18

✂--------------------------------------------------------🎶 Song of the day 🎶

Talking to the moon -Covered by Seoho ONEUS

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-R A Y E O N-

"Thank you so much, all of you for accompanying me back to Andong. You are really good at entertaining me too and treated me well. Please accept my offer for you to stay at Hwa Ahn-dang. It's the least I could do to repay all of your kindness. Since its your vacation too, Hwa Ahn-dang would be perfect as its an inn, also my home that I've no longer opened to the public due to lack of manpower and care " the grandfather chuckled softly while bowing his head a bit as all of us did too, to show him our respect and thanked him too for giving us such an opportunity.

Expecting how this Hwa Ahn-dang was all we did in our minds silently until the bus pulled up infront of a large gate with high walls stacked by large stone and a small roof arranged above it as a layer, surrounding the enormous place.

My jaw instantly dropped to the floor and now I understand why he shut the inn down and made it his own house because it's too big for him to handle all of it and the customers with only him as the owner managing all of it.

Not a modern hotel but a folk and traditional inn that seemed like it was built hundreds of years ago just by looking at all of those precious structure that was still preserved well up till now. It's like this place is a historical hidden gem no one knew as this place was located not too far away from the local folk village where the people still carry and live the traditional way.

"How beautiful it is..."Kai breathed out feeling mesmerized by its beauty after he hopped off the bus followed by Yeonjun who helped grandfather to climb down the few steps.

The bus left as soon as all of us stepped out of it with our belongings and luggages as the old man pushed open the large gate that looked heavy as it made a loud creak.

All of us entered together and helped the grandfather to close the gate before we walked together following the old man who's leading us.

Passing by dispersed rooms and some rooms are arranged in a long line as the strong calming wind cooled us down since Hwa Ahn-dang is an opened area with only high gates protecting the land.

The grandfather stopped once we arrived at this opened room with some floor cushions arranged in a line and a low table at the middle as he asked all of us to take off our shoes and climb up the wooden floor so we can have a seat though some of us only got to sit above the cushion . Simple decorations were in that opened room and a few wooden cabinets located in there.

I was so focused on every single thing in it when the curtain that I assumed act as a door to seperate the opened room from the room next door was slowly pulled to the side as a head poked out.

His face went all red when he saw so many guests as he closed the curtain back and hid behind it.

"Aigoo this boy. Just come out, don't be shy. Ah what about you serve us some tea and find some cookies for our lovely guests! It's been a long time since we have guests right? "The old grandfather spoke while he looked at the curtain as we all can see his head nodding since he is gripping on the curtain while hiding making me chuckled at his cute actions.

The boy dissapeared as the old man turned his attention back to us and pulled out two keys that he took from his drawer behind him.

"Here are your keys to the rooms. The rooms are located beside each other and that one room is so big that it can fit for 5 people. The other room is for the lady so here you go. The room number is on the key and you can just look at the door to find if it's your room. You can look around if you want, no restriction area but just be careful as this  place is a bit...rusty? This special inn was built 100 years ago and was passed from generation to generation so I can't fix all of the broken tiles or what to preserve the original form and structure but despite of that, there are some areas that I fixed and modernized it a bit and one of it is the two rooms you're staying. But first let's have some tea and have a morning simple snack before you go to your rooms "he told us as Soobin and I slowly took the key he gave and nodded.

"Ayee I forget to tell you all. That's my grandson and he's the only one who lives here with me after my wife passed away to accompany me and I watched him grew up well until now. Last time I told you I have someone but the person can't pick up the phone, well it's him. He can't pick up the house phone because he's a mute person. I just wish I could afford all of those therapies or what just to hear him speak a word to me " he continued and let out a sigh at the end.

A loud clattering sound could be heard as all heads turned to look at the other room where the boy was.

"I'll go and check out... Maybe he needs some help "I stand up and volunteered myself as I walked with my back bent down a bit so i won't look rude while passing by them as I entered the other room to see the boy picking up some containers from the floor that probably just fell off from the shelf when he was trying to take one.

I didn't waste my time to help him pick up and organized the containers back to its original place as the boy stared at me in surprised.

