Starting a Reversal in Life From the Time of Release

7 – A Suspiciously Round Gate (1)

“Um… should I start with sorting out my assets, then?”

After a story comes to an end.

Seo Haneul looked at me and asked,

“Sorting out your possessions? Why all of a sudden?”

“Because I have to dedicate myself.”

“…If I were to give an analogy, it’s something like that. I’m not asking for the real thing.”

I sighed as I looked at Seo Haneul, who seemed like she could run out of the house at any moment.

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

Suddenly, Lee Yeoreum, who was putting on shoes at the entrance, turned around and asked.

I couldn’t believe how over the top it was or if it was acting.

However.

The moment I glimpsed the abyss-like valleys in their eyes, I felt a cold sweat running down my spine.

It was genuine.

“Please take a seat for now.”

“Ah…okay.”

Seo Haneul neatly arranged her shoes and obediently took a seat next to Seo Haneul.

“For now, I will observe how the two of you will proceed and decide whether to forgive.”

“That’s only natural.”

“Thank you for giving us the opportunity.”

Both of them nodded their heads as if it was obvious.

As they accepted it without any objections, it was much easier for me as the one speaking to bring up the subject.

“For now, go back home and live as you usually would. You can come whenever you need me. However, cleaning up the gate is an exception. Calling people to join the front lines is like killing multiple people. Can you handle that?”

As I made one exception and asked, both of them nodded their heads as if they had been waiting.

“Don’t hesitate to call us anytime.”

“Me too.”

After leaving their words that they will handle it as they please, they left.

“Mmm…”

I groaned while lying on the floor and stretching.

It felt strange that this time I was in the position of forgiving instead of being the one forgiven.

I guess forgiving also requires patience and effort, just like Alberto said, it is a valuable law.

“Ah.”

Should I go visit? Strangely, I wanted to see his face as the conversation I had with Mr. Alberto came to mind.

Perhaps it was because immediate tasks came to mind rather than distant future, my mind felt lighter.

But the problem was that the car I used to drive had been abandoned for about a year and couldn’t be used anymore.

How can I go to Cheorwon, and even to the prison?

While pondering over the answer, Mr. Yiyeoreum’s face flashed in my mind.

“Ah…! Song Sihoo… No, Mr. Sihoo…?”

I immediately took out my phone and called, and Mr. Yiyeoreum was confused, calling me by a different name.

Seems like forgiving someone means being cautious about how to address them as well.

“You can call me whatever you’re comfortable with. But, I have a request….”

“What? What is it? Tell me anything!”

As Mr. Yiyeoreum raised his voice, I also opened my mouth without hesitation.

“I’m going to Cheorwon tomorrow and I need a car. Can you lend me one?”

“My car? Of course! Come to think of it… the one I used before, I couldn’t use it because I left it for too long, right? Suddenly something like this happened…”

“You know it well.”

“Not as much as you do. Anyway, use it as much as you want. Should I even transfer the ownership while I’m at it?”

“That’s a bit… well, thank you for loaning it to me.”

Transferring the ownership. It was a drastic move that could be terrifying and burdensome, so unknowingly I replied with a trembling tone.

Fortunately, Mr. Yiyeoreum responded, seemingly not paying much attention to it.

It was just an expression of gratitude that I asked for something.

“Oh, yes! Thank you for thanking me! Should I bring the car now?”

“…Bring it when I finish work.”

“Sure! See you later then!”

Thump.

Why do I feel so tired from just a short conversation asking to borrow a car?

I changed my phone to silent mode and lay back on the floor, closing my eyes.

.

The next day. Throughout the time I borrowed the car to go to Cheorwon, my mood was peculiar.

The car model was the same as the Jeep I had, so there was no problem, but the scent inside was different.

Like the smell emanating from a bed, the unique scent of mandarin from Mr. Yiyeoreum’s seat lingered.

“Oh? Mr. Sihu? Please, come in. What brings you here?”

When I arrived at the prison and applied for a visit, a prison guard with a familiar face welcomed me.

It was quite intriguing, considering I had never lived in a prison, not even for a moment.

“Mr. Alberto is here for a visit.”

“Ah, the prisoner? Just a moment.”

The guard led me to the visiting room and then left promptly.

He seemed to be going to fetch Mr. Alberto from his cell.

A long, transparent barrier separating us.

A small room.

It was fascinating to visit a prisoner like this, considering I had never imagined being in prison in my previous life.

“Oh, have you come, my friend?”

Sitting on a chair in front of the transparent barrier, I waited as Mr. Alberto across from me smiled and waved.

Even though it had only been a little over a week, I was genuinely delighted to see him.

“Yes, have you been doing well?”

“Well, there’s not much to do in here. I’m getting excited as the day of my release gets closer, just one more month to go.”

Mr. Alberto chuckled and seemed to be in a good mood, much like a conscript soldier with about a month left until discharge.

“Please contact me before your release. I’ll come to pick you up.”

“People, really. I told you it’s not necessary.”

“Why not? It’s only natural for me to pick you up.”

Mr. Alberto had brightened up my gloomy days in prison, so it was only natural for me to do this for him.

Besides, he seemed to have no family or anyone else waiting for him.

“Well, alright. On the day of my release, you must come to pick me up without fail.”

