<div style="font-family:gulim, Dotum, Helvetica, AppleGothic, sans-serif;color:#333333;line-height:21.6px;"> <div> <div style="text-align:left;"><img src="http://thimg.todayhumor.co.kr/upfile/201607/146767771494636b883013492ba248bbeb7997ed77__mn61638__w764__h509__f183643__Ym201607.jpg" width="764" height="509" alt="표지.jpg" style="border:none;" filesize="183643"></div> <div style="text-align:left;"><img src="http://thimg.todayhumor.co.kr/upfile/201607/1467677720cb5d33bcb1b143b3a712c76ec039ae9e__mn61638__w764__h2196__f481943__Ym201607.jpg" width="764" height="1200" alt="크등장인물_최종_다음.jpg" style="border:none;" filesize="481943"></div><br></div> <div><br></div> <div>중·장편 분량의 코믹/공포/스릴러 소설입니다. 챕터 #1 부터 보셔요. (순서대로 보시면 됩니다.) </div> <div><br></div> <div>봉신당 : 참회의 서 #1. 귀곡성-1 : <a target="_blank" href="http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88655" style="color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;background-color:transparent;">http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88655</a></div> <div>봉신당 : 참회의 서 #1. 귀곡성-2 : <a target="_blank" href="http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88656" style="color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;background-color:transparent;">http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88656</a></div> <div><br></div> <div>봉신당 : 참회의 서 #2. 숙 명-1 : <a target="_blank" href="http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88663" style="color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;background-color:transparent;">http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88663</a></div> <div>봉신당 : 참회의 서 #2. 숙 명-2 : <a target="_blank" href="http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88664" style="color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;background-color:transparent;">http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88664</a></div> <div><br></div> <div>봉신당 : 참회의 서 #3. 대 결-1 : <a target="_blank" href="http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88677" style="color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;background-color:transparent;">http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88677</a></div> <div>봉신당 : 참회의 서 #3. 대 결-2 : <a target="_blank" href="http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88678" style="color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;background-color:transparent;">http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88678</a></div> <div>봉신당 : 참회의 서 #3. 대 결-3 : <a target="_blank" href="http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88682" style="color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;background-color:transparent;">http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88682</a> </div> <div><br></div> <div>봉신당 : 참회의 서 #4. 대 면-1 : <a target="_blank" href="http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88700" style="color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;background-color:transparent;">http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88700</a></div> <div>봉신당 : 참회의 서 #4. 대 면-2 : <a target="_blank" href="http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88701" style="color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;background-color:transparent;">http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88701</a></div> <div><br></div> <div>봉신당 : 참회의 서 #5. 악몽의 밤-1 : <a target="_blank" href="http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88717" style="color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;background-color:transparent;">http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88717</a></div> <div>봉신당 : 참회의 서 #5. 악몽의 밤-2 : <a target="_blank" href="http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88739" style="color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;background-color:transparent;">http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88739</a></div> <div>봉신당 : 참회의 서 #5. 악몽의 밤-3 : <a target="_blank" href="http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88745" style="color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;background-color:transparent;">http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88745</a></div> <div>봉신당 : 참회의 서 #5. 악몽의 밤-4 : <a target="_blank" href="http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88801" style="color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;background-color:transparent;">http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88801</a></div> <div>봉신당 : 참회의 서 #5. 악몽의 밤-5 : <a target="_blank" href="http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88803" style="color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;background-color:transparent;">http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88803</a></div> <div><br></div> <div>봉신당 : 참회의 서 #6. 적응-1 : <a target="_blank" href="http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88834" style="color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;background-color:transparent;">http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88834</a></div> <div>봉신당 : 참회의 서 #6. 적응-2~3 : <a target="_blank" href="http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88837" style="color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;background-color:transparent;">http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88837</a></div> <div>봉신당 : 참회의 서 #6. 적응-4 : <a target="_blank" href="http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88857" style="color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;background-color:transparent;">http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88857</a></div> <div>봉신당 : 참회의 서 #6. 적응-5 : <a target="_blank" href="http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88882" style="color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;background-color:transparent;">http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88882</a></div></div> <div style="font-family:gulim, Dotum, Helvetica, AppleGothic, sans-serif;color:#333333;line-height:21.6px;">봉신당 : 참회의 서 #6. 적응-6 : <a target="_blank" href="http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88909" style="color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;background-color:transparent;">http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88909</a></div> <div style="font-family:gulim, Dotum, Helvetica, AppleGothic, sans-serif;color:#333333;line-height:21.6px;">봉신당 : 참회의 서 #6. 