A steam rises from the hot tea, resting on the dark glass. The steam began to disappear slowly, and Lee Hyun-woo was seen sitting on the sofa, looking asleep. Meanwhile, the voice of an old man was heard telling a story.
A young man was seen standing in the corner near the table named 'The Agency President'. The young man was seen nodding his head, enjoying the old man's story..until he heard Lee Hyun-woo snoring and he immediately slammed the table.
"Hwah??"said Lee Hyun-woo who was woken up by the banging of the table.
"Are you listening to what I'm saying?!" said the President, which shocked the secretary next to him.
"Listening to what a boss like you says, you're a failure as a father anyway." Lee Hyun-woo said it casually, making the secretary afraid of the President who looked angry.
' "President": what secretary called or view.
"Boss" :what most people called or view.'
"You little brat." said the President, which shocked the secretary who knew that the President would go berserk.
Lee Hyun-woo, who found out about this, immediately left the room where the President was raging and his secretary tried to stop him.
Back to the present time, the President is seen enjoying his tea in his room with his secretary who is also sitting drinking tea on the chair.
"Ah..what a wonderful smell..and calming." said the President with the secretary smiling as he smelled his tea.
Everything seemed calm until suddenly Lee Hyun-woo opened both doors with a bang which made the secretary startled and spit out her tea.
"Good afternoon!!" said Lee Hyun-woo who had just come in, and the secretary looked tired and looked like he had fainted when he saw him.
"What now.." said the Boss who looked tired of seeing it.
Lee Hyun-woo approached him and stood right in front of his desk.
"I want to adopt a girl." said Lee Hyun-woo which made the secretary look shocked behind him, while the Boss just remained silent.
Boss also saw Lee Hyun-woo's serious face and remembered Park Ji-nam's face when he came with a baby boy.
"Okay, if that's what you want.." said the Boss who seemed to accept it.
"Huh?" said the confused secretary.
"Heh..."said Lee Hyun-woo looking proud as he walked out.
"Thanks old man...better not drop dead yet when you see her." Lee Hyun-woo said as he walked out and left.
"Damn brat." said the Boss who looked like he was smiling, while the secretary just sit there confused.
Lee Hyun-woo walked out of the agency building, he looked happy until his face changed.
"You have a guts to follow me even in front of the agency building." Lee Hyun-woo said as he walked towards the nearest park leaving his motorbike in front of the agency building.
Lee Hyun-woo was seen walking to the middle of the park near the fish pond.
"Ugh..can't you guys just not cause trouble for me for 3 days?"said Lee Hyun-woo who looked up slowly, before suddenly the person who was following him lunged and landed next to Lee Hyun-woo with her long hair.
Lee Hyun-woo looked surprised when he saw the long hair and was silent before finally looking at the person, but when he looked at him the person disappeared.
*What..no, only one person can do this with that technology.* thought Lee Hyun-woo as he looked beside him where the person had suddenly disappeared.
*That person..I will not forgive him, whoever he is..not even if he is my family.* thought Lee Hyun-woo who looked angry.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Kwon Min-jae is seen observing the city from one of the highest towers, while Lee Hyun-woo is standing in one of the houses also looking towards the city.
Seo-woo's house was seen lit up at night as if waiting for someone, it turned out that person was Lee Hyun-woo who had just come home.
'Lee Hyun-woo opens the door'
"Just got home?" said Seo-woo who was still seen working at the guest table, sitting on sofa.
"Well, and is there anything interesting to drink?" said Lee Hyun-woo who looked tired as he walked in.
"Putting that aside, how did the meeting with the Boss go?" said Seo-woo who looked focused on his documents and laptop.
"He accepted it sincerely." said Lee Hyun-woo who was checking the refrigerator.
"Oh...HUH?!" Seo-woo's face took a moment to look shocked when he heard it.
"Can't you keep your voice down, he accepts it and why not anyway, this house would be better if it was more lively." said Lee Hyun-woo before drinking the apple juice he took.
Seo-woo's face still looked like he couldn't believe it, while Lee Hyun-woo's face was scrunched up in disgust at his apple drink.
'sigh' Seo-woo exhaled.
"Hopefully there won't be any more problems.." said Seo-woo who looked stressed.
"Why so stressed, besides I'm still thinking about what would happen if I adopted the child." said Lee Hyun-woo who also sat on the sofa.
Lee Hyun-woo looked behind him at the garden of the house and saw the beautiful night. Meanwhile, Seo-woo looked at his task for a moment and fell silent with a tired face. He also looked at the garden where the stars were shining in the darkness night.
The wind blew hard that night, blowing until it hit one of the tall towers in the city. It looks like a dark room without any room lights, only the stars are shining and the city lights are shining.
"So how are the preparations, my dear."said Kwon Min-jae who was talking to a woman in his office.
