The Guide - Chapter 8
Chapter 8: Flower of the Sun
Whimper... Whine... A young animal caught in a trap whimpered pitifully, scratching frantically with its claws at the heavy metal clamped on its front paw. It trembled violently in terrible pain and fear, struggling, but it was no use. It was impossible for a small animal, barely the size of a forearm, to escape the massive trap set for wild boars on its own.
My lady, Lady Ga-on! You mustn't go that way! There are traps everywhere!
I heard a young one crying.
Detecting the human voice, the young animal, despite its exhaustion, straightened its trembling hind legs and bared its sharp teeth. Rustle. Soon after, the sound of footsteps on the dry leaves scattered around the trap was heard, and a person with refined features appeared. Their appearance was quite different from the humans it knew.
The humans it had peeked at from afar while hiding behind its mother were mostly rugged men with thick, bear-like beards. But the person before it now had a smooth, fine face and a smaller build, and carried a pleasant, fragrant scent like fresh grass. It seemed like a distinctly different kind of being from those who smelled of stale sweat and the traces of slaughtered animals.
- Just a baby.
Although it couldn't understand the meaning, the low voice mixed with a sigh eased the young animal's tension considerably. The tension unknowingly drained from its eyes, and it felt certain that this being, at least, meant it no harm.
No, my lady! What are you doing! You'll get hurt!
If you're not going to help, be quiet. Give me that stick.
My lady!
I told you to be quiet. You're scaring the little one.
Inserting a thick stick into the metal frame and twisting hard, the tightly clamped jaws of the trap slowly began to open. Ga-on carefully pulled out the young animal's front paw. She looked down at the poor creature, too exhausted to move, and pondered for a long while.
There seems to be no sign of the mother... Then again, she probably knows it can't be saved in this state, so why would she take unnecessary risks? But is it right to take a wild animal into human territory out of momentary pity? It's small and weak now, but it will soon become a predator...
Still, having seen it, I can't just leave it here to die. The deliberation was long, but her actions after making the decision were swift.
Oh dear, my lady. What are you doing? Why such a creature... You'll ruin your clothes.
If I had just passed by, it would be different, but since I saved its life, don't I have a responsibility? The smell of blood is already strong, and it can't run away on its own. If left like this, it will become prey for other wild animals before long.
That might have been its fate, but... Ga-on decisively tore off a piece of her skirt hem, carefully wrapped the young animal's wound, and lifted it into her arms.
Good heavens, that expensive silk skirt... Oh dear. I wash my hands of it if Madam faints.
Mother will say I did well.
Give it here. I'll carry it.
Leave it. I'm worried you'll drop it being clumsy.
The young lady's appearance with a torn skirt and bloodstains caused quite a commotion in the household, but the young mistress, just turned eighteen that year, remained perfectly calm.
- Ahnyeongdaek. Bring warm water, clean towels, and powdered ujeol root. Also, prepare food suitable for a carnivorous animal.
The young animal, having narrowly escaped death, lived in that house for four years until it grew large. After the cub became an adult, Ga-on tried several times to release it into the mountains, but each time, the animal stubbornly returned home. After six such struggles, Ga-on finally gave up trying to return the animal to the wild and, for the first time, used the name she had chosen long ago but never called it, fearing it might become a restraint.
- So-rang. Your name from now on is So-rang. 'So' (ç´ ) for white, and 'Rang' (狼) for wolf. I don't have the talent to come up with a fancier name.
The Celestial Emperor came looking for Ga-on on the night of the third day after So-rang received his name. The exact circumstances couldn't be grasped, but the atmosphere felt somehow unusual. So-rang, keenly observing Ga-on's movements, blocked her path just as she was about to leave the house and firmly stepped on the hem of her skirt. He instinctively knew that if they parted now, they would never see each other again.
So-rang. I have to go. I've decided to do work that makes the world a more peaceful place.
Woof! Woof!
Everyone will take good care of you even when I'm gone. Stay healthy and happy.
Ga-on, usually blunt, coaxed him with uncharacteristic gentleness, but So-rang wouldn't budge. As Ga-on stood there, looking utterly perplexed, unable to roughly push away So-rang who clung to her clothes. Something that had existed only as an formless energy suddenly transformed into the figure of a woman in black clothes, approached So-rang lightly with a peculiar smile.
Your name is So-rang? You seem like a very clever child. Your energy is exceptionally fine too... How about it, So-rang? Do you want to go with Ga-on?
Celestial Emperor.
Call me Chae-i.
Chae-i, after giving Ga-on a bright smile, turned her head back towards So-rang. This time, she asked sternly in a very serious voice.
You must choose carefully, little one. If you follow Ga-on now, you will live an amazing life unlike any your kind has ever experienced. But no one can guarantee whether it will be a blessing or a curse for you. Will you still come?
Chae-i-nim.
Drop the '-nim'.
Chae-i. I will not take So-rang with me.
Think carefully, Ga-on. A thousand years is long. You too will need someone, or something, to attach your heart to.
Ga-on's eyes trembled for a brief moment, but she still shook her head firmly. However, So-rang, still clinging to Ga-on's skirt, didn't easily give up his stubbornness either. Chae-i watched the two bicker back and forth with interest, and finally, seeing Ga-on close her eyes tightly and let out a long sigh, she burst into hearty laughter.
- You've won, little one. I hope you have no regrets. Shall we all go now?
As the Celestial Emperor had said, life guarding the Master of Jungcheon was wondrous. Once he began to properly understand and use human language, the scope of his thoughts expanded to levels he could never have imagined. Although the monotonous and limited life sometimes felt stifling, So-rang never once regretted his decision to stay by Ga-on's side. Even when Ga-on herself spent countless nights tormented by regret, So-rang simply felt truly fortunate to be able to guard her side at that moment.
“Maybe it's about time I yielded that spot to him...”
So-rang, who had been loitering near the annex, narrowed his eyes and muttered lowly upon seeing Ji-won appear with a bright bouquet of roses. Sly fox. He sure picked something Ga-on would like.
“Looks like you have a date?”
“Ah... thanks to you.”
As Ji-won nodded lightly with a fresh smile, So-rang felt a strange mix of emotions. Is this what it feels like to marry off a daughter you've only heard about? Feeling proud, yet also a little sad... Pushing aside his unsettled feelings, So-rang earnestly requested of Ji-won.
“Take good care of her. She's someone who has lived only a weary life for a thousand years.”
But Ji-won's reaction was quite different from what So-rang had expected. So-rang, who had expected Ji-won to promise he would do so and reassure him, twitched his eyebrows significantly when Ji-won's expression instantly changed, his lips twisting into a sneer.
“I know that too. So don't talk like you're entrusting your woman to me.”
“What? Ga-on and I have lived relying on each other for longer than you can possibly fathom. Of course, Ga-on isn't my 'woman', but she isn't yours yet either.”
“CEO Ju isn't anyone's woman. Not mine either, obviously. You certainly have old-fashioned ideas, probably from living so long.”
“What did you say? You little brat!”
Just as the infuriated So-rang yelled, the annex door opened. And Ga-on, her face still showing traces of sleepiness, walked out slowly, yawning. Seeing Ji-won instantly put on a picture-perfect smile as if wearing a mask the moment he saw Ga-on's face, So-rang was utterly dumbfounded. Over the years, Ga-on had been surrounded by all sorts of people, but Cha Ji-won was definitely the champion of being two-faced.
