Chapter 73 – Chapter 3: Last Day – 1
After running around and playing for a while, it was already deep into the night.
I bought a cold apple juice from a street vendor and shared it with the man.
“Ah-. The festival was really fun!”
“Yes…”
“I almost missed something so fun. Thank you so much for recommending it.”
Hehe… Tiagaz, I thought you would enjoy it. Everything, I’m glad.”
This place was quite high in Deseo.
If you lean on this railing, you can see the harbor in the distance.
This city was very bright because there was a lot of light.
Moreover, today is the last day of the fall festival.
No matter where you look, it is full of people.
It was the perfect place to capture the last sight of Deseo.
“Hehe- I like it-.”
The moment when I spread my arms out wide and welcomed the cool night breeze.
Shuung-!
A flash of light rose into the sky from the ‘Red Castle’ visible in the distance.
“… Huh?”
A straight flash of light cutting through the night sky.
Eventually.
Pow-!
A huge light exploded in the night sky.
“Ah-?!”
“Tia!”
Uncle Posao hugged my stumbling body tightly.
“W-what did you just do?!”
“Don’t be surprised. That’s called a gun, a ‘firecracker.'”
“Firecrackers?”
“Yes… It’s kind of like a no, a game. Look. Isn’t the light pretty? Hehe.”
Piung-! Pop-! Puff!
Fireworks continue to rise above the palace.
It explodes brilliantly in the night sky.
As if five-colored water spreads and disappears on a black handkerchief.
It was so amazing that I stared blankly at the sky.
Puff pop-!
“Wow!”
The moment when fireworks explode all at once.
The entire city became bright enough to become completely white.
“It’s beautiful!”
I’m leaning on the railing and frantically watching the fireworks.
Suddenly, a warm feeling covered my hand.
It was an old man’s hand with a lot of hair on the back.
I looked to the side in confusion.
But just like me, he was looking at the night sky and appreciating the fireworks.
… I don’t think there’s any need to lift your hand.
I decided to just leave it alone.
Pop! Pow!
Uncle Posao took his gaze away from the sparkling sky.
He looked at me and said.
“Isn’t it pretty?”
“Yes!”
“Hehe. You are pretty too. T, Tia.”
“… Yes?”
I was embarrassed and unconsciously placed my hand on my chest.
Right then.
I lightly touched the sapphire brooch that was hidden under my shirt.
The brooch that was worn next to the ruby necklace had a gem so large that it could be touched even on clothes.
“…”
Excited.
Why?
Why has my heart been pounding like this all day today, and it won’t calm down?
Because you saved Dienbus?
Are you leaving Deseo and going to your hometown?
That’s true too, but…
“… Haha-. It’s pretty good!”
I crossed my arms and scratched my cheek.
“Just now, it was pretty good. That’s right. If you compliment a woman well in this way… You, too, will gain favor quickly.”
“Really?”
“If that’s me, then so be it!”
The man grinned.
“Thank you. Tia.”
“…”
Enjoy the exploding fireworks until the end.
We returned to the accommodation.
That day, I packed my bags until dawn.
Fortunately, there was no need to pass through Meth Road, so the luggage was reduced more than expected.
If you go by boat, it will arrive in 4 days.
All I had to do was prepare that much.
Neatly packed souvenirs such as Tsarrak’s starflower and Provost statue.
The dress I wore at the banquet was also folded and put away.
After looking through the luggage one last time.
Tak.
I closed the bag.
* * *
Whoa!
The memory illusion disperses.
I was standing in front of the closet, holding on to the white dress.
Is this the end of Tia’s memories contained in the dress?
Holding my heart with trembling hands.
I slowly sat down.
“…”
What should I say about this feeling?
I am truly happy for Tia’s success.
On the other hand, I was very frustrated and anxious.
It felt like she was out of breath.
Or, it seems like a heavy stone is resting on her heart.
I want to vomit, but I still feel like it won’t get better.
