Like a Candle Before It Goes Out
"It's a bit hot in here."
Yeo-won sniffled and fanned her face with one hand. She disguised the tears that had sprung to her eyes as a casual gesture. Shin-wol, who had been quietly observing her, suddenly spoke.
"Do you enjoy drinking?"
"Drinking?"
"Yes. You mentioned drinking until you collapsed."
"That was back when I was young."
Yeo-won hummed thoughtfully.
"I don't hold it well, but I don't dislike it. What about you, Shin-wol?"
The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them. She had asked naturally enough, yet since he consumed no food, it seemed equally unlikely he would indulge in drink.
Yet the answer that returned was entirely unexpected.
"I enjoyed it considerably in days past. Even without becoming intoxicated, liquor enhances the elegance of the moment."
"Oh, is that so?"
"There was once a man near Uak Mountain skilled in brewing it."
At his calm continuation, Yeo-won's eyes sparkled. She replied swiftly.
"Was he human?"
"Indeed. Human he was, yet his skill in crafting liquor was not at all poor."
"Wow."
Her exclamation carried a multitude of emotions.
This was the first time Shin-wol had spoken of himself. Though it was somewhat vague to call it a personal tale, the mere fact that he was recounting the past was unprecedented. Yeo-won listened with rapt, wondering eyes.
"If only I had been born in those times, I could have tasted it. What a shame."
"You may still taste it now."
"How?"
"His descendants have inherited the craft. Should you wish to drink it, I shall procure some for you."
"That descendant must be quite the master. Still, if a person is making it, it would probably be better for me to go buy it myself."
"Then let us go together."
"Ah..."
"Whether we ride the bus as we did today or choose any other means, it matters not. We have ample time ahead of us."
The weight he placed on those final words made Yeo-won flinch faintly. She hesitated, as though reluctant to speak, and remained silent for a long moment. After fiddling with her fingertips, she finally offered a bright smile.
"When the chance arises. Oh, I've been walking outside all this time and now I'm feeling peckish. Shin-wol, would you like something to drink?"
Abruptly changing the subject, Yeo-won rose and opened the refrigerator. Inside were small bottles of plum drink and orange drink.
She could feel his gaze on her back, prickling like needles.
Did it show that I was dodging the question? Of course it did.
Yeo-won pretended to inspect the nearly empty refrigerator while secretly biting her lip hard.
Shin-wol was kind to her only because the marble resided in her body. His gentleness was nothing more than the lingering traces of old habit.
Yeo-won had to keep convincing herself of this, without pause.
Only then could she avoid expecting anything.
She had no desire to cling to futile hopes.
Whether it came sooner or later, the end was already fixed. Pointless expectations would only bring suffering to them both.
Lately, Yeo-won had noticed something strange about her physical condition.
It was difficult to define, but her appetite had grown stronger and her senses seemed slightly more acute.
And then she remembered.
The body just before death is like a candle flaring brightly before it gutters out.
She therefore accepted the anomalies occurring within her as omens of death.
It was not that she had never considered wanting to live.
Yet the question arose whether she truly, sincerely wished to go on living.
Within that lonely and sorrowful query, Yeo-won smiled faintly and reached her conclusion.
She lacked the confidence to continue this solitary existence.
After surrendering everything, she ironically felt a measure of relief.
Therefore she wanted to leave behind not even the smallest attachment.
So that she would not come to desire life.
There were not many things worthy of being called lingering attachments, but one of them was her grandmother.
That day, the reason she could not refuse her grandmother's summons was surely the unresolved feeling that remained in one corner of her heart.
To settle that matter, Yeo-won had come to Inwol.
And the attachment that had recently taken root was none other than Shin-wol.
His demeanor grew stranger with each passing day.
He became ever more affectionate, inquiring after her preferences at every opportunity and asking whether she needed anything.
Each time he displayed such vague goodwill, Yeo-won—who was unaccustomed to such consideration—could only feel flustered, unsure how to respond.
Even now. Why make promises like that...
Why did he keep tempting her to hope?
Yeo-won shook her head to sever the lengthening train of thought and composed her expression.
She picked up the two drink cans, set them on the table, and opened her mouth to redirect the conversation. At that exact moment, a strange sound drifted from the next room.
"Ah, mmmh, ah, ahng, Tae-seok. It tickles."
Both their gazes flew simultaneously toward the wall where the television was mounted.
Whether the walls were thin or the soundproofing simply inadequate, every noise from the other side came through clearly.
