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Byul saw him in her dreams again. He wasn’t her ideal type. He was too soft looking. She likes her men manly. She likes hard planes, angular jaws, sharp eyes. This man in her dreams had a soft smile and even softer eyes. He took off his top in the dream last night and she was surprised. There they were. Those hard planes can be found on him after all. She blushed at the thought as she sipped her coffee in front of her closest friends. Wheein pushed a plate of cookies at her.
“Unnie, dreamt of her man again.” She wiggled her eyebrows at Hyejin who snorted out a laugh.
“Our Byulie is in love.” Hyejin brought the cookies closer to her and started munching. “Yuck! These are ginger cookies,Wheein! Who in the world orders ginger cookies?!”
“The girl behind the counter said they were nice.”
Byul took one of the cookies and nibbled on the edges.
“The barista is right. They are good.”
“Am I the only one who has taste here? Get me a different one,Wheein-uh.” Hyejin passed her rejected cookie to Byul. “Please get me some sugar coated one. The sweeter the better.”
“But I was the one who stood in line earlier. Get your own cookie.”
Not in the mood to listen to bickering, Byul stood up and got in line for the counter.
“Hi, can I get two sugar cookies please.” Byul spoke up at her turn. The barista was really pretty, maybe some underclassman. Byul noticed she’s also wearing the IHS hoodie with the café pins as her accessory. Her bottle blonde hair was tied in a high pony that accentuated her round face. The barista was extremely attractive especially when she smiled and revealed dimples at the corners of her mouth. She looked like an animé animal, maybe a pokémon. Byul found herself smiling back.
“Ya! Girl, there’s a line. I know you find Miss Sogang University here pretty, but please just write your number on a napkin or something. I just wanna get some kimbap. I am hungry.” Some rude guy behind Byul interrupted the moment. Byul looked down at her own IHS hoodie.
Animé girl apologized to the guy while ringing in the order. She slid a plate with three sugar cookies across the counter.
“I only ordered two.” She could lose some pay for her mistake. Byul thought.
“It’s on the house. IHS Spirit and all.” Her voice was deeper than expected. The guy behind Byul groaned and she threw him a dirty look.
Hyejin thanked Byul when she got back to their table.Then, she rummaged through her bag and revealed a crystal.
“Unnie, I nearly forgot. My granny wanted me to give this to you. She gave your hair and piece of clothing to a sage. She said it will light up when your man is near and that he could look different because your person only project their energy in dreams. You could only dream of people that you’ve seen before so your man may manifest in your dreams with another’s face.”
“It will actually light up more that it is now?” And indeed the crystal was glowing.
“Unnie!!! Your man is near.”
All three turned when the cafe’s door opened and in came a stunning man.
“Holy shit, Unnie. He is beautiful!”
The man beelined to the counter which was miraculously free. Byul snatched the crystal from Hyejin and followed the man. The crystal glowed even more as she closed on him.
“Unnie!” Called Hyejin. “Here!”
Moon Byul Yi caught a leather pouch. She immediately slid the crystal inside. She didn’t need to attract attention to it. Her man was talking to the barista. They seem to know each other, in fact they look a lot alike. The man patted the girl’s head before heading out again. Byul was rooted to her spot she could not believe she's in the same room as the man of her dreams.
“Hey.”
Byul turned to the barista. Slowly, she made her way over to the counter.
“Was that a ‘Destiny Crystal’?”
“A what crystal?”
“A Destiny Crystal. My aunt gave me one but I have never seen it light up like yours did. She said they will light up when your destined is near. So, were they near?”
“The man you were talking to…”
“Sung Hoon? No way! That’s my brother! We gotta tell him!” The barista started to take her phone out but stopped. “Wait! It would be weird if somebody just comes up to you and tell you that you’re their soulmate, destined one, right?”
Byul nodded.
“How about, I introduce you to him as my friend.”
“Oooooh! I like how you think.”
“My shift ends in an hour. How about you wait for me? We’ll plan more.”
The barista’s name was Kim Yongsun. They both go to IHS University. She’s taking up a Bachelor’s in Media and Entertainment. Byul was wrong when she assumed Yongsun was an underclassman. She was in fact older by a year.
“What do you major in?” She asked, eyes wide with curiosity. They were back in campus, both of them have some remedial classes to attend to that evening.
“Arts and Tech.”
“Were both from the Media, Arts, and Sciences. This is so cool! Are you sure we are not the ones destined?” She adjusted her hood making her look a lot younger. Byul couldn’t help but stare.
