"Mom! Why can't you just leave this man? Why must we tolerate this violence every day? He's beating you, he's a drunkard, and he's losing his hard-earned money on foolish businesses. Why did you love a man like this? I can earn now! I can make a living…"
A sharp slap landed on Mira's face from her mother.
"He's your father! If I stood by him in his success, I should be there for him in his failures too. Stop being so stubborn."
"Those are the words coming from your foolish heart. You wouldn't speak such things with your brain…"
"Mira… listen to me…"
"No. I'm leaving this house to be successful in life. When I come back, I'll take you away from this hell of a man! Until then, keep embracing this bad love."
"Mira! Come back! Mira!" Her mother's desperate calls grew louder, echoing in her ears. Cold sweat dripped from her forehead as her sleep was disturbed. She opened her eyes wide, startled by the unfamiliar roof above her. Coming back to her senses, she noticed a bare arm wrapped around her naked body, covered with sheets.
She slowly separated herself from the man sleeping soundly beside her, collected her clothes scattered on the floor, and wore them on her way to the washroom.
Mira stepped out of the shower, her hair wet and water droplets falling to the floor. She looked at the time—it was 5 AM. She soon realised it was the day of the summer solstice, the longest day. She looked behind, and Sangwon was sleeping peacefully… Although she wanted to thank him for saving her life the previous evening but did not dare to wake him after knowing it was his first time having sex and that too with a stranger.
She found a pen on the study table but couldn't locate any paper. In a moment of desperation, Mira wrote a short message on the wall in front of the bed before leaving the room. Taking one last glance at Sangwon, her heart beat faster than ever. This felt different from her other one-night stands; she was afraid of falling for a stranger. Love had never been a thing for her.
With a whirlwind of thoughts in her mind, she stepped out of the bedroom. Running out with wet hair, dishevelled clothes, and a heavy heart, she left his house, trying to escape his sight. Little did she know it was futile to run—she had already hurled a stone creating ripples into the silent river of Sangwon's life…
…
"Mira! Can you slow down a bit? Why are you running?" Jiwoo scolded her from behind.
"We need to hurry up, Jiwoo-nim. It's already 11:45 AM. At exactly 12, we can see the spot!"
"You were literally shivering on the call last night, and look at your energy today! This girl, sheesh…"
The two archaeologists reached the ancient palace, waiting for the clock to strike 12 PM, looking at the sun through their dark glasses.
"11:59," Jiwoo announced. Mira stood ready with a compass and spade in hand.
As the clock struck noon, a ray of sunlight pierced through the palace's highest window, illuminating a specific spot on the floor. The light revealed a faint outline, a hidden marker that had been undetectable before. Mira and Jiwoo exchanged excited glances.
"This is it," Mira whispered, her voice trembling with anticipation.
They carefully followed the beam of light, which led them to a corner of the grand hall. Jiwoo adjusted her glasses and knelt down, brushing away the dust. Mira joined him, using her spade to gently scrape away the layers of dirt and debris.
After a few moments of delicate excavation, the edge of a wooden panel became visible. Mira's heart raced as they lifted the panel, revealing a hidden compartment. Inside, wrapped in ancient, weathered cloth, lay the long-lost Cheonmado painting.
Jiwoo carefully unwrapped the cloth, and they both gasped as the vibrant colors and intricate details of the painting were unveiled. The Cheonmado, a masterpiece depicting heavenly horses, shimmered in the sunlight, as if brought to life.
"We found it," Jiwoo breathed, her eyes wide with amazement.
Mira nodded, tears of joy welling up in her eyes. "We actually found it."
Their hands trembled as they carefully lifted the painting from its hiding place, knowing they had uncovered a priceless piece of history. Jiwoo quickly clicked a photograph and sent it to Hong Jisoo, this discovery was the culmination of years of their research and dedication, a testament to their unwavering passion for archaeology.
"What next, ma'am? How will we transport this to the University?" Mira asked curiously.
"First, let me inform the head department and call for security to guard this painting. No one can touch it… the danger begins now, Mira. It's not just us who were searching for this treasure—it's worth billions. Absolutely none of the media reporters can know about this," Jiwoo explained as she dialed the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage.
After speaking with the higher officials, Jiwoo turned to Mira, who was still in awe of the beautiful painting. "Also… pack your bags. We're leaving in two hours. We'll take a sea route to the nearby island, where a private jet will take us to Seoul."
"In two hours? Can't we just leave tonight, after the summer solstice festival?" Mira asked.
