Chapter Text
Merchant, what is your Treasure?
1 year old
The doctor walked into the office. A couple was sitting in front of his desk, holding a baby that was barely a year old. The baby was plump and healthy, and slept peacefully in his mother’s arms. The doctor’s eyes lingered on him for a second before placing some brain scans on the desk and sitting down. He adjusted his glasses before resting his hands on top of the desk, trying to decide how to give them the news. He didn’t want any problems.
“So? Is it safe to work on his brain now?” The father asked, impatient.
“I’m afraid not.” The doctor sighed. “His brain was, unfortunately, damaged during its formation. He will never be able to install any sort of programs.” The doctor explained, pointing to the scans. “I’m afraid there’s nothing we can do about it.”
“Can’t you do something to fix him?” The woman asked, holding the baby closer to her chest.
“Something could be done to him when he grows up,” the doctor nodded, “but it would still be very risky.”
“How is he supposed to live like this?” The father scoffed. “He is not just from any family, there must be something that can be done.”
“Unfortunately, there isn’t.” The doctor was firm. “You’ll have to get him all his vaccines in the traditional method. It’s still too early to identify what sorts of problems he’ll have in the future, but the fact is that he cannot get any program installed.” His decision was final, he couldn’t put the life of the baby in risk, even if the parents insisted.
“Then how will he live?” The mother asked, looking almost like she was about to cry.
“He’s not the only kid with this sort of problem.” He assured them. “You can find plenty of resources. And I’m sure that if he’s backed up by such loving parents, he’ll grow up just fine.”
The father sighed and sat back. He turned to his wife and stretched a hand to brush off a tuft of hair from his sleeping son’s face. He was so peacefully asleep, ignorant to the truth.They would have to work so hard to make sure he could live an appropriate life. The doctor smiled, readjusting his glasses.
“Have some faith in him.”
9 years old
Seonghwa had grown quite quickly. He was a bit tall for his age and his arms looked a little too long, but his mother always assured him he would grow into them. He believed her, like he had always done, because his mother was the only one to show him kindness. His father was cold and hard to approach. It felt like he had disappointed him for being born wrong. His older brother, however, was the worst of all.
Min was insufferable, rude and heartless to him. He had grown convinced that his older brother hated him, although he didn’t know why . Seonghwa always did his best to stay out of Min’s way, he knew he couldn’t be helpful, so he at least tried to not be an inconvenience. Min never seemed to appreciate it, though, and instead liked to make his life a living hell. It felt so unfair, and still he couldn’t find it in him to hate his older brother.
“Here you are, loser.” The door to the closet he was hiding in opened at the same time Min spoke those words. A hand reached in and pulled him out by the hair.
“Why are you pulling my hair!” He yelled, pulling himself away from his brother’s grasp.
“You little shit…” Min mumbled. “Dad is looking for you.” Min looked down on him. “ I don’t know why he would need someone as useless as you, though. ”
He didn’t know the language Min had spoken in. Unlike other people, he didn’t have a universal translator installed into his brain, so he couldn’t understand those words. Seonghwa didn’t need to know what Min had said to find it painful, though. It was enough to just see the smile on Min’s face and pay attention to his tone. That was all he needed to feel hurt.
He had thrown himself on top of Min before he could realize it, and was hitting him with all the strength he could muster. Min was bigger and stronger than him, but the attack was unexpected and enough to give him the advantage. He heard his brother yell beneath him and try to cover his face, but what really stopped him was the voice of his father coming from the door.
“What do you think you’re doing?!” His father yelled. He had never heard him yell louder. He froze in place and Min used the opportunity to push him off and run towards their dad.
“Dad…” His voice came out like a whisper, and he felt the urge to cry. He had attacked Min.
“Go to your room right now!” His father yelled again, while Min hid behind him.
“But dad, he called me something bad!” He tried to defend himself.
“What did he call you?” His father asked, crossing his arms over his chest. Of course he didn’t have an answer to that. “Go to your room right now.” His father repeated when he failed to reply, and as he left the room, he could see Min smiling at him.
15 years old
Seonghwa was sitting on the window seat, looking out onto the gardens. He could hear the latest language lesson he had taken through his earphones, and although he was repeating everything to himself, he wasn’t actually paying attention to it. His eyes were fixed on a couple of birds chasing each other around the trees. He wished he could be one of them. Instead, he remembered the money he was saving for himself and took a deep breath. He just needed to keep saving, and soon he would be free to look for a place where he could belong.
My treasure is belonging.