“Attention, passengers. We will arrive in Mujin in ten minutes.”
I rubbed my still-dull eyes after a long sleep on the bus. Then I opened my phone. It was six in the morning. Oh. No messages, no calls at all… On the screen, there was only a photo of me and a girl. I stared at it, then sighed. Checking my inbox… There were just messages that I had been sending for two days, not a single reply appeared. And I sent her a good morning, for I just wanted to hear her voice replying to me. But she’s probably still sleeping now. I aimlessly put my phone back in my pocket, then took a look at the outside of the bus.
I was about to come into Mujin, a town located near Suncheon Bay, where the fog itself fully covered the whole sky above. That kind of gloomy weather seemed to be drilling into the twisted maze inside my heart. What a terrible situation that I’m trapped in! I had a fight with my lover, and we could have broken up at any moment. Yet, I had to leave her, for the sake of the Foundation. And what did we fight about? My coldness. I buried myself in work, and saw her less often. Yeah. She said that she felt lonely. She said that she missed my warmth. She said that I was too focused on working and that I had forgotten about someone who truly cared about me. And I didn’t get it at all. Why couldn’t she understand that everything I had been doing was all for our happiness? Could it be that she did not realise this truth, that if I stopped working and earning money, how could I support her life? That was just a simple inference. A simple inference that she… could not understand. How? Did I blame it on my work? No way, I wasn’t that dumb. After all, in the prosperous and luxurious Seoul, without money and power, you are absolutely fucking nothing. I never dreamed that far though - I had my own dream… yeah, she was my dream. And… I was just giving my all for that dream.
Then, why?
Why had my dream become beyond my reach, when I tried chasing it?
I shut my eyes, so that the pain in my chest would go away.
The bus stopped at a nearby old station. The fog was so thick, even my feet were fully covered. For that, I had to take a flashlight, so that at least I had a guiding light to go wandering in this white fog. I’ve just started working for the Foundation earlier this year. I was surprised when they said they would assign me the first task: researching ạnd investigating in Mujin. I should have been happy about that… if it hadn’t pushed my love downhill. Nah, it had been going down there long ago, since my graduation. Focusing on chasing the hustle and bustle of life, I had been abandoning the world around me, bit by bit. I ran here, there, everywhere for a place in this world where nothing else matters outside of work. And I could not balance my work life and my love life. There were many times I asked my lover, “Will you still love me if I have nothing?” Facing that, she always kept silent. And when the silence was too much, she started a fight with me. And she pierced me with “Always bring your reasons with you, I see.”, all the time.
Now, those fights were so far away from me. And I was still stuck there in that restaurant, being served a menu of disappointment and exhaustion every single meal.
I walked along the stone road. Before my eyes was a field of yellow reed shivering in the breeze, amidst the fog that obscured the sky. But it looked desolate within this fog. It was like a grey fabric dotted with pale yellow dots. It annoyed me. As if Mujin was reacting to my mood. How could I be happy in this depressed scene?
As if Mujin wanted to apologize for its emotionless welcome, I saw a crimson flower blooming fierily in the white fog. A paper umbrella… a human! A woman! She wore a traditional Hanbok, with a white Jeogori having a pastel pink Goreum ribbon attached on it, and also, the red Chima - what made the whole set of Hanbok more beautiful.
It wasn’t surprising when someone woke up at six o’clock in the morning. But why was a woman like that there, in the midst of this freezing fog? And why did she wear traditional clothes? What did that mean?
I was a bit cautious. Just remember: the Foundation sent me there to research and investigate anomalies. And everything around me could be my enemies, since the moment I set foot in Mujin.
I saw the umbrella slowly turn back. I could surely feel that she was looking at me. But I could not see her clearly in this layered fog. And the crimson flower was floating. Ah, no, I mean, I did think that the dress was floating, because the thick fog covered her whole body, and the reed also hid her legs. I was in a cold sweat, my hands and legs were all trembling. Once in the past I saw an American supernatural movie about monsters coming from the fog. Back then, I thought it was amazing. Yet, now, in this situation, it felt like an urban legend spread around by curious minds.