“Did you sleep well, CEO Ju?”
“Yes. I thought I heard Director Cha's voice, so I came out. But wasn't our appointment at 10?”
“It is 10. But I couldn't possibly wait until then, so I came early hoping to get breakfast at Muyeongdang and leave together with you, CEO Ju. Madam Kwon also said I could come anytime.”
“Yes. She's someone who enjoys hosting people.”
“It puts my mind at ease knowing such a warm-hearted person is close to you, CEO Ju.”
Wow. Look at that bastard run his mouth. Genuinely impressed, So-rang shook his head, clicking his tongue. If he had hands, he would have felt like applauding.
“So-rang... Why are you out here at this hour instead of sleeping?”
Only then noticing So-rang, Ga-on asked quizzically. So-rang, staring intently at Ga-on, clicked his tongue briefly. He had been checking Ga-on's quarters at dawn to see if everything was alright, and finding her sleeping soundly for a change, he had stayed, listening to her even breathing without realizing dawn was breaking. But saying that now would almost certainly get him labeled a pervert by Ji-won.
“I just woke up early. I'm going back to sleep.”
“Okay. Rest well then.”
“You... have a nice day.”
“Okay.”
Ga-on's shyly smiling face was quite lovely to see. Although he didn't like the person who had caused that expression. So-rang, watching with great reluctance as Ji-won handed the bouquet to Ga-on, was slightly shocked to see the corners of Ga-on's eyes curve sharply as she accepted it. So she knew how to smile like that.
“They're beautiful.”
“I'm glad you like them.”
“Should I put these in a vase?”
“Then you can enjoy them for a few more days. I'll do it.”
Ji-won immediately took off his shoes, stepped onto the wooden porch, and opened the annex door with utter naturalness. Then he strode into Ga-on's private space, where no man had ever set foot before.
“The scent is quite strong. Would it be alright to put them in the bedroom?”
“It's fine. I think it would be nice.”
“I'll bring new flowers before these ones wilt.”
“You don't have to do that every time...”
“Don't stop me, I'm doing it because I want to.”
So-rang stared blankly at the door closing with a click, and only after a long moment did his jaw drop. He came with serious intentions. He's much scarier than he looks. So-rang shuddered, goosebumps rising, and couldn't help but recall the words he himself had uttered not long ago.
- I bet the two of them will soon be coming out of Unhyujae together in the morning.
My big mouth. This is why people, and animals, always need to watch what they say.
“Director Cha.”
“Yes, CEO Ju.”
“Watch the road. You're going to cause an accident. I told you before, right? No matter what happens, I won't die here today. But it's different for you, Director Cha.”
“Yes. I'll try.”
Ji-won's reply, laced with laughter, didn't sound very reliable, unlike usual. The fact that he said 'I'll try' instead of 'Understood' was already wrong. Exasperated, Ga-on let out a silent sigh. Feeling his intense gaze even without looking, she turned her head sideways. Ji-won met her eyes, the corners of his own eyes crinkling as he smiled brightly.
“Again.”
“I'm sorry. It's not intentional, I can't seem to control it.”
“Haa... If you were going to be like this, why did we come so far out? We could have stayed in Seoul.”
“Exactly. I'm regretting it now.”
“Director Cha, do you realize you're acting a bit strange today? You've driven perfectly fine with me in the passenger seat until now.”
But on this matter, Ji-won had a defense. I mean, who told her to show up for a first date in shorts and braided hair? What am I supposed to do if I can't take my eyes off her?
In fact, while waiting for Ga-on to change and come out that morning, Ji-won had been looking up at the bright sunny sky, worrying about how hot Ga-on might get throughout the day in a suit. Then, the moment Ga-on appeared wearing blue shorts, a loose white shirt, and her hair braided to one side and coiled into a bun, he almost dropped the car keys he was holding.
Madam Kwon... she's amazing, isn't she? Hui-ju always had a sophisticated sense of style that even the picky Ji-won acknowledged, but today, she had truly reached the pinnacle of fashion sense. Ga-on looked like she had just stepped out of a photoshoot set in Santorini; a halo genuinely seemed to shine behind her.
“It's not that I'm strange, it's that you're incredibly cute today, CEO Ju.”
Cute...! Unable to repeat such an unfamiliar and embarrassing word, Ga-on merely moved her lips silently. Only after a long moment could she finally speak.
“That word... I've never heard it once in my thousand years of living.”
“Everyone must be blind then. I'm confident that if I grabbed 100 passersby right now and asked them, all 100 would give the same answer.”
“What nonsense...! Director Cha, your aesthetic sense is too strange.”
“That's a first for me too; I've never heard that in my life. My taste has always been praised as elegant and sophisticated.”
Ji-won retorted calmly and tapped the back of Ga-on's hand meaningfully. Finally realizing he was talking about her, Ga-on pressed her lips together and turned her gaze out the car window. Even her embarrassed, frozen posture was so cute that Ji-won's heart felt ticklish.
He knew better than anyone that he was acting like a crazy person right now. But it wasn't something he could control on his own. He had been desperately trying to compose himself, telling himself not to make Ga-on uncomfortable, but once the reins loosened, he couldn't hold back anymore.
- Director Cha. Would you like to date me, officially?
Ga-on's proposal was incomparably moving, more so than any emotional moment he had encountered in his 30 years of life. Caught completely off guard by the sudden attack, his sense of reality wavered for a moment, but Ji-won did his best to pull himself together. This was no time to hesitate.
- Yes.
Ga-on, who had let out a faint smile at Ji-won's immediate reply that came in less than three seconds, pointed at the ramen with a slightly reproachful look.
I didn't realize it would be so hard to bring up. He said if I suggested eating that, everything would just work out...
Who did?
So-rang.
Hahaha.
So she really did suggest ramen with that meaning in mind. He couldn't quite remember what state of mind he was in when he cooked the ramen. Ji-won, who had only stared at Ga-on's face while she finished a whole packet of ramen, had to pour his own untouched, bloated noodles straight into the sink.
Ever since that moment, his heart felt like a huge balloon, floating buoyantly in the air. In fact, even now, he wondered if this was a dream.
“So, where are we going now?”
“We're going to the Ceramic Art Museum we couldn't visit last time. They have a hands-on program today.”
“So we get to make pottery ourselves?”
“Yes. We make it, leave it there, and they'll fire it and ship it to us.”
Ji-won had been anxious about whether Ga-on would show interest in pottery, but fortunately, her reaction was quite positive. Honestly, planning a date itinerary for a woman with absolutely no hobbies was truly not an easy task.
Since the weather got hot, should we go swimming? No, then other people would see CEO Ju in a swimsuit. That would be terrible for my mental health. Choosing a pool villa for a first date is too blatant. How about cooling off with rafting? No, that's not it either. The physical exertion would be too much for someone who just started considering walks as exercise. And she might get scared if she fell in the water.
But I didn't want a typical first date like watching a movie and having tea. Isn't there something fun and memorable...? The date course decided upon after long deliberation was, for now, a success.
Ga-on, who had carefully watched the potter's demonstration, cautiously spun the wheel and began shaping the clay with a rather solemn expression. Ga-on, lips pressed firmly together, worked intently without uttering a single word. After considerable effort, she made a small water basin. Seeing her look so proud of the crooked finished product, her adorable face made his heart ache.
“Are you going to gift it to So-rang?”