적응-7 : <a target="_blank" href="http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88977" target="_blank">http://todayhumor.com/?panic_88977</a></div> <div style="font-family:gulim, Dotum, Helvetica, AppleGothic, sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;"> <p style="color:#333333;margin:0px 0px 10px;letter-spacing:0pt;line-height:60.8px;text-indent:10pt;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><br></p> <p style="color:#333333;text-align:center;margin:0px 0px 10px;line-height:60.8px;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;letter-spacing:0pt;line-height:310%;text-align:center;text-indent:10pt;">**********</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;"><b><font size="5">어</font></b><span style="font-size:12pt;">두운 복도의 끝</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">처연한 달 빛 아래 한 사내가 거친 호흡을 터트리며 다급히 돌아 섰다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그리곤 재빨리 짙은 그림자 속으로 몸을 숨긴다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">화들짝 놀란 얼굴과 불안한 시선이 어둠에 묻히고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">사내는 숨죽이며 먼 발치의 두 남녀를 훔쳐본다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. ‘</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">빌어먹을 놈</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">...’ </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">낮은 탄식이 토해졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">흔들리는 동공엔 질투심과 더불어 약간의 분노가 머물렀다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">흐느끼는 여인의 울음소리가 들려왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">처량함에 목이메인 안타까운 흐느낌이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">하지만 그는 차마 나서지 못한 채 이를 악 물었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누이</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">대체 무슨 일입니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">?”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">신이치군</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">!”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">참았던 눈물을 터트리며 사내의 품에 와락 달려드는 여자</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그녀는 조금 전 스기야마의 집무실을 정신없이 뛰쳐나갔던 메구미였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">신이치와 메구미</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">두 사람은 익히 잘 알고 있는 사이인 듯 보였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그가 떨리는 어깨를 감싸자 메구미는 품었던 서글픔과 수모를 쏟아냈다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">흐흐흑</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">흐으윽</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누이가 왔다는 이야기는 들었습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">하지만 오자마자 이게 대체 무슨 일인지</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">? </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">설마</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">또 하지메가 누이를 힘들게 한 겁니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">?”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그만</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">아무 말도 하지 마</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">지금은 그냥</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">흑흑</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">메구미가 옷깃을 잡아채며 얼굴을 파묻자</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">신이치도 말없이 고개를 돌렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">묻지 않아도 알 수 있는 서글픔과 회한은 있는 법</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">비록 그 대상이 남편인 스기야마 하지메가 아닌 이청연이란 의문의 사내란 사실은 몰랐겠지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">이러한 일이 이번이 처음은 아닌 듯 신이치가 이를 갈며 말했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">망할 자식</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">아무리 정략결혼이었다 하더라도 이건 너무 하잖아</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누이가 왔는데도 또 외도를 한 겁니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">? </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">개자식</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">!”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">신이치가 억눌린 분노를 터트리듯 인상을 구기며 물었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">사실 두 사람은 오래 전부터 알고 지내던 사이였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">군부의 명망가인 오카무라 가</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">(</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">家</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">와 내각의 명문 고노에 가</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">(</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">家</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">), </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">두 가문은 한 때 소위 말하는 전략적인 동반자였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">필요에 의한 결착이었으나</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">꽤 오랜 시간 권력쟁취를 위한 러닝메이트로 함께 했고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">승승장구했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">한 쪽은 군부의 최고 명문</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">한 쪽은 내각의 최고 명문</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누가 봐도 환상적인 조합이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">하지만 세상의 이치가 그러하듯 각각의 분야에서 최고의 위치에 오르자 입장은 변했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">내내 존재해왔던 욕망의 틈이 벌어지기 시작한 것이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">때마침 태평양 전선을 필두로 전쟁마저 격화되자 그 틈은 봉합할 수 없을 만큼 커졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">대동아 전쟁을 부르짖던 군부는 막강한 권력을 손에 쥐고 내각마저 좌지우지하려 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">이에 입지가 줄어든 내각은 자신들의 입맛에 맞는 자들로 군부를 재편하고 싶어 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">이른 바 두 정점의 대립이 시작 된 것이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">결국 오카무라가는 고노에가의 반대 파벌인 총무성</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">(</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">總務城</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">의 관례집단과 손을 잡고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">고노에가는 군부의 신흥 명문과 손을 잡았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그 연합의 결과물 중 하나가 스기야마와 메구미의 정략결혼이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">내 잘 못입니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">내게 조선인의 피가 흐르지만 않았어도</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">신이치</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">!”