When she approached me, I was almost immobile before her, a woman, or not a woman, a human, or not a human. She was so small - her height could only reach my chest. And the umbrella hiding her face, also. But, all my stresses were all wiped out, just by a smile.
“Oh! I don’t recognize you… Are you from the outside? Sightseeing?”
“…Y– yeah, sightseeing i-it is.” I stammered.
At that moment, I was hesitant and didn’t know how to deal with all of those.
As if she could read my mind and know my embarrassment, the mysterious maiden turned around, pointing at somewhere in the fog.
“The town is right before us now. Just go along the rocky path, there will be a wooden bridge across the canal. Go past it, and you will arrive, but remember to mind your step in the fog.”
So kind and gentle, I thought, as my mind was going through a bit of sorrow. I wanted to thank her. And, again, as if she could read my mind, she slightly smiled.
“If you want to thank me, just go to my Pojangmacha nearby the town instead!”
Oh, it must be me overthinking. It was rude to think of someone as a wandering soul in the fog.
Suddenly, she said.
“It’s alright, people here are all real humans, everyone is friendly and no one will haunt you.”
And I was startled. At this point, maybe she could really read my mind.
She continued. “This fog is dazzlingly hazy, don’t you think so? To me, it was like I was in Heaven itself.”
“Trust me. Stay here for a bit longer, and you will adore the fog of Mujin too.”
She waved me goodbye, and then, slowly faded away in the white fog.
I was overwhelmed. Was it true that she could read my thoughts? No way. Perhaps it was just her kindness and delicacy - but that was still impressive, though. I wish… no. I should not mindlessly say a wish like this.
Everything comes with its cost, so do wishes.
My base was a small house on a high mound that overlooked the town of Mujin. It was built in Hanok architecture. I went around the house, carefully examining every single thing in the house, even the walls. The walls… It seemed like they were reinforced to be steadier than its lumpy surface suggested. Besides that, this house had a living room, a kitchen, and two bedrooms. There was also a small backyard to dry my clothes. I was quite satisfied with it, but the house seemed to be dusty since it hadn't been cleaned for a long time. Therefore, this morning, I recleaned my base. I found a bunch of things that were prepared for my Mujin exploration. They didn’t say how long I would be here, but I still packed up as if I were planning to go on a long vacation. The thing is, I still had something on my mind. I opened my phone, no new messages. I made the first call, it rang three times, but no one answered. I made a second call. It was immediately cut off. I sighed. I'd better get myself back together. Maybe we just needed some privacy.
At first glance, Mujin looked like a remnant of the Joseon Dynasty, with its houses having Cheoma-style tiled roofs and windows made of Hanji paper. There’s a touch of the 20th century along with banners, electric lights,…. I liked the quietness of this place. I could finally feel relaxed after a bunch of life troubles. Of course, I shouldn’t rest for too long. I needed to get to work.
Fog is the only thing to describe about this place. It gave Mujin a mysterious vibe. The fog appeared with the night and melted away beneath the sun’s steady rise. Day after day, month after month, year after year, the fog is an inseparable part of everyday life for everyone in Mujin. I had heard news about how thick the fog was in England and China, so I was not surprised by its density. But, walking in the white fog still brought me a strange feeling, even as its pale veil dulled the surrounding scenery, casting everything in a cold, desolate color. There was a walkway leading down to the main road where I could have a view of Suncheon Bay. Right there, I came across a restaurant just like she said. What I found strange was that the local shops I know in Seoul are usually covered by tarps with a stove in the middle. But this restaurant, it was sealed off with wooden walls, and wooden curtains were hung in the middle to cover the inside. I didn’t quite understand. It seemed like the owner didn’t want anyone to see what they were doing inside. What were they trying to hide?
