World of Black 11

“If you’re in the mountains, what about food? The mountains must be cold—aren’t your clothes too thin?”

The birds protect me, so I’m not cold. The birds bring me food.

Yeojin had seen crows snatching people’s food before. He wondered if these birds, like the ones he’d seen before, were snatching food from hikers and bringing it to Haeju. He’d read somewhere that a crow’s intelligence was similar to a five-year-old child’s. In any case, he was relieved that Haeju didn’t seem to be starving.

“But if the birds gather all at once, you’ll be easily noticed, so send them somewhere else.”

I can’t. Even if I chase them away, they absolutely won’t move.

“Then can you come down from the mountain? I’ll text you my address to this phone number, so take a taxi to my place. I’ll pay the taxi fare, so don’t worry.”

I can’t.

“Why?”

I still can’t control my strength, so I’ll hurt you.

“You won’t. There’s no way you’d attack me.”

Even if I don’t, the birds will attack you.

That was true—even at the Center, the birds had recognized Yeojin as an enemy and attacked. As Yeojin suspected, the crows were probably Haeju’s guardian birds. The creatures would throw themselves into protecting their still-immature master. That was actually fortunate.

And thinking about it carefully, it was better not to rashly make contact with the kid while the soldiers were searching for Haeju. So what should he do? He couldn’t tell him to hide in the mountains forever. Yeojin thought briefly and came to a swift conclusion.

“Haeju. Go find the Rebels. The organization called ‘Earth.'”

Earth? Is that your friend, Doctor?

At such an innocent question, Yeojin burst out laughing.

“No. But if you go to them, they’ll help you.”

That would be better. Rather, the Rebels would become Haeju’s reliable allies.

How do I get to Earth?

“Wait. I’ll look it up and tell you.”

He hung up and was about to search for information about Earth when he suddenly remembered the CCTV and asked a question.

“By the way, Haeju. Did you really break the CCTV in the room?”

Yes.

“Why did you do that?”

Because I didn’t like someone watching me alone with you.

He’d expected as much, but it really was that reason. Seo Haeju’s head was truly filled only with Min Yeojin. When Haeju had said that his world contained only his doctor, those weren’t empty words. Yeojin let out a short sigh and continued.

“You really, ugh. Whatever. What’s the point of scolding you about something that’s already past? Anyway, go to Earth right away.”

Will you come too, Doctor?

“I can’t go.”

Then I won’t go either.

“Don’t be stubborn and listen to me. Right now, the only way for you to survive is to go to Earth.”

If I can’t be with you, I’d rather die.

“Seo Haeju!”

If you can’t come, I won’t go to Earth either.

“Are you really going to be stubborn?”

I won’t go alone.

Was this kid always this stubborn? He’d been like a gentle lamb at the Center. He was a kid who unconditionally listened to everything Yeojin said. His head throbbed.

“Then let’s do this. I can’t go right away. But if you go first, I’ll definitely come too.”

Will you really come get me?

“Yes.”

Then can I keep living with you?

The answer didn’t come immediately. He couldn’t carelessly make a promise he couldn’t keep. Many thoughts floated through Yeojin’s mind.

Hyung can live well without me. But I can’t do anything without you.

Seokhyeon’s last words surfaced from the depths of Yeojin’s consciousness. When his parents passed away in high school, Yeojin had taken care of sick Seokhyeon by himself and had never once lived his own life.

Exactly five years ago, he’d attended a regional university hospital conference with his professors just once. It was an event he absolutely couldn’t miss, so he had no choice but to go.

Seokhyeon had also smiled and told him to have a good trip. He’d waved goodbye with a smile, saying he was a grown adult now, so don’t worry.

But on the first night of the conference, Seokhyeon called Yeojin, who had pleasantly gone to a company dinner and fallen asleep drunk, and cried.

You’re living well without me, hyung, but I can’t do anything without you, he’d sobbed.

He’d always been a kid with severe mood swings. Usually, Yeojin would accept all of the kid’s whining, but was it because of the alcohol? That day, he couldn’t stand it and got irritated with him.

How long do I have to live looking only at you? I’m tired now too. It’s too hard.

Then, inevitably, Seokhyeon’s resentment exploded.

Fuck, is it harder for you than for me, hyung? Do you even know how hard it is for me? Why me? Why didn’t you get this damn disease instead of me, why did I have to get it and live like this? People call me a monster, whisper about me, avoid me—have you ever lived that kind of life, hyung? What’s so hard for you in front of someone who can’t die even if they want to? What are you whining about? Come right now! If you don’t come right now, I’ll die. I’m going to die! Come running right now!