"Not at all! We can't risk keeping this painting with us for long! You can visit the solstice festival next year," Jiwoo replied firmly.
Mira bowed her head, still reeling from the fact that she had run away from Sangwon's house without thanking him or properly saying goodbye. Was that really the end of their brief encounter?
Meanwhile, Sangwon stirred from his sleep, blinking against the morning light. He stretched and glanced around, suddenly aware of the emptiness beside him. Memories of the previous night flooded back, and he looked around for any sign of Mira. As he sat up, his eyes fell on a note scrawled on the wall opposite the bed.
"Meet me at the solstice festival tonight. Mira."
His heart raced as he read the note. She was still in town. He checked the time and realized he had a few hours before the festival began. Determined, he got ready and set out to find her.
As the day gave way to evening, the solstice festival buzzed with activity. Lanterns were lit, and the air was filled with music and laughter. Sangwon navigated through the crowd, his eyes scanning every face, searching for Mira.
Mira, on the other hand, was torn between her duty and her emotions. She knew the importance of their discovery, but part of her desperately wanted to see Sangwon one last time. She stood at the edge of the festival, her heart pounding with anticipation and anxiety.
Suddenly, through the throng of people, Mira spotted Sangwon. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world around them faded away. Sangwon approached her, his expression a mixture of relief and longing.
"You came," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the festival's noise.
"I had to," he replied, taking her hand. "I needed to see you again."
They spent the next hour together, wandering through the festival, their fingers interlaced as if afraid to let go. The vibrant lanterns cast a warm, golden glow over their faces, creating an enchanting ambiance that made everything around them feel surreal. The music floated through the air, a soft melody that seemed to match the rhythm of their hearts.
As they walked, they paused at different stalls, sampling sweet treats and sipping on warm tea. Mira laughed as Sangwon tried to win a stuffed animal at one of the game booths, his determined expression making her heart swell with affection. When he finally succeeded, he handed her the prize with a triumphant smile, and she accepted it with a playful curtsy.
They strolled along the edge of the festival, finding a secluded spot beneath a large Pohutukawa tree. The red petals, illuminated by the festival lights, fell around them like a gentle, red snowfall. They sat on a bench, their shoulders touching, and gazed up at the stars that peeked through the branches.
"Sangwon, this feels like a dream," Mira whispered, her voice filled with wonder.
He turned to her, his eyes reflecting the same sentiment. "It does. I wish it could last forever."
They sat quietly beside each other. Mira found herself opening up in a way she hadn't in years, feeling a connection that was both thrilling and terrifying. She had hundreds of unspoken words, Sangwon wanting to listen to them, his presence was a comforting anchor amidst the swirling emotions.
At one point, a musician nearby started playing a soft, haunting melody on a violin. Without a word, Sangwon stood and held out his hand to Mira. She hesitated for a moment, then placed her hand in his. He pulled her close, and they began to sway gently to the music, the world around them fading into the background.
As they danced under the red blossoms, Mira felt a profound sense of peace. She rested her head on Sangwon's shoulder, closing her eyes and savouring the moment. The warmth of his embrace, the soft murmur of the festival, and the tender notes of the violin created a perfect symphony that wrapped around them like a cocoon.
A whirl of wind separated them momentarily as a rush of people ran to find shelter from the sudden rain. Mira knew this was her only chance to walk away from Sangwon. He looked at her, confusion etched on his face.
"Thank you for saving me… Goodbye, Sangwon. I'll try to live a good life. You must do the same…"
Unexpectedly, Mira found herself teary-eyed, emotions she hadn't known she possessed surfacing all at once. She smiled at Sangwon from a distance, her heart aching. He tried to push through the crowd to reach her, to stop her by holding her arm. He couldn't let her go just like that. Their eyes met one last time.
Then, Mira turned and walked away from Sangwon, who stood there, surrounded by the crowd. As he looked up, she had already vanished, leaving him standing alone in the throng, the rain blending with the tears he didn't realise were falling.
Mira joined Han Jiwoo, who waited for her at the port with the Cheonmado painting packed in the suitcase. "Thank you, Jiwoo-nim, for giving me this precious time."
"Are you sure you're okay? I can leave by myself if you want to stay longer," Jiwoo said, worried as she noticed Mira's pale face.
"Yeah, I'm absolutely fine! Let's go!" Mira took a deep breath and stepped onto the motorboat. As the boat pierced the sea, she looked back at the illuminated coastline of Jeju Island, where the summer solstice festival was in full swing.
The festival had given her the most unforgettable night of her life—a midsummer night that would haunt her forever.