Even when we ran into her, even when we asked what she was doing, Aunt gave no answer. Just with bloodshot red eyes, she looked like she was searching for something, so we couldn’t speak to her anymore. And for several days now, I couldn’t climb the mountain and instead only went to the field following Dad. It was because Aunt would come all the way to the field to check if I was there and then return.
‘I promised Bihyeon-nim though….’
So today I just stayed home. I let out a deep sigh beside Mom who was sewing. I want to see Bihyeon-nim. My one and only friend I became close with on the mountain. The adult who showed me kindness, and a god. Mom, who heard my sighing, looked at me with gentle eyes from beside me as if asking what was wrong.
“I don’t know why Aunt is acting like that. I want to go to the mountain….”
“Baby, it’s because you received the god’s blessing.”
“Then wouldn’t that be better for Aunt?”
“…Not right now.”
At my words, Mom smiled with somewhat sad eyes. I didn’t know what that meant at the time. I could only hug Mom who looked sad.
“You’ll be able to go to the mountain tomorrow. Don’t worry.”
“Really?”
“Tomorrow is the day we offer prayers to the god.”
Come to think of it, it still wasn’t raining so it was a big problem. It did rain very briefly, but it was a very small amount. Not just the villagers but Dad too would sometimes let out long sighs when alone, as all the crops were drying up and withering. So Aunt said she would gather the villagers to offer food to the god and pray together. I didn’t know that was tomorrow though.
“Will Aunt not notice even if I’m not there?”
“She’ll be too busy to notice, so don’t worry too much.”
“Then I’ll go tomorrow and see Bihyeon-nim and come back.”
“Go tomorrow and make sure to tell him you can’t come for a while, then come right back.”
“Yes… I should do that.”
Even if I barely get out tomorrow, it will be difficult to go out after that. I need to stay still until Aunt calms down. I hope she returns to being the kind Aunt soon.
* * *
The next day. The villagers gathered. While Aunt wore ceremonial robes and danced holding a knife in front of a table set with food, the villagers rubbed their hands together and prayed. Watching them, I slipped out the back way and climbed the mountain. I went to the stone pile where we always met. No one was there. I approached the stone pile and placed one of the fruits I’d brought. One for the god, and one more in the wrapping cloth Bihyeon-nim gave me.
“It’s been too long, hasn’t it? The village situation is a bit difficult….”
I spoke quietly and plopped down crouching in front of it. Was it because I was too late? Bihyeon’s figure wasn’t visible anywhere.
“When the village situation improves, I’ll be able to come often again. I’m sure our Aunt will make it so.”
I smiled weakly and carefully wiped the fruit I’d placed in front of the stone pile with my sleeve.
Thud.
I heard a sound from behind. When I turned around, Bihyeon was standing near a tree. As if finding it difficult to readily approach, he slightly lowered his head and moved his lips. His hurt eyes seemed to misunderstand that I deliberately didn’t come, so I jumped up and ran to him.
“Bihyeon-nim, the village situation wasn’t good so I couldn’t come.”
“I thought you didn’t come because of me. Because we’re different….”
“I said that’s not it. Something big happened.”
More than anything, it was because of Aunt that I couldn’t come.
“Something big?”
“Yes. Yeongsun from next door also disappeared… so Aunt became very sensitive….”
As I rambled having difficulty explaining, Bihyeon sat down to match my height and looked at me intently. His eyes were gentle as if telling me to speak slowly.
“All the kids my age in the village disappeared or died. So I think that’s why she’s sensitive.”
“Children as young as you.”
“Yes.”
“Did you eat?”
“Yes. I ate lots of fruit and potatoes!”
I couldn’t eat that many potatoes though. At my words, Bihyeon lifted me up and raised his hand. Thud! When he gestured, a loud sound rang out and a huge door appeared again. He crossed through the door while holding me. The fox that was sweeping the yard made eye contact with me and froze again. But this time she didn’t run away. More than anything, behind the fox was the animal Mom had mentioned many times. A tiger, said to be as scary as bears… Both the spots and the eyes. It was definitely a tiger.
“Bihyeon-nim, there’s another scary tiger over there…!”
The tiger who grabbed the fox’s shoulder while swaying its tail headed inside the room without a word. The slow footsteps seemed to say ‘I have no intention of threatening at all,’ so I stopped speaking. I blinked and made eye contact with Bihyeon.
“It’s not a scary tiger. It has many scars but it’s a good tiger.”
“I see. Since Bihyeon-nim says so, I’ll believe it.”
Mom definitely said tigers were scary animals… but since Bihyeon said so, it really looked like a gentle animal. I was smiling when I finally remembered that Mom told me to come right back, so I went “Ah” and opened my eyes wide.
“Right, Bihyeon-nim. I came today to tell you I can’t come often. I probably won’t be able to come again for a while.”
“Because of your aunt?”
“Yes. It’s not raining in the village so the atmosphere isn’t very good either.”