“Would that be ok with you? I mean I am a woman.”
“Why would it not be? I mean you seem cool plus you’re really pretty. My idiot brother is lucky.” She hoisted her backpack higher on her shoulder. “Would it be not ok with you?”
“I am bisexual, Unnie.” Byul couldn’t believe she just came out to a stranger.
“Ok. Since we are going to be sisters anyway. I’m gay.” They shook hands, then laughed at how silly it was. “We are going to have a party at home this weekend. I mean, I’m throwing a party so that you could have a ‘chance meeting’ with my brother. I am gonna need your help though with the preparations. Are you in?”
They’re at a party supply depo. It had been an hour of them talking and eating samples; but they’re still at a loss at what to buy.
“Unnie, if I didn’t know any better. I’d think you have no idea what to do.” Byul was clutching her head.
“Ok, mind reader. I have no idea what to do.”
“Will you let me do the shopping? How much is the budget?”
“About 300,000 Won. Is that enough for 10 - 20 people?”
Byul liked challenges.
“I’ll make it work.”
Sure enough they were loading enough food to feed a small army when they’re done.
“Why are we making kimchi from scratch?” Yongsun eyed the ten big heads of lettuce that they bought.
“They were on sale. I just couldn’t pass a good sale up.”
“Are you sure we are not the ones destined?” Yongsun laughed as she drove home.
“This may sound forward but can I sleep here tonight?” Byul opened up while they were watching TV. “I mean we have to let the lettuce pickle overnight. It’ll take more than an hour to make kimchi tomorrow. I have class in the morning. It’ll take more time for me to-”
“Yes. We are the same size. I can lend you clothes.” Yongsun didn’t even look away from her TV screen.
“... then Yongsun Unnie told the boy to take a hike. It was so funny I swear Wheein-uh.” Wheein threw Hyejin a questioning glance. Their friend had been talking about this Yongsun Unnie for a good portion of their lunch now.
“So she’s your soulmate’s sister and you get along famously. Wow, how did you get so lucky Hamzzi Unnie?” Hyejin used the petname that Byul likes.
“Must be fate. By the way, I’ll text you the address of the party this weekend. Don’t be strangers and go!” Byul moved to gather her things.
“Where you going?”
“Yongsun unnie is picking me up.” Like on cue, a pretty blonde entered the restaurant and waved at Byul. She looked like she brought a whole sunny day with how bright her smile was.
“Yongsun Unnie, meet the kids. This is Hyejin and that’s Wheein. Kids, this is the pretty Yongsun Unnie.” Yongsun barked an embarrassing high pitched laugh.
They bowed to each other and made small talk.
“Why are the unnies holding hands?” Wheein asked when they were gone.
“It’s fate.” Hyejin snorted at her own joke.
The party was a success but for the fact that Sung Hoon was a no-show. He was stuck at work on a Friday night. He’s working as an animator and they had to finish a project.
Byul nursed her 6th bottle of sumaek feeling a little out of it. She locked herself in Yongsun’s bedroom being sad on her own. Hyejin and Wheein already said their goodbyes a little past 1AM.
“I have kicked the last guest out.” Yongsun was sober as a police officer on duty. She saw Byul staring at the ceiling, lying on her bed. “Aw baby, lie on your side in case you’d feel sick later.”
“Don’t wanna.”
“We’ll try again. We’ll throw another party.” Yongsun sighed. She rolled the younger woman into position and lay down being the big spoon to keep Byul lying on her side.
“I’ll pay you half the party cost.”
“Are you kidding me? This is my 1st successful party. You are pretty popular. Nobody would have come if they knew I was the one who threw the party. Thank you, Moon Byul Yi.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m the loser who walked into and fell down the university fountain when I was a freshman. Nobody wanted to be friends with a loser.” Yongsun felt Byul Yi sliding off the bed and reached out to pull her closer.
Sung Hoon was busy with his animation project the whole month. Byul and Yong entertained themselves by hanging out with each other. Their next plan would be a Jeju island get-away with some family and friends.
Yongsun had already introduced Byul to her family as a new friend from Uni. They had, surprisingly, few questions. Yongsun’s mother seemed to be avoiding Byul; but Yongsun said she was just shy.
“Are you Yongie’s girlfriend?” Yonghee, Yongsun’s older sister, was blunt.
Byul sputtered on her tea.
“I am a girl who is her friend. So I guess, yes.”
