Page 117 of You Had Me At Annyeong!
‘Hyungnim, there’s something you need to know. Please hear me out patiently.’
‘Of course!’
Minhyun narrates to Rodrigo what had happened to him when he played at Seoul Stealers FC. He explains to him how he got injured and why his leg has never healed.
Rodrigo’s face wears an expression of sorrow and sorry both.
‘Brother, I had no idea, I am so sor—’
‘Hyungnim, please let me finish.Jaebalyo,’ Minhyun cuts in, in a pleading voice.
‘I have an older brother who was more affected than I was by what happened to me. He was consumed by vengeance and took it upon himself to punish those he held responsible for it.’
Rodrigo’s eyes widen as Minhyun’s story reaches its climax.
‘Myhyung’s name is Kang Yoojin. The reporter who is at the root of all of this.’
As Rodrigo reels from the revelation, Minhyun continues to speak.
‘He only used you to exact revenge on the club and on Ri Hoejangnim. I tried to stop him, but I should’ve tried harder. This is my fault, hyungnim.Igeon nae jalmos-iya[This is my fault].’
Minhyun’s voice quivers as he speaks. Rodrigo walks over to him and pats his back.
‘Brother, none of this is your fault. And I am so sorry for everything you had to go through.’
Minhyun looks up at him with eyes that are red and full of tears, ‘Hyungnim, please don’t give up!Hajimaseyojaebal!’
Rodrigo sighs deeply and flops down on the couch next to him.
‘You are not that kid anymore. Don’t let your past drag you down!’
‘Ah, dear Minhyun. I know you mean well, I know you do. But, frankly, I’m a little tired of trying to make up. It’s never enough. I’m still always cleaning up the messes created by my past selves and yet always falling short.’
‘Why should you live this way, hyungnim? You’re only half-living. You must forgive yourself and move on! You are such a great father! It would breakttalnim’s heart to see you like this. Eh, hyungnim?Him naeseyo[stay strong]!’
It’s been months since he has seen his daughter, Shonda. They talk on video nearly every night, but that’s a distant second to actually engulfing her in a hug, lifting her off the ground and listening to her break into peals of laughter—music to his ears. His eyes start to well up, but he blinks back his tears. Back when he was dating Timira, he had told Shonda about a cute, fairy-like woman he’d met in India. She was the first woman her father had ever mentioned to her. And she had been looking forward to meeting her someday. It was she who had pushed Rodrigo into trying to set things right with Timira.You messed up, daddy. And what have you taught me to do when you mess up? Apologize, do better, be better. Right,she had told him when he told her he had bumped into Timira in Seoul.
‘I’m an embarrassment, brother. Don’t you see everyone is ashamed of me? I’m scared to even imagine what Shonda is going to think of me when she grows up and finds out who her dad really is.’
‘That’s not true. She is proud of you. And will always be! I am proud of you! I’m proud to be your assistant! Hyungnim, if you really feel sorry for me and for what happened to me, do it for me! If you are really and truly sorry for what you did to Baek Haneul, do it for him as well. He and I couldn’t live our dream, so you should live it! Live it for those of us who are unable to.Pogihajimaseyo, hyung.Jaebaljom[Don’t give up, brother. Please, please]!’
Minhyun’s heartfelt words comfort Rodrigo like a warm hug on a cold morning.
‘Hyungnim, the best apology is to forgive yourself and then live a good life striving to be a better person.’
‘Butakheyo,hyungnim [I implore you, brother]. Don’t give up! Hang in there!’
Rodrigo is touched and speechless.
Unbelievable. How is this kid so kind and positive despite the terrible hand life has dealt him?
He recalls Timira’s words from the previous night.
‘Rod, this is none of my business. If you want to leave, leave. Go. Because it’s the easier option. So you’re bound to pick it. But is this how you wish to keep living? By running away? By, escaping? Eventually, one day, your past is going to catch up. What’ll you do then? Where will you run to? So I’d suggest you stay. And clean your s*** up!’
Minhyun’s phone buzzes. It’s a call from the driver, Rodrigo’s driver. Minhyun speaks with him briefly.
‘Hyungnim, there’s mayhem outside. Hordes of media personnel seem to have congregated. I wonder why this renewed interest. I was hoping the attention would die down …hyung, what did you do yesterday? You were home, right?’
