Minji's Voice - Bbangsaz

Chapter 33

Hanni's POV

We only left Minji's house twice in the next two days, luckily for us, the two days off I had that week. We went to the grocery store once in the morning and picked up Milly on the way back. That night we went to dinner on the other side of the lake. The pride in Minji's eyes when she ordered a glass of wine for me and a coke for her made me smile and wink at her. Seeing her so sure of herself was beautiful and I felt privileged to witness it. I wanted to sigh and swoon at her easy charm and beautiful smile, and I could see that the waitress who served us felt the same when she looked at her scar and helped her all night. I didn't mind though, in fact, I liked it. I loved it. How could I blame her? As Danielle said, she inspired women to want to hug her and then lick her. But she was mine. I was the luckiest girl on earth.

We talked a lot more about what she'd done in the four months she'd been away, the people she'd seen, the rooms she'd rented, how the loneliness she'd felt was no less than before, but that was different this time. The difference, she had concluded, was that she finally had herself and she was more capable than she knew or believed.

"I need to get my license ," she said as we ate dinner.

I nodded.

"Yeah, I know, illegal driver," I said, raising an eyebrow.

She smiled before taking a bite.

If Beomgyu catches me, he'll lock me up and throw away the key.

She raised both eyebrows. Speaking of Beomgyu, have you ever seen him? Has he tried to talk to you?

Her face was cautious.

I shook my head.

"I saw him a couple of times in the village, but I avoided him. I was in a hurry, and he didn't make any move to stop either. And there has been complete silence from Kim Min A."

She studied me for a second and then nodded.

I let you carry that mess and I'm sorry. However, Min A hates me, not you. I guess I thought it would be easier for you in that regard if I wasn't here.

She looked away for a second and then looked back at me.

I'm going to go talk to Beomgyu and Min A. I was wondering if you would come interpret for me.

I blinked.

"Of course I will, Minji, but what exactly are you going to tell them?"

I'm thinking of taking possession of the land, Hanni... the village.

Her eyes held mine firmly as she waited for my reaction.

I gaped at her for a few seconds and then closed my mouth.

"Are you ready for that?" I whispered.

I don't know, she said, thoughtfully. Maybe not... but I feel like I could be. I feel like there might be a few in town that would help make it a little easier... Maggie, Norm, Anne, Mandy... a few others. And that is what will make the difference. That's what makes me think I should at least try.

She took a bite of her food and then continued.

My parents made a lot of mistakes, until the end. But they were good people. Good-hearted. Min-ho was not a good person, and Beomgyu seems pretty questionable to me as well. Min A is, without a doubt, the worst of all. They don't deserve to win. Maybe I won't do it well, but maybe I will. And that minimal possibility gives me the strength to try.

I reached out and grabbed her hand, pride running through my blood. "Whatever you need, I'm with you. Whatever it is."

She smiled at me and then we ate in silence for a while, before I remembered the call I received from the detective on the day of the parade and told her about it.