“Hm? A new guest?”
A passerby spoke up from behind.
“The shop owner sure knows how to draw customers! What was it about her that brought you here?"
“I didn’t… We only met this morning.”
“And her face? Did you see it?”
“The fog was quite thick at that time…”
"And she kept trying to avoid me! God, that sweet, melodious voice, those graceful hands… She had the charm of a truly gorgeous woman. But she knew how to play hard to get! I couldn’t help but wonder — behind that elegance, could she be an unrivalled beauty?"
He laughed, his eyes looked at the sea:
“Good food, sweet wine, beautiful scenery! You won’t find anywhere else a place of such quality, ha ha! If you’re lucky, you might get to see a hidden beauty of this town?”
“What a nutcase!” I thought. But the story about that woman was true. The locals said they had never seen her face. No one really cared about it. They thought it was like a gimmick for her restaurant, a distinctive trait to highlight her reputation. My intuition could sense something suspicious about her behavior. “Maybe, I should investigate her a little?”, I thought.
I went back home. Upon opening my inbox, I still found it empty. I sighed, sending her a message, “How is your evening?”, then changed my clothes and continued working. It was 9.00 PM. The fog hung thick, swallowing all sight; only a pale blur remained where the world once was. People here said that I could take a look at the faraway sea, and I would see fisher boats dazzlingly shimmer amidst the limitless darkness. It was just like a parade of luminous stars lining up in the deep black sky. “As if I could see any hell of those things in this fog.”, I thought, my gaze followed the lights.
Mujin was so different from Seoul: so tranquil, and so peaceful, not stuffy nor noisy, not bustling nor crowded. I could feel my pace had been slower than ever, slow enough for me to remember about every single thing around me. For the first time in a long while, I noticed how bright those light bulbs were, or how rocky those paths I walked past were. They were just ordinary things in this world, yet I had never gazed at them quite this long, had I? A smile went through my face. Childish like this? I never was.
Following the path I went through before, I was attracted by the scarlet light from the lanterns. The strange restaurant I encountered was now shining like a tiny sun amid the surrounding fog. Chopsticks, spoons, and also bottles of sauces, everything was neatly arranged. Just, this restaurant was a bit empty, contrary to what I thought.
“You’re here! Come, take a seat.”
The voice echoed behind those wooden walls. I picked the leftmost seat, so that I could see the beach. It was cold, I could feel it on my skin, penetrating my flesh, down to my bones. The curtain was lifted, and a tray of tea was brought out.
“What weather to have some warm dishes in. What do you want, sir?”
I took a sip of tea. The hot tea was having a trip, started in my mouth, went through my throat, and stopped at my stomach - what a pleasure. The sound of a sizzling stove and boiling soup reached my ears. And a delicious smell wafted from behind the wooden blinds, making my stomach rumble. My eyes shut, for I could immerse in the peace that Seoul didn’t have then, doesn’t have now, and will never have after. It was like… a magic show. It was like I could hear every sound of life passing through the thick fog.
A little while after, my food was served. I started with a hot tofu soup. It made my whole body tremble. A soft, spicy taste awakened all of my freezing senses. Next came a plate of grilled meat sprinkled with sesame seeds. The aroma of the sauce, paired with the nuttiness of the sesame, highly complemented the juicy slices of meat; the sour tang of the kimchi on the side brought it to a whole new level. Next on the menu was fried mandu. I took a bite and gasped as the food was still piping hot. The thin but chewy wrapper and the savoury meat filling melted in my mouth. I ordered a portion of bulgogi: the well-marinated beef came served on a cooking stone, with a side of asparagus and eggplant, but I was still unsatiated. The main course was a bowl of Jjambbong — spicy seafood noodle soup. The electrifying heat of the broth made me feel numb. I eagerly picked each bite up and slurped it, the pieces of squid and tiger prawn also enriched the soup, making it tastier. To end my meal, she offered me some Yangwa and Sansachun rice wine. I usually don't drink outside of social gathering events as I like to stay sharp-witted. But I'll indulge a little… just this night! The delicate flavour of the confection and the rich fragrance of the wine made my heart flustered. I'd eaten these things multiple times on the streets of Seoul, but here in Mujin, the change in my mood elevated ordinary meals to something extraordinary.
