Time Mansour - Chapter 35



Only Noblemtl

Episode 35: Time flows differently

I just worked hard. When my colleagues asked me for my secret, that was all I could say.

Like any other office worker, I did it because I was told to. The only difference was that I couldn’t run away.

‘I was mistaken for a while.’

I often saw praising comments on GetHub, so I forgot about it for a while.

Looking back, I never thought I was that great. I was just used to spending more time.

One stitch at a time. I stamp letters on the screen like I was embroidering on a pair of holey pants.

Only after I wrote the manuscript in my own way.

I was finally able to get a reply from Jaeshilrong.

-okay···

Okay, I just look at it and immediately close my phone.

There’s no need to look any further.

The latter part will just be a long explanation.

I throw my phone on the table and place my laptop on my lap.

Messy desktop.

I dragged dozens of final version files and deleted them all.

Oh, I feel so refreshed.

I stand up from my seat and straighten my back. My joints are awkwardly spaced.

I don’t know anymore. Let’s take a break. I muttered the refrain that was stuck in my mouth and grabbed the handle of my sister’s door.

bang.

To exaggerate a bit, I jumped and flew, landing on the bed. The bed springs gave out and then I sprang back up again.

like that.

I was lying in bed, playing with my phone in comfort.

‘I guess I’ll listen to the kids’ songs for the first time in a while.’

-Case fee.

A list of case fees.

There are already seven songs.

No. No. There are eight songs.

-Please help me with my homework. Oh, I’m so tired I could die. I need to catch the ball, but the cat won’t move. I clearly did what the teacher told me to do. I couldn’t find it so I’m contacting you. I’m in a hurry right now. Please save me.

Just now, one more song was added.

A smile appears on my face without me knowing. Wrinkles appear at the corners of my mouth.

I don’t know why. Even though it’s the same long message, unlike Jaeshirong’s message, I feel good when I receive messages from children.

Scratch. A programming language designed for children’s education.

After doing it a few times, I’m getting used to it now.

If I had to pick a language that I’m good at after Java, it would probably be Scratch.

I’ve gained some confidence to that extent. I lay down and draw pictures in my head.

I’ve roughly sketched it out, so it seems like it’ll be over quickly.

Well, I don’t think it will take long.

‘Okay. Let’s just do one last homework assignment and then get some proper rest.’

With that thought in mind, I turned on my laptop while lying down.

I pull the blanket over me and sit up, fiddling with the touchpad.

Sound source full of noise.

Children’s songs fill the room indiscriminately.

I nodded to the rhythm. I gently rubbed the touchpad. I moved the cursor with a light heart.

**

There’s a problem.

My cat doesn’t move either.

In certain situations, the movement stops.

These are exactly the same symptoms my child told me about.

“Please, I beg you. Move a little.”

Before I knew it, I was sitting in front of the computer. I sat up straight and moved the mouse with a devout heart.

It’s been a long time since I coded with Prayer Meta. Maha Prajna Paramita in Heaven. I recite the Lord’s Prayer and the Heart Sutra alternately.

The cursor wavers pitifully across the monitor screen.

I tried it a few times, but it didn’t work, so I turned the computer off and on again.

Despite this, the cat still just smiled cutely.

I’ve even searched through the library manuals posted by developers on GetHub, but I can’t seem to find an answer.

I’m doing it according to the manual, but I keep getting errors.

After doing all the tests you can, close your eyes tightly.

“It’s a bug.”

He nodded. Let’s say it’s like that. That’s how it should be.

I’ve done enough. I can’t do this anymore. I threw the mouse away, complaining.

like that.

I gave up and was about to get up and go to bed.

Suddenly.

-I’m in a hurry. Please save me.

The child’s message comes to mind.

I stand in an awkward position, then sit back down on the chair.

Okay, let’s just prove the bug. If it’s not a bug, and I tell the teacher that it can’t be done, this guy will be in trouble too.

With that in mind, I started looking at the library.

From operating principles to analysis.

I will go through the tips one by one while reading the manual.

“Oh my. You really are trying everything.”

It’s not Spring, it’s a Scratch library. I frown without realizing it and let out a complaint.

No. No. Since we’re going to do it anyway, let’s do it with a positive mindset.

He lightly patted her cheek and turned his head from side to side a couple of times.

I’ll add one more manual as well, so I can do it at the same time.

Leaning into the children’s music like that, I find myself smiling for no reason.

**

After fixing the library issue on GetHub, I’m really relieved.

‘It was a bug.’

It seems like it’s a bug that only appears in certain situations, so there haven’t been any cases yet.

– It’s a bug. It’s not supposed to work. If you tell your teacher that it doesn’t work, he’ll understand. And just in case. I’ll also attach another way to make the cat move.

Finally, I sent a message to the customer. That was the final touch.

“I’m hungry again.”

I’m hungry. I’m just trying to eat and live, but maybe I’m pushing myself too hard.

When I opened the teacup, the ramen was already cold. Come to think of it, I had been home for a long time.

Well. I guess I got sick of ramen. Let’s try something different today.

With that thought in mind, I put my shoes on.

**

Daughter.

I push the door with my body. The glass door takes a step back and then comes closer again.

Then I went into the convenience store.

