Gu Junpyo and Geum Jandi: Gu Seong Min (age7), Gu Seong Hee ( age5)
Yoon Jihoo and Oh Hani: Yoon Eun Hee ( age7), Yoon Jun soo ( age 1)
So Yi Jeong and Chu Ga Eul: So Dae Jeong ( age7), So Ha Neul ( age 3)
Song Woo Bin and Ha Jaegyeong: Song Hae Ryung ( age 6 )
Chapter nine: The Game.
( not in Song Hae Ryung's perspective)
"In a galaxy... far ...away from ours... there's this world called Kouran_"
"_Far? How far?"
"Faaar..." Hae Ryung glared, " That's what it said."
The answer made Woo Bin choke in his wine.
Unfortunate for him, he was having a sip from it while the others were patiently listening to the introduction his daughter was giving on her latest video game.
Jaegyeong- his wife simply slapped his back hard, while joining in laughter with the others. Well, the others- all except Gu Junpyo, whose interruption had caused it in the first place.
"... so... what about that world Kouran?" her mother encouraged her to continue, still slapping her almost recovered husband.
"In Kouran... there are seven races .."
Woo Bin, caught his wife's wrist indicating her to stop, though he slightly coughed twice, later.
"Seven races?" Yi Jeong lifted an eyebrow, as if to show that they were interested in her story, in which they actually weren't.
"Ye." Hae Ryung smiled. "dreamers of stars -the Elves, big hearted but maybe ambitious Giants, strong and hardworking Dwarves, joyous possessors of nature-the Nymphs, creative and intelligent Atlanti and the free spirited Aves."
"That's only six." Junpyo blankly uttered. He received a glare from Jandi who had, had it enough of her all grown husband debating with a seven year old, not allowing the child to continue her story.
Hae Ryung re-counted the races, folding her fingers one by one while whispering the names.
"Oh! And yeah, the Humans!" she exclaimed.
" Brave humans.." and received a glare from Gu Seong Min.
"More accurately, mortal but brave humans..." and she said in a sing song way before smiling at her audience back again returning to the story.
"Standing eighth to these seven races there's the wizarding clan, where all the gifted with magic was. They do not serve for any race but oaths under the Aikāsā to help any needed..."
"The Aikasa?" it was Ga Eul who barely managed to pronounce the word.
"Ani... it's A-yi-kh-ā -sā.. and it is the council which governed the world of Kouran..." it was Eun Hee, the always accurate who corrected her.
"A council governing a world?" Junpyo scoffed. "AISH!!... what was that for? " Jandi who stamped on his foot, ignored his glare and smiled at the girl.
"Which governED"
Hae Ryung emphasized, "as a hundred thousand years ago, the council was lost by an unseen dark force, and left the world of Kouran under a half lit day and a moonless night..."
"A half lit day and a moonless night?" it was almost a whisper escaped from Hani's lips.
" ye.." the four seven year olds nodded in unison.
"and it is called the 'Eternal Eclipse'..."
And there was the chance for all the adults to gasp – at least for the ladies. As for Junpyo, he was looking away annoyed to be ignored from his son, daughter and his wife. As for Woo Bin who yawned, for it was the hundredth time that he was listening to that story, while Yi Jeong chuckled at his expression and as always, Jihoo remained silent.
" it is an indication to show that the game allows its players to choose either of their sides, the dark or the light..." Dae Jeong awaked his voice at last.
"The mission is to re-establish the council and bring peace to the world of Kouran. You can either choose to do it in a dark path, manipulating and harming the fellow players or choose the light path, in which you should assemble them with harmony.. in either way it could only be one winner that it is said, so the light path is not much chosen..."
"And what if you would win?" it was the ultimate question of the annoyed great Gu Junpyo.
"We win seventy million dollars!"
"I'll give you seventy million dollars now.."
" Yoh, Junpyo..." Woo Bin stopped the man from reaching his pocket to grab his cheque book. " They have got master plans than that.."
"So what are the four of you going to do when you get the seventy million dollars ?" Yi Jeong asked amused.
"So we could buy the school and stay the way we want! " Hae Ryung answered with a grin.
The whole crowd at the table broke into laughter causing a lot of eyes to turn at them. The F4 and their families were actually presented at Shinhwa's seventy fifth anniversary occasion. As the ex-chairman Kang and her husband has not yet arrived, the function was yet to be commenced.
Everyone laughed. Yet again except for Gu Junpyo who blinked his eyes in disbelief.
"M-Mwo?"
"Seong Min told that the fifty percent of Shinhwa school shares are worth about sixty million dollars..." Eun Hee explained.
