The protector

All the heroes are young and beautiful

Author note: end of the flashbacks, we're going to follow Jeong Hyeok and Se-ri in a single timeline.

"Gli eroi son tutti giovani e belli"

(All the heroes are young and beautiful – La locomotiva, F. Guccini)

2026, Winter

"Oh hi! I didn't know you were working here."

The short, firm strides of the woman which were echoing in the marble, high-ceilinged corridor produced an abrupt silence when she stopped in front of him.

"I'm a pianist."

"Wow! Impressive! You must be a very good one if you play with the National Orchestra, my regards."

Jeong Hyeok gave her a promptly polite smile. And... Was it warmth, that sensation inside his chest? No, nonsense, he wasn't even sure he had a chest, now.

"Can I ask you what are you doing here? This is my class" he added, as to justify the question.

"I'm here for the little Sung-yeon," her hand quickly extended him her documents.

What the man saw alarmed him so much that he closed the distance between them with a single step. "Do I need to know something?" Jeong Hyeok kept his tone as low as possible, the gaze signalling her that he was a friend, hoping she would have trusted him. 

The woman made a step back, mimicking his decision to let the eyes hold the real conversation. Her answer came out with an audible, jovial tone, in sharp contrast with her face "Do you finish every day at this time? Why don't we have a beer together tomorrow? Bring your wife if you want."

She must have noticed the ring.

"I... I don't have a wife" damn, what sort of answer was that?

"But you have a mouth, for the beer it's enough. I'll be here. Now, can I take the child?"

There was something in her, maybe the fact that she was his sunbae at the dojang, but he instinctively felt he could trust her. Jeong Hyeok made a sidestep to let her pass.

Her choice was pretty peculiar. It wasn't a fancy place like he was expecting (and was used to), yet a sort of truck, near to the train station and nearly under a bridge. A peculiar choice for real.

"I'm sorry for the place" she addressed him a genuine smile "I've realized just now that you maybe are used to nicer spots. This is where we come to drink when we want to feel comfortable, me and my friends. It reminds us of the university years."

Jeong Hyeok looked around, his attention caught by the fires which, in big, metallic bins, were warming the clients against the winter briskness. The teacher was right. The atmosphere was the same as his Swiss years, when he and his friends, all in their broke twenties, were used to choosing the cheapest pubs. "I understand" replied, feeling immediately comfortable too.

"So, about Sung-yeon. You can imagine why I'm doing what I'm doing. I suppose you care for him as much as I do. I don't want to ask you anything, nor to embarrass you." Actually, he pondered, the one who was looking embarrassed was her, it was like if she didn't like to ask for favours.