지훈은 비가 오는 날이면 이상하게 오래된 기억들이 떠올랐어요.

Whenever it rained, old memories strangely came back to Jihun.

특별한 이유는 없었지만, 젖은 아스팔트 냄새를 맡으면 고등학생 때 살던 동네가 생각났어요.

There was no special reason, but the smell of wet asphalt reminded him of the neighborhood where he lived in high school.

그날도 마찬가지였어요.

That day was the same.

퇴근 후 지하철역에서 나온 지훈은 우산을 펼치려다가 잠시 멈췄어요.

After work, Jihun came out of the subway station and paused before opening his umbrella.

맞은편 골목에 아주 익숙한 간판이 보였기 때문이에요.

It was because he saw a very familiar sign in the alley across the street.

“아직 있었네…”

"It's still here…"

작은 책방이었어요.

It was a small bookstore.

대학생이 되기 전까지 지훈은 그곳에 자주 들렀어요.

Before becoming a university student, Jihun often stopped by there.

시험기간에는 문제집을 사러 갔고, 시간이 남는 날에는 창가에 앉아 조용히 책을 읽었어요.

During exam periods he went there to buy workbooks, and on days when he had free time he sat by the window and quietly read books.

하지만 몇 년 전 동네를 떠난 뒤로는 한 번도 다시 오지 않았어요.

But after leaving the neighborhood several years ago, he never came back even once.

지훈은 망설이다가 결국 문을 열고 안으로 들어갔어요.

After hesitating, Jihun eventually opened the door and went inside.

가게 안은 기억보다 훨씬 좁아 보였어요.

The inside of the store looked much smaller than he remembered.

천장 근처에는 누렇게 변한 종이들이 붙어 있었고, 오래된 선풍기가 느린 소리를 내며 돌아가고 있었어요.

Near the ceiling, yellowed papers were attached, and an old fan was spinning with a slow sound.

카운터 뒤에는 여전히 같은 주인이 앉아 있었어요.

The same owner was still sitting behind the counter.

“어서 오세요.”

"Welcome."

주인은 처음에는 지훈을 알아보지 못하는 것 같았어요.

At first, the owner did not seem to recognize Jihun.

하지만 잠시 후 눈을 가늘게 뜨더니 놀란 표정을 지었어요.

But after a moment, he narrowed his eyes and made a surprised expression.

“혹시… 지훈 학생 아니에요?”

"Could it be… student Jihun?"

지훈은 웃으면서 고개를 끄덕였어요.

Jihun nodded while smiling.

“오랜만이에요.”

"It's been a long time."

주인은 반가운 목소리로 이런저런 질문을 하기 시작했어요.

The owner happily started asking various questions.

어디에서 일하는지, 아직도 책 읽는 걸 좋아하는지, 결혼은 했는지까지 물어봤어요.

He asked where he worked, whether he still liked reading books, and even whether he had gotten married.

짧은 대화였지만 이상하게 마음이 복잡해졌어요.

It was a short conversation, but strangely his feelings became complicated.

시간은 꽤 많이 흘렀는데, 이곳만 그대로 남아 있는 것처럼 느껴졌기 때문이에요.

It was because it felt as if only this place had remained unchanged while so much time had passed.

지훈은 책장을 천천히 둘러보다가 예전에 읽었던 소설 한 권을 발견했어요.

While slowly looking around the bookshelf, Jihun found a novel he had read long ago.

표지는 조금 낡아 있었지만 제목은 아직 선명했어요.

The cover was a little worn out, but the title was still clear.

그 순간 지훈은 갑자기 깨달았어요.

At that moment, Jihun suddenly realized something.

자신이 그리워했던 건 이 동네가 아니라, 아무것도 결정하지 않아도 되었던 시절이었다는 걸요.

What he had missed was not this neighborhood, but the time in his life when he did not have to decide anything.

밖으로 나오자 비는 거의 그쳐 있었어요.

When he came outside, the rain had almost stopped.

지훈은 한동안 우산을 펴지 않은 채 조용한 거리를 걸었어요.

For a while, Jihun walked down the quiet street without opening his umbrella.