“Are you saying it looks like a dog bowl?”
“Ah... no. Of course not. So-rang isn't a dog, is he?”
Aside from breaking into a brief cold sweat, everything was satisfactory.
On the other hand, Ji-won, who had only half-listened to the potter's explanation while gazing at Ga-on's face, spun the wheel a few times with his foot and instantly created two mugs perfect enough to be sold as products. Then, with a very fine brush, he painted a lovely blue hydrangea on each one. The flower paintings were so delicate and beautiful that the other students all stopped their work to watch.
After finishing the activity, the two decided to go to a restaurant specializing in sanchae bibimbap, located within walking distance of the museum. Although the mountain path wasn't perfectly smooth, the dense leaves provided cool shade, making the walk pleasant and refreshing.
“Director Cha, you're really good at drawing. It seems like you enjoy it too.”
“Yes. I seriously considered majoring in painting when I went to university.”
“Then why didn't you?”
“Because I couldn't draw living people. I was afraid that if I drew a living person, they might die. Most art colleges have basic painting classes where you draw portraits of live models.”
Ji-won's calm reply made Ga-on's expression darken slightly. Ji-won, keenly noticing this, met her eyes gently and smiled brightly, as if to prove that no shadow remained within him.
“When did you find out you could eliminate the dead by drawing them?”
“When I was seven. Just as the security office figured out, it was in Sokcho, 23 years ago.”
When Ji-won was very young, he thought everyone could see ghosts. Even when the child talked to himself or occasionally said strange things, his parents knew Ji-won was exceptionally bright and didn't pay much attention, so Ji-won didn't think it was unusual either.
Mom, there's a little baby hanging on the chandelier up there.
Really? Tell it to come down, that's too dangerous.
He realized these weren't stories made up to get adult attention on the day they first invited people after their vacation home in Sokcho was completed. There, the conversation turned to his grandmother, who had passed away just before Ji-won was born.
- Come to think of it, Ji-won really resembles Mother a lot. His eyes are exactly the same. Oh dear, if Mother were alive, she would have doted on him so much, calling him 'our eldest grandson, our eldest grandson'. It's a shame she passed away without seeing him...
Ji-won, listening puzzledly to his uncles' conversation, brought his sketchbook and started drawing his grandmother's face. Having occasionally talked with his grandmother since he was young, Ji-won hadn't realized she had passed away. The adults, who had been watching the child's actions with amusement, fell completely silent with stiff faces once the drawing was finished. The chilling silence that instantly froze the air is still vivid.
Ji-won, where did you see a picture of Grandma?
It's not a picture. She's in the garden right now. She came in the same car as us, didn't she?
At the time, his parents were there, so no one could say anything harsh, but one uncle, who kept looking uneasy, threw the drawing into the fireplace along with the firewood, pretending it was an accident. Watching his grandmother, with her sorrowful face, disappear engulfed in flames, Ji-won understood his ability for the first time.
“I was deeply shocked. For a while, I didn't draw at all, and if I saw anything even slightly strange, I made sure to check if it was real or not. There were several times my parents were called to school because I refused to draw during art class.”
Thinking back now, it must have been a very difficult situation for his parents too. But Ji-won's parents fully supported their son. They confidently demanded the homeroom teacher leave the child alone, saying there were inexplicable reasons, and frequently asked if seeing things others couldn't was scary or difficult, taking care of him.
Because of that, Ji-won was able to grow up without going too far astray or becoming warped. However, while relieved that their child was growing up bright and well, his parents couldn't completely hide their thoughts about whether Ji-won might be sick somewhere. He overheard them seriously discussing whether he should receive treatment several times. Whenever that happened, Ji-won felt a little hurt, and also a little sorry.
“When I first arrived in the US, adjusting was a bit difficult, and that's when I started drawing again. At first, I drew things like school supplies or clothes, things that wouldn't be a big problem even if they were damaged. After observing for a long time and seeing that nothing happened, I gradually expanded the scope. Then I realized the scope of what I could eliminate was limited to 'dead people'. Still, I couldn't bring myself to draw people.”
Ga-on, who had been listening silently to Ji-won's story, gently took his hand. Then, in her usual pleasant voice, she began to speak softly.
“I remember the first person Director Cha sent to Jungcheon. It had been a very long time since a soul arrived in Jungcheon engulfed in flames. She looked frightened, but had a rather kind impression. Come to think of it, her eyes resembled yours... I asked who sent her, but she wouldn't answer until the end. It seems she was worried it might bring harm to her grandson.”
“Where... did she go?”
“To a good place.”
Ji-won looked up at the sky for a moment, then slowly let out a very faint, trembling breath. Then, squeezing Ga-on's hand a little tighter, he smiled with a look of relief.
“That's a relief.”
They had a late lunch, drank a cup of coffee, and sat talking briefly on a bench in front of the cafe, but in the blink of an eye, the sun had begun to set. Noticing the shadows seemed to have shifted, Ji-won glanced at his watch and momentarily doubted his eyes when he saw the hour hand nearing 5.
No way. We've been sitting here for over two hours? Didn't we only exchange a few words? It was the first time the saying 'time is relative' had resonated so strongly with him.
“CEO Ju. It's about time we headed back to Seoul. It's almost 5 o'clock.”
“Already? Time flies.”
“It really does.”
Surprisingly, once he became aware of how quickly time was passing, the hour hand started moving like a minute hand. The drive back to Seoul took over two hours, and they spent an hour and forty minutes eating a course meal at a French restaurant, but it felt like no more than 30 minutes had passed. It was almost frightening how chunks of time seemed to be cut away.
“CEO Ju, coffee... Haa, you shouldn't have any more today. It's gotten quite late.”
“Then how about a cup of chrysanthemum tea?”
“I'd drink poison if you offered it.”
Fortunately, they found a traditional tea house with a nice atmosphere nearby, but it was so crowded that staying for an hour was difficult. Seeing a foreign tourist who had just entered look greatly disappointed because there were no empty seats, Ga-on stood up, and there was no longer any excuse to delay heading home. Ji-won tried to stall as much as possible, but wouldn't you know it, there was no traffic today.
Finally arriving in front of Muyeongdang, Ji-won, seeing Ga-on unbuckle her seatbelt and turn to open the door, unconsciously reached out and grabbed her hand tightly. It wasn't something he did with a plan in mind. It wasn't common for Cha Ji-won, whose brain always worked twice as fast as others, to act before thinking, but his body moved on its own out of desperation.
"...?"
As Ga-on stared at him with puzzled eyes, Ji-won's momentarily stalled brain finally started working busily again. It felt like such a waste to let her go inside just like this. But no particular excuse came to mind... Night had fallen, and he couldn't just hold her hand like this forever, so he had to say something... After pondering for a while, Ji-won finally managed to find a suitable topic.
“I'm going to New York this weekend, CEO Ju.”
“New York?”
“Yes, my aunt's lawyer said he's only available next Monday. There are still some things left to sort out... Anyway, including travel time, I'm thinking about a week.”
Although it was something that couldn't be postponed, from the perspective of a man who had just started dating, a week's gap felt too long. Unlike himself, he couldn't hide his disappointment. Ga-on, after thinking for a moment, said something unexpected.
“I'm going to LA next week. I don't remember exactly, but I think I heard it was Friday.”
“What for...?”
“One of the passages in LA is about to be closed.”
