo Ah-Young immediately entered battle mode. She then grabbed Yi Ye-Won’s arm and pulled the girl behind her.
"What are you doing?!" (Ye-Won)
"Looks like something bad has happened, so stick right behind me! Understand?" (Seo Ah-Young)
"….Yes." (Ye-Won)
Seo Ah-Young’s atmosphere shifted in an instant, and Yi Ye-Won wisely closed her mouth shut.
They might have been arguing until now, but the truth was, even the younger of the Yi siblings knew very well that this woman was one of the greatest ability users in the world, one of only a few in the entirety of South Korea.
""Mister Choi Jung-Hoon! Hurry with the ident….." (Seo Ah-Young)
Actually, there was no need for anyone to figure out what was going on here. Even she could see the reason for this mass panic now.
"What the heck is that?" (Seo Ah-Young)
From a far away, a black cloud-like thing could be seen.
A cloud??
No, wait. A cloud wouldn’t be that close to the ground, now is it?
So, it’s more like a thick smoke, but a black smoke…..? (Seo Ah-Young’s inner monologue)
The escaping crowd of people began brushing past the group now. Choi Jung-Hoon barked out a question into his phone, and along with a sharp scream, only one word came out from the speaker.
"Bugs??" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Bugs?
Was the other guy trying to say that there was an error in the system?
However, Choi Jung-Hoon realised the truth right away. The meaning behind that word was not that one. When that ‘cloud’ got close enough for him to see just what it was, he finally understood it.
"Bugs."
As in, insects.
The black cloud in front of their eyes was actually a horde of countless black insects flying together.
"Ah….."
Choi Jung-Hoon emitted a shocked gasp when he saw that sight.
"What the f*ck?! Just what are those??" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Can anyone call those monsters? Those things?
Rather than monsters, aren’t they just regular insects??
How are we supposed to deal with that now?! (Choi Jung-Hoon’s inner monologue)
Brrrrrrrrrrrrzzzzzzzzzzz!!
Hundreds of millions of bugs buzzed noisily in the air, as the horde danced as if it was a single entity. Looking exactly like a massive black slime, the horde of insects then pounced on Seo Ah-Young’s group.
"Kyaaaaaahhk!!"
Yi Ye-Won’s sharp scream reverberated throughout the theme park.
Fin.