I just noticed that he looked rather young, the same age as us as I let out a smile since he's still staring at me with eyes widened.

He realized it soon and searched for something as he used his pen to write on the paper he took out before showing it to me.

'How do you know where the containers were originally placed at? It's also placed accordingly like I always arrange'

As soon as I read that, I also came to a realisation about that.... how do I know?

"I don't know... Just my random guess. What's your name? And I assume that we're the same age too?" I asked as he quickly wrote something before displaying it to me once again.

'Bomin. Choi Bomin and I'm 18 years old '

"Bomin... Well then nice to meet you today Bomin-sshi! I would speak casually with you as we are the same age and my name is Rayeon, Im Rayeon "I introduced myself at him and he flashed me a smile for the first time, showing his beautiful teeth and eyes shaped like crescents as he smiled so.

"Let's go serve the tea, I'll help you carry the cookies out "I suggested and he passed me a plate of cookies with some plain crackers that will go with the tea he made earlier as we exited the room and served it one by one. . . .

I closed back my door slowly after some time of resting and after placing my luggage in my room few hours ago as I saw Bomin walking about to pass by where I am with a large empty basket that was made as a back pack carried on his back. He also seemed to change his pants now and is also now wearing a straw hat that will protect him from the blazing heat of the sun.

I called him out and jogged towards him asking where is he going to.

He smiled and pointed to somewhere since he probably didn't bring something to write on as he finally gestured me to follow him if I'm curious but also changed into comfortable clothes like him by pointing his clothes then at me.

I nodded understanding each and every move he made and rushed to my room to change quickly.

When I arrived back at him, he placed a straw hat above my head gently that he brought with him that I assumed he took just now when I was changing.

He led the way and lead me to a field where some middle aged and some old aged ladies gathered as he bowed at him once we arrived. I did the same too as all of them welcomed us and brought us to this warehouse where they store some food from their crops that they harvest and store in the place since the warehouse is surrounded by fields of various types of crops.

"Thank you for coming Bomin-ah and also to you new girl. We really need your help since later tonight we'll have an early Christmas celebration even though Christmas is next week and also to celebrate for our increase in outcome from the crops we invested this year "A woman thanked us and brought us to a corner where some wooden boxes were stacked.

"You can start by bringing some ingredients to the main square because some of us are going to cook there. Here are the list and how much of it we need. After you're done with this then you can help carry some firewood at there and find some one to chop it into two before sending it to the main square "The woman gave us clear instructions and handed me a list of ingredients and the same basket that Bomin carries on his back as I wore it and thanked the lady.

She left us as we immediately got to work, putting the ingredients in each other's basket since we are not in the mood to take it off from our back.

I didn't expect that many ingredients were required so we kept on going back and forth walking far from the warehouse then the main square which was like a new experience for me too. I talked with him and he responded me well too as we started to grow more comfortable with each other due to hours spending time with each other carrying things.

It was our final trip and when we were about to pass by Hwa Ahn-dang, A pissed looking boy stood there eyeing us from afar as I looked away, ignoring him and just kept on chatting with Bomin.

"Where have you been young lady? I've been looking all over the place for you hmm?" Beomgyu cleared his throat as both me and Bomin stopped walking and looked at the angry looking boba hair guy.

"we're helping the villagers to set up for tonight's celebration. I'm sorry but I can't spend time with you all now since we have some work to do "I explained calmly and he scoffed, looking away first before at us.

"Or are you two just having a date together "

"ya, we are not and why are you acting so moody like a girl on her period now? If you're bored, just play hopscotch with the others or explore here "I denied as he eyed Beomgyu and used both his fingers to point his eyes before pointing at him, indicating that he's keeping 'an eye ' at him.

"If you make a move on my girlfriend then it would be a ' Bam and Bom' duel at there "he pointed at an empty field as Bomin snickered, holding his laugh as he shook his head fast.

"You're just sleepy maybe Bam so go back to sleep and don't do something silly "I approached him and pushed him slowly back in Hwa Ahn-dang's area.

I pulled Bomin with me and ran away with him before Beomgyu can chase after us.

We arrived finally and dropped the last few ingredients at some empty tables where some middle aged women take the ingredients they needed as soon as we approached there.