In the US, there are entrances for Jungcheon staff in 8 cities, including New York and LA. The one in LA was located in a corner of the rooftop garden of a historic hotel. The hotel had been run for 100 years by a family that had been Guides for four generations, but sadly, no children with spiritual power were born in the next generation.
“The current owner is turning sixty this year in Korean age, so it seems he wants to gradually hand over management to his daughter. But apparently, the daughter knows nothing about this world. So Jungcheon staff can no longer use that hotel to come and go. Of course, it's not something we can force.”
“Then do you need to find another location?”
“The location has already been decided. There's a small chapel on a hill overlooking Santa Monica Beach; it's a place many travelers visit because of the view. So staff coming and going won't look suspicious. We plan to create a passage in the basement of that building.”
Hmm, so entrances change sometimes. Well, usually entrances are made inside buildings, and there are hardly any buildings left that are a thousand years old these days. Even if some remain, there's no guarantee someone connected to Jungcheon would own them. Ji-won, having acquired another piece of information about Jungcheon, suddenly asked in a very worried voice.
“Isn't it very difficult work? It would be good if I could accompany you... Ah, then I'll go straight from New York to LA. Even if I hurry, I don't think there will be enough time to come back here and then go.”
“There's no need. It's just that only I can do it; the work itself isn't strenuous. Investing about half a day is enough to finish it.”
“Still, I don't feel comfortable letting you go alone, CEO Ju. Besides, it might be different if it were another continent, but since we'll be in the same country, the US, how could I possibly return without seeing you?”
Faced with Ji-won's serious gaze, Ga-on felt slightly baffled and also a little amused. First of all, she wouldn't be going on the business trip alone, and besides, Ji-won had only started accompanying her on trips just two months ago. Of course, it was true that Ji-won had shown faster and more perfect adaptability in that short period than anyone Ga-on had met before.
It's convenient for me if Director Cha is there. Seeing his face every day would naturally be nice too. However, Ga-on buried her honest feelings. Ji-won also has a personal life, and urging him to give it up solely for her convenience is selfish.
“Director Cha. New York and LA are practically opposite ends of the US, aren't they?”
“Even so, it's only a five or six-hour flight. It's not like I have to drive myself; I just need to get on a plane, and it will take me there.”
“Still, sorting out the traces of a person's life isn't easy, and I don't want you to overexert yourself because of me, Director Cha...”
When Ga-on showed no signs of readily agreeing, Ji-won quickly changed his approach. Others didn't know it well, but surprisingly, Ga-on was somewhat weak to people who insisted stubbornly. It was probably because she had rarely encountered anyone who acted so unreasonably towards her in her entire life.
“For me, enduring the desire to see you is much harder than just taking a few extra hours on a plane. There's no reason to endure it, either. Since it's a rare opportunity, how about we travel together for a few days after your work in LA is done?”
“Travel...?”
Seeing Ga-on's expression as if she had encountered a completely foreign word, Ji-won's face slowly hardened. Is that word really so unfamiliar? Just how little has she traveled?
“CEO Ju. When was the last time you traveled?”
At Ji-won's question, Ga-on briefly considered the dictionary definition of travel. If travel means going to unfamiliar places for the purpose of sightseeing...
“Today.”
“What we did today wasn't travel, it was a casual date. Excluding this.”
“When I went to London on a business trip with you, Director Cha.”
That wasn't travel; it was a brief outing during a business trip because we had time before the flight. It was only half a day.
“That's hardly enough to be categorized as travel... So, before that?”
"..."
Ji-won stared intently at Ga-on, waiting for an answer. When Ga-on pressed her lips together and couldn't answer further, his brow furrowed deeply. Right, how would someone with no hobbies have traveled? She needs days off to travel in the first place. Since the topic came up, I need to make sure she gets some days off. Firmly resolved, Ji-won deliberately began to speak.
“CEO Ju. Of course, your situation is very unique. Still, people need to take breaks sometimes and travel once in a while.”
“I rested today.”
“Then this month... no. How many days off have you taken in total this year?”
“This year...? Just today.”
“What about last year?”
“I don't think there were any, really.”
Ga-on's calm reply gave Ji-won a sudden headache. At the same time, irritation and anger towards all the attendants who had served her until now began to boil up like lava. Is feeding her expensive, good food and checking her blood pressure morning and evening all there is to it? Do they think the Master of Jungcheon's body is made of cast iron?
“This won't do. As a law-abiding citizen, I cannot stand by and watch the Republic of Korea become such a lawless place.”
“Huh? Why so dramatic...?”
“CEO Ju. From now on, you must rest one day a week, unconditionally. First of all, you are also a citizen of the Republic of Korea, and according to the current Labor Standards Act, an employee who works a full week must be given one paid day off per week.”
Ga-on, blinking her large eyes slowly as she blankly listened to Ji-won's fluent speech, carefully raised an objection. “Um, Director Cha. If we have to classify, I'm an employer, not an employee...”
“Furthermore, if you work more than 80% of the scheduled workdays, you receive at least one paid vacation day per month, and the number of paid vacation days increases with years of service. CEO Ju, you have been employed long-term for 969 years and always work exceeding 100% of the scheduled workdays, so naturally, you have the right to use at least the minimum vacation time.”
“No, I mean, I'm not an employee...”
“CEO Ju.”
Ji-won, who always wore a gentle smile, wiped the smile from his face and spoke in an utterly serious voice.
“I'm not arguing about whether your identity is that of an employee or not right now. I'm saying that anyone who works needs to rest at least that much. Seeing good things, eating delicious food, and sometimes just lazing around doing nothing. People suffering from overwork especially need to relieve mental and physical tension. If a person remains constantly tense, side effects inevitably appear in some form, and in your case, CEO Ju, I suspect that side effect might be insomnia.”
“Lazing around is necessary...”
Ji-won, sensing like a ghost that his words were having some effect on Ga-on, quietly let his eyes gleam for a moment.
“Then, let's try it for just three months, as if you're being tricked. Four days a month, three times, that's 12 days total. During those 12 days, you can travel with me, try unique experiences like today, and spend time completely forgetting about Jungcheon's affairs. If, even after doing that, it doesn't help you at all, CEO Ju, I will never again meddle in matters related to your work.”
After pondering carefully for a long time, Ga-on finally gave a small nod. At that, Ji-won tried his best not to show how thrilled he was, once again equipping his gentle smile and kind voice.
“Is there anywhere on the West Coast you've wanted to visit? Traveling from LA back to the East Coast would be too tiring for you.”
“Why the change of tune? You said the plane would take you there in just five or six hours.”
“That applies to me. You can't put us on the same level regarding physical stamina, CEO Ju. I exercise for 90 minutes a day. If you could keep up with 50% of my workout, I wouldn't stop you even if you said you were going to the moon, let alone New York.”
Ga-on let out a small chuckle at Ji-won's words, then suddenly her eyes took on a slightly distant look.
“There is one place I've wanted to visit.”
“Where is it? Just tell me.”
“Colorado.”
Ji-won's eyes widened slightly. He had asked if there was a place she wanted to go, but he hadn't expected such a specific location to come up immediately.
“Colorado?”
“Yes, there's a long canyon, and I believe the area is now designated as a national park. There's a valley there that the native people used to call the 'Sun's Resting Place'. I don't know what it's called now... Anyway, I want to go see that valley.”
“If it's a national park in Colorado, are you talking about the Black Canyon?”
