WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

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Chapter 169: Epilogue: This Is No Ordinary First Meeting (5)

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The two took the freshly grilled squid from the food stall and sat at an empty table. Han San hesitated as he looked at his mottled hands, so Ayame smiled brightly and picked up the squid.

"Ah, hot!"

"Miss, you should put on some gloves..."

"Mm... no! I can handle this much. Here!"

With her slender fingertips, Ayame deftly pulled the squid apart. Fortunately, it had already been scored and snipped with scissors, so even she could manage it.

"Here, say ah."

"...Ah."

Han San opened his mouth.

A thick piece of well-grilled squid basted in ganjang slipped into his mouth, and the tip of her fingernail lightly pressed against his lower lip before drawing away.

"...Thank you, Miss."

"Hehe."

Ayame beamed, her chin resting on her interlaced fingers. Han San chewed and swallowed the squid.

It took some time to finish a whole squid.

The chatter of people seated nearby drifted over.

"I want to see it one more time..."

"The smell was too good to just pass by."

Even those who wanted to make another round to see the shark found themselves enchanted by the rows of food stalls and their tempting aromas on the walk back to the entrance, buying snacks along the way.

Even those full from eating, or born with [Innate Trait: Skinny] and able to resist the lure of snacks, found it difficult not to pull a single coin from their pockets.

"Paper firecrackers! Paper firecrackers! Don't aim them at people or sharks!"

"Senko sparklers[1]! We have rat-fire sparklers[2] too! It'll be dark soon, so why not give them a try!"

Toy fireworks shipped directly from Japan across the water.

"Buy chopped fish! It's not for eating!"

"We've got chopped raw chicken too! Throw some in for the shark!"

There were even people selling shark feed!

Of course, such things were luxuries among luxuries.

Few bought Made in Japan toy fireworks, much less food for a shark in an age when food for people was scarce. Still, any city as large as Busan had people with ample money to spare, so they sold well enough.

And among them was one particularly well-off young lady.

"San! I want to try that!"

Ayame sprang to her feet and shouted. Han San licked the fingernail marks left on his lower lip with the tip of his tongue. There were rather a lot of them. Then he rose after her.

"Yes, Miss. Let's buy some."

With shark feed in hand, they returned to the entrance.

There was a spot specially arranged for throwing food. The shark was still swimming a little too far away, so Ayame bounced eagerly on her feet, holding a chunk of fish.

"Now? Should I throw it now?"

"Wait. A little closer. Just a moment more... Just... yes, now!"

"Here!"

Ayame stretched out her arm.

The chunk of fish flew through the air with a whoosh.

There was a splash.

When the shark cut through the surface and opened its jaws wide, its sharp teeth showed. The fish vanished into its mouth as though sucked in, without even needing to be chewed.

"San! It ate it! The one I threw!"

"Yes. That fellow takes food well."

"Yes! Just like San does!"

"Well... hmm. I should make it clear that I don't take food from just anyone, though..."

"Here!"

Ayame threw another piece of fish. The shark caught that one well, too.

Han San simply smiled.

Before long, they ran out of fish. Having eaten all it was given, the shark swished its tail with dignity and swam away.

Ayame watched the retreating fin with shining eyes, then made a troubled face.

"Ah. My hands smell fishy..."

"Give them here."

Han San held out his hand.

Ayame held out hers. Ganjang stains marked her hand, now smeared with fish slime. Han San took out his canteen and poured water over it a little at a time.

"Mmm."

It was still summer. The water that had spent all day tucked against a man's chest was beyond lukewarm. It was warm.

Ayame's fingertips wriggled slightly.

Once he had wet them thoroughly, Han San asked,

"Do you have a handkerchief?"

"Mmm?"

Ayame only tilted her head, pretending not to hear.

Han San smiled, then pulled forward the cleanest part of his clothes and wiped her hand with it.

Ayame laughed as though it tickled.

"I should make you a handkerchief sometime, San."

"Ah, handkerchiefs... I don't really know much about them. Even if I had one, wouldn't it get dirty right away? It seems like it would only give you unnecessary trouble..."

"San really is such a boy."

"I'm not exactly at an age to be called a boy..."

"Don't worry! Big sister here will teach you how to take care of a handkerchief too!"

What more could Han San say? He could only smile again.

The two started walking along Shark Street once more.

Twilight had faded from the pier, and the lanterns strung around the street had been shining clearly for some time. They walked leisurely, watching the shark.

Two little children holding rat-fire sparklers ran excitedly past them, one on either side.

By the time Han San and Ayame arrived at the lodgings where Fusataro was staying, night had fallen completely.

"Whew! We walked so much!"

"Four rounds will do that. The pier itself may not be long, but when you count the walk from the exit back to the entrance, you walked a great deal."

"San, San! My legs hurt! And my feet too!"

"Ah, shall I give you a massage?"

"Mm-hm! Please!"

Ayame dropped into a chair and tried to take off her boots. Han San knelt on one knee before her, intending to help untie the laces.

Fusataro cleared his throat, stopping them both short.

"Ahem. Aya, well... An unmarried young woman should not casually show her feet or hands..."

"Hmph."

Ayame pouted and pulled her feet back.

Han San rose as well. As he stood there, Fusataro invited him to sit first.

"Sit. You must be tired too."

"Thank you."

Han San sat down.

It was simply a nearby lodging they had found in a hurry, but a place where someone like Fusataro stayed could not possibly be shabby. The large room on the third floor of the building atop the hill was surrounded by glass windows, offering a clear view of Busan North Port.

