Side Story 7
Translator: RaidenTL
Side Story 7
“……But you can only make one wish a year. Wouldn’t it be such a waste to use your wish on me, Brother?”
So-ya asked in a worried voice, though she couldn't quite hide how much the idea tempted her.
“Not at all. My wish is for your wish to come true, So-ya.”
San-yu’s immediate response brought a bright glow to So-ya’s face.
“Um, well, you see, Brother……!”
So-ya carefully pulled out her leaf letter and showed it to San-yu.
Seeing her face turn slightly red, it seemed she was a bit embarrassed to show him her wish.
San-yu, who had been looking down at her with tender eyes, froze for a moment.
“……Ah.”
A short gasp escaped his lips.
<It’s okay if Brother San-yu takes a long time to come back, so please just keep him healthy and safe from pain.>
Until just a moment ago, she had been heartbroken over his departure.
Yet, she believed that him not being in pain was a more important wish than him returning quickly.
“…….”
San-yu’s throat tightened, his Adam's apple bobbing painfully at his younger sister’s beautiful heart.
“Your wish, So-ya…… is for me not to be hurt?”
“Yes! That’s So-ya’s wish!”
“But you said you wanted me to come back soon. Is it really okay if I take my time?”
“I’ll miss you a lot, of course. But as long as you aren’t hurting and stay healthy, So-ya is okay with anything! Hee-hee.”
So-ya smiled beautifully, her eyes crinkling into crescents.
“You know, Brother, So-ya can wait. Even if it takes a very, very long time, it’s okay.”
“…….”
“So please, just come back safely without getting hurt.”
“……Wow, really?”
San-yu forced his mouth open, his voice sounding somewhat strained and exaggerated.
“Yes! Really!”
So-ya smiled brightly and held out her pinky.
“Promise So-ya that you’ll come back safely without getting hurt. You have to.”
“…….”
San-yu stared silently at his little sister’s tiny pinky finger.
“Yeah. I promise, So-ya. I’ll make sure to come back healthy and without any injuries……”
He finally hooked his finger around hers and spoke.
“So, So-ya, don’t cry too much because you miss me. You have to grow up healthy and brave. Understood?”
“Yes!”
So-ya giggled and pressed her thumb against San-yu’s like a seal.
The two of them went to find one more fresh leaf.
It was for San-yu’s wish.
“Shall we send our wishes to the Dragon God now?”
San-yu, having finished his leaf letter, asked So-ya.
“Yes, Brother!”
Nodding with an excited face, So-ya led San-yu toward the stream.
As So-ya set her leaf afloat first, San-yu placed his right beside it.
“Dragon God, please, please grant So-ya’s wish and Brother San-yu’s wish.”
Watching the leaves float down the stream side by side, So-ya suddenly paused as if remembering something.
“Oh, wait.”
After looking around, So-ya spotted the item she was looking for and beamed.
It was the very, very large leaf letter she had momentarily forgotten—the one with crooked handwriting and a drawing of a baby bird.
“And this wish, too. Please don’t forget to grant it.”
After floating the remaining leaf, So-ya stood in the same spot for a long time, watching until the leaves were out of sight.
Until yesterday, she had been so sad about having to part with Brother San-yu, but now she felt like she could spend their remaining time together with a smile.
Leaving the babbling stream behind, So-ya took her brother’s hand and skipped down the mountain.
<It’s okay if Brother San-yu takes a long time to come back, so please just keep him healthy and safe from pain.>
The wish of a kind baby bird worrying for her brother……
<Hello, Mr. Stork. I am Ga-yul. Baek Ga-yul. I live in the White Tiger Palace……>
The wish of a baby tiger living in the distant Western Land.
And……
Even the wish of a brother thinking dearly of his young sister before heading off to war.
These precious hearts floated along together, shimmering amidst the sunlight reflecting off the water.
*
1-2. A Story of Ga-hyeon That Ga-yul Doesn't Know, Before the Baby Bird Built Her Nest
The Sap-Rising Month.
Late afternoon on the day before Gyeongchip, the day when animals are said to wake from their long winter slumber.
A small boy with bobbed hair reaching down to his chin stared silently at the object on his desk.
With chubby cheeks that hadn't lost their baby fat, the boy gave off a particularly gentle and soft impression. He was none other than Baek Ga-hyeon, the second young master of the White Tiger Clan, who had just turned eight with the new year.
Contrary to his incredibly mild appearance, however, he possessed a rather prickly and sensitive temperament.
Ga-hyeon gazed blankly at the leaves covered in half-finished writing.
As he watched them in silence, his expression gradually turned sour……
Swish—
In an instant, Ga-hyeon swept all the leaves into a jar used for trash.
‘I’ve already made so many wishes that I’m sick of it. But not a single one was ever granted.’
Ga-hyeon turned around and headed for his bed.
Making wishes to the Dragon God was something only fools who believed in superstitions did.
Fools like his youngest brother, Yul, who had been singing about wanting a younger sibling for a while now.
That kid was only a year younger than him, so why was he so naive?
How could someone like that be of the direct lineage of the White Tiger Clan?
He was a disgrace to the family, truly.
‘But……’
Ga-hyeon, who had been judging his brother quite harshly, suddenly had a thought and glanced back at the jar containing the leaves.
‘If, by some very, very small chance, the Dragon God really does exist…… and if he just hasn't been able to grant my wishes because he’s been a little busy……’
The thought suddenly made him feel a bit anxious.
If that were really the case, he couldn't just sit idly by.
If he was the only one lagging behind while other children were writing their letters and sending them to the Dragon God……
Moreover, today was the day before Gyeongchip, the last day before spring arrived.
If he didn't send a letter to the Dragon God before today passed, his wish would fail to come true once again.
Ga-hyeon jumped up, grabbed the jar, and turned it upside down, shaking it out.
However, the leaves were already crumpled, covered in dust, and a complete mess.
‘W-what should I do?’
Ga-hyeon’s face, as soft as a finely molded rice-flour doll, crumpled into a look of distress.
Whish—
He turned his head toward the window and saw the sky was already being dyed red.
The sun would set before long.
There were many trees in the White Tiger Palace, but to find leaves large enough to write a letter on, one had to go to Mt. Horim.
But it was forbidden for a young beastkin who hadn't even undergone their First Growth to go up the mountain alone late at night without permission from the adults.
Yet, going to the adults and telling them he needed to pick a leaf to write a letter to the Dragon God was a bit…… embarrassing.
In truth, even the ink he was using to write on the leaves was something he had taken in secret.
“…….”
After agonizing for a moment, Ga-hyeon went outside to look for the adults.
Just then, Yeon-jeong, who was passing by, spotted Ga-hyeon and approached him.
“Oh, Second Young Master. What are you doing out at this hour?”
“You see, I…… to Mt. Horim……”
He summoned his courage to speak, but his voice trailed off at the end.
“N-no. It’s nothing.”
Ga-hyeon shut his mouth tight and bolted back to his room.
Left alone in his room after slamming the door shut, Ga-hyeon hung his head with a frustrated face.
“Stupid……”
Feeling like a fool for letting his useless pride get in the way of doing anything, Ga-hyeon pulled the covers over his head and curled up beneath them.
From inside the bulging blanket, the sound of sobbing leaked out.
By the time the sun had completely set and darkness had settled outside the window.
Creak—
Along with the sound of the door opening, the soft pitter-patter of someone’s footsteps followed.