Hobbyist VTuber

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Park Do-jun, who lives for eternity, saw Han Yu-hwa as a fleeting amusement.

It was surely like that at first.

-Screech.

“Well then, this is the eldest daughter of the Han family, Han Yu-hwa, whom you were so desperately searching for. Are you feeling a bit relieved now?”

“Oh dear, it seems there was some misunderstanding…”

“What I wanted to see was your brother, not you.”

“…Yes?”

It was the first encounter born from misunderstanding and coincidence.

Eventually, as she realized her mistake, Han Yu-hwa’s cheeks and ears turned red, and that sight was quite amusing.

After that day, the frequency of my visits to Han Yu-hwa’s house reduced from once a month to once every two weeks.

Then from every two weeks to once a week.

Ultimately, I ended up visiting Han Yu-hwa almost daily.

Well, it was enjoyable to see how she would jump in surprise and lower her gaze every time our eyes met.

Even if she maintained that gentle smile like usual, her flustered demeanor reminded me of a chestnut just about to burst open.

Then, one day by chance.

When sudden rain began to fall, I stayed a bit longer by Han Yu-hwa’s side than usual.

“So, you’ve never set foot outside the gate?”

“Yes. Is there a problem?”

We were having a deeper conversation than usual.

Somehow, I discovered that Han Yu-hwa had lived a life like an orchid in a bedroom pot until now.

No matter how grand a tiled house it might be, it was still cramped compared to the outside world.

And so, the very next day.

“Pardon, my lord. Could you please walk just a bit slower? It’s hard for me to keep up with your quick pace.”

“Oh dear, I thought I was walking slowly enough. Was that not the case?”

I brought Han Yu-hwa to the marketplace with an almost reckless attitude, giving her what people call a “worldly experience.”

This was, after all, a chance to see Han Yu-hwa, who usually tried so hard to act noble, marvel at the outside world and find wonder in the little things.

However, at that moment in the corner of the market, a vendor with a long beard offered Han Yu-hwa a lovely flower hairpin.

When the flower bloomed on her beautiful hair and she turned to look at me.

“Why… are you silent? If it suits me, tell me it looks good; if not, you should say that too.”

What was a flower?
What was Han Yu-hwa?

I suddenly couldn’t tell the difference.

It was, in a way, inevitable for Han Yu-hwa to tilt her head in confusion at Park Do-jun’s demeanor, which was quite different from his usual lighthearted charm.

Of course, I never vocalized it.

Nor did I acknowledge it myself.

But after that moment, it was undeniable that Park Do-jun began to hold affection for Han Yu-hwa.

Even the light banter that usually marked our exchanges started to feel imbued with a budding fondness.

Just like precious porcelain precariously perched on a table, I cherished this connection more than any relationship I had formed so far.

While love… wasn’t entirely absent, it was closer to a desire for Han Yu-hwa to be happy as a person rather than romantic feelings between a man and a woman.

…And that’s why.

It was only natural that I reached out to Han Yu-hwa, who lamented her fate of having to marry a man old enough to be her father.

“I will tell her as many times as it takes. Why foolish flowers keep blooming.”

Of course, it was no impulsive decision.

I intended to let her live her remaining days as my friend’s adopted daughter, not too far from the capital.

Compared to life in the grand tiled house, it would certainly be a harder life, but it would be one filled with the freedom to see, feel, and hold onto memories as much as Han Yu-hwa desired.

Han Yu-hwa didn’t regret taking my hand.

On that day when she secretly left her home, a knot formed in her heart, but there were no other choices left.

Thus, in an instant, her connection to the powerful Kim Pan-seo evaporated.

Han Yu-hwa’s parents raged, cutting her existence as if she had never been.

Afterward, Han Yu-hwa, who had lived her life as an aristocratic lady, worked in the fields for the first time and even went on outings with Park Do-jun to scenic spots.

One day, while she was enjoying what had turned into a somewhat happy life.

“Th-the capital’s soldiers are all over the place. They’re coming to capture none other than you!”

It was purely coincidental that an old woman witnesses Park Do-jun’s strange powers and reported him and Han Yu-hwa to the authorities.