“She never had too many friends. Take care of our maknae or you’ll answer to me.”
“They think I’m your girlfriend.” Byul shared on their way back to the city. The car ride would be 30 mins.
“I just came out. Sorry for the confusion.” Yong kept her eyes on the road; but reached out, trying to grasp her friend’s hand. Byul caught the offered hand. “You’ll meet my brother soon and things will be as they’re supposed to be. If he weren’t such a workaholic, this wouldn’t happen.”
“It’s fine.” The scenery outside the car window was beautiful, it’s perfect. Byul wished days like this would abound in her future. “Why don’t you have many friends?”
“I was shy, ugly, and weird.”
“You’re fun to be around and also very pretty, Yongsunie.”
Yong hummed.
“I wasn’t always pretty until puberty and surgery happened. The scars of bullying already ran deep that I’m still shy even with all the work done for me to look acceptable.”
“Well you had pretty work done. I had some too. My chin is fake.” Byul touched her own pointy chin.
“You have a perfect face shape. Well done. I had a nose job and eyelid surgery. Sometimes when I am feeling super insecure I have face sculpting done. I hate my cheeks.”
“I love your cheeks!” Byul reached out to cup Yong’s cheek on the side close to her. Yong leaned into the touch while driving.
“Thank you.”
They fell into a quiet routine. Byul would walk with Yongsun to school every morning. She’d have lunch with Hwasa and Wheein. Then, Yongsun would go to wherever she was so they could walk to school together after. Sometimes, Yong would eat lunch with them if her best friend Chorong wasn’t available or Byul would eat lunch with Yong and Chorong. They’d hang out after work in the evenings. They would talk about Yong’s brother sometimes but oftentimes they’d talk about anything but.
Byul brought Yongsun to meet her family. She introduced her as her future sister-in-law. Her sisters chortled and made a fuss in disbelief.
Weekends were their date days. They made a list of the things they want to do whenever school schedule allows. They major in things that were related so they help each other in their school work.
Yongsun became Byul’s muse in her photography and videography projects.
“It’s because you’re pretty, Unnie.” It never failed to get a violent reaction from Yongsun that Byul enjoys.
In time Yongsun became accustomed to being called pretty. She got more confident in her own skin. She gained a few more friends, but her main one remained to be Byul Yi.
“Let’s go watch a movie, Yongsun-uh.” JinYoung urged his friend who was looking at her watch the entire time.
“Can’t. Byul needs help with her photography class.”
“Ah of course. The girlfriend comes first always. We understand.” Jinyoung saw Byul running down the stairs to where they were. “Let’s go, Baro. Yongsun’s date is here.”
It never occured to Yongsun to correct them. She watched Byul bow to her seniors.
“Let’s go, Yong.” Byul beamed at her.
“I am killing Sung Hoon with my bare hands.” An irate Yongsun barged inside Byul Yi’s hotel room at Jeju. “He said he couldn’t make it.”
“Wow. He sure is busy.” She should be more disappointed but Byul is more concerned about Yong’s ears turning red. She reached for her camera and snapped a picture of an angry Yongsun. “You look amazing in this afternoon light. Go sit by the window.”
As if her body was controlled by Byul’s words, Yongsun posed by the window. Her anger slowly dissipated with every click of the camera.
“So pretty.” Byul sighed while looking at her camara’s screen. She felt fingers under her chin urging her to look up. Then, she felt a pair of soft lips take hers in a tentative kiss. The camera was forgotten as her hands found purchase at the back of Yong’s neck. She pulled the older girl closer urging her to take the kiss further. A quiet gasp was pulled out of Byul’s mouth when Yong’s tongue touched hers.
The air conditioner couldn’t dampen the heat of the moment as Yong grinded on the thigh she was straddling.
Byul’s hand slid down to cup a breast. The move earned a delicious hiss from Yong.
A series of knocks broke the reverie.
“Yongie?!” If the knocks only shook Yong a little. Then, the deep voice from outside the door doused her awake like cold water. “You really think I couldn’t make it? Come and greet your oppa.”
The “Destiny Crystal” was blazing like crazy peeking from Byul’s open suitcase. It could have been knocked over by her and Yong’s previous activity.
Yong scrambled off of her like she was burned.
Byul watched Yong jump into her brother’s arms as soon as the door opened.
“It’s been 5 months of being a no-show, oppa.”
