Finding My Way Back to You (Again) || 20th Century Girl

CHAPTER 3

Swirls of ocean. Pooling sand. Warm granules between his toes. The setting sun in the distance.

A melodious laugh. An impassioned shout. Rosebud lips, feathery hair, and the scent of tangerines.

Waves crash.

—

School is closed on Monday for bad weather, so Dr. Oh, Heejin, and Mr. Jang go to Cheongju.

The patient is left at home.

Dr. Oh's sister lives there, so it's obvious why this is. It would be odd if he went with them. Maybe they'll invite him along the next time.

After doing his morning ablutions, he finds a note with instructions on the kitchen table:

Please feel free to go out and buy what you wish (with reason, of course). We'll be back by the evening. I believe you might be able to recall your identity better if you spent some time alone. Take the time to explore your surroundings. Busan is a coastal city, so you can get delicious seafood here. My personal favorite is Kim's Seafood Emporium. They have the best maeuntang.

The patient sets the note down. There's something about Cheongju he can't figure out. He doesn't recall any town like that, but at the same time, it feels like he has known it before. But he can't recall it. He can't remember.

Sighing, he takes the camera from the coffee table, slinging the strap around his shoulders. At least he'll be able to take some good pictures.

—

Many seagulls fly overhead. It makes it easier to capture three of them flying together, but when he's not snapping photos, their presence infuriates him. They're known to steal food at random moments.

The planks creak beneath his sneakered feet. Shop windows hold the sun's glare, reflecting it back onto the passersby. He views the names painted on the glass, most of which are of food shops. Perhaps he should eat something. His stomach has started gurgling.

Briefly recalling Dr. Oh's note, he searches for Kim's Seafood Emporium. An address was left at the bottom, which is why he came here specifically. He soon finds it at the end of the row of shops. It's a small, cozy establishment.

The patient enters. A rush of wind comes from behind, stopped by the shutting door.

"Annyeonghaseyo," he greets. He bows to the woman behind the counter. The woman returns the greeting, asking him what he wants.

He says he'd like some maeuntang.

Fifteen minutes later, the steaming bowl is brought to his table. The broth's color is a rich red, swirling around the fish in the middle, and the sprigs of chrysanthemum greens are bright. He inhales the scent, which is appealing. Then, he looks up at the woman.

"Kamsahamnida."

The woman smiles at him, her eyes crinkling.

"You're welcome." She heads back to the counter, turning back to him. "My granddaughter loves this soup. I used to make it for her a lot before my husband died. After his death, I moved here to be closer to the ocean."

The patient nods in acknowledgement.

"Where did you live before?"

"Cheongju," she answers, and he sits straighter. "It's a lovely town, but not really to my taste."

"Ah. I see."

After she goes into the kitchen, he takes a sip of the broth. He gasps.

Dr. Oh was right.

This truly is some excellent maeuntang.