“Hmm... Black Canyon. The canyon was narrow, so the sun didn't reach well, and the rocks were generally dark in color, so it's plausible they'd give it such a name. When I went, English wasn't used on that continent yet.”
Then it was before Columbus's invasion, so at least before the 15th century... Just looking at Ga-on's face, there was rarely anything to remind him of her age, but occasionally, traces of time like this would pop up unexpectedly. Ji-won perfectly concealed his slight bewilderment and replied nonchalantly.
“If you want to go, you should go. It's a quick flight from LA to Denver... We can rent a car when we arrive in Denver.”
“But I don't know the exact location. I had a reason to be on the West Coast a few years ago, but I eventually gave up because all the photos looked similar.”
“We can just search slowly. That works out well, since we decided to travel anyway. Exploring for about two days should be enough. I think it would be good to go in a camper van. US national parks are so vast, they have campgrounds everywhere. CEO Ju, you've never been in a camper van, have you? It might be a little inconvenient, but spending one night is worth experiencing. It has quite an atmosphere.”
Ga-on, unable to keep up with Ji-won's pace, hesitated for a long moment before letting out a small laugh like air escaping. I guess I brought it up because I thought Director Cha could somehow make it happen. I thought I wasn't expecting to see it again.
“Director Cha, you really... make everything seem simple.”
“Something like this isn't particularly difficult.”
The smile lingering on Ga-on's lips deepened slightly. I'm truly glad I met Director Cha now. Perhaps this time, unlike before, I'll be the one to leave first. If I were left alone after spending time with someone so kind and meticulous, it wouldn't be easy to bear. Ga-on nodded slowly, slightly surprised at how naturally she was accepting a future with Ji-won.
We haven't even made any promises to each other yet. Did I give my affection too easily because I thought he wasn't someone I'd have to send away? A slight worry surfaced suddenly, but a heart once given was no longer hers to take back.
Do-gyeom, frowning deeply as he stared intently at Ro-a inside the booth, shook his head with a look that said this wasn't working and finally stopped the recording. Tsk, one guy drives me crazy singing a song about unrequited love like a powerful military anthem, and this one sounds like she's singing a funeral dirge before her first date.
“Stop. Let's take a break. Come out for a minute.”
Completely deflated by Do-gyeom's cold tone, Ro-a hesitantly came out of the recording booth. Judging by her expression, she seemed to know what she was doing wrong. Seeing her slumped shoulders made Do-gyeom feel even more frustrated. You can just teach someone who doesn't know, but it's difficult to push someone who knows but still can't do it. Do-gyeom, careful not to let Ro-a hear his sigh, asked in the most casual voice possible.
“Are you tired? Is the filming schedule tough?”
“No. I'm sorry.”
“Did you skip a meal? Want to order something and eat before we continue?”
“I had lunch. I'm sorry.”
“No need to apologize for eating. But why does your voice sound so drained? It needs to be about 250,000 times more cheerful than this.”
Ro-a, who had been on the verge of tears at Do-gyeom's exaggerated demand, managed a barely perceptible smile before her expression hardened again. She felt even more sorry towards Do-gyeom, who hadn't gotten angry even though she was singing just the intro for the twentieth time. During her group activities, stumbling in the recording studio for over an hour would have been unthinkable.
“I'm sorry. I'll try to focus more.”
“Is there something distracting you?”
Ro-a's eyes wavered wildly at Do-gyeom's casually thrown question. Simultaneously, Do-gyeom's face slowly contorted. Right, something must be wrong for a twenty-five-year-old to look like she's lived through the world's hardships. Haa... I really don't want to get deeply involved in the problems of the living.
“We can't possibly proceed like this, so just try talking about it. Money problems, relationship problems, things like that I can't solve even if I listen, but...”
“I think my bracelet is looking for me.”
The moment Ro-a, who had kept her gaze lowered, lifted her head resolutely, Do-gyeom's previously indifferent expression instantly sharpened. What kind of nonsense is this?
“On what grounds?”
“I keep having the same dream... A little girl in a hanbok calls me 'Unni' and asks when I'm coming to get her... She was wearing the exact same bracelet as mine.”
“A little girl? About how old did she look?”
“Uh... She looked about ten. Maybe younger.”
Ten years old? Do-gyeom tilted his head quizzically. The one I saw looked at least high school age. Her clothes were a bit outdated, but still from the 21st century. Besides, she didn't seem to have the strength to travel far from the object she was attached to. Her range of free movement seemed to be 20-30 meters at most.
“Didn't you say you left it at your country house?”
“Yes. But the set where I'm filming now is close to my country house.”
“How close?”
“About 30 minutes by car.”
“30 minutes...”
30 minutes by car, not walking... that's not a distance such a weak spirit could travel alone... As Do-gyeom continued to look puzzled, Ro-a hastily added an explanation.
“It takes that long because you have to go around a mountain, but the straight-line distance isn't far.”
Even so, it's impossible. A sigh like a lament escaped Do-gyeom's lips. Putting together the various pieces of information, the conclusion was singular. It seems the owner of the object has changed. The appearance being so different points to that too. A ghost that seemed to have so much lingering attachment to this world wouldn't have just detached itself, which probably means the new owner is no ordinary entity...
“I'll have to take a look. When is your next shoot?”
“Starting the morning after tomorrow. This time, we're filming at the set for three consecutive days.”
By the way, is this a ghost I can handle on my own? Ji-won-hyung isn't here, Hae-su is far away, and even CEO Ju left the country today. Do-gyeom wasn't usually one to worry in advance, but somehow, this time he felt uneasy. A little girl around ten in a hanbok... Even though no specific image came to mind, it felt strangely familiar, which made him even more anxious.
“Waaaaah. Waaah. Waaaaah!”
Hyeon-ho was nearly in a panic due to the loud wails echoing throughout the entire first-class cabin. The baby, who had started crying the moment the plane entered the runway, was still wailing at almost the same decibel level as initially, showing no signs of tiring even though it had been over three hours since takeoff. Glancing sideways, he saw Ga-on lying perfectly still, unmoving for quite some time now. Her eyes were closed, but she clearly wasn't asleep.
She already has so much trouble falling asleep; there's no way she could sleep amidst such chaos. Hyeon-ho, knowing full well that Ga-on had spent almost the entire previous night in Jungcheon, felt increasingly anxious. This won't do. I have to tell them to do something... Unable to bear it any longer, he started to get up from his seat when a low but firm voice called him from the adjacent seat.
“Chief Kwon.”
“Yes, CEO Ju.”
“Don't give them looks. They aren't making the child cry on purpose. If you openly show your displeasure like that, how uncomfortable will their seats be for the next eight hours?”
“Still... If this continues, I don't think you'll get any sleep at all...”
“I can sleep when we get there. Don't be harsh on parents with a child.”
Ga-on said she could sleep upon arrival, but after landing in the morning, her schedule was packed solid until evening, leaving no time for even a short break. Hyeon-ho, fidgeting nervously and shaking his leg, reached the limit of his patience after more than five hours had passed. Glancing cautiously at Ga-on, he quietly rose from his seat.
What kind of parents who don't even know how to soothe their child have the nerve to take such a long-distance trip? No, judging by the cries, it's a newborn baby. What's so urgent that they're already traveling to the US? The baby is suffering, and it's such a nuisance to everyone else. Clicking his tongue disapprovingly, Hyeon-ho headed towards the back corner seat but had to stop when he witnessed a scene slightly different from what he had expected.
