UAI Chapter 24

Episode 24

“Uncle, I have something to say.”

“If you don’t want to talk about it, Sejin, you don’t have to.”

“No, I want to.”

“Alright then. Just say it in a way that’s comfortable for you. I’m ready to listen to whatever you want to tell me.”

Encouraged by Hajin’s gentle voice, Sejin began to speak.

“Uncle, remember when that bad man came and really scared me?”

“Yes.”

“Well… I saw something strange on him.”

“Something strange?”

“Yeah. On his arm… there was something like a black cloud. It looked like smoke or something. It felt really gross and scary.”

Startled by Sejin’s words, Hajin asked.

“A black cloud? That was on him? I didn’t see anything like that…”

“I thought maybe I was just seeing things, so I tried to forget about it.”

“I see…”

“But then I saw it again.”

“Again? When?”

Just as Hajin was beginning to think Sejin had imagined it, Seongjun stepped in.

“Ahem. Sejin, do you mind if I explain from here?”

“Okay.”

As Sejin nodded, Seongjun began recounting what had happened recently.

Listening to him, Hajin turned to his nephew in shock.

“Sejin… do you still see that cloud sometimes?”

“No. That thing… it only shows up on bad people. I don’t see it here because everyone’s nice.”

“How do you know it only appears on bad people?”

“Um… I’m not really sure. It’s just a feeling I get.”

Seongjun added.

“I don’t know why Sejin can see those things, but… it seems like it only appears on people who have malicious intentions. Honestly, with the recent situation at our company, if it weren’t for Sejin, we might not have noticed anything until it was too late. Sure, it might not be good that he sees things like this, but maybe this ability can help protect him from people who want to hurt him… Thinking of it that way, doesn’t it make it a bit easier?”

Hajin nodded at Seongjun’s comforting words.

“Yes, you’re right. We can’t do anything about what he sees anyway.”

‘Hmm… I probably shouldn’t mention the part about seeing them as snakes. He’s already worried enough about the cloud—if I told him I see scary snakes too, Uncle might just faint.’

Seeing Hajin’s serious expression, Sejin made a firm resolution in his heart.

“Uncle! I’m okay! I was a little scared the first time, but the second time, I was fine. It’s not that scary anymore!”

His words brought some relief to Hajin.

“Our Sejin is so brave. You’re strong and so grown up.”

“Hehe.”

As Hajin gently patted his head, he said.

“Sejin, let’s keep the fact that you can see the black cloud between just the three of us—me, Uncle Seongjun, and you. Okay?”

“Yup! Got it.”

“I’m not planning to tell anyone either, so don’t worry. Not that anyone would believe me even if I did, haha.”

“But hyung, you started investigating Director Hwang based on what Sejin said, right? Even though it was a child’s story… why did you believe him?”

“Hm… Yeah, that’s true. But Sejin’s eyes weren’t lying back then. And besides, I know someone with spiritual sensitivity—I've been around people like that since I was young, so I guess I’m a bit used to this kind of thing. Plus, I have pretty good instincts, and my gut was telling me to trust Sejin. It all turned out for the best, didn’t it?”

Hajin nodded at Seongjun’s words.

“Still, I’m worried about the damage this could cause the company. It looks like we’ll have a lot to take care of moving forward.”

“Yeah. First we need to handle things internally. Once my father discharged from the hospital, we can take the next steps. Just like you said, there's a lot to deal with, so it's going to get busy. I really value my work-life balance, you know? But now I’m going to have to work weekends too. Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes… Ugh.”

Seongjun groaned and pretended to wipe away a tear.

“Hang in there, hyung.”

“Thanks. I’ll repay this debt in a big way someday.”

“Oh no, don’t call it a debt! It’s really nothing, so don’t worry about it.”

“Come on, I can’t just not return a favor. But don’t worry—it’s Sejin I owe, so I’ll make sure to repay him directly.”

Listening to the two adults, Sejin nodded to himself.

‘Exactly! I didn’t go through all that and risk being treated like a weirdo for nothing! If I’m going to survive in this tough world, I’ll need help from people like Uncle Seongjun. So Uncle Seongjun—don’t forget that you owe me!’

After chatting a little longer, Seongjun stood up.

“Well, I should get going. Sejin, you're getting discharged tomorrow, right?”

“Yes. After a few simple tests in the morning, I’ll be out.”

“Alright. I won’t be able to come tomorrow, but good luck with the discharge, and let’s stay in touch often, okay?”

“Okay! Haha.”

Seongjun exchanged goodbyes with Hajin, then turned to Sejin and smiled warmly.

“Sejin, congratulations on getting better and getting discharged.”

“Yes! Thank you very much!”

“Oh wow! Listen to that voice. You really must be feeling better. Haha! Congratulations again on your discharge. Let’s go eat something yummy together soon, alright?”

“Yes!”

After exchanging goodbyes with Sejin, Seongjun left the hospital room.

Now alone with Sejin, Hajin asked.

“Sejin, I think you must be tired from crying earlier. Do you want to take a nap?”

“Yeah.”

Hajin brought Sejin into the bedroom and helped him settle into bed.

“Uncle, can you sleep with me?”

“Huh? Me too?”

“Yeah.”

“Alright. Then Uncle will lie down with you.”

Lying down beside Sejin, Hajin gently stroked his hair and patted his stomach to help him relax.

A few moments passed, then Sejin spoke.

“Uncle… I’m sorry for not telling you sooner.”

“Hm?”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier about seeing the cloud…”

“Oh, sweetie… That’s what you’re sorry about? It’s okay, really. Don’t worry about it.”

“I wanted to say something, but I was scared you’d think I was weird if I did.”

