episode_0070

Their meeting was a result of layers of coincidences and misunderstandings, but their conversation, which ended with an exchange of names, surprisingly went quite well.

“Sihyuk, he just turned 25 after his birthday… . Surprisingly, he’s the same as me… .”

“We’re the same age. More importantly, what do you mean by unexpectedly?”

“… … No.”

It was she, Yoo Hee-ah, who took the lead in the conversation, however clumsily.

Perhaps there was a distinction between ranks and classes among loners, or perhaps the tension had completely eased thanks to his sincere ice compress.

On the surface, she looked as gloomy and terribly dark as Si-hyuk, but did she have unexpected social skills? She was a mysterious person in many ways.

“Sihyuk… . Sihyuk… . I know it’s late, but can I call you Sihyuk…?”

“I don’t care.”

“Sihyuk too… You can call me Hee-ah or Hee… .”

“Then I will call you Hee-ah.”

“A hard person… .”

Of course, that doesn’t mean that the flow of communication was as natural as flowing water.

The conversation, which seemed to be continuous but did not continue, was interrupted and spaced out, and was short and concise.

“So Shihyuk was still living here…?”

“I’ve been living here for just over a year now.”

“Then before that… .”

“There was a place I was in. Now I’m out.”

The conversation was different in many ways from the Galaxy era.

The innocent girl, who was full of friendliness, approached him without hesitation and, without any intention, started telling him her story, gently relieving Shi-hyuk’s tension.

Even the blunt man was able to have an intimate conversation with the girl, to the point where he could talk back to her and keep up with her rhythm, and even make jokes.

Compared to him, Yoo Hee-ah wasn’t a very good speaker.

She was different from other girls. Was it strange that such a strange person lived in the mountains?

Yu Hee-ah was asking Shi-hyeok various questions, just to keep the conversation flowing without getting blocked, wondering what she was so curious about.

But surprisingly, it didn’t cause any discomfort.

“So, what do you usually do…?”

“I don’t really have any special job. I just make things with my limited dexterity.”

“Aha… . Baek-su, you see. Same as me… .”

“… … .”

It was so direct that it was almost caustic. It felt like someone I had never seen before was conducting a census, so I could have felt uncomfortable. But I didn’t feel bad.

This was a fresh and new feeling.

What should I say? It felt like she wasn’t breaking down the walls in his heart, but rather ignoring them and penetrating them as a matter of course.

How? Why does this inner intimacy build up so much?

It’s clear that Yoo Hee-ah and Si-hyuk are meeting for the first time today.

“If you say you make something, are you a designer or something…? Or, a craftsman…? Something like pottery…?”

“No, I am a blacksmith who makes weapons, armor, and equipment for the strategy series.”

“Aha, you’re an awakened one… . Well, I was surprised at how strong the force was when you pushed it away earlier… .”

Her voice was so weak and shaky that I felt lethargic and listless as I continued to listen to it.

But I would say that this also has its own kind of calm and gentle taste.

Her delicate beauty had a magical power that made one unconsciously fall for the feeling of her earlobes being gently stroked.

“No, I’m not blaming you… It’s just that there are no awakened people around me… Sihyuk, Hyuk… Is his strength level really high…? How much is it…?”

At that question that seemed to be a subtle tease, Si-hyuk, who was clearing away his pockets that had become hard because all the ice had melted, froze.

There was no way I could answer.

Shihyuk tried to control his breathing, which was about to become rough. He almost fell into negative thoughts without realizing it, but managed to come to his senses.

He answered the question in a slightly lowered voice.

“… Asking about other people’s [status windows] is quite problematic.”

“I’m sorry if I’m being rude… . But, could you tell me… ?”

The questioning was persistent.

However, her tone of voice was somewhat desperate, unnaturally different from the content of her words.

He seemed cautious and concerned about something.

Why?

“… I’m a little curious… I can’t help it… . Excuse me… .”

Yuhee Ah reached out her hand. It was a very, very slow, slow motion, languid movement.

A pale, bloodless hand cautiously reached out to his face.

Shihyuk tried to hold on to the unexpected contact, but then lowered his hand.

It was because I saw her mouth distorted so much that I couldn’t tell if she was crying or laughing, and her slightly trembling pink lips. So, I couldn’t stop.

Why does she make that face?

My hand finally reached my cheek.

The touch of the hand that seemed to know nothing about hardship was unexpectedly rough. Unlike the hot Sihyuk, it felt cold and dry, and it was somehow pitiful. It was sad.

The touch of her gently caressing hands was painful.

It was as if I had found a precious treasure that I had lost long ago as a child and was brushing away the dust that covered its surface.

