299 – EP.11 Promise-1
***
“How are you feeling?”
“It’s okay. I have good recovery, thanks to magic.”
“Magic is convenient.”
“So it’s magic.”
“That’s right.”
An awkward silence passed, and Kim Seong-ah scratched her cheek and looked away.
“Well… Can we sit down and talk?”
“It’s your house.”
“Oh, that’s right… Me too.”
She sits down across from her and smiles exaggeratedly.
We face each other at the table. I’m worried about what kind of expression I should make due to the awkwardness that comes along with the joy.
“How have you been? Are you at home somewhere?”
“I was sleeping on the street?”
“Homeless!?”
“It wasn’t difficult. There were a lot of empty boxes and newspapers in places like the local park.”
He said faintly, recalling the chilly night air.
“It must have been difficult.”
“Actually, I actually liked it.”
“Do you like being homeless?”
“There is such a thing.”
He recalled memories of wandering in the wilderness. He remembers looking at dry tree branches, making a fire, and sleeping with hay as a blanket.
“I have a question, can I ask you?”
From Noble mtl dot com
“If I say no, you won’t ask?”
When he asked playfully, Kim Seong-ah pursed her lips.
“It’s a joke, what are you curious about?”
“You were around when I was a magical girl, right?”
“I guess I saw it somehow. I thought it was somehow hidden.”
“You can see it really well.”
Kim Seong-ah, whose tension was relieved, smiled brightly.
She leaned forward, twisting her damp hair between her fingers.
Her bare skin caught a glimpse of her through her loose shirt, and Kang In-ho leaned against her back and turned her eyes to the ceiling for a moment.
“What else are you curious about?”
“…Since when were you able to transform?”
“Not long ago. Two days after I left home? Since I was sleeping on the street, I had time to go back and it was easy for me to practice.”
“It was comfortable. Living on the street went well and you must have enjoyed it.”
She immediately made a sullen face.
Anyone could see that she was upset, and Kang In-ho simply shrugged her shoulders in response.
“How have you been? Looking at the way your house looks, I don’t think so.”
At his question, Kim Seong-ah felt something stir in her heart.
It was less hot than anger, and brighter than sadness.
“I was sick because I didn’t eat well. I didn’t even have time to sleep.”
It was sad.
“It must have been difficult.”
She gave him a cup of warm tea that she had brought, and he responded calmly.
“It was difficult. I don’t think I’ve had this much difficulty in years.”
She followed him and leaned against her back, wrapping her arms around herself.
She tried to put on a bright face, but strangely, the corners of her mouth did not move.
Kang In-ho brought his share of tea to her mouth and examined her face.
He looks tired and lonely.
“But… What was really difficult was not having you by my side.”
“…….”
“Mister, can’t you come back home?”
“……”
“Please. I’m begging you. Your empty space is too big.”
“It’s true that we were together a lot, but if you look at it actually, it wasn’t that long…”
“It’s not a matter of time!”
Kim Seong-ah hit her table. He looked similar to the day he and she had fought.
“I just need you.”
“It’s not important whether we spent a day together, a week together, or a month together. What’s important is what you gave me!”
“Because of you, I look forward to tomorrow morning.
I eat delicious food because my uncle is there.
The house becomes brighter because of you.
I’m looking forward to coming home because of my uncle.
I can rest because I have you.”
Despite her passionate appeal, he had a face like a calm lake.
“So… Won’t the same thing happen? You and I won’t fight again?”
He cut it coldly.
“I’ll do anything. I’ll do whatever you ask. Just stay by my side.”
“Seong-ya.”
“I will not miss school. I will study hard. I will also try to go to college. So, I mean…”
“Can’t you just stay next to me?”
Her face was distorted, and she gritted her teeth.
“Seong-ya, why on earth are you doing this to me?”
Kang In-ho still had an expressionless face. No, maybe she felt that she had that kind of face.
“I, I…!”
Kim Seong-ah opened her eyes wide as she was overcome with emotions.
Ah, so that’s what it meant.
Kim Seong-ah only then remembered ‘that’ that Kang In-ho had mentioned.
“I…!”
Nevertheless, she opened her mouth. She felt like there would be no way to catch him by not saying this.
Her mouth trembled. Her stomach started to churn, and she even felt dizzy.
Perhaps the shock of her battle had finally come, as she felt her blood drying from her fingertips.
‘I have to say it!’
Still, she had to say it.
“I like you!”
It was indeed a confession that made me nervous and worried about what would happen next.
***
“…In the end.”
Kang In-ho pressed her throbbing head with her fingers.
Even with moderate pressure, her head didn’t get any better.
“I told you clearly last time.”
His voice was full of fatigue.
“Well, still.”
Kim Seong-ah turned her gaze here and there like a student being scolded.
Her face turned red, and a belated feeling of shame came over her.
“Okay. Well….”
“…But, you’re not surprised.”
When Kim Seong-ah muttered as if she was dissatisfied with a blushing face, Kang In-ho only then excused himself.
“Oh, that’s… Right. Um, yeah.”
“What is your reaction?”
Kim Seong-ah muttered, and Kang In-ho looked dumbfounded for a while, then shook her face.
“That’s because I was so surprised.”
“If that’s the case, then what?”
Kim Seong-ah agreed to the hastily made excuse.
Silence fell on the table. I could hear the refrigerator humming.
“So what is the answer?”
“I told you before. Don’t love me. I can’t answer your feelings.”
“If people’s minds could be easily controlled, half of the world’s problems would be reduced.”
“You’re suddenly speaking well.”
“So what exactly do you want? It’s not about dating.”
“It’s not working yet. Well, that’s what I expected.”
Kim Seong-ah bent down her body and brought her face closer.
“I want to change the conditions I made last time.”
“You can break the contract at will and make contracts at will, it’s completely arbitrary.”
“Can’t you just say it’s okay and move on?”
Kim Seong-ah opened her eyes. Kang In-ho slowly turned his face to see the knife-like gaze.
“Okay, just say it freely. What are the conditions?”
“First of all, I will attend school diligently. I will never miss school.”
She said in a somewhat serious voice.
“That was the original condition. Don’t pretend to give up anything big.”
When Kang In-ho pointed it out, she made a noise.
“Now that I think about it, there isn’t much time left until the CSAT. Let’s do this. I will prepare hard for the CSAT and even take the test.”
“…Okay.”
“Okay, what else would you like to suggest?”
“I want to leave out the condition of not loving my uncle.”
“…Okay.”
“Surprisingly, you gave me permission.”
“If I say no, will you just step down?”
“No.”
“Look. Just because you’re told not to love doesn’t mean you won’t love. It’s not a request to love you either.”
“It’s refreshing. Is this an adult?”
“You changed the conditions. Can I add something too?”
“Yes. It’s okay for me to do the dishes, and I can clean the living room and yard.”
When Kim Seong-ah spoke, pointing her finger, he shook her head.
“Until you take the CSAT, I will stop the evil forces.”
“…Yes?”
“That’s the condition. Don’t do it if you don’t want to.”