“Is he hungry?”
“We just fed him formula a little while ago. His diaper is clean too.”
“He's not sick somewhere, is he?”
“It's probably because it's unfamiliar and difficult for him. They said babies' ears can hurt due to the pressure difference. Aww, his voice is all hoarse. Poor thing.”
A young couple with blond hair and blue eyes were holding a baby who was clearly Asian, looking helpless and teary-eyed. It was a sight that provoked many thoughts. In the end, Hyeon-ho couldn't say anything and had no choice but to return to his seat.
“I told you not to go.”
“Yes. I'm sorry.”
Ga-on and Hyeon-ho, having cleared their minds, willingly endured the young life's sorrow and fussing that continued for the entire 11 hours, but it was a different story for Ji-won, who was waiting for them at the airport with excitement.
“...CEO Ju.”
It was the first time seeing her face in a full week. Ji-won, who had endured the week without properly hearing Ga-on's voice even once, felt his expression instantly turn cold upon seeing the face he had longed for looking completely drained of color. It was obvious at a glance that she hadn't slept for at least two full days.
“Director Cha. I thought you were coming in the evening?”
“I hurried a little because I wanted to see you as soon as possible. But you look very pale. Was the flight uncomfortable?”
Ji-won, clenching his teeth to maintain a pleasant expression for Ga-on, glared fiercely at Hyeon-ho with eyes demanding an explanation. Although feeling slightly miserable and wronged at having to be wary of the much younger Ji-won, Hyeon-ho, having ultimately failed to properly assist his superior, could only shrink back.
“There was a baby crying continuously.”
“...I see.”
Ji-won replied curtly and practically snatched Ga-on's luggage from Hyeon-ho's hand. Then, with a tone so polite it was almost offensive, he bid farewell.
“You went through a lot escorting CEO Ju on this long journey, Chief Kwon. I will take over from here, so please don't worry and have a safe trip back.”
On a low hill slightly away from the beautiful beach bustling with many tourists, a quaint chapel built with white bricks was basking in the bright morning sunlight. The refreshing building with its deep teal roof felt more like a cozy country villa than a solemn chapel.
It's built like a picture. Surprised by the exterior, which was much more beautiful than expected, Ji-won slightly raised his eyebrows. As mentioned, many tourists frequented the place; even though it was still morning when Ga-on and Ji-won arrived, there were many people taking pictures here and there.
“Oh my, CEO Ju!”
As they opened the heavy wooden door and stepped inside, an elderly woman with white hair, who was sitting at a small desk in front of a large pillar, saw Ga-on's face, brightened up, and rose from her seat. Then, as if she had found a long-lost granddaughter, her eyes welled up with tears as she grasped Ga-on's hand.
“I thought I would only see you next in Jungcheon.”
“Didn't I say I'd come see you again soon?”
“It's already been 13 years since you said that.”
"..."
Pausing briefly at those words, Ga-on looked slightly awkward. The old woman, in turn, looked apologetic and waved her hands dismissively.
“Oh dear, I said something unnecessary to such a busy person. It's just an old woman's thoughtless grumbling, please don't mind me.”
“If anyone's old, it's me.”
“Oh, please don't say such things. My mouth runs away with me. Anyway, your face is the same as ever, but you've gotten much thinner. That Kwon Hui-ju must be getting lazy now that she's older.”
“That's not true. Even at her age, she's overly meticulous, that's the problem. I just couldn't sleep well on the way here. I'll be fine after a night's rest, so don't worry.”
The old woman, who had been holding Ga-on's hand tightly and stroking it affectionately, only noticed Ji-won standing beside Ga-on after quite some time had passed.
“But this handsome young man who came with you is...”
“Ah. Say hello, Director Cha. This is Madam Han Song-im, who used to manage my household affairs. Madam Han, this is Director Cha Ji-won, a senior Guide who joined last year. He runs a gallery.”
Ga-on, after briefly introducing the two, hesitated for a moment then added a surprising remark. “And... my lover.”
Ji-won, who had been offering a polite nod to the old woman with his public smile, involuntarily snapped his head sideways. Having said it herself, Ga-on seemed quite embarrassed; her earlobes, though she steadfastly stared straight ahead, were slightly red. Damn... Being cute like this without any warning is cheating. Ji-won had to bite his lip so hard it hurt to keep from bursting out laughing.
“Oh my, CEO Ju, you're making jokes now.”
"..."
Ga-on pressed her lips together, her expression quite ambiguous, but the old woman, who had served her for over 20 years, seemed to think there was absolutely no possibility her words were true. Ga-on, wondering whether to elaborate further, finally let out a small sigh.
“...Lead the way.”
“Yes, CEO Ju.”
Taking a bundle of keys from the desk drawer, the old woman opened a small door hidden behind the pillar, revealing a long staircase leading down to the basement. The depth was considerable compared to the size of the building.
“It will take about three or four hours. As you well know...”
“Yes, CEO Ju. If I feel any difficulty breathing, I will immediately go outside the building, and I will prevent others from entering. Even if malicious entities appear and speak to me, I will absolutely not respond.”
“Good.”
Ga-on, looking at the old woman as if addressing a praiseworthy, obedient child, took a deep breath and stepped onto the sturdy stone stairs. Ji-won followed right behind her. Soon, the sound of the door closing carefully was heard behind them. After walking for a long time and reaching the bottom, Ga-on looked around slowly and nodded with an expression indicating this would do.
“From now on, I will create a door here that leads to Jungcheon. Even if someone were to come down to the basement, it won't be visible to ordinary people's eyes.”
“So that staircase is like the elevator at Zenith headquarters.”
“Correct. To explain what I'm about to do simply, think of it as stacking my energy here like bricks to build a ladder reaching Jungcheon. It's not difficult work, just time-consuming. It will probably be boring to watch.”
“Watching your face, CEO Ju, is never boring, even if it's all day.”
"..." Ga-on frowned slightly but didn't reply to his words.
“There might be souls stuck in the cracks between dimensions who rush out when they see a path opening. Those trapped unable to escape such places are trivial stray spirits, so I can handle them sufficiently on my own, but it seems better for the safety of this building to deal with them using Director Cha's method.”
“Yes. I'll stay focused.”
“No need to be that tense about it.”
Having relayed all the precautions, Ga-on extended her right arm diagonally. Water droplets gathered from somewhere and slowly took the form of a sword. Once the sword was complete, Ga-on slowly swung it at regular intervals. Although invisible, the air, which had been shimmering unevenly with her movements, gradually began to gain density. As Ga-on had said, it didn't seem to require much effort. It was just repetition, repetition, and more repetition.
Not long after she started, three spirits cautiously peeked their heads out, but Ji-won immediately sent two of them to Jungcheon, and the remaining one, being quick, swiftly fled. After that, there were no further disturbances.
Exactly three hours later, a sturdy wooden door, identical in shape to the building's entrance, appeared in the center of the previously empty basement. Ga-on opened the door, confirmed it properly led to Jungcheon, and climbed the stairs with a very satisfied expression.
“If you leave now, I really will see you next in Jungcheon.”
“Live a long and healthy life, and don't come to Jungcheon while I'm still there.”
“Oh, CEO Ju. That would make me over a hundred years old.”
“That's not uncommon these days.”
The old woman, who had been smiling kindly at Ga-on's words, suddenly looked downcast and took out a handkerchief to dab at her wrinkled eyes.