“Sorry. I bought you some surprise. I had it delivered to your house in the city.” He slicked Yong’s hair back away from her face. The movement inside the room grabbed his attention. “Who’s your friend?”
The awkward silence that followed surprised Byul Yi. They had been waiting and planning for this moment.
“Oppa, this is my friend Moon Byul Yi. She and I go to the same school.”
“Hello, Miss Byul Yi. I have heard so much about you.” They bowed to each other. The atmosphere turned into a comfortable one. “Yongie, why don’t you—”
Yongsun was no longer in the room with them.
“What do you mean you’ve heard so much about me if you don’t mind me asking, oppa?” Kim Yongsun was still MIA, Byul was left at the mercy of the other Kims.
“Yonghee and her big mouth. She told me our Yongie is dating and having a social life. I am actually glad.” Sung Hoon handed Byul the fruit he was peeling. He and Yong shared so many qualities.
“We are not dating. We are just friends.” The words drag as they came out of Byul’s mouth. She’s in the presence of her soulmate and they’re getting along fine. Their plans worked. She’s just disappointed that it was not Yongsun who talked about her a lot.
“Oh? I wouldn’t be surprised if you are just our Yongie’s style. I mean she has eyes.” His eyes crinkle the same way as Yong’s.
Byul thought he was subtly flirting with her and she ducked her head in embarrassment.
“By the way, have you ever been to an animation expo. I swear I remember you. I was an instructor one time for animation with photographs as medium.”
“Omo! Yes! We’ve met before. I remember now.”
Sung Hoon lifted his hand for a high five and Byul readily gave. They talked about the expo some more.
“Why is your girlfriend hanging with oppa?” Yonghee passed Yongsun some sunblock. The youngest Kim had been out in the sun so long.
“She’s not my girlfriend.”
“She’s not? Wow! I could swear.”
“I was helping them meet each other. Her ‘Destiny Crystal’ lit up for oppa. She also dreamt about him.” Yongsun slathered the sunblock on her exposed skin. “Mission accomplished. I guess.”
“So, why are you out here moping like somebody kicked your puppy? Are you sad that you will no longer be the maknae of the fam?”
“I kissed her.”
“Oh wait a minute! That little… homewrecker. Flirting with my sibs. Where is she?”
“No, it was a mistake. It’s my fault. I wasn’t careful.” A single tear fell on Yongsun’s lap. “I mean, I knew she and Sung Hoon are destined. I guess I fell for the first person who treated me nicely.”
Yonghee gathered her sister in her arms.
“Well, you’ve been a dumbass since ever. I am not surprised. You are also a beautiful person inside and outside. And it’s grossing me out, but I love you. I am pretty sure that Byul Yi isn’t the only one who could appreciate you.”
“Thanks Unnie. You’re a dumbass too.”
Byul Yi had to cut her stay at Jeju because her sister Seulgi got in an accident. Sung Hoon offered to drive her to the airport. Yongsun moped around more when they left.
Her phone must be busted. Byul thought. Yongsun wasn’t answering her texts. She’d been standing in front of the house for 30 minutes still there’s no Yongsun in sight. Their daily morning walk to school was a tradition by now. True, she’d been gone for a month due to her sister’s accident but she texted the night before.
“Yong, call me when you get this.” She left a voice message.
Her phone chimes. It’s Sung Hoon telling her about another film and photography expo. They had been texting each other. Mostly about art, photography, and the latest technology in these disciplines. Sung Hoon had been very helpful. She felt like she hadn’t missed her classes because he was knowledgeable in the topics that she missed. It really felt like they were soulmates in that area.
Byul Yi looked at her empty left arm where Yongsun’s hand was usually clinging when they walk to school together and wondered if it’s possible to have two soulmates.
“Yong, why are you avoiding me?” Byul caught up with the girl who was walking very fast.
“I wasn’t.”
“I saw you looking out your window this morning but not answering any of my 10000 calls and texts.”
“In case you forgot…” Yong’s voice dropped in a whisper. “We kissed.”
“How could I?” Byul whispered back. “It was all I could think about.”
The motions of Yong’s world ceased. There was no one alive at that moment. Only Byul, her, and the guilt that she held inside.
“You are soulmates with my brother. Let’s not challenge the universe. What do you feel about Sung Hoon?”
“He’s easy to talk to and easy on the eyes. He is helpful, dependable, and funny. We get along but so do we, Yong. Plus, that kiss was pretty magical too if you ask me.”
“You and my brother talk?” Of course they do, thought Yong. They’re soulmates.
