BSMF | 19

Chapter 19

I Want to Leave a Deeper Mark

The next day.

When So-hye arrived at the café, all the staff were buzzing about the incident.

“Wow… so that sound yesterday was the sound of an explosion?”

“That’s right! It exploded three times in a row, and Saito’s house was completely reduced to rubble.”

“What happened? He really got what he deserved!”

The staff were thoroughly satisfied with the news.

Because word had spread that someone had leveled an entire village in Busan, the anger among Koreans toward Commander Saito was considerable.

At that moment, one employee, well-versed in rumors, lowered their voice and said confidentially:

“But I heard it’s not true that all the suspects died.”

“No way. The newspapers said they were all dead, didn’t they?”

“At first, everyone thought they were dead, but it turns out one person pretended to die and escaped before the bodies were buried.”

They said it was unlikely that anyone could survive being hit multiple times by successive gunfire.

But since the body hadn’t been found, it couldn’t be declared dead for sure.

“Right now, the Japanese are desperate to catch that person. That’s why night patrols have gotten so strict.”

“Oh my… I hope that person manages to escape to the very end.”

“I just wish the night patrols would ease up a bit. Business is already slow; it’ll get even worse.”

Some supported the escape, while others complained it would only harm the innocent.

Amidst the confusion, So-hye simply silently rooted for the one person who might still be alive.

After a chaotic week, Monday came again.

Perhaps because the past few days had been tumultuous enough to call them “turbulent,” So-hye didn’t feel especially excited even though she was going to see Woo-geon.

She let her gaze drop from the newspaper she had been reading.

Even the hazy mirror couldn’t hide her gloomy expression.

“If I ask him to come watch the main performance, would that even be appropriate…?”

The modern café’s show didn’t start until past ten in the evening.

But lately, with the police and patrols so strict, wandering the streets at night had become more difficult than before.

So-hye had been looking forward to the performance so much, yet the circumstances made it awkward to invite Woo-geon.

Moreover, with fewer and fewer customers each day, the dancers’ morale had dropped; everyone practiced halfheartedly.

At this rate, it would have been better not to hold the performance at all.

“Trying to reach the sky while being a sparrow… the heavens just won’t help.”

It was a series of misfortunes on top of misfortunes, leaving her frustrated.

Exhaling sharply, she tried to calm herself and left for the day.

Entering through the side gate of Songil High School, So-hye went straight to Woo-geon’s office.

‘I hope he’s not sleeping again…’

A twinge of pain at the back of her head reminded her to stay tense.

Knocking lightly, she carefully opened the door and peeked inside.

Fortunately, Woo-geon was awake and greeted her.

At the sound of the door, he glanced briefly at her, then returned to typing, as if forgetting she was there.

“Sit for a moment. I’ll finish this soon.”

“Yes.”

He seemed to forget a visitor was even present, fully absorbed in his paper.

His desk was stacked with books in a precarious, teetering pile.

It seemed random at first glance, but as he typed incessantly, he flipped through them, searching for sections to cite in his work.

So-hye, sitting a little away, watched him with trembling eyes.

‘So this is what he looks like when he’s focused.’

Round glasses perched on his high nose, and his sleeves were rolled up, revealing arms with prominent blue veins and taut muscles.

Perhaps he worked out regularly.

Even the subtle changes in his facial expression as he typed suggested long-earned discipline.

His posture remained perfect even while working, conveying a quiet nobility befitting a scholar.

Even the faint crease between his brows drew her attention.

‘Ah… I’m staring again.’

She quickly averted her gaze, looking out the window.

Click-clack, click-clack…

The typewriter’s steady rhythm filled the room.

The sound was loud, yet not irritating.

Listening quietly, her dormant thoughts began surfacing:

Would the modern café really have to close?

She wondered about Kyung-rim, who had disappeared, and whether the fugitive was really unharmed.

The fear of oppression and surveillance, the new paths that might open with the butterfly and Esperanto, Hakje and Linjin, Woo-geon before her… and then suddenly—

‘Father.’

