Back to you (TOTNT 1938 Lee rang version)

21. Mi ho is missing

''I just asked you guys to hide for a few minutes. You both disappeared with the baby for hours.'' Shin ju said pointing out how night had fallen.
''We kind of..... got into conversation.'' Y/n said looking at Rang who just nodded without giving much thought.
''Anyway, Yeon, what did your obsessive admirer/friend say ?'' Rang asked in a tone.
''Nothing useful for me to convey to you all.''

''Actually, about this child, what do you have to say about it ?'' Y/n started the discussion with Yeon.
''Us and this child cant stay in Myoyeongak together. Hong joo wont let that.''
''I knew you would say that. Lets vote. Who wants the child to stay ?'' Y/n questioned as she and Shin ju raised their hands in answer.
''It's a tie then. You and Shin ju, Me and Rang.'' Yeon spoke too soon when Rang interrupted him.
''No, I want the child to stay.'' Rang said making Yeon feel deceived.

''Since when ?''
''Since today.'' Rang simply replied as Yeon's gaze fell onto y/n who gave Rang a smile which he reciprocated.
''Ofcourse you want the child to stay.'' The elder murmured after witnessing the scene.
''Yeon, I know we cant keep her for long but let's just do this until we find the right people for her.'' Y/n proposed as Yeon finally gave in.

The next day,
Shin ju and Rang were going on about different names for the infant.

''What about Kim Du han ? He grew up to be strong.''
''Du han ? But she's a girl.''
''How about a hip name ? She's from the streets you know. What about coco ?'' Shin ju gave Rang a disapproving stare.
''Please be sincere, humans fates depend on their names.''

''Gumiho for nine tailed ?''
''How about Lee Mi ho, taking your family name.'' Mi ho's little fingers wrapped around Rang's hand approving of the name.
''She likes it.'' Shin ju squealed with excitement.

''So, how was your date yesterday ?'' Yeon, who was sitting at a distance witnessing the naming ceremony, asked Rang.
''Well, just. Thank fully you told me in the morning about her or I would remain oblivious.''
''I meant with the mermaid. Was it a date with y/n then ?'' Yeon raised his eyebrows with a grin on his face.
''Do you have nothing to do other than say stuff like this ?'' Rang snapped at the elder.
''Fine, then let's do something together. Take Mi ho out, shall we ?''

Y/n

I traced my fingers on the image of Sarang in my phones screen as I smiled reminiscing her laugh. Is she eating her meals on time ? wonder how she's doing. I never had to worry about her causing trouble. She's a very sweet child and very mature for her age. She even surprises me with her insightful talks.
Maybe I wanted the foundling to stay because I miss Sarang so much. Life is funny, i'd never thought i'd find myself such a loving family.
''Y/n.....'' I lock my phone screen at Rang's voice. He looked like he's been running a marathon.
''Rang, what happened ? Why are you--''
''Mi ho... She's missing.'' Rang spoke catching his breath.
''Mi ho ?''
''The child, we lost her. We took her out on a walk but someone had put posters of her all over the place with money as reward on whoever finds her. We barely managed to escape but Yeon lost her at the end.''
''Let's not panic, stay calm. Let's look outside Myoyeongak.''

I and Rang rushed to the gate when my eye caught notice of something on the stairs. I shared a look with Rang then sprinted towards the basket and oh lord--
It was Mi ho. I released a deep breathe I didnt even know I was holding.
''Thankgoodness you found her.'' Yeon, who walked towards us from the other side of the gate.
''Let's take her in. It'll be dark soon.''

I rush to the kitchen while Rang and Yeon take Mi ho back to their room. I get a vessel filled with cold water, and ask the gisaengs for some spare pieces of cloth. It was already nighttime and the moon was bright in the sky. I made quick steps to Yeon's room as I slowly opened the door cause Shin ju-ssi was sleeping, I didnt want to wake him up.
''What happened ?'' I asked almost in a whisper taking a seat next to Rang while Yeon was checking up on Mi ho.
''She's burning up. I think she has a temperature.''
''How did you know that ?'' Rang asked looking how I came totally prepared. I dont know, I just felt that Mi ho was ill when we found her again. Call it a mother's instinct.
''I just did.'' I shrugged then started patting the cold cloth lightly on Mi ho's face.

''Yeon, you didn't have anything. You should go and eat something. Don't worry i'll take care of Mi ho.''
''No, im fin--
On second thought, Okay.'' Why did he say that after looking at Rang ? There's always something cooking in Yeon's mind these days. And i'll bet a banana milk that it's about me and Rang.
''Mi ho, the name, was it your idea ?'' I asked hoping Rang's stare would loosen from me.
''I wouldn't sound like me if I said it was a collaborative effort, right ?'' I would've laughed but I don't want to wake Mi ho or Shin ju-ssi, so I just gave him a smile shaking my head.

''You looked pretty scared earlier when I said Mi ho was missing. You handled it pretty well though.'' Right, even if I look composed, Rang would know. He always sees through me.
Ofcourse, I was scared. Because it has happened before, I still remember the incident clearly. It feels as if it was just yesterday when I and Rang were in an amusement park with Sarang.
She was three and it was during christmas so the park was crowded than usual.

Rang asked Sarang to hold on tight to us while we were in the park. I don't know when it happened but the next moment we looked, Sarang wasn't with us. I was on the verge of having a panic attack. I felt my world crashing down when my eyes couldn't find my child. I don't know when I was that scared before. Rang being terrified of the possibilities himself, tried his best to calm me down. I could feel his hands tremble when he caressed my face to reassure me that we would find Sarang.

We searched the park for fifteen minutes or so, fifteen minutes of horror. Fifteen minutes of all the what if's that were clouding my vision to think of any solution. My strength gave up as I lost balance when Rang held onto me.
The next thing that brought me back to life was Sarang's voice that made us turn around. I hugged her tight, never to leave her again.

When Rang told me that they lost Mi ho, the memory and fear washed over me all over again. I guess me and Rang, we've seen so much in our lives, in our past that everytime life was calm and things went smoothly, we were scared. Scared that it wont last long, that it's just the calm before the storm.
Ofcourse with each other, we are trying to get over it. All of the problems are now over. We are finally living a normal life, with a little bit of magic everyday ofcourse.

''I get scared very easily. I dont want to lose anyone precious to me, nor do I want people to leave without a proper goodbye. It's not easy to achieve these but, all I can do is hope.'' I answer on Rang's previous statement.
''That's difficult to believe. You look pretty fearless to me. Especially if you can confess that you're scared of something, that in itself is quite courageous.'' I wish you would be that appreciating of yourself, Rang.
''Everyone is, Rang. People just have different ideologies. Some prefer to act cold because they do not wish to get hurt once again. Putting up a wall between oneself and the world is an act that requires a lot of courage too. But they forget that if they can do that, they have enough strength to face the world without the wall.''

Author

Yeon entered the room to find Rang standing with y/n in his arms, asleep.
He walked towards Yeon and spoke in a low voice,
''Let Mi ho stay in our room tonight.''
''Okay.''
''Im just going to leave her in her room and come back.'' Rang added when Yeon smirked at him.
''I never asked.'' The elder whisper-sang.
''Whatever.''

A/N

Thank you for all your well wishes, I feel better now. So i'll try to update the chapters sooner !