Chapter 151: A Promise
Lately, Cheondo has been acting strangely.
Brother Would you like to have this?
She shyly offered a ripe water peach.
As I took it, Cheondo suddenly grabbed my hand holding the peach and gently stroked the back of my hand.
The physical contact has increased too much.
Shes been clinging to me more than before. Even her voice had become more childlike.
Cheondo, with her face flushed red, turned away so I couldnt see it and leaned her head on my shoulder.
Her body clung to me tightly even though she avoided my gaze.
Its an overly assertive behavior thats almost burdensome.
Cheondo.
Yes?
Is something wrong?
Cheondo shook her head and moved closer.
Now, with no more space to close, Cheondos shoulder was pressed firmly against me.
Do you have any worries?
No, I dont.
She stopped mid-sentence as if pricked, then smiled calmly.
Cheondos eyes, looking at me, shone with an age-inappropriate light.
Whats gotten into her? Could it possibly be about the night she spent with her sisters?
Although not certain, this could be a serious problem.
Given how much shes clinging to me, she might be greatly disappointed if I were to disappear. My heart felt uneasy.
Someone as pure as Cheondo would definitely fall into deep sorrow.
World Tree of Time.
[Yes?]
In a corner of my mind, I slowly began to search for a solution.
-Cheondo, listen well? You need to win over brother.
That night, Cheondo reminisced about the precious stories shared in the bedroom.
His hand is warm.
The key was to lightly bounce and then subtly stick close.
Hand.
The 101 ways for a woman to captivate a man.
Hwangdo had thoroughly taught her every tip, which was now firmly embedded in Cheondos mind.
Brothers hand
-Are you listening, Cheondo?
The Hwangdo in her mind nagged loudly.
Unaware of even that, Cheondo was fully consumed by memorizing every sensation she felt at her fingertips.
Staying still like this, it felt as though she would come up with a new martial arts technique.
So rough.
The sensation of anothers touch flowing over the surface of her fingers.
Even the familiar feeling of a hand began to feel different as she became aware of her emotions, almost to the point of finding her previous self who refused to follow Hwangdos advice laughable.
-How can you do such embarrassing things?
-You shouldnt be embarrassed, really! Its not like youre carrying tofu to them!
Create a private place just for the two of you.
It was perfect since her brother always came at night.
Get closer than usual, act cool and nice.
Cheondo didnt quite understand what acting cool meant.
As the situation progressed to this point, Cheondo was losing her rationality as well.
Ignoring what the brother had once said about having someone special.
-Are you serious?
Baekdo, who had created an uncomfortable atmosphere, covered her forehead with her hand, lying down for a while before eventually offering her support to Cheondo.
-Im really at my wits end. Cheondo likes him, but what am I supposed to do?
-Baekdo, do you want to look for someone like that too?
-Id consider it if they liked hard peaches.
-You wont find anyone like that~
-Do you really want to get in trouble?
-Kyaa~
The sisters united in spirit. Cheondo waited for her brother, encouraged by their cheer.
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
Her heart was beating in real-time.
Keeping a uniform rhythm beside the person she adored.
He couldnt possibly hear it, could he?
Fanning her flushed face, Cheondo thought this.
I hope he can hear it. Even the words in my heart.
Only touching one shoulder. Logically, with the distance between them, he shouldnt be able to hear.
Realizing her heart could make such loud noises, Cheondo moved her shoulder even closer.
Startled, her brothers shoulder trembled.
In the room filled with stuffy air, cheeks flushed and holding a peach in her hand, Cheondo secretly conveyed the sound of her heart to her brother.
Brother.
She wanted to know his real name.
Would he tell her without hesitation if they really got close?
Brother.
In a room barely three pyeong large, a door covered tightly with paper screens.
A white bed with a red cotton quilt on top, a lacquered wardrobe, and a bedside table next to the bed.
A handheld mirror and earpick on the table.
Seeing the reflection of just the two of them sitting on the bed in the mirror, Cheondos heart strangely fluttered.
Even a single strand of black hair fallen on the floor would become a memory at this moment. Something to laugh off became a reason to smile broadly.
Peach blossoms bloomed in layers.
Alone, they couldnt fully emit their beautiful charm.
Two peach blossoms hung precariously at the end of a branch. A mismatched pair of black and crimson, just looking at them seemed incongruous.
Ah.
That was a bit cheesy.
The cheesy lines that she sometimes disliked and thought were tacky were now popping up in her mind.
Lets stop thinking about it.
Right now, she just wanted to feel this moment. Its regrettable that she couldnt use the tips Hwangdo taught her, but she didnt know how to from the start.
Enjoying the moment quietly wasnt too hard.
Even if her shoulders were tense, the smile didnt fade.
Brother sometimes has a serious look.
And he did now.
Awkwardly scratching his cheek, then suddenly wearing a face lost in bitter thoughts.
Just looking at him, he seemed like someone with loose screws.
Like her master, he seemed to carry many scars and looks like he might leave at any moment.
Such a pitiable person.
There must be a reason he cant tell me his name.
Why wouldnt he tell her? Was she not helpful?
Without realizing, Cheondo reached out and wrapped her arms around her brothers arm.
Her upper body pressed firmly against his arm.
Brother.
Hm?
His serious expression softened at her words, a look he reserved only for her.
Even when lost in deep thought, seeing her made his expression gentle.
She understood.
A glimmer of eagerness shone in Cheondos eyes.
