episode_0142

“Have you ever seen the caterpillars in Heaven’s Cloth, sir?”

“…Yes.”

Ugh..! Those faces of those friends keep popping into my mind again.

“No matter how much the spinning wheel spins in Heaven’s Cloth, it can never become Cheonjamsa for one reason: there is nothing else inside except the emotions of those children.”

“Emotions?”

“Yes. Surely, sir, you have learned that Seongi is influenced by emotions.”

“Yes, that’s right. Even though my master taught me that there are differences between Seongi and emotions, he emphasized the importance of emotions.”

“Hehe. The secret of Cheonjamsa lies right there. The rich emotions that the caterpillars breathe out while spinning and weave into it. That’s what attracts Seongi and turns it into Cheonjamsa.”

“Oh! I understand what you mean now.”

What were the caterpillars thinking as they made the fabric?

Moreover, the place where the caterpillars make the fabric is none other than Heaven’s Land, rich in Seongi.

Only then could one understand why Cheonjamsa was different and stronger than other existing fabrics.

“When you bestowed permanence upon objects, you praised me so greatly, but… in truth, it’s a rather embarrassing compliment. It’s just that the thread of Cheonjamsa and my abilities matched well. What’s truly remarkable is those children who, even without being spirits, attract Seongi through emotions alone. I am merely utilizing a bit of their greatness.”

The expression of pride from earlier seemed like a joke, as Heeseon now showed humility with a serious face.

However, Heeseon’s display of humility does not diminish the value of permanence.

“While weaving clothes, I’m not just using my hands. Just as those children poured their hearts into the thread, I also pour my heart into the clothes I make.”

“Pouring your heart? Ah… does that mean Seongi is drawn there too?”

“Wow..! Sir! There was a reason why you praised me so much until your mouth wore out! You’re such an easy student to teach, saying ‘as you sow, so shall you reap’! Hehe….”

“….”

Ugh.. Why are you acting like this after the master, Heeseon?

If you keep doing this, will I really develop bad habits?

“Hehe, don’t be embarrassed… Hah… cute… Hah..! Anyway! The important thing is to put sincerity into it! In my case, I wish for them to become more beautiful, comfortable when worn… and… for the clothes never to deteriorate… I encapsulate these kinds of feelings. It’s similar to the thoughts and essence the caterpillars have before they become adults, right? Thanks to that, it was much easier for me to achieve permanence. So, I’m not as great as you say I am…”

“No? You’re incredibly great, aren’t you? Wow… making clothes while having such thoughts makes them all comfortable and beautiful…. Impressive….”

“Ugh..! Sir, please don’t unnecessarily praise me so much… Hehe.. I feel like I’m floating on air…”

“Oh.. It’s not empty praise, it’s full of sincerity….”

I must be impressive since I said I am.

How can someone who loves their work and takes pride in it not be impressive?

Moreover, you praise even the simplest answers I give?

“Hehe.. Come to think of it, I forgot to mention the most important point.”

“What is it?”

“As you mentioned, sir, all these actions should make me happy.”

“Huh..? Did the master say that..? Why don’t I remember?”

“You know. When using Seongi externally, you shouldn’t share your blessings with others.”

“Oh! That’s what he meant?… So, every action of yours in making clothes ultimately means it’s for yourself?”

“Yes, I find the act of making clothes very fulfilling. And knowing that there are people who like wearing these clothes. When I receive compliments on how beautiful the clothes are and hear news that someone was protected by them, I can’t describe how happy it makes me.”

“Wow….”

Is this even more remarkable?

So, the story is about Heeseon genuinely considering it her own joy when the people who wear her clothes are happy and feel safe, just as much as she enjoys making the clothes.

To the extent that it leaves a lasting impact on the clothes!

“Hahaha! What do you think? Do you understand now why the master praises Heeseon’s greatness?”

At that moment, as I marveled, our teacher, who had been quietly observing our lesson, burst into laughter and said,

“Well, I used to just take it for granted when I didn’t know the reason, but now that I do… ”

The greatness resonated with me.

Heeseon wasn’t born with any special abilities.

She simply finds joy in others’ happiness as if it were her own task.

But that’s what makes her extraordinary.

Indeed, is there anyone who can sincerely delight in others’ happiness as Heeseon does, or take pride in what they do?

“Yes, Heeseon may be modest, but achieving what she does is incredibly difficult. It’s because of Heeseon’s talent for weaving clothes and the special thread called Cheonjamsa that it’s possible.”