Seokhyeon, whose emotions had exploded, shrieked while pouring out curses and screams as he always did. Yeojin felt like he was going crazy too. He felt like he couldn’t breathe, like he was going to die. He should have endured it no matter how angry he was. He should have accepted all of Seokhyeon’s irritation as usual, but he couldn’t do that that day.

Fine. Die then!

Unable to bear it any longer, Yeojin shouted, hung up the phone, turned off the power completely, and went back to sleep.

He shouldn’t have done that.

That night, Seokhyeon committed suicide. He cried alone, screamed, threw things around the house, struggled desperately, couldn’t control his emotions, ran out, and threw himself off the apartment rooftop.

Seokhyeon died like that. When he’d told him to die, he’d really taken his own life. Even though he was angry, he should have endured and accepted it. He should have taken care of that sick and fragile kid to the end. I was all Seokhyeon had.

I killed Seokhyeon.

Crushed by overwhelming guilt, he’d lived like a broken person for five years. The reason Yeojin had applied to the Special Forces instead of becoming a military doctor was to forget his suffering. If his body was exhausted, his heart would be less tormented. Even during the grueling training, he studied whenever he had time and even passed the American medical exam.

While in the military, volunteering in various countries made him want to save more people. He couldn’t save Seokhyeon, but he wanted to save people who were discriminated against like Seokhyeon. Even during his military service, Yeojin had a strong interest in Transcendents, and after his discharge, when a job opening appeared at the Seoul Temporary Quarantine Center, he applied without hesitation.

He wanted to live for Transcendents who were discriminated against and criticized just because they had different powers from other people. And he’d lived comforting the minds and bodies of the many Transcendents who passed through the Seoul Center. Every single Transcendent at the Center was precious to Yeojin.

But Haeju was special. That kid was more than just a patient to Yeojin. Haeju was like the late Seokhyeon.

He’d lost Seokhyeon, but he didn’t want to lose Haeju too. He wanted to protect this kid somehow.

Yeojin opened his tightly closed mouth and spoke in a low, sunken voice.

“Yes. We can live together.”

Really? Is it true? You’re not lying?

Haeju’s voice immediately brightened.

“Yeah. Let’s live together.”

Anyway, both Haeju and Yeojin were people with no family to rely on. Yeojin wasn’t the type to agonize over things for long. Once he decided to do something, he was the type to act immediately.

Let’s be together with Haeju. That was the conclusion Yeojin had reached.

Maybe this was destined to happen from the moment he met Haeju on Seokhyeon’s death anniversary. He didn’t know how he should live with Haeju, but there would be a way. Even if Seokhyeon had been alive, he would have had to take responsibility for that kid for the rest of his life anyway.

It would work out somehow. They wouldn’t starve to death. He could run away to some distant island, open a small clinic, treat the island residents, and live cultivating a vegetable garden.

Then can I have you, Doctor? Are you mine? Can I have you?

He couldn’t tell whether the question about “having” him was meant in an innocent sense or a sexual sense.

“Depends on how you do.”

He tried to brush it off vaguely for now, but Haeju was persistent.

If I work hard, will you give yourself to me?

He didn’t know what exactly he was going to work hard at, but for now, the urgent priority was breaking the kid’s stubbornness.

“Y-yeah.”

I’ll do my best! You promised, right? I’ll go to Earth like you said!

He probably doesn’t need to do his best in that direction, he thought, but he was relieved that he’d do as told.

“You promise too. Don’t die. Don’t get hurt. Don’t kill people. And if possible, don’t harm people either. Don’t get caught by soldiers and get to Earth safely. I’ll come get you soon.”

Yes! A resounding answer flowed out. He was really about to hang up when this time Haeju called out to Yeojin.

Doctor.

“Yeah?”

Doooctor.

“What? If you have something to say, say it.”

Hehe. I love you.

Haeju shyly laughed and casually dropped the love confession.

Yeojin was at a loss for words. He’d heard “I like you” countless times, but this was the first time hearing “I love you.” Along with Haeju’s even breathing, the cawing of birds played like background music.

I really, really like you, Doctor.

The soft, gentle but deep voice continued. Haeju’s black eyes, which always looked only at Yeojin, came to mind. It was as if he could see the face that would shyly smile with flushed white cheeks whenever their eyes met.