"Ah, thinking about this now won't help," he muttered.
"Later, after I meet Lawyer Shin and have a serious conversation, there will surely be a way out."
With a lazy but determined movement, Ji-ho stretched his arms high, trying to shake off the stiffness in his body. He glanced around the room. It had been days since he'd last stayed there, but everything still looked spotless, not a speck of dust in sight. "Mom must've cleaned it," he thought, feeling a wave of gratitude.
He opened the desk drawer, the sound of a soft click breaking the silence as he pulled it out. Inside lay his beloved Walkman. He picked it up, flicking it on like a familiar ritual, and tuned in to AFKN radio, the station that had always kept him company during his lonelier moments. Eagle FM played the latest pop hits, while Thunder AM broadcasted country music and American radio programs. To him, the radio was more than just entertainment—it was a key to improving his English.