"Okayy now let's bring firewoods to Hwa Ahn-dang first then we'll search for someone to do the wood chopping job "I recommended and panted a bit as Bomin signalled me at something or someone as I threw my glance at the direction.

He was trying to tell me something while pointing his thumb at the group of kids that was playing with their friends until I suddenly clicked onto his point.

I smiled and jogged towards the kids and crouched down a bit to their height and  waved a friendly hi at them which they waved at me too saying hi.

"Awe you all are so cute. What are you playing? "I started the conversation with something simple as one kid smiled and showed me a skipping rope.

"We're playing the skipping rope and freeze tag! Do you want to join us Noona? "the small boy asked as he approached me whilst taking out his skipping rope making me chuckled and ruffled his hair a bit.

"Well I can't but I have a mission for all of you. You see, there is a monster wandering around here, it's name is Tickle Monster and it's going to come out tonight during the celebration and I need all of you, to help me and this boy beside me, carry some firewood to Hwa Ahn-dang so we can burn the scary monster before it can eat all of our snacks tonight. And I need some of you to find someone to cut the firewood so the Tickle monster will not notice that it's a firewood later on. So who wants to join me on a mission to get rid of the scary monster because if you don't, it will surely eat your food and tickle you so hard at night when you are sleeping " I made up a story that spontaneously came to my mind as they all didn't hesitate to volunteer and feel excited at this 'Mission '.

"Alright then let's go! " I cheered and walked, leading the way as the kids followed behind like cute little ducklings while Bomin walked right behind me and monitor some of the kids.

Some of them, probably three of the kids were assigned to search for some people to cut the firewood for us.

A small girl speed up,trying to catch up with me as she stared at me with her beautiful big eyes.

"But is the tickle monster green in color? I hate green because it looks like slime and I don't want Mr. Tickles to tickle me at night "she asked innocently making me giggled at her mini imagination.

"Yes, Mr. Tickles is green and I saw him just now. He will tickle all of us if we didn't stop him,so let's go"

. . .

Because of so many helping hands with us, one trip from the warehouse to Hwa Ahn-dang is already enough for us as we all sing some songs and tell some random stories so the kids would also enjoy the time until we arrived at Hwa Ahn-dang

"Eo... Rayeon-sshi! Let me help you with those. You must be tired after doing all the work for hours. Why didn't you told us earlier? We should've helped you too "Yeonjun rushed to me and offered his arms for me to give the firewoods I'm carrying but I only give some at him.

"Nahh, it was fun and I didn't see you guys anywhere except for Beomgyu that's why I didn't have the chance. Okay place it there kids and who wants fruit punch? I'll take some for you since I brought two big bottles of it with me "

All of the little kids started to let out a loud excited cheer and rushed to the place where I pointed at and dropped the firewoods there one by one, slowly stacking it. The three of us followed behind and released all of the firewoods we carried, as the three kids that I assigned to find some people to cut the firewoods, came running to us with someone that they pulled along with.

"Eonnie! We found this cute oppa playing hopscotch just now with his friends and we asked if he is strong and he said he is really strong that he can break a brick with his bare hands! How amazing would that be! "one of them jumped in excitement as the boy giggled and scratched the back of his head nervously.

"Well didn't see this coming but I'll do it then "Beomgyu giggled nervously as came 3 people running to us, probably trying to catch up just now with the kids that towed Beomgyu away from them.

"T-they only called him cute! How about me?" Kai groaned as soon as he came to us.

"You oppa is... Cute number 3 because cute number one is Eonnie "Another kid said as I laughed and shook my head.

"Eonnie is so cute I want to marry her! I'll help cut the firewoods too so eonnie can see that I am manly and so strong "a small boy nagged and came to me, holding my hand as Yeonjun came in between and hugged my arm suddenly.

"you're too young to marry this ahjumma. I'll join and help cut the woods too, let's see who can win this ahjumma's heart" Yeonjun challenged the boy as my face heated up, looking away a bit but still can see that Yeonjun and the little boy doing a fist bump as their deal.

"how confident of you to assume that you'll win her heart "Beomgyu grabbed my arm and yanked me away from Yeonjun as both of them stared at each other, glaring as I can feel the tension growing in the air.

