Chương 78: S.05 Time to Fly 01(06)

Scene 08. Gyeong-seo and So-hui took the grocery bags out of the trunk. So-hui, who had not yet turned off the engine, set out all the bags filled to the brim, then walked to the driver's seat to close the trunk, turned off the engine, and was about to pick up the bags left on the garden ground again. By then, Yeon-su, who had already come out, was taking So-hui's share inside.

With her load gone, So-hui stuck her hands into the pockets of her thick coat with a slightly sheepish air and followed the two of them inside. As they stepped into the living room, Si-yeon, who had already been preparing food, came out to greet the company. Si-yeon: You're back? So-hui: Ah, it being closing time, there really were a lot of people. Even in the countryside, the downtown was a mess. Gyeong-seo: The parking lot was nearly at capacity too. Yeon-su: Oh, by the way. So-hui sis. So-hui: Yeah?

Yeon-su: The snacks I asked you about — by any chance. So-hui: Ah, those — they're in the box Gyeong-seo brought in, So-hui rummaged through the box set in the kitchen and pulled out a sizable bag of snacks. Yeon-su, now bearing a beaming look, took the bag of snacks and gave a deep, deliberate nod. So-hui, in turn, returned a short, deep nod to Yeon-su's deliberate nod. Si-yeon: The seafood-stew goods?

Gyeong-seo rummaged through the grocery bag and pulled out the 해물탕(Hae-mul-tang_Seafood stew) ingredients packed in a frozen pouch. Holding chopsticks and a ladle, Si-yeon received the Seafood stew ingredients, and ambled back into the kitchen to continue with what remained of the cooking. So-hui turned on the water at the sink and washed her hands with soap. Gyeong-seo, nudging in beside So-hui, entered and washed her hands as well. So-hui: Anything I can help with?

The Seafood stew ingredients were already prepped, so there did not seem to be much to do. As Si-yeon signaled with a tilt of her chin that things were fine, So-hui shook off the water and began organizing the brimming grocery bags. As Yeon-su joined Gyeong-seo in helping with the rest of the tidying, Si-yeon spooned up a ladleful of the seafood stew that had quickly begun to boil and tasted it. As the seasoning seemed not bad, Si-yeon lifted the lid halfway to let the broth draw out.

Gyeong-seo, before anything else, pulled out the bottle of liquor first and slid it deep into the freezer. The three of them quickly finished tidying away the various daily goods, bottled water, and ramyun, and after wrapping up the remainder with rough hands, seated themselves at the dining table. With an expression that suggested the smell was already good, Gyeong-seo opened the refrigerator with Yeon-su and pulled out the side dishes.

In a hurry-it-along fashion, the side dishes were laid out on the dining table. After bringing out a fair number of side dishes, Yeon-su, struck by a curiosity that had come to her, asked So-hui in a probing tone. Yeon-su: By the way, So-hui sis. So-hui: Yeah? Yeon-su: When did you sisses learn this stuff — like cooking? So-hui: As you know, Ji-young sis and I lived just the two of us a lot. During the weekdays, the two of us pretty much had to set up our own meals.

Even that — once we got older and lazy enough, we ordered in and ate, but as you know, that's a once-or-twice thing. You can't do that every time. And it's a real hassle every time, too. So we naturally picked it up. Why? Yeon-su: No, but, then why don't I know how to. Gyeong-seo: Because you always just had Yeon-hui sis do everything for you. Yeon-su: I didn't have her do everything!! Sis just did it on her own and left it??

Si-yeon set the seafood stew, which had quickly come to a boil, in the center of the dining table. Si-yeon: I lived alone, so if I didn't make it, I'd starve to death. Couldn't help but learn it. Yeon-su: Ah, so you learn it all right before starving. Gyeong-seo: Then how about, starting tomorrow, we make a rule — if you don't cook yourself, you starve? Yeon-su shook her head firmly at Gyeong-seo's provocation and conveyed her impassioned objection. Yeon-su: Hard pass? Gyeong-seo: What.

You too, once Yeon-hui sis gets out, you can serve her something right away — that'd be nice, wouldn't it. Gyeong-seo pulled out the liquor bottle that had been briefly stowed in the freezer. The four seated at the dining table, with no rice bowls but empty shot glasses and small plates set before them, were watching the wide stew bowl that was still bubbling. Si-yeon lifted the closed lid, sending up a cloud of hot steam. The strong scent of the seafood stew stirred all four noses and stomachs.

Gyeong-seo wrenched the bottle cap firmly open. After briefly glancing at So-hui's expression, Gyeong-seo sat there quietly, holding the bottle. After a moment, So-hui caught on, and with only a wry expression on her face — as though she had no choice but to accept it now — she lifted the glass set before her. So-hui: Ha. We really need to get into Headquarters soon. Being treated like the eldest is getting to me, in a quiet sort of way. Yeon-su: Right? When are we going in? I thought we'd be going in last time.