“Yes, I’ll buy some tofu for you.”

The mention of tofu seemed amusing to Mr. Alberto, who chuckled and nodded his head.

“Yes, don’t forget the tofu. By the way, how have you been? You must have a lot to do once you’re out.”

“Oh, no. I’ve just been lazing around at home.”

After my release, I had gone out with Alex for sightseeing, indulged in expensive food, and spent my time resting comfortably.

Meanwhile, Mr. Seo Haneul and Ms. Lee Yeorum also came to visit.

“Well… you and those women made quite a difficult decision. But, a chance for forgiveness…? Quite wise,” Alberto said, leaning back in his chair.

Alberto listened intently even to the trivial details and clenched his fist while nodding his head.

I was bothered by his notion of wisdom.

“Is that so?” I asked.

“In my opinion, yes. Usually, when someone who has committed a crime asks for forgiveness, there is an initial resistance. But by requesting an opportunity for forgiveness, they decrease that resistance and make you take a step back.”

“It’s strategic,” I noted.

“Yes, it is strategic. But it’s a well-intentioned and challenging plan. Continuing to seek forgiveness persistently is like walking through a thorny path, especially in a situation where there’s no guarantee.”

Maintaining one’s initial intentions, no matter what they do, is not an easy task, and even more so in seeking forgiveness with no foreseeable outcome.

When Alberto brought this up, I found myself nodding my head, acknowledging the validity of his argument.

“That’s right,” I agreed.

“Right. I hope both of you find peace in your hearts someday. I can’t say much more than that.”

“Thank you,” I said.

“I’m glad to hear your gratitude,” Alberto replied, his lips curving into a smile. I couldn’t help but respond with a slight upturn of my own.

As we smiled in this way, I felt a genuine sense of relief.

“When you come, think about how you’ll spend your time with me for a while,” I suggested.

“Well… I’m really thankful,” Alberto replied, his voice choking up slightly.

As the atmosphere suddenly became heavy, I remained silent, waiting for Alberto to speak first.

“Um… By the way, what happened to that guy who falsely accused you of the crime?” Alberto asked, looking at me.

It was an unexpected topic, and I was taken aback.

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“Well, I heard that he’s in Baekryeong Island Prison, but I don’t know what happened after that,” I replied.

“Don’t you feel frustrated that you couldn’t take revenge with your own hands?”

Revenge. When I first heard that the real culprit was the one who had falsely accused me, it was more shocking than enraging. On the one hand, I felt relieved.

Because I now knew that I was innocent.

It seems that Alex asked a similar question, and I remember answering like this at that time.

“If you destroy the prison while seeking revenge, then you’ll truly become a criminal. Besides, you’ll eventually pay the price.”

“Is that so?”

Alberto sighed upon hearing the response.

It seems that he was worried I would go on a rampage.

“If it were before, I might have gotten angry and gone wild, but I’ve changed a lot while spending time in prison.”

There are also people who live just as unjustly without clearing their names.

There are also people who, even when seeking revenge, end up causing the death of the other person.

Of course, there are still people who continue to live like trash.

Living in such a place and encountering various types of people, I have realized many things.

Alberto is probably the same.

“…Well, it seems that you’ve realized something significant. I’m glad.”

So perhaps that’s why he muttered the same words in a soft voice.

“That’s right. What are your plans for the future?”

“For the future? Um…”

Because I’ve been quite busy, I didn’t have any plans, and my words got stuck.

Because of that, I felt frustrated, but surprisingly, the answer came quickly.

“For now, I want to travel, partly as rehabilitation. After spending a year in prison, I feel like I’ve become numb.”

“Oh, a rehabilitation trip? Where to?”

As if attracted to the word “travel,” Alberto opened his eyes wide and asked.

“To the demilitarized zone. There are a lot of ghosts over there.”

Although it was possible to open a path to the North Korean side through a joint operation, it hasn’t been completely developed yet.

That’s why there are many ghosts, and it’s a good opportunity to loosen up my body.

“Oh? The demilitarized zone. I’ve heard of it, but I haven’t seen it myself, so it’s hard to imagine.”

“Then, if you ever get out of prison, would you like to go see it?”

“Is that possible? It would be very dangerous.”

Albert looked worried as he asked, his eyes drifting.

It was natural for him to worry, even with many ghosts around.

However, there was a sure way to ensure Alberto’s safety.

“Well, if I were to make a show of force, when would you like me to do it?”

“Bullying? Ah…!”

Bullying. Upon hearing that word, Mr. Albert clapped his hands.

He perfectly understood my meaning.

“People, they can be subtly harsh, can’t they? Are you taking those women with you?”

“If we go together, it’ll be absolutely safe.”

“It’s fine for me, and it’s a thoughtful offer, but… won’t you be uncomfortable?”

“Not at all. So please recover quickly.”

I replied as if it didn’t matter much.

Because I really felt that way.

If they hadn’t come in person and knelt down, I might not have felt the same, but I was willing to cooperate when I could.

“But can a regular person like me go there?”

“If it’s under Hunter’s supervision, it’s possible. Moreover, it’s even better if you’re with Mr. Seo Haneul and Ms. Lee Yeorum. Do you have any more questions?”

Mr. Alberto seemed to have no more questions, as he nodded.

With a short word of gratitude.