It was still lively outside.

"One! Two! Three!"

"Wow!"

With a flash, someone set off an expensive fireworks fountain down by the pier.

Fwoooosh!

The rising sparks scattered across the dark blue water, sprinkling like stardust beside the shark's circling fin.

Fusataro nodded as he looked out at the sight.

"Everyone's enjoying themselves."

Busan, after the Great Flood of the Gap-sul Year had torn through it.

Thanks to Han San's early warning, this area had fared somewhat better than most. Even so, it had not been easy to find a reason to smile in those times.

Now, the people of Busan were finally beginning to find their spirits again.

Han San glanced at Ayame and smiled faintly.

"People don't need anything grand to enjoy themselves."

Just because they looked up while walking and found the sky clear.

Just because someone smiled at them that day.

Just because they came across a moving passage in the book they were reading.

Just because they saw the first autumn leaves today. Just because today's tea had steeped well. Just because they could sleep deeply tonight.

Just because. Just because. Just because.

Just because a shark had entered the waterway one day.

In truth, that alone was enough to make people happy.

Hajama Fusataro was lost in thought. He quietly watched the people enjoying themselves below, then murmured,

"No matter how modest it may be, if you fail to notice it, there is no happiness in it either."

Fusataro raised his head and looked at Han San.

"Is there anything you want?"

Han San paused.

Leaning on his cane, Fusataro smiled faintly.

"Our earlier conversation was interrupted, wasn't it? Thanks to your flood warning, we reduced the damage. You avenged Tsuchimaru, gave us a precious stuffed bear, and even restored this cheer to Busan."

Han San scratched the back of his head and smiled.

"You're praising me too highly."

"Not at all. If not for you, would that shark be drawing so many people there?"

Han San no longer refused the praise.

Then he said,

"You remember those people who came to petition you earlier? About the farmland."

Fusataro's smile faded.

"I do."

"Please look after them."

Fusataro fell silent.

Han San waited. Ayame also stayed quiet and waited without adding a word.

Fusataro sighed.

"You two were looking at the shark for quite a while. Did you talk about this then?"

"I hear Miss had tea with them and heard a great deal about their situation. As one would expect of a reporter."

Han San smiled at Ayame, then turned to Fusataro.

"But I'm saying this entirely because I decided it was what I wanted to do."

Interest appeared on Fusataro's face.

"Why?"

As he asked, Fusataro expected an answer about pitying the flood victims, or how fellow Chosun people ought to help one another.

No, those answers would have been somewhat predictable.

This was a young man who had made so much money at that age. Perhaps, as had briefly come up before, he would answer something like, [If I manage my turf properly, it will naturally lead to my own profit.]

But Han San's answer was neither.

"Because I think Miss would be happy."

"San..."

Ayame looked at Han San with both hands clasped at her chest.

Fusataro looked at his granddaughter, then at Han San again, and finally out the window at the still-lively scene.

Soon, a sigh settled over his face.

"Fine, fine."

"When you say fine..."

"Aya. Since this concerns your work, you must have taken notes while you spoke with those people. Bring them here. I'll read them."

"Ah, yes! Grandfather!"

Ayame took out her notebook. After flipping through several pages, she opened it and held it out before Fusataro.

Fusataro looked over the densely written notes, the lines drawn between them, and the circles marked here and there. Then he reached out, took the notebook, and began reading page by page.

Then he pointed to one line.

"This part. Tell me more."

"Yes. It concerns the house of someone who couldn't come with those people earlier. So, that place is..."

Fusataro carefully read the circumstances of the tenant farmers that his granddaughter had recorded. Sitting beside him, Ayame added details wherever he pointed.

Han San did not interrupt.

That did not mean he sat idle. He spoke with Fusataro's servants and had liquor, tea, refreshments, and food prepared.

Once tea and refreshments were set beside the grandfather and granddaughter, they helped themselves while continuing the discussion.

"We must investigate this properly. We cannot reduce everything simply because those people say so."

"Yes, Grandfather. But I think we should hurry with the investigation."

"Hmm. I'll send Tsuchisan and Tsuchihi. As for households that have run out of grain, we can first use what is in my storehouse to handle the immediate need..."

At last, the long meeting ended.

Fusataro closed the notebook, looking tired. Ayame, on the other hand, smiled like a sunflower in full bloom.

"Thank you, Grandfather!"

"I told you, enough."

Fusataro waved his hand, then turned to Han San.

Han San immediately bowed at the waist.

"Thank you, sir."

"I said enough. When you reach my age, you'll understand that living this long is ultimately just so you can give in to your granddaughter's demands."

Ayame giggled.

Fusataro watched her smile, waved his hand once more, and turned his gaze to Han San.

"And don't call me sir anymore."

Han San blinked.

"Pardon? Then..."

"Grandfather."

Han San paused. Ayame's eyes widened as well.

Fusataro looked at the cleared refreshment table and the liquor table beside it. He picked up an empty glass, then needlessly shifted his gaze out the window.

"Call me that."

Ayame looked at Han San.

Han San looked at Ayame, and soon, matching smiles spread across their faces.

"Yes! Grandfather."

Fusataro nodded.

Together, Han San and Ayame filled the empty glass.

On the day a shark that would remain famous for a long time entered Busan North Port, the two families made ready to become one.

Autumn was coming.

Footnotes:

[1] Senko hanabi are delicate Japanese sparklers named for incense sticks and traditionally held downward.

[2] "Rat-fire" is a small handheld firework whose name evokes a Korean folk fire play traditionally performed around fields.

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