Lately, you havent hugged me, have you?
As she spoke, he gazed at her with a hint of surprise.
Cheondo lowered her gaze. Did she say something strange?
While she was internally concerned, it didnt take long before strong arms encircled Cheondos body.
Is that so? You didnt mind being hugged, did you?
Im not sure.
Its comforting.
Her forehead grew warm, causing Cheondo to cover her face with her hands.
Unseen by her, Shiheons expression became troubled.
What should I do I feel like I might not see her face again.
Suddenly!
They collapsed together, landing on the bed.
Should we sleep? Perhaps its time for me to leave?
Dont go.
In confusion, as Shiheon attempted to rise, Cheondo, still lying down, seized both his arms.
Like a knot around her waist, she firmly held his hands at her sides and tapped the back of his hands, signaling him not to let go.
Then she pulled up the blanket.
Under the shared blanket, they embraced.
Cheondo, swiftly burying her head under the covers, finally rested her face against Shiheons stomach.
Cant we just stay here and sleep?
Is that all right?
Instead of replying, Cheondo tightened her hold on Shiheon, keeping him close.
Feeling the warmth of his body in her hands brought an indescribable sense of contentment.
Though they didnt meet each others gaze, being together felt nice.
Fine, then.
Pat, pat.
As Shiheon casually patted her, Cheondo nuzzled her forehead against his hand.
His scent filled her senses.
The thumping of Cheondos heavily beating heart seemed to reach him.
Thud and roll.
A peach fell from the bedside table and rolled onto the floor.
Oh, the peach fell.
Just leave it.
Her excited heart felt as if it could fly away in a winged garment.
Her trembling fingers clutched tightly at the back of Shiheons shirt.
Like a wet mouse trembling, but her face was relaxed and comfortable.
Brother Dowon.
Hm?
Even if I become the Cheonma, will you stay with me?
As if the answer was already decided, the words Cheondo hoped for sprung from Shiheons mouth.
Hehe.
For the first time since her training began, Cheondo laughed like a child with a cheeky face.
It was the night one week before the Young Demons death.
Time passed.
Cheondos changed attitude significantly boosted the time we spent together.
What do I do now?
[What do you mean what Isnt this the path youve chosen?]
Thats true.
Cheondo, holding my hand and walking through a garden filled with peach trees.
She looked at me and shyly laughed, hoo hoo. Such a pretty face.
But, there was no way from the start.
Hwangdo, or even Baekdo, might have been one thing, but I never thought Cheondo would harbor such feelings for me.
And now, the day to die and return to the present was not far off.
Even for me, its inevitable to be concerned about Cheondo.
She likes me too much.
[Isnt that a good thing? To become someones memory.]
I might also give her a terrible memory. What if it traumatises her?
Slyly interlocking fingers and attaching a fallen peach blossom to her hair, she grinned and asked how it looked.
Brother, there are so~ many flowers!
Her expressions were becoming increasingly varied.
The tone of her voice kept changing. I thought Cheondos tough voice was natural.
Brother?
The voice sounded emotionless enough to wonder if she was angry.
Brother~
But now, anyone would spontaneously say it sounded cute.
Its as if, by me becoming the Young Demon, shes picking up things shed left behind one by one. Her smile has become more varied than before. It felt like Cheondos emotions were gradually coming back to life.
To think Im engaging in a pseudo-relationship with a child.
I felt a sense of self-disgust, but seeing her smile, all those thoughts disappeared.
[Does age difference really matter?]
I have my principles.
[I see.]
Still, I was trying to make it as enjoyable as possible.
Excluding the times I planned things with Cheonma, I was always with Cheondo. Its somewhat enjoyable to be with the young lady of Dowon.
Brother!
Brother, brother, brother.
Hearing it continuously made me feel like I was really going to die.
Hm?
Why do you keep spacing out?
Was I too lost in thought?
I relaxed my expression and stroked Cheondos head.
Cheondo moved the hand from her crown to under her arm, forcing my arm to wrap around her.
Lets go, quickly.
Why the hurry? Got something hidden?
There is something hidden.
What could be so hidden that it took two hours to walk from DoWon?
Half curiosity, half obligation led me to a wide-open garden.
This is where I always played when I was younger.
The cascading waterfall and the winding stream.
A rock jutting out in the middle of the river.
This magnificent view was encircled by sprawling peach trees.
-Swooosh!
Flower petals flowed along the river water.
From afar, it felt like watching a pink river.
Its so beautiful, isnt it?
Right? Come over here.
What now?
Cheondo pulled my arm and led me to a certain rock.
With a beaming smile, we reached a rock where an unknown flower ring was placed.
Ill give this to you.
Deep pink.
A ring made of sharp-tipped peach blossoms, with the ring part made of green grass, fragile enough to fall apart with a little force.
This?
I used to make these often and give them to my master I wanted to give one to brother too.
Cheondo, while smiling, glanced at me and then offered the ring as if entrusting it to me.
Is it a bit childish?
Thinking about the children of Dowon, if it suited their age, I didnt find it childish.
[Hmm?]
What?
[No, its nothing. Its a joyous occasion.]
What joy?
I took Cheondos ring and tried it on my finger for show.
Cheondo, looking delighted just by that, beamed at my hand holding the ring.
Its nice.
The ring was made by Cheondo with peach blossoms.
Lifting my hand towards the sky, it seemed to shine even brighter in the sunlight.
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