“I've lived long enough and have no regrets... But if only I could have seen you meet a good partner and live happily together, I truly wouldn't have a single lingering attachment to this world.”
“No need to cry. I told you earlier, this handsome young man really is my lover.”
What does she mean by that now...? The old woman blinked, her face showing utter incomprehension. As Ga-on looked slightly troubled and blushed, the old woman's mouth slowly began to open. Then, witnessing Ji-won gently place the back of his hand against Ga-on's flushed cheek, her knees buckled for a moment, and she staggered significantly.
“R-Really?!”
The hotel, said to have been run by the Guide family for 100 years, boasted a stately exterior befitting its long history. Ji-won usually preferred newly built hotels, but this hotel, with its stylishly ingrained traces of time, had enough class to make him think it wasn't bad either.
Creating a new passage where none existed was quite laborious, but closing an existing one was instantaneous. Guided by the general manager to the rooftop garden, Ga-on stood before a thick wooden pillar and swung her sword powerfully just once. Instantly, the entrance, which had blocked the space between the pillars like a transparent glass door, vanished like smoke.
“Is it completely gone now?”
“Not yet. For now, it will be absolutely invisible to the eyes of the living. Once traffic with Jungcheon ceases, the gathered spiritual energy will also disperse, so it will gradually disappear.”
“How long will it take?”
“Well. That's unpredictable. Sometimes it disappears completely within a few hours, or it might remain even after the next Master of Jungcheon is appointed.”
As time passed, the areas under Ga-on's eyes grew progressively darker. Simultaneously, Ji-won's insides burned black with worry, but the Master of Jungcheon, visiting the US after a long time, had much to do. Ga-on met with senior Guides residing on the West Coast, received reports on recent trends, and personally handled cases that the Guides hadn't been able to resolve.
“Ah... I'm really tired today.”
Finishing her schedule late at night, Ga-on barely managed to shower before practically collapsing onto the bed. Ga-on's wet hair bothered him immensely, but Ji-won barely suppressed the urge to immediately aim a hairdryer at her. Ga-on, having been awake for over 70 hours, was already nearly comatose, and he didn't want to torment her with noise.
“Go ahead and sleep now. I'll wait until you wake up in the morning.”
“Don't we have to leave early?”
“We're camping overnight in the park anyway, so there's no need to rush. Don't worry about that and sleep comfortably.”
"..." Watching Ga-on, who had already started breathing evenly, Ji-won was dumbfounded. How tired must she be for someone who takes prescribed potent sleeping pills to fall asleep like this without even finishing two sentences? Ji-won, looking down with immense pity at Ga-on, whose chin had sharpened in the few days he hadn't seen her, brought two dry towels from the bathroom. Then, with very gentle hands, he began to slowly dry Ga-on's wet hair by patting it carefully.
Boarding a camper van for the first time in the Denver airport parking lot, Ga-on let out an exclamation of wonder louder than anything Ji-won had ever heard from her. It was such a strong reaction that she covered her own mouth in surprise.
“Wow.”
“Do you like it?”
“A camper van... I just thought it served the function of a tent. I imagined it was just a sturdier sleeping place than a canvas tent, I didn't know it would have a whole house inside?”
“It has a toilet and a shower, so feel free to use them comfortably. I also asked them to stock it moderately with snacks, so let me know anytime if you're thirsty or hungry.”
Seeing the small refrigerator filled with food, Ga-on's eyes widened.
“You can arrange things like that too?”
“Of course. In a capitalist society, what can't money do?”
Looking around the camper van's interior again, Ga-on suddenly felt a flutter inside and frowned slightly. She was momentarily flustered, wondering if she felt sick, but calmly assessing her condition, it didn't seem like that. Ga-on, instinctively taking deep breaths to lower her heart rate, finally realized she was a little excited. This was what it felt like for one's heart to pound with excitement.
“You can look around slowly later, please sit down for now.” Ji-won seated Ga-on in the passenger seat, fastened her seatbelt, and then handed her a bag of crispy, salty potato chips. Then he took ice from the fridge, put it in a tumbler, opened a can of Blue Bottle Bold coffee he had bought near the hotel the previous night, and poured it in. He added a little water, gently swirled it, and offered it to Ga-on. Smelling the coffee, she looked at him with eyes full of many emotions.
“It might not be as good as freshly brewed, but it should still suit your taste quite well.”
Ga-on took a sip of the coffee with its rich chocolate flavor, her expression unreadable, caught between wanting to smile and wanting to cry. Ji-won, glancing sideways at her, quietly raised the corners of his lips and put on his sunglasses.
“Alright, let's get going.”
Entering Gunnison National Park and arriving at the first viewpoint, the two gazed with wonder at the strangely shaped rocks hundreds of meters high, known as the Black Canyon. Standing silently for a long time before the majestic, almost overwhelming scenery, Ga-on spoke in a distant voice.
“The previous Master of Jungcheon was from here.”
“Was he?”
“This was also the first foreign land I ever set foot on. Back then, I didn't even know a continent like this existed on Earth; I thought, 'Is there such a paradise in the world?'”
It was the Celestial Emperor who brought Ga-on here. The previous Master of Jungcheon's term had about a month left, and the instruction was to observe his ways for reference. The passage to Jungcheon was here, but the place where the previous Master actually lived was a large lakeside village a little distance away. Although not left in records, the people there called their home 'Gapinkao'.
“There wasn't a word that perfectly translated it... but if I had to find a similar nuance, it was something like 'Spring of Paradise'.”
“That's a very poetic naming sense.”
“The scenery was wonderful, of course, but they were people who saw the world as truly beautiful.”
The sight of sunflowers taller than herself blooming endlessly in the lakeside fields is a scene she will never forget until she dies. Seeing such vibrant flowers brimming with life for the first time, Ga-on was truly shocked back then.
“Spring of Paradise, Sun's Resting Place, Sky Flower, Scent of Spring, Angel's Bell, Baby's Smile... It would have been nice if I remembered the original words, but they were a tribe with their own language but no writing system, so it wasn't recorded. Now, the tribe itself has completely disappeared. They were gentle and good-natured people, unable to harm others.”
The previous Master showed Ga-on many places in this area, but the most memorable one was undoubtedly the Sun's Resting Place. He said he usually went there when he needed time alone.
- Whenever I get too exhausted from judgment duties, I come here. Then there's the voice of nature telling me I am nothing. Realizing that I couldn't possibly be a perfect human in the first place eases my mind a little.
It was a place where the river, flowing fiercely between the canyons, took a bend and slowed down a bit. It was a narrow, deep canyon where the sun didn't reach the bottom, but sunlight squeezed in at an amazing angle, making the river water sparkle like jewels.
“I really wanted to see it again at least once, but I never had the chance. Just setting foot on this continent itself wasn't easy.”
“I see. I really hope you can see it again.”
As they slowly explored along the road, darkness fell. Ji-won, having secured a spot at the pre-booked campground, sat Ga-on down beside him and started preparing a simple meal. Watching Ji-won skillfully handle the cooking utensils, Ga-on looked quite intrigued.
“You know how to cook too?”
“Can you really call this cooking?”
It was a nonchalant answer, but the result Ji-won produced exceeded expectations. The omelet made with bacon, peas, and onions looked plausible from the start, and the mini rice balls shaped like dumplings, despite seeming to have few ingredients, were strangely savory and delicious, making her keep reaching for more. Adding hot mushroom soup to that made it a wonderful, faultless meal.
