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After helping Bongsu — Yoonbo — to cross over, the shamans performed a rite to further console the souls he devoured to peace. Most of them did that day, while some stayed and continued to wander. With her shamanic powers back, Seongah quietly promised to help them cross over soon.
Gyeonwoo stood there as he marveled at the shamans do their job. Seongah, Flower Master, Auntie, and even General Dongcheon, he sees her transparent body — were by his side. These people, especially Seongah, helped him realize that not all shamans are bad.
Your body remembers someone you hate.
He recalled what Yeomhwa told him before she walked away, a butterfly hanging by her back. It's not like he didn't feel angry anymore at her — after all, it was 10 years of his life spent on being her pawn — but because of the others who have worked hard to protect him in the last three years and who did not let him perish today, he felt like one day he could stop being angry. That one day, he could forgive Yeomhwa for all her transgressions to him and his precious grandmother. That maybe he'd get to know why she did such horrible things, why she turned around, and finally forgive her.
But today, he's inevitably still in shock for all that's happened. He's grateful, confused, in pain, and mesmerized all at once. Just like when his third eye first opened, he's seeing Seongah's wings. This time, her clothes — her energy — isn't stained with a black pool. Rather, she was glowing twice, maybe thrice as much as she did back then. She's pretty. And she's powerful too as a shaman. He has his cheot sarang back.
"Hey, Handsome Archer!" the Flower Master, Mansik, pulled him out of his reverie. "I've called you three times now, why aren't you responding?" he said in his usual effeminate tone.
"Kaja, Gyeonwoo haksaeng. We have to cleanse you too," Auntie said and gestured over as the Flower Master pulled Gyeonwoo to the white cloths.
Gyeonwoo caught General Dongcheon's eyes. She gestured to the space between her eyebrows. It was a silent question, ‘Do you want to close your third eye? To free yourself from having to see and hear ghosts?’ That was what Gyeonwoo wanted back then when he called for Great Aunt.
He looked around once again. To the black, shadowy figures meters away from them. To Auntie and Flower Master's eyes who showed genuine concern, and finally to Seongah who was looking at him with so much worry and affection. This world, he never wanted it. He hated himself so much for having an unfortunate fate, but meeting Seongah three years ago changed that.
There's no turning back for him. He's head over heels and all-in. If he can be just a bit of assistance to Seongah, to get to know of her world more just as she helped brighten his dark world before, he'll gladly do it. Gyeonwoo gently shook his head no. 'Anniyeo. I want to keep my third eye. I want to be by Seongah's side and help her perform her shaman duties for a long, long time.'
As the Flower Master, Auntie, and Seongah closed their eyes and started the cleansing ritual, entirely clueless of what has transpired between General Dongcheon and Gyeonwoo, the General — Seongah's Eomma — gave Gyeonwoo the faintest bit of smile before glaring at him. She raised two fingers, pointed it to her own eyes then to Gyeonwoo's.
‘I'll be watching you.’ She's indeed a tiger mom. Gyeonwoo felt a bit scared. Afterall, this ahjumma was the one who kicked him and punished his soles for touching more than her daughter's hand (although it can be argued that it was because of Seongah's dangerous sleeping habit). But over that tiny bit of fear, Gyeonwoo felt a pang of happiness.
That move from General Dongcheon instead of the knife in neck gesture, he'd like to think of it as her approval of him.
‘I'll take care of her, Ma'am. Please rest easy now.’
Seongah's mom nodded at him then started walking away. Gyeonwoo watched as she flittered and merged with the wind.
After the cleansing ritual, the faint smell of rot and rust was begone of Gyeonwoo's senses. He stared at the shamans wide-eyed, afraid his third eye was closed until he saw faint shadows farther away. The ghosts must have moved away when the shamans did the cleansing. He felt relieved. 'Indeed, General Dongcheon is powerful. Kamsahamnida, Ahjummeoni.'
"Now that we're done here, we'll pack up first and head home," Auntie said, breaking the silence. The other shamans started to gather, ready to go home after what felt like a year's worth of hard work.
"You two!" Flower Master shouted, startling the two of them. "Make sure to have a meal first before heading home. Sugo haesseoyo!" he tapped their shoulders and pushed them, encouraging them to also take their leave.
"Kamsahamnida, ahjussi. I'll never forget your kindness," Seongah bowed. "Thank you for everything, Sir," Gyeonwoo bowed as well.
"Omo omo. Now that she's back, it seems like your sanity is, too. It hasn't been that long when you barged in my shrine and pointed arr-," Flower Master held that thought upon seeing Gyeonwoo's eyes plead him not to tell today. Fine, he'll let them patch things up first. These two aegi has been through so much. He'll bring that up when things are less tense and when he wants to be entertained by their young - but ever so strong - love.
"Ne?" Seongah urged Flower Master to continue.
"Anida. I was saying he was really desperate to find you. Now that you guys have each other back, go fill yourselves first and catch up. It's been a long day, I'd say years for you," he said.
"Then, we'll take our leave now." The youngsters bowed and walked away, heading towards Gyeonwoo's car.
"Seongah-ya, the weather's lovely today, isn't it?" Gyeonwoo asked her, his tone soft.
"Uhm," Seongah nodded. "It's a lovely weather to get kalguksu... kkundae, don't you think that things are over, Bae Gyeonwoo. We have to talk a lot after. Aju mani," Seongah's voice was soft too, but her gaze was piercing. She inherited that from General Dongcheon, Gyeonwoo supposes.
"Arasseo. Even I agree with that, but for now, let's go get kalguksu, hmm?" Gyeonwoo countered as he stretched his hand towards Seongah, the latter wrapping her hand with it tightly.
Warm. Gyeonwoo's world is warm and colorful again, and he swore he won't let go again.