By Zephyria A faint chime rang out. The wind chime with the owl carving and the bell hanging below swayed in the breeze, creating a clear sound. The occasional chime awakened a faint memory.
“So it is.”
Yu-jin quickly cleared his throat, his voice deeply subdued. He cautiously reached out, and soon the long wind chime came into contact with his hand. The wind chime, which had been swaying slowly in the breeze, stopped moving as soon as Yu-jin’s hand touched it. The chime also faded away, leaving a lingering echo. Silence quickly settled around them.
As Yu-jin slowly removed his hand, the wind chime swayed again, and the chime rang out once more.
“Pretty, so pretty.”
Angela said in a daze from below. Yu-jin gave a bitter smile at the sight of the child completely captivated by the wind chime. The wind chime seemed to have stolen his daughter’s heart, but it was like an unattainable dream. Because Yu-jin didn’t own a single thing here.
He bent down on one knee to meet the child’s gaze and opened his mouth.
“I’ll buy you an even prettier one next time, Angie.”
All Yu-jin could offer the child were empty promises. He sincerely wanted to do anything for Angela, but the reality was harsh. His daughter, who had already experienced so many setbacks at a young age, didn’t resent her daddy for the meaningless promise and nodded, saying, “Okay.”
“If we buy a house, hang it on my door.”
“Okay.”
The wind chime doesn’t ring unless the wind blows. But Yu-jin readily nodded. What did it matter if the chime didn’t ring? As long as Angela was happy.
“When are you getting the inheritance, Daddy?”
Angela suddenly asked. Yu-jin belatedly remembered the lie he had told the child. Oh no, he felt a sense of dismay and quickly smiled.
“Buying a house will take some time. We’ll have to stay here longer for a while.”
“Why?”
The child frowned and tilted her head. How should he explain it? Yu-jin was at a loss, but it was something he had to do eventually. He had to explain the situation to his daughter.
“Well, you see…”
Yu-jin paused for a moment, searching for the right words.
“There’s a waiting period to execute the will. That’s why.”
In the end, he couldn’t bring himself to mention the marriage. He vaguely answered, and Angela asked again.
“Then how long do we have to wait?”
Again, he couldn’t think of anything to say easily. Yu-jin hesitated and trailed off.
“Well, at least a few months…”
Angela became noticeably dejected. She was mature for her age, but she was still a child. Yu-jin felt sorry for her and quickly tried to comfort her, but Angela quickly regained her spirits.
“Okay, so all I have to do is wait, right?”
“Yes.”
At Yu-jin’s answer, Angela seemed relieved and hugged him. Yu-jin was also happy and was about to hug the child back when Angela once again stole his timing.
“What is this place, Daddy?”
She quickly pulled away and asked, and Yu-jin lowered his awkwardly raised hand and gave a bitter smile.
“It’s where Daddy used to live.”
“Daddy? Here?”
Angela’s eyes widened. She looked around the house with curiosity, and Yu-jin added an explanation.
“I lived here for a while when I was little. Until before you were born.”
“Really?”
Angela’s voice became even higher. The child couldn’t contain her excitement and started running around. She stood on tiptoe and tried to peek inside through the dusty windows, but soon gave up and went around the mansion.
“Don’t go too far, Angie!”
He shouted out of concern, and Angela turned her head and said, “Okay,” and then asked.
“Is this where you met Papa too?”
“…Yes.”
Yu-jin couldn’t hide his embarrassment but confessed honestly.
“And where you conceived you.”
“Reeeally?”
Angela asked again, as if she was about to jump for joy. Yu-jin gave a bitter smile and nodded.
“Yes, I met Papa here and conceived you.”
“Amazing!”
Angela screamed and suddenly turned around and ran towards the door. She grabbed the handle and tried to open it, but of course, the door was locked. It only made an unpleasant creaking sound and didn’t budge, and Angela was soon disappointed, but she quickly regained her spirits and ran to the other side this time. Yu-jin didn’t bother to stop the child this time. After all, there was nowhere else for Angela to go. There was nothing else in this area except for this annex where Yu-jin used to live.
Haaa…
A bitter sigh escaped his lips. He came down the few steps and slowly looked around. He never thought he would come here again. It had been years, but his body still seemed to remember. His feet had automatically led him here. Yu-jin slowly looked around. The forgotten memories were instantly revived and unfolded vividly before his eyes, as if it were just yesterday.
Yu-jin.
Even the face of the youthful boy who cheerfully called his name.
Soft grass was underfoot. He looked down and saw countless clover leaves. As if drawn by something, he bent down and picked one.
It had three leaves. Yu-jin sat down and began to examine the clovers one by one. In those days, all he had to do was sit on the ground like this and idly look at clovers. He even tried to find a four-leaf clover until his eyes were sore, just to pass the time, but he couldn’t find one.
Could he find one this time?
If he found one, he would give it to Angela. Yu-jin thought so and gently pushed the clovers aside with his fingers, looking for the hidden mutant. He suddenly felt like he had returned to that day long ago. One day, when he was so pathetic and lonely from endlessly rummaging through clovers that tears welled up in his eyes.
Yu-jin felt a presence and instinctively raised his head. In that very spot long ago, the man was on horseback, staring at Yu-jin.
Just like then.
That must be Prince Charming.
When he first saw the boy, Yu-jin thought blankly. He couldn’t help but think so. The handsome boy sitting on a magnificent black horse was wearing a sparkling shirt and high-quality pants. The amber eyes staring at Yu-jin were like delicately crafted jewels, making his heart flutter even more.
As he stared endlessly, the boy spoke first.
“Are you looking for a four-leaf clover?”In that instant, tears that had been welling up in Yu-jin’s eyes streamed down. The startled boy’s eyes widened, and Yu-jin, equally flustered, hurriedly wiped his face and turned away. An awkward silence fell. Seeing Yu-jin stubbornly turning his back, the boy mustered his courage first.
“I’m Winston Campbell.”
The child’s voice, yet to go through puberty, trembled faintly.
“What’s your name?”
Yu-jin reluctantly turned his head, his eyes meeting the boy’s. He was staring straight at Yu-jin. Yu-jin tensed for a moment at the unwavering gaze, but his heart unexpectedly filled with excitement. Hesitant lips parted with difficulty. In a voice as shaky as the boy’s, perhaps even more so, Yu-jin spoke.
“I’m…”
* * *
“Yu-jin.”
Winston secretly repeated his name in his mouth. The name, so sweet it felt like his tongue would melt and disappear the moment he uttered it aloud, lingered on the tip of his tongue. He simply stared at Yu-jin without a word. In the silence, similar yet different from before, Yu-jin also hesitated to speak rashly. A cool breeze shook the scenery, and a clear sound echoed between them. As if awakening them from a dream, the sound that cut through them brought Yu-jin back to his senses.
“Where’s Angie? She shouldn’t be wandering around alone.”
Along with worry, a sense of unease washed over Yu-jin. He never imagined he would run into Winston here. He had been so careful to avoid the child, yet here he was in this absurd situation. His heart pounded at the thought of Angela returning at any moment.
“What brings you here…?”
Unlike before, Yu-jin spoke first this time. His voice didn’t waver. Inwardly relieved, Yu-jin watched as Winston, still sitting on his horse, looked down at him and spoke.
“You’re the one who should be asking that. Didn’t I say this place is no longer in use?”