“Director Cha, you're really amazing. How is everything so delicious?”
“Food eaten while camping always tastes good. It's probably because expectations are lower. And things like the soup were just pre-cooked items I heated up. If something made by a large corporation with great effort to suit popular tastes wasn't delicious, wouldn't that be the bigger problem?”
Ji-won, having efficiently served even fruit for dessert, strongly dissuaded Ga-on from helping with the cleanup and ushered her into the shower room.
“I really appreciate the thought, but it's faster if I do it alone. Go wash up and come out.”
Just as Ji-won had confidently promised, when Ga-on finished her shower and came out, the kitchen was already neatly cleaned and aired out, and the cozy bedroom, arranged like a loft above the driver's seat, had soft bedding laid out. Lowering the lights and opening the skylight revealed a sky full of stars that looked as if they could spill down at any moment.
Were starlight always this bright...? Trying to recall a similar sky required going back too far into the past. Ga-on, who had been gazing blankly at the stars for a long time, turned her head with a puzzled look when Ji-won, finished with his shower, perched on the edge of the bed instead of lying down next to her.
“Why aren't you lying down? It's been a really long time since I've seen a sky like this too. Haven't you had many chances to see stars lately, Director Cha?”
“Because I don't think I should lie down next to you right now, CEO Ju.”
It was a calm tone, but the words were laden with meaning. As Ga-on's eyes widened, Ji-won let out a small chuckle and gently caressed the corner of Ga-on's eye with his fingertips. This kind of tension was new to Ga-on, and she didn't know how to respond.
“Ah... um...”
“You don't have to say anything. I only answered because you asked the reason; I have no intention of pressuring you. Just keep watching the stars comfortably like this, and sleep when you feel tired.”
“Then Director Cha... where will you sleep?”
“I can sleep down there.”
“It seems like it would be uncomfortable...”
Ga-on glanced at the kitchen area with the table, her face showing lingering concern. Ji-won smiled brightly, the corners of his eyes crinkling prettily.
“Not at all. It's designed to be converted into a bed at night.”
“But...”
“CEO Ju. Please don't make me want to just give in and lie down next to you. For now, I'm sufficiently satisfied just being on this trip alone with you, but human desire is endless, and I don't know how far I might want to go tonight.”
Ji-won slowly lowered his head towards the quietly flustered Ga-on, placed a light kiss on her forehead, and then straightened up without lingering.
“I'll go take a walk around to cool my head. Please get ready for bed.”
I've already washed up, put on pajamas, and am lying down, what more preparation is there... Ga-on, blinking her questioning eyes slowly, realized Ji-won had stepped out so she could use the restroom comfortably, and let out an involuntary soft gasp.
“Ah...”
How can someone like that exist? She knew Ji-won was an uncommonly meticulous man, but the moment she clearly realized he was treating her as a woman, not just his boss, her heart began to pound violently.
Just as he said, if he had lain down next to me and gotten more greedy, I would have let it happen. Ga-on let out a long, stifled breath and turned her gaze back to the sky. However, unlike her initial awe, her interest in the stars had waned slightly. Ji-won, who seemed to be taking an incredibly long walk, didn't return for quite some time. Naturally, sleep did not come.
Ji-won finally returned almost an hour later, took another shower, then made his bed in front of the kitchen area and lay down. It was a night where sleep didn't come easily, and although both knew the other was awake, neither said a word.
“Haa...” Ga-on, sighing involuntarily, reflexively checked Ji-won's reaction. Ji-won, who would usually immediately ask if something was wrong, was quiet. At the same time, Ga-on realized she hadn't heard the sound of the water heater running when Ji-won took his second shower just now. Mulling over the meaning of a cold shower in the middle of the night, Ga-on felt her face flush unnecessarily and pulled the covers completely over her head. It was a bit hot, but she couldn't possibly show her face.
“It's morning, so have something warm.”
“Okay.”
Ga-on took the steaming mug and nodded obediently. A simple sandwich made with toast filled with mashed boiled eggs mixed with sauce, topped with a slice of cheese, and a cup of warm coffee was today's breakfast.
Ga-on carefully studied Ji-won's face as he calmly handed her the food, but her keen eyes couldn't detect any signs of sleeplessness. Ji-won, who didn't seem to be looking at Ga-on's face while making his own sandwich, spoke with a hint of laughter in his voice.
“I slept better than expected. Don't worry.”
“Do you read minds too?”
“Because it's all written on your face, CEO Ju.”
“People say they have no idea what I'm thinking.”
“Exactly. I find that really strange too. How can they not know when it's so obvious?”
Ji-won, staring intently at Ga-on's face, suddenly swallowed hard, then wiped away a smudge of sauce from the corner of her mouth with his thumb.
"...!"
Unsure whether to say thank you or awkwardly reprimand him for his action, Ga-on could only silently focus on eating the rest of her sandwich.
Yesterday, Ji-won had driven slowly, stopping whenever they found a scenic spot, but today, for some reason, he drove nonstop towards a specific destination. Although slightly curious about the reason, Ga-on, fully trusting Ji-won's actions, simply watched the scenery outside the window with a relaxed heart.
“CEO Ju, please get out. We need to walk a bit from here.”
Ga-on glanced at the viewpoint sign, nodded slowly, and followed Ji-won. Unlike the other viewpoints accessible right after getting out of the car, this time they had to walk quite a distance on a rather rough path. Walking along the winding path through the dark, narrow canyon, Ga-on gradually started thinking the terrain looked familiar.
"...!"
Ji-won, who had been silent the whole time, just smiling faintly, finally spoke only after they reached the valley. “CEO Ju, is this the 'Sun's Resting Place'?”
The black walls surrounding it as if firmly guarding something, the river flowing silently as if not to disturb anyone's rest, the sunlight shining down warmly in praise of them, and the sunflowers just beginning to lift their heads. Ga-on's long eyelashes trembled.
“This place... How on earth did you find this place?”
“You seem so moved, it's a bit embarrassing. It wasn't that difficult. As you said, because they were a tribe without a writing system, there were no written records left. But checking maps and satellite photos revealed about three potential candidates. We visited two yesterday, and this was the last one.”
Even in an era where everything changes rapidly, nature simply held its place steadfastly. Ga-on silently looked around the valley, which was exactly the same as the place in her memory, for a long time. Then she slowly approached Ji-won, who had stepped back so as not to disturb her. Greater than the thrill of seeing one of the most intense memories of her life in person again was the ecstasy of having this man before her eyes right now.
“Director Cha.”
“Yes, CEO Ju.”
“I... think I like you a lot, Director Cha.”
Ji-won, looking momentarily bewildered, slowly raised the corners of his lips into a broad smile. Then, his face still holding that fresh smile, he lowered his head and lightly stole a kiss from Ga-on's lips.
“Not as much as I like you, I bet.”
“Ha.”
Ji-won gazed intently at Ga-on, who had let out a low laugh. This time, with a much more serious look in his eyes, he pulled Ga-on tightly against him by her waist. And tilted his head again. The second kiss was much deeper and more tender than the first. Even the brief moments allowed for breathing felt like a waste.
The warm sunlight began to shine down more intensely, as if blessing the lovers who had fallen in love. In the inevitably deepening shadows, no one saw someone trembling with tightly clenched fists.
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