She poured a full cup of wine for me, and one for her. I smiled, denying her.
“Thank you, but I cannot drink anymore, I’ll be drunk…“
“It’s fine. Just consider it as a toast to the singles.”
Hearing that, I suddenly fell silent. Immersing in the pleasure of having a proper dinner in the coldness of Mujin’s fog, I did forget my fragile, breaking love.
She softly said, as I did not respond.
“So your heart is now hugging another Mujin.”
I awkwardly smiled. “Perhaps… yes, that’s it.”
“Would you mind telling me the story?”
Trapped in the twisted maze of my heart, with my mind already clouded by alcohol, my love story just kept coming out of my mouth. It all began in my third year of university — we met during the Daedongje Festival. I saw my lover carrying huge foam boxes, and as a man, I offered to help her. To thank me, she invited me for a walk around the festival. And just like that, we became a couple. Since that, the rest of my university life was like a daydream - for I had my precious one to love, to adore, to strive for. Yet, everything went downhill since my graduation - I ran here, there, everywhere for my life, for my work, for our future… but never for her. And that was why we fought.
“Did you ever think that was your fault?”
My fault? Did she ever think for me, for my sufferings, even just for once? No! Instead, she kept forcing me to choose between her and my work! How selfish!
“So that was her fault, for never understanding you, for all those years?”
Her fault? I was not sure. We had small quarrels, yet I still forgave her, and she still forgave me. The last time we fought, I still thought it was just a small argument, as usual. Yet, we held our words away from each other even after I reached Mujin. We fought in silence, with the enemy being not only the other one, but also our inner thoughts. The fog in Mujin stayed quiet and still as my heart kept screaming.
I should not let my relationship crumble down like this. But what should I do?
“Will you see her again?”
I was silent. Of course, I wanted to see her! But we hadn’t talked to each other for days. I didn’t even know if she still missed me. That thought kept haunting me days and nights.
I drank the whole cup in one gulp… oh, damn, I would be drunk. Alcohol seeped into all of my veins, all of my cells, all of my thoughts. I felt freezing fog on my skin - for that, I could stay awake from my sadness.
I felt light-headed, for all my pent-up feelings in my heart had been lifted up.
I woke up, my head still dazed from alcohol. I found myself at home. I didn't remember how I got back. The first thing I did was to pick up my phone. There was still no response. After sending a short message, I dizzily stepped out onto the porch. What did she put in the food? I had let my guard down and blurted out everything from the bottom of my heart. I started to feel scared: Had I disclosed anything related to my Foundation work? I had to be careful. I changed and prepared my equipment. Just in case, I took out a syringe and a bottle of amnestic from the drawer with me.
The shop was closed. Looking at the restaurant sealed with wooden boards, I wonder what the scene behind it looked like. But a voice interrupted my plan to sneak in.
Just like the first time we met, she walked through the thick fog, rising like a Hummingbird vine blossom against the pure white mist. At that moment, I suddenly felt delighted. That feeling, it was as light as a drifting mist. The atmosphere was a bit awkward. I forgot what I was doing:
“Sorry! Did I bother you last night?”
“Bother? Oh no, the shop was empty anyway. Chatting with customers is just part of the job.”
Even though I couldn’t see her face, I felt like I was being judged from every angleby every angel. Suddenly, she laughed:
"I was so worried as you went home drunk. It's a good thing you're alright!"
That heartwarming smile, that sincere encouragement; I felt warm in my heart. In the middle of this gloomy, quiet town of Mujin; She was a rare ray of sunshine shining through the fog on all sides. I felt like I could place my trust in her.
