BSMF | 18

Chapter 18

This Makes Me Want It Even More

“Still hasn’t shown up today?”

Manseok rubbed his throbbing temples and groaned.

Ever since a few days ago, Gyeongrim had stopped coming to the café without a word.

As if she had vanished into the ground or soared into the sky.

Not a single strand of her hair remained, and dark rumors were spreading across Gyeongseong.

That she ran off at night with the son of a wealthy family, that angry Choi Seung-hee had sent someone to punish her for stealing a dance, leaving her unable to walk—some even whispered that a mad customer had kidnapped and killed her.

Without Natasha, the mascot of the modern café, the dancers couldn’t perform the new dances, and were left with the same predictable jazz routines as before.

“Ugh… I can see the sales dropping day by day. Literally see it.”

Manseok sighed heavily as he looked over the ledgers of the past few days.

Rumors, like a horse without legs, travel far and fast.

News of Natasha’s disappearance had stopped all the customers who used to come just to see her.

Sales had dropped by half overnight.

At this rate, the café could very well be empty all day, and Manseok was understandably worried.

At that moment, a waiter who had gone out on an errand for Manseok returned.

“Boss.”

“Oh, right! Did you find anything? What did you hear?”

The waiter glanced at Manseok before shaking his head.

“I searched Natasha’s boarding room thoroughly, but there wasn’t a trace of her anywhere.”

“What about the owner?”

“They said they didn’t see her leave. When they entered in the morning, there was just a note about the rent and that she had moved out…”

“Ha…!”

Manseok sighed again, the sound as if it could sink the ground.

At this point, it was clear she must have hidden on purpose.

‘She must have already left Gyeongseong. Maybe she went back to her hometown?’

But Manseok didn’t even know where that hometown was.

Either way, there was no way to get Gyeongrim back.

Manseok rubbed his already wrinkled forehead and turned his frustration toward the dancers.

“Hey, are you working properly on the new performance? Don’t slack off just because Natasha’s gone!”

“We’re working hard, really.”

“Yes, we’ve been busy day and night choreographing.”

The dancers answered primly, trying to appear busy.

They had decided among themselves to create a new performance in place of Natasha.

“Som-hye said it should be completed by today, right?”

“Yes, it should be.”

Som-hye, who had been quietly listening, nodded.

Among the “butterflies” (the dancers), Som-hye was the only one who could perfectly perform Gyeongrim’s dances. So she had taken the lead in recreating choreography similar to before.

At first, the others subtly excluded her because of Gyeongrim’s disappearance, but when pressed, they had no choice but to turn to Som-hye.

Fortunately, the awkwardness lasted only a day or two.

Soon, they treated her as naturally as before.

“Yeah. Som-hye often copied Natasha’s dances anyway…”

Knowing Som-hye was leading reassured Manseok slightly.

“It’ll be tough for now, but think of it as a blessing in disguise. Just give it your all.”

“Yes, boss.”

Som-hye nodded awkwardly.

But that didn’t make her heart feel any lighter.

‘Gyeongrim unni… where on earth did she go?’

Even though she had been given a hint, the sudden disappearance of Gyeongrim worried Som-hye just as much.

Especially the words she had said before leaving—they left a mark that made Som-hye uneasy.

Words that felt like they might never be repeated.

Gyeongrim had never been one to linger or leave behind words, but the sense of unease it caused Som-hye couldn’t ignore.

But there was nowhere to go, and no way to contact her.

All she could do was hope that Gyeongrim hadn’t left because of some misfortune.

“Now, watch carefully and follow along. It’s not much different from regular embroidery.”

With more free time than before, the dancers gathered in the waiting room whenever they had a chance.

Na-hee, who had recently learned French embroidery, skillfully demonstrated the technique.

“You pull it back like this, then thread it through the loops like so…”

The dancers followed with their eyes, moving their heads along with the needle.

After repeating the steps a few times, Na-hee tied off the final knot.

