Fireflies

It was Ahjussi.

Having arived at the hotel, and trying to find her.

With his arrival, Tae-sik carried Amber from the balcony to the warm bed.

And So-Mi tucked her friend safely in.

Then both the occassional house mates went out to sit by the lake.

On the grassy bank.

It was not yet the fireflies season.

One that Muju was famous for.

But there were already one or two groups of them, lighting the lake.

"What happened?"

"I don't know. She just kept saying, let's get away and lead a new life."

"Has she been upset lately?"

"No, at least not with me," So-Mi tried to recall. "She is tired from her hospital internship. And then putting part time work at the clinic. But she's been excited about her work in general."

"Home maybe? Her sister? Has she got any other family? Boyfriend?" Tae-sik prodded.

"No, just the sister. But Amber has hardly ever say much about her."

And thinking about how Amber d her earlier, So-Mi was fast ruling the 'boyfriend' off. 

So-Mi felt suddenly weary, probably from her long ride to the resort.

And the sheer exhaustion dealing with her distraught best friend.

"Do you think this has anything to do with my threat notes, Ahjussi?" So-Mi asked suddenly.

Tae-sik stiffened at the suggestion, not really having thought about it.

"I don't know," he said truthfully, but still, he tried to placate her. "But don't worry too much about it. Maybe she was just upset about something. She'll talk to you tomorrow once she's sober."

They sat silently for a few minutes. 

The view of the still lake calming them both slightly. 

"Ahjussi," So-Mi suddenly asked, staringly blankly across the lake. "Am I destined to live my life in darkness? I couldn't take care of Omma before and  got you into trouble. And now, I can't even take care of one best friend."

Oh, Little One, Tae-sik thought, the things that you have to bear.

Yet you never fail to bring brightness onto others.

And how others are drawn to you and tend to want to bask in your light.

Including me.

"Well," Tae-sik said softly. "Even if you are... like the fireflies, you’re bound to shine your own light. Where you yourself will be the light for others."

At those kind words, So-Mi leaned against Tae-sik, even for the slightest moment.

Trying to gather her own strength from his.

Tae-sik moved slightly away from her.

Long enough to take his jacket off, and drape it on her thin shoulders.

Before ending up pulling her back to lean on him.

Leaving his strong arm around her.

Protecting her from the chilly air.

And the cold uncertainty of life.