“I’ve always wondered, even when I was a child, why it was like that. Our family favored Japanese culture and looked down on Koreans. Important figures from Japan often visited our home. But after liberation, suddenly, the people visiting us were Koreans. The disdain remained, but their behavior completely changed.”

The smile that once played on his lips twisted into something bitter. 

With both hands shoved into his pants pockets, he avoided my gaze, focusing instead on the ivy stubbornly clinging to the wall.

“I tried to ignore it. I wanted to pretend I didn’t see. But the more I learned, the harder it was to endure. Reading books only made it worse. The more truths I uncovered, the more unbearable it became. It’s foolish, really. If only… if only I could live with my eyes closed, how much easier everything would be.” 

I clenched my fists tightly. So that’s why he started the book club. That’s why he clashed with his family. That’s why he left home and got involved in all of this. 

“But… why are you blaming yourself for all of this?”

I asked, my voice trembling. Hearing my words, Woo-jin lifted his head and looked at me. I was utterly desperate.

I didn’t care what kind of family he came from or where his guilt came from. Isn’t life the most important thing? No matter what happens, isn’t it important to keep going? What does all this have to do with Woo-jin, how his family made their money? Did Woo-jin personally sell Korea to Japan and profit from it? Why should he bear the burden of other people’s actions? 

“What did you do wrong? Why are you torturing yourself over this?”

I asked. Woo-jin’s gaze became distant, as if he was looking at a stranger. His expression changed subtly, but I refused to let it get to me. 

“And protesting like this, being hunted down and eventually becoming a wanted criminal – does that really change anything?”

Isn’t staying alive the most important thing? Shouldn’t my brother Jae-yeol and Woo-jin choose to live instead? 

“Let those who committed the crimes face the consequences. Let those responsible take responsibility. Why do you have to get involved…?” 

“Stop.”

Though it felt like the closeness I had shared with Woo-jin in Chungmu was slipping away, I didn’t care. I didn’t know what to think anymore. Call it the narrow perspective of a shallow woman—I wouldn’t argue. If it meant Jae-yeol could survive, if Woo-jin could survive, what did it matter if it was tied to a pro-Japanese or anything else? 

Men may speak grandly of ideals and justice, but the world doesn’t change so easily. Getting involved in such things inevitably brings harm, and you must be ready to sacrifice your life. 

I didn’t want my brother or Woo-jin to suffer. I just wanted them to live—like most ordinary people in the world, who turn a blind eye to such problems. 

“The fact that you’ve come back to this house… doesn’t that mean you’ve realised that you can’t go on fighting? Just… make peace.” 

If their family is so powerful, then Woo-jin and Jae-yeol don’t need to get hurt. Even someone as ignorant as me, who only knows how to dive for shellfish, understands how deeply connected and protective influential people like them are of each other. 

Did you know that the people of Jeju were forbidden from leaving the island for 200 years? The Joseon government, which exploited Jeju’s unique resources, prevented the islanders from escaping their suffering. They say Jeju is known for its abundance of rocks, wind, and women. Do you know why all the diving work is done by women? It’s because Joseon killed the men who tried to flee in desperation! Those who struggled to survive were executed, leaving only the women to dive into the sea. 

So what’s so great about Joseon? What difference does it make whether it’s Japan or Joseon? Those in power, playing their games of politics, are all the same. 

As I watched Woo-jin sink into cold silence, I made up my mind. I couldn’t let his foolish sense of justice hurt him, Jae-yeol, or ruin all of our lives. 

“Go back, Go back to the life you had… You have power, so why waste it? If you’re capable, why not use it? You could inherit everything and then give it back to the people! Whatever it is, however you choose to do it…!” 

“Soon-young!”

Woo-jin stepped closer and firmly took my hand, but I ignored him. The more I thought about it, the more senseless it all seemed to me. Why, with such a good life and so much privilege, would he still see things this way?

“And why did you break off your engagement with that woman earlier?” 

“What?”

“Do you really want to marry me?”

It was only then that my eyes widened in realization. Woo-jin was serious. Did he really mean to marry me? I was stunned, completely taken aback. 

I liked him, but marriage? That was something entirely different. How could someone like me, a girl from the province, possibly marry a man from a family like his? 

“No, do not do that.”

I said firmly, shaking my head. 

“What?” 

“Woo-jin, are you thinking clearly? How could someone like me marry you?” 

“What are you talking about?” 

“What do you mean, ‘what are you talking about’? I’m telling you to get a grip on yourself! Marriage is between people who are good for each other, Woo-jin! How can I survive in your house? I just want to go back to Chungmu. As long as I make sure that Jae-yeol gets to America and that you’re safe, that’s enough for me.”

“Only I should go back home?

“This is your home, Woo-jin!”

“This is not my home!”

He shouted, his voice thundering.

I was so startled that I froze, unable to speak. I had never seen Woo-jin so angry. It was the first time I had seen his true face.

“This isn’t my home.”

His words were sharp with anger.

“Woo-jin…”

“I wouldn’t have come back here if I didn’t think you were in danger. I hate this place more than anything, but I had to come back—to save you.”

I just stood there, stunned, looking at him. His eyes, now exposed, burned with worry and anger.