Chapter 40: The Black-Haired Storyteller’s Strategy (4)

Chapter 40: The Black-Haired Storyteller’s Strategy (4)

It couldnt be.

Cheon Sohee stared at the man who shamelessly claimed to be her brother right in front of her.

In the diary she had just read, the man knew about her past and her name.

At first, Cheon Sohee was startled after reading the mans diary, but as she calmed down, another possibility came to mind.

Could it be that someone among the Joseon people remembered a child with black hair and red eyes?

In a certain village, a child with red eyes was born.

Her name was Cheon Sohee. Similar to how a rare white animal is remembered, her red eyes were notable. However, unlike white animals, which were seen as good omens, her red eyes were considered a bad omen.

Everyone in the village where the child with red eyes lived had died. Red eyes were indeed a bad omen. Perhaps the man just happened to remember that.

Could this man have forged the diary to ensure he wasnt killed?

Cheon Sohee kept this possibility in mind as she woke him up.

You knew my real face.

When she woke the man up, she discovered something even more astonishing.

It had been over 10 years since she left Joseon. It was possible for someone to know about the annihilation of the village with the red-eyed child from 10 years ago. But to remember the face of a child from back then? Could someone who only heard rumors remember that?

It was possible. She shouldnt dismiss her doubts.

She might have to scour her memory, in case she was at risk of death, to recall if someone had described her appearance.

You know my real face, and you claim to be my brother.

She had nearly fallen for a scam. Cheon Sohee steadied her slightly shaken heart.

By continuing to listen to the mans words, she might find a flaw.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

Then she could strike.

Lets listen a bit more.

That was Cheon Sohees mistake.

Im Kang Yun-ho, the brother you played with in the past. Not Cheon Yun-ho.

I couldnt have had a brother to play with

She hesitated for a moment. Did she have a brother with whom she played in her childhood? Could she definitively say she didnt?

Cheon Sohee was unsure. Her memories from over a decade ago were fragmented, mostly revolving around her family.

Even though I was older, Sohee always won at air games.

The man looked at Cheon Sohee with nostalgia. Dont look at her with those eyes. She was not part of his memories.

I dont remember that.

Cheon Sohees voice came out gruff, and she surprised herself with its tone.

Its been too long, over ten years. Thats natural.

The man nodded, apparently satisfied, and smiled. What exactly convinced him?

He claimed to have played air games with her in the past. There was a gap in her memory. A foggy recollection that remained indistinct. Cheon Sohee pictured herself playing air games within that fog.

She could not remember. Yet, she could not firmly deny it either. The memories had faded, leaving her unable to determine their truth.

Cheon Sohee tentatively placed the mans childhood image alongside her own within the fog of her memory.

It was okay to introduce a hint into a forgotten memory. If what the man said was true, it might resurface unexpectedly one day.

But she suspected the mans words were not true. There was a glaring inconsistency in his story. There had been no survivors from that village.

I used to play with you while waiting for my father in the fishing village.

Cheon Sohee had lost most of her memories and only retained fragmented parts.

Because they were lost, they were precious. I was a new stranger in her memories. If I recklessly disrupted those memories, she could continue to doubt me. Thats why I prepared the bomb.

A memory she believed she remembered perfectly.

A memory she turned to in hard times.

If I made her doubt even that memory,

Could she really keep suspecting me as a fake brother?

Yes. Didnt your mother, you, and I climb a mountain together? You remember your mother and the flower wreath, and even the flower ring, but why cant you remember the brother you played with? I feel a bit hurt.

I let out a slight sigh of hurt and turned my head away. I wanted to check her expression, but acting required immersion to avoid being detected.

It was convincing, wasnt it? Quickly acknowledge me as your childhood friend.

With my words, the room fell into silence again.

A short time, yet it felt like an eternity.

I was getting impatient. Please just admit defeat.

Alright. I understand.

Sohee! Finally!

It had been tough. Time to really shake hands and end this.

I turned my head happily to look at Cheon Sohee, but her atmosphere was somewhat off. Her body trembled slightly.

I understand that you were in our village. I get that you knew my mom. That we were close. I get all of that but I dont know you.

Cheon Sohee bit the right end of her lip.

Her face struggled to remain expressionless. Yet, it subtly trembled continuously, as if trying to hold something back.

But ultimately, she couldnt stop it.

A single tear rolled down from Cheon Sohees left eye.

Sohee.

This was not a good sign.

Who are you? Why dont I know you? Why do you act like you know me?

Her words were tinged with moisture. There was a sense of frustration in her voice. It seemed like anger not directed at me but at herself.

Sohee, maybe you dont remember because it happened when we were young

Hey. Dont cry. Why was she like this?

Shut up!

It was the first time Cheon Sohees voice had risen that day.

Yes. Ill be quiet.

Your words might be true. My doubts might be true. But I dont know. I cant know. So, Ill watch.

There was a certain resolve in her words and face. Cheon Sohee, wiping her tears, looked at me.

What do you mean?

You. Until I recall my memories. Or until I find out youre lying. Ill stay by your side.

Cheon Sohee put away her blade and pointed at me. Her face no longer attempted to stay expressionless. It was already set in firm determination.

Of course, that determination was directed at me.

Ah This was going to be a total mess.