We sat around that rustic wooden table, now overflowing with dishes of exquisite meats and rich, savory foods. Glasses of wine were placed before us, clinking gently against the wood. Sitting at the head of the table was a woman who looked to be in her late fifties.
She and her husband turned toward us with warm smiles.
We began to eat, engaging in light conversation that wandered across various topics. Then the woman looked directly at me and asked,
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"No,"
I replied calmly.
She smiled at me, then said with a playful spark in her voice,
"You know, if I were a man your age, I'd be chasing after you to make you mine. Who could ever let beauty like yours slip away?"
I chuckled, thanking her for the sweet compliment. She laughed along with me.
"What about you, Strawberry?"
she said, turning to Kinji with a teasing smile.
"We're both single, ma'am!"
Kinji said, wrapping her arm around my shoulder.
"Don't men chase after you girls?! Who could ignore such beauty?"
We all burst out laughing.
"I like you, ma'am! You're sweet!"
Kinji said.
I nodded in agreement, grinning at her in return.
We finished our meal, and soon the wine started flowing.
I reached out for my glass, fingers gently brushing the rim, when Kai suddenly snatched it from my hand.
"Don't drink that! You're not used to alcohol!"
"It's fine, I just want a little…"
Kinji chimed in,
"No, Bonbon! One sip and you'll be stumbling the entire way back!"
I stared them both down, defiant.
We were still at the same table, some time later, continuing our talk after drinking.
Suddenly, my eyes darted toward the source of a loud thud on the table. The sharp clatter of silverware and plates echoed from the impact.
Seiji, who had been watching Bongyeon closely, said in a low voice,
"She passed out…"
Kai's eyes widened.
"Was that her head hitting the table?"
Seiji nodded grimly.
We stood to leave, bidding our warm hosts farewell. Seiji was supporting Bongyeon on his shoulder.
"I'll take care of her, Seiji!"
Kinji said quickly.
"No! Leave her with me!"
he shot back.
"Give me my friend!"
"She's my friend too, you selfish thing!"
"Ugh leave me alone, you noisy fools!"
Bongyeon yelled, pushing us both aside.
"Get away from me! I… I can walk on my own!"
She stumbled away from us, her steps veering wildly one to the right, one to the left...
"Bongyeon! Watch your step!"
Seiji shouted, rushing after her.
I ran, too just in time to see her fall hard because of a slight bump in the road.
Seiji cried out, lifting her into his arms and carrying her into his room.
"Bongie, are you okay?! Your arm did something happen? Does it hurt?!"
He fired the words in a panicked rush, gently checking her arm.
Then he turned toward me and shouted,
"Go find Kai! He needs to ask the old man we visited earlier where the nearest doctor is!"
I stood at the front door, thanking the kind man who welcomed us earlier. As I was about to leave, he stopped me.
"Wait, son… I want to give you a few things."
He stepped forward and handed me a few small gifts for all of us.
I had left Seiji and Kinji to take Bongyeon ahead while I finished thanking the man.
Barely a few minutes passed...
Kinji came running toward me.
"Kai! Bongyeon she tripped and fell hard on her arm… I think it's broken!"
The man overheard everything and dropped what he was holding.
Without another word, we rushed toward Bongyeon.
I took her from Seiji's arms as fast as I could, running alongside him and Kinji, who looked just as terrified.
We followed the old man, who led us to a small, humble wooden cabin where a village doctor was said to live.
An elderly man, likely in his late sixties or early seventies, opened the door. He motioned us inside and pointed to a bed.
We laid her down.
Still under the wine's haze, she stirred.
"My leg! No my arm! Wait… both!"
The doctor began examining her, starting with her leg rotating it gently. She groaned in pain.
Then he did the same with her arm.
She screamed,
"That hurts!"
"Don't worry," he said calmly. "Her leg is slightly twisted, and her left arm is bruised. The bruise should heal in about two weeks, and the leg in two to four days. I'll give her some medicinal herbs to help speed up recovery."
He began wrapping a makeshift splint around her arm.
I thanked him and asked about the cost of the treatment, the herbs, and the splint.
He smiled and gently patted my shoulder.
"Son… I treat those in need. No charge."
We thanked him from the bottom of our hearts. We also thanked the man who had led us to the doctor.
We headed back toward the wooden house. I carried her in my arms. She slept as if nothing had happened...
…I'm scared.
Scared for you.
So deeply scared for you.