I am… I was able to feel Tia’s emotions in the memory illusion.
At that time, Tia liked Posao.
No, I’m not just liking it.
It was a clear crush.
Even though I heard the ridiculous suggestion from Mr. Aban to ‘become a couple’.
The guy only hesitated for a moment, but instead of rejecting it, he accepted it obediently.
Of course I know.
That this was all for me.
Tia and Posao are not really married.
Tia didn’t even have the heart to do that.
I know very well that we had no choice but to pretend to be a fake couple in order to attend the banquet, just for a little while.
And wasn’t it a spectacular success?
It is a great achievement worthy of applause.
But.
… Why do I hate it so much?
I looked up at the dress hanging in the closet.
Tia.
When you wear this to the christening ceremony.
Will I be able to laugh and dance together?
I don’t know.
Just like a real couple.
The sight of you choosing clothes with Posao, linking arms with Posao, laughing and talking with Posao… It felt so unfamiliar.
For some reason, I don’t think I can smile.
I understand everything. Tia.
I completely understand your efforts.
But.
Why did you say ‘good night, you’ to that guy?
Why did you think, ‘I want to stay like this longer’ while enjoying the fall festival?
That… It had nothing to do with me from the beginning.
It wasn’t even for me.
Answer me, Tia.
What on earth did that mean?
I turned my head.
I saw a sapphire brooch on the shelf.
Tia left the brooch there.
Higher than the star flower and the statue of the Provost.
As if it was the proudest and most precious of these souvenirs.
“…”
I reached out my hand unconsciously.
Tia would have had to step on her chair to reach her hand.
I could easily take it out with just her heel.
You don’t have to see it.
I know it will be more painful if I look at it.
I wanted to check.
What was ‘Tia’s sincerity’?
Tak.
The moment you grab the sapphire brooch.
Intense memories poured into my head.
* * *
Dalgak.
I took off her necklace and placed it on the shelf next to her.
A bright blue sapphire sparkled in the pale moonlight.
“It feels like a dream.”
Lying in bed, I looked at the night sky of Deseo reflected in the window.
Dark clouds float between the brilliance of the pure white full moon.
I said blankly while looking at the picture-like scene.
“Autumn passed by like a breeze. And… “It’s the last day.”
I heard Uncle Posao’s voice from under the bed.
“Well, you worked hard. Tia.”
“I… Did you do well?”
“Huh. Good job. Now, you can be proud.”
Feeling relieved.
I am happy because my heart is filled with moonlight.
I’m so glad I can sleep like this.
“You worked hard too.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“You scolded the arrogant nobles for clearing their throats at the banquet hall.”
“That was it. Ugh…”
“You’re good at business too! Honestly, I was surprised. I didn’t know that you would have such insight and start a steel business. “I saw it again.”
The man answered in a low voice, as if he was embarrassed.
“It’s nothing… Something like that…”
“It’s like that again-. You said confidence is important for men, right? “I suggest you use these as your strengths to meet women.”
“N-it’s late. Now… “No woman would like someone like me.”
“No!”
A loud voice came out without me realizing it.
But I soon became embarrassed and snuggled back into the blanket.
“… I’m a woman too, but I think Mr. Posao is good enough.”
There is a moment of silence.
The man asked in a low voice.
“Well, Jeongmaal… ?”
“… Yes.”
“…”
Suddenly I became speechless.
Nana… Did I say something for nothing?
My body suddenly becomes hot.
My face got so hot that I felt like I would get burned if I touched her.
Her heart pounded, and she clutched the edge of the blanket.
… What on earth should I say-?! The atmosphere is so awkward!
Should I just sleep like this?
The moment I close my eyes tightly.
“Uh… Tia.”
“Yes, four?!”
“I believe Tia’s words… Ha, let me meet a girl sometime. Me too… Well, I want to get married…”
“That’s right! That’s the position! I will support you!”
“Well, but before that…”
A timid voice was heard from behind.
