GB 28

Seon Ikhyeon was genuinely aware of Haero’s efforts, so he couldn’t help but feel concerned. Without realizing it, he defended Haero with a sense of duty.

“The island environment is much harsher than you know, Colonel. Most children die shortly after birth. Haero not only survived healthily in such a place but adapted perfectly there. Haero!” Seon Ikhyeon added heatedly, “He would have done very well even if he had become a pirate. How can you see him as someone too fragile to even send out to sea? You’re seeing him completely wrong!”

A crack appeared in Yoon Moo-hwa’s expression. Seon Ikhyeon couldn’t be sure if the only needle that could wedge into his solid demeanor was Haero’s existence or the assumption of Haero becoming a pirate.

“Don’t carelessly assume things that won’t happen.”

Seon Ikhyeon laughed derisively. “Why not? You said you wanted to give him a wider world. That world includes pirates and sea monsters. Do you know what percentage of socialized ex-pirates choose to return to piracy each year? As much as…”

“I know that better than you do.”

“Yes. You may know the percentages well, but I know pirate island natives better. Haero is from the island. He spent his formative years there, where his personality and values were shaped. He formed his first human relationships there too.”

There was no response. Yoon Moo-hwa stood up abruptly. Although he had tried to restrain himself on the first day of returning to port, he finally reached for alcohol. Seeing the heavy bottle that wouldn’t break even if smashed on the floor, Seon Ikhyeon wondered if this madman was going to crack his own head open. 

Yoon Moo-hwa, with a sunken expression, spoke as he turned the cap. Even that small action was orderly and neat. “But Haero won’t become some petty criminal. I won’t allow that.”

At that, Seon Ikhyeon replied triumphantly, as if he had figured it all out, “See? In the end, you’re trying to raise Haero according to your will? With the path all laid out?”

“Did you retire just to argue with me like this?”

“I didn’t know, but it seems so.”

Yoon Moo-hwa poured alcohol into a cup of black tea and wiped the mouth of the bottle with his fingertip. And in an instant, he returned to his usual self, as if his momentary agitation had been an illusion.

“It’s good that you care for Haero, but don’t meddle presumptuously. Haero isn’t joint navy property, nor is he your brother.”

“Then is he your brother? Even though you haven’t given him your surname?”

“I poured the alcohol, but is Senior Chief Petty Officer Seon drunk? You’re crossing many lines today.”

“Then I should drink more to at least have the excuse of being drunk. That’s really expensive, right? Let me have some too.”

“Pour it yourself.” Yoon Moo-hwa snorted.

Since he had frequent interactions with both Seon Ikhyeon and Gu Yejin, and each had very strong opinions, when the three gathered, conversations often became heated before subsiding.

So this time too, they could move past it quickly. If some other bastard had meddled like this, Yoon Moo-hwa would have stormed out. Contrary to Seon Ikhyeon’s worries, he was never one to use violence as a means of resolution. At least not in personal matters.

But today, his heart wasn’t calming down easily. Like the sea with the moon risen, the swells wouldn’t settle quickly. 

Clicking his tongue, Yoon Moo-hwa set down his cup somewhat fiercely. “It seems I’ve let you get too close to Haero. Be careful from now on. I won’t tolerate you acting like you know Haero best in the world. That’s overstepping. Don’t make that mistake.”

Seon Ikhyeon looked dumbfounded. After a while, he regained his senses and asked incredulously, “Actually, that’s what you didn’t like, right?! You didn’t like it when I was pretending to know about Haero!”

Yoon Moo-hwa didn’t answer. Because it wasn’t worth responding to.

***

“I’ll pick you up from school today, so don’t take the bus and wait.”

While Seon Ikhyeon still showed no signs of waking up after whatever he did last night, Yoon Moo-hwa, who always woke at the same time no matter what, greeted Haero.

Haero stared at the fluffy pancake in front of him. A smiling white puppy with long black ears was spread across the thick bread surface.

It was the result of a pancake maker Yoon Moo-hwa had bought as a gift, perhaps feeling guilty after bringing Haero in and setting sail for the first time. Haero, who knew nothing about characters, just chose the one that looked cutest to him.

He found out later. It was a product discontinued decades ago, at a price level where you had to name your own price.

How such an item made it to the base, he didn’t know, but Yoon Moo-hwa gave it to Haero without a word. He had never even mentioned the price. And whenever he returned from a mission, he always made this pancake for the first breakfast.

“You don’t have to come all the way to the school.”

“I’m passing by there anyway.”

Haero cut the chubby pancake into triangles and spread plenty of peanut butter on it. Then he dipped it in maple syrup and held it out to Yoon Moo-hwa.

Yoon Moo-hwa, leaning against the kitchen counter in a light blue pajama and dark navy indoor robe, leaned his head forward. Was it because of his naturally hanging hair? The eye patch he was wearing today felt oddly out of place. Even though he had clearly said it was fine, that he wasn’t scared or uncomfortable with just one eye, Yoon Moo-hwa always wore the eye patch at home in front of him.