"If you want to talk, I'll be waiting for you at my shop."
She walked away, and before disappearing into the fog, she turned around and whispered:
"Don't worry! Everything you’ve told me will stay in Mujin eternally!"
I sighed. It had been just three days since I came here, and everything had almost beenwas almost messed up. At least I could trust that woman, although I should be alarmed… No, I was just being ridiculous. But, how could I be assured about someone that I didn’t even know their name nor their face? I couldn’t recall a thing about the conversation we had last night. Perhaps she was lying.
Again, I sighed. I was distracted from my business… there was nothing much to do, though. I had thought this was the right time for me to rest and rearrange my feelings. But it seemed like the gloom and loneliness made me think more than I expected. I tried controlling everything, yet I lost control of it all. If it kept going like this, sooner or later I would be drowned in this hella fog.
I arrived home. I picked up my phone like usual. Yet, it was strangely heavy on my hand, so I had to put it down. I went bathing, changed my clothes, then went on the foggy path, finding peace for myself.
Those days after, I went to the restaurant more often. Sometimes we met by chance on the streets and pathways of Mujin. Her acts were always mysterious, but to me, that was so charming. We talked to each other. She would say nothing about her, yet still lent an ear to all of my deep, hidden thoughts. She and her tavern were like a place for me to pour out all of my heart, and to warm my soul in the cold of Mujin’s fog. From my love story, we talked about the world around us. It seemed like she had never been too far away from Mujin. I told her about the hustle and bustle of Seoul, and how it was so different from gloomy, peaceful Mujin. I was surprised that she was surprised by my camera that I brought with me. She said that she only knew of the high mountains, and never knew how tall the Namsan Tower was. On the curtains covering two halves of the world, I could feel the warmth from her voice, the grace from her hands, the skill in the dishes she served me. Maybe it was me taking each broken piece of me in Seoul to build the peace in here, Mujin.
My heart started growing a sprout of love. I didn’t know when it did.
Days kept passing by, and my heart calmed down. I missed her less, in the morning I picked up the phone less often, and in the night, called her less often also. I was too tired of mindless acts and thoughts. There, in Mujin, amidst the quiet surrounding fog, people could easily feel bored and lonely. Yet, to me, a man with a messed up heart, the silence of Mujin was perfect for me to hear my heart beating. I still loved her, though. But her too-long silence made her silhouette slowly fade in my mind. I could see how I had changed: new habits replaced old habits, new faces replaced old faces.
Faces…
I smirked. That female owner… I had never known her face. We only called each other by pronouns. That being said, just her gestures and her concern for me were enough for me to trust her.
Though, something was separating us. I was just a frequent customer of her tavern, a customer who always ordered a dish of comfort. But, I had this feeling that I wanted to talk more than that.
I wanted the feeling of the first time we met.
What would happen if I stayed in Mujin for the rest of my life? What would happen if I didn’t go back to Seoul?
I was hesitant, because I still loved her. A love that was built on trust, although it was broken, I believed thatbut she would still talk to me, would understand me, and together, we could go through this difficult time.
Time would tell. And time did tell.
One day in the afternoon, when the fog came sooner than usual, I walked in my house and realised my phone was vibrating. I nervously looked at the phone’s screen - that’s her!
Finally, she called me…
“Darling?”
I said, but no response came. I felt like something was stuck in my throat - I had been waiting so long for this call.
“…I want to break up with you.”
And the world turned upside down in my mind. I stood there for a while, and could not say anything at all. My mind was struggling. I wanted to say, just a word was okay, yet nothing came in my mind for my speech. I was a screen apart from her, 33.3 kilometers away from her, a universe away from her - that measuring was not enough to describe the space between our minds, what once was zero. I should have saidsay something, yet my mouth was frozen. I had tomust say something, but I couldn’t.
As if she could not tolerate this silence anymore, she said.
