ushernet Chapter 34
Chapter 34
“Geum Soso...”
That name felt a bit distant to me.
She was Hyuk Dojin’s mother and Man Do’s niece, in other words, the Cult Leader’s wife.
Undoubtedly an important figure, but she was no longer alive and didn’t exist now.
Also, since I hadn’t personally met her, the name Geum Soso was indeed unfamiliar to me.
As I hesitated, unsure how to react, Man Do’s voice reached me once more.
“Miss Moyong, while staying here, you’ll probably see and experience many things. And you’ll likely hear a lot about Geum Soso... my niece.”
Man Do stared intently at the carp before slowly smiling.
“If it were up to me, I wouldn’t want to show Miss Moyong the dark side of the Demon Cult, let alone matters related to her. But becoming the Young Cult Leader’s wife means you’ve now reached a position where even the higher-ups of the Demon Cult can’t easily touch you. That’s why I inevitably bring this up.”
He clasped his hands behind his back and slowly lifted his head to look at the sky. The clouds sailing through the blue sky were remarkably clear and pure.
“Even the highest-ranking person here, if their power weakens or becomes useless, they are ruthlessly discarded. Geum Soso was such a child. She was also... innately frail and her martial arts were insignificant. Her family background was humble too. For such a child to become the Cult Leader’s wife was only possible due to the Cult Leader’s devotion and love.”
Man Do slowly closed his eyes that had been gazing at the sky. Above his closed eyelids, his lips parted slowly, as if drawing clouds.
“However, the Cult Leader failed to protect the frail Geum Soso and ultimately had to abandon his wife. It wasn’t simply a change of heart or whim on his part, but a means of survival.”
He opened his eyes and lowered his head.
As he turned his gaze towards me, Man Do’s voice slowly resonated.
“...In a way, Miss Moyong resembles Geum Soso. I think the reason the Young Cult Leader pours his sincerity and devotion into Miss Moyong might lie there. I also feel that way.”
“That’s...”
“But I don’t think it’s wrong. The Young Cult Leader is wise and intelligent. He would never make the mistake of viewing the two of you as the same. So, you don’t need to worry.”
It didn’t really matter. Even if he saw someone else in me, what did it matter? It was a short-lived connection that wouldn’t last more than half a year anyway. If Hyuk Dojin could find solace in me, it would be fortunate instead.
“And it’s not just me or the Young Cult Leader who sees Geum Soso reflected in Miss Moyong.”
Man Do gently erased his smiling expression and spoke softly:
“The Cult Leader may also see Geum Soso in Miss Moyong.”
“...The Cult Leader?”
“Even if the Cult Leader abandoned Geum Soso, his wife, it doesn’t change the fact that she was a woman he deeply cherished in his heart. Although, it’s true that since that day, a deep resentment has grown between the Cult Leader and the Young Cult Leader, creating an unbridgeable rift.”
He glanced to the side.
Hyuk Dojin, who had said he would return soon, was indeed coming back from somewhere. From behind me, Man Do’s voice continued.
“I believe only Miss Moyong can fill the rift between the two that hasn’t been mended for ten years.”
“Why is that? Because I resemble this person named Geum Soso?”
“If it was simply a resemblance, I wouldn’t have such expectations.”
I turned my head and looked at Man Do. He smiled slowly. Narrowing my eyes at his enigmatic smile, I couldn’t quite grasp its meaning.
Man Do took a couple of steps back, bowed in greeting, and walked away in the opposite direction.
As I quietly watched his retreating figure, Hyuk Dojin approached and stood beside me, following Man Do with his eyes.
“What were you talking about?”
Should I tell him we talked about Geum Soso?
“A gift? That place?”
Tilting my head, not understanding his meaning, Dojin’s explanation followed.
“You can plant whatever you want there. Whether it’s flowers, trees, or anything else, it doesn’t matter. If there’s something you desire, Sowol, plant it there.”
“Flowers...”
I hesitated for a moment, as it was something I had never considered before.
Flowers? Trees? Is there something I want to plant? As I was about to shake my head and say it’s alright, that I don’t have anything like that, a fleeting memory made me pause.
“...”
“Sowol?”
At the voice calling out to me as I stood frozen, I narrowed my eyes.
“Why are you...”
“I’d like hydrangeas.”
“Pardon?”
“To plant.”
I took my eyes off the empty lot and looked at Hyuk Dojin. To him, who had a puzzled expression, I spoke again.
“I want to plant hydrangeas in that empty space. The color doesn’t matter. Red would be nice, but even if it’s not, white, yellow, or blue is fine too. As long as it’s hydrangeas.”
“Hydrangeas...”
Hyuk Dojin rubbed his chin and pondered for a moment before rolling his eyes and opening his mouth again.
“Aren’t hydrangeas flowers that bloom in summer?”
“That’s right. They bloom in summer.”
And very briefly at that. Unlike other flowers that bloom throughout the season, hydrangeas bloom in early summer and wither away in the summer rain, falling gracefully.
The name ‘hydrangea’ was given because they don’t fall off becoming dirty and unsightly, but rather, they fall beautifully, drenched in rainwater.
“Is it possible?”
“It’s possible. But are you sure you’re alright with it? Winter is approaching now, so for the flowers to bloom, you’ll have to wait about a year.”
At Hyuk Dojin’s words, the time I had left suddenly came to mind again. Surprised, I slightly parted my lips, and Hyuk Dojin gazed at me silently before chuckling.
“We should plant them in various colors. Since Sowol mentioned it, I’m certain beautiful hydrangeas will bloom. So, Sowol, you must see those flowers in person.”
Hyuk Dojin spoke briefly.
“In the summer, let’s have meals and take walks next to the pond. And when the hydrangeas bloom, we’ll admire them, and when they fall, drenched in rain, we’ll watch that sight together.”
However, the time I had left was never leisurely enough to see the hydrangeas.
Because for me, whose last season was this winter, next year’s summer didn’t remain.
As I pressed my lips tightly together, Hyuk Dojin spoke again with a smile.
“Don’t worry too much.”
His hand descended and gently grasped my hand that was hovering near my clothes.
“As I said before, I have no intention of ever letting Sowol go. The fact that this winter is the end is a future that hasn’t been determined or revealed yet. So, no matter what it takes, I will show Sowol the blooming hydrangeas in person next year. Therefore...”
Hyuk Dojin lightly kissed the back of my clenched fingers and smiled brightly.
“Sowol, don’t give up either.”