A Small Doubt Within Faith

Kang In-ho, feeling embarrassed by his actions that were so out of touch with modern sensibilities, looked around.

Thankfully, the park was empty.

Like stage lighting, the streetlights illuminated the man and woman.

To the woman, the man backlit by the light seemed to emanate a soft glow, a halo.

Maria slowly rose.

Her hands supported his right hand as if lifting the most fragile and precious treasure in the world.

Their eyes met. He saw blue and green irises.

Were her eyes always like this? He didn’t think so.

Kang In-ho thought, retracing his memories.

“Your eyes…”

He opened his mouth, thinking he was mistaken.

“Yes. Even though Saint has left, I was with Saint.”

It was an enigmatic statement. Kang In-ho, not understanding its meaning, tilted his head.

“I was sorry that the atmosphere wasn’t as relaxed in the prairie where the giant was.”

Was it because his reaction wasn’t what she expected? Maria changed the subject.

“Right. It was chaotic.”

People appeared in droves, fought each other, and then dispersed.

It felt awkward to call their meeting in the Unique Dimension a reunion.

Maria took his hand.

Feeling the soft touch, Kang In-ho said, “Aren’t you curious?”

“About what, may I ask?”

“Why I came to the park.”

“True faith does not ask for reasons. Asking for reasons proves that one did not truly believe.”

Maria smiled faintly.

“I was worried.”

“……..”

Cutting off Maria’s words, Kang In-ho replied, “Even if you say that, I thought you’d be curious.”

Did he do something unnecessary? Kang In-ho smiled awkwardly.

The hand holding his tightened slightly.

He didn’t know what emotion it was, but the warmth radiating from Maria was incredibly comforting.

“Worried… what kind of worry…”

“From Maria’s perspective, the farewell was a bit sudden, wasn’t it?”

From Kang In-ho’s perspective, it was a perfect farewell, but from Maria’s perspective, it was a tragedy of failing to save Saint.

“Yes. I was preparing to respond, believing that someone would save Saint.”

Maria recalled the painful and bewildering moment.

Perhaps because she recalled an unpleasant memory, her eyes clouded over, and her smile disappeared.

“So I was worried. It’s a bit much for me to say it myself, but Maria relied on me a lot. I wanted to make sure Maria was okay.”

“Saint’s words are correct.”

Maria let go of Kang In-ho’s hand and took a step back.

One step.

Two steps.

Three steps.

After creating a distance of exactly three steps, she lowered her gaze.

Maria looked at Kang In-ho’s shadow flickering in the light and projected her own feelings onto it.

The silence of the park resurfaced.

The occasional sound of insects created a subtle atmosphere.

“Then, Saint…”

Maria, about to speak, hesitated several times as if she didn’t want to say it.

“You were just curious if I was okay?”

Maria finished the sentence with difficulty and bit her lip.

“Maria?”

“Was there nothing else besides being worried?”

Her restless hands grabbed and crumpled her clothes.

“Maria. Look at me.”

“Yes, Saint. I’m listening.”

Maria’s eyes, now lifted, were wavering.

Facing her watery eyes, Kang In-ho pondered what to say.

It seemed that simple words wouldn’t dispel her misunderstanding.

So he decided not to say anything.

Instead, he opened his arms and embraced Maria.

“S, Saint?”

“It’s not just for that reason. I just, wanted to see Maria.”

Pulling Maria, who fit perfectly into his arms, closer, Kang In-ho whispered in her ear.

“Actually, I don’t know how to express it in words. It’s hard to explain why I’m drawn to Maria. But, that feeling is there.”

A comforting fragrance rose from Maria’s blonde hair, tickling his nose.

Kang In-ho tightened his arms, holding her even more firmly.

“…I can feel it. Saint’s heart.”

Having fully felt his emotions, Maria received his warmth with a more relaxed expression than before.

The two shared a long embrace.

They exchanged many stories while embracing each other.

Maria asked about his life as Saint,

Kang In-ho asked about Antonio’s well-being,

The wonders of modern life,

Praise for her adaptation to modern times,

They talked until the shame hidden by overwhelming emotions resurfaced.

When the emotions subsided, and they blushed at their close proximity, like having bitten into the forbidden fruit, Maria slowly distanced herself from him.

One step.

“Shall we… go now?”

Maria asked, bowing her head with a shy expression.

Kang In-ho instinctively knew what those words meant.

It was the final choice.

The last chance to undo the choice he had made.

“Let’s go.”

But he didn’t turn back.

He didn’t know anything about what would happen in the future, but he had faith.

Faith that things would be alright. Faith that things would get better.

There was no evidence or sign that gave him certainty, but he believed it.

Only the warmth of the slender yet strong woman, following his hand, responded to that belief.