Lookism: What Am I Even Doing?

Chapter 102

(Doc's POV)

Where Seoul meets Gyeonggi-do are two things. These sit on either side of the main road of Gwacheon-daero. A popular hiking spot and a warehouse you could only get to through a small dirt road. I never knew that Manami took her promises so seriously.

She told me when we were younger that she had a lot of bad memories in Seoul. The decisions she made back then cost her a happy life with the man she loved. Even back then Manami had the power to run away from all of this. Both of them could live in a nice coastal area. Han with his chicken shop and Manami next to him. So she told me she'd never buy land in Seoul.

It's funny that she held onto those words and bought this place that's only yards away from that regional line.

I never asked Manami what sort of life she led in her previous life. Though there's one thing I know for sure. It wasn't that different from this one. She probably lived the life of a fighter. That's why she's so good at it now. No matter the lives we've lived, we always go running towards what's familiar.

Manami knew a quiet life would ruin her. She has so many repressed memories and strong will. That woman selfishly chose herself over her love. Watching Han now made me realize that he didn't mind it. I think he was sort of happy he didn't tie her down.

All of his anger seemed to be directed to the fact he couldn't protect her. Of course a man would have such thoughts. What kind of promise could they have made each other if they did allow themselves to fall deeper in love? Would Manami never be allowed to fight again? For sure he wouldn't allow her to get involved in such dangerous things.

Should I call them mature for realizing it was irrational not to force each other's life on the other? If Han had accepted Manami as she was, then he'd be involved in a lot of dangerous things. He'd probably have to live a life in hiding like her. With fake identities and living in the states.

Han wanted a simple life. The whole reason he fell in love with Manami was because she encouraged his simple pleasures. In a fragile moment in a young man's life where parents are yelling down your throat and society takes a handle on your testicles, this strong woman told him it was alright to live simply. And she meant it, for that woman had lived a complicated life with so much pain.

How ironic that they went through all this trouble only to be standing on the same cross roads. Though this time Han will have to force himself into this complicated life for his family. While Manami wishes nothing more to finally live a simple life at the end of it. Age does change your perspective I suppose.

Han has become a stronger person.

Manami is realizing that the end of this terrible story will come to an end and it's making her soft.

If this were a romance novel, what would the author write about their tragic love story? Maybe something along the lines of -

"War separates even the most connected of souls." No. No. I don't like the sound of that.

What about - "Love is feeble as it is str-"

"Doc, stop narrating about my love life. It's not time for that yet." Manami has long taken us inside the property. We were sitting in the living room of this tall warehouse. The front end was cleared out and separated into a dining room and kitchen to the left with a living room to the right.

The back half was set to two floors of rooms connected by a simple staircase. A simple hideout in the middle of nowhere. I wonder how much all of this took to make. Knowing Manami, she didn't spare a single penny. Those counter tops in the kitchen seem to be real marble. I think she's been hiring someone to clean this place while she was gone as well. Let me not forget to mention the electric fence surrounding the large property.