"Everything is going smoothly, we just need to wait for the right time, darling." said Kwon Min-jae's wife who looked young with her flat, emotionless face and her hair as white as snow.
"Okay then, continue with the preparations... until the time comes... I will give our child an unforgettable gift." said Kwon Min-jae as he walked out of the room and stopped in front of a water capsule that had Park Min-ji in it.
Lee Hyun-woo was seen waking up slowly from his bed, he looked outside where it was still dark even though it was morning.
"Ugh...time to move on." Lee Hyun-woo said as he stood up slowly.
Lee Hyun-woo, who woke up, stretched his body, then looked at the photo of himself with Park Min-ji and Park Ji-nam for a moment. After a while Lee Hyun-woo took a deep breath and went out to wash his face and put on his shoes before finally leaving the house to exercise.
Lee Hyun-woo ran in the dark morning slowly shining showing the brightness of the morning. Lee Hyun-woo suddenly stopped and approached the railing towards the sea, then leaned against it while catching his breath.
*Something doesn't seem right, but what..* Lee Hyun-woo thought as he leaned back and remembered the person from last night who followed him to the park.
*No..I can definitely do it.* Lee Hyun-woo thought as his expression changed look serious.
"But..still, you won't adopt the child, right?" said Seo-woo who looked nervous.
Lee Hyun-woo thought for a moment and just smiled then raised his drink like a toast.
"What does that mean? Can't you tell me?!" Seo-woo said with her voice starting to get louder because he was afraid of Lee Hyun-woo's decision.
Morning began to arrive and can be seen the children playing in the orphanage garden, while "*********" was reading a book in the room while looking outside.
'sigh' ********* sigh.
"Hm? Are you waiting for him?" said Siyeo-Ma who saw her alone.
"Yes..but when will he come, I miss him." the word "*********" which looked gloomy.
Siyeo-Ma just stood there confused, not knowing what to do and looked at her phone knowing that she didn't have Lee Hyun-woo's phone number.
*I don't have the number..but what should I do..* thought Siyeo-Ma who looked confused, before finally looking out and seeing Lee Hyun-woo walking into the orphanage.
"Look who's here," said Siyeo-Ma pointing to Lee Hyun-woo.
"*********" then immediately ran towards the front door and when Lee Hyun-woo opened it he immediately jumped into Lee Hyun-woo's arms.
"Woah!" said Lee Hyun-woo who was shocked as he carried her.
*Maybe I'll ask for his phone number later.* thought Siyeo-Ma who looked happy seeing them from afar.
"So, what's with the sudden jump like that?" said Lee Hyun-woo who looked confused.
"I miss you so much you know." The word "*********" made Lee Hyun-woo pause for a moment before finally smiling.
Lee Hyun-woo carried her and walked towards Siyeo-Ma. "How about we play together?"
said Lee Hyun-woo who carried her towards Siyeo-Ma.
"But I want to hear your story again." she said which made Lee Hyun-woo smile and could only agree to that.
"Okay then, but ask permission from Teacher Siyeo-Ma first, okay?" said Lee Hyun-woo, acting like a father.
"I'm not 5 years old anymore, you know." he said which made Lee Hyun-woo laugh nervously.
*Well, who knows... it turns out my annoying older sister always comes here on holidays in that city. I miss her too.* thought Lee Hyun-woo who was seen smiling sadly.
"It seems like she wants to continue listening to the story, is that okay?" Lee Hyun-woo asked Siyeo-Ma.
"Well, it's okay if that's what she wants." said Siyeo-Ma who looked happy.
"Okay then, it's time to get back to the story." Lee Hyun-woo said as he carried her to the book table like the day before.
"Ah, can I have your phone number... who knows, maybe she wants to meet you." Siyeo-Ma said something that made Lee Hyun-woo stop for a moment when he heard it.
Lee Hyun-woo was seen looking for his cellphone in his pocket, confused about where it was, and it turned out to be held by "*********".
"Who is this beautiful woman, she looks like me." she said while turning on Lee Hyun-woo's cell phone.
"Ah, she...she's an important person to me." said Lee Hyun-woo who smiled while giving his cell phone number to Siyeo-Ma.
"So, you're married, right?" Siyeo-Ma asked while typing in Lee Hyun-woo's number.
"Yes, I'm married, and most of the people who work here are not married, right? Lee Hyun-woo said as he put her down to the study desk.
"Yes..oh, this your phone, I almost forgot." said Siyeo-Ma who seemed to be thinking about something.
*If he's married, why is he still come over to orphanage? Is he... but he seems nice, ah..just let it be as long as there's no problem.* thought Siyeo-Ma who looked suspicious and stressed.
Lee Hyun-woo sat beside her while taking out his water and his diary.
"So, where did story end last time.." asked Lee Hyun-woo who had forgotten his story.