A heavy silence settled between them.
The woman's coquettish moans gradually intensified into something passionate, then devolved into sounds so lewd they were embarrassing to hear.
Slap! The sound of flesh striking flesh rang out.
"Aahng! Tae-seok! I'm dying!"
"Hey, why do you keep trying to run away? Hm?"
Thud, thud, thud.
They seemed to be pressed against the wall, for the vibrations of the man's movements traveled directly through it along with their voices.
Yeo-won's face drained of all color.
Fuck. This isn't just bad soundproofing—it's like we're in the same damn room.
She was so mortified that curses rose unbidden in her mind.
Her grip tightened involuntarily around the drink can.
Don't panic. This is that kind of place.
Yeo-won silently repeated I am an adult dozens of times, ignored the sounds, and pulled the tab on her drink.
After taking a sip of the sweet-and-sour plum beverage to steady herself, she glanced at the remote control on the table.
She smiled sweetly at Shin-wol and reached for it with what she believed was a natural motion. To anyone watching, however, it looked painfully artificial.
"I'll turn on the TV."
Anything that could drown out those noises would suffice. Trying not to appear awkward, Yeo-won lifted the plum drink to her lips once more as she pressed the power button.
The screen flared to life instantly, revealing a startling spectacle of bare skin.
A completely naked woman straddled a man, moving her hips with fervent passion.
"Pfft—cough!"
Even as the liquid in her mouth spilled across her clothes and the floor, Yeo-won instinctively switched the TV off.
If some entity governed timing in this world, it must despise her.
Or perhaps it despised Shin-wol.
Yeo-won wiped her mouth roughly with the back of her hand. The sweet drink left everything sticky—her lips, her fingers, everywhere.
Only water would remove it, so she turned her gaze hesitantly toward the bathroom.
She wore an expression that clearly screamed reluctance when Shin-wol's voice came from behind her.
"Here."
"...!"
The sudden touch on her shoulder made Yeo-won jump. She whirled around.
Shin-wol had risen from his seat. The hand that had brushed her shoulder now held out a tissue, while his other hand remained at his side.
"Ah, thank you. But tissue won't be enough, so I'll just go wash up quickly."
Yeo-won spoke in a rapid burst, then slipped into the transparent bathroom and stood before the sink.
Unlike the red-tinted lighting outside, the bathroom was bright and clinical, which only deepened her mortification.
While washing her hands and mouth, she caught sight of her reflection. Her face was flushed crimson.
After staring at herself for a moment, Yeo-won gripped the edges of the sink and bowed her head.
"Haah..."
An unbearable wave of self-loathing crashed over her.
When she thought about it, it was hardly anything at all. Yet it was painfully obvious what Shin-wol must think after witnessing her overreaction.
Get a grip.
She splashed water on her face, then dried it with the towel hanging nearby. When she emerged, the room had fallen quiet again, as if nothing had occurred.
Did he hear me?
If it was going to grow quiet this quickly, she needn't have put on such a ridiculous one-woman show.
With a faintly bitter smile, she looked at Shin-wol. He glanced down at the floor and snapped his fingers.
The spilled drink and empty can were enveloped in light and vanished instantly.
She had been about to thank him, thinking he had cleaned it out of concern for her, when he murmured softly.
"The scent is unpleasant."
Ah, of course. Yeo-won smiled hollowly.
"I'm sorry."
"It is fine. You were startled; such things happen."
"...Was it that obvious?"
"Very."
"Couldn't you have simply pretended not to notice?"
"I told you before. You possess no talent for such deception."
At Shin-wol's decisive tone, Yeo-won pouted despite herself.
She could neither scream outright nor sit there doing nothing. Grumbling under her breath, she carefully perched on the far edge of the bed, putting some distance between them.
The drink she had spat out had splashed onto her clothes as well, and since Shin-wol found the scent unpleasant, this was her attempt at consideration.
Shin-wol frowned, clearly displeased.
"Not good."
"...Pardon?"
"An unpleasant scent clings to your clothes."
Flustered, Yeo-won lifted the hem of her shirt and sniffed. She could barely detect it, but it must be strong to his senses.
Perhaps it came with being a member of the canine family.
"Is it that bad? Should I change?"
At least she had brought spare clothes.
At her question, Shin-wol shook his head.
"No need."
"But you said it smells..."
"I shall remove that scent. Come sit here."
At his nonchalant pat on his knee, Yeo-won's mind went momentarily blank.