Memories of a Midsummer Night (2)
We headed out to the sandy beach to set off fireworks. Even my parents, who had grown numb to the daily bursts from all the tourists, came along. With both my hands full, Aqua grabbed onto theirs instead, looking every bit the perfect granddaughter.
Whiiiish... Boom!
The beach was already alive with tourists enjoying their fireworks. We staked out a spot off to the side.
Something safe to start: a fountain firework.
I buried the fountain in the sand, lit the fuse with my lighter, and stepped back a good distance.
"Aqua, it's dangerous, so stay back."
Aqua clung to my leg, her eyes wide with anticipation as she stared at the firework.
Szzzzz—!
The fountain erupted in a spray of sparks. Brave little embers shot into the sky, burning away the darkness.
[Ooooh!]
Aqua squeezed my leg tight. Her mouth hung open in awe, refusing to close.
[A fountain made of flames!]
Mom had already pulled out her phone to film Aqua. Aqua's eyes sparkled as she shouted,
[If the salamanders saw this, their eyes would pop out!]
The fountain firework soon fizzled out.
[What? It's over already?]
Aqua sounded disappointed, her arms loosening around my leg.
"Don't worry, we've got more."
I sat on the sand and pulled Aqua onto my lap.
Next up... this one.
I lit what was sometimes called a Roman candle—a stick firework—and handed it to Aqua, clasping my hand over hers.
"Here, get ready."
[Ooo...!]
Excitement crept back into Aqua's voice. Moments later...
Pew! Pew!
Tiny projectiles rocketed from the end of the stick.
[Eek!]
Aqua nearly dropped it in surprise, but I caught it from behind—no accidents today.
[Ooooh! It's like a magic wand from the movies!]
Aqua started having fun with it right away. Figuring she was safe now, I let go of her hand. She twirled it freely, shooting sparks into the night sky.
[Ahahaha! It's like casting magic!]
Finally, the classic rocket firework—a mounted launcher type.
Whiiiish... Boom!
The spark rocketed skyward from its stand. It seemed about to fizzle, then burst into brilliant color. Aqua watched, entranced. Fireworks of every hue soared, painting the heavens in unique patterns.
[Fire flowers... I get it now. That's why they're called flowers.]
Even these cheap fireworks sparkled brighter than any stars in Aqua's eyes.
After the fireworks, we headed home, and I gave my parents a massage alongside Aqua.
[Like this?]
Aqua conjured some Healing Water and rubbed it into Mom's knees.
"Yeah, that's perfect."
Water spirit Healing Water boosted the body's natural regeneration. Unlike potions that healed wounds instantly, it strengthened regeneration from within, healing slowly but deeply.
That's why hospitals and hunters love potions, while cosmetics companies and the elderly go for Healing Water.
That was why a simple rub-down like this counted as a full massage.
Ever since getting a spirit, this was the first thing I wanted to do for them.
My parents had spent their lives supporting me. I'd given them massages whenever I could, but seeing them knead their own backs and knees always hurt my heart.
While Aqua worked on Mom's knees, I pressed Dad's lower back.
"Aigoo, aigoo. Feels great."
"Tell me if it hurts."
"Nah, it's just right."
Having just gone from F-rank to E-rank, I still struggled to control my strength.
Soon, we switched: Aqua applied Healing Water to Dad's back while I kneaded Mom's shoulders.
Once done, my parents tested their backs and knees, amazed.
"Wow, it really improved in just that short time."
"Healing Water lives up to the name."
But then their faces fell.
"We wonder if we should accept something this expensive..."
[Don't say that!]
Aqua crossed her arms, putting on a stern face.
[Healing Water for you two is never wasted! I can make more anytime—what's there to regret?!]
She sounded just like a granddaughter scolding her grandparents for skimping to save money.
They must've thought the same, smiling faintly as they scooped her up.
"Hee hee hee. Sorry for saying silly things, Grandma's little one."
[Hmph! If you're sorry, then be happy next time—no more apologies!]
"Hee hee hee."
The heartwarming scene brought a smile to my face too.
Regular Healing Water massages should improve their health over time.
The thought of finally doing proper filial duty warmed my chest.
[They say Korean dramas are that fun, right?]
The next day, after breakfast, Aqua asked.
"Where'd you hear that?"
[An undine in the Spirit Realm told me. She said watching dramas with her spirit master was her favorite thing.]
I nodded.
"Dramas are best in British, American, or Korean."
[Got anything planned today?]