The thought of her father made her flinch.

Though she had tried to erase him from her mind, she couldn’t help but wonder if he might have had another side.

So-hye had been troubled countless times by these unconscious thoughts of her father.

‘I don’t want to see him differently now.’

Even if she did, nothing would change.

This crushing poverty, the inescapable nightly performances, her absent father—none of these could be undone.

‘Perhaps I just want to keep my father as a figure to resent.’

If she didn’t hold onto someone to resent, she might end up resenting herself.

So-hye exhaled quietly and lifted her head.

Her eyes met Woo-geon’s, bringing her back to reality.

“……”

It was unclear whether he had just looked at her or had been watching for a while.

She only realized that the typewriter’s sound no longer bothered her.

“What are you thinking about so seriously?”

His gentle question left a deep mark on her heart.

She was too flustered to say it was nothing.

After a few moments of opening her mouth, she finally spoke:

“Next week… I’ll be standing on stage as the main character.”

She revealed one of her worries to him.

The thing she had most wanted to say.

“The main character?”

“Yes. Since Natasha quit, we put together a new performance ourselves. It’s my first time as the lead…”

So-hye hesitated, then glanced at Woo-geon.

It was her first time; she was very nervous.

She had only intended to say that one sentence.

But seeing his gaze, her lips moved before she could stop them.

As if she had been preparing to say it from the start.

Raising an eyebrow, Woo-geon tilted his head slightly.

A faint, somewhat resigned smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

“Was that the big worry you were having?”

“These days, the patrols are strict at night, so I wasn’t sure if I could ask….”

Her voice grew smaller from embarrassment.

She regretted asking, thinking the performance itself was far from perfect.

Perhaps she should have spoken about Esperanto instead…

While she was lost in these thoughts, he said softly:

“Surprisingly timid, aren’t you?”

Looking up, she met his calm gaze and gentle smile.

“Alright.”

“Excuse me?”

“I can come.”

As he tilted his head, his eyes deepened.

“Next week… to see your performance.”

His quiet voice left her mouth slightly open.

She had decided not to invite him when leaving the house, so his answer felt like a dream.

Biting her lower lip to stop her laughter, she couldn’t hide the smile that reached her eyes.

“Thank you. I’ll really give it my all.”

“Good. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

So-hye nodded brightly, feeling a lightness, as if a summer breeze had passed through her.

Woo-geon silently observed the bright, pure energy radiating from her chest.

Such a lovely woman.

A woman he wanted to protect.

Not from afar, but in plain sight.

‘Why do you plant such desire in me?’

His steadfast gaze traced a scar-like line across his heart.

The clear eyes, once filled with a refreshing breeze, darkened into black.

Whenever he looked at her, any lingering guilt revived the feelings he unconsciously harbored for her.

Like a free butterfly that eventually returns to its territory.

“I’ll stop working now.”

Woo-geon broke eye contact, almost fleeing from So-hye’s presence.

He retrieved the specimens he had left unfinished last time, watching her as she carefully recorded them on paper.

Until then, he had only thought: I just need to hide these feelings.

Hiding his emotions was nothing for him.

So sometimes, like a sudden gift, he would meet this woman briefly.

One day, at the right moment…

When the flames of struggle must ignite, he would disappear from her life without leaving a trace.

Just a handful of memories from the past…

‘But why do I keep wanting to move toward you?’

His desire surged, unstoppable.

All his will, all his yearning, headed straight for her.

He didn’t want to leave, not swallowed by guilt or belief, but living fully for himself.

And he wanted to share that life with her.

He wanted to leave a deeper mark on her.

Finally, the long-awaited performance day arrived.

So-hye took deep, nervous breaths, trying to calm her pounding heart.

“Alright… I can do this. I’ll do well.”

Though she had been on stage countless times, today felt different.

Naturally so—today, she was the main character, not a supporting dancer.

Rubbing her pounding heart, she looked into the mirror that shone brilliantly.