“……Yes.”

“Well then, let the old man who briefly intervened step back again. Oh! Heeseon, if I may advise, it’s good to first demonstrate to your disciple and then let them try it themselves.”

“Yes, sir!”

Following the teacher’s words, Heeseon picked up a piece of cloth, unfolding it before my eyes.

“Give it a touch. Sir. Oh, by the way, this cloth is made purely with hand skills, without any treatment, using only Cheonjamsa.”

“Oh, really? Um… So, does it contain the feelings of those silkworms inside?”

“Yes! But, rather than just knowing it intellectually, you should feel it. While refining your inner thoughts is important when projecting energy outward, understanding the subject to be projected onto also plays a crucial role, right?”

I gently ran my hand over the cloth Heeseon offered, feeling its texture.

“Hmm… I still don’t quite get it.”

I only felt a soft texture.

No, there’s something unseen that I know is there, but my heart doesn’t quite grasp it.

After all, this is just a piece of fabric.

The idea that it contains silkworms’ emotions is quite…

“If you’re finding it hard, would you close your eyes? Right now, your mind might be closed off, so just try to have the thought of wanting to understand the essence of the subject. Even if you doubt it at first, continually pondering it in your mind can have some effect.”

“Okay….”

Is this some sort of placebo effect? I’m not sure if something that didn’t work suddenly will…

Phew… It feels like I’m trying everything here.

“I want to understand the emotions contained in this cloth… I want to understand… I want to under…”

Hmm….

“Huh?”

“Huh? I feel something… Is it real?”

Hmmmmm…!

“Oh! I think I’m actually feeling something! It’s still vague in terms of emotions being felt, but…”

Yet, there’s something there that I can sense.

Heeseon was right; there was an effect!

“Sir? You seem to be sensing something, right? It should be easier from now on! When you have no clue, it’s hard to believe due to doubts, but once you see evidence of something existing, doubts naturally fade away! Focus on the slowly emerging sensation.”

“….”

As soon as I started to feel even a hint of an unfamiliar aura within the cloth, a vague sensation that seemed almost graspable yet elusive became clearer and sharper.

I continue to focus on the feeling that I sense while listening carefully to Heesun’s gentle advice.

[Whirrr…!]

“Ah… I see. Firmness… Warmth… Beauty…?”

“That’s right! Hehe, you can open your eyes now, Master!”

“…Uh…”

It felt as if I had suddenly dropped into a new world and returned with a bewildered feeling.

Emotions truly contained within a thousand threads in the world..!

Though I knew it, experiencing it firsthand was truly astonishing.

“How is it? Amazing, right? Hehe… But it’s not over yet, okay? From now on is the real deal! I’m going to infuse vitality here, so feel the emotions once again and find the differences from before. Got it?”

“Uh… I understand.”

As soon as my response ended, Heesun’s hand holding the cloth shone brightly in a pretty green hue.

And as the green vitality flowed into the cloth…!

Sparkle..! Sparkle..!

“Wow….”

The ordinary cloth from before was transforming into a smooth silk cloth that seemed to glisten out of nowhere..!

“Indeed.. My standards have risen because of you, haven’t they? Yes.. This is the cloth I know… Since meeting you, I’ve only brought such clothes and didn’t even realize it. Due to becoming accustomed to your clothes, even the ones I used to think were fine seem plain now, right?”

“Hehe… You’re making me blush with those words… Oh! By the way, how is it? This? It feels like the silk is alive, doesn’t it? It’s because my unique ability, vitality, is infused in it! Would you like to touch it too?”

“Yeah, I got it.”

I close my eyes again and gently stroke the cloth that was pushed towards me, trying to feel the emotions contained within.

Whirrr….

“Hmm.. Has anything changed? Oh! No… The emotions are deeper and clearer than before…”

It was a similar yet different feeling.

Even if it’s the same emotion, the way people express it varies…

And it wasn’t the simple and rigid emotion from before…

Complex but warmer and gentler, perhaps?

Whirrr….

“How is it, Master? What emotions do you feel from this cloth?”

“…Just a moment.”

The emotions gradually started to become clearer.

The desire for comfort in the sensation felt…

The wish for looking beautiful…

And the warm feelings of wanting to protect…

Ah…

“Love.. Yes, this is love..! You’ve infused love into this, haven’t you?”

As I exclaimed and opened my eyes, Heesun greeted me with a clear and lovely smile.