As a result, Park Do-jun and Han Yu-hwa found themselves on the run, eventually being completely cornered by a riverside in some remote area.

-The footprints stopped around here. They must be hiding somewhere in that reed field; we must capture those vile creatures and root them out from this land─!!

One of the two had to be sacrificed; it was a painful situation.

However, perhaps due to pushing himself too hard while fleeing or being under the full moon which was as deadly to Park Do-jun as poison.

“No matter what happens, no matter what sounds you hear, absolutely do not look back and keep going.”

As Han Yu-hwa slowly turned away from Park Do-jun, he was already too weak to even hold her fingertips.

So she took a step.

Then another step.

Finally, reaching the edge of the reed field.

Han Yu-hwa slowly turned her body toward Park Do-jun.

“…With my sinful body, I dare to ask of you.”

I deeply acknowledge that the kindness you have shown me is not something I can take for granted.

Han Yu-hwa, who should have ended her life as a mere plaything to a man whose face she had never seen, felt guilt for having pushed Park Do-jun into such a difficult situation for a fleeting farewell of less than three years.

“Please.”

In the very last moment, there was only one thing Han Yu-hwa could do.

At the same time, it was the only thing she could offer.

Clenching her trembling lips, yet tears that had gradually begun to flow down her cheeks could not be held back.

“May you rest in peace.”

She took another step away from Park Do-jun, fully revealing herself outside the reed field.

With her eyes set only on the soldiers beyond, she was filled with determination.

-Haah….

A breath escaped.

The breath that carried all her trembling, fear, and lamentation.

Simultaneously, the quiet breath that would soon be completely cut off was released in that brief moment.

-They said it clearly uses foul sorcery. Do not approach, shoot to kill!!

Thus, numerous arrows were finally drawn against Han Yu-hwa.

In less than a second after that, sharp arrowheads sliced through the air and came flying toward her.

-Thud.

With every effort to take her last step further away from Park Do-jun.

At that moment, numerous arrows came flying, mercilessly piercing her small body.

They did not spare her slender shoulders, dirt-covered chest, or arms filled with minor scratches.

-Thud.

-Thud. Thud. Thud….

She buried those hard, sharp iron heads deeper into her flesh, all for the sake of strangling that vile creature’s breath.

-Thud.

Her tiny knees buckled weakly to the ground.

Gradually, droplets of crimson liquid seeped out, staining her white attire.

Yet, sluggishly.

Holding onto the vanishing consciousness as best she could, she struggled to lift her head.

Facing the clear, vast night sky without a single cloud.

Facing the place where her only haven came from and where she would ultimately return.

“Please… may you rest in peace…”

In a voice so small that no one could hear, Han Yu-hwa softly whispered her last wish.

Then, gradually descending toward the ground, as she completely released the last remnants of life left within her body.

Now, there was no warmth remaining from the small figure that completely collapsed on the boundary between the reed field and the roadside.

Finally, left behind by Han Yu-hwa, who had taken her last breath, was but a single tear flowing down from her unclosed right eye.

“…Cut.”

Not a single exclamation rang out.

Only the stiff and unwavering “okay” signal from director Song Tae-gwon.

Despite that, no one pointed fingers at her in criticism, for they all knew it wasn’t a reflection of Ha-eun’s acting being underestimated.

It was almost natural.

All the staff, including Song Tae-gwon.

No, even those extras who had been hostile toward Ha-eun just moments before were now enveloped by her performance.

What had been spoken years ago by Kang Seon-woo about focusing more on situations than characters blended with Ha-eun’s original style of acting.

At the same time, what Yuseong-a had referred to as something only Ha-eun possessed.

Atmosphere, aura, charisma; it could be called many names.

Nevertheless, that which could not be precisely described by any name, now.

‘…They say actors speak through their performances.’

Imposing her emotions and thoughts onto others, allowing no room for even a stray thought to creep in.

No one at the filming site could feel anything other than what Ha-eun intended.

It was like a deep, murky swamp where once caught, one could never escape.

Sufficient to understand its terror simply by confronting it, without any dazzling exclamations.