episode_0076

After a time that felt like a disaster at the blacksmith shop, the sun had set and it was getting close to evening.

“… Stop falling.”

“Uh-huh-huh, I don’t like it… .”

Until then, it was like this, like this.

Yoo Hee-ah clung to Si-hyuk like a bedbug and never let him go. She clung to him the whole time, like a monkey hanging from a tree, like a cat climbing up a shack, like a puppy that saw a bone.

Because of this, Shihyuk had to drag her around like a housewife carrying a baby in a sling, whether he was walking around doing housework, pulling out weeds in the yard, spraying pesticides, or hanging out the blankets and doing the laundry.

-No matter what, it was a bit much for him to follow me to the bathroom to do his business.

Even he, who was somewhat enlightened, couldn’t stand it at that moment and unconsciously grabbed Yu Hee-ah’s head.

“Woohoohoo… .”

“… … .”

But she didn’t do anything special, just smiled weakly like she did now. Even if it was just contact that Sihyuk was doing for her, she just seemed to like it.

… I think I know how you feel. Today, he rejected Yu Hee-ah for the first time.

The Cowherd turned his back on the Weaver Girl, and Orpheus forgot Eurydice. The moment something he thought would never happen became a reality, she lost her reason.

The fact that the person who understood her, the other half of her soul, had pushed her away must have come as a shock and despair to Yu-hee-ah.

This was the backlash against that rejection.

Her obsession grew worse, and she yearned for Shi-hyuk even more, and she was sensitive to his every action. She was anxious that he would reject her again, that he would push her away, and she couldn’t feel at ease. She constantly clung to him as if she was trying to make sure that she was within his boundaries, and she kept checking Shi-hyuk’s reactions.

“Aha, Sihyuk. Sihyuk… . My… .”

“… Phew.”

Although he himself wasn’t very good at interpersonal relationships, Yoo Hee-ah was even worse. This was also a passage that showed how little she had a connection with others.

This was never a normal relationship.

But she’s just starved for affection, and she knows how to run wild toward her goals, but she doesn’t know how to approach someone. She threatens, intimidates, and coerces. That’s all she knows how to do.

Like donuts sold at the alley market, the cheap and twisted relationships that can be easily obtained through the transactions of Gap-eul. The best that Yoo Hee-ah could achieve was worse than a piece of bread that disappears in three or four bites.

It was also the limit of a monster that had lost its humanity. Shihyuk felt sorry for that and a little sad.

She was Sura. She was vicious and dangerous. She was the woman who had just spread anger and negative emotions towards him by talking about black crystals. And yet, Shi-hyuk could not completely hate Yoo Hee-ah.

This, the person who lost me – I couldn’t bring myself to throw away my other self who couldn’t meet Baekhyun.

“Isn’t it hot? You must be sweating so much that you smell.”

“Ahaha. That’s better… .”

“…? I don’t know English.”

“There is something like that… . If it’s really stuffy, you can go wash it… .”

“I think so- … but why are you following me?”

“Together, I’m going in… .”

“… … .”

“You don’t have to be embarrassed… . I’ll wash with you too… . Let’s get naked together… . Then, Teacher Teacher… .”

But even so, it’s not like it’s not another self. Shihyuk quietly raised his fist.

thud!

“Ouch… .”

==========

Surprisingly, the Emperor’s actions did not end there.

At 9 PM, when it was late and Yu Hee Ah didn’t seem to have any intention of going back, Shi Hyuk subtly suggested that she go home – and when she declared that she would be sleeping today, Shi Hyuk felt like he would just faint.

“No way. How can you stay in a house where a man lives alone? There is only one bed.”

“I… . Can I sleep with you… ? No, I want to sleep with you… .”

“Absolutely not. You’ll get angry.”

“But… You said you wouldn’t push me away… ?”

“… That and this are separate issues.”

Indeed, Sura. It devastates not only his daily life but also his mind.

Looking at Yoo Hee-ah, who had become so stout and duck-billed that she was blocked by desperate opposition, Shi-hyeok sighed deeply and pressed his throbbing temple with his index finger. She, who had been in a state of madness while writing in an extreme manner, might have felt less of a burden mentally.

“I don’t like sleeping alone anymore… . Can’t I… ?”

“… … .”

Why do I feel so weak-hearted even though I know that the way I plead with my tearful, wet voice is a lie?

Just as Yoo Hee-ah was about to voice her opinion more actively in order to push him further, who was completely on the defensive, the doorbell rang loudly throughout the house.

A hard and dry ringing like an alarm. For a moment, Si-hyuk unconsciously felt in his pocket, thinking it was his cell phone.

“… … .”

But it wasn’t. It was Yoo Hee-ah who answered the phone. It was funny how even the phone ringtones of a man and woman who looked alike were the same.

She answered the phone with a slightly depressed expression, perhaps secretly upset that the flow that was favorable for me had been broken, and put the phone to her ear without saying a word.

[… … ]

In the midst of the silence, Shihyuk, who had sharp ears, could hear the sound coming from the other end of the phone to some extent. A short mechanical sound was repeating regularly. It was something like Morse code, some kind of code or signal.