Bihyeon, who seemed to be pondering going “Hmm,” looked into the air.
“If it rains, can you come often?”
“Um, I’m not sure. But if Aunt’s mood improves, I’ll definitely be able to come like before.”
“I’ll pack food for you. Hyeonwoong.”
“Yes, you called… What. You came again?”
The bear who came out hurriedly saw me and frowned but waved his hand. I smiled brightly toward him and bowed in greeting.
“Yes, I’m Hanyoon, Hyeonwoong-nim.”
“Yeah, Hanyoon. Wait. I was just preparing a meal anyway.”
“The child can’t eat before leaving, so pack enough to take.”
“Really? Hey Hanyoon. Why are you leaving so early today?”
“The village atmosphere is a bit… I’ll definitely come again next time.”
“Who said I was waiting for you? Ha, really… Do whatever….”
The bear who answered grumbling went back inside to prepare food. Meanwhile, I sat beside Bihyeon who sat on the veranda. Unlike last time, something was planted in the yard.
“It’s nice that there’s something in the yard.”
“Nice?”
“Yes. It was good because it’s wide but… it looked somewhat lonely.”
Lonely. Bihyeon, who had been muttering, looked at me with eyes that had decided something. He was also wearing a faint smile.
“I’ll cultivate it diligently from now on.”
“Wow, I’ll help when I come too!”
“Yeah. When you come next time, there will be kids you’ll like too. They’re just about to return.”
“Really? I’m looking forward to it.”
Will there be kids my age? I smiled brightly and clapped my hands. It was while the two of us were having a small conversation like that. The bear came out with a box similar in size to last time wrapped in a cloth. At the sight of him handing it to Bihyeon first instead of to me, I awkwardly held out both hands then looked around cautiously.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
Holding the luggage in one hand and me in one arm, he crossed through the door. The one who had taken me even further down than the stone pile where we met had regretful eyes.
“When things are okay, I’ll come again.”
Nod. I waved my hand to the one nodding his head obediently and quickly went down the mountain. Perhaps because I came quickly, the prayers were still in full swing. So fortunately I entered the house safely without getting caught. I went inside, hid the food, and left the house again. I circled the narrow yard then peeked my head outside. I watched the adults crying and praying, then crouched down in that spot.
‘Will Aunt get a little better if it rains?’
The weather was too clear so it didn’t seem like it would rain, but I hoped it would rain soon. Watching them, I closed my eyes and put my hands together. Divine power, or whatever, I don’t really know. I just hoped that the affairs of those shedding tears would all work out well. That no more sad things would happen….
“Huh…?”
Swoooosh—
As my very brief prayer ended, there was suddenly a thud sound, then it started to rain. The sky had been clear, but rain fell as if it had been waiting. The villagers who had been praying rejoiced and clapped. That applause was directed at Aunt. So her divine power hadn’t diminished, our faith was lacking! They shouted like that. Mom, who discovered me alone outside after praying together, hurriedly brought me inside the house.
“Baby, did you tell him?”
“Yes. But Mom, the rain…!”
When I smiled brightly and prayed, Mom hugged me tightly.
“Yes. It seems the prayer was heard.”
“As expected, Aunt’s god returned, right?”
When I asked quietly, Mom gave a sad smile.
“One of our prayers was heard. Just one person’s.”
“That’s Aunt, right? Our Aunt is really amazing.”
Mom patted my head. And let out a long breath. It seemed like a sigh and also looked sad, so I stopped talking excitedly and pressed my lips shut.
“Mom…? Oh, Bihyeon-nim gave me food again.”
To improve Mom’s mood, I mumbled then hurriedly changed the subject. At my words, Mom thought for a moment then chuckled “huhu.”
“We should repay him.”
“Let’s prepare together!”
“Yes, let’s do that. Now that it’s raining, it should be okay for a while.”
“Huh? Then I can go see Bihyeon-nim?”
“Watch tomorrow and go out the day after.”
“Yes, I will!”
I smiled brightly and hugged Mom tightly. Dad will come soon too, so at the words that we should tidy up and set the table, I helped diligently from the side. I’m glad it miraculously rained. Now I’ll be able to meet Bihyeon-nim without worry.
* * *
“God-nim, I came!”
I smiled brightly, went to the stone pile and plopped down. The day after the rain stopped. I was staying home obediently when Mom smiled saying it would be okay to go out, so I came right up the mountain. In my happy mood, I’d even forgotten about the gift I’d brought up tightly held in my arms.
“I can finally come often. Fortunately, the god heard Aunt’s prayer.”
Remembering belatedly, I took out the potato from my arms. But it was a different potato than usual. Mom made it into a flower shape, and I made it into a squirrel shape. Since there was nothing at home, offering our own meal was the most we could do, but I poured my heart into it hoping the god would accept it gladly. As I was placing those two potatoes, there was a rustling sound from behind.
