이 포스팅은 쿠팡 파트너스 활동의 일환으로, 이에 따른 일정액의 수수료를 제공받습니다.
Chapter 209: The Moment of Decision
Min-jun struggled to steady his thoughts. His mind remained a tangled mess, his emotions spiraling out of control. He didn’t know what to do. Yet he felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on him—this decision was his to make. His heart hammered against his ribs, and his hand trembled as it brushed past the customer’s. The gravity of this moment settled over him like a heavy coat.
Then the café door opened. A new customer stepped inside, and Min-jun’s chest loosened slightly at the sight of their face. The customer smiled at him, and that small gesture eased his burden just a fraction more. Their footsteps echoed across the café floor, pulling Min-jun back toward reality.
“Hello, Min-jun,” the customer said. The words struck something deep within him, and his chest grew heavier again. He knew this decision mattered. He still didn’t know what he should do. But he felt the weight of responsibility all the same.
“What… what am I supposed to do here?” Min-jun asked. The customer smiled at his words, and Min-jun felt a small measure of relief wash over him. The customer’s voice was calm and measured, steadying his frayed nerves.
“You must… speak the name of the dead,” the customer said. The words hit Min-jun like a shock. His heart grew heavier still. This decision was crucial. He still didn’t understand what he needed to do. Yet he couldn’t shake the sense that he alone bore responsibility for what came next.
The aroma of coffee drifted through the café air, and Min-jun breathed it in. For a moment, his mind found a thread of calm. His heart continued its frantic rhythm, and his hands wouldn’t stop shaking.
Then his phone rang. The sound made his chest tighten. He checked the screen—it was Jun-ho.
“Jun-ho?” Min-jun answered, his voice wavering like water struggling to flow.
“Min-jun, let’s meet. Right now,” Jun-ho said. The heaviness in Min-jun’s chest deepened. This decision was important. He was responsible for it.
“Where should we meet?” Min-jun asked.
“At the café,” Jun-ho replied. Min-jun hung up and gripped the customer’s hand, trying to compose himself. His thoughts remained chaotic, his emotions raw. But he had to move forward.
“I… I need to go now,” Min-jun said, his voice barely steady. He left the café and walked toward where Jun-ho waited. His heart was still heavy, his mind still tangled. Yet he felt the weight of responsibility like an anchor.
When Min-jun saw Jun-ho, his chest grew even heavier. Jun-ho’s eyes were intense, serious. He held a small glass in his hand as if gripping it might keep his world from collapsing. Min-jun’s own hands trembled at the sight.
“Min-jun, you know what you have to do, don’t you?” Jun-ho asked. Min-jun felt the weight intensify. This decision was critical. He still didn’t know what he should do.
“What… what am I supposed to do?” Min-jun asked again. Jun-ho’s gaze hardened.
“You must… speak the name of the dead,” Jun-ho said. The same words. The same impossible demand.
Min-jun struggled to organize his thoughts. His mind was still a chaos of confusion, his emotions still turbulent. He didn’t know what to do. But he felt the responsibility. This choice was his alone to make.
“I… I will speak the name of the dead,” Min-jun said finally, his voice trembling like water barely contained.
“What is your name?” Jun-ho asked.
“You must… speak the name of the dead,” Jun-ho repeated. Min-jun’s heart grew heavier. He understood now. The dead person’s name wasn’t someone else’s. It was his own.
“I… I am Min-jun,” he said at last, the words tasting like ash on his tongue. His voice shook. His eyes held secrets he couldn’t speak. His heart thundered in his chest.
He had spoken his name. He had made his decision. And in that moment, everything changed.