Body Talk

I discovered something thin and tough.

Each of them had a unique shape and a different scent.

After burying the small, hard, round ones in the ground, I waited a short while, and they would push through the soil and show their faces.

When water fell from the sky and the bright sunlight shone repeatedly, changes occurred to those with green roofs.

Something oval, with very thin layers stacked upon each other, would peek out.

After waiting a little longer, the layers would open, revealing what was inside.

Each of them had a unique shape and a different scent.

I called them flowers.

For a while, I was engrossed in growing flowers.

Although they weren’t exactly what I desired, watching them be born and end their lives was meaningful to me.

It was the only enjoyable activity in a dull and boring world.

How engrossed was I?

When I came to my senses, there was no more room to grow flowers.

The earth was dyed in various colors, but I was still alone and lonely.

That’s when I thought.

It would be nice if these flowers acted like me.

So, I touched the flowers and connected different ones together.

It took quite a long time.

The result, achieved after much trial and error, was quite satisfactory.

They took on a form similar to mine and could communicate with me by making sounds.

I called those children flower people.

A dark night. Even the slightest sounds were amplified and burst into the room.

I could hear the rustling of mice in the barn, and the flapping of night birds searching for prey with fiery eyes.

The night in this world was quiet, so very quiet.

It was as if the world was gathering its ears, waiting for me to speak.

The Yakgwa Cake brought in for a late-night snack was sweet and delicious.

I was sitting on the veranda, enjoying the cool night scenery.

“……..”

In truth, I was waiting for someone to be ready.

No one could stop Chunhyang, who had declared that we would share a bed.

[Today is not a good day, perhaps when the weather is better….]

When I expressed my refusal in a roundabout way, she said,

[Am I, as a woman, completely without charm?]

She frowned, looking as if the world had come to an end.

I don’t think she grimaced like that even when being tortured.

Perhaps it was because she only showed me a smiling face when facing me, but Chunhyang’s appeal with a frowning face was effective.

[Ah~ To Young master, I am just a girl to be protected and cherished, I see.]

Covering her face with both hands, Chunhyang turned her back.

‘Boo… Trash….’

It felt like Bangja and Hyangdan, who were eavesdropping on our conversation from afar, were saying this to me with their eyes.

[Ch, Chunhyang….]

Damn it, I’m losing the public opinion battle.

[Up, upon second thought, today seems like a perfect day.]

It was clear that my approval rating would hit rock bottom if I continued, so I had no choice but to retract my words.

[I knew you would say that.]

Chunhyang, who had been half-crying, smiled brightly and lowered her hands as if nothing had happened.

[Chunhyang, were you just acting….]

[Young master. Then I shall go and prepare. Hyangdan, come with me.]

As if she wouldn’t listen to me, Chunhyang ran away quickly, and Hyangdan followed behind her.

Damn it, I’ve been had.

“Young master, haven’t you gone inside yet?”

Bangja approached me as I was recalling what had just happened.

“It seems the preparations aren’t finished yet.”

Perhaps, if the preparations were finished, Hyangdan would have come to me. It seems there is something to prepare besides bathing.

“Well, I, I suppose so?”

Bangja’s face flushed as he responded to my words. It seems a bit embarrassing to have this kind of conversation in a rigid Joseon society.

Of course, it’s still embarrassing in modern times as well.

“Bangja.”

I opened my mouth, listening to the sound of frogs croaking somewhere in the forest.

“Yes, Young master.”

“If you even think about peeking… remember that the day you are buried in this ground will be that day.”

“P, peeking! I, I would never do such a thing!”

“Yeah, you might as well play with Hyangdan.”

“Aish! Young master! Why are you suddenly bringing up Hyangdan?”

His face turned even redder than before. What, I thought they had already done everything. His reaction seems so innocent.

“Anyway. Remember what I said.”

“I wouldn’t look even if you told me to, so don’t worry. I’m not such a scoundrel as to steal a peek at the respected Chunhyang and Young master.”

Bangja waved his hand.

That rascal, he has a sense of loyalty.

I briefly recalled someone I met in a world from a long time ago.

Who was it… someone who was quite affable and faithful….

I can’t remember the name.

“Young master.”

“Yeah.”

Bangja spoke to me in a calm voice as I was rummaging through the past.

“You seem more at ease.”

“Me?”

Bangja nodded vigorously.

“Before coming to Namwon, you seemed to have a troubled mind… but now you seem very comfortable.”

“It must be because I saved Chunhyang.”

“It seems a little different from that… it’s like you’ve found a place to rest your heart.”

“……..”

“Young master always seemed to be chased by something. By the expectations of the magistrate, by the standards you set for yourself.”

Bangja smiled.

“But now there’s no sign of that, so this Bangja is very happy.”

Seeing Bangja’s face laughing heartily, I couldn’t help but chuckle as well.

“Yeah, if you’re happy, I feel more at ease too.”

As we were laughing and chatting, I sensed someone behind us.

“Young master. Please go to your sleeping quarters.”

It was Hyangdan.

Traveling between worlds, I can’t say that I lived like a noble saint.

I mingled with many people.

Sometimes for coercive reasons,

Sometimes caught up in the atmosphere,

Sometimes for a purpose,

Sometimes out of pity for the other person,

I mingled.

But perhaps because I wasn’t born a playboy?

I feel more nervous and worried than excited and thrilled.

Mingling means becoming strongly intertwined with the other person, whatever the motive, so I always worry and fall into deep contemplation.

Moreover, this time there was something that moved my heart, so my worries deepened even further.

As my head was spinning with such thoughts, I heard Chunhyang’s voice from inside the room.

“Young master. Please come in.”

I swallowed and carefully opened the door.

The warm temperature and sweet fragrance of the room poured over my face.

As if grabbing and shaking my neck, as if grabbing and enveloping my head, a sensual atmosphere overwhelmed me.

There was Chunhyang.

Chunhyang was there in a form that stimulated a person’s carnal desires, neither completely naked nor completely covered.

Chunhyang, who met my eyes, smiled.

“I, your maiden, have been waiting for a body talk with Young master.”