03
Jimin's expression and aura were something I had never seen before.
That's why Hee-yeon was even more surprised and confused.
It's true that I got off without permission, but I never thought he'd get this angry.
Heeyeon bowed her head deeply and couldn't look at Jimin's face.
Jimin sighed deeply and put his hand to his forehead.
"I told you not to go downstairs. Why didn't you listen?"
"But that's what I want to know! Why not?"
Heeyoung couldn't understand why Jimin wouldn't let her go downstairs.
All the kids my age are having fun playing,
Why am I the only one left here and can't play with them?
It's nice here and we have everything we need,
Heeyoung had no friends to hang out with.
That's why I didn't follow Jimin's advice.
"...There's a reason for that. Do I seem like the kind of person who would lie?"
"Next time, don't just go off on your own, okay?"
"But Jimin never told me the reason until the very end..."
Heeyeon gave Jimin a pointed glance before heading over to Jungkook.
Jungkook, who was in the form of a creature, emerged from the water and transformed back into his human form.
"Here we go again... Stop fighting already," he sighed.
"The Water Man might not understand, but the Forest Man gets really angry every time we try to go down!"
"Didn't I tell you my name?"
"He said, Jeon Jungkook."
"Then why do they call him 'Water Uncle' and 'Fire Uncle'?"
"Because that's easier to say."
"Yes, yes, do as you like," Jungkook said, waving his hand in annoyance.
Next to me, Heeyoung continued talking without a break.
It was always like that. Whenever Heeyoung and Jimin had a fight, she would always come to Jungkook.
Why don't you go to Taehyung's place? He's too handsome and makes you nervous.
Jungkook was getting a little tired of this repetitive routine.
"...I don't want to get into a fight either."
So why don't you listen to Park Jimin?
"...Because they never tell me why. It's frustrating."
"Hmm... then why don't you wait until you come of age?"
"...Six years?!?"
“Yeah, I’m sure by then you’ll understand why Jimin did it.
When you become an adult, you will be old enough to know everything, and I'm sure they will tell you."
Heeyoung was drawn to his words. Jungkook's words were strangely persuasive.
After thinking for a bit, he smiled and nodded vigorously.
"yes i will!"
"Then go apologize to Jimin."
"Are you... apologizing?"
"That's right. It's true that he went down without permission."
Jungkook was right. It hurt my pride a little, but it was my fault.
That's how Jimin raised Heeyeon.
Today, Heeyeon shouted "Thank you!" and waved happily as she ran towards Jimin.
"...Park Jimin might be acting like that because of the girl's parents..."
He has a foul mouth, but he is a kind-hearted guardian deity.
As soon as Heeyeon reached Jimin's area, she called out his name.
"Uncle! Uncle of the forest!"
But I couldn't see him.
Could it be... she's sulking? No, no, that can't be...
Feeling anxious, you looked around and found Jimin sitting among the trees.
"…uncle?"
Jimin didn't seem to be in a good mood.
There was something strange about the forest, and it was a bit foggy.
Heeyoung thought it was her fault.
I quietly sat down next to him, but Jimin didn't even look at me.
Heeyoung felt a little lonely.
"...Uncle...I'm sorry..."
I said in a small ant-like voice, but Jimin didn't respond.
Heeyoung became increasingly worried and grabbed his arm, apologizing again.
"...Uncle, I'm sorry...okay?"
In fact, Jimin's heart had softened a little since Heeyeon had gently sat down.
This time, I didn't call her; she came here on her own two feet.
But I felt like being a little mean, so I pretended to still be angry.
The way she stretched out her sentences was also cute, and inside I was smiling broadly.
"Next time, I'll make sure to get permission from the man before I go..."
"I'm sorry..."
Heeyeon said, shaking Jimin's arm.
It was so cute it was almost dangerous, but Jimin managed to hold back just in time.
He didn't seem to accept her apology, so Heeyoung buried her face in his arms.
At that moment, the incident occurred.
Jimin had been stubborn for a little too long, causing Heeyeon to burst into tears.
Tears like dew fell from his eyes, and Jimin panicked.
"...L-little one...are you crying?"
"Because... he never talks to me..."
Thanks to Heeyoung's tears, Jimin learned a lesson: "Don't tease too much."
He pulled Heeyoung onto his lap, hugged her tenderly, and stroked her back.
Heeyoung also hugged Jimin tightly and after a while she finally calmed down.
Jimin said, "I just wanted to tease you a little," and Heeyoung slapped him on the back.
Perhaps because he was in adolescence, he was also very strong.
"Ugh... it hurts..."
"I was so worried that you wouldn't forgive me..."
"I'm sorry... I promise I'll do it better next time..."
"I understand."
The two men made up, and on the day Hee-yeon apologized, the forest returned to normal and the fog disappeared.
People thought their prayers had been answered, but in fact it was thanks to Hee-yeon.
She created the fog and she cleared it.
Six years later, Hee-yeon has grown up.
He was taller and his hair was longer.
"Uncle! Uncle!!"
I climbed up a big tree and when I got down, I found Jimin sleeping at the bottom in his dragon form.
Heeyoung shook him vigorously to wake him up.
It was so loud that it nearly woke up the other guardians.
Jimin yawned, his mouth wide open, and looked at her with his bright green eyes.
"...It's not even morning yet...why are you awake..."
"Wow, you have a big mouth, old man! Um, today I'm an adult!"
Heeyeon yelled, and Jimin whispered, "Quiet."
He blinked repeatedly, his eyes nearly closing.
Heeyoung repeatedly said, "Today I became an adult."
"...The sun hasn't risen yet. So let's do it after we go to sleep, okay?"
"...It's definitely pitch black. But I can't sleep..."
"...Come on."
Jimin hugged Heeyeon and covered her with a large leaf.
It was soft and warm, and made me feel sleepy, as if I had taken a sleeping pill.
Seeing Heeyeon's eyes close, Jimin also fell asleep again.
But then a human entered Jimin's realm.
Jimin was annoyed that he was being disturbed despite being sleepy.
He gently laid Hiyon down, returned to his human form and headed towards the room, where he found a woman.
Usually it was men who came, but today it was unusual for there to be a woman.
"Why did you come here?"
Jimin said with a cold expression, and the woman immediately knelt down.
"I'm truly sorry that someone of my status has come to this place, but I'm looking for my child."
"Children? Are there any children here?"
"I lost my child because of my husband...
I heard that the child had been abandoned here, so I came here..."
Jimin had a feeling something was going on so he asked her name.
"The child's name is... Cho Seung-yi."