"OKAY WHO WANTS FRUITPUNCH AGAIN? AND YOU TWO BETTER NOT FIGHT OR I'LL TAKE A REAL FRUIT AND PUNCH YOU TWO USING THE FRUITS"I released my hand from their grip and flee from the place so I can have my own time to take some paper cups I brought with me and the two bottles of fruit punch.

A hand clung onto my arm as I took a glimpse at the person. Lucky it was just Bomin as he flashed his lovely small smile.

He pointed at himself then at me and do some more signals which I understood as it is simple and easy to understand. He just wants to help me since I helped him serving tea just now so I agreed.

"Ommo... That boy in the right is so handsome "

"But I prefer the one at the left one, he's a whole package of cute and handsome too"

"Aish can't you two just shut it, wait... Are they actually competing or what?"

The loud commotion could be heard from afar as both of us tried our best to squeeze in the circling crowd once we came back with the drinks and paper cups which was new since there is no other people than us just now.

Soobin saw me and pulled me along with Bomin so we can sit next to them at the veranda as we sat at the edge and placed the things we brought beside us. They are the only ones sitting on the veranda while the crowd, mostly women and some children stand up with their group of friends, watching both Yeonjun and Beomgyu that is in front of us, a bit far, chopping and swinging the axe so they can cut the firewoods into half.

They looked so aggressive and competitive when there's nothing to compete at as Beomgyu stopped cutting the firewood infront of him and opened his sky blue buttoned-up shirt that he wore as a layer that layered his plain white t-shirt and landed his gaze at me.

He grinned and came to me, handing me his buttoned-up shirt causing some screams and teasing float in the air by the crowd before he went back to work. I was blushing like crazy as my hand clenched onto his shirt that I placed above my lap, trying my best to not smile.

Yeonjun scoffed as he unbuttoned the first few buttons of his shirt until he unbuttons all of it before he threw his shirt somewhere, leaving only his tank top on while eyeing Beomgyu, feeling competitive in this situation making many more screams heard around us and little kids cheering.

Beomgyu rolled his eyes and bit his lip in frustration before he took a cloth and tied it on his head as a bandana whilst glaring at Yeonjun. He fixed his hair and taking some of it out so his bangs would be above the bandana that was tied on his forehead as he rolled up his sleeves too and smirked at the crowd.

Of course that made them more crazy as the kids started to cheer for his name making him looked more confident and he resumed his work feeling a bit satisfied.

"I think I should join and show them who's boss-"Taehyun stood up from his seat, ready to show off too since he had enough of them but Kai held him back.

"This is a competition that only lovesick puppies participate at, so I won't let you " Kai whispered but I could heard it even from a distance.

I sighed and just stared at both of the idiots trying to impress who knows who and draining their energy two times more by trying to finish their work faster as chopping the firewood is now no longer a task but a competition with no winner and loser.

. . .

"Rayeon-ah Rayeon-ah! I have so many pictures to show you!" Beomgyu dashed his way to me carrying something in his hands while his camera's strap hung freely around his neck with the camera hanging on it.

Once he appeared in front of me, he started to brag and show me the pictures he took this morning . It was night already and we're now at the main square, sitting around the fire to warm myself while the others have some fun dancing to country side songs and music and even have a feast but I was there, wondering why I have this weird unfamiliar feeling inside me.

I was thinking so much and pondering about why do I feel like I've seen and been here but then he appeared out of nowhere with his things as a smile carved on my lips when I gazed him being so excited explaining each and every scenery he took.

All of the scenery also show the future that would happen to that place and it's not surprising that snow covers the place and many more.

"Beomgyu-ya... How many polaroids did you used already? "

"Wait... Oh five polaroids, why do you ask? "he asked me back after answering while his focus is on his camera as he used the end of his sleeves to rub the lense.

16 left... 16 more polaroids until his life would end.

"I don't want it to be this soon... "my voice cracked as I shut my mouth when I soon realized that those words slipped from my mouth. But I was lucky that he didn't heard it though.

