If pain has a forecast

prolog

[January 2008]

윤여주

Oh, it's raining? I don't have an umbrella... I don't know!

Now that school was over, rain was falling, unexpectedly. I'd left a little late because I had something to do, so there wasn't a single person around, just me. With nothing to hide but my bag, I somehow managed to avoid the rain with my small bag and then ran.

윤여주

Oh, why isn't the signal changing?

Excuse me, use this.

I was already so drenched that my bag was useless, and I was getting so annoyed that the traffic light wouldn't change. Suddenly, someone stood in front of me, holding an umbrella over me. He was about to leave, so I quickly grabbed him.

윤여주

Oh, it's okay, just cross that traffic light and you'll be right home. Just write and go.

No, I'll be there soon. You can use it.

윤여주

Then... would you like to just use it with me until I get to my house? I feel bad about just using it myself...

Uh... yeah.

We were clinging to each other under a small umbrella, barely touching, and I pretended not to notice, but we were closer than I'd expected, and my heart was pounding. This guy was, no, very handsome. He had a visual that made my heart flutter.

김석진

Oh, I'm not a bad person. It's Kim Seokjin. Since we wear the same uniform, I couldn't just pass him by.

윤여주

Hey... he can't be a bad person, right? We don't seem to be the same age, but can I call you senior...?

김석진

Oh, I'm a second year student.

윤여주

"That's right, senior! My name is Yoon Yeo-ju, a freshman...! Oh, this is my home. Thank you so much for holding my umbrella."

김석진

No. It was nice meeting you today. See you again.

윤여주

See you again... haha ​​take care...!!

From this point on, my first unrequited love began. However, after this point, our relationship ceased. Just as the more I searched for someone, the more elusive they became, so too did Seokjin. The more I searched, the more elusive they became.

It was even more surprising that I couldn't find him in this small school. Even among all the teachers and seniors I knew, not a single one knew Seokjin. It was as if he were a ghost.

Then one day, as I was flipping through my instars out of boredom, a landscape painting caught my eye.

Upon closer inspection, I discovered he was an unknown artist with less than five followers. I also looked at his other works, and they were all exquisite, and his skill was beyond words.

윤여주

No, this is so cool, but it's not popular? It's actually better, right? I'll be the only one who sees it!!

But this artist had something a bit unusual. His name was a blank space, and even his profile picture had a black background. Still, as someone who loved landscapes, I felt like I'd found a haven, surrounded by beautiful landscape paintings.

윤여주

Who on earth is the artist who draws such beautiful pictures? I want to know.

윤여주

uh?

I had set up notifications for everything from the author's stories to his posts, and was about to leave when I received a notification for a story. Excited, I clicked without hesitation, but I was pleasantly surprised.

윤여주

here!!!

The reason was that it featured a truly familiar landscape photo with the message, "Start drawing!" The view perfectly matched the view from my house's top, where Namsan Mountain was visible.

What was even more surprising was that I was able to recognize it right away because I always take pictures from that location whenever I climb to the top of this mountain.

윤여주

What? Was this place famous?

I quickly got dressed and prepared to go. Yes, I too was planning to climb this mountain. Even though I was just meeting the artist today, he had already captivated me with his paintings.

It's a nearby place anyway, and I'm really curious about the author, so I might be trying to find out who he is.

I barely made it to the top, running hard and walking a bit slower due to exhaustion. It had been so long since I'd climbed a mountain, my stamina already depleted. But the hard work paid off.

윤여주

Why isn't there anyone here?

There may not be many people climbing the mountain in the cold winter, but even if there were hikers, there were no artists to be seen at all.

It's true that the sun sets early in winter, but by the time I reached the summit, it was already well into the night. The artist had apparently finished painting and was already back down. It seemed like there wasn't just one path leading down the mountain, but rather a crossroads.

윤여주

Ha... I had a hard time getting up here.

‘Tiring-’

When the notification rang again, it was the author's post. The picture that appeared surprised me again, and I couldn't help but exclaim. Oh, and there's one more thing about this author. He always adds his thoughts to his picture posts. In this post,

"This is a truly beautiful mountaintop view I often visit. There's no place where the sun setting and the Namsan scenery blend so beautifully. This mountain is filled with nothing but beauty. I must come back again!"

It was written like this. If you come here often, is it because your house is close? My curiosity about the author was growing and growing, but it couldn't be satisfied. I, too, left a comment on that post for the first time.

윤여주

"I really hope we can meet again next time! I'm a frequent visitor, but I had no idea it was such a beautiful place. The sunset and the view of Namsan Mountain are so beautiful. I'm going to be your fan from today on. I'll be enjoying your beautiful landscape paintings! I love you, author!"

I left a flurry of comments like someone in love, then quickly descended the mountain before it got too dark. I'd come out to see the artist, but I was disappointed I couldn't, but the painting was truly healing. I think it was the first time I realized how someone could be so captivated by a single painting.

[January 2013]

I've been a fan of your art for five years, but I still don't know much about you. Thanks to your consistent and active participation, you've naturally produced far more beautiful works than five years ago, and your following has grown considerably.

He was a writer I'd known only to myself, but when he started to gain some fame, I felt a little jealous. Then, one day, all of a sudden, I stopped hearing from him. And without a word.

윤여주

"Author, what's going on? I'm worried because all of a sudden, no drawings have been uploaded. If there's nothing wrong, could you please reply just once?"

But this DM was useless. There was still no intention of changing the read, and I was left feeling incredibly frustrated and confused.

And so, one year, two years, and then ten years passed, and now, in January 2023, there's still no news. Now, well into my thirties, I've taken up the position of chief curator at the Utta Art Museum.

MEY메이

It's just beginning!