“Stop changing the subject.” They’ve reached the café that Yong work in part-time.
“I can’t do this to my own brother. I can’t steal his soulmate. Besides my job is done. You two met. I’m sorry and don’t follow me inside, Byori. ”
“Thanks for allowing me to walk you to work.” Byul rolled her eyes at Yong’s back.
Yong got herself a girlfriend. A Journalism Major named Yuju. They met at a book club that Yong joined to test out her newly acquired self confidence. They were good together. Yuju was a great kisser. They were the Yongju couple, always seen holding hands around the quad.
Chorong teased Yong about how Yuju looked a lot like Byul. Their breakup was amicable. Yuju even kissed Yong goodbye.
Yong’s ‘Destiny Crystal’ still gathered dust never ever lighting up.
The party was in full swing, everybody who’s somebody was in attendance. Jinyoung was playing the great host and spraying drinks on people’s mouth’s with his portable drink dispenser.
Byul found Wheein and Hyejin making out in a corner and decided to hang with Chorong instead.
“Is Yong here?” She shouted over the loud club music.
“She is!” Chorong shouted back. “She’s somewhere round the back looking for more drinks. If you find her first and she’s a mess please take care of her. I have a date.”
Byul found Yong far from being a mess just a bit drunk. She’s playing a game of Titanic with some fellow seniors and winning spectacularly.
She’s holding her drinks and herself well. Byul decided to leave her be.
“Hey, Byul. Come play! Yongsun’s been murdering us.” Baro’s words were stumbling over each other.
Yong looked over to her. A confident smirk in place.
She walked over and Yong instantly pulled her close. The older girl held her hand that’s holding the shot glass half filled by soju guiding it over a full beer tumbler.
“You have to drop the shot glass but it has to float.” Yong expertly whispered the instructions so close to Byul’s ear. Her breath tickled and it made Byul let go of the shot glass she was holding. It sank like the Titanic and cheers of ‘DRINK UP! DRINK UP!’ erupted around the table. Her peers were pounding Yong’s back in congratulations calling her Titageim-nim. Byul drank it all in one go.
They were groping in the dark, giggling. Byul lost her shoe somewhere in Yong’s hallway but she didn’t care. All she could care about was the way Yong’s hands couldn’t seem to stop touching her.
“Sssh shhhh!” Yong shushed her by kissing her sloppily.
“Why? Who’s here?”
“The universe might hear.”
“Fuck the universe to be honest.” Byul felt herself falling on the bed.
“Let’s fuck up the whole universe.”
“I’d rather you fuck me.” She felt Yong’s mouth latching on her pulse point and all spoken conversations ceased. They talked with their bodies instead. A long lick from Byul’s exposed clavicle to the neck felt like “i miss you”. The tight squeeze on Yong’s arm when she slightly moved away felt like “i miss you too”.
Yong wrote a love letter with her lips on Byul’s bare skin. Taking the sentiments lower until she’s sucking on wet salty need. Byul’s hot noises were like broken seals. When she came all over Yong’s chin then Yong was sure her messages were delivered.
Byul fell asleep with her mouth still latched on Yong’s nipple. It would have been funny if Yong wasn’t still in a horny mood despite all the fucking. Her lower back protested when she tried to move so she just let their awkward position be.
They fucked like it’s their last day on Earth. Taking turns like their energies were inexhaustible. Yong would have gone on more times if Byul hadn’t fallen asleep. She was no longer drunk. She had sweat it all out. The sheets would surely be pretty disgusting tomorrow.
Tomorrow or today rather. Yong looked out the window at the already pinking sky.
6AM.
Byul’s phone chimes. An alarm? No. It was Sung Hoon calling.
The start of guilt crept up to her. Yong loves her brother but at that moment she wanted nothing more than to throw Byul’s phone away. She could also answer the phone and tell her brother that his girlfriend cannot talk at the moment because her mouth is full of nipple.
She did neither. Instead she set the phone on silent and helped her sleeping bedmate get into a more comfortable position. Between her legs, head between her breasts.
“Does it also make, Sung Hoon and I, Eskimo siblings?”
“Why are you asking this now? You kissed Byul a long time ago.” Chorong stopped fixing her Journalism lecture notes.
“I slept with her after that party last Friday. Does it make me and Sung Hoon Eskimo sibs?” Yong pressed her lips together.
“You are literally siblings! You’re disgusting.” Chorong hit Yong’s arm.