“uh!”

I made eye contact with the child.

The child spots me and quickly gets up from his chair.

Squeak. The chair slides back with a creaking sound.

There’s a hint of joy in his eyes. To be honest, we’re not that close.

He probably waited at the convenience store until I came.

As I spent more and more time in my sister’s room, I gradually lost my sense of time.

The time outside and my time were separate.

Of course, the time I went to the convenience store was also irregular.

I would have continued to wait without any expectations.

“Thank you so much, Uncle.”

I waited because I felt like I had to say thank you. Then I bowed my head.

He was wearing the winter clothes I gave him. The white padding matched his smile well.

What should I say? I didn’t expect to meet you so suddenly.

Because my head turned as white as padding.

maybe.

so.

“No. That… actually, my nephew… no.”

I stuttered.

I was going to give my niece the clothes as a gift, but they didn’t fit, so I didn’t want to throw them away. I just remembered them and brought them.

The improbable fictional story was immediately discarded.

Even words that don’t sound like mine.

The child smiles brightly and bows his head again.

Oh no. I can’t help but bow my head as I see him bowing his head repeatedly.

I think it would be uncomfortable for both of us if we stayed at the convenience store any longer.

I thought I had to go out quickly.

I just need to grab my lunch box and go quickly.

I turned my back with that thought.

Gulp.

I heard a voice from over my shoulder.

At that sound.

“Do you eat convenience store lunch boxes?”

I turned my head again without realizing it.

“No, really. I’m fine.”

A child who waves both hands left and right with all his might at my words.

I don’t know if it’s because I’m embarrassed or because I feel sorry.

I’m not sure though.

Seeing her hesitating and not knowing what to do, I also hesitated for a moment.

I put two pork cutlet lunch boxes on the counter. I glance at them. Will the child eat them? I take a quick look while paying.

He doesn’t seem to dislike it. When I carefully hand him the lunch box, he lowers his head and quickly walks to the microwave.

like that.

“···”

I somehow ended up sitting on a chair at a convenience store and eating my packed lunch.

‘Should I have just left the kid and gone home alone?’

I feel belated regret. It seems like I stayed there for nothing.

It’s a bit awkward to eat with an elementary school student I don’t know very well.

“Wouldn’t it be better to go home and eat?”

“No, I’m going to eat here and then leave. Thank you.”

He fills his mouth with food, mumbles, and answers while swallowing.

After lowering my head and using chopsticks for a long time.

I think something just occurred to me.

Suddenly he raised his head and looked at me.

“But, uncle… what does he do?”

“Me? I just do this and that.”

So I answered as usual.

The child tilts his head.

“Then how did you become rich?”

“It just happened that way.”

“Is that…something bad?”

A child asking hesitantly.

I guess my answer wasn’t very refreshing.

“No, probably not…”

I trailed off again. I definitely don’t answer well. It was just a habit I developed while working.

He answered vaguely and put down his chopsticks.

I’m secretly full. No. Did I just feel full because I ate in an uncomfortable seat?

The child noticed me rubbing my stomach like that and took notice.

suddenly.

“I’ll clean it up.”

I quickly get up from my seat and put my lunch box away.

Throw away food waste and separate recyclables. Tear up tissues and wipe the table.

“···”

therefore.

Because the passage of time is different for each person.

It seemed like that kid grew up too quickly.

**

A few weeks passed quickly.

On the way to the orphanage to do volunteer work.

Because the dates don’t match up well among the members.

After roughly practicing once, I went to do volunteer work the following week.

We pulled both Myeonggyu and Seongtae’s cars and divided into groups of two or three to get into the cars.

He leans against the guitar next to him and plays with his cell phone.

-You guys are doing everything. Who else is going to fix the Scratch library issues? Spring developers, I guess? What exactly is your membership structure?

A message from Jaeshirong.

In response to a question about the member composition.

Drums, bass, electric, keyboard, and vocals. I find myself writing and then erasing them without realizing it.

This guy seems to be secretly not busy.

I wonder when and where you checked the Scratch article. I thought you’d be busy since you’re a celebrity. But you seem to be more relaxed than I thought.

It’s not like I’m asking out of genuine curiosity.

I was wondering if I really had to answer.

“Hey, we’re here. Let’s quickly unload our luggage.”

Seongtae’s voice was heard from the driver’s seat.

**

nursery school.

A daycare center that appears in mass media such as movies and dramas.

There is a large yard and a sandbox for children to run around and play.

A place where the building is shabby but the grounds are spacious.

I thought it wouldn’t be the case, of course…

It’s just an ordinary villa building. It was similar when I was there. I don’t know about the provinces, but as far as I know, most daycare centers in Seoul are like that.

As expected, it’s just as I expected.

So I was worried.

“Hey? Really? I can perform here? Really?”

I called out to Seongtae as I struggled through the narrow alley.

The keyboard in front of me was getting in the way, so I put it up vertically. I put the guitar on my back and took careful steps forward.

“That··· I clearly said it was okay···”

Seongtae also answers with an uneasy expression to my words.

A narrow alley. Surrounded by residential areas. If we perform as we usually do, we will be bombarded with complaints.

I usually answer everything vaguely.

This much I could really guarantee.