The boy didn't even try to scream, because he could feel the terrifying power of the man's unyielding force.
The man spoke exactly like a Japanese, but the boys figured that he had to be Korean from his actions. Theyh didn't know who he was, but didn't doubt his threats.
"Apologize, you pieces of shit," Hansu said to the boys.
"We're very sorry." They bowed formally to her.
She stared at them, not knowing what to do.
They bowed again, and Hansu released his grip on the boys' hair just slightly.
Hansu turned to Sunja and smiled.
"They said they are sorry. In Japanese, of course, Would you like them to apologize also in Korean? I can have them do that. I can have them write you a letter if you life."
Sunja shook her head. The tall bys was now crying.
"Would you like me to throw them into the sea?"
He was joking, but she couldn't smile. Sunja managed to shake her head again. The boys could have dragged her somewhere, and on one would have seen them go. Why wasn't Koh Hansu afraid of the boys's parents? A Japanese student could get a grown Korean man in trouble for certain, she thouhgt. Why wasn't he worried? Sunja started to cry.
"It's all right." Hansu said to her in a low voice and let the tall boy go.
The boys put the melon and the bones back in the baskets.
"We are very sorry," they said, bowing deeply.
"Never ever com around here again. Do you understand, you shit-for-brains?" Hansu said in Japanese, smiling genially to make sure that Sunja did not understand his meaning.
The boys bowed again. The tall one had peed a little in his uniform. They walked in the direction of the town.
Sunja put the baskets down on the ground and sobbed. Her forearms felt like they were going to fall off. Hansu patted her shoulder gently.
"You live in Yeongdo."
She nodded.
"Your mother owns the boardinghouse."
"Yes, sir."
"I'm goint to take you hime."
She shook her head.