“I couldn’t help myself. Should I tell Sung Hoon?”
“That his girlfriend is a cheater and you’re a disgusting pig of a sister? I shouldn’t have gone home with Changsub last Friday. I shouldn’t have sent Byul to you.” The beginning of a headache started at Chorong’s temple. “But i still love you so let’s plan this out.”
“I still want her.”
“There are hundreds of other girls in this school. Why are you so fixated on that one?”
“A lot of reasons. What I am about to tell you, you mustn’t repeat ever. You could even say it was love at first sight. Then, I saw her crystal light up for Sung Hoon and I found an opportunity. Sung Hoon is married to his work so it’s nearly impossible for him to attend any party. So to get closer to Byul, I arranged parties that I know Sung Hoon won’t be able to attend ever.” Yong waved away Chorong’s judgmental look. “I never once mentioned Byul to him even when he calls. Yonghee’s big mouth and her need to tell him I have a gf gave it away. So naturally he got curious and went to Jeju. They wouldn’t have met ever until Byul and I are married if it were up to me.”
“Married. That serious, huh?”
“Whatever this stupid society allows. I’ll graduate next year. I already have two jobs now. Yes, I am THAT serious. I wouldn’t do this to my brother if I wasn’t. I mean, I tried to forget her. And obviously she still want me judging from the number of times we did it last Friday.”
“I don’t wanna know how many times!” Chorong slapped her hand over Yong’s mouth. “What are you gonna do?”
Yong’s answer was muffled. Chorong let her mouth free.
“Get her to pick me over my brother. Let’s find where she got the crystal first. Let’s go see if we can still reverse that. If that thing stops lighting up for my brother…” Yong’s smile was devious.
“Of all the sinister things you have thought of, Yongsunie. That’s the most.”
“I slept with Yong.”
“When? Where? Why? How many times?” Hyejin machine gunned her questions. Wheein spat out her latte at Hyejin.
“Last Friday. Her house. We were drunk. A fuck lot of times to be an accident.”
“Wow, Unnie. Who’s better?”
“I don’t fuck and tell.”
The answer earned a raised eyebrow from Hyejin.
“I enjoyed both.”
“Unnieeee, who’s better? Tell Wheenie.” Wheein’s aegyo was out of place from the topic.
“They’re a good looking family.”
“That’s not an answer!”
“I’ll rephrase the question then.” Hyejin was adamant. “Who would you do at this very moment given a choice?”
Byul’s eyebrows furrowed.
“Sung Hoon. Just coz I am feeling guilty.”
“So the real answer is Yong?” Wheein shook her pretty head. “How does it feel to be a cheating homewrecker?”
“Technically! I didn’t! We are just dating; we are not in an exclusive relationship yet.” This soulmate business was supposed to be definite and not confusing. “I need to go. I need to end things with someone.”
“A crystal won’t even stop lighting up for a soulmate.” The sage said. The 5-hour bus ride had been for nothing.
“What if the crystal accidentally breaks?” Yong was desperate.
“The crystal will break but the connection between soulmates won’t. Unless one of them dies in this lifetime.” Finished the sage.
“Ok, no dying.” Chorong slaps Yong’s arm.
“Ow, wow you think I’d kill my brother? Ok, there was that one time when I was 7 but that was an accident.” Yong shivered when she remembered how she accidentally pushed her brother off a waterfall.
“You’re tipping.” The sage turned to Yong; pointing at a pendulum that’s going towards her as though she’s a magnet.
“Yes, I’ll give you a tip later. Promise!”
Chorong laughed at her friend’s naiveté.
“No, don’t even pay me. This business is fraught with danger. You did something to tip the scales of the somebody’s universe. You messed up somebody’s karmic equilibrium real bad. What have you done? Did somebody get in an accident since you’ve done this? The universe will try to fix the equilibrium.”
Yong thought hard. Sung Hoon and Byul traveled back to Seoul together after Seulgi’s accident. They got together because of that accident.
“So you're telling me that somebody might die or get hurt if I keep up? That’s unfair! Don’t people have a choice in this?”
“Soulmates who meet are most rare. Most of the people who say that they’ve met their soulmates only met somebody who agrees with them. So, when they do meet or go near each other their combined energies form a connection. The accidents are a reaction caused by an opposing force trying to severe the connection.” The sage looked at Yong thoughtfully. “Your boyfriend really did meet his real soulmate if such accident occured.”
“Yeah, my boyfriend. Is there a way to counter this?” It would seem like all hope was lost. The idea just irritated Yong.
