Impossible Romance - Chapter 66

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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66.

“Why are you suddenly asking that? Today’s book is about a treasure ship, isn’t it?”
Jun-hee masked her confusion and asked in a leisurely tone.
“Uncle asked me to. He said if you don’t have a boyfriend, he’ll confess to you.”
“Wow! Ha ha ha!”
At Jun-seo’s words, the bookstore erupted into chaos. The children tapped the dining table with their hands, stomped their feet, and giggled uncontrollably.
“Alright, everyone focus. This is reading discussion time. Let’s hear your thoughts. I’m sitting this one out.”
Jun-hee laughed and stepped back. Jun-seo, disappointed at not getting an answer, quickly brightened and continued the spirited discussion with the other children.
Once the children left, the neighborhood residents drifted in as naturally as sparrows visiting a mill. With coffee and beverages on offer, it was impossible to tell whether this was a cafe or a bookstore—the drinks sold remarkably well.
Occasionally, outsiders lingered, drawn by the beautiful seascape visible through the wide windows. The lack of nearby cafes in the area also contributed to their visits.
During this time, I also wrote a fairy tale called “Island Village Clouds.” It told of an island village girl’s wishes rising as clouds to see the world, then returning as rainwater to comfort and soothe everyone below.
Ashamed of my skill level, I didn’t submit it anywhere and instead bound it myself, placing it in a corner of the bookstore. The owner who publishes the village association newsletter saw it and had it made into a proper book.
He even arranged distribution, so it reached independent bookstores on the mainland. It was remarkable to see my books selling one or two copies at a time.
I was deeply satisfied with this daily life. Though I couldn’t afford to replace my sluggish old laptop or update the worn wallpaper, I was content with my current existence.
Not hearing my mother and brother talk about money was actually a relief. I worried about my father and younger brother, but they were all adults now and would manage fine without me.
Occasionally, when outsiders came to the island searching for someone, fear would grip me. But they were never looking for Jun-hee. Most outsiders came for fishing or sightseeing.
Glancing at the wall clock, I found my large, wide-brimmed hat and put it on. The sun was fierce enough that only a hat of this size could provide adequate protection. It was almost time to head out.
I pulled out the handcart stored in the corner and dragged it toward the dock. I didn’t lock the bookstore door. After all, everyone here was a neighbor, and it didn’t matter if someone stopped by to rest when no one was around.
Of course, outsiders were welcome too. There wasn’t much money in the donation box anyway.
Stepping outside, I habitually looked up at the bookstore.
Ice Cream Bookstore.
I had made the sign with a plastic ice cream sculpture and the name “Ice Cream Bookstore” written in cute lettering. Every visitor asked why there was an ice cream shop by the seaside.
“Reading is sweet, isn’t it? So I want everyone to read more.”
Some people laughed at such a silly answer, while some children took it seriously and nodded in agreement. The truth was, I had chosen this name because I couldn’t bear to erase Kwon Seok-ha.
I didn’t want to lose the only moments that made me happy in an otherwise unfortunate life.
And because it was a love so fleeting and melancholic, like ice cream melting away.
I had secretly embedded these feelings into the bookstore’s name like a hidden metaphor, naming it “Ice Cream.” So even if Kwon Seok-ha ever saw it, he would never suspect such meaning behind it.
The walk from the bookstore was peaceful. In the distance, I heard the sound of a ship’s horn, and I could see women cleaning the day’s catch of fish and shellfish.
“Hello.”
I bowed in greeting.
“The bookstore girl? Getting supplies today, I see?”
“Yes.”
Three seasons had passed since I arrived here. The residents who initially kept their distance had eventually accepted me as a neighborhood member, at least outwardly. Here, I was known as the “bookstore girl.”
I passed through the area where fresh fish and shellfish were piled high like mountains and arrived at the dock. A large boat was just unloading various cargo.
It wasn’t as massive as the ships seen on television, but it was larger than a small fishing boat. As workers gathered supplies for the supermarket, I approached. If ramen boxes were being organized in this neighborhood, they were all destined for Grandmother Kim’s Supermarket.
“Hello.”
“Ah, Na-yeon. You’re here to pick up your order.”
I had another name here: “Na-yeon.” While the elders called me the “bookstore girl,” the younger residents used my adopted name. Of course, it was a name I had chosen for myself.
Kim Byung-ho, a young man I’d come to know here, lifted the box and placed it directly onto the hand cart. Like at Grandmother Kim’s Supermarket, the goods that arrived for my bookstore were predictably similar.
“Thank you.”
“Why did you come all the way here when I said I’d bring it for you?”
Byung-ho, with his sturdy frame bronzed under the sun, was a popular young man even on the island. He’d completed university in the city, but disliked the suffocating lifestyle and returned to his hometown.
He was a young man with uncommon ambition, willing to take on any difficult work on the island and striving for regional development. He’d also helped me in many ways.
“I came to get some fresh air. I feel good after a walk like this.”
“Would you like to have lunch together? Kyung-hee’s Restaurant got some fresh squid in. It’s in season right now.”
Byung-ho spoke while tying the box securely to the cart with twine.
“Yes, I’d like that.”
I nodded in agreement.
Perhaps because he had experience living in the city, Byung-ho approached me quite comfortably. Among the neighborhood youths, there were often those who were wary of me or openly showed ulterior motives, which was burdensome.
But Kim Byung-ho showed no such signs. In fact, I had been cautious of him at first, but now he’d become a comfortable neighbor.
“Just wait five minutes.”
Byung-ho, looking delighted, quickly moved the remaining luggage to one side and removed his work gloves, shaking off the dust. Then he greeted the other workers.
“I’m heading out first, everyone.”
“Going on a date with the bookstore girl?”
Park Mister, sitting on the boat’s edge, called out loudly and teased him.
“No! We’re just going to have lunch.”
Byung-ho spoke even louder and gestured for me to come along.
“Lucky guy!”
“Come back late! Hahaha!”
I heard them joking about the two of us from behind, but I ignored it and kept walking.
Then I noticed a group of unfamiliar men loitering around the dock. About four of them were talking among themselves before splitting into pairs. It looked exactly like they were searching for someone.
My heart sank at the sight of such people. Not long after I’d arrived here, men like these had come looking for me.
Men had come to the Landlady’s Grandmother’s supermarket searching for “Ahn Joon-hee,” even showing a photograph. Though I’d changed my hairstyle, they would have noticed the resemblance if they’d looked closely.
Fortunately, the grandmother had made excuses, saying there was no such person on the island. After the men left, I went to the supermarket and bought something without saying a word.
I couldn’t thank her, as that would be an admission that I was the person they were looking for. But when I left with my purchase, I couldn’t help but express my gratitude.