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">신이치가 자책하듯 한숨을 토해냈다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">어린 시절</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">많은 나이 차이에도 불구하고 신이치는 자신의 결혼상대가 메구미일 것을 믿어 의심치 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">정략결혼은 당시의 명망가들에겐 매우 익숙한 형태의 교류였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">신이치의 형 역시 얼굴조차 모르는 여자와 결혼했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">마침 당시 고노에가와 오카무라가 두 집안의 미혼 자녀는 둘 뿐이었고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">대부분의 정략결혼이 그러하듯 나이의 고저</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">(</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">高低</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">는 그리 중요하게 생각되지 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. 10</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">살이나 차이 나던 스기야마와 메구미의 결혼처럼 말이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">하지만 신이치의 부푼 꿈은 결국 이뤄지지 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그가 성인이 되기 몇 해 전 두 가문은 끝내 결별했고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">기다렸다는 듯 흉안</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">(</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">凶顔</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">의 무뢰한이 나타나 나이 스물의 꽃다운 처녀를 채 갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">적어도 신이치의 눈에는 그렇게 보였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그리고 그게 바로 스기무라 하지메였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">신이치는 견딜 수 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누군가에겐 지긋지긋한 멍에에 불과할 정략결혼이 그에겐 첫사랑과의 꿈같은 행복이었기 때문이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">울지 마</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">신이치</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">이 녀석</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누가 또 널 놀렸니</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">? </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누나한테 말해봐</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">내가 대신 혼내 줄게</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">!”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">메</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">메구미 누나</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누나가 결혼을</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그것도 나이 많은 아저씨와</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">울면 지는 거야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">힘들 때 울면 삼류</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">참으면 이류</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">최고가 된 일류의 사람들은 웃었다 신이치</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">날 봐</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">웃고 있잖아</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">난 이길 거야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">나이 많은 아저씨건</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">사랑 한 푼 없는 가문간의 만남이든</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">난 웃는다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">신이치</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그러니까 너도 웃어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">네 어머니가 조선인이란 이유로 다시는 사람들이 널 무시하지 못 하도록</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">웃어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">!”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누나</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">강해져</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그리고 최고가 되라</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그럼 너도 더 이상 아무것도 뺏기지 않게 된다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그리고 그 힘으로 사랑하는 사람들을 지켜</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누나는 강해 질 거야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">더는 내 인생</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">아무도 간여하지 못 하도록</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">언젠가 내 힘으로 서서 내가 살고 싶은 삶을 살 거야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">신이치</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">우리 그때까진 웃자</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">알았지</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">?”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">메구미가 흰색의 기모노를 곱게 차려 입던 날</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">면으로 만든 아리따운 머리쓰개마저 그리도 애처롭던 날</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">신이치는 마셔본 적도 없는 술에 취해 집에 당도했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그리곤 불 켜진 아버지의 방으로 무작정 달려갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">울분을 토해낼 생각이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. ‘</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">왜</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">메구미와 나를 이어주지 못하는지</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">’ </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그걸 물을 생각이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">하지만 그 밤</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">신이치는 우연히 아버지와 어머니의 대화를 엿듣고 말았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">고노에가와 스기야마가</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">? </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">흥</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">고양이에게 생선을 맡긴 꼴이지</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">축복받아 마땅할 혼례의 날에 어찌 그런 말씀을 하십니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">? </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">메구미</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">참 착한 아이였는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">잠시지만 그 아이가 우리 식구가 되는 날을 그려본 적도 있으니</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">비록 돌아섰다고는 하나</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">악담을 하고 싶지는 않습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">결국 가문과 가문의 결별</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">메구미 그 아이는 죄가 없지 않습니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">흥</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그걸 누가 모르나</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">다만 수단과 방법을 가리지 않는 천박한 자들과 손을 잡다니</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그 꼴이 우스울 뿐이오</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">스기야마가</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">넙죽 엎드려 있던 저열한 개들이 이제 사 기회를 잡았다고 고개를 빳빳이 세운 꼴이라니</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">나 원 참</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">신이치가 조금만 더 나이가 찼다면</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그래서 우리 신이치와 메구미가 이어졌다면 달랐을까요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">?”