We Carry the Weight Together

"Jwesonghamnida... yeoreobun... (I'm sorry... Everyone...)"

Over 200 reported missing. As of now, 140 found dead... Drowned, lifeless, with broken fingers from struggling to live. Whole families at the shore, mourning, weeping, hopes and prayers broken by the truth.

South Korea, himself, felt more and more remorseful and stricken with grief. He saw it all, in brief visions, as he daydreamed, and as he slept. In his mind, he constantly wished he could have done something, but what could he have possibly done?

Being a country doesn't automatically imbue him with otherworldly powers. He couldn't teleport to the boat and warn everyone of the devastation that was to come. He couldn't smack some sense into the foolish captain, who must now live with the watered down blood of hundreds of people on his fingers. He couldn't tell the principal of those high school students, who were on board the ferry boat, that their casualties weren't his fault.

"Im Yong Soo... My name is Im Yong Soo and hopelessness originated from me, da-ze..."

"South Korea, a special visitor has come to see you. I believe it is someone you know." His boss announced to him, bringing in a face, that if circumstances were different, he'd never associate with again. The boss left them so they could speak privately.

"Dong-saeng (Brother), it has been quite a while since we last spoke." That voice, the one he buried deep in his mind...

'Smile. You have to fake a smile, da-ze! They originated from Korea. MY Korea.' Yong Soo told himself in his mind. He put on his best pseudo smile and replied. "Yeah, it has been... North Korea."

The mature, militant brother chuckled, for he saw through his facade. "Why do you feel the need to act, dong-saeng? I just wanted to speak in a colloquial manner with my brother. Is that so bad, Yong Soo?" North Korea said teasingly.

Face falling and anger festering, South Korea was more than offended. "Shi-kkeu-reo-wo (Shut up), Hyung Soo!" He yelled in annoyance. "Wae dangsin-i yeogie isseubnida?! (Why are you here?!) Huh? Wae?! (Why?!)"

Hyung Soo's demeanor became serious. "Brother... I know what happened. The ferry, the deaths, the-"

"Why do you care?" He interrupted bitterly. "Yes, Hyung Soo, I am your southern brother who, out of 200 missing people, 140 were found no longer living. Most of them were still so young... People groveled to Hananim (God) and prayed for his protection for their loved ones. My poor people..."

The normally humbler of the two was silent. He has never seen Im Yong Soo be this way before. The playful, ever boasting South Korea was depressed, frustrated. He couldn't say anything at that time. Whether it was from respect or shock, even he didn't know.

"That wretched captain... He originated from me, da-ze..." Yong Soo began, on the brink of tears. "Those people who passed away and their souls... They originated from me, da-ze..." One tear involuntarily fell. "And the principal who killed himself with feelings of false guilt... H-He originated from me, d-da-ze..." He couldn't hold it anymore. Sobbing, he dropped to his knees, not caring that the brother he despised saw him like this.

Hyung Soo, sympathetic and concerned, he knelt down and gently rubbed his back to comfort him. "Shh... Gwen chan nayo (It's OK), brother." North Korea consoled. "I never got to say why I truly came here, dong-saeng (brother)."

With tears still running from his eyes, he looked up at his older, calmer brother. "Why are you here anyway, Hyung?" He questioned, confused at his brother and vulnerable due to the situation.

"Those who died... They may have been South Koreans, but they're still Koreans. People we share..." He said as he pet Yong Soo's hair softly. "I assume you saw it..." He said, knowing the one next to him in (gradually lessening)tears knew what he meant.

The 'younger' brother shuddered at the memory of his vision. The heartwrenching sadness... The tilted, and eventually flooded ferry boat... The fact that most of the survivors were adults, in lieu of the teens whose strict beliefs in respect for their elders led to their demise... 'If only they were as disobedient as America's teens...Then maybe...'

South Korea was brought back to reality when his brother spoke. "It may mean nothing, Yong Soo, but..." Im Hyung Soo hugged him firmly, resting his head on his own shoulder. "You have my condolences. Our people... Koreans have taken a great loss. I share the pain you must be feeling."

"Nan geuleongeo molla (I don't know about that), North Korea..."

Still, the visit did help Im Yong Soo feel a bit better, and even if only by a slight amount, it settled his mind for the time being. Before the 'big' brother was to depart back to his half of the country, Yong Soo said "This won't be an everyday thing, but kamsahamnida (thank you), Hyung Soo."

Pleasantly surprised by those parting words, knowing their rough history with each other, his lips quirked into a small smile and simply said back "Cheonmaneyo, dong-saeng. (You're welcome, brother.)" They shared a brotherly embrace, conveying their 'thank you's and 'goodbye's. This was the first time in a long time that either brother felt a form of unity, despite it being caused by such an event.

Im Hyung Soo was ready to leave, feeling he accomplished what he desired to. South Korea, however, didn't want to end this temporary reunion so uncharacteristically. "Hey! Hyung! Gi-da-ri-da! (Wait!)" The 'older' one stopped and turned around, hearing the other's calls. "Don't forget! Another thing that existed in MY Korea is love, da-ze~!" Yong Soo exclaimed, grinning.

"Heh, and hate originated from my Korea." They smiled at each other. "My leader and I hate you." There wasn't true malice in those words. Yong Soo knew that.

"Aww~! Na do sarang hae (I love you too), da-ze~!

He wasn't completely better. Of course, he wasn't. Nightmares still disturbed his sleep, haunting him with the images of the ferry boat tragedy. Of course, he couldn't sleep for long anyway. His cellphone started going off... South Korea looked at the time, 3:30 A.M.

Who would call so late?

A.N. Ooh! What could that ending mean? Eh, I kinda spoiled it in the summary. Yes, America will become involved as well. We'll see how that goes.

I hope this story's OK. I literally just thought of it today, when I learned more about the status of the Korean ferry boat tragedy. Those poor students... May that captain be damned to hell... :( Anyway, you can look it up, or I might be nice enough to elaborate on that situation.

Also, I'm not a fluent Korean speaker, so forgive me if I messed up at all. The funny thing about Im Hyung Soo's name is that "hyung" also means "big brother (for guys)". So when I had Yong Soo simply refer to him as "Hyung", I meant it as both his name and to say big brother.

Oh, and "Mixing Cultures" will be continued soon, so be excited. :)

Hope you guys like this!