"Any way.. back to the story.." Hae Ryung was not going to give up.
"Ah.. Junpyo... isn't the witch really going to come today?" Woo Bin leaned into his ear to whisper.
Yi Jeong took a sip from his wine, "isn't this the first time that we are sincerely waiting for her to come?"
"Sunbae.." Ga Eul was going to glare at him but was stopped with a flinch.
"Mwo? Gwen-chana?" Yi Jeong asked, alarmed.
"Ani.." she smiled. "its just a kick.. " she was nearing her thirtieth week in pregnancy and as the due date came nearer and nearer the potter, as always, became more nervous and cautious for his wife's slightest of gasp.
Hae Ryung was nodding in answering for something that was asked by Hani, When the crowd suddenly stood up from their seats seeing the arrival of Gu Bong Hyeong and Kang Hee Soo – the former chairmen of Shinhwa who had done many great things to lift its assets despite some reckless and unnecessary cruelty though.
Junpyo, Jandi and their children went forward to greet them, while Yi Jeong aided his heavily pregnant wife to stand up when they came near the table to greet the rest of the F4 and went to the special table reserved for them near the stage, along with Gu Junpyo and his family. Yi Jeong then again aided his wife to seat back on the chair before calming down the three year old Ha Neul who was sniffing, in attempt to cry.
"Appa.. can I buy an Avatar for the game? It's only one hundred dollars..."
"Ah.. arasso... now first sit down..."
It was a habit of Song Hae Ryung to ask permission for the things that she's sure that won't be granted, if not for asked in the least expected moment and thus given only the choice to be agreed.
As for the rest of the event, it continued with the usual well wishes, speeches, chats, agreements and compliments. After the major events, Junpyo, Jandi, Seong Min and Seong Hee returned back to the F4 table and continued their usual chats and conversations, uninterrupted, if not for an occasional whimpering from So Ha Neul or Yoon Jun Soo.
But when promises were made, especially if it was for a certain Song Hae Ryung, they shall always be kept, as, if not, there would be some consequences those are indeed very hard to face.
"Ah.. arasso come here now!"
Woo Bin stretched out his hand at his grumpy little daughter who had gone through a hunger strike, for about two meals. He opened the laptop and pressed the button switching it on, and took her on to his lap, while waiting for its OS to be loaded. He was guided what to do and what not to do by the seven year old and it was only the payments he had to do on his own. As the game began, he left a kiss on her head and left, as he definitely did not want to hear that same story for one plus one hundred times.
The topic about 'the game 'was not brought to discussion until two weeks later. Well, at least , not among the adults, though the children had not only discussed it, but also managed to get an Avatar for themselves in the game, all except Dae Jeong, who had declared that he had got "better things to do than that. "
Dae Jeong indeed had better things to do.
Ever since his Jeungjobunim has given the idea about applying his name to the KICB the coming year, He was to participate in many exhibitions with his appa. Though for the most of times it was prior for the premier that they went to see them as the boy was not much good when handling the crowds. But the organizers were so fond of him, even from the first impressions, so that they let him see them before anyone else did. As for his own appa's exhibitions, he got a part for himself to complete. Just as it sounds, the KICB required a lot of work from the young potter, but he took them all with a smile as it as well increased the hours of him at his appa's side.
As for Yi Jeong, Ga Eul's pregnancy and his son's intense routine has called him a need for the rest room to be expanded in to a bedroom and another room for Ha Neul's nursery at his studio, as it was better that way so the whole family could stay together when the father and the son are engaged in pottery.
"Mwo? " you bought Eun Hee an Avatar too?" Junpyo and Woo Bin gasped at Jihoo, who was calmly leaning to take his shot.
The F4 had again attended in a game of pool.
"She asked me, so I bought her one..." he uttered as calmly as before, when he straightened up. "that game doesn't seems much harmful is it?"
"Ani.. it does not feel that harmful.. but wonder why people get so addicted with it..." Woo Bin went thoughtful.
"Is that something to wonder?" Junpyo scoffed. "They get seventy million dollars from that!" and he took his shot.
"Besides, haven't you heard that it has been ten years since it has begun? Tsk.. means it is really hard than it seems..."
"mwo? Does that mean that they won't win?" Junpyo snapped back.
"Sss... I don't think so.. ten years, millions of players, but none had really come even closer to winning..."
Yi Jeon chuckled, taking his turn, " At least that means Shinhwa's shares are safe in Junpyo's hand.."
They broke in to laughter, reminiscing the revelations of the plan of the F4 juniors.