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">단지 나이 때문이라 생각하오</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">? </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">더 어린 것들도 이해관계만 맞아 떨어지면 능히 맺어주는 것이 작금의 풍토</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">당신 참 순진하구려</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">망할 것들</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">감히 나 오카무라 에이지의 아들을</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그런 사소한 결함을 이유로</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그럼 설마</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">저 때문에</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">?”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">어허</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">내가 실수했소</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">방금 한 말은 잊어주구려</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">제가 신이치</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그 아이에게 또 죄를 지었군요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">어머니가 소리 없이 흐느끼자</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">문 밖의 신이치도 </span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">‘</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">털썩</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">’ </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">주저앉았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">끓어오르는 절망에의 분노가 두 볼을 적셨다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">어찌 할 수 없는 출생의 근본</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">태생의 한계</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">유년 시절의 그를 좌절시키고 내내 인생의 벽이 되어온 천형</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">(</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">天刑</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">:</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">타고난 벌</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">의 저주가 또 다시 그 냉정한 민낯을 드러낸 것이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누가 네 형이냐</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">? </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">망할 조센징 자식</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">한 번만 더 그딴 개소리를 지껄였다간</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">주둥이를 박살낼 거야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">!”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">들었어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">? </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">신이치</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">조센징이래</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">설마</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">? </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">걔네 아버지 유명한 군인이잖아</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그럼 뭐해</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">엄마가 첩년인데</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그것도 조선인</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">어쩐지</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">시궁창의 쥐새끼 냄새가 난다 했더니</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">하나 뿐인 형과의 소원한 관계</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">학창시절 내내 등 뒤의 수근거림이 되어 온 비애가 다시금 그의 발목을 잡은 것이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">분노한 신이치는 그 즉시 부엌으로 달려갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">격한 좌절감이 서랍을 뒤져 칼을 찾아 들었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">참아왔던 분노와 억울함이 극단적인 선택을 하게 만든 것이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">신음소리 한 번 없이 손목위로 핏물이 몽글몽글 맺혀 올랐다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><b><font color="#ff0000"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">필요 없어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">조선인의 피 따위</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">...” </span></font></b></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">날카로운 칼날이 재차 손목 위를 지나고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, ‘</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">뚝</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">’</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">하고 떨어진 눈물방울이 섞이자 곧 거세게 쏟아졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">마치 제 속에 쌓인 울분을 토해내는 듯 핏물이 흘러내렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">이제 정신이 드냐</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">? </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">어리석은 놈</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">미숙한 놈</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="line-height:300%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p><p></p> <p style="line-height:300%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">깨어났을 땐 이미 병원이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">아버지는 참담한 표정으로 탄식했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">헌데</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">어머니</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">어머니가 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">아들의 자해가 준 충격이 컸던 것일까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">? </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">어머니는 </span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">‘</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">죄 많은 어머니가</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">’</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">란 구절로 시작하는 짧은 편지 한 장을 남긴 채</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">홀로 먼 곳의 요양소로 떠났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">심신의 안정이 필요하다는 이유에서였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">하지만 신이치는 곧 알게 됐다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">어머니와의 이별이 단순히 자신의 행위와 죄책감 때문만은 아니라는 사실을</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">..., </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">내각의 실세 고노에가와의 단절은 오카무라가로 하여금 새로운 힘을 필요케 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">내각과의 연계가 끊기면 오카무라가는 군부의 섬으로 고립된다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">스기야마의 인물들이 참가한 전선에선 연일 승전보가 울려왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">고노에가의 역공도 만만치 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">이대로는 가문의 존립 자체가 위태롭다는 웃어른들의 판단이 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span></p> <p style="line-height:300%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">그 해 가을</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">아버지는 신이치에게 새 어머니를 소개했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">신이치와 겨우 열네살의 터울의 새어머니이자 총무성 관료집안의 딸이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">아들과 집안의 미래를 위해 그의 어머니가 기꺼이 제 자리를 양보한 것이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.