The coffee aroma spreading from the cup he was holding was very fragrant.

“Delicious. Whoever made this did a good job.” Yoon Moo-hwa praised himself as he chewed, pulling the pancake off the fork tip. Only Haero could understand it was a joke, as his tone was as stiff and monotonous as usual.

Haero giggled. “Whoever it is would have done well as an officer’s cook.”

“Not a cook, culinary specialist. And not just a culinary specialist, they would have been the head chef.”

This time, Haero spread peanut butter on his own piece. Though it might not seem to match, it’s a surprisingly good combination. It’s Yoon Moo-hwa’s taste, which naturally became Haero’s palate too.

Yoon Moo-hwa watched Haero neatly eating up the food on the plate with a good appetite and asked, “How’s school life?”

A good opportunity.

Recalling the conversation he had overheard last night, Haero swallowed what he was eating and answered confidently, “I’m doing very well. I’m number one. My physical examination was also top-notch.”

“Did you have a physical examination?” Yoon Moo-hwa frowned, thinking the term sounded too military.

“Of course I did. Everyone does.”

Haero kept secret the fact that he had undergone more advanced screenings. He wanted to surprise Yoon Moo-hwa later.

As he spoke, Haero observed Yoon Moo-hwa’s reaction, testing the waters.

“Is that so? Ah. I remember. I think I did that too.”

Yoon Moo-hwa’s response was so ordinary that it seemed impossible he could have had such a conversation with Seon Ikhyun last night. He appeared almost indifferent. It was impossible to read his thoughts.

Haero stared at Yoon Moo-hwa with a blank expression. In response, Yoon Moo-hwa took Haero’s hand, put the pancake from the fork into his own mouth, and silently mouthed “What?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Hurry up and eat. I’ll drive you to school.”

“I can go by myse–”

But Yoon Moo-hwa left the kitchen without listening to the end of Haero’s sentence. He’s probably going to change clothes. And even if he had heard, he would have insisted on taking Haero anyway.

Haero thought he wasn’t stubborn, but in fact, he was quite headstrong. And the same was true for Yoon Moo-hwa. If compared, Yoon Moo-hwa would be even worse because he was used to giving orders.

When Haero finished his meal, brushed his teeth, and packed his bag to leave the quarters, Yoon Moo-hwa had already pulled out the car.

“It seems like Teacher Ikhyun is still sleeping.”

“No. Not anymore.”

While Haero was brushing his teeth, Yoon Moo-hwa had entered Seon Ikhyun’s room and kicked the body rolled up in the blanket. He woke him up, saying in his own refined way that he should quickly wash up and leave, not wanting to face the unpleasant sight of a dark-faced man either just waking up or still asleep when he returned after dropping off Haero.

“What are you going to do while I’m at school today?”

Although he had said he could go alone, Haero’s voice was quickly filled with excitement at the fact that he was alone with Yoon Moo-hwa.

“I’ll drink some coffee and buy some books.”

“Are there any loose buttons on your uniform again?”

“Hmm.”

After a particularly tough operational voyage before, Yoon Moo-hwa’s uniform button had fallen off as soon as he entered the quarters.

Haero had enthusiastically offered to sew it back on. But Yoon Moo-hwa had fixed the button himself in the captain’s cabin after setting sail.

“No. This time it was an uneventful voyage.” Yoon Moo-hwa would fix them himself as soon as he noticed they were becoming loose.

Sailors are good with their hands. They usually handle two or three different jobs on the ship, not just one, so they’re quite handy. Although he started as an officer, Yoon Moo-hwa was no exception.

The distance from the quarters to the school is about 15 minutes by car, or 38 minutes by public transportation with one transfer. This was because it was quite far from the officers’ quarters.

If Yoon Moo-hwa had taken public transportation instead of driving, they could have spent much more time together.

Haero felt disappointed as the school came into view already. Contrary to his wish that they could go a little slower, the car smoothly came to a stop in front of the main gate.

“Study hard. I said I’d pick you up when you’re done, right?”

“Okay. You have fun. You don’t have any friends anyway.”

Yoon Moo-hwa chuckled, saying “You little…” at the joke Haero made as he got out of the car.

Haero grinned mischievously and waved his hand. Yoon Moo-hwa watched until Haero’s figure disappeared. Judging by his reaction, it seemed he hadn’t overheard last night’s conversation. 

Yoon Moo-hwa had worried belatedly that Haero might have heard something because their voices got louder towards the end, but it was an unnecessary concern. Haero sleeps so deeply that he wouldn’t notice if someone carried him away. He no longer had trouble sleeping after finishing his essential vaccinations.

“Kids grow up too fast.” Yoon Moo-hwa muttered as he headed to his regular espresso bar.