“Done!”

“Wow, it’s so pretty!”

On the white gauze cloth appeared a delicate floral pattern, drawing gasps of admiration.

Na-hee handed out pieces of cloth and thread to the others.

“Here, I brought enough materials for everyone to try.”

Som-hye sat down among them, starting her embroidery as she watched over her seniors’ shoulders.

But no matter how she tried, the patterns didn’t turn out nicely.

The more she worked, the messier it became.

Even with the same skill, painting and embroidery were very different arts.

Finally, she pulled out all the threads and simply embroidered one character from her name, 혜 (Hye), in a corner.

Following the meaning of her name, “twinkling stars,” she added a small yellow cross-shaped motif.

Compared to the others, her result was modest, but she decided to be satisfied with it.

“Maybe I should learn some other skills like Na-hee.”

“Why?”

A dancer answered, sulking slightly.

“Honestly, looking at the situation now, it wouldn’t be surprising if the modern café closed.”

At this, the other dancers exchanged anxious glances.

Na-hee nodded, waving her embroidered cloth.

“So if the café fails, I might start a business making embroidery.”

“Could you make a living from this?”

“These French embroidery pieces are so popular among ladies nowadays.”

Na-hee explained that women needed skills, and modern girls learned new things not for romance, but survival.

“Nowadays, you have to know something to see something, no matter how romantic it sounds.”

“Exactly. Once you learn something, it always comes in handy later.”

The others agreed quietly.

Som-hye listened carefully to their conversation. She had never considered other paths beyond dancing at the café.

‘But what if the modern café really does close?’

Teaching Linjin once a week barely covered her living expenses.

Without any professional skills, she couldn’t ask for more pay either.

All she could do was dance and draw. If she took a job at another café, she would have to serve customers like a regular maid.

No freedom from constant attention.

It would be one difficulty after another.

‘If it really comes to that, what should I do…?’

The next morning, she kept thinking about it.

The only solution that came to mind was what Woo-geon had suggested: helping with butterfly research and learning Esperanto.

‘Is that really possible?’

It felt like a far-off dream; she couldn’t even estimate it.

Unlike Woo-geon, she wasn’t an expert scholar, and even if she learned Esperanto, she wouldn’t become a teacher immediately.

She couldn’t know if she could do it just because she wanted to.

Sighing deeply, Som-hye pushed her thoughts aside and walked.

Having arrived earlier than usual, she had plenty of time.

“Maybe I’ll take a walk first.”

But as she neared the post office, she heard a commotion not far away.

Curious, she turned toward the noise.

A crowd had gathered, and beyond it, a tram had gone off the rails and a car was overturned.

It seemed a serious accident had occurred.

“Oh my…”

Som-hye’s eyes widened at the scene.

Some policemen were urgently directing people, while others helped the injured to safety.

‘I should help too.’

She began clearing scattered debris when she spotted a familiar face.

Hakje was there, managing the scene.

Sweating profusely, he was moving the injured to safety and giving instructions to bystanders.

“One, two, three—together, lift! Heave!”

He and the others lifted the tram back onto the tracks.

Thanks to his leadership, the scene was soon under control.

When it had calmed a bit, he noticed Som-hye.

“Som-hye, isn’t it?”

Hakje approached her, his face lighting up, but he suddenly hid it with his sleeve.

“Oh, dear. This isn’t the best time to look presentable…”

Som-hye chuckled lightly.

“Don’t worry. You’re the handsomest you’ve ever been today.”

“You really think so?”

“You helped with such a big accident.”

Smiling, Som-hye nodded.

“You’re a good person today too, boss.”

Hakje’s gaze lingered on her smile.

Slowly lowering his arm, he curved his lips slightly.

When he looked down, there was a strange, unreadable light in his eyes.

“I suppose I only become a good person when I meet you, Som-hye.”

“Eh?”

But soon he laughed.