</span><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;letter-spacing:0pt;line-height:300%;text-indent:10pt;"> </span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">몇 년 뒤</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">신이치는 결국 자신이 그렇게도 원하던 문학의 꿈을 버리고 육군사관학교에 지원했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">미술가인 형을 대신해 가업을 잇겠다는 핑계였으나 주된 요인은 역시 집을 떠나겠다는 의지였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">사관학교는 기숙사를 제공하고 졸업과 동시에 임관</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">근무지가 배정되므로 그러한 필요에 완벽히 부합했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">군부의 명망가인 오카무라가의 자제라면 군부의 요직은 물론 본토를 떠나지 않을 수 있었지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그는 특별대우를 받고 싶지 않다며 학교장의 추천서를 일언지하에 거절한다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">비록 최전방에 나서겠다는 결연한 뜻은 아버지의 뒷 작업에 의해 좌절됐지만 본토를 떠나고 싶다는 의지만은 아버지도 꺾지 못했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">그리고 근 십년</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">먼 길을 돌아서 만난 유년 시절의 첫사랑이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">조금은 바랜 기억 속의 그녀지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그녀가 울고 있다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">이제는 훌쩍 커버린 제 품에 얼굴을 묻고 그 시절 소녀의 모습으로 아픔을 토로한다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">신이치의 가슴이 무너져 내렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">옛 사랑의 그림자가 그의 얼굴을 어둡게 만들었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">웃어요 누이</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누이가 그랬잖아요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">울면 삼류</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">참으면 이류</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">일류가 될 자는 웃는다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">신이치</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">날 봐요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">신이치가 손을 뻗어 메구미의 두 뺨을 붙잡았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그리곤 손가락을 기울여 젖은 두 볼을 닦은 후 웃는 낯으로 말했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">스기야마는 오래가지 못 할 겁니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">내가 이곳에 온 이유</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">단순히 몇 차례의 총기사고 때문이라고 생각했다면</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그건 큰 오산입니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">나는 그가 무슨 짓을 하고 있는지 알아요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그게 얼마나 무서운 일인지도</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그러니 떠나요 누이</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그에게서 멀리</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누이가 여기 있으면 난 아무것도 할 수 없어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">너 지금 무슨 일을 꾸미고 있는 거야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">? </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">설마 너</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">지금은 얘기 못해요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">하지만 한 가지는 말할 수 있어요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누이 말대로 강해지는 것</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그리고 더는 빼앗기지 않는 것</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">나 그걸 위해 살았어요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누이 말대로</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그러니</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누이도 이제 누이가 살고 싶은 삶을 살아요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">이렇게</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">!”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">흡</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">!”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">입술이 포개졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">메구미는 느닷없는 행동에 당황하며 밀쳐내려 애쓰지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그 날의 소년은 이미 어른이 되어 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">당당한 한 사람의 사내가 되어 단단한 두 팔로 억세게 끌어안는다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">여린 날의 감정이 포개진 입술 위를 뜨겁게 달궜다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">벌려진 입술사이 농밀한 해후</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">(</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">邂逅</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">의 몸짓이 넘나든다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">격정적인 옛 사랑의 토로이자 현재로 이어진 숙성된 욕망이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">그 순간</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">먼발치에서의 탄식이 터져 나왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><b><font color="#ff0000"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">망할 자식</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">!”</span></font></b></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">분노에 치를 떠는 불안한 눈빛의 사내</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">가토였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">내내 두 사람의 사이를 엿보던 그가 끝내 주먹을 불끈 쥐고 돌아섰다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">씻을 수 없는 분노와 질투심이 뒤섞인 묘한 표정이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">갑작스런 유혹의 손길</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">조금의 번뇌</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그리고 이어진 뜨거웠던 육체의 시간</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">하지만 불과 수 시간 전의 일들은 마치 꿈인 듯</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">다른 사내의 품에 있다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">입을 맞추고 거친 숨결이 토해진다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">가토의 얼굴이 일그러졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">아끼던 것을 빼앗긴 아이의 표정이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">생도시절</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">수석졸업의 영예를 빼앗겼을 때도 이 만큼의 분노가 들끓지는 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">단지 가문의 후광 때문에 얻은 이름뿐인 수석보단</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">모두가 인정하는 당당한 차석이 낫다고 스스로를 위로했었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">하지만 지금의 감정은 가토로서도 의외였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">오늘 처음 부대낀 요부의 몸뚱이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">성공을 위한 발판이자 한 순간의 유희</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그 이상의 감정은 없다고 스스로를 설득시켰다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">헌데</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그 한 순간의 격정이 그를 소년에서 어른으로 변모시켰을까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">? </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">어른의 