"Hm..oh! When you took that sister to the park." she answer it as she remember.
"Oh..yeah." Lee Hyun-woo remembered and tried to think of words to continue his story.
'We entered the park..where the cherry blossom leaves were starting to fall, and a cool breeze was blowing.'
'Her hair blew in the wind under the bright sunlight, The clouds moved aside like curtains that opened slowly...slowly opening to illuminate the beauty and warmth of her expression.'
'Smiling widely, laughing charmingly, and tears flowing beautifully.'
'The day my heart opened, seeing her smile..I just felt sad and low.'
His face turned sad like a lamp that was slowly dimming...
'Do I really deserve it, this me...my dirty self for my actions, my always broken self, my ugly self, and my heart that is never at peace.'
...slowly holding back his expression and smiling happily again while thinking.
*Just this once...maybe it won't be bad, right?* thought Lee Hyun-woo who saw her face.
"But why do you think like that when you look fine?" The word "*********" made Lee Hyun-woo stop telling the story, but the story continued with Park Min-ji coming to him.
"Because even though I look fine, the past and future that I see... there will not always be the word "beautiful" without someone willing to be the light to illuminate it." Lee Hyun-woo said which made her silent and Siyeo-Ma who was also seen listening to him secretly while brought a drink to serve.
The lotus flower bloomed with Park Min-ji approaching Lee Hyun-woo, he flicked her forehead and water dripped down from the blooming lotus leaf.
A day that was so bright turned dim, Lee Hyun-woo was seen standing alone on the edge of the bridge.
'The day darkens like my despair, my mind only thinks about how long and who will save me, how long this can go on, and how long I, who am broken, must keep walking without rest.'
'My..im sad, my frustration, seeing the destruction that comes as time goes by.'
He said with a sad and confused face, but the situation changed with him being in a rainy cemetery.
'Im the worst, i know and i keep falling because i always by my self, because im always alone...even i know there is people with me now, but in the future they will be gone, but i always keep going, i keep going even im losing myself so many times..'
While he held Park Min-ji's hand tightly for the last time....
'..and i keep going because of the past that keep me alive..i keep going because the present that keep me moving, and future's that awaits..'
He said, stroking her head happily like a father.
Lee Hyun-woo looked at her face by staring at her from the side, before start smiling seeing her face that serious.
"Sweetheart.. if you could live for such a long time like..more than 200 years what would you do?" Lee Hyun-woo suddenly ask.
"Hm..then! I wanna be like you!" Her words just make him smile before pulling her cheeks.
"No,no..why not try something different..uhm, like something more special." she start thinking for a moment taking it seriously.
"Then..." Her voice change reflecting his youger version when talking to Park Min-ji, his heart somehow start racing understanding what she gonna said that left him shock.
"I wanna change the world into a better place." a smile writen on his face, a light shine brightly into the room and curiousity boiling inside him.
"....and how is that~?" confused and courage build up in her then took a answer that stayed forever in her heart.
"Well, Im gonna write a book about you and all of us..hehe~" hearing her answer he just stroking her hair, while waiting for the continue.
"The book that i write is going to tell a journey and a story that have a beautiful meaning so that it can change the view of the world and all of us." Hearing her words only make him feelings happy and even tearing down, remembering the day Park Min-ji ask the same things to him.
"Where did you learn those kind of words really." curiousity grows over him like a father watching his daughter suddenly grows so fast.
"I mean, im all grown up anyways." her words just make him more clingy towards her like a glue, as a nostalgic feelings lighten up the room.
"But, im scared of you grown up too fast and what if a bad guys tried to hurt you~?" hearing those words, she just smile and face him.
"Then, when that happened..arent you going to protect me, my royal knight!" a words that sent his feelings straight laughing for the amount of feelings thats been holding on.
"Yes, my queen..and im gonna fail you this time..." the voice suddenly going quietly make her wonder what he saying, but all he did just giving a warmth smile.
The stories continue to the next generation, too the whole world. A story that comes from a heart bound by chains and loved by an angel without wings.
The angel gave everything to open the chains which were finally cut tragically, the blood that fell continued to flow for his beloved and himself who did not want to be forgotten.
The blood will continue to flow and dry in the same place for hundreds of years more, until the real truth is revealed and awareness of the dark reality arises.
"Hmm~ so did you like the story?" he said who asked her who was sitting on his lap.
"Yeah, can you tell me more?" her words erased his smile feeling doubtful, but seeing her face that curious he just smile.
"Then, tell me what is your most favorite part in the stories?" as he ask, he just smile knowing what she gonna answer.
"Maybe...the part when she meet you at the cafe..."as the stars start flickering, those who watching, the darkness, and the light it self..is the witnesses of the new born stars." "
he just continue her words, with the stories that he write in his book and laugh.
"the more i looked at her the more she looks like her, oh dear...".