“I really want to try a massage…”
“… ?”
Real massage?
I didn’t know what she was saying, so I kept my mouth shut, but the man suddenly got up from the floor.
“Me… “Ha, I’ve never had a real massage before.”
“You’ve been giving me massages so far.”
“… I-I mean ‘full body massage’… “I’m talking.”
Whole body… Massage?
Are you saying you want to message my whole body?
Uncle Posao stuttered to explain.
Originally, massage was said to be similar to a course meal.
According to the tradition passed down from foreign countries, it should flow like water without stopping in the order of the arms and legs, back and shoulders, and stomach and chest.
Until now, I have simply performed massage treatments for each area according to my needs.
The tummy and chest massage I received before was an advanced technique.
The explanation was that ‘whole body massage’ is the practice of showing all techniques, including this advanced technique, to the entire body.
The man said that although he studied massage techniques diligently, he had never done a full body massage.
In the first place, women did not even approach the man, and men only approached him up to his back and shoulders.
So, trying a ‘full body massage’ became my lifelong dream.
He thought a lot about asking me for a favor, but he couldn’t bring it up until now because he was afraid he wouldn’t like it.
Boom!
Suddenly, the man knelt in front of me and fell flat on the floor.
“Please, Ti… Tia. “I really want to try a full body massage.”
“Hey, wake up! I like it when you give me a good massage! But…”
I scratched my cheek.
“I… I’m not wearing anything right now… I’ll come wearing something…”
“No!!!”
Suddenly, the man fell down and screamed.
He gasped in surprise.
“Wow, if it’s according to tradition… Don’t wear anything, that’s right. That’s even more effective… Joe, it’s good.”
“Don’t lie.”
“Ji! It’s real!”
I don’t know if it’s true because I’ve never heard anything about massage.
However, after listening to the man’s explanation that acupressure is less effective when wearing clothes, I was somewhat convinced.
I like the feeling of soft pressure when my bare skin touches it.
It didn’t feel very good when the fabric chafed.
“Tia. Well, now… ?”
The man stood up.
“…”
Thud. Boom.
A huge shadow approaches me.
And then he begins to slowly extend his hand.
I felt scared.
‘Full body massage’ while naked.
I want to grant my uncle’s wish, but I don’t think this is right…
“I… Uncle Posao…”
I barely opened my mouth.
The approaching hand stopped high in the air.
“Well, I wasn’t mentally prepared… Next time… “Can I?”
“Ah. Ugh.”
The man dropped his hand and lowered his head.
“I’m sorry. Was it too much? I… W, I can’t meet a girl… “I didn’t know how to ask.”
I could feel sadness in his downcast voice.
“I heard Tia would help me… Hey, I mustered up the courage to ask… Well, of course I… “What a strange guy.”
“Oh, no-!”
“I’m sorry if you felt bad. I’ll just sleep…”
“Ah…”
Ugh- really-!
Even though the man promised to help her gain courage in front of women…
I didn’t expect this!
Slurp.
The man lay down on the floor again.
“…”
When I saw that big, helpless crouching back, I felt pity.
How long have I not met a woman?
I don’t feel anything now, but other women will still find him disgusting.
Because he’s old, fat, bald, stutters, and smells bad.
Because I have been rejected by women for such a long time.
I guess I gave up the idea of getting married early on.
If Mr. Posao wants to meet women more comfortably, he must first break down the wall in his heart.
There was a need to properly inform.
‘Women’ are not cold and cold beings.
Let out a short sigh.
He spoke softly.
“… Okay.”
It’s quiet.
Normally, around this time, the sound of the uncle’s snoring would be heard loudly in the room.
I was just sleeping well, having gotten used to the snoring.
Now I can only hear the man’s heavy breathing and my small breathing.
“Like this… Because I can do it…”
Sarak-.
It’s a shame.
I was so embarrassed, I pulled up the blanket and buried my face.
“Fire… Please turn it off.”