감정</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">질투와 시기 그리고 분노</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">전에 없던 뜨거운 감정들이 폭발했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그의 두 눈에서 불타올랐다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">가질 수 없는 것과 가장 지고 싶지 않은 상대</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그 두 가지 요소가 합쳐지자 기이한 감정의 파도가 몰아쳤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">증오의 대상</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">신이치마저 탐내는 </span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">‘</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">욕망의 전리품</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">’, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">전에 없는 애틋한 감정이 해일처럼 몰아쳤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">합리적인 이유와 지고지순한 감정만이 사랑의 전유물은 아닌 것이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">때론 납득할 수 없는 것들도 감정의 불을 지핀다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">어긋난 감정에의 집착이야 말로 인간의 귀와 눈을 가리는 요물</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">고래</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">(</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">古來</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">로 수많은 자들을 먹어치운 괴물이 그의 가슴 속에 자리했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">이성을 잃은 맹목적인 감정은 장애물이 앞을 막을 때 비로소 완벽을 기하는 법</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">참지 못한 가토가 이를 악 물고 뛰쳐나갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">정신없이 달려 나가는 그의 이가 분노를 곱씹었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;"><b><i><font color="#ff0000" size="4"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">“</span>신이치 이 개자식<span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span>이 가토가 또 뺏길까 보냐<span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">?”</span></font></i></b></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">어긋난 사랑의 감정이 과잉된 자의식과 뒤섞여 바람처럼 휘몰아쳤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">가토</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">올해 나이 서른 셋</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">조금 늦었지만 사춘기를 닮은 뜨거운 감정의 계절을 맞이한다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">만주의 어느 가을날이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그만</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">!”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누이</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">!”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">메구미가 황급히 팔을 뻗어 밀어냈다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. ‘</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">짝</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">’</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">소리를 내며 신이치의 뺨이 붉어진다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">찌푸린 미간 사이</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">알 수 없는 감정들이 묻어났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">오랜 연민과 현실의 간극이 만든 괴리감이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">메구미의 거절이 당황스러운 듯 신이치는 다시금 그녀의 어깨를 붙잡고 말했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">왜죠</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">? </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">왜죠</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">? </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">스기야마를 사랑하지 않잖아요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">거부당한 외사랑의 애처로움이 파도처럼 몰아쳤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">오랜 시간 숙성된 진득한 감정이 돌파구를 찾지 못하고 좁은 곳에서 휘몰아친 것이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">하지만 그런 그를 바라보는 메구미의 표정은 단호했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">촉촉한 눈가는 그대로이되</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">예의 그 냉랭한 눈빛을 되찾아 차갑게 속삭였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그렇다고 널 사랑하지도 않아</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">메구미</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">!”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그만</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그게 진실이야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">열다섯</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">왕래가 잦던 집안의 말 잘 듣는 꼬마아이</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">나한테 넌 그뿐이야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그러니 불필요한 행동은 사양할게</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">앞으로도 계속 그때의 좋은 관계로 남고 싶다면</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그만 해둬</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">나한테 넌 남자가 아냐</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">전혀 사내로 느껴지지 않아</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">!”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누이</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">!”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">무슨 말인지 모르겠어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">? </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">내 이름은 이제</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">스기야마 메구미야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">더 이상 그 옛날의 말괄량이 고노에 메구미가 아니라고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">경고하겠어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">내 남편을 건드리면</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">너도 다쳐</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">어쩔 수 없는 선택이었지만 그는 이제 두 아이의 아버지</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그의 몰락은 곧 내 아이들의 몰락</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그 꼴을 두고 볼 순 없어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">무슨 말인지 알지</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">?”