"Yohan! Yohan, right?" Sai was catching her breath after running towards me.
"Oh, Sai. Why are you in a hurry?"
"I saw you from afar! I wanted to ask where are you going?"
"To an art... exhibit."
"Which one?" she looked at the street. "There are so many here."
"Uh, that one." I pointed at Antonio's Art Exhibit which is the first building in this street.
"Mind if I join you?" her eyes sparkled and she looks like she genuinely wanted to accompany me.
I remembered how I planned things last night. I considered having Luke or Sai with me as I visit galleries. However, Luke is scared of Iseul and is a busy chef. Then Sai is looking after her father's place. So I was sure I'll be doing this alone... but looks like she can accompany me today.
"Sure, you can join me."
We walked towards the 1st building. She was skipping, and humming like a kid. While I looked stressed as fuck having this side mission of mine in my head.
"Antonio's my father's friend. But he died because of his old age and I heard he had a disease. His artworks are entrusted to the person living here," Sai stated as we entered the building.
It's smaller compared to Brent's. But there were large murals.
"Your father has so many connections perhaps?"
"You can say that again. He's friends with most of the painters here. I'm also interested with teas."
"Teas?"
"Yeah! Teas. Like gossips that are actually the truth. There are so many teas in this island, and one of which are the anima pertuda. But anyway, I don't wanna scare you again, you can enjoy roaming around peacefully." She left me and went to another section of murals.
"Sai," I called her out.
"Hmm?"
"I actually talked to Iseul last night."
Her eyes widened and covered her mouth to prevent herself from making loud noises.
"Boy, you sure are a curious one. That's so... brave and stupid of you," she exhaled and looked at the painting, trying to calm herself.
"I can tell you how the conversation went if you like."
I moved to another mural and observed the art. It has a lady as a subject, she's screaming for help while men are pulling her weak body. Her limbs are being pulled away and are tearing apart.
I suddenly recalled Iseul's... tragic past.
"Okay fine, spill the tea." Sai crossed her arms, patiently waiting for me to speak.
I told her everything about my small conversation with Iseul. She was convinced that it was her and believed me easily.
"Does that mean people can't summon everyone that they paint at night?"
"That's what I concluded. I think ghosts like her can also choose if they will show up or not."
"Damn, now I don't want to go back to my father's gallery. Let me help you in this mission of yours."
I laughed. "You're making it sound as if this was a battle or something."
"But this is a serious thing you know? A ghost accepting help from a person? I would gladly help you!"
I covered her mouth. "Just make sure to not let anyone know about this."
She nodded and I let go of her. I put aside my other intentions for visiting and roamed around the building.
"Anything?" I asked Sai quietly but she shook her head.
I also couldn't find anything so I decided to go to the next art gallery. It took us almost four hours to wander around this street but we got nothing.
"Let's eat lunch first," I told her.
"Agreed! Gosh, it's hard to look for something we don't even know."
"You're right. I also thought Iseul would be found in every building but there was no portraits of her there." I said.
"This is challenging! But we'll find one somehow." She's very optimistic about this.
We went inside a Korean restaurant that she recommended.
"Annyeonghaseyo!" We were greeted by some staff and sat on a table for two. They also handed the menu to us.
"What are you going to order?" I asked.
"Hmm, one bibimpab then bulgogi! It's good for two people, we can share if you like."
"Okay, then I'll just add kimbap and two bingsu?"
She made a thumbs up and smiled widely. "Their kimbap is good! Let's order already." We told our order and waited for it to be served.
"Do you have other chingu here?" Sai asked.
"Chingu?"
"I mean, friends? Do you have other friends here? Chingu means 'friend' in Korea." she explained.
Last night Iseul was talking in Italian. Now, Sai's speaking Korean. Should I learn about it too? Tch.
"I have a friend. His name is Luke, and he lives beside my apartment."
"Oh! The chef?"
I'm not even surprised she knows him.
"Yes, that Luke." I nodded my head.
"He's a nice guy! I saw him at dad's gallery few months ago."
"Are you friends with him too?"
"Not really, but I know a lot since people go to our place. I tend to remember their names since I'm always looking after the gallery."
The waiter placed our order on the table. I grabbed a small bowl and chopsticks and put some food in it. Their kimbap's actually tasty, as well as the bulgogi.
"We look like we're dating."
I almost choked when she said that so casually.
"Dating's definitely last on my list." I said.
She laughed while her mouth's full of food.
"Me too! My number one goal is to take care of my Dad's artworks and the second one is... guess what?"
"Teas?"
"Yeah! How about you? What are your priorities?"
"Paint, paint, and paint." I said while using my hand to count.
"Boring!" she teased me and I frowned at her. "Just kidding, I know art is your girlfriend, you're that type of person."
I shrugged. "But my second goal now is to help Iseul."
She gave me a meaningful look. "Don't tell me... are you in love with a ghost?"
I covered my mouth to prevent myself from spitting water! This girl is so... random! I never even thought of that!
"I am not in love with her, Sai."
"Alright, alright, I'm just joking around." she said and focused on her bingsu.
"I'll just get more water."
The dispenser's placed not that far from our table. I walked towards it. While filling my cup, the restaurant's wall caught my attention. It has niches on the wall, with decorations displayed. I walked closer to look at them.
There were small potteries and jewels. I moved to the right side and saw a glass box. It has tassles displayed inside.
"Those are called norigae knots."
An old lady said, she was also looking at it beside me. Her appearance looked like she's working here. I think she's also Korean.
"They are traditional Korean ornaments worn by women. It symbolizes different things... like health, luck, beauty, and protection."
"These look beautiful." I said.
"Mhm, yeppeuda. I made these tassels a long time ago." I looked at her, but she's still staring at the knots.
"That's very talented of you. You made great pieces," I said.
She smiled naturally. "I made one as a symbol of protection... but it didn't protect my friend."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Iseul was a good friend. But this knot wasn't enough to protect her."