Feeling the slight fear in Sejin’s voice, Hajin pulled him into a warm embrace.

“Why would I ever think you’re weird? No matter what happens, Uncle will always believe you. Even if no one else in the world does, I’ll believe everything you say. So you never have to be afraid of that. And you know, I was thinking… maybe those black clouds you see are actually your mom and dad’s way of protecting you. Maybe they let you see them so you can avoid bad people and live happily. Don’t you think that could be it?”

“Yeah… I think so too. Maybe Mom and Dad really are watching over me. Heehee~”

Sejin smiled as he answered, and thought to himself.

‘Yeah. From the moment I came into this body, nothing’s been normal anyway. There’s no reason to be scared just because I see strange things. If I see them, I can just stay away. Maybe, like Uncle said, Sejin’s parents gave me this ability to protect him and me. That’s how I’ll live—using this power to keep Uncle and myself safe!’

The two chatted quietly for a while longer, then fell asleep side by side.

The next day, Monday, was the day of Sejin’s discharge.

He woke up early, had a few final tests done, and sat calmly on the sofa dressed in the comfortable clothes Hajin had helped him change into.

While Sejin waited patiently, Hajin double-checked to make sure they hadn’t left anything behind.

A short while later, Cheolhwan walked into the hospital room.

“Hajin, I took care of the payment. We’re all set to go.”

“Oh! Hyung, thanks.”

“You’ve packed everything, right?”

“Yeah. I double-checked. I think we’ve got everything.”

“Alright then. I’ll carry the bags. You take care of Sejin.”

“Okay. Sejin, let’s go now.”

“Okay!”

Sejin quickly got down from the sofa and grabbed Hajin’s hand.

As they prepared to leave the hospital room where Sejin had stayed the past three weeks, a strange mix of emotions filled his heart.

‘So much has happened… but I’m really happy I get to leave now.’

Even though he had gone for walks in the garden every day, being confined to a hospital room had still felt suffocating. Now, the thought of being free and going outside lifted his spirits.

The three of them exited the room and said farewell to the security guard finishing his final shift. They also thanked the medical staff at the front desk before heading down to the underground parking lot.

Minsu, who had been waiting by the car, quickly got out and packed the luggage Cheolhwan was carrying into the trunk.

“Sejin! Congratulations on your discharge!”

“Thanks, Uncle Minsu!”

After accepting Minsu’s cheerful greeting, Sejin climbed into the child car seat in the back.

“Hyung, there was an accident on our usual route, so the road’s backed up. I’ll take a different way.”

“Sure. No rush. Safety first.”

The car started moving. Since the main road was blocked due to the accident, Minsu followed the GPS and began navigating through smaller streets.

As they entered a narrow alley, a car approached from the opposite direction, causing them to stop briefly. Just then, Sejin suddenly shouted.

“Uncle! Over there! A puppy!”

Everyone turned their heads, startled by his outburst.

“Huh? Sejin, there’s a dog out there?”

“Yeah! Right there!”

They looked out the window but didn’t see any dog passing by.

“Sejin, I don’t see a puppy.” 

Hajin said.

Sejin pointed insistently out the window.

“There! Inside the box—there’s a puppy in the box!”

Hajin unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned over to look out Sejin’s side of the car.

Following the direction of his small hand—

“Oh! You're right. It really is a puppy.”

Inside a cardboard box lay a small brown puppy, looking weak and motionless.

“Uncle! Is the puppy sick?”

“I… I don’t know. Cheolhwan hyung, can we stop the car for a minute? I think I need to take a look.”

“There’s an empty spot up ahead. Minsu, let’s pull over there for a bit.”

After Minsu parked the car, Hajin helped Sejin get out.

The two approached the box.

Inside was a small puppy, along with some food and a note that read.

[If you can, please take me in.]

Despite people coming near, the puppy remained limp and didn’t move.

“Uncle, I think the puppy’s sick. We need to take it to the vet.”

“Yeah, it looks that way. Hyung, what should we do?”

“Minsu, can you find the nearest animal hospital? We can’t just leave it here like this. Let’s take it in for a check-up at least.”

While Minsu searched on his phone, Sejin crouched next to the box and gently looked at the puppy.

With a careful hand, he softly petted its head.

Whimper…

The puppy let out a faint sound and looked up at Sejin.

It was a brown poodle.

As their eyes met, Sejin felt a pang of sympathy.

‘It looks so young. Why would its owner abandon it? Poor thing…’

As someone who had also been orphaned, Sejin felt he could understand the little dog's loneliness.

“Uncle! Can I keep it?”

“You want to take care of the puppy?”

“Yeah! It’s so pitiful. I want to make it my best friend forever!”

Hajin let out a conflicted laugh.

If it were just the two of them, he wouldn’t hesitate to say yes—but they lived with others, and he’d need to consider their opinions too.

“Well… let’s first get it checked at the vet. We’ll think about it afterward. The other uncles have to agree too before we can keep it.”

“Okay! Ask the other uncles!”

While they were talking, Minsu announced he’d found a nearby animal clinic and started the car again.

They carefully placed the box with the puppy into the car.

After about five minutes, they arrived at the veterinary clinic.

Cheolhwan carried the box, while Hajin held Sejin’s hand as they entered.

Inside, the other pet owners and staff immediately recognized Hajin.

“Oh!!”

“Isn’t that the celebrity?”

“No way!! It’s a B-One member!”

“Kyaa! Hajin oppa!”

Some of the pet owners were young women who were clearly fans of B-One.

“Hello.” 

Hajin said with a smile.

The room erupted in excited squeals.

<Hello! If you’d like to read chapters 25 - 26 of the novel Uncle and I

I’m currently providing additional chapters of the novel here [UAI].>

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