One intersection west of Garden Middle Street lay Garden West Street, which was different from the shop-lined North Street and the rental housing of South Street.
Most people on Garden West Street were South Los locals or homeowners.
As a result, it was quieter here.
Children ran beneath the tall elms from time to time, their clear voices ringing out as their parents followed behind, calling reminders after them.
Standing on the terrace at 99 Garden West Street, Tallit watched the scene with envy filling his eyes.
Only after lingering for a while did he rub the corners of his eyes, turn around, and begin his last unfinished task.
Tidying the pigeon cages.
According to that lord's instructions, all the pigeons had to be killed.
But...
After two years of companionship, a lonely man like him had long since come to regard these pigeons as an indispensable part of his life.
So, for the first time, he defied that lord's wishes.
He planned to send these pigeons back to the countryside and entrust them to someone reliable.
And then?
Repay his debt!
Any greater ambitions?
None remained.
Ever since the accident involving his child, everything had lost its meaning.
Everything he did, his entire life, had come to a complete standstill at that moment. All that remained was...
Revenge!
That was why he was immensely grateful to that lord-without his help, Tallit could never have taken his revenge.
Coo, coo-coo!
The pigeons' sudden cries made Tallit pause. Then he quickened his pace, though he remained methodical as he tidied the cages, opening them one by one and releasing the pigeons inside.
Only after watching the pigeons take flight did Tallit turn toward the terrace door-99 Garden West Street was a one-and-a-half-story building, with a living room and kitchen downstairs, and