"Although.. the real problem would come when they get defeated..." Woo Bin leaned in. " my princess's acceptance of defeat.. tsk .." he made a gesture of stabbing his heart, " is really really painful.."
Yi Jeon chuckled again and patted his shoulder. "Is she really the type to accept defeat?"
And was returned a smile from his friend.
"She would probably ask you to buy another Avatar.."
"In that case..." Jihoo leaned in. " it's better that they'd win.."
"Mwo?"
"Or else, we'll have worse financial crisis than losing the fifty percent of shares of Shinhwa.." Jihoo answered with a grin.
While a ball was tossed at the grining doctor from the CEO of the said Shinhwa group, not much further from them was their children, engaged in one of their own conversations. Yet was not in much of a 'happy' mood as their appas.
"Stupid dwarf!" Hae Ryung was seated on a recliner, facing the couch, wagging her legs and gazing at the floor." Who in the world really want to be a Dwarf!" She let out a loud sigh.
"What were the other options that were given to you?" Seong Min asked.
"Dwarf, giant or a human...pff.. it was choosing the best out of the worst..." she let out another loud sigh. " I thought I would at least get to have an Elf!"
" Won't make any difference though..." Eun Hee sighed. " Elves don't get to have any weapons.. so.. you may surely won't like that.."
"Mwo?"
"Ye.. and do you think farming and gardening is interesting ?" and let out a sigh herself.
" Eun Hee, what were your choices?"
"Elf, nymph or an atlanti."
"You should have Chosen Atlanti.."
"Ye.. but elves looked prettier than them..." All three of them let out a sigh.
"Ye.. and they look more like robots ..." Seong Min agreed.
"Mwo? Did you get Atlanti too?"
"Ye it was Atlati, human or giant.."
"So what did you choose?" Dae Jeong awaked his voice at last.
"None of your business!" and was yelled back at his face.
"What else than human! Of course, they are not kidding when they say he's brainless!" Hae Ryung snapped back at him and received a glare in return.
The four went silent for a moment, staring at the floor with broken hopes. At least the three of the gamers, with broken hopes, for Dae Jeong it was mostly because of weariness.
"Omo! Did anyone solved any of the riddles ?" Hae Ryung tossed up her head with a grin after a respectable silence.
"Riddles?" Dae Jeong lifted an eyebrow. He was seated on the sofa cross legged, where Eun Hee sat ordinarily at a side of it near Seong Min who was sprawling on the arm chair.
"Ye. After the ten given questions to classify our personalities into the races, they give five riddles, one after the other. The more you would solve them the more magical powers you'll have.." Hae Ryung explained.
"Tsk forget!" Seong Min rolled his eyes. "no one could solve those..." he sighed returning back to floor gazing.
"Eun Hee, what about you?"
"The questions were traumatizing enough.. "
"What was your riddle?" Dae Jeong asked as calmly as before.
Eun Hee went thoughtful...
"Umm.. something like...
The greatest of conquerors, -Of all times and spaces.
The happiest and joyous,-For love and laughter.
The saddest of weepers- for lost and tears.
The admirers and lovers- for the new and changes... "
She recited.
The four of them went silent again. Lost in thoughts for minutes then.
"Thoughts.." Dae Jeong uttered at last.
"Mwo?" The other three let out a gasp.
" The greatest of conquerors of all times and spaces – of course thinking is what consumes most of our time, and it is from thoughts that we visits most of places and see most of the things.."
"You mean imagination?"
"Ye." He gave a nod. " The happiest and joyous for love and laughter, the saddest of weepers for lost and tears.. after all, all the emotions first begins as a thought, so they are the happiest for love and the most sad for the tears. And lastly, The admirers and lovers for the new and changes...that is the hitch in it. Well, that and the first line, which makes it so obvious, that the answer is The thoughts..."
"Daebuck! Dae Jeongya..." Hae Ryung gave a clap while Eun Hee went thoughtful for a moment before nodding , agreeing and smiling at them.
"Oi.. Seong Min, what was your riddle?"
"Tsk.. forget it." He looked away, unable to bear the compliments that did not belong to him.
"Please.. tell us?" Eun Hee gave him a smile and shook him a little.
"Ah.. it's just something with the colours and all.."
"Mwo? Come on... tell us... you do remember it.. don't you?" Hae Ryung begged as well.
Seong Min had not got that much pleading, not ever since he was born.
Maybe.
" tsk.. Something like.." So he began, unable to resist the insistence .
First black.. then pink and blue..
Yellow and orange, with independent hues.
Pink red and then again black...
"Isn'that an easy one?" Dae Jeong asked with a smile.