"Do you want me to get something for you? I'm going to get some refreshments there since I'm feeling exhausted after dancing with Yesun just now. She's just so adorable yet aggressive like you "he teased me and referred to the little girl that danced with him just now as I lightly punched his shoulder with a light chuckle.

"I'm aggressive?"

"Aggressively beautiful "he neared his face to mine as I pushed him away from me a bit, covering my face since he's making my cheeks heat up that fast.

"aish cut out with the nonsense. I already ate many so just go. I'll find grandfather for the meantime since I haven't seen him around " I said as I stand up from my seat and Beomgyu suddenly pulled my hand and placed my Ryan Plushie he bought for me last time.

"Bring this with you. Ryan is like me, I'll be with you so take care of him with all of your life "he instructed and I nodded.

This time he is the one who ruffle my hair a bit. He asked me to go first while he watched me then he'll go as I kept on waving at him everytime I turned around.

I walked straight to Hwa Ahn-dang alone as I strolled around the large place for the first time since I came here, until my eyes caught a figure sitting by a pond, hugging something and closing his eyes.

I beamed and quietly approached him from behind and sat beside him as the old man opened his eyes after noticing my presence beside him.

"Why are you here alone grandfather? Aren't you suppose to be there enjoying the fun with the others too? Wait... Are you crying grandfather?"I questioned and I noticed a few tears that was left on his cheeks as he wiped it and laughed it off.

"I'm fine. Just talking to the person I missed the most "He smiled but I can see the pain he's holding in his eyes.

"mind if I ask who is it? "

"It's my grand daughter. She's been missing and I've lost contact with her for almost a year and now I'm going to have to spend my first celebration alone without her. She used to enjoy these kind of things and loves the main square a lot since there are so many children where she loves to play with. I don't know where she is and how is she doing now but I'm hoping the best for her. I hope she found someone already and when she returns, she would introduce me to that lucky man. She took care of me for a long time and she deserves to be happy and have her own life too at there but I'm just scared...what if something happens to her. I always come to Seoul and go back to Andong every week just to search for her. I work there and pick up empty bottles and what so I can earn some money to buy a ticket and it goes on until  now "he told me and looked up at the sky, blinking back tears.

My hand slowly held his old wrinkled hand and caressed it softly, feeling a bit pain too hearing that a grandfather is actually longing for his granddaughter and is hoping the best for her. I looked up at the sky and closed my eyes, feeling hot tears streaming from my cheeks as I also have some flashbacks about my own grandfather that I want to see but don't know and remember who he is.

But the memories were safe in me but remembering back and trying to solve the missing puzzles of the faces of people who I love just hurts me because I just can't. Not with a single clue too.

"I hope she's looking at the sky too right now. I always say to her before she went to Seoul for her studies to look up at the night sky and stare at the moon and bright stars twinkling above us. We live under the same sky but far away and communication is actually quite difficult here because of the signal so I say to her to talk to the moon as like she's talking to me. And since that... Every night I'm talking to the moon too..."

My eyes shot opened and I looked at him, feeling my heartbeat increasing as it hit me suddenly.

"This is her... "he chuckled and handed me the picture frame he hugged just now as my trembling hands slowly took it from him.

Three words I can say now...I found me.

To be continued....

A/N:

Choi Bomin is actually a real person and probably some of you know and some of you don't ehe. He's from Golden Child (STAN GOLDEN CHILD AND TRY LISTEN TO I'M FALLING AND ALL OF THEIR MVS BECAUSE THEY ARE SO GOOD HUAA) and yes, he's that previous MC of Music Bank and he's also an actor from A-TEEN, Melting me softly and 18 again.

So if you still don't know who he is, I'll just show you how he looks like :))

He so cute bye-

-Preview for next chapter -

"well...since you're no longer a matchmaker but instead you're the official soulmate of your client..then it means that you're a normal girl. You live just like normal people and you won't stay on earth for a year like what I described in the first place but that's because you're still a matchmaker. But you still need to remember that if he dies then so do you. But if you die, I don't care because he won't though "

-

"Show me my string "

-

He slammed me to the nearest wall and leaned his body closer to me, trapping me also with his one hand that was placed on my left side of my head as he neared his face to my ear.

"I'm sorry, but-"