Chapter 1: ...never gone my way
"My bride has left me. My friend who was also my king... and my sister, left me as well. Now I am all alone... again."
He almost lost count of it, the years that passed by him. Even then, there's still people that remained. There're still random individuals who caught his attention and allowed him chances to become their guardian once a while.
And so he waits.
He watched how Mr Kim grew older and older each year. He'd watch Deokhwa become much more mature each year, seeing the boy get married and have children of his own. And then even Deokhwa grew old and his son got married and have their own child. The cycle continued on and on; of death and birth and growth... and he remembered all of it.
Time continued to pass by him and he watched as Deokhwa's grandson, Sungjae grew up into a cheeky teenager.
That was how long it had been. At times, there'd be bouts of depression that paid visit to him again whenever an inevitable death loomed near people dear to him. Sometimes it's just loneliness.
But still he waits.
As much as the old sadness started to assault him again, he plowed on. Because he promised that he'd wait.
Even if the passing time was oh so frustrating.
It was still bearable though. Since this time, he no longer had his sword being lodged through his heart as punishment.
xxx
He suddenly had an urge to take a walk through the residential areas. No reason. Just something he suddenly thought he wanted to do.
Yet, as he continued walking aimlessly... it felt as if there was an invisible force that guided his way.
He ended up walking towards a playground, as a group of kids rammed into him. He almost wanted to call them over to scold them, but something the kids cry out loudly caught him by surprise.
The kids were hurling a number of horrid names towards a sole boy on a nearby swing, who unfortunately ended up being the target. He could barely raise his voice before the kids started scattering away.
Shin decided to approach the other boy instead, as he seemed pretty shaken up.
"Don't you bother with those silly kids. You could always find someone else to be your friends and play with you. "
The kid suddenly glanced up as Shin repressed the urge to exclaim in surprise.
"Why should I? As if I needed any. I'm just fine by myself!"
Shin slowly willed himself to relax. While it was good that the kid wasn't affected by the verbal abuse by his peers earlier, there was something else that struck him hard about the boy.
The very fact that the boy resembled someone he once knew. Shin knelt beside the boy.
"That's some strong words you said there. But wouldn't you be lonely without any friends?"
The kid scoffed. "What's the point of having friends if they're such asses?"
Shin blinked at the usage of the word before nodding. "You got a point there."
That made the kid snorted with laughter. The kid gasped. "Oh! I shouldn't laugh at that."
Shin's eyes immediately widened. What're the odds?
"K-kid, mind me asking? What's your name?"
The boy just gave him an odd look before replying.
"Hyuk. My name is Lee Hyuk."
At those words Kim Shin let out a loud gasp as long forgotten emotions came crashing back unto him.