"For YOU maybe, As for dealing with all those stupid pots and glazes!"
"Well, that's nothing about the pots.." Dae Jeong chuckled.
"What is it then?"
"Its a day."
"A day?" Seong Min scoffed.
"Hm.. the colours which a sky may take during a whole day.."
"Oh! .. mine too mine too..
Can't touch-can feel
Can't see but dreams
All love it seems.
Till lost it deems.." Hae Ryung recited in a single breath.
"Maybe the next day sweetie.."
They turned at their fathers who had finished their game and were staring at them fascinated.
"But appa..."
"Omma has come home and their ommas are surely waiting for them too..." Woo Bin chuckled. " Palli... " and lifted her up.
"So Dae Jeong, you'd better participate in the game ..." Hae Ryung exclaimed.
"Maybe.. next time.. we can consider about that..." Yi Jeong chuckled stretching out his arm, indicating Dae Jeong to come.
"Pff.. it's only him that it was missing..." Seong Min hopped off from his chair and went out of the lounge, ignoring every adult and his peers in there.
"Oi where are you going? I am still here..." and Junpyo screamed out, following him.
With another chuckle exchanged between the adults and a seemingly different farewell among the youngsters, the party was dismissed, and they were headed back home.
"Has it been a long day?" Ga Eul chuckled, after receiving a kiss from her husband.
"Umm.. a bit maybe..." he smiled back. "How was it for you? Did they behave well today?" and placed a hand on her bulging belly.
Ga Eul chuckled again in response. " They have been active today.. and not only these two.. but also him... " and gestured at Ha Neul who had fallen asleep on the sofa, cuddling a pile of toys. Yi Jeong and Ga Eul shared a grin watching him.
"Omma, appa, I am going to have a wash..." Dae Jeong passed through them heading to his room.
"Arasso.. once you've done, come down stairs. Dinner is ready.. " Ga Eul told back.
"Arasso..." and the voice ran upstairs to his room while Ga Eul and Yi Jeong stared at him, swirling up, on the spiralled stairs.
"Ayee... does he have to grow up that fast?" Ga Eul pulled a face looking at the boy who was running up the stairs. And the couple exchanged another chuckle as Yi Jeong went to Ha Neul to lift him up into a warm hug.
It was a rare day at their own residence. Not at the studio, but the little manor they called home ever since their marriage. Ga Eul was happy to come back there after two weeks spending day and night at the studio. It wasn't that she disliked the studio, she loved it there. There have been so much good memories she had shared with Yi Jeong between those walls. But when it came to their children, especially Ha Neul, it was better at home than at studio as there were fewer breakable things that his little hands could reach.
Moreover, Ga Eul was worried about Dae Jeong. She was worried if the little boy could stand the tough routine the biennale required and was afraid that it might tire him or fed him up that he would grow to dislike pottery. But she was happy to see Yi Jeong and Dae Jeong together. Their giggling filling the studio while they moulded the vases together. It was one of the loveliest sights for eyes to see: the father training the son and advising him with all of his experiences. Despite all the hard work, that was the only reason for Ga Eul to give permission to sign Dae Jeong's name to the contest.
Yet as a mother she was still worried.
And that was what made her pat on Yi Jeong's head when he was placing an ear on her bare tummy, listening to the twins, and suggest whether Dae Jeong would like to sleep together with them that night.
Of course the offer was accepted. As if it has ever been neglected. But the conditions were the same, that he brings his dongseong along with him. As the two boys and their father climbed up to the bed, Yi Jeong shared a helpless smile with his wife.
"We'd probably need to buy a bigger bed, once those two are born..." he cuddled up to his sons while reaching an arm to his chuckling wife.
And the So family slept well and sound that night despite a little tightness of space on the bed. Ga Eul was enjoying snuggling into her three beloved boys while Yi Jeong was dreaming of a larger bed every once Ha Neul kicked his face. And Ha Neul- the toddler, was much enjoying the warmth of his hyung and his appa.
But for Dae Jeong sleep never came that easy. He was thinking and thinking, not the riddle of course, he had solved that even before stepping out from the lounge. But it was the phrase that Hae Ryung said that was from the game.
The choice is yours, as always it has been...
It felt familiar.
And Dae Jeong was trying to remember where he had heard it before.
And just the moment his mind fell asleep, he was awake back at the beach in New Caledonia, almost four years ago..
If you would need any help for that... remember... we would always be there...
And his eye lids snapped open where in the dark he recalled that gradient grin of a brown skinned boy.
So Dae Jeong... remember... the... choice.. is yours... as always it has been...