Why are you sending me this gesture?

And why is he so desperate?

“… Could you please tell me?”

“… … .”

I couldn’t figure it out.

Question marks were forming in my head, and ripples were forming in my calm heart as if someone had thrown a water spoon. I was confused and dizzy.

Shihyuk never answered.

-.-.-

“The sunset is setting… .”

For a while, only an awkward silence hung between the two, but a soft, melody-like voice broke the silence.

Hearing her words, Sihyuk quietly raised his head and looked up at the living room window.

The once bright day was already coming to an end.

The once green mountain scenery turned golden, and the shadows became long and dark.

“It’s difficult. I didn’t know it would be this late. I’m sorry for everything… .”

The sudden disappearance of the extreme being.

As if the somewhat dangerous atmosphere just now was a lie, Yu Hee-ah returned to her gentle and relaxed appearance and lowered her head.

“You must have thought I was a bothersome woman who kept asking questions about this and that…? I don’t have any family or friends… . I don’t have much contact with other people… . I guess I got excited without realizing it because I didn’t know how to continue the conversation… .”

The sunlight streaming in through the window fell on her.

For the first time, red vitality appeared on the skin that was like a white sheet of paper.

“… It’s okay.”

Shihyuk shook his head. The conversation itself wasn’t bad, although it was a bit awkward and there were some uncomfortable topics at times.

Si-hyuk accepted Yoo Hee-ah’s apology with a broad mind.

If you think about it, unlike him who was stiff and answered questions like a machine, didn’t she at least make an effort to continue the conversation in this way?

I thought that might be possible.

This must also be an experience.

She ruffled my hair, seeming both relieved and embarrassed by the answer.

“Come to think of it, I only listened to Shihyuk’s story and didn’t talk much about mine… . It hasn’t been that long since I moved here… .”

“Is that so?”

“As you can see, I don’t have much stamina… .”

Her arms, which she had rolled up her sleeves and waved around, were pale as if she was crying.

Thin, blue veins were clearly visible on the translucent skin. Certainly.

She looked pale and even sickly.

If it weren’t for the black hair and half-revealed facial features that gave him an oriental appearance, his white skin would have been enough to make him an Irish foreigner.

“So I thought I’d try some exercise, so I climbed the mountain… .”

“And then you saw me and followed me because you were worried.”

“Yes… .”

She continued, her shoulders hunched.

“I made a big mistake… . I thought you were just another depressed person like me… . A craftsman? You must be someone who does amazing things… ? You’re amazing for creating things… .”

“It’s not that grand.”

“No… . I’m a little jealous because, whenever I touch something, it breaks… . ”

“… Hee-ah, do you also touch and knock on things like me?”

That was the first question Shihyuk asked her during this conversation.

Yuhee Ah tilted her head slightly at that question.

Her shaggy hair swayed slightly at the angle of the tilt, and instead of covering her mouth, one shadowed eye was slightly revealed.

The black, round, lightless eyes had an ominous and creepy quality.

It was pitch-black, with no distinction between the iris and pupil, like the end of some beginning, a period.

“No, well… If I had to be specific, it would be something like a sculpture… Something that is dug out and carved away… something like that.”

“Isn’t that cool enough?”

The pupils were strangely distorted.

The visible dot was like a two-minute comma. The previously weak shoulders were shaking slightly.

Is he laughing?

“Is that so…? Oh, I’m not laughing… . It’s the first time I’ve heard it, so yes, it’s funny… .”

Cook, cook, Yuhee, who had been laughing in a piercing manner, stopped moving. She straightened her head and hesitantly reached out her hand.

“Good words, thank you… . Hey, if it doesn’t bother you.”

“Can I come visit you often in the future…? I want to be close with Sihyuk… .”

Sihyuk looked at the white hand shyly held out in front of him.

Something, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was constantly being compared to the galaxy.

For some reason, unlike the girl who looked like a rabbit or a squirrel, her gestures were delicate and animal-like, but somehow reminded me of a predatory animal like a killer whale.

He shook his head, dispelling the thoughts that had arisen.

But isn’t it too rude to think that way when the other person is right in front of you?

Si-hyuk gladly took the hand that Yu-hee Ah extended.

Unlike her cold hands, his large hands were warm and thick.

“Of course.”

Seeing her who somehow resembled him, he decided to open his heart.

Yoo Hee-ah smiled softly, looking at the hands they held.

“Shihyuk is… .”

“What a really nice person… .”

… A door usually serves as a passageway that allows access between the inside and the outside.

It is a boundary for something that is never welcome – one cannot open it and enter without the owner’s permission.

“You are a really good person… .”

Yes, without permission.