“What should be told, has been told. Thank you for everything. You were nice to me…“
“I wish you a new happiness, that you will adore.”
And the call ended, interrupting all of my tangled thoughts. I could feel a teardrop falling through my face, stopped at my lips - oh, how salty it was… It went into my heart, soaking all of the wounds in my heart - how sour, how hurtful, how spicy, how painful it was…
I dazedly walked out to the porch, sat down on the floor. From here, I couldmust see the sunset over Suncheon Bay… if it weren’t for the fog covering it all. Oh, so it must be the fog wanting to hide the words of comfort that belong to me. The fog was as hazy as my heart right now. Yet I wasfeel calm, even though everything was crumbling down in front of my eyes. My heart was numb, worn out by all the fatigue and anticipation. Perhaps I had always known this day would come.
But still, I trusted her. I trusted in a fragile love, only to see that very faith of mine shatter it to pieces. I wasn’t angry. I didn’t scream. I wasn’t hurt. I accepted this breakup calmly—it was inevitable. And yet, my heart was full of regret. I wished I had been with her one last time, just so I could have spoken every worry that had weighed me down.
But there was no chance for me.
I wanted to forget it all.
I brought my miserable face to the tavern. Inside me, there was no longer enthusiasm nor confessions, for now I had no depressed thoughts that weighed heavy anymore. I was quiet for a while, not noticing that the cup of tea in my hand was cooling down.
“What happened?” She asked me, the voice was soft to the extent of being heart-warmingmaking my heart warm.
“No, nothing at all.” I tried to smile. A twisted smile.
Yet, she seemed to know all of my sufferings.
“Do you know what makes me feel the warmth of this world?”
“…what?”
“A man who isn’t afraid to show his tears.”
I laughed. How strange that answer was.
“Wise soul has said, the more you love, the more depressed you will be. If there’s one thing that could make you feel sad, that must be your first love.”
“…she was not my first love.”
“First love doesn’t mean the first one you’ve loved. It means the one who gives you the most memories.”
I was silent. I glanced at the cup of tea in my hand. It was like I was watching my memories with my just-ended love, one by one. Although the truth was hurtful, I still felt something calm among what remained of my torn heart. Maybe… that was the best for us.
“But was it easy to come and go like that? The love that you both had been building for all those years… was able to be forgotten, just for a second.”
I was not that indifferent kind. How could I ever forget all of those beautiful memories? That was the love story that I would carry on for the rest of my life, so that when we meet again, I will not regret loving her for once.
“Just put that in your heart, open it like a music box, so those memories will forever echo beautifully in your mind.”
She took two small cups, and poured me the wine from the jar.
“Today, it will be impossible for you to forget all that happened. But your heart will be empty tomorrow. Don’t be afraid - you will feel that it is gentle and peaceful, just like everything has been in Mujin.”
“Time will heal you.”
I drank up my cup of wine. A pungent, bitter fragrance hit my nose.
She also drank it all, then poured us wine again.
“Love is not looking at each other, but looking in the same direction. Did you both look at the horizon?”
“Even between the thick fog of Mujin, did you even look right at the sun?”
I once again drank it all. My throat was a bit sore. My cheeks were red. My whole body was heated.
She also drank up her cup, then, poured us again.
“Love is not what we will stand there admiring, waiting for a chance that it will come to us. Love is the thing that we will hug in our arms, warm it inside our hands.”
“Yet, if you can’t do that, just let it go. Trying to keep that fragile love will squeeze it, and then it will shatter!”
I downed it all in one shotdrank it all. I could not feel the cold of the fog anymore. I could only see a white color surrounding. A vague - no, a hazy white color. In this engulfing fog, before me was just a curtain, and behind that, was a woman - the woman that I adored.
“Will you forgive her? For that she could not go on the pathway of life with you anymore? For that she did not understand you? If the answer is yes, oh, how altruistic you are. But…“
“…just forget it. It will just make you feel bewildered, that you were not good enough for her…“
From behind the curtain, a silky white hand reached out. That hand gently touched my hand.
