“Whatever you decide to do later is one thing, but in the meantime, Noa should be studying for university. He’s twelve.”
Sunja had been thinking of Noa’s schooling but hadn’t known how to help him. Also, how would she pay for school? They didn’t even have enough money for the passage home. Out of Yoseb’s hearing, the three women talked about this all the time. They had to get back to Osaka to figure out a way to make money again.
“Noa should study while he’s in this country. Korea will be in chaos for a long time. Besides, he’s already a good Japanese student. When he goes back, he’ll have a degree from a good Japanese university. That’s what all the rich Koreans are doing, anyway—sending their kids abroad. If Noa gets into a university, I’ll pay for it. I’ll pay for Mozasu as well. I could get them some tutors when they return—”
“No,” she said loudly. “No.”
He decided not to fight her, because she was stubborn. He had learned this. Hansu pointed to the crates by Yoseb’s pallet.
“I brought meat and dried fish. There’s also canned fruit and chocolate bars from America. I brought the same things for Tamaguchi’s family, too, so you don’t have to give them any of yours. There’s fabric in the bottom crate; all of you need clothing, I think. There’s scissors, thread, and needles,” he added, proud of himself for having brought these things. “I’ll bring wool next time.”
Sunja didn’t know what she was supposed to do anymore. It wasn’t that she was ungrateful. Mostly, she felt ashamed of her life, her powerlessness. With her sun-browned hands and dirty fingernails, she touched her uncombed hair. She didn’t want him to see her this way. It occurred to her that she would never be lovely again.
“I brought some newspapers. Have someone read them to you. The stories are the same—you can’t go back now. It would be terrible for the boys.”
Sunja faced him.
“That’s how you got me to come here, and now that’s how you’re trying to get me to stay in Japan. You’d said it would be better for the boys so I brought them to the farm.”
“I wasn’t wrong.”
“I don’t trust you.”
“You are trying to hurt me, Sunja. That makes no sense.” He shook his head. “Remember, your husband would have wanted the boys to go to school. I also want what’s best for the boys and for you, Sunja. You and I—we’re good friends,” he said calmly. “We will always be good friends. We will always have Noa.”
He waited to see if she would say anything, but it was as if her face had closed like a door. “And your brother-in-law knows. About Noa. I didn’t tell him. He figured it out.”
Sunja covered her mouth with her hand.
“You needn’t worry. Everything will be fine. If you want to move back to Osaka, Kim will make the arrangements. Refusing my help would be selfish. You should give your sons every advantage. I can give both your sons many advantages.”
Before she could speak, Kim had returned to the barn. He walked past the boys, who were still absorbed in their books.
“Boss,” Kim said. “It’s good to see you. Can I get you something to drink?”
Hansu said no.
Sunja realized she’d failed to offer him anything.
“So, are you ready to return to Osaka?” Hansu asked Kim.
“Yes, sir,” Kim said, smiling. Sunja appeared distressed, but he said nothing to her for now.
“Boys,” Hansu shouted across the length of the barn, “how are the books?”
Kim waved at them to come closer, and the boys ran to him.
“Noa, do you want to go back to school?” Hansu asked.
“Yes, sir. But—”
“If you want to go back to school, you need to go back to Osaka right away.”
“How about the farm? And Korea?” Noa asked, straightening his back.
“You can’t go back to Korea for a while, but in the meantime, you can’t let your head become empty,” Hansu said, smiling. “What do you think of those exam books I brought you? Are they difficult?”
“Yes, sir, but I want to learn them. I need a dictionary, I think.”
“We’ll get you one,” Hansu said proudly. “You study, and I will send you to school. A boy shouldn’t have to worry about school fees. It’s important that older Koreans support young Koreans in their studies. How else will we have a great nation unless we support our children?”
Noa beamed, and Sunja could not say anything.
“But I want to stay at the farm,” Mozasu interrupted. “That’s not fair. I don’t want to go back to school. I hate school.”
Hansu and Kim laughed.
Noa pulled Mozasu toward him and bowed. They headed to the other side of the barn.
When they were far enough away from the grown-ups, Mozasu said to Noa, “Tamaguchi-san said we could live here forever. He said we were like his sons.”
“Mozasu, we can’t keep living in this barn.”