"Se-ah, where have you been?"
I hear a voice I thought I'd never hear again. The wind blows gently. I stand still, unable to turn around, unable to look back.
"Sea."
A warm feeling enveloped my hand. I slowly turned around, praying, "Please, please, this isn't a dream."
"What's with that stupid expression, lol?"
It's a dream. This is a dream so precious, it can't be exchanged for anything.
"Jungkook..."
I know it's a dream... but why do I want to believe it's real? Why... do I feel like tears will burst out at any moment...? My heart is pounding uncontrollably, and the corners of my mouth are trembling.
"What's wrong? Why do you look like that!?"
Jeongguk, his eyebrows furrowed, lightly placed his hands on Se-ah's cheeks and raised his voice, asking what was wrong and telling her to tell him right away.
"I hope this isn't a dream."
Sea wrapped her arms around Jeongguk's. Wanting to feel this touch just a little longer, she tightened her grip.
"What are you talking about? A dream?"
"uh...?"
This dream, so vivid, made me wonder if it was really a dream. Or... was this my wish? Instead of a wish that couldn't come true, this is what I wanted for myself...
Step by step -
"What are you doing there, Duke? You're bringing Sea..."
I heard a voice behind me and quickly turned around. When I turned around, I saw the person I'd longed for so much, staring at me with a look that seemed to ask, "What are you doing there?" or "What's wrong?"
"...father?"
Sea ran straight to her. Her dress was a mess, and she was a child, completely devoid of dignity. Her eyes twinkled with tears as she hugged her. She held onto the hem of her dress, acting as if she couldn't let go.
"Se-ah...!!"
Surprised, Seokjin pulled Se-ah away and asked loudly what was happening.
"Who dared to make you cry?"
Seokjin's expression was a mixture of frustration and anger. He was always careful not to hurt her feelings, but some kid had even made Se-ah cry, and he was furious.
"Sea, tell me straight. Who are you!?"
Jungkook asked, his voice emitting a murderous vehemence that threatened to decapitate someone at any moment. He knew that making Se-ah, who rarely sheds tears, cry was a serious matter.
"What should I say first..."
I've never had such a vivid dream. If this is a gift from the witch, I'm grateful, and I want to capture this image for a little longer before I wake from this sweet dream.
"Honey, what are you so afraid of? I'm not going anywhere. Calm down and try to speak slowly."
Sea thought. She didn't know what to say first, and her heart grew anxious about this dream, which she knew would end at any moment. Then she spoke. These were the words she had never once said to her father.
"I love you, Father."
"...!!"
I spoke as if venting my frustrations, knowing that I could only say them now.
"I've survived because of my father. Although we had a falling out at one point, we were in an unbreakable bond, and in the end, we looked out for each other and became a precious family."
"My father is someone I've admired since I was a child. I've been able to overcome any hardship thanks to him, following his example."
"...Thank you so much... and I'm sorry···."
Seokjin said, hugging Se-ah tightly.
"You are my one and only precious daughter. I don't know what to say to you for thinking of me, a father so lacking. My dear Se-ah, I will protect you no matter what happens."
Sea cried out loud in her father's warm embrace, praying and praying that God would see her desperate wish that this wasn't a dream.
"Se-ah, is something really wrong...?"
Jungkook fidgeted and circled around Se-ah. Perhaps it was because it had been so long since he'd seen her cry like this, but Se-ah was no stranger to crying, so he couldn't help but feel flustered.
"···It's okay. I feel better."
The real Se-ah slowly pulled herself out of Seok-jin's arms and spoke. Her face was red and swollen from crying so much.
"But what is that in your hand?"
"...?"
Seokjin pointed to Se-ah's right hand, and Se-ah unfolded it, revealing a note. As she unfolded it, the two people watching from the side questioned whether it was trash and asked why she was holding such a blank piece of paper.
"....."
But when I looked, there was writing on the paper. It said, 'I granted your wish. I hope you never lose someone precious again.'
The tears that had stopped welled up again. My long-cherished wish had come true. As soon as I realized I wasn't dreaming, tears of joy poured out like crazy.
"Se-ah!?"
Of course, the two people who were next to her were quite flustered and at a loss when they saw Se-ah like that.
"Thank goodness... Really..."
Sea hugged them both tightly. She loved the warmth that was so deeply felt. She vowed never to lose that warmth again, and she was grateful that the tears she was shedding now were tears of joy.
It's like a dream.
Is it okay for this kind of happiness to come to my life, which was a mess?
____
I just finished my exams and I've been busy with other things, so I'm posting this in a hurry now🥲