3. TAEHYUNG: Are you okay? - MAGIC SHOP

김태형

are you okay?

I took his outstretched hand, stood up, and put my things in my bag. He handed me a book and smiled.

나

thank you.

김태형

you're welcome.

나

I...I'm about to leave, so please move!

The man grabbed my wrist and looked me over. His eyes were calm, unlike my confused ones.

김태형

You're badly injured... I'll give you some quick treatment at my shop. Follow me, and I'll take care of your luggage.

He opened the door to the cafe I had just left and walked in, and in an instant, the innocent man with ash brown hair transformed into a handsome blond man.

His patterned jacket and trousers, his long piercings, and the scarf wrapped around his long neck made him shine even in the quiet, dark interior of the store.

김태형

Sit here. You can watch while I bring the first aid kit. I'll be right back.

나

yes...

I grabbed my aching wrist and quietly looked inside. Unlike before, the black-framed glass windows and dim lighting gave off a captivating atmosphere, unlike the interior I'd seen during the day.

When I saw this scene from when I was working as a bartender, old memories of him came back to me painfully.

김태형

Give me your hand.

나

yes.

The moment I reached out, my head automatically bowed, and I was startled by my attire. The long red skirt and shirt I'd been wearing had suddenly transformed into a wine-colored velvet dress.

나

What is this...?

김태형

You don't like it?

나

yes?

I couldn't hear his question properly and just blankly stared at his hands that were treating my wounds.

김태형

I've applied all the medicine. I have something to do for a moment... Let me know if you need help.

나

yes.

I took gauze from the first aid kit nearby, placed it on the wound, and took out a bandage. As I was wrapping the bandage around my wrist, he came over to me and pulled the loose bandage tighter.

나

ah...

김태형

Are you sick?

He looked up at me, and I, sitting on the high stool, met his gaze. His green eyes, different from before, and his blond hair made me feel like I was back in England.

김태형

What's the problem?

나

Oh, no...just...

김태형

Here, try this.

After fixing the bandage, he offered me a warm glass of cinnamon-scented sangria. The sweet fruity aroma lingered in my mouth, making me so happy I forgot how painful my wound was.

나

it's good...

김태형

Drink some more. Haha

나

yes.

Strangely enough, the more I emptied my glass, the more the sangria sparkled, as if the Milky Way had flowed into it. Soon, blue and pink hues appeared, and my dress was dyed in the same color.

It was as if the Milky Way from the sangria I was drinking was embroidered on my dress.

Just today, I was so dumbfounded by the surreal experience that I couldn't say anything and just sat there. Then, he approached me.

He kissed me lightly on the lips.

김태형

You'll stay longer, right?

나

...yes?

김태형

Please stay longer. I'll be bored without you.

I suddenly realized my face was flushing. It was a different kind of pounding than before. It was as if this person was draining my energy, draining my consciousness.