The Legend of Zodiac

Chapter 1

            „Once upon a time, God told all the animals he was throwing a banquet the day after, and that they should not be late. Hearing that, the mischievous rat told his neighbor, the cat who couldn't be there that day, that the banquet was the day after tomorrow. So, the next day, all the animals were racing to see who will come first to the banquet, and the sneaky rat who knew that someone as small as him could never win, rode there all the way on the ox's back. And just as the ox could win, the rat jumped off him and ultimately won.

All the animals had fun, except for the cat, who was at home sleeping and dreaming of a banquet that would never come- Hey, why are you crying?" the worried mother asked.

Suddenly, the little girl, no older than the age of 6, rose up and cried out „Poor mister cat! The rat was so cruel to him, and now he can't be with his friends!" The mother looked at the child and smiled softly, knowing that her daughter had such a kind and compassionate soul. „Ah he really is, isn't he? That naughty rat."

„Mommy, you know what? From now on I won't be a rabbit any more, I'll be a cat!" the girl shouted enthusiastically.

„Hahaha, sure, why not? But how about you be a cat tomorrow, after a good night of sleep, hm?"

„Okay!" the child answered. She laid down, let her mother tuck her in and kiss her goodnight. As her nightly ritual was coming to an end, she felt her eyes slowly dropping, and after trying to fight the sleep away, she finally succumbed and fell asleep.

„Goodnight, (y/n)" her mother whispered and closed the door.

- ❣ - ❣ - ❣ - ❣ - ❣ - 

   „Ah, it looks like it's gonna be another hot day, even though it's mid-September already!"

I slip back into my tent and looked at a picture of my mum. „All right, mum, you look after things here. I'm off to University." I crawled out and zipped the tent. The campus wasn't that far away, and given that the weather was beautiful today, it looks like my daily walk is going to be nice and refreshing.

Taking the phone out of my pocket I looked at the time. „I have plenty of time today, so why don't I take the walk around the area?"

The flora around here was very pretty. The forest was dense enough to protect anyone from the rain, but it was still open enough to let a few sunbeams in.

I came to a stop in front of the cliff. It was a small cliff, but the view... Oh, the view was breathtaking. I could see the city below and all the people and cars going about, but the thing that truly took my breath away was the sky. It was like the sky was in slow motion. The movement of the clouds was barely perceptible and even the birds wheeled in slow lazy arcs. The brilliant blue was so calming that I almost forgot I have somewhere to be. Maybe I'll come here over the weekend, lie down and just relax.

As I was getting ready to leave, I saw a house little bellow on the right. It wasn't too big, but it definitely wasn't small. The house was more on the traditional side. How did I not see it till now?

I got closer to check it out. As I was looking around I saw something on the porch. There, on the wooden mount were 12 figurines.

„How cute!" I couldn't help but say.

„Oho? It's not too often I see a girl around here." A voice said behind me. At that, I turned around and saw a man. He didn't look angry that I was trespassing, but I could see he was shocked to see me there.

„H-hello! I'm sorry! I was looking around without permission!" I quickly apologized and bowed.

„Don't worry, don't worry. It's fine. But wouldn't a young person like you find this place boring?" As he was asking me that he sat on the porch's wooden floor.

„No, not at all! These zodiac figurines are adorable" I said and looked at the aforementioned things. He smiled at that „Ah, yes. They're a favorite of mine, too."

„It's another set without a cat, though..."

„Cat?" at that he looked at me surprised. „Oh! Are you thinking of the cat from the old zodiac?" „Yes!" His face softened at my response. Seeing that, I continued „My mother used to tell me that story all the time. I even wanted to change my sign from rabbit to cat. I was so silly." I laughed thinking about my younger self.

„My, my. I wonder how would he react if he heard that."

„Pardon?"

„Anyway, so you were born in the Year of the Rabbit? You're what- 19? 20?" „Ah, yes. I turned 20 at the beginning of this year."

„So that means that you're of legal ag-„ at that he was hit on the head with a book bag. „Leave the inappropriate flirting for someone your own age. Are you all right, Miss Kwon? Did my cousin pull any funny business?"

„K-Kim Baekhyun-ssi! Good morning!" „That really hurt!" The unnamed stranger and I said at the same time. Though I think I was more shocked than him.

Baekhyun ignored the man and turned to me „Good morning."

„Oh, do you two know each other?"

„This is Kwon (y/n). We have a couple of lectures together." Baekhyun answered. Hearing that I realized I didn't introduce myself to the man I have been talking to for the last 15 minutes.

„I'm Kwon (y/n). It's nice to meet you!" I said, bowing.

„Oh, well, I'm Kim Jihoon, Baekhyunnies cousin." He said with a smile.

„Don't call me that" with that Baekhyun hit Jihoon again. He then looked at me „Say, what brings you here?"

Suddenly I got nervous. „I, er, live nearby..."

„You live... near here?" Jihoon asked, a look of confusion plastered on his face.

„Oh, look at the time. Well, I'll be going. It was nice meeting you." I spun around fast, hoping they wouldn't stop me and start asking questions.

„Miss Kwon?"

Hearing Baekhyun call me, I turned around. „Yes?"

With a smile on his angelic face, he asked: „Since you're here, why don't we walk together?"