The reflection wasn’t her usual modest butterfly dancer attire, but a glamorous lead costume adorned with beads and lace.

Her hair was decorated with white feathers and pale pearl hairpins, and her makeup was heavier and more vivid than any of the other dancers’.

Today, she would shine as the center of attention, the beloved of all.

‘I mustn’t make a single mistake today.’

She repeated that vow she had made countless times over the past two weeks.

So-hye had doubled her practice to prepare for the stage.

She coaxed and corrected the other dancers, making sure every move was precise.

Any flaw was repeated until near perfection.

Though she drew the dancers’ complaints, she ignored them and prepared meticulously.

‘Because the teacher is coming to see it.’

That alone made her willing to put everything on the line.

“I wonder if the teacher has arrived…”

Peeking from the waiting room, So-hye’s eyes widened.

The café was filled with a surprisingly large audience, their seats fully occupied.

The loud music, chatter, bustling staff, and glasses being filled and emptied created a lively atmosphere.

For the first time in a long while, the modern café felt vibrant.

So-hye’s eyes scanned the crowd, shining brightly.

In a central, dim corner, Woo-geon was sitting.

Seeing him, her heart raced uncontrollably.

He was alone; no one else accompanied him.

He, too, had noticed her and subtly smiled.

‘He kept his promise.’

Slowly, he formed a deeper smile with his lips.

So-hye returned a radiant nod.

All the tension and anxiety that had gripped her chest melted away.

“So-hye, let’s go over the choreography one more time!”

“Yes, unni.”

Signaling she would enter, he nodded slowly with his eyes closed, locking her gaze once more.

His calm expression seemed to say, Don’t worry, you’ll do well.

Seeing that face, even her remaining unease vanished.

After finishing the final rehearsal with the dancers, So-hye stepped onto the stage.

The announcer’s booming voice grabbed the audience’s attention:

“Natasha may be gone, but the butterflies remain! The first flutter of the butterflies’ dazzling rebellion, we present to you today!”

Taking a deep breath, So-hye flew into the applause.

The dancers followed with light, graceful steps.

The spotlight illuminated them brilliantly, enveloping their every movement.

‘I’ll give it my all, for the teacher.’

Every effort, every sincere intention.

So-hye focused every fiber of her being, reaching through her fingertips.

Finally, after what felt like both a brief and long moment…

“…Wow!”

A brief silence was followed by thunderous applause.

So-hye realized the performance had ended.

Relief washed over her as the tension in her muscles dissipated.

Turning, she saw Woo-geon clapping for her along with the other patrons.

A mixture of joy and inexplicable emotion spread through her chest.

Everything in the world disappeared; only Woo-geon remained.

It felt as if this performance existed solely for him.

But just as So-hye and the dancers took their final bows…

Bang!

The door was violently forced open.

Something surged into the dark café like a massive wave.

The heavy sound of boots and metallic clattering filled the room.

“Ahhh!”

“Everyone, get to the wall!”

It was the Japanese military police and constables.

Not only had they burst in suddenly, but they also pointed their guns at the patrons.

The café descended into chaos instantly.

Among the troops, another figure appeared.

“Damn rats… even when told not to, they have to sneak around and cause trouble. These dance halls and illegal cafés should all be cleared out.”

It was Commander Tairo Sosuke of the gendarmerie.

He scanned the room with predatory eyes.

Then, his gaze landed on Woo-geon.

“Boss.”

“……”

“Boss!”

Yes, yes! Man-seok stepped forward, flustered.

Perhaps irritated at being called twice, Sosuke aimed his gun at Man-seok immediately.

“Ahhh!”

“Shut up!”

Cries were stifled into silence.

Sosuke clicked his tongue, then looked back at Man-seok.

“I’m here for someone.”

“W-Who are you looking for…?”

He brought up a name nobody expected.

“Baek So-hye.”

The beast-like intensity of his gaze slithered across the room, hunting down its target.

Her small, pale body could only tremble in front of him.