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">하</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">하지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">중요한 시기야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">아버지는 입을 다물지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">전선의 동향 정돈 나도 알고 있어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">패전</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">패전</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">무리한 전쟁의 확산은 현재로선 무리</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">하지만 어쩔 수 없어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">호랑이 등에 타버린 거지</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">여기서 전쟁을 멈춘다면</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">아버지의 실각은 물론 군부의 지원세력조차 큰 타격을 입는다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">이 무의미한 전쟁</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그래서 계속되고 있는 거지</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">석유가 떨어져 가는데도 비행기를 띄우고 배를 보내</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">애꿎은 청춘들이 계속 죽어나가지만 어쩔 수 없어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">출구전략이란 애초에 존재하지 않는 거지</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">이겨야 돼</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그것만이 나를 강하게 만들어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">내 아이들은 아버지와 남편의 뒤를 이을 꺼다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그리하여 진실로 강해지겠지</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">너도 알잖아</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">강해져야 원하는 걸 가져</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">하고 싶은 일을 하지 않아도 되고 말이야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">지금의 난 그걸 위해 살아</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">유치한 감정 따위에 연연할 시간 따윈 없어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">유년의 기억</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">? </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그런 건 추억으로 남기자 신이치</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">넌 좋은 동생이야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">귀엽지만 사내다운 면도 있어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그래</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">! </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">한때는 널 그리워한 때도 있었어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">어리지만 결의에 찬 눈빛</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">소녀들은 그런 눈빛에 기대감을 품지</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">하지만 그 감정은 이미 유효기간이 지났어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">설익은 감정만으로 살아가기에</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">여자는 너무 현실적인 동물이야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그리고 그건 나도 마찬가지야 신이치</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">누이</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">알았으면 돌아가</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">난 숙소로 돌아가겠어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">메구미가 돌아섰다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">굳은 표정 위로 단호한 결의가 느껴졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">신이치가 비틀거렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">돌아선 작은 등이 마치 거대한 벽처럼 느껴졌고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">뛰어넘을 수 없는 거대한 간극처럼 보였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">두 다리가 풀리고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">동공이 흔들린다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">넘을 수 없는 세월의 벽</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">유년의 변심</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">현실의 굴레</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그리하여 치밀어 오르는 좌절의 체득</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">망연자실한 눈빛 사이로 옛 사랑의 그림자가 멀어진다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">끝내 어둠속으로 사라져만 간다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;"><font size="4" color="#ff0000"><i><b><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">“</span>스기야마 이 개 자식<span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span>내가 또 뺏길까 보냐<span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">?”</span></b></i></font></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';font-size:12pt;"> </span></p> <p></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">늦은 밤</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">또 다른 동기생도 다짐했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">같은 감정의 조류에 휩싸여 표류하기 시작한 두 사람의 각오는</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">마치 약속이나 한 듯 판에 박힌 말로 저주를 읊조린다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">때 늦은 사춘기의 발현과 지독히도 오랜 시간 숙성된 유년의 잔존물</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">두 사람이 서로를 미워하게 된 이유는 아이러니하게도 </span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">‘</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">너무도 닮아 있다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.’ </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">그 때문은 아니었을까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">? ‘</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">터벅터벅</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">’ </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">어둠사이로 신이치가 걸음을 옮겼다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">벽을 의지해 힘없이 비틀대지만 가야할 곳을 모르는 이의 걸음이라 하기엔 주저함이 없다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">오카무라 신이치</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, 33</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">세</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">묵은 감정의 해후로도 풀어내지 못한 숙제가 그의 어깨를 무겁게 짓누른다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">. </span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">역시나 밤바람이 쌀쌀했던 만주의 어느 가을밤이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">.</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><br></span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><다음편으로 이어집니다.></span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;"><br></span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:12pt;">코멘트</span></p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;">챕터 6의 마지막입니다. 챕터6에선 주요등장인물들의 감정과 상황에 대한 설명이 주종을 이루었는데요.</p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;">개인적으로 스토리의 진행이 거의 없고, 상황 및 제반사항 설정에 치중하는 챕터는 어렵네요.</p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;">스토리가 달려나가지 못하니, 보시는 독자분들의 시선도 도망갈까 두렵달까?</p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;">약방의 감초처럼 청연의 얼토당토않은 사건해결을 단초로 넣긴 했지만 그래도 흥미롭게 잘 전달이 되었을지 걱정입니다.</p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;">스기야마 <-> 메구미 : 어쩔 수 없는 동반자 관계</p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;">가토 <-> 신이치 : 어쩔 수 없는 숙적관계</p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;">가토 -> 메구미 <- 신이치 : 애매한 삼각관계</p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;">우치다 <-> 미자 : 미묘한 감정의 전달</p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;">청연 <-> 스기야마 : 브로맨스? 이런 느낌을 주려고 했는데... 청연♡히라타가 더 나았을지... </p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;">챕터 7부터는 사건 해결을 위해 탐정처럼 부대 곳곳을 누비는 청연의 활약상을 그리려 합니다.</p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;">하루이틀 쉬고 다시 연재하겠습니다. 감사합니다.</p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;"> </p> <p style="color:#333333;line-height:310%;margin-left:8pt;margin-right:8pt;text-indent:10pt;"><br></p></div>