“Counter? No. There is however something that could protect your own connection with your boyfriend. You can create a sort of safe place for you. We can make a sachet that you can put in places where your boyfriend’s soulmate and him could meet. When the sachet is in place their connection will fail to bind.”
Yong thought of the places. Her home, their ancestral home, she’d even place the sachet in her bag, Byul’s bag, she’d make Sung Hoon eat the stupid sachet if she needed to.
“How much?”
“Little girl, I’d give it to you for free if only I had the materials for it.”
The sage wrote the materials needed and handed it to Yong.
“You are very brave. Good luck.”
“Or we could just ask your brother to back off.” Chorong read the materials needed for the supposed spell.
“Can’t risk it. He is her soulmate after all.”
“Have you talked to Byul about it?”
“No. Not yet. I have to come prepared.”
“You are very stubborn, Yong.”
Chorong called Byul up to alert her of Yong’s plans.
“She what? WHAT?”
“She’s planning on going to Jeju and go look for a sea cave. She’s looking for a particular seaweed that needs to be dried.”
“In February?! What does she need a seaweed for?
“Just talk to her. Stop her. She went to a psychic about severing you’re connection with her brother.”
“And a dried seaweed would help?”
“Amongst others. Talk to her.”
“Where are you?” Byul all but screamed at her phone. She just landed in Jeju after Yonghee told her that Yongsun wasn’t at their home either.
Yongsun tells her the location of a seaside village she’s in. She said she just needed to go to a particular spot. She’d be back before high tide comes in.
Byul was still screaming at the phone when Yong ended the call.
“How long before the tide comes in?” Byul tightened her life vest around her.
“About three hours. Let’s wait for the coast guard. They’re calling them now.” Said the boatman.
“The lines are dead! There’s a localized storm that caused the interruption.” A lookout informed them.
“Can’t we just go now?” Byul pleaded with the boatman.
They made their way around the cove to reach the caves that another boatman left Yong in earlier. It took a lot longer than expected.
“Stay here Miss. I’ll go get her.”
The boatman returned in a state of slight panic.
“She’s injured. Please hand me the rope.”
Byul quickly tossed the rope to the boatman. She scrambled out the boat to follow him. Yong fell in a crevice inside the cave.
“You stupid woman!” Byul shouted down at her.
Yong smiled faintly at the sound of Byul’s voice.
“I got it!” She raised her arm to show a packet with some green stuff inside.
“You’re still stupid.”
The boatman tried to hoist Yong up but failed.
“You don’t fit. Please cut off your life vest.” They lowered a knife to Yong. After the vest was gone, Byul and the boatman hoisted Yong up again. It was successful this time. She had a gash by her thigh and it was bleeding. The boatman tried to stop the bleeding by tying her thigh above the wound.
“You’re really stupid.” Byul took off her vest and helped Yong wear it when they were back on the boat.
“You’re really pretty.” Yong’s eyes were closed.
“Don’t let her sleep.” Said the boatman.
“Wake up, please.” Byul was crying. She’s kissing Yong awake.
“Get us a room.”
“You’re a pervert.”
“Not a crazy one.” Yong was slurring her words.
“Definitely a crazy one.”
“We need to go.” The boatman followed their course back to the village but their journey is rougher this time. The water kept on pushing them back to the cove. “We need to reach shore soon or she’ll lose a lot of blood. Let’s try again.”
The waters reflected the dark sky making it impossible to see. The boatman was confident he could lead them to shore safely. The open sea had another plan as it kept on rocking their boat with huge waves. Byul wrapped yong in a blanket and held her tight. The other woman was as pale as her blonde hair.
“Hold on. You’ll make it.” Byul whispered. “I love you.”
Just as the words left her mouth. The boat was pushed by a particularly big wave. The small boat was unable to keep upright. Its passengers were thrown to the sea. Byul gulped a mouthful of sea water. Her throat burned as well as her eyes. She caught sight of Yong bobbing above the water with the help of her vest. She swam to her.
“Crap! You still ok?”
Yong nodded.
Another wave covered them. And to make matters worse: it had started to rain.
The boatman blew on his whistle. His two passengers were lost in the dark waters. He listened in the hopes that they would still be alive. He hears it. Faint at first. He turned and swam to the direction of the answering whistle.
There was only one girl left. The wounded one, wearing a vest.
“Byul.” Yong struggled to open her eyes. The bright lights hurt her eyes making her close them again.
