RED VELVET Parallel Universe
Ep 36. Excuses
(OUTSIDE THE KINGDOM OF HORA)
As planned, Yeri was in charge of keeping Saeron away while the rest of them takes care of Joy.
Every second was more of a sweet nightmare for Yeri.
It was something she had been looking forward to, but now that the moment is there, she's just... unready?
Saeron
So, you wanted to catch up... but brought me here?
Yeri looks around her.
She realizes they're currently standing in a field where uncooperative citizens are usually executed-- punished.
Yeri
Uhm, well yeah. Why not. We used to play and mess around here too, didn't we?
Saeron
We did?
Yeri
Didn't we?
Both of them are perplexed. For Yeri acting strange, and Saeron acting unconvinced.
Saeron
You know... you can just be honest with me.
Yeri
Honest? I am honest...
Saeron
You didn't bring me here to catch-up. Right?
Yeri bit her lower lip. Was I being too obvious? She thought.
Yeri
What? What do you mean. I do want to catch up with you.
Saeron
You brought me here so Wendy can sneak into the Kingdom and bring Joy out. I knew that from the start.
Yeri
What?! I mean...
Saeron
You could've just told me from the start.
Saeron
I already told you, didn't I? I said I'm against my brother as well.
Words left Yeri. She was completely speechless. She was too confident from the start, she didn't even see that coming.
Although Saeron kept mentioning that she's on their side, she couldn't really trust the idea.
Cause just like what the queen said, an ally can be someone else's ally.
Saeron
You don't trust my words, I see.
Yeri
Wait. Have you been working on mind reading lately? It's... terrifying at this point.
Saeron
So, you really don't trust me now?
This time, Saeron kept her head low. She spoke as if she was talking to the ground, not even looking at Yeri.
Saeron
I guess that could happen to anyone.
Yeri
H-hey. I'm just--- being cautious. I can't help it.
Still refusing to look at her, Saeron heaves a sigh.
Saeron
I understand...
Yeri
Aren't you supposed to go back and stop Wendy and the rest? You already knew...
Saeron
Would stopping them be more worth it than spending time with you?
Yeri
You're... confusing me.
Saeron
Of course... You always say that.
Saeron
Fine. Just think that I'm not going back there to save you. The queen might hit you when she finds out you can't even keep me out.
Yeri
But your brother might also hit you when he finds out you can't keep us out too. That's... no good news.
Saeron
That's fine. At least now I know you still care about me to actually worry about that.
Saeron was happy nonetheless. That exact moment she knew she was being genuine.
That moment, she gave Yeri nothing but sincerity.
Yeri
Hey, can I ask you something?
Saeron
Sure.
Yeri
That day, when we first saw each other after all these years. When we came to your Kingdom without notice. When I stood before you...
Yeri
Why did you keep pushing me away?
Saeron
You know how my brother is. Everything about him is wicked.
Saeron
The moment you stepped in to my place, I knew something's odd. And it was exactly what I thought it would be.
Saeron
It was my brother, dragging you along with his wicked schemes. How can I not ask you to stay away?
Yeri
But that day... I was already standing in front of you.
Yeri
So why? You could've talked to me back then. You could've given me a hug, or at least told me you missed me before pushing me away.
Yeri
But that day... Your eyes won't even show hints of longing.
Yeri
That... that was disappointing. I really missed you badly you see.
She was complaining, but sounded more like she was begging.
Saeron
That's why I choose to stay with you today, instead of helplessly stopping Wendy and the rest.
Their pointless conversation probably ended there, but not the fleeting moment.
(THE OTHER WORLD)
Seulgi, who's supposed to look for ways to go back to her own world lost track of time.
She never made such effort to actually look for the portal she's supposed to pass through.
And for a fact. An obvious fact to be precise. Those times she wasted was well spent with Ju Hyun.
She was learning all sorts of things from the other world through Ju Hyun, but the latter doesn't even have any idea about anything.
Coming out from a cafe, the two of them couldn't help but mess around-- trying their best to make up for these so-called wasted times.
Until another person gave them company.
Sungjae
I kept waiting, but you were here enjoying your time with ... this woman. Wow! Is this a part of the plan? Your plan?
Seulgi froze to where she was standing.
Her eyes were fixed on Sungjae. She didn't understand why, but her heart suddenly started beating -- a bit too rapidly.
She trembles. She felt the tingling on her hands as they turned numb. She breathed heavily.
Seulgi
(What's wrong with me?)
Seulgi knew for a fact, that whether it was Sungjae from that world or her world... She would never feel that way.
But now she just can't comprehend.
Ju Hyun who knew every single thing about her friend started to worry.
She was freaking out because she doesn't even know what to handle first.
She knows she had to make Sungjae leave, but she also knew for a fact that she can't ignore Seulgi's panic attack.
Ju Hyun
H-Hey. What's wrong?
She held Seulgi's trembling hands, supporting her as she gets weak on the knees.
Seulgi
W-what's wrong with me...
Ju Hyun
S-seulgi... Hey. Look at me...
Ju Hyun
It's okay. I... I'm here. You can calm down now.
It took a second or two before Seulgi fell on her knees still catching her breath.
Sungjae
Oh drama queen!
His words hits Irene hard. She looked back at him with the most terrifying glare there is.
Ju Hyun
Is it even humane for you to show up here?!
He laughed. He just laughed at Ju Hyun's words, mockingly.
Ju Hyun
Leave! Just get out of here you useless scoundrel!
Sungjae
Fine! I'll leave for now. But I'll be sure to come back for you... Your highness?
One last time before leaving, he mocks her.
He left, but Seulgi's still helplessly catching her breath.
And Ju Hyun... wanted to call for help, but she was too worried and furious at the same time, her actions were clouded by her tears.
Ju Hyun
Seulgi...
Seulgi
H-hey. Why are you crying?
She brings her hand to cup Ju Hyun's face, enduring the pain in her chest to stop her from freaking out.
Seulgi
My chest pain is already painful as it is... don't start adding up.
Seulgi
Seeing you cry and worry like this won't help me... Ju Hyun.
Seulgi
Just... bring me home, will you?
With that, she passed out.
Although Ju Hyun wanted to bring her straight to the hospital, she was afraid Seulgi might get more of negative vibes from the place itself.
So she brought her home as she asked.
It was already nighttime when Seulgi woke up.
She passed out from this strange feeling, but waking up with Ju Hyun by her side, was no different at all.
Her heart was still pounding-- hard.
Ju Hyun's face itself showed how worried she was. She was frowning, even in her sleep, but never did it made her look unpretty.
Seulgi
(Seriously, what's wrong with me?)
Seulgi is still wondering about what happened earlier.
It was strange.
Why would her body react so differently from what's on her mind.
She knew she wasn't terrified by Sungjae's presence at all, but her body language says otherwise.
Seulgi
(Could it be?)
Seulgi
(Isn't it happening too soon if ever?)
She stopped thinking for a moment.
Seulgi
(No... That's just impossible. I wasn't even here that long.)
Seulgi
(Memory switch?)
Seulgi
(Nonsense)
----
Author
Hi! You might be wondering as to why I didn't include images this time. I'm sorry.
Author
I'm just too busy to find time to look for photos that may fit my storyline. I thought it's better to at least give updates than nothing.
Author
Promise to give more interesting content in the future 🥺