화랑(Hwarang):항상(Always)

Before His Letter

HANSUNG (한성)

What about death?

Things don't always go the way you want them to. It really sucks. Any human being would know this. It's just common knowledge. Sometimes, my father once told me, obstacles are too big to overcome the way you want to overcome them, but never too big to overcome in another way.

But what about death? I should've asked. What if all you needed was more time with someone, but death was the only obstacle?

I was a pretty stupid kid when I was little so I didn't think to ask that question...

I throw a pebble into the water, enjoying the ripple effects it gave off.

I rub my eyes and yawn.

I haven't gotten a goods night's rest since I watched my brother, the one I hold dearest to my heart, endure the thrashes my grandfather inflicted upon him because of me—because I failed as a True Bone. I cried when it happened. I'm a baby. I know.

"Mind if I join you?"

I snap my head up to find Yeo Wool hovering over me, a smile ghostly lingering on his lips.

I huff and fold my arms, but I don't refuse.

I know I act so cold to Yeo Wool, but it's just because I think I might have feelings for him. I put up a distant act as much as I can, hoping that if I hold it up long enough I'll stop having feelings towards him. My grandfather always imagined my life with a wife and kids, hence why I always look at girls. I would ruin all of that if I gave into this temptation.

I'm a pretty stupid kid so I can't get it through my head that my happiness is more important than anyone else's.

Yeo Wool wrinkles his nose as he eyes where I'm sitting.

"Come. I have a better place to sit at. It's our day off. We can leave the Hwarang House. Follow me."

I shake my head and stare at the water. "No."

Yeo Wool raises an eyebrow. "No? Boy, must you have such attitude towards your hyung? Why don't you trust me?"

"I do trust you. I just don't feel like moving," I say.

"Aish! This kid...," I hear him mumble.

I almost smile in triumph, thinking I win.

I'm a pretty stupid kid so I always fail to realize that Yeo Wool is just as stubborn as I.

He scoops me up in his arms, causing a yelp to erupt from my throat, and starts walking back to the Hwarang House.

"Hey! Hey! Put me down!" I commanded.

"Keep talking to me informally and I will put you down the hard way," he threatened, looking at me.

I pout but I really don't mind being in his arms.

"I would come here a lot when I was little," says Yeo Wool.

I marvel at the sight. Cherry blossoms were everywhere! Everything was mostly made up of pretty shades of pink and purple and I was captured in the mix of beautiful colors.