Thump... Thump... Thump...?
Why does my heart race so wildly? Could this truly be...?
And why do I yearn to see you once more...?
Why do my eyes keep searching for you...?
Even though deep inside your heart, I might not even exist...
Is this what they call unrequited love?
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the bustling market street heavy, eager, and relentless, as if carrying the weight of a thousand worries that demanded release at the journey's end. Beside them, lighter, softer steps tried to keep pace, yet were swallowed by the throng and the noise.
Push...!!
"Hey! Watch it!"
The young man grumbled, struggling with the heavy basket of vegetables he bore.
"Are you alright?"
The girl walking alongside him turned, concern etching her gentle features as she placed a hand softly over her chest.
"I'm so annoyed. Why do I have to carry this huge basket and walk with you? Seriously?"
He complained with a teasing edge, as if life itself conspired to make things difficult. Yet the girl's lips curved into a quiet smile, barely suppressing her laughter.
"Ha... ha... ha! Haha!"
"Why are you laughing? I'm serious!"
He frowned, his irritation momentarily forgotten as the crowd swirled around them.
The girl's smile was like a ray of sunshine, bright and captivating, with lips that seemed to beckon a secret kiss. Her delicate face framed by soft hair, her eyes gentle and sweet, she enchanted all who glimpsed her.
The young man shook his head, trying to regain his stern composure.
"Wh-what are you smiling at?"
"It's you, Kurum. You're the one teasing me. Here, take the basket!"
With a playful gleam, she deftly snatched the basket from his arms and strode ahead, leaving Kurum momentarily stunned and unsure whether to follow or protest.
She paused, glancing back at Kurum, who remained rooted in place.
"I'll carry it for you, so stop teasing me! Hey, aren't you coming?!"
She called out with a laugh, but Kurum stayed frozen.
"C'mon, let's go! Wait up!"
He hurried to catch her, their steps falling into a rhythm, side by side like two halves of a whole. Childhood friends bound by years of shared memories, their closeness felt natural to all who saw them.
Amid the lively market, Kurum's mind drifted back to days past, the small coins saved in secret, the hope to buy her a ring that spoke of feelings unspoken. Yet those hopes had not blossomed. His heart ached quietly, hidden beneath the ease of their friendship.
"Hey... Soran."
Kurum's voice was soft but edged with something deeper. Soran turned to him, curious.
"What is it?"
"Look! Kurum, isn't that jade bracelet beautiful?"
Before he could answer, Soran's eyes were already fixed on the delicate jewelry. She handed the basket back to Kurum without a word, who stood silently, the sting of unrequited affection burning quietly inside.
Soran reached for the bracelet just as a hand appeared to grasp it from the other side.
"Eh!"
Startled, she looked up at a young man dressed in fine silk, a hat shading his face but not his piercing eyes. Though tall and imposing, his gaze softened as he regarded her.
He carefully held the bracelet, preventing it from falling, then gently offered it back.
"Here, take it."
His voice was calm and deep, as if urging her to accept the unexpected gift.
"I didn't mean to buy it... I don't even have enough money for food. Please, you keep it,"
Soran said quietly, bowing her head in humility.
"Keep it? Hmph! I nearly caught it myself. It's yours,"
The man insisted, pressing the bracelet into her hand. Flushing with shyness, Soran tried to push it back.
"Take it. I can't afford it, even if I wanted to. I won't trouble you, nor ask for your pity."
With a final bow, she turned and fled, leaving the man watching silently as she disappeared into the crowd.
Soran's feet pounded the crowded street, heart pounding with embarrassment and shame. She wished she could claim she had the money to buy the bracelet herself, but poverty was an unyielding chain.
She caught up to Kurum, who was still waiting with the basket.
"How did it go?"
Kurum asked, his voice soft.
"I don't think I can buy it. Just seeing it is enough..."
She smiled faintly, sighing as she led the way to deliver the vegetables to Kurum's aunt's shop. Kurum followed, silent and thoughtful.
CRASH!!!
The sound shattered the fragile calm of their world. Doors were thrown open, furniture smashed, and even the little savings that kept them afloat were seized.
Soran clung to her mother and younger siblings, trembling.
"Grab her! Bring her to the master for some... 'fun'!"
Rough hands tore her away, ripping at her clothes.
"Please... don't take my daughter! Please!"
Her mother begged, tears streaming like rivers.
"Soran... sob sob..."
Her little brother cried, watching helplessly.
"Mom, please take care of him..."
Soran tried to hold her mother's hand, but was pulled away violently. Debt had swallowed their lives, dragging them into despair. Their home was rented from a cruel noble who showed no mercy. Unable to pay, the thugs came for Soran as a dreadful "payment."
As Kurum hurried by, he overheard whispers in the village.
"Did you hear? The noble's men took the girl from the house at the edge of the village..."
"The one who always walks with the vegetable seller..."
"Poor thing..."
Fear and sorrow gripped Kurum's heart. Dropping the basket at the shop, he ran toward Soran's home, his breath ragged, legs burning with exertion.
(Wait for me, Soran... I'm coming.)
He arrived to find the house empty and silent.
"Hah..."
But soon, Soran's mother appeared, sobbing bitterly.
"Auntie..."
At the sound of Kurum's voice, she broke down further.
"Soran... she was taken..."
Kurum gripped her shoulder, eyes wide with dread.
"What happened? Auntie..."
His voice trembled with fear, fearing the worst.
"She was taken... away..."