“Byul Yi!!!” She screamed. She tried to get up but hands stopped her.
“You’re ok.” Sung Hoon was the one holding her down. “You’re safe in a hospital.”
“Let me go!” She scratched at her brother, drawing blood. “Where’s Byul?”
“You need to sleep more, Yongie.” Her brother shushed her. She felt herself fading.
“She doesn’t know.” Was the last thing she heard before passing out again.
It was time to go home. Yong have given up asking where Byul was. Nobody was answering anyway.
She would just stay quiet and find out on her own.
She cornered Wheein when she got well enough to walk on her own. Her cane made her look 10x cooler. At least it’s what she told herself.
“Wheein, please tell me where Byul is.”
“Leave her alone, Yong.”
“She’s alive right? Tell me that at least!”
“Barely.” Wheein eyes were spewing venom. “You’re lucky it was only me. Hyejin would have killed you on sight.”
“Why just barely? What happened?”
“You’re annoying and stubborn. Do you atleast have that stupid magic sachet with you?”
Yong gasped in surprise.
“Yes we know.” Wheein sighed. “We went there with Chorong’s help.”
“Yes, I have it. I found all the materials needed.”
“Fucking crazy. Let’s go. Just accept your death if Hyejin is there.”
They went to the same hospital that Yong was in for at least a month.
“Byul died, you know.” Wheein helped her change into sterile clothes. “She was dead for two minutes. Then, she came back. Then, she went into a coma.”
“I’m not going in.” Tears sprung from Yong’s eyes. “I’ll just go, Wheein. I bring nothing but tragedy.”
Wheein slapped her.
“That felt good.” Wheein flexed her fingers. “Don’t be stupid. She’s been looking for you since she woke up from coma. We were just delaying the inevitable.”
Her face smarted. Yong held her face.
Seulgi and Mrs. Moon were inside the room. Yong received another slap. This time from Mrs. Moon.
“I deserved that. Seulgi?” She offered her already red face.
“I’ll pass.”
“No kissing. This is a sterile environment.” Mrs. Moon warned both her daughter and the guest.
“Umma.” Byul groaned.
“I’m just making sure.”
“I died.” Byul said when they were alone.
“Don’t die again.” Yong held both of her hands tightly.
“How’s your leg?”
“It’s fine. I’m so sorry. I was selfish.” The floodgates of Yong’s emotions opened and she howled out the pain. “I’d never do it again, Byul. I’d put you first all the time. I’d go far far away from you. Please forgive me.”
“What are you saying? Where are you going?”
“The sage said I’d only bring nothing but accidents if I keep on opposing what the universe had connected together. I’ll just go. If you need me at all just call. I’d buy you anything but I won’t come near you.”
“Nobody asks me what I want anymore?” Byul’s eyes were misty and soft.
“What do you want, baby?”
“You.”
“But Sung Hoon.”
Byul shook her head.
“Can’t I choose?”
“Ok, I’d make hundreds of this protective sachet. We’ll cover our house. Put it in every bag. We’ll be very careful.” Yong covered Byul’s mouth with her hand and then kissed the back of it.
“Yong…”
“Yes, My Love?”
“I died.”
“Yes, I know. We have to be very careful.”
“Then, I lived again.”
Confusion marred Yong’s beautiful face.
“Sung Hoon visited.” Byul reached for something on the bed side table. “The crystal didn’t light up. And before you get angry, my mom asked him not to tell you.”
“I shouldn’t be happy about this; but I am.” Yong tried to school her expression into a neutral one.
“So, we don’t need the sachets.”
“I’m so sorry you needed to die.” Yong bursted out crying again.
“Climb up here. I wanna hold you.”
Yong obliged. Byul gathered her beloved in her arms.
“How many lovers can say they have died for love?” Byul tipped the leather pouch and out tumbled a red crystal.
“Not that many. Perhaps, you’re the only one.” Yong turned to face her girlfriend, the love of her life. She pulled something out of her pocket. A blue crystal.
“Come give me a kiss. The doctor said it’s safe now. Don’t listen to my Mom.”
“Wait I need to make sure.” Yong scrambled to call her brother. “Sung Hoon? Where are you?”
He was at home far far away from them.
Byul laughed.
“I love you so much. Thank you for choosing me.” Yong scooted closer and gave Byul a tiny kiss.
“I love you too. You already know how much.”
Between them, the crystals remained dull, but the light of the choices they fought for was bright.