“…still, there will be someone that is waiting for you. If they’re not in Seoul… might there be a chance, they’re in Mujin?”
My whole body went limp. I stood up, followed the knocks on the wall to the back of the restaurant, where there was a door. I stepped in. I smelled the fragrance of grease from the just-cooked stove, and the aroma of kerosene from an oil lamp. I did not see anything but a ray of light coming from the hanging lanterns out there. But I did see her, the small silhouette in Hanbok. Light could not reach her face. Her hands were clasped together. She slowly approached me, putting a hand on my chest. I did think that she would smell of oil - she was just cooking. Yet, only the coldness of the fog and the strong redolence of alcohol reached my nose. She whispered sweet words to my ears:
“Just let Mujin put all the pieces of your broken heart together again, won’t you?”
I collapsed on my legs. My mind was spinning around. My eyes were darkened. My arms spread, hugging her leg. My hands reached through the slit of her skirt, and I felt firmness on my fingertips. My hands hugged it tight, pressing it down. My hands groped along each fold of her skirt, caught the rope tied there. My hands flung that rope away, clung to a slender cliff, and then glided on a smooth path. My fingers slid swiftly in the middle of a soft, floating ball. I caught every beat of that ball. My head hung down. My lips lightly touched something plump. I felt like an electric current ran through my body, making it tremble. Warmth spreaded all over my skin. My breath became rapid. I didn’t know when, but the fog flowed in through all the cracks of the door, drowning us in a sea of cold fog. An uneasy feeling bloomed within me. I clung to her, as if I were clinging to all those last memories in my mind.
Just like that, I sank into the illusional reality of Mujin’s fog.
When I woke up, my whole body was exhausted. My throat ached for water, and my head throbbed with a pain that felt like I’d been beaten. I was lying on a thin mat, completely naked. The cold fog seeped into every cell of my body. I looked around the room—there was no sign of the woman, no message left behind. I staggered outside, clutching the railing that faced the sea.
A sudden wave of nausea surged up my throat. I threw up. My throat burned—it felt as if I were choking.
I smiled. I cried.
So this is what I would do after breaking up: finding another woman, wrapping my body around her, so that I could be loved again. Even when I woke up, she was not there with me. So… I was just another one passing by, just a toy that would be played until the owner felt bored. She came, and she left. Why wasn’t she there with me until we both woke up? So I was just nothing more than a customer of her tavern.
How many men did she sleep with? I smirked.
Immediately, I slapped myself. I was blaming her - someone I had trusted during those gloomy days in Mujin. Someone I had told almost the entire story of my life to… someone that I didn’t even know her name and face.
I heard the sound of footsteps. I turned around mindlessly. I thought she was coming back. But, from the fog, four people in black suits stepped out. Without saying a word, they restrained me and took me away. I followed them, without any resistance, without any question, as if I was programmed to do so. I walked with them along the pathway I had gone on before, between the yellow reeds covered in the gloomy white fog. They took me to the starting point, where a car was already waiting for me. I got into the car, sandwiched between two men in black.
When the car started, I heard a voice calling my name, and suddenly, a feeling of loss appeared in my heart. I looked back in Mujin, and was shocked to see her, in a Hanbok with white Jeogori and red Chima, holding a red paper umbrella, blooming in the fog. The face was still hidden behind the fog. I rushed to the car’s door to see clearly, but the man sitting in the right stopped me. As a reflex, they looked in the direction I was looking. Yet they saw nothing but fog.
Finally, the car started moving. Still, I tried turning my head to see more. I felt that I had seen that silhouette somewhere. Suddenly, a familiar feeling welled up in me. I reached into my pocket, took out a photo of me with my ex-lover, tore the photo, got the top piece and placed it on the windows.
I burst into tears: that piece matched every part of that body, matched every piece of my love.
.
.
.
.
.