“Haha. I can’t just pass by the railway I invested so much in.”

His eyes returned to her, playful as ever.

“Even the repair costs will be claimed from me. I should lend a hand to reduce them.”

Even now, he spoke with such ease that any earlier melancholy was gone.

Som-hye noticed something and frowned in concern.

“Boss! Your hand is injured…”

“An injury? Ah, yes.”

He showed a long cut on his palm.

He must have hurt it while lifting the tram.

Hakje frowned slightly but smiled as if it were nothing.

“It’s fine. Some disinfectant later should be enough.”

“But it’s better not to leave it exposed.”

Som-hye took out the handkerchief she had embroidered her name on recently.

She wrapped his palm carefully with it.

Fortunately, the handkerchief was large enough to cover even his big hand.

“Dust isn’t good for it, so at least keep it covered like this.”

Seeing her tie the handkerchief firmly, Hakje’s gaze darkened slightly.

“I usually end up indebted to others… yet unintentionally, I keep owing you, Som-hye.”

Som-hye smiled lightly, signaling it was fine.

“Consider it repayment for saving me on the café stairs last time.”

“And saving Linjin, and lending the handkerchief. I can’t ask you to keep helping me like this.”

“Why not?”

“To ask a favor properly, one must put the other in debt, then it will be done more willingly.”

Som-hye let out an incredulous laugh.

Hakje winked playfully with one eye.

Then he bowed slightly.

“Anyway, thank you. I’ll make sure to wash and return the handkerchief.”

“Yes. Take your time.”

“I wanted to discuss Linjin’s lessons too, but I still have things to do here.”

He indicated the area behind them with a smile.

Som-hye nodded, urging him to go.

“Take care not to hurt yourself.”

“I appreciate your concern, but I don’t like being hurt, so I’ll be careful.”

Even his parting words were smooth as silk.

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

Som-hye walked away cheerfully.

Perhaps because she had done a good deed for someone she admired, she felt something good would happen to her too.

Her steps light, she moved away, and Hakje watched her, still smiling.

“Farewell, my lady.”

Since she had asked him to teach Linjin, he had been busy and hadn’t seen her.

Now, by coincidence, they met again.

He thought maybe he could rely on fate he didn’t even believe in.

“Well… I guess that wouldn’t be so bad.”

A cool breeze brushed his face.

He looked down at the handkerchief wrapped around his hand.

The blood slowly spread over the embroidered character:

Hye (暳), meaning “twinkling stars.”

Perfect for her.

Looking at the blood soaking the character, Hakje smiled.

“This makes me want it even more.”

Sparkling things had to be held to feel complete.

He clenched the handkerchief tightly and looked in the direction Som-hye had gone.

After the performance, as she was about to go home, her fellow dancers called Som-hye to the waiting room.

Curious, she followed and heard unexpected news.

“The lead role?”

“Yes. Since you choreographed it, it makes sense for you to take the first lead role.”

Som-hye blinked, surprised.

Her choreography was about to be performed, and she was being asked to be the protagonist.

“We can rotate roles later, but you should take the first one.”

“Yes. I’ll do it.”

“Of course, the lead role will rotate for each performance.”

“Fine. That’s good.”

Som-hye left the waiting room, slightly dazed but happy.

She wanted to tell Woo-geon first.

It would be nerve-wracking, but she wanted him to see her first lead role.

“Please come…”

Feeling thrilled, she left the café in high spirits.

Then, just as she started walking toward home,

BANG! KA-BOOM! CRASH!

“Kyaa!”

A deafening explosion shook the ground.

Som-hye turned toward the source of the noise.

A strong smell of gunpowder and piercing screams filled the air.

Her eyes trembled with fear.

Between the buildings, a massive gray cloud of smoke rose violently.

The next morning, newspapers across Gyeongseong carried the following article:

• Lieutenant Colonel Nobuyoshi Saito of the Army Ministry killed in a bomb attack.
  All suspects deceased.