ODPUM CH 03

Chapter 3

Ivan didn’t wake up because of sunlight streaming through the window, as he usually did.

Nor because he was hungry.

It was the clattering sounds… and a savory smell.

Sitting up, Ivan blankly looked around his house.

All the trash that had been scattered everywhere was gone, revealing the old wooden floor.

It even looked polished, as if it had been cleaned and oiled.

“Ivan, are you awake?”

The moment he spotted the woman—smiling at him despite looking a bit tired—his brows furrowed.

She stood by the fire, holding a wooden spatula.

“I made food. If you’re tired, do you want to sleep a bit more?”

“What is this?”

He was sure he had fallen asleep on the floor—so why was he lying on his mother’s bed?

Why was this woman still here?

Why had she cleaned the house, lit a fire, and was cooking in someone else’s home like she belonged there?

From the morning, irritation and confusion rushed over him.

“Hm?”

“Why did you clean the house? And why are you cooking?”

“I told you. Mom will try her best.”

Just as he was about to demand why she still hadn’t left, the woman smiled slightly and said it.

“…What?”

“I’ll go buy groceries this evening and make something delicious. There’s nothing here our Ivan can eat.”

As if she planned to stay here until dinner—talking about being his “mom” and trying her best—Ivan’s face twisted.

Come to think of it… he had heard something like that before falling asleep in the carriage.

‘Ivan, Mom will try her best.’

No way…

“Ivan?”

“…”

“…Are you upset with Mom?”

Ivan slowly looked her up and down.

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

Her foolish smile suddenly reminded him of a crazy woman from a nearby neighborhood.

The one who lived in the green-roofed house near the river.

People said she was insane.

She wandered around picking flowers from the streets, giggling, claiming she was a princess who would soon marry a prince.

People said she was crazy—didn’t even know who she was.

Carefully, Ivan opened his mouth.

“…Mom?”

“Yes? Why are you in a bad mood?”

She smiled brightly and walked closer.

…Of all people, he had grabbed a crazy woman.

Ivan’s lips trembled slightly.

She didn’t look like it though…

Adults always warned children not to go near that crazy woman.

Ivan seriously considered shouting and driving her out.

“Ivan.”

“Huh?”

“If you’re sleepy, do you want to sleep more?”

Suppressing his confusion, Ivan looked around the now-clean house again.

The smell was completely gone.

All the windows were open, so it was a bit cold—but the fresh air filling the house felt nice.

This house… could actually look like this.

“…No. I want to eat.”

If his real mother came back and saw the clean house, she’d probably be happy.

Maybe she wouldn’t leave again if everything was this neat.

As for this woman…

He could just play along for now—and throw her out when his real mother returned.

People said not to associate with crazy people, but she didn’t seem dangerous.

More importantly, she had quite a bit of money.

If she cleaned the house and cooked for him, there was no need to kick her out just because she might be crazy.

At least… until his real mother came back.

“What do you want for dinner? I’m going to the market today.”

As Ivan sat down on the chair she pulled out for him, she asked.

“What I want to eat?”

“Yes. Let’s have what you want for dinner.”

Ivan stirred the bland porridge in front of him with a spoon and thought.

It was made by boiling wheat and barley for a long time.

“…Do you have a lot of money?”

He asked, recalling the coin pouch she had taken out yesterday.

“How much do you have?”

Where had she put it?

“Not a lot, but for tonight, we’ll definitely eat what you want. How about meat?”

“Sounds good.”

After taking a few bites, Ivan suddenly stood up.

“Then I won’t eat this. I’ll just eat meat tonight.”

“Won’t you be hungry?”

“I’m fine.”

He wasn’t really hungry after eating three pieces of bread yesterday.

More importantly, since he’d be eating meat later, it was better to save his appetite.

“Mom, you’ll buy a lot of meat, right?”

The woman nodded.

Then she quietly stared at the bowl he had pushed away… and ate it herself.

Watching her for a moment, Ivan lay back down on the floor.

“Ivan, why are you lying on the floor instead of the bed?”

“…I like it here.”

Soon, he heard her footsteps approaching, and a blanket was placed over him.

As she busily moved around, Ivan closed his eyes again.

* * *

“Ivan, did your mom come back?”

“Huh?”

Ivan tilted his head while kicking a stone and playing.

“My grandma said she saw you come back early this morning with your mom.”

Why was this neighborhood so interested in other people’s business?

They didn’t even know where his mom went.

“Did she fail to hook another man again?”

“…What?”

“My grandma says your mom only has her looks. No matter how hard she tries, she’ll never find someone who’ll give her real money.”

“Tell that old hag to mind her own business! Yours can’t even think straight!”

Ivan shouted angrily, then stopped himself from beating the boy’s stupid face.

Even if he hit him, he’d only make things harder for himself.

“What? Why are you yelling? Am I wrong? Your mom is—”

“Just stay out of other people’s business!”

Thud.

Unable to hold back, Ivan shoved him hard. Hank, chubby and round, fell to the ground.

“Y-you pushed me?”

Ivan frowned.

Of course, he’d start crying and run to his father to tattle.

That’s why he had tried to hold back…

“Hank, are you crying again? If you keep crying and telling adults, we won’t play with you anymore.”

Just as Ivan was thinking whether to hit him more anyway, En came over and scolded Hank.

“Seriously, stop making Ivan mad.”

“But…”

“Ivan, you shouldn’t get angry either. Look, I brought candy for you.”

Ivan looked at the sulking Hank, then accepted the candy En handed him.

“Thanks.”

“It’s nothing. Want me to bring more tomorrow?”

Ivan saw Hank quietly crying.

He was probably worried he’d get excluded again.

It was honestly pathetic.

Rubbing his brow, Ivan walked past En, helped Hank up—

“What are you crying for? You started it.”

—and handed him the candy.

Otherwise, Hank would end up being left out again, wandering alone for days.

And that wasn’t exactly pleasant to watch either.

“What? Ivan, that was for you.”

“You said you’d bring me more tomorrow. I’ll eat it then. That’s fine, right?”

En grumbled but nodded.

“What time will you come out tomorrow?”

“I don’t know.”

“Come early. Let’s go to the forest.”

Ivan nodded vaguely and looked up at the red sky.

“Okay. I’ll pack lunch for you too.”

As voices calling children home echoed from all around, kids began heading back one by one.

Watching them, Ivan felt strangely unsettled.

Was that crazy woman still at his house, cleaning something that was already clean?

She had nowhere else to go… so she was probably still there.

…What if she left?

“En! Come inside for dinner!”

“They’re calling me. I’m going.”

Ivan waved lightly and quickly crossed the square.

What if someone came looking for his mother and chased that woman away?

What if she was really gone?

Ivan ran nonstop through the pleasure district and into the narrow alley.

But when his house came into view, he suddenly stopped.

…Why did I run?

His uneasy thoughts swirled.

“So what if she left? It’s not like I care.”

Breathing heavily, he scoffed.

But the reason he started running again—

Was because he remembered her promise to make meat for dinner.

Yeah.

The reason he’d been thinking about her all day…

Was because of the meat.