So-hui: We'll be going in soon. But, After filling Si-yeon's and Yeon-su's glasses in order, Gyeong-seo handed the bottle to So-hui, as if to ask for her own glass to be filled. The moment So-hui filled Gyeong-seo's glass, Gyeong-seo was the first to lift hers and lightly tapped glasses with everyone. Despite empty stomachs, the four cleared the glasses without difficulty. Onto each of their small plates, they began ladling helpings from the stew using the two ladles set atop the seafood stew.

After the bitter liquor, with the seafood stew that followed, Gyeong-seo let slip the kind of sound a middle-aged ajeossi would make. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Yeon-su: But what? So-hui: Before that, first, there's something we have to settle. Yeon-su: Is it dangerous? So-hui: Danger's always been the case, hasn't it. For all of us. But, hm. Gyeong-seo: Ah, stop! I'm not going to listen. Just guessing at it is hard enough.

So-hui first lifted the bottle and filled the three preceding glasses. So-hui's empty glass was filled by Si-yeon. With no further clinking, each began to drink at their own pace. At Gyeong-seo's brushing-it-off gesture, So-hui nodded lightly. So-hui: Just thinking about it is hard for me. It was a light remark from So-hui, but hearing it, Gyeong-seo grew flustered and glanced at So-hui. Gyeong-seo: Uh, uh-huh. That, t-that wasn't what I meant — So-hui: Hm? About what? Ah, ah. I didn't mean it that way either.

Here. So-hui, as if urging Gyeong-seo's glass, lifted her own glass first. Gyeong-seo, after lightly glancing about, clinked her glass against So-hui's. So-hui: At any rate, it isn't that far off. The day we're going in. Roughly, around the time the blossoms start opening. Yeon-su: Oh, that's not long at all then. Earlier I saw one white plum had a bud on it. Si-yeon: Really?? Yeon-su: Yeah. I saw it earlier in the day. Si-yeon: Then it's about to be spring, and seriously fucking hot already.

Gyeong-seo: Since when has spring been hot. It's warm. Si-yeon: It's already damn hot to me, alright? Yeon-su: Then, by any chance. So-hui sis. I — So-hui caught on to Yeon-su's hesitation. With a light smile, she pulled out a crab from the seafood stew and set it on Si-yeon's small plate. Si-yeon, not minding So-hui's attentions, accepted the gesture silently. So-hui, ladling broth onto her own small plate, nodded as though to answer Yeon-su's hesitation. Yeon-su: Ah. Then. Now. Really.

So-hui: Of course, as is always the case, it really won't be easy. Scene 09_01. It was a restaurant with the lights out, yet one corner was lit clearly enough not to be too dark. On the ramyun bowls set across the broad restaurant, the noodleless, cooled broth and torn-open snack packets lay scattered. Apparently having had a fair amount to drink, Ji-young, her cheeks flushed red, with a tongue twisted up to its limit, was thrashing her limbs as she let loose a fit-like howl. Ji-young: Ahhhh!!

Doe Yeon-huiii get fucked back here!! Doe Yeon-huiii!! At Ji-young's tongue-loosed tantrum, Hee-jin, I-seon, Chae-rim, and Jeong-in, drinking together, sat looking utterly at a loss as to what to do. The number of empty bottles strewn about was rather considerable. Hee-jin: Um, that, everyone, I shall escort The Oldest, and since tomorrow is the weekend, let us each get some rest. Chae-rim: I shall help. To escort her alone is — Ji-young: Hey! Jin Chae-rim!! Chae-rim: Y-yes, yes!! The Oldest!!

Ji-young: You sayin' I'm fat?! Huh?! Big-boned?! Heavy?! ~ Chae-rim: I am not! The Oldest! That was absolutely not what I meant!! Ji-young: I'm goin'!! By myself!! You! Go on an overnight off. I-seon sis, do some more game practice. Total noooob. Ji-young, thrashing about, muttered with her tongue still twisted up and got to her feet, swaying. At Ji-young's tongue-loosed remark — which had struck I-seon's nerve dead-on — I-seon's forehead, which had moved to support her, twitched curiously. I-seon: J-just you wait.

I-seon, jaw clamped tight with force, muttered as though to herself. As Ji-young rose noisily with a clatter inside the restaurant, Hee-jin promptly took hold of Ji-young and propped her up. Hee-jin: F-first, everyone, no need to worry, please head in. Ji-young's staggering step and Hee-jin's step — which by then was unclear as to whether she was being dragged along or doing the propping — turned toward the restaurant's exit.

The youngest of the group, Jeong-in, tactfully began clearing up the empty bowls, snack crumbs, and bottles. Scene 09_02. Ji-young's staggering step was harder to support than expected. Hee-jin was no short woman, but Ji-young was a touch taller still than Hee-jin. With long limbs flailing this way and that, Hee-jin was being all but dragged in the direction of Ji-young's wobbling step as she propped her up.

Just barely making it to Ji-young's quarters, Hee-jin, together with Ji-young, somehow managed to cross the main gate of Ji-young's quarters. Receiving the greetings of the Guard Corps with effort as she stepped past the main gate, Ji-young caught her foot on the threshold of the main gate and tipped, but before she could pitch face-down to the ground, Hee-jin propped her up with all her strength and helped Ji-young along.

