Osratida - Chapter 14

“Did you eat well?”

“Yes, thanks to you.”

“You don’t look too happy.”

“Not at all. I enjoyed the meal.”

“I don’t usually go on overseas business trips. So I might’ve been a bit petty. Hope you understand. But I won’t be apologizing separately.”

Ha. Won’t apologize, huh? Shinhee lowered his eyes to hide his crooked expression. He didn’t know the full story, but one thing was clear: this person lived in his own self-righteous world.

The warm onsen water met the cold outdoor air, creating a white mist. Gyojin pushed back the hair sticking to his face and spoke casually as if in passing.
“When did you start doing that kind of work?”

Shinhee hesitated over the scope of “that kind of work” before answering slowly.
“I grew up under a grand shaman, so it came naturally. I’ve been formally learning for six years.”

“Did you graduate from university?”

“For personal reasons, I’m currently on a leave of absence. I majored in Oriental painting.”

“Oriental painting?”

Gyojin’s eyebrow lifted slightly at the unusual major. It was a habit of his when he found something intriguing.
“So, you must know Kang Munseon’s work…”

“Yes. I like ink wash painting. Kang Munseon is the artist I personally respect the most.”

“If you don’t mind, show me your work sometime. I’m not a fan of art museums, but I do have a good eye for art.”

Gyojin closed his eyes and spoke as if it was no big deal. He probably said it without attaching any particular meaning, but Shinhee couldn’t take his eyes off the man’s face for a while.
“…Sure.”

His heart pounded. He couldn’t remember the last time someone asked to see his paintings. It had been years since he’d properly held a brush rather than just doodling in a sketchbook. The long-forgotten thirst seemed to be quenched, and Shinhee bit his lips to keep himself from shedding tears of relief.

Maybe it was the disparity between the man’s brusque and cold demeanor and the unexpected kindness of his words. It felt like receiving an unexpected gift.

Contrary to Shinhee’s emotional state, Gyojin seemed calm. He remained still, eyes closed, as though his sole purpose was to relax and relieve accumulated fatigue. Shinhee, rather than striking up a conversation, just watched Gyojin’s closed eyes.

The bright moonlight shone softly over the open-air bath, casting and dissolving shadows over Gyojin’s flawlessly sculpted upper body. The interplay of light and shadow turned the man into something otherworldly, like an illustration in a fairy tale.

Perhaps Shinhee was too focused on him. He didn’t notice the ghost’s fingers brushing up Gyojin’s arm.

“It’s getting late, and we have plans tomorrow. Let’s head out.”

Gyojin, now awake, got up first. As he stepped out of the water, Shinhee followed behind him. Just as Shinhee was about to step out, something shot up from the water and grabbed his right ankle, pulling him back.

Caught off guard. A water ghost? Shinhee wobbled, losing his balance, but Kyojin caught him by the waist before he could fall.
“Are you alright?”

“Y-Yes…”

Gyojin held Shinhee’s waist firmly, noting how unnaturally slim it was for a man. He felt as though Shinhee weighed next to nothing, likely due to his thin frame.

Before Shinhee could even marvel at Gyojin’s quick reflexes, his neck began to feel warm where it brushed against Gyojin’s chest. Was it the effect of the hot spring water? Or was it because it had been so long since someone’s words had made his heart flutter? Whatever the reason, Shinhee felt he couldn’t handle the close proximity.

“Be careful.”

“Director…”

Flustered, his voice trembled.
“What is it?”

Gyojin’s voice came from right next to his ear since he was still holding Shinhee’s waist.
“Is something bothering you?”

“T-The distance… it’s too close. Less than a meter.”

“…Pardon?”

“There’s a water ghost down here. Maybe we should step back.”

“Alright.”

Gyojin let go of his waist without hesitation. Freed so suddenly, Shinhee let out an exaggerated sound and slipped to the ground, unable to regain his balance.

The ghostly laughter echoed through the open-air bath as if mocking him. Gyojin, who had already stepped out, leaned against the door with a faintly amused expression.
“A water ghost, huh? Quite an excuse. You could’ve just said you were uncomfortable.”

He glanced at the hand that had held Shinhee’s waist, still feeling the faint sensation of touch. The peculiar soap scent lingered in his nose, teasing him. What was this? What was happening? Normally, he wouldn’t care if someone fell or not. What was different this time?

Gyojin shook off the thought and walked away, thinking he must’ve become sentimental from stepping onto foreign soil for the first time.

Meanwhile, Shinhee, left alone in the bath, finally wrestled free from the ghost’s grip after a clumsy struggle. Exhausted, he hit the ghost square on the forehead with the protective talisman wrapped around his wrist. Despite being struck, the ghost found it all the more amusing, laughing maniacally.

Then, from afar, a baby spirit charged over the water, tackling the water ghost and choking it with supernatural strength. The scene was chaotic, with the water ghost writhing in pain as the baby spirit subdued it.

“Don’t mess with my Shinhee!”

“Good job, Dongja!” Shinhee cheered, shaking water out of his ears.

By the time the water ghost had been subdued, Dongja returned triumphant, brushing off his hands as if to say the job was done. Shinhee, carrying the baby spirit in his arms, finally left the bath.

Later that night, Gyojin woke to a strange melody, a sound like glass beads, delicate yet haunting. Along with the music, someone called his name repeatedly. As he got up, he saw a figure with long hair covering their face and red pomegranate-like eyes staring at him.

Instead of reacting, Gyojin simply lay back down and closed his eyes, falling back into a deep sleep.

“Did you sleep well, Shinhee?”

“Yeah. Did you sleep well too, Dongja?”

The child spirit, who didn’t need sleep and couldn’t sleep, nodded energetically.

“Did Shinhee have a good dream?”

“Hmm… maybe.”

“You were smiling in your sleep.”

He vaguely felt like he had dreamed about something, but he couldn’t remember it clearly. Shrugging his shoulders, he sat up straight. Just then, the door swung open without a knock.

“Shinhee, are you up? Get ready. We need to eat breakfast and head out.”

It was the annoyingly familiar interpreter who had been overly friendly since yesterday. Shinhee considered scolding him for entering without knocking but decided to hold his tongue. After all, it was only a few more days of putting up with him before he wouldn’t have to see them again.