“I’m good at reading people. You’re not the type to do wrong—you’re the type to suffer it.”
“Thank you.”

At the grandmother’s blunt words, I bowed with tears welling in my eyes.
Remembering that moment, I pulled my wide-brimmed hat down deeper over my head.

***

“Two servings of raw cuttlefish salad, please,” Byung-ho called out as he entered Gyeong-hee’s Restaurant, placing his order before guiding Jun-hee to a table.
The restaurant was nearly full with customers—there weren’t many establishments like this in the area, but this one thrived because of its affordable prices and excellent food.
Since everyone knew each other here, Byung-ho brought water bottles and side dishes to the table himself, arranging them with practiced ease.
Moments later, the restaurant owner set down two bowls of raw cuttlefish salad in front of Jun-hee and Byung-ho.
“Enjoy your meal.”
“Thank you.”
Jun-hee bowed her head quietly, and Byung-ho smiled as he glanced at the owner.
“You were generous with the portions, weren’t you?”
“I gave you plenty. Go ahead and eat.”
The owner chuckled and returned to his post.
“Summer cuttlefish is naturally sweet, you know? But this was caught last night, so it’ll be even sweeter. Try it.”
Byung-ho offered a brief explanation, then picked up his chopsticks and began eating.
Just then, the restaurant door opened, and two of the men I’d seen earlier walked in.
Jun-hee averted her gaze and brought a piece of raw cuttlefish to her mouth with her chopsticks, gripping them so tightly her hand trembled as she steadied herself.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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