The Guard Corps standing at the main gate glanced over to assist, but Hee-jin shook her head as if to say it was alright. When Ji-young's and Hee-jin's steps reached the middle of the broad courtyard, the opened main gate slowly and firmly closed. Ji-young, who had been clinging to Hee-jin, began bit by bit to straighten out the staggering step. As if Hee-jin could not have failed to notice Ji-young's bearing, Hee-jin slowly released the by-now perfectly steady Ji-young and was following Ji-young from behind.

Ji-young did not go into her own quarters. With the wooden floor as the middle, she silently entered the audience chamber of The Oldest that lay across from it. Hee-jin only continued to follow Ji-young's path in silence. After Ji-young had gone inside, Hee-jin entered the audience chamber after her, shut the door, raised black ink-water with her hand, and unfurled an 주식(Jusik_Incantation Guard) around the door. Ji-young watched Hee-jin's actions but did not bother to stop her. She only let out a small sigh.

Ji-young: Sis. At Ji-young's private form of address, Hee-jin readjusted her bearing. Her formal poise did not break, but the hands she had begun to clasp she now fidgeted with separately, as though sheepish. Ji-young: There's something I want to ask. Before that. Ji-young's voice carried not the slightest tremor. There was not even the slightest sway of drunken staggering. Her gaze did not waver either. Hee-jin: What is it. Ji-young: My younger sisters, everyone here. Will they be safe? Even if I'm not around.

Hee-jin could not answer. Ji-young: How that will unfold — does So-hui know? Hee-jin: What reason would there be for me to know even that. Ji-young: Because right after the cataclysm, the two of you talked. So-hui is extremely shy with strangers. And she's definitely not the sort of child who could sit unselfconsciously chatting for three hours — much less with someone who was going to become an enemy. Hee-jin: Are you afraid? Ji-young: More than afraid, worried. Hee-jin: Trust Yeon-hui.

That's what the whole arrangement was for. Ji-young: Well, that's true. Hee-jin: But — you really do speak like someone about to die. At Hee-jin's light joke, Ji-young carried a smile and shook her head. Ji-young: I am absolutely not going to leave. Not by my own will. Within Ji-young's words a fairly hard bone was set. A blade Hee-jin could not have failed to notice. After thinking briefly, Hee-jin spoke to Ji-young again with a smile. Hee-jin: As I said.

The way I will lose myself going forward — it will not be shaped in such a fashion. Ji-young: I'll trust even that, then. As if Hee-jin's answer had been sufficient enough, Ji-young nodded. Wearing a tense expression with a light smile within it, Ji-young calmly reached out her hand to draw out the audience chamber's chair and seated herself. Hee-jin: If it's uncomfortable, we can do it another time. Ji-young: I'm not the type to put off what I've decided to do....

It was not the behavior of someone who had been drunk. There was nothing at all different from the usual Ji-young. Apart from her cheeks being slightly flushed, no trace of intoxication could be found in Ji-young. Looking at the seated Ji-young, Hee-jin took a single key out of her pocket and unlocked the great chest of drawers placed inside the audience chamber. Opening the door of the old mother-of-pearl-lacquered chest, she pulled out a palm-sized incense burner and a single plump pouch contained within.

Ji-young pulled off the bracelet that had been fastened to her wrist and laid it on the low desk of the audience chamber. Hee-jin took out the small incense burner, set it carefully on the floor of the audience chamber, then placed herself in front of Ji-young, seated comfortably on the floor without a chair. Hee-jin: To tell the truth, your capacity for drink — I'd heard about it well enough from the Former The Oldest. For you, of all people, to put on a display of being drunk — I couldn't pretend not to notice.

Ji-young: Well, it's only a trial, after all. Hee-jin: It will be painful. Headaches will come on intermittently. Even the previous Martial Hall Task Force that protected me had to pay visits to the physician's office from the aftereffects. Even at the warning contained in Hee-jin's small but firm voice, Ji-young did not bend her intent. Ji-young: You've found them all, then. Hee-jin nodded without a word.

Hee-jin: It would be best if Si-yeon were to retrieve them herself, but probably — that's a matter she couldn't bring herself to step forward and settle. Si-yeon has to be able to concentrate intact. Only then can she stop me. That's why you're the one stepping forward. Ji-young: I. To Hee-jin seated before her, Ji-young delivered her words in a calm, gentle voice. Ji-young: I trust Si-yeon. Yeon-hui too, So-hui too. And, of course, you too, sis. Everyone who resolved and promised to follow me.

I decided to trust them. As I have always trusted them. But it's not that I'm stepping forward because I worry, the way you do, that Si-yeon might not be able to do it. It's just. The fact that Si-yeon spent such a hard time of it — all of that was misfortune she bore because of my position as a Mirror. If I can repay it even a little, if I can win back even a little for her, that's what I decided to do. So that we may all live a little more lightly, without that weight. I'll do it. Quietly. Whatever it is.

That process happens to coincide in part with your plan, which is what made the decision a little easier to make. So, Ji-young paused her words midway and reseated her body in the chair. Letting out a small breath, Ji-young delivered a voice as though she had decided. Ji-young: What you must do, what you have decided to do. Do it.