"If today was your last day on earth, how would you spend it?" He asked, curious.
"I'd make sure the people that are special in my life knew just how much I loved them. I want to soak in their hugs, and kisses. I want to cherish hearing their voices...
He can clearly see himself in the mirror now. His right eye has returned to its original color. It has finally healed. As he stared at the gauze bandage that once patched his eye, he was reminded of the hands that put them on for him yesterday. The same hands that came in between so that his dagger won't pierce his heart. The very same hands that held him and made him feel like he was the most important person in the world.
Her hands were rough with calluses. He could only imagine the countless laundry that she had to wash, and the heavy carpets she had to clean with those hands, just to get by. But they were the most comforting hands that ever touched not only his skin, but also the deepest recesses of his being.
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The many missed opportunities where he could have shown Ms. Lee kindness when she was having a hard time during those fifty plus years that they've known each other, tormented him. He knew it was stupid but he didn't know any other way on how to deal with the pain that was tearing him apart. He was about to plunge the dagger into his heart, in the hopes that by doing so, he would be able to breathe again. When out of nowhere, Sang-un stopped him just in the nick of time.
"It's okay. I'll help you put an end to this agony. I'll help you protect your family. I'll protect you as well. I'm going to keep you safe from Eul-tae. I don't care that you wanted to become Bulgasal in the past. It doesn't matter if you and Eul-tae were on the same side before. I hate seeing you in pain right now, so I'll be by your side. I'll protect you. So come with me."
He never thought that those simple words, and a simple embrace was all he needed so he could finally cry and grieve. He clung on to her and broke down for the very first time into someone else's arms, in her arms.
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He never warmed up to anyone in all of his six hundred years of existence. Nor did anyone else come forward until she, who without care of her own pride, saw right through his hurtful words and held him tight when he was falling apart. This woman whom he thought was the villain in his life became the only one who broke down his walls and made him realize that he too is worthy of being loved, of being cared for, and forgiven of the past.
This woman who had lost her family just like how he lost his, yet she still had so much to give. Unlike him, she did not let her tragedy deter her from being kind, patient and loving to everyone around her. Her fortitude was overflowing that even if he took his fill from hers, she would still be left with plenty. This fragile woman ironically became his pillar of strength. She became someone he could completely rely on.