The atmosphere become silence, a bond of hearts becomes closer, like a father and daughter..and a long forgotten ties.
As the atmosphere become lovely, and idea writen on Lee Hyun-woo face.
"Hey.. what about we go to the Dreamland Universe?"
"What is Dreammland Universe..?" as she ask him, he just smile and they right now is infront of the Dreamland Universe, a very large playground.
Siyeo-Ma also there wearing a beach hat, Lee Hyun-woo also also brought other children and employees.
As they were all amazed by the place, suddenly Lee Hyun-woo's cell phone rang, receiving a call from Seo-woo.
Lee Hyun-woo close the call and see so many messages from Seo-woo, he wonder what is it but when he open it his eyes just wide open shock seeing the messages.
Siyeo-Ma approach him wondering why he just standing still in daze.
"Hey..uhm, is there a problem?" her words just snap Lee Hyun-woo then turn around.
"No, it's nothing..just a work, let's go the kids are waiting." he said, as he start walking to the entrance of the park looking serious.
The children were very excited and they tried many games there, then the little girl asked Lee Hyun-woo that she wanted a prize from one of the shooting games.
"Alright." Lee Hyun-woo said, as he start holding the toy gun and look confidently.
Lee Hyun-woo manage to wipe out the shooting games, and all the kids just look impressed wondering where did he learn to shoot.
Lee Hyun-woo look happy there with all the kids enjoying the park, until when he look straight he saw a woman with white hair sitting on the bench, his reaction quickly change.
"Why are you looking so confused like that?" the little girl said, as Lee Hyun-woo start looking at her and make a excuse.
"I think i need to go to toilet welp, sorry but you need to stay with miss Siyeo-Ma okay?" Lee Hyun-woo said, as he start acting as if he holding his pee.
"Stay with miss Siyeo-Ma and the others, don't go on your own!" Lee Hyun-woo said from far away, running too the toilet.
Lee Hyun-woo that is inside the toilet looking outside if there is any kids around, when it's looking clear he came out walking towards the white haired woman that sitting on the bench and sit next too her.
"Seems you noticed my presence late than i thought." the white haired woman said, as Lee Hyun-woo just stay quiet wondering.
Lee Hyun-woo remember the message Seo-woo give, Seo-woo sent him a picture of the white haired woman and said.
'Seo-woo: That woman is your mother, and right now she's in the Park where you located.'
'Seo-woo: Im on my way with the others, he might be there as well.'
But Lee Hyun-woo just answer.
'Lee Hyun-woo: No, i got this. Sent the others away, im going to take care of it my self.'
Lee Hyun-woo that being quiet start clenching both hands tightly, holding back his anger he start speaking.
"What are you doing here, and why must now?"
"Isnt this place beautiful.." listening to her sudden words just make me feel empty.
"This place..i remember when your father take me here, i don't know how am i suppose to feel that time until your father guide me to the light it self."
"And here now, look at you..you just looked like your father."
Here am i listening to her words, feeling empty, anger, and a curiosity to know more, but why must now and of all place.
"How is that little girl doing, is she well?" hearing her words makes him shocked and rage boiling inside him.
"Get to the point now, what do you want really?" I answered while holding back my anger and the urge to kill her.
"Do i need a reason to see my son really, ah~ also there will be a festival soon enough and everyone is invited, anyways im happy seeing you all grown up."
Hearing her last word make me overthinking it, *happy? grown up? What did she even know?*
"Grown up? Of all things you said, you still thinking your self as a mother after leaving me all alone in the alley?"
I just can't hold it anymore, this feelings. All of it after hearing and seeing her in face, acting if she know anything about me but i know argue with her will not solve anything.
"Why don't you just go back already if you already done, im sure there is nothing else to do for you being here right?" he said, as he start leaving her.
"Then, i'll be waiting for you at home son."
she said it lightly with that smile on her face, and all i could do is just holding back. Because i know something isnt right with her since she just looked so calm in public there must be something that she's hiding, and i can't act reckless either because the kids still in the park.
Without Lee Hyun-woo realize, he was being watch over by his father Kwon Min-jae from above at the ferris wheel.
Lee Hyun-woo that leaving her, just walk into one of the candy stand there and buy a lot of them for the kids.
He walk with those candy in his hands, while overthinking himself.
*What is their attention, especially i remember what those unknown things said, is it him my father is the first one that he mention or is there another..but it just weird if because if in the second then.. how there is so many of them weilding strange kind of power..like-*
Without i realize it, i already arrived at the location and seeing those kids from a far. They just laugh, feeling happy and yet..here am i overthinking it feeling worried.
"ah~ damn let's just enjoy how things right now is, right?" he said, as he start walking towards them.
As those childrens noticed him and wave towards him, a happiness writen on "Park Min-ji" face while Lee Hyun-woo just watching those smiles from a far.