VIII- New life by Kyun

"Let's go before it gets dark."

Without paying attention to him I kept walking back home. It was after a hundred meters that I stopped, not hearing any footsteps behind me.

I turned around to see Lihan crouching in the middle of the road crying.

The image soothed my angry heart so I turned around and crouched down in front of him.

"It's okay Lihan, don't cry like this you might get sick. And you should know that we can't afford it."

"You're mad at me." He replied between a few sobs.

"Yes, but it will pass."

He grabbed my sleeve and looked at me with his watery eyes.

"Please don't go."

"Why? I want a clear answer."

"You... I can't tell you that's too dangerous. You... the hum... I mean, I know you, Kyun. This information will encourage you to go."

"Silence has the same effect on me."

He lowered his head, squeezing my wrist this time. Annoyed by his behavior, I took the opportunity to take his hand and pull him straight home.

When I got there, my father was already cooking. I approached to see as Lihan walked into the living room. What a surprise when I saw a big piece of meat in the usual wheat soup.

"Where did you get the money?"

"Dad has done a good job, my son. I earned a little more money so I wanted to gift you a good meal. By the way, Kyun, Lihan, and you won't have to work in the mine anymore." He told me with joy.

"How's that?"

"I've told you, son. Dad got a good job."

I wanted to ask him more questions but he seemed so happy that I preferred to postpone it.

I turn to the shower to find Lihan with a bottle of mineral water. Amazed, I approached him and discovered the shower filled with mineral water.

"But how is it possible, all these bottles cost too much for us!"

"It's not over, look at the bed."

I turned around to see a brand-new mid-range sofa bed sitting in the middle of our living room. It's not possible, simple overtime can't give us that much luxury in our miserable lives. Besides, how did he manage to bring all this here? By paying people? How can he spend in one day what could have kept us going for 2 months?

Enraged but especially intrigued by this situation, I went out to talk with my father.

"Dad tells me the truth!"

"Kyun, I told you the truth! I was simply rewarded for my work. Besides, if I continue like this, we'll probably be able to get a small flat near the heart of the city. Isn't it..."

"Did you get another job? You know your health is fragile, you shouldn't overwork yourself like this." I was worried about him.

"Don't worry, son. I'm your father, after all, it's up to me to look after you and Lihan."

At the same time, Lihan came out with two large cardboard boxes in hand. I moved closer to him to open one. I discovered a brand new pair of trainers. I looked back at my father who held a bowl in my hand with a smile on his face and took the boxes out of Lihan's hands in exchange for the bowl.

"Come on, it's time to eat. After such a tiring day, you need to get your strength back, my children."

Before I could even speak, he kissed us on the forehead and led us to the sofa before handing us spoons. I had every intention of arguing with him, but I preferred to eat before talking.

The couch was light grey, had big firm cushions, and a very good seat. This kind of product costs about 300 new dollars. Knowing that we earn, usually, 200 new dollars a month each which means 600 new dollars. If I deduct rent, electricity, and water we have an average of 160.54 new dollars a month left. That's enough not to starve to death.

And today, with only the 4 packs of mineral water my father had spent 50 new dollars.

"It's only the tenth of the month and you've spent it all, dad," I said with tears in my eyes.

"Don't cry Kyun, I have enough to finish this month and even start the next."

I looked at him with a desire to shout at him to tell me everything but I preferred to keep quiet and eat. At the end of the meal, I did the dishes with Lihan and then we had a small glass of mineral water. It's the first time I've ever drunk such good, thirst-quenching water that almost made me cry.

When it was time to go to bed my phone started to vibrate. Shocked I didn't pick it up, I answered when it vibrated a second time.

"Do Kyun, is that you?"

"You are... Well, yes, it's me."

"You have to be careful, protect your family and especially your father."

"Why?"

"Do as..."

"You've got to be joking! With all due respect, if that's all you had to say, you shouldn't have bothered. You are asking me to protect my relatives from a danger you do not want to name. How am I supposed to do that JiHyuk?"

Too bad for him he called me at the wrong time. I was unloading all my rage and frustration on JiHyuk and completely forgetting his rank.

"Calm down, I understand your frustration but I can't reveal the identity of the enemy over the phone."

"Nonsense! If it was so dangerous to call me, why did you do it?"

"To protect you from an imminent danger."

"What do you mean?"

"Your father donated his body to science."