Nope.
Aqua's eyes lit up.
[Then let's watch one together!]
Sounded good. I sat her on my lap and fired up the laptop, browsing our shared OTT service. I paused at one title.
DOGGEBI.
The drama that swept Korea—and my personal favorite.
[What're you doing? Play it already!]
Wondering if she'd like it, I hit play at her urging.
"Alright, time to taste some Hallyu."
We dove in.
Through episodes 1 and 2, Aqua kept asking questions. Unlike yesterday's movie, the plot was more complex. She especially struggled with flashbacks.
[Where's that?]
"Korea, a few hundred years ago."
[Why'd it suddenly appear?]
"It's a flashback scene."
[Flashback? What's that?]
"Recalling the past."
[So that's like imagination?]
"Not quite—it's showing a scene from the past."
[So that's the past? But the goblin looks the same.]
"He's the goblin. Like your spirits, he doesn't age."
[Humans like that exist?]
"Not in reality. But it's a drama—a fantasy one. Fiction mixed in."
When questions dragged on, I'd pause and answer for 10 or 20 minutes. Never annoying— I wanted to teach her more.
By episode 3, Aqua went quiet. Not sure if her curiosity faded or she was hooked.
We ended up binging through the night—couldn't sleep with her singing the theme.
[Waaah, the goblin...! The goblin!]
After the finale, Aqua bawled. Tears rolled down her cheeks, onto my shirt, then slithered back into her body through her feet.
I pulled up the cast commentary for her. Best watched right after.
Suddenly, Aqua shot up, hands behind her back, voice low and grave.
[Truth is, I came to the human world to find my family.]
Thinking it a game, I watched her back. She turned slowly.
[Can you see this sword in me?]
A water-forged sword pierced her chest.
"What...?! "
[Can you pull it out?]
Her eyes were deadly serious. I swallowed hard.
Obviously a prank. She could shape water into hair-hands; this was the same.
But a thought flashed: A supreme spirit that shouldn't exist.
[You... can't see the sword?]
Snapping out of it at her prompt, those eyes—radiant yet lonely—seemed to hold real magic.
I reached out, gripping the hilt in her chest. A contradictory feel: rippling yet solid.
[You were my family all along.]
Aqua laughed hollowly.
[Pull the sword. Free me from this curse.]
I tightened my grip but hesitated. What if pulling it...?
My mind screamed prank, but my hand refused. What if she vanished? My spirit, just found—what then?
Her hand overlaid mine.
[Don't hesitate. I've waited eons for this.]
Her calm gaze reassured: It'll be fine. Trust me. Pull it.
"......"
I swallowed, braced my arm, and yanked.
Schluck—the sword came out easily. Too easily.
A massive hole gaped where it had been.
[Aah...]
Ripples spread from the hole, across her watery body.
[Now... the end...]
Suddenly, water flooded in from nowhere.
Whoosh—!
It filled the room instantly.
"Mmph!"
Bubbles everywhere. Aqua's form blurred beyond.
I yanked her close. Even underwater, her voice rang clear.
[Farewell.]
Her body dissolved into the water.
"Mmph!"
I flailed, grasping nothing.
Then, the water vanished faster than it came. Not a drop on the floor, bedding, or laptop.
"Aqua!"
I yelled in panic. She was nowhere in the room.
I searched the house. Not in the bathroom, entryway basin—nowhere.
"Aqua! Aqua!"
The contract bond still thrummed in my chest. She was alive. Had to find her.
I checked the kitchen sink. Still nothing.
"Aku...!"
[Hee hee hee...]
A giggle from somewhere.
"...Aqua?"
Following it, I opened the fridge. There she was, curled small, laughing.
"......"
Our eyes met; she grinned mischievously.
[Did you really think I'd die? Hee hee!]
Speechless, I pulled her out and hugged tight.
[Eek! Wait! Squeeze too hard and I'll burst!]
I hugged harder.
[Stop! I'll really pop—mmph!]
Aqua tensed to withstand it.
"......Pffft-haha."
Laughter bubbled up. I slumped against the wall.
"Ahahaha!"
Aqua laughed wildly in my arms.
[Ahahaha!]
I couldn't remember the last time I'd laughed this hard. It hurt my sides before I stopped, body limp from it all.
[So? Think I could be an actress?]
Aqua was thrilled.
"Yeah, you've got talent. But no more pranks like that—I was scared for real."
[Kukuku. Got it.]
Another fun day drew to a close.