Tsk, a tongue-clicking sound was heard. It was Yuhee Ah, who immediately pressed the end call button.

He glared at the cell phone in his hand with an annoyed, spiteful expression, and clacked it so hard that it made a crackling sound. He then put it in his pocket and raised his head to face him. His gaze was not clearly visible because of his hair, but there was something vague about it.

“Unfortunately, I think I have to go now… .”

“… Is something going on?”

“… It’s a secret… .”

A sudden phone call, and then a change in behavior.

There was something ominous and dangerous about it. Judging from the sound of the signal, she might already be hiding somewhere unknown to the world, quietly moving about.

It’s hard to imagine this Sura interacting intimately with others. However, it seems like she belongs to some group. Just like the twisted and broken Yu-hee-ah, the group she hangs out with is probably not very solid either.

“Sadly, I don’t think I’ll be able to be with Shihyuk for a while… .”

“… Is that so?”

-Should I stop it now? That thought suddenly occurred to me.

However, it was impossible to deal with her with force. Yu Hee-ah’s madness, which revealed her true colors, was so strong that it reminded her of Gong. To be exact, she was above Si-hyuk. Maybe a little below the old man. Above all, she was not the type of woman who would break or stop even if Si-hyuk held on with all his might. Rather, it was fortunate if she didn’t get scratched and get a sore.

But that’s all he can do.

“Don’t forget what you swore. If you break it, I will never see Hee-ah again.”

“… Of course… . As long as Shihyuk doesn’t abandon me… . I will keep my promise too… .”

All I could do was rely on empty promises and hope for a slim ray of hope.

Yoo Hee-ah held out her little finger.

A promise that children at the playground always make, a sign of trust. Shihyuk wordlessly hooked his finger with her small, thin finger. Their thumbs pressed together. A contract was signed.

She was gently rolling her thumbs together, then whined gloomily like a puppy that got wet in the rain.

“If you keep your promise and come back… . Can you give me a reward… ?”

“If I can do it.”

“Uh-huh, that’s right… .”

Their hands that had been touching each other slowly, slowly moved away. Regret dripped from each and every movement. Yuhee-ah, who had been sniffing at his nape while swaying in his arms, fell away with a gesture full of regret, opened the door and stepped out.

“See you later… .”

When Shihyuk went out into the yard, she had suddenly disappeared and only darkness remained.

Shihyuk buried himself in the sofa. He was tired and worn out. A sweet smell still wafted from his body and throughout the house.

If he had smelled it like that, he would have been tired and paralyzed, but his sense of smell was still working hard. Or maybe his nose had long since rotted away and the smell was coming from his brain.

The phone rang again. This time it was really his phone.

[Mr. Sihyuk, it’s me!]

I answered the phone with a lazy hand gesture and put the receiver to my ear, and heard the voice of a healthy and lively girl.

It was a galaxy.

“… … .”

The tension he had been holding in his eyes without him realizing it was gone, and Sihyuk closed his eyes and squeezed them tightly. So hard that tears welled up.

[Mr. Sihyuk? Hey, why aren’t you answering? Hello?]

My eyes felt hot and painful, like someone who had been trapped in the darkness and suddenly encountered a bright light. I even felt like the shadow that had been tightly wrapping around my ankles was fading away.

It was such an incredible timing that it made me burst into laughter.

“… Sorry. I had to think about something for a moment. That’s why my reply was delayed.”

[Oh, I see! I was worried for a moment because there was no answer. What’s wrong? Did I bother you when you’re busy?]

There was something going on. Something that was difficult to tell Eunha. The girl was definitely not a nuisance. Rather, she was a relief. For some reason, strangely enough, Sihyuk felt sorry for Eunha.

I don’t know why, but it happened. Something made me lose confidence.

The self-esteem that had been built up a little crumbled like a sand castle, scratched by the cold winter wind. I even wondered if I could be by Eunha’s side like this, and if it was okay.

“I’m really sorry.”

So, I apologized again.

It felt like I was defiling a lovely girl, but I couldn’t give up circling the galaxy. My mouth felt bitter. It was painful because I felt like I was clinging to her like this.

[No! It was my fault for suddenly calling you at such a late hour! You don’t need to apologize like that!]

The image of the girl waving her hand while receiving the apple was vivid in his mind, as if she was right in front of him even though he couldn’t see it. Si-hyuk let out a small, silent laugh.

The galaxy’s consideration felt cool and pleasant, like applying cold ointment to an itchy wound.

[But, what’s wrong? Mr. Shihyuk, your voice sounds somewhat strained. I’m sorry if I’m interfering, but I’m worried. Are you okay?]

“It’s okay.”

At the sound of the worried girl’s voice, Shi-hyuk unconsciously looked out toward the kitchen where the lights were turned off. In the dark space, the darkness seemed to be quietly watching him.

Hoohoohoo, I heard someone’s laughter as an auditory hallucination.

“Nothing special happened.”

Yeah, nothing happened.

There was no need to worry about the galaxy or the wild flowers. The girl should always, always bloom so